Basement Home Theater Questions

[festivus]

I'm going to finish my basement soon and can't seem to find a website that gives good information about the steps to do the finishing with a home theater in mind. For example, I'm finishing about 1000 sq ft with about 600 of that in one large room. At one end of the room I want to install a screen and a projector from the ceiling.

First, what is the usual size for a screen? I keep seeing 100 inches diagonal. Is that about right? About 87 in wide? Should the viewing couch be a little more than 14 feet away? Twice the screen width? How far away should the projector be mounted? Does it depend on the projector?

Wiring obviously needs to be done before drywall so I'm trying to figure out where I can place all of the components and the wiring itself while looking at where I have heating ducts, etc.

Also, I have 2 walls on which I can put a screen, opposite ends of the room. I have a steel support beam 12.5 feet from each wall. Apparently right about where I would want to put a projector for a 92 in diagonal screen. Would this cause a problem?

Anyone know of a good website where I can find this type of info? Projectorcentral.com has good info but I'm looking for some integrated building advice too. Might have to buy a book I guess.

Thanks!

[MeleeDave]

I don't have a lot of info, but here's a link to a good article that compares screen size vs. viewing distance, taking into account the resolution of the display / projector.

http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

This can help you decide how big of a screen to create and the optimum distance.

--Dave

[Robbiee19]

Try this site. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php for home theater stuff. Also look at Owens Corning basement finishing systems. I used them and sound quality is great for home theater. The walls are movable and I run wiring with easy even now with system up.

[festivus]

I'm considering Owens Corning. I like the ability to re do wiring if necessary. Not as much planning to be done. With drywall, you gotta know where you want your hookup ahead of time. Cost is what is pushing me toward drywall. Having to haggle with the OC folks doesn't sound like much fun.

[Robbiee19]

I'm considering Owens Corning. I like the ability to re do wiring if necessary. Not as much planning to be done. With drywall, you gotta know where you want your hookup ahead of time. Cost is what is pushing me toward drywall. Having to haggle with the OC folks doesn't sound like much fun.All I can say is it cost me less than going drywall. That's if you hire out to do the job. I didn't have the time to do it myself. Haggling with OC was not bad. Also I had them compete against Champions who system is very good too. I had the basement done in week!