Home Theater Build

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

it sounds like we have the same one jason. its big, but my HK amp is about the same size so its not too bad

[Tuna]

Re: Home Theater Build

I've actually heard those Antec cases were a bit sketchy so I got the lower end model (looks much the same but no volume knob and there is another drive bay where the LCD screen is).

Memory express was blowing them out which helped my decision, it's been really good to me so far.

It's probably really difficult to achieve but I wish HTPC cases actually fit in a cabinet. They are always so deep don't expect it to come anywhere close to fitting in an Ikea shelving unit.

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

how much for the AVR1600?
i'm debating selling my AVR345 for one. Running all kinds of wires in the wall when I could put a HDMI-Cat6a in there instead might be the reason for the switch

[RobG]

Re: Home Theater Build

I guess the drivers for the Display were sketchy and it's stupid bright, and the volume control worked but it uses it's own interface and the software was not the most reliable.

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

i knew i should have waited for that case....grrrrr

[RSS]

Re: Home Theater Build

Let me know how the VFD and Volume works on that Case, my friend had nothing but problems with his. (could be operator error)

What kind of issues was he having? Not displaying what he wanted?

[RobG]

Re: Home Theater Build

Let me know how the VFD and Volume works on that Case, my friend had nothing but problems with his. (could be operator error)

[RSS]

Re: Home Theater Build

Well some more stuff picked up this weekend.

HTPC


Harmon Kardon AV1600 Amp


Also picked up a beer frid... i mean mini fridge.

Hopefully finish painting the AV rack soon assemble it then sort out the shelving this week.

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

steel studs are the norm in apartment construction.

[Stonewall]

Re: Home Theater Build

With base boards and steel studs (wtf on both of those) you are ship out of luck. You would have to pull the drywall down and since you are so close to heat you would definitely need plenum rated cables otherwise if you start a fire you will be sol on your insurance.

[dJ]

Re: Home Theater Build

You can also just get a flex bit, or you could just put some trim hider and put the wires in that. It sits above your trim and can hide all your wires along it.

[Russell]

Re: Home Theater Build

I went through the same problem you can see my reno here:

http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=17478

It was a major pain in the ass and I did a lot of searching and reading. You can find directional drills that will allow you to make 1 hole and bend the drill through the wall cutting the studs along the way:

http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=17011

http://www.idealindustries.ca/produc...drill_bits.php

After talking with a few people I decided to cut the dry wall out, it is much easier to patch a large hole rather then several small holes (across each stud). The directional drill also was not an option for me as I did not know how the chimney was built or how wires were run in the wall.

I did all the work so if you need some help I can give you a hand, I changed the color of my wall because its hard to patch a paint job. You may also want to check out kijiji to see if you can find a dry wall installer that is looking to do some work on the side, painters are also great a patching dry wall.

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

ok so i dont want to thread jack but i dont know if i want to start a seperate thread on the exact same subject in the main area..... if the OP wants me to i can.

I've gotta wall mount my 52" LCD, and run some cables in the wall. But i've got some issues. I think i know what i need in a wall mount, and may have found a good mount at monoprice, the bigger issue is this wiring.

This is what I am dealing with:

During construction


Now:





I want to run the TV as seen in the pic, and have a AV cabinet either to the left or right of the TV below one of the windows. Problem is trying to get the wiring (HDMI, component) through the aluminum studs without tearing off all the drywall.

I really dont want to turn this into a major renovation project, but i do want to do it right and get it in the walls. Any suggestions?

Otherwise does anyone know how to drywall and mud for cash and sexual favors?

[Russell]

Re: Home Theater Build

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I have picked up 5 monoprice.com wall mounts now and have zero problems with them. I did pick up larger bolts for mounting the bracket to the wall as they seemed a little on the small side.

Way to jack the thread too

[RONDAL]

Re: Home Theater Build

I looked at the sanus vmsab-03, they are wicked mounts, but at $300 a fricken big chunk to throw down.

now i know its holding a $2000 TV and all that, but still.