just starting construction on theater..tips???

[bsuyeti29]

OK the basement transformation has begun. The walls have been studded and the electric has been run. INsulation is not up yet so i figured before i get to the insulation and drywall I would like to take a minute and ask for any tips, pointers, things you wish you would have done in your home theater. Its an area roughly 800 sq ft of which 200 sq feet will be the home theater and connected to the home theater will be a bathroom 8x10 that wont be finished for a bit. So please any tips things i should think about would be great!?!

[un4gvn94538]

run extra speaker wire

[neos_peace]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

run extra speaker wire

and cableing.

Also I've never had the need for it. cuz I don't have a basement. But if I did. I would figure out some way to make it easy assessable to get to eveything in the walls somehow for future upgrades, remodeling, etc. Like a hidden door panel's of something to get to the wires and such.

[bsuyeti29]

yeah thats a thought about how to access things, but thats also the bummer about being in a basement kind of hard once your dry walled to access things. the wire for speaker and electric is in metal pipping to i can run fish tape through it, and no not in the same pipping

[HeManster03]

make sure you wire for extra speaker wire, ethernet, etc. Never know what you will end up adding to your system in the future. Also, like neos said, make yourself a way to get behind to add things later like a small access hatch or something of the sort. have fun and enjoy the remodel. we look forward to seeing your progress.

[bsuyeti29]

Thanks I will be taking pics a little boring right now, but once its to the drywall stage I will starting posting some pics. I will have to think about this access hatch hmmm. Thanks everyone

[BarkingGhost]

Originally Posted by bsuyeti29

Thanks I will be taking pics a little boring right now, but once its to the drywall stage I will starting posting some pics. I will have to think about this access hatch hmmm. Thanks everyone

Does this basement contain any HVAC? If so, right before drywall begins I would seal the vents, filter slots, etc., with PAINTER's tape and cardboard. Once the drywall and mudding are done and the sanding starts it will spread like fine talcum powder and get into everything.

Do not think it will not get into the floor above. If you can, have the drywall sanders use an exterior entry only. Before any dry-walling, you might want to consider additional (dedicated) electrical circuits, and basement-specific plumbing having their own cutoffs, and if you have natural gas and its not run outside already then have it done.

You can buy access panels and cut then into the drywall after the painting is done. Also, if you are going with a projector you might want to think about additional framing support in the above floor joist cavities. And as others have suggested, pre-wire for video and audio.

[bsuyeti29]

yeah i am a litter nervous about the drywalling dust, I will do everything possible to keep it to a minimum. So basically run extra electric and speaker wire, not projector I am not a fan. I will only be sitting about 10-12ft away so I am going to be going with a 60-65inch PLasma more then likely.

[walmat]

If its not too late , how about a drop ceiling for cable access? A 2' x 2' grid with accoustic tile can look pretty good and it helps with sound.

Also, make sure any receptacles you run for your gear are dedicated circuits and use isolated ground receptacles.

And last, make sure you leave access to your gear so you can get back there to plug and unplug equipment.

These are all things I've done in my HT and they've paid off.

Good luck

[TKNice]

If you end up using conduit, here's an idea for running wires. Threading a small rope through along with your cables can make it easier to add more down the road. Measure twice as much rope as you need and put a large mark at the midway point using a permanent marker. This marks where you tie on new cables so they can be pulled through from either end. Don't forget to tie off each end to something and label your cables so you can identify them later!

I agree with running extra cables to spots you may use down the road--like side surrounds.

Oh ya, take lots of pictures before drywall. Maybe even a video.

[kurtis21]

When i built my theater...i ran extra wire for a 7.1 system even though I only had a 5.1 at the time. Boy i'm glad that I did because 6 months later I upgraded my speakers and added 2 more! I also ran an extra HDMI cable in the ceiling just incase the one for the projector ever dies. Haven't had to use it yet but i'm happy it's there.