CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

**kal** · Last edited by kal on Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:56 pm; edited 5 times in total

Order today! GO »

Learn how to design and build your dream home theater. Over 800 construction photos and hours of videos and audio interviews available.

The fundamentals of building a dedicated home theater are taught by walking you through the process from concept to completion.

This book was created for those people who fall into one or more of these categories:

Want to design or build a home theater themselves.
Are going to contract out the theater construction and want to know what to watch for.
Want to learn from the experience of other home theater owners, including pitfalls and lessons learnt.
Love home theater and want to see what others have done, including seeing hundreds of home theater construction photos!

The book is split into four parts:

Part I: Planning

What is Home Theater?
Audio Options
Video Options
Screen Options (size, material, aspect ratio, masking, acoustically transparent)
Seating Options
Soundproofing and Acoustics (transmission, acoustic treatment)
Speaker Placement
Wall Construction Techniques
Designing Your Theater (3D software packages, room software, home theater apps)

A dream home theater cannot be built without serious planning. In the first part of the book, you will examine the basics of home theater, examining the primary components and terms used in the design and building of a home theater. After dealing with all the theories of home theater, the room that will ultimately become your home theater is discussed, along with the various basic construction issues that must be addressed.

Part II: Construction

Prior To Construction (tools, prep work)
Walls
Screen Wall Framing (speakers behind screen vs. in room)
Ceiling
Soffits
Stages
Proscenium
Risers
Line of Sight Considerations
Hush Box
Equipment Room / Rack
Concessions / Snack Bar
Heating and Cooling

In Part II readers will start to see many of the well over 800 photos in the book, taking a look at how different theater owners built their walls, stages, risers, and much more. Details behind the finishing touches are all shown. You will see different techniques for building each of the various aspects of a home theater.

Part III: Electrical

120 Volt Versus Low Voltage
Ground Loops
Power Control
Lighting Control Systems
Network Wiring
Cable / Satellite Wiring
Component Wiring
IR Repeaters
Speaker Wiring

In Part III readers will examine the different types of electrical wiring in a theater, from full voltage to low voltage. Also included are lots of photos of the many unique ways home theater owners use lighting in their theaters. You will be able to consider not only the types of lights owners used but how they ran the wires and prepared the theater for their electrical needs.

Part IV: Finishing

Insulation
Drywall
Lighting
Sound Treatments and Wall Fabric
Paint
Carpet
Columns
Moulding
Seating
Equipment Installation
Speaker Installation
Opening Night!

In Part IV readers will look at all the various ways owners have finished off their theaters. Hundreds of pictures of design ideas are presented. Readers will learn about seating, carpet, paint, moulding, sound treatments, wall fabric, and more. The section ends with final photos showing off the finished theaters on opening night.

Expert Videos Package

Hours of videos are now available as an optional add-on. See the evolution of home theaters from start to finish and watch interviews with some of the leading experts and authorities in the field of home theater. Learn directly from the experts as they share knowledge and insight with you. Includes:

Bryan Pape, Industry Expert: Home Theater Acoustics - Bryan Pape of GIK Acoustics is an Acoustical Engineer and one of the leading experts on the issue of designing home theater acoustic solutions. He is sought out for his wisdom and ability to take the complex issue of acoustics and discuss it in language that everyone can understand. In his videos, Bryan walks through the fundamentals of home theater acoustics, and discusses how home theater builders can properly design their rooms.
Curt Fluegel, Industry Expert: Home Theater Design - Curt Fluegel is the owner of the CF Theater. His passion for home theater led him into the industry and to create one of the most amazing theaters you will ever see. In his videos, Curt shares his thoughts on home theater design and home automation.
Ken Whitcomb, Industry Expert: Video Calibration - Ken Whitcomb (owner of Calibrations Inc.) is known by many as the leading video calibrations expert in the industry. He has worked on theaters ranging from the largest and most famous to the smallest. Ken discusses the basics of video calibration, shows some screen examples, and takes us inside Art Sonneborn's famous theater to show us his calibration process.
Mark Seaton, Industry Expert: Audio and Loudspeakers - Mark Seaton is known in the industry as one of the leading authorities on audio, calibration, and loudspeaker design. As the founder and creator of Seaton Sound, his products are used in some of the best home theaters. In his three videos, Mark discusses audio calibration, speaker placement, subwoofer design and implementation and more.
Evolution Video: Building The Blazing Ridge Cinema home theater
Evolution Video: Building the Cinema Murray home theater
Evolution Video: Building the Prairie Home Cinema home theater

