CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

I just picked up carpet from Menards because it was over $.50 cheaper per sq ft than normal...normally 2.50 sq ft down to 1.9 sq ft.

It is Mohawk Alladin nylon in color black swan...installed on Sept. 14! Can't wait!

**ecrabb** · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:35 am Post subject:

Way to go, man - almost there! I couldn't believe what a transformation it was just to put a sheet of carpet down! You'll probably have carpet down and I STILL won't have photos up!

It feels so good when it all starts coming together!

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Thanks. Yes you need to put up some photos!!!

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Done quite a bit recently trying to prepare for the carpet to get installed.

Put a door on the theater room...

Painted a bit more...rounded off my riser at the request of the carpet installer...

I am thinking about converting the three 6" cans in the back to 120V GU10 halogen cans so that I can get some adjustable trim to spot on a few posters back there.

More pictures next week once the carpet gets done!!!

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Oh ya...I am gonna get some expandable foam to fill the gap between my shims and the wall.

plus lots of other stuff to still do.

**ecrabb** · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

You still just three days away from carpet in there? Looking good!

How's the little girl?

My project has been at a complete standstill now for over two months - both because of the new baby, and because of taking care of other stuff that I blew off all spring while I was building the theater. On the up-side, the baby boy started sleeping through the night a few weeks ago, and we've watched several movies, now. Woo-hoo! Black Snake Moan last weekend and Disturbia last night.

You're almost there!

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Baby is doing great. Not quite sleeping regularly yet but she is healthy so we have that!

I am getting antsy for this carpet to get put in! I have cleared out the room and am trying to finish up the paint so that I won't splatter on the new carpet.

I hope to have some dramatic before and after pics.

I might hold off until i get all of the side panels done as well to post some pictures.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Disappointed. Sad

Carpet installer canceled due to another job taking too long. He said maybe next week.

Is it wrong for me to hate contractors even more now?!

dc_pilgrim · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 225 Location: PA

I hear you. I was really annoyed when my carpet guy called in sick (but the office didn't call us, we had to chase them down) and pushed me back a day, and that was just for the playroom. Hope we have no such problems when the HT is ready. Carpet makes a huge difference. It will be worth the wait.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

I got my KeypadLinc to install at the entrance to the theater but am having a bit of a difficult time figuring out how to install it. Hopefully someone here can help me.

Here is the diagram they give you to install the device.

Here is what I think I have...

I need to unwire what I have done already to find out which wire is my line wire in the primary switch junction box but I was starting to get confused at 930pm after a very long day.

Can anyone help?

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Finally some real pictures.

Here is my primary box with the hot wire indicated...black wire

12-2 coming up from the bottom and 12-3 going out the top. There is also a red wire capped in the back of the box...but it was hooked up to the switch.

Here is my secondary box with the hot wire indicated...

12-3 coming in from the top. That's it. The white wire is hot.

I need to get this knocked out and I am getting frustrated here. It would be much easier to trouble shoot with the buddy system Wink

.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Wow! It took us about 40 breaker swaps before we figured it out but I think we got it.

I have programmed the keypadlinc and I must say it is really cool. I can hit 3 buttons or 1 button to turn on all my lights. Very fun to watch them gradually come on and gradually go off.

Anyway....the big news is...THE CARPET IS DONE!!!!!

I thought they did a great job given all the weird angles and overhangs.

Now to finish the paint and the fabric panels on the lower half. I want some theater seating and a few movies, Woohoo!

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Does it really ever get finished? Several reasons to explain why I haven't really done ANY work on the theater since the carpet install.

1. new baby
2. already functional
3. really lazy
4. like to be able to tell people...it is a work in progress
5. really lazy

Well here is how it sits today. I really want to finish up the entrance wall and get the back all painted up. I also have all the materials to finish up the paneling and chair rail type trim.

Maybe over the holidays I can get the back of the room done! Hah, I will be traveling, darn.

derfla · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 547 Location: eastern ohio

Looking good! I hope mine turns out as good.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:57 am Post subject:

Looks better. I like reasons's 3 and 5. I managed to add 1 shelf to my new wall unit tonight. That and watch a movie....on the 42" RPTV gota work on the Ampro this weekend. Seem's the only time it's down is when I want to show it off to somebody.

