Have you considered a Fiber Optic Star Ceiling

[vega2K]

Has anyone considered or do you have a Star Ceiling in your HT? I have been doing some research on this. I always thought this would just complete my HT experience. Imagine watching 2001 or Star Wars and having the space scenes extend into your HT room! At first I thought this was too complicated and not feasible, but the more I look, the more it looks like this would actually be very do-able and not too expensive. I am looking at building a 4'x6' frame installed in the center of my HT. Take a look at these links and let us know if you have any comments or tips.

This is similar to what I am looking to build:


I found these free DIY instructions - pretty straight forward:
http://www.starceiling123.com/ebay/diy.pdf

This is how it would look in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_29Pe8HMv0

Here's an idea of the pricing:
http://www.starceiling123.com/index....-products.html

As I see it these are the key items you need in order to build this:
- fiber optic cable
- illuminator
- access to power outlet
- panel to drill and thread each fiber optic strand
- build ceiling frame
- install star panel to frame on ceiling
- Enjoy!

I am estimating about $300 to $400 total in cost. What do you think?

[AcidBurn003]

I never thought to put one of those in a HT. That would be awesome and $300 - 400 seems cheap! That would just be cool! I'm going to add that to my list of things i want in my HT when i get a house and am able to build one! If you put it in you HT, please post pics!!! That would make watching star wars better with the stars!

[P@t_Mtl]

Even if it's a lot less than I figured it would cost, it's not something I would go for in my own HT but I think it's a cool idea, should would make everyone look up when they visit you

[Pirate King]

Very cool. Personally, I would think you would want it to go dark once the movie begins, but it is way cool.

[T-Town Oil]

thatd be sweet as hell while youre listenenig to music. smoke or sip a little bit and have it pitch black with the exception of those optical lights. throw in some pink floyd and enjoy. let us know how it works cause im down to give it a try myself

[vega2K]

In case you're interested - I added these DIY Instructions to the first post which seem pretty straight forward:

http://www.starceiling123.com/ebay/diy.pdf

I am planning on beginning this project in the next few months after I set-up my projector in April-09.

[Run L1ke H3LL]

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[Disky76]

That sounds neat! You just gave me a new idea...

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by Disky76

That sounds neat! You just gave me a new idea...

Come on now, you have to share

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Come on now, you have to share

Like how about covering the ceiling AND the walls with LED stars and planets? The planets could also be set on a dimmer and double as wall sconce lighting.

It would make watching Star Wars a totally new experience!

[vega2K]

If you're interested, I added a few more pictures of the progress in my gallery here: https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...?member=vega2K

Here's some additional highlights:
- I was able to take advantage of a discount coupon at Joann's fabrics and was able to buy the velvet for 40% off, saving me $30!
- I think I purchased all the additional material I will need and found that the most expensive part is the crown molding which goes for $6.09/ft x 26ft = $160 plus tax at Home Depot! I have since changed my approach and have purchased a wood look-alike material (looks like vinyl) which looks almost identical and is white already and works out to about $2.75/ft.
- I decided on the rigid insulation instead of the hardboard/mdf because the mdf was very flexible and weighed a lot. The insulation remained stiff even when I held it up by one corner and it weighs next to nothing.

More to come.

[mosteve]

Hi Vega2K
That rigid light weight insulation is what I was talking about that I used in mine. Its cheap and light weight and easy to work with. I really like yours and Brain sturgeons idea about the black velvet idea I wish I would have thought of that when I did mine. (that fidelio velvet is the look I wanted) So are your fiber optic cables behind the velvet or poking though? Also your link on controllers is great some are not very expensive and the low heat and long life of led's is something to consider if you were going to have it on alot. When I did mine there weren't many controllers to choose from and a cheap one was about $300.00. ( the one with the shooting star also caught my eye)
Also something you might try is to use a wood burning tool or perhaps a pencil type soldering iron to open up and to distort the end of some of the optic cables. This gives the apperence of different size and shape stars so they don't look so uniformon. Different size optic cable also helps with this. Try this on a scrap piece of fiber optic cable and shine a light through it in the dark and see what you think. Also if I remember right they make special cutters for cable so you dont smash the end but it seems like when I did mine that I read that finger nail nippers work for this just as well
Keep the updated pic's coming I am enjoying your progress......steve