I've said before that a projector and screen is typically not my first choice for a home theater. Especially if that room is to be a multi-purpose room. To me a slick looking flat panel looks nicer than an ever-present screen on a wall. Sure, you can install a screen that disappears into a box on the ceiling, or even into the ceiling itself, but that's going to cost extra.
Here's an account of one man's decision to go the projector and screen route for his new home theater. The author and owner of the home theater is Jonathan Geller who writes for a website called BGR. Here's the story with photos, Home Theater Install.
In critiquing the system I see some positives and negatives. As I say, I'm not so keen on the permanent screen on the wall. It looks like he's turning the room into a fully dedicated theater, at which point I can get behind the permanent screen. It's just that it makes it hard to have the room serve as anything more than a theater. That's fine if you have that many extra rooms.
I'm a fan of box speakers in a dedicated theater room. What's the point of hiding them. We all see the screen on the wall. We know it's a theater. And box speakers will give you a better sound.
It's good to see the install tech using a drop cloth. If your installer comes in sans drop cloth I'd suggest he go get one. My theory on an install is to act like the perfect burglar. That means leave the place as if you'd never been there.
I'm not privy to the complete layout of the room but mounting the screen on the wall next to the stairs is not ideal. It's very distracting to have someone walking up or down the stairs while you're watching a movie. Or worse yet walking right into the view of the screen.
After nearly two decades in this business I've become a bit of an interior designer simply by seeing and taking note of the work of so many talented pros in the Cleveland area. I'd hope that the starkness of this theater is only temporary. It's a new theater so he probably hasn't gotten around to figuring out what to put on the walls. Actually that's a smart move because, depending on the acoustics, he may want to adjust them by adding tapestry, a bookcase or something else that can serve as decor and an acoustic treatment.
If you're in the Cleveland area and seeing this is giving you the impetus to build a theater of your own drop me an email. I'd love to help you achieve your dream theater.
If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com
John Hannibal
