DIY Network

All Projects

TV Projects

    What Do You Want To Work On?

      What Activity Do You Want To Do?

        0

        Available Projects

        Get Results

        Upgrading To A Home Theater

        Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek gets a new home theater, with a little help from DIY.
        • Time

          Weekend

        • Price Range

          $100 - $250

        • Difficulty

          Moderate to Hard

        In this Project you will:

        Step 1: Build a Box for the Projector

        First install a box to house the front projector. The box is made of plywood and covered in fabric to match the room's decor. The box has an opening just large enough for the projector to beam a picture onto the big screen. Be sure to keep the top of the box open because the projector needs the ventilation.

        Step 2: Mount the Speakers and Frame the Screen

        Mount the surround-sound speakers around the room, and install the surround-sound receiver, which includes a DVD player.
        Finally, the big screen frame is a low-cost do-it-yourself option. The frame is made out of 2 x 2s, butt jointed together with drywall screws. Russ went out and bought some absorbent black velvet, wrapped it around the frame 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.The screen fabric always goes in last because if it gets damaged, you have to buy a new screen.

        Step 3: Calibrate the Speakers

        The final step is to calibrate the speakers using a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. Inexpensive ones can be found 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 the remote, adjust the sound using the meter reading until each sound meters the same. Once all the levels are equal, the audio is 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.

        Was this project helpful?

        Don't forget: Read comments and leave your own

        Advertisement

        Projects

        Guests

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

        COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

            

        Sign in

        All fields are required.

        E-mail Address:

        Password:

        Signing in

        Please enter your email address and we will send your password

        E-mail Address

        Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

        Not a member?

        Sign up with DIY network to share tips with other do-it-yourselfers and comment and ask questions on projects.

        It's free and easy.