Keep us posted. Thumbs Up

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Ok so they are small updates but progress nonetheless...

Inside door trim cut and installed.

Door frame gap filled with foam (why I decided sound isolation was critical here and nowhere else is beyond me at this point).

I placed the chair rail trim in place to get an idea of how it would look. I like it. I will need more though.

Ah, yes...the slip cover...much better now.

And here is the keypadlinc for those that have never seen these. I still need to come up with some creative button covers. Pretty nice and easy for the wife to figure out.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:30 am Post subject:

What's that control exactly?

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Anything I want. I can program the A,B,C,D buttons to have different scenes to control my other insteon devices. Pretty slick if you ask me. Not too expensive.

**ecrabb** · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Insteon is great - especially if you want to get into another addicting hobby. If you're into computers, you can automate the crap out of stuff. I have a piece of software called Indigo that controls and automates a bunch of X10 and Insteon devices. It's running under Mac OS X on an old PowerBook that acts as a web server. I can pull up all my devices and scripts in the browser on my iPhone (both on-site and off-site) and turn things on and off in the house. It's so friggin' addicting. You can do the same stuff with PC software, it just isn't as good or as elegant. Wink

With the computer, you can do all sorts of neat conditional logic, like "motion sensor turns light on, but only if daylight is false" or "motion sensor trigger sends email to this address:".

Soon, I'll have my AMX system controller integrated with Indigo via a serial link, so I'll be able to turn the whole theater on before I even go downstairs - from my iPhone. Man, this stuff is SO COOL!!!

Greg, do you ever get over to Des Moines? We gotta get together some time!!!

SC

JustGreg · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

I started out with a 4 gang just inside the theater to the right but realized after getting the triple action swinging doors installed that I'd have to push the door open (the doors have palm plates...no handles, so no pulling) let go of the door, find my way in the dark to the switches (not too bad...they have green led's when off) and activate the lights. The biggest problem was movie time. I had to get off my lazy ass, walk 4 feet to the slider dimmers, kill the lights, and find my way back to my seat. Shocked

I've done the Dick VanDyke thing more than once....vacuuming up buttery popcorn SUCKS!

I just recently pulled out three slider dimmers but due to budget constraints I couldn't go with a high end control system so I went with 3 X10 RF dimmers. Only three replaced as the last one controls the Exit sign over the doors. The bundled kit came with the three dimmer switches, and 3 Slimline control pads with double sided tape on the back. I put one pad next to my seat on a boxed in center beam support, and the other outside the theater. Each switch has selectable channels so it can be used with the bigger X10 handheld remote also, which I have but only use for another set of X10 controls for Christmas lights. That kit also came with a serial RF dongle and software..which I never use.

I wish the dimmers had infinite adjustability but it appears they are stepped...~10 'notches'. Still, for an affordable alternative to higher priced automated systems I'm quite happy with them. X10's site is a mess to get around but it appears I can go with a more sophisticated control system that will interface with what I already have. That'll have to wait for now.

Switch: http://www.x10.com/automation/ws12a_s.html

Slimline Control Pads: http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Slimline_Switch

NOTE: If anyone is interested in what I'm using from X10 Products I'd call them for a package deal. That's how I bought mine. The links shown here are for 1ea purchases....and too pricey if bought that way.

Looks great Greg! I still have a ton of things to do too but it's a battle with the pj to get to it. A partially finished HT is like an opium den. All you (I) want to do is sit there and THINK about the things still to do. Mr. Green

I did finally get carpeting in. I decided on charcoal gray 24x24 insulated modular flooring that has subtle circular designs. I put it down with a dab of Liquid Nails on each corner and in the center. My reasoning for this type of carpet being the sump pump closet is in the corner of the theater (sound insulated) and if something happens (God forbid) I can pull and replace individual wet modules to dry or replace them. I wasn't crazy about the faint lines between squares but I'm getting used to it.

Again, looks great!!! Thumbs Up

Now on to the last portion of my unfinished ceiling!!! Damn pipes and whatnot! <UGH!>

Greg