New dedicated HT in basement - need advice on a couple things

[Zigrivers]

Hi guys -

I have just started the process of creating a dedicated home theater in our basement and I was hoping to get some advice on a couple of things. Forgive me if some of these questions are dumb, I'm very new to all of this and I am trying to read and learn everything I can.

First - what would you recommend I do for the floor? I'm assuming carpet here, but really want to go with whatever will be the best for a dedicated home theater. If I should do carpet, are there carpet options I should be considering?

Second - I have two options I can do for the size of the home theater - option one is 7' x 17.3' x 19.5', or option two is 7' x 19.5' x 24.3' (measurements are in feet). Ideally, I would like to make the room as large as possible with maybe three rows of seating, but I also want to make the right decision when it comes to the acoustics of the room and the viewing of the screen.

Third - I have assumed that a projector is the best way to go for a HT. Based on my calculations I could potentially do a screen size of up to about 210 inches (diagonal). I would like to do the largest screen size I can based on the size of my HT. What advice would you have on this topic based on my room size? What projectors should I be looking at? Is there anything else I should be thinking about at this stage?

I would really appreciate any insight or advice you may have as I am really new to all of this and I want to get this right the first time, if possible.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Once I nail this stuff down, I will want to look into acoustical room treatments for a HT and look at the best speakers and speaker setup for my situation, but I will save that stuff for a future thread.

-Ken

 

[bpape]

Either of the room sizes would be OK. To do 3 rows, I'd recommend the larger one.

210" diagonal is way way too big - sorry. You'd never get viewing angles correct for 3 rows with a 7' ceiling (3 rows will be an issue anyway with a 7' ceiling due to riser height requirements). This is not even to mention getting a projector that will have sufficient brightness and contrast on a screen that size without spending high 5 figures for it.

As for the floor, carpet is usually your best option in a home theater environment.

Bryan

 

[Zigrivers]

Thanks for responding so quickly! What would you recommend as the largest screen size given my setup?

And what are the riser height requirements for a row?

Thanks!

Either of the room sizes would be OK. To do 3 rows, I'd recommend the larger one.

210" diagonal is way way too big - sorry. You'd never get viewing angles correct for 3 rows with a 7' ceiling (3 rows will be an issue anyway with a 7' ceiling due to riser height requirements). This is not even to mention getting a projector that will have sufficient brightness and contrast on a screen that size without spending high 5 figures for it.

As for the floor, carpet is usually your best option in a home theater environment.

Bryan

 

[bpape]

Well, they kind of go hand in hand. With a 7' ceiling, the most you're likely going to be able to do is 12" total riser and that will only leave you with 6' head clearance in the back row. To .do 3 rows, that would mean the most is 6" per riser.

That then determines the angle where you can see over the heads of the person in front of you and still see the bottom of the screen. Even with something like a 120" 2.35:1 screen, you'll still likely have to mount it higher than normal to allow the viewing of the full screen.

Realistically, 2 rows would be a better option with the low ceiling.

Bryan

 

[Zigrivers]

I think based on this information, I'll likely go with the smaller room setup and just two rows of seating.

With this decision, and my room setup, how high would you recommend I make the 2nd row riser? The 12" you've mentioned, or some other amount?

Well, they kind of go hand in hand. With a 7' ceiling, the most you're likely going to be able to do is 12" total riser and that will only leave you with 6' head clearance in the back row. To .do 3 rows, that would mean the most is 6" per riser.

That then determines the angle where you can see over the heads of the person in front of you and still see the bottom of the screen. Even with something like a 120" 2.35:1 screen, you'll still likely have to mount it higher than normal to allow the viewing of the full screen.

Realistically, 2 rows would be a better option with the low ceiling.

Bryan

 

[Zigrivers]

What about windows

Also, one thing I forgot to mention is that I have a window that will be in one corner of the room.

What options are there to consider for treating the window so that no light gets in to the room? Anything else I should be considering with treating the window?

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

First - what would you recommend I do for the floor? I'm assuming carpet here, but really want to go with whatever will be the best for a dedicated home theater. If I should do carpet, are there carpet options I should be considering?

Carpet is a good idea. Make it a dark color, please. In fact, make it black if you don't mind!

Second - I have two options I can do for the size of the home theater - option one is 7' x 17.3' x 19.5', or option two is 7' x 19.5' x 24.3' (measurements are in feet). Ideally, I would like to make the room as large as possible with maybe three rows of seating, but I also want to make the right decision when it comes to the acoustics of the room and the viewing of the screen.

Personally, I vote for the larger room, even with "only" two rows. You will be afforded the most flexibility in tweaking viewing distance, and speaker placement. And trust me, you WILL be tweaking. While the larger room requires more subwooferage, it wil require less trapping. Still, we always recommend trapping for bass.

Third - I have assumed that a projector is the best way to go for a HT. Based on my calculations I could potentially do a screen size of up to about 210 inches (diagonal). I would like to do the largest screen size I can based on the size of my HT. What advice would you have on this topic based on my room size? What projectors should I be looking at? Is there anything else I should be thinking about at this stage?

IMO, the BEST advice I always give in threads like this is: fire the pic at the blank wall for a few days. I did for a whole week. Then you will be sure. Do not build anything permanently into the front wall until you have done this. People's tastes for immersion really varies more than you think.

Thanks for responding so quickly! What would you recommend as the largest screen size given my setup?

See above. Here is a calculator so that you can pick a point to START finding what is ideal for you. IMO, NOTHING replaces my solution above.
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

And what are the riser height requirements for a row?

http://www.theater-calc.com/

Note that the above is to find the MINIMUM. Then consider that sometimes the people in front of you might not recline, and the rear row persons would like to. So, definitely add some to that minimum.

I think based on this information, I'll likely go with the smaller room setup and just two rows of seating.

I still like the bigger room.

Also, one thing I forgot to mention is that I have a window that will be in one corner of the room.

What options are there to consider for treating the window so that no light gets in to the room? Anything else I should be considering with treating the window?

Black out curtain. Also, if it's at the point of a first reflection, etc, you might want to put a treatment over it. I can't quite recall exactly, but mike c might've done that.

 

[Tiguron]

Is the floor currently bare concrete? If it is I would look at a subfloor before putting down carpet. I put down the interlocking kind (dri-core) and I feel it helps with sound isolation and bass response. I told the wife we needed it to keep the floor warmer (it also does this).

 

[sawzalot]

If that window is needed as an egress make sure it is easy to get at ,don't want to block the only way out of the theater room just in "case"...