New theater/media room, still needs a name...

[Bombertodd]

Test fitting the chairs.

[AVSMike]

Getting closer. I am sure you are getting excited to have it finished.

[Bombertodd]

Finishing up the Fujitsu ducted minisplit air conditioner. Installed the outdoor unit, pressurized the system, and fired it up for the first time last night. Can't believe how quiet the system is. With the fan on max airflow I still couldn't hear it.

Pretty cool seeing all the time and money spent working well.

[NBPk402]

How expensive was the Fujitsu mini split? Did you get it specifically for the HT or is it part of a multiple room setup?

[Bombertodd]

I actually bought a ducted unit and 2 ductless units as part of the complete renovation. The ducted unit is the Fujitsu 18RLFCD. I recall paying about $1,800 for the indoor and outdoor unit. Then add lineset $150, ducting $200, custom manifold $100ish in materials, and through in another $500 for good measure for all the other little things I bought.

So I have about $2,750 into it but not counting any labor since a friend of mine helped me do it. I'd guess there was 15-30 hours to get this thing done how I wanted. I'm not sure what a local HVAC company charges per hour.

Now that I've sat down in the theater with it running, it was 103 degrees here today, and I cannot hear a sound from it while running full speed it really is an awesome system. I've only had it two days and it's one the best parts of the room. Right now I have a 5.1 setup in my living room and the HVAC is loud. Audyssey said it's too loud to calibrate. I notice my wife will turn up the volume when it kicks on. I think she will be thrilled about this system.

I looked at the multi-head units but I noticed they lacked efficiency compared to the single units. My other two are wall mounts and 33 seer. Out electricity is getting pricey out here at $0.33 kWh and it is supposed to go up again so I am trying to find energy efficient products.

[NBPk402]

You are using the ducted unit in the HT? Wouldn't a ductless have been better for the HT... I am assuming that means a ducted unit is ducted to the outside, and a ductless wouldn't. The only reason I am saying this is wouldn't a ductless unit be better for sound loss...in other words, stop the sound from the HT from passing throughout the house due to the ducting, or am I confused as to what a ductless is?

[Bombertodd]

For sound isolation I'd imagine a ductless minisplit would be better. I have a large room 31x18.5 and didn't think a single ductless minisplit would be as good as a ducted unit as far as cooling the room evenly goes. As for sound traveling through ducts, the ducts are only in this room. Since they are not connected to the rest of the house sound won't be able to travel to other rooms.

[NBPk402]

For sound isolation I'd imagine a ductless minisplit would be better. I have a large room 31x18.5 and didn't think a single ductless minisplit would be as good as a ducted unit as far as cooling the room evenly goes. As for sound traveling through ducts, the ducts are only in this room. Since they are not connected to the rest of the house sound won't be able to travel to other rooms.

So there is no fresh air...just cooling the room with the sir from another part of the Room? I was wondering how I was going to cool my next HT, and if I can duplicate your setup, that sounds great.

[Bombertodd]

Yes, I'm recirculating the air. I have room to add a fresh air from an adjacent room or outside, but I wanted to see how the air felt before looking at these options.

[NBPk402]

Yes, I'm recirculating the air. I have room to add a fresh air from an adjacent room or outside, but I wanted to see how the air felt before looking at these options.

My new room might not have outside air...so I am thinking recirculating the air, and using air cleaner on it. This might work for me.

[Bombertodd]

So I think I've decided on an Epson 5040ub and a 130" wide 2.35:1 screen.

I picked the Epson for:
- Lens memory
- Price (projector and bulb)
- Brightness (dynamic mode would be nice for parties and events)
- Lag

I'm going to build the screen myself to save some money. I'm torn between saving money with Center Stage UF and wanting the added brightness of Center Stage XD so I can run the projector in a quieter mode in case I need the lumens. I'm assuming I need/want at least 1100 lumens.

What do you guys think?

[AVSCraig]

So I think I've decided on an Epson 5040ub and a 130" wide 2.35:1 screen.

I picked the Epson for:
- Lens memory
- Price (projector and bulb)
- Brightness (dynamic mode would be nice for parties and events)
- Lag

I'm going to build the screen myself to save some money. I'm torn between saving money with Center Stage UF and wanting the added brightness of Center Stage XD so I can run the projector in a quieter mode in case I need the lumens. I'm assuming I need/want at least 1100 lumens.

What do you guys think?

That's a big screen. You will want to run the Epson in one of the brighter modes for sure -

http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/epson-hc5040ub-pc6040ub-projector-review-performance/#out-of-the-box-brightness-different-modes-and-lamp-settings

[Bombertodd]

I'm thinking bright cinema mode most of the time. I did plan to mount the projector towards the front (closest to screen) of it's zoom range. Should help the brightness.

Craig or Mike? How much are you asking for the Epson 5040ub? I also need a ceiling mount.

[AVSCraig]

I'm thinking bright cinema mode most of the time. I did plan to mount the projector towards the front (closest to screen) of it's zoom range. Should help the brightness.

Craig or Mike? How much are you asking for the Epson 5040ub? I also need a ceiling mount.

They go back on sale on the 24th for $ 200.00 off - $ 2499.99, shipped.

[Bombertodd]

I guess I'll have to wait. Are the JVC 420 going to be on sale soon since the 440 is coming out?


Also, what are the pros and cons to using a hanging projector mount vs a shelf (box) mounted to the ceiling?