These videos are only available when purchasing The Home Theater book with the optional Expert Videos package. They are not for sale individually. New expert videos are added continuously so check back often. As a paid member you will have access to all new videos as they are added.

Interviews / Bonus Content

Included with all packages are additional PDF documents and hours of audio interviews with home theater experts. Includes:

Shawn Byrne: Theater Designer and Calibrations Expert of Cinema Forte - The fundamental issues surrounding room design and how that impacts the final audio performance of the home theater. (58 minutes)
Jeff Parkinson: Expert Home Theater Contractor and Builder - BigMouthInDC on AVSForum - Home theater projects including common mistakes people make when they design and build their own theaters. Jeff offers tips and suggestions for home theater owners. (22 minutes)
Kal Wallner: Author and Video Calibration Professional of CurtPalme.com - Information on video calibration from why calibration is important to common tools used to perform calibration. Kal discusses the Greyscale Guide for Dummies that he has written and talks about best practices for video calibration. (24 minutes)
Mark Techer: CinemaScope Home Theater Expert of CAVX - CinemaScope in the home theater. From the basics of what CinemaScope is, to the equipment needed for a CinemaScope theater and suggestions for designing a room with the wide screen in mind. (37 minutes)
Ted White: Home Theater Soundproofing Expert of SoundproofingCompany Inc. - Soundproofing concepts and soundproofing a home theater. Ted discusses everything from the fundamentals of soundproofing to specific construction techniques for the home theater environment, to some common mistakes and his tips and suggestions for the best soundproofing of a home theater. (63 minutes)
Ethan Winer: Audio and Acoustics Expert of RealTraps - Audio and Acoustics in the home theater. Ethan discusses concepts starting with the fundamentals of audio and acoustics themselves to room reflections and room modes, bass in the home theater, bass traps, and much more. (49 minutes)

New interviews are added periodically so check back often.

Pictures

Order today! GO »

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 1480 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

I could only dream of my theater looking like one of those, I mean wow Neutral

kabuby77 · Joined: 28 Mar 2011 Posts: 110 Location: Italy

Any early adopter opinion? Mr. Green

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7309

Dude!!!

Whats the story behind the book? Who wrote what?

I'm ordering one, of course but.... i wanna know!!
Shocked

**kal** · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

The book's written by Warren Peterson (whom some of you may know from AVS).

I've read the whole thing through now myself as I'm getting near to starting my own new HT. It’s extremely well done. Tons of pictures of about 10 of the better builds from there showing how they went from start to end (EDIT: There are videos with industry experts now too). I'm familiar with all the stuff but it was nice to see it all organized into one place. It's easy to forget stuff.

Think of it as basically a summary of about 1,000,000 AVS posts reworded and organized nicely with pictures and then extra text explaining what people actually did. I’m sure it was a ton of work. It reminds me of my greyscale guide or my brewery building brewing book– it’s a reorganization of a ton of information into something useful.

And of course the exclusive interviews with people such as myself are absolutely priceless. Wink

Full disclaimer: Buying the book through the link here at CurtPalme.com gives us a small kickback (at no extra cost to you). Your support is appreciated!

Kal

**ecrabb** · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject:

Full disclaimer: I know Warren personally; from several AVS meets going back five years or so, from when he shot my theater for his Home Theaters Revealed DVD series, and from an ongoing working relationship... That said, he's a great guy. He's very supportive and involved with the AVS community, and the HT hobby and community in general.

