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Existing Room Conversions Options are explored for upgrading rooms into unique home theaters. From "Home Theater" episode DHTW-102

(Continued from page 1)

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Converting an Existing Room

Russ demonstrates how easy it is to convert an existing bedroom into a great home theater without breaking the bank:

• First he installs a box over the canopy bed the house the front projector (figure C). The box is made plywood and covered in fabric to match the room's decor.

  Note: The box has an opening just large enough for the projector to beam a picture onto the big screen. And be sure to keep the "top" of the box open because the projector needs the ventilation (figure D).

• Mount the surround-sound speakers around the room, and install the surround-sound receiver, which includes a DVD player.

• Finally, the big screen is a low-cost do-it-yourself variety. The frame is made out of 2 x 2s, butt jointed together with drywall screws. Russ went out and bought some absorbent black velvet, and he wrapped it around the framed and stapled it. Once the frame is wrapped, simply hang it on the wall.

• Snap in the screen, which is made of white cloth wrapped around plywood (figure E).

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Note: The screen fabric always goes in last because if it gets damaged, you have to buy a new screen.

• The final step is to calibrate the speakers using a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. You can buy an inexpensive one at most electronic stores. Simply hold the meter specifically where the person's ear will be. Point the front (the microphone part) up to the ceiling but not directly at the speakers and keep it in one spot--no movement. Using your remote, adjust your sound using the meter reading until each sound meters the same. Once all the levels are equal the audio will be calibrated. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Creating this bedroom home theater is an easy, weekend project. It has a front-projection system, big screen, surround-sound speakers and an audio-video receiver with a DVD player.

In the next episode Corey, Mark and Peter continue building the home theater from the ground up--greatly improving the audio quality by installing sound absorbing walls and a floating floor.

For more information on Home-Entertainment Upgrades, check out Fine Living's (one of DIY's sister networks) C/Net package!

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RESOURCES :

Don Fillers & Assoc.
Website: www.dfasolutions.com

McDougall Bros. Construction, Inc.
Website: www.mcdougallbros.com

Belden CDT Electronics Division
Website: www.belden.com

Kinetics Noise Control
Website: www.kineticsnoise.com

La-Z-Boy
Website: www.lazboy.com

Home Theater Builder Magazine
We apologize no contact information is available.

GUESTS :

Mark Midyett
Engineer/Designer
Don Fillers & Assoc.
1003 North Broadway St.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-523-4470
Website: www.dfasolutions.com

Russ Herschelmann
Home Theater Designer
Phone: 707-257-0112