Tips for Building a Home Theater in an Apartment

[gene]

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[MBauer]

From an elderly person

Being an elderly person I couldn't resist commenting on your article, you could also title it "Breaking an unwanted lease"

Seriously, without regard to age (remember us elderly folks were once young) playing music/movies too loudly does interfere with another persons life, it could be that they are also listening to a selection at high volumes thus interfering with your selection at high volumes, They might have young children (they are the dangererous ones as they are often sleep deprived and very, very cranky) it is just a different selection or lifestyle from yours.

One suggestion you missed are headphones. Dolby Headphones or similiar technology can provide a good HT experience and reduce the impact on your neighbors, combining that with a furniture transducer system and I think you could have an excellent theater or music experience and live with your neighbors, even the elderly ones

 

[BMXTRIX]

I agree, and I don't...

I live in an apartment right now and I specifically got some headphones so that I could watch a late night movie or watch while my son is asleep. But, the real enjoyment of a movie for me is really being able to let my system shine with good audio volume and good bass output.

So, I typically only watch a good movie once every couple of weeks and I start the movie at 4 in the afternoon. I'm sure my neighbors hear it, but they tolerate it... On the other hand, I constantly hear their kids shouting at one another, and I tolerate that. It is definitely about lifestyle and living with your neighbor with a certain amount of tolerance. Kids will yell, music will blare - but as long as it is during reasonable hours then you definitely owe everyone some leeway, and they owe it to you. Then everyone stays happy.

The holes in the wall to run wiring thing is funny... I actually did cut a one gang hole in my wall on both sides to run wiring through and to locate my equipment in another room so my son would stop playing with the pretty buttons and knobs. I will put a one-gang blank over it when I leave and expect that nobody will even notice it. Wiring is run across my wall (high) to keep it away from a curious 1 year old.

Speakers, plasma, projector, and screen are all hung directly on the wall. When I asked about holes to mount furniture and stuff they said that I didn't need to worry about it. The apartment complex has a team that goes in and repaints, patches holes, fixes carpet, etc. after every move out as a standard service. Some holes are expected - but I went into studs on everything so no holes are 'huge'.

Oh, and when I am not watching that good movie every couple of weeks, the sub gets turned way down so we can just enjoy it all the time. Still can't wait until my house is done though.

 

[RLA]

Hi
Holes in the walls are a big deal out here in So Cal The HOA's are very picky
The board members think they are judge jury and executioner and they can levy heavy fines if you alter and interior wall that share's the same "air' space with your neighbor. They can claim destruction of sound control and vapor barrier degradation even on an interior wall and many times you are stuck with cable as satellite dishes are not approved even if hidden on a deck

Headphones are ok if you are going to sit at your desk and watch a movie on your PC, but they are ineffective for good HT performance. I have heard the systems claiming surround sound from headphones. With a little effort and some cooperation with your neighbor there can be a happy median, and we meant no disrespect to any of our members with our comments

Happy Listening

 

[JohnA]

FCC on our side!

many times you are stuck with cable as satellite dishes are not approved even if hidden on a deck

Just so everyone knows:

This is pulled from http://www.myrateplan.com/sat/condos.php There is more Q&A on the site


Information on Installing Satellite TV in condos, townhomes, and rental property:

As directed by Congress in section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), multichannel multipoint distribution (wireless cable) providers ("MMDS"), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").

The rule is cited as 47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000 and has been in effect since October 14, 1996. It prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to- home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

The rule applies to viewers who place video antennas on property that they own and that is within their exclusive use or control, including condominium owners and cooperative owners who have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio, in which to install the antenna. The rule applies to townhomes and manufactured homes, as well as to single family homes.

The rule allows local governments, community associations and landlords to enforce restrictions that do not impair, as well as restrictions needed for safety or historic preservation. In addition, under some circumstances, the availability of a central or common antenna can be used by a community association or landlord to restrict the installation of individual antennas. In addition, the rule does not apply to common areas that are owned by a landlord, a community association, or jointly by condominium or cooperative owners. Therefore, restrictions on antennas installed in common areas are enforceable.

On November 20, 1998, the Commission amended the rule so that it will also apply to rental property where the renter has exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio. The effective date of the amended rule is January 22, 1999.

This fact sheet provides general answers to questions that may arise about the implementation of the rule. For further information or a copy of the rule, call the Federal Communications Commission at 888-CALLFCC (toll free) or (202) 418-7096.

When I rented I just used a bucket and concrete, or cinderblocks and a tri-pod mount. Even my old boss used the bucket and concrete when he was living in his condo. While you may "not be able to mount" a dish to the building itself, there are ways around that.

Also here is the FCC website about this issue:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

 

[Francious70]

In my apts, I have a noisy *** neighbor above me with squeeky furniture. I have a college guy with a barkin *** dog across the hall, and a pothead behind me, so nobody complians about me and my system.

Paul

 

[John.Doe]

Would you think that an active subwoofer which fires downwards would bother the neighbors below you very much even if you turn it down? I am very unexperienced if it comes to that stuff and cannot imagine how much it kicks in.