Of course, we all know Kal as the creator of this excellent site.

Buy the Home Theater Book here, support Warren, and support Kal and the site at the same time: Win, win, and more win.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

SC

kabuby77 · Joined: 28 Mar 2011 Posts: 110 Location: Italy

I made a fast look, really interesting Cool

**kal** · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject:

Learn how to design and build your dream home theater. Over 800 construction photos and hours of videos and audio interviews available.

The Home Theater Book chronicles the building of nine dedicated home theaters from start to end including design, construction, electrical, HVAC, finishing, and more.

The fundamentals of building a dedicated home theater are taught by walking you through the process from concept to completion.

NEW! Expert Videos Package

Hours of videos are now available as an optional add-on. See the evolution of home theaters from start to finish and watch interviews with some of the leading experts and authorities in the field of home theater. Learn directly from the experts as they share knowledge and insight with you. Includes:

Bryan Pape, Industry Expert: Home Theater Acoustics - Bryan Pape of GIK Acoustics is an Acoustical Engineer and one of the leading experts on the issue of designing home theater acoustic solutions. He is sought out for his wisdom and ability to take the complex issue of acoustics and discuss it in language that everyone can understand. In his videos, Bryan walks through the fundamentals of home theater acoustics, and discusses how home theater builders can properly design their rooms.
Curt Fluegel, Industry Expert: Home Theater Design - Curt Fluegel is the owner of the CF Theater. His passion for home theater led him into the industry and to create one of the most amazing theaters you will ever see. In his videos, Curt shares his thoughts on home theater design and home automation.
Ken Whitcomb, Industry Expert: Video Calibration - Ken Whitcomb (owner of Calibrations Inc.) is known by many as the leading video calibrations expert in the industry. He has worked on theaters ranging from the largest and most famous to the smallest. Ken discusses the basics of video calibration, shows some screen examples, and takes us inside Art Sonneborn's famous theater to show us his calibration process.
Mark Seaton, Industry Expert: Audio and Loudspeakers - Mark Seaton is know in the industry as one of the leading authorities on audio, calibration, and loudspeaker design. As the founder and creator of Seaton Sound, his products are used in some of the best home theaters. In his three videos, Mark discusses audio calibration, speaker placement, subwoofer design and implementation and more.
Evolution Video: Building The Blazing Ridge Cinema home theater
Evolution Video: Building the Cinema Murray home theater
Evolution Video: Building the Prairie Home Cinema home theater

Included with all packages are additional PDF documents and hours of audio interviews with home theater experts.

The Home Theater Book is a digital download available for immediate access upon payment. No shipping!

20% OFF until the end of September! Use coupon code 'CURTPALME' at checkout.

For more information or to order, see: http://www.curtpalme.com/TheHomeTheaterBook.shtm

Kal

HK-Steve · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject:

Just got it,
Well done Warren, Very Nice work.

Cheers

**kal** · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your order Steve - it's appreciated!

Kal

HK-Steve · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:54 pm Post subject:

The info is great, well worth it.

Now to go listen to the mp3's.

Cheers

**kal** · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:37 pm Post subject:

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE 20% OFF THE HOME THEATER BOOK & EXPERT VIDEOS!

If you've ever been thinking about building your dream home theater or renovating your current one, I highly recommend this book and videos. Even if you're a home theater 'expert' it gives you a lot of reminders of the things to look out for. I used the book/videos myself when doing my new basement over the last few months. It's great to see all this information organized into one spot.

Our special coupon code "CURTPALME" expires in 3 days.

To order or for complete details see:

http://www.curtpalme.com/TheHomeTheaterBook.shtm

Kal

HK-Steve · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject:

even to just have a read, and see the process of the many GREAT HT build's, is great info.

Well worth, plus a big thanks to those who helped show their own build, advice, experience, in one awesome collection.

Cheers