Hi all,

I've long been following projector reviews and home theater build threads, and now its time for me to start on my own build out!

Any fellow Northern Virginia/DC area HT owners/installers here? @AV_Integrated, was wanting to reach out to you for some help if you're still active in the Nova region.

I'll be setting up my projector in a multi-use basement space that has a few windows that I will get black-out shades for. This space is open to the basement stairs and enclosing it with a wall is not in the cards at the moment. I will be able to paint the walls/ceiling a slightly darker color and put down a dark rug but that's about it for the physical changes. May have to build a false wall if there are obstructions where LCRs will go. I expect most viewing will be at night with lights off and primary usage is for movies, streaming TV shows with some gaming.

I've included a rough layout plan with dimensions. Primary HT space is 19' wide by 17'2" deep and 8'8" tall. There is a 16" soffit above where the screen will go.

Screen: I've been looking at the Seymour Proscenium auto-masking screen in 2.4 aspect ratio 130" wide with the Center Stage UF AT material. I like the idea of having powered masking integrated with the motorized projector lens and home automation.

Projector: I'm currently torn between the Epson LS12000 (brightness and low lag for gaming) and the JVC NP5 (deeper blacks and dynamic tone mapping). If I go with Epson, may look into a HDFury VRROOM or similar, or roll my own MadVR rig.

Speakers: In-wall LCRs from either Triad Bronze or Monoprice Monolith. Matching or similar in/on-wall surrounds and in-ceiling heights. Starting with a 5.1.2 setup but would like to have wiring done for expansion to 7.2.4 setup. Use an existing sub for now.

Receiver: Use an existing Denon X3400 but upgrade in the future to a receiver/amps that can better drive the 4-ohm speakers.

Sources: Existing Oppo UDP-203 4K player, Apple TV 4K, PS4/5, cable box.

Seating: Single row with 4 recliners to be purchased at a later time.

I'm looking to start buying the components either by myself or through an integrator, but definitely want to work with a local integrator so they can do installation and advise on light control, acoustics, and calibration. I'm not too familiar with HT speakers but the above two brands seem to fall in my budget range and decent sound quality.

Excited to finally get going with this build, and looking forward to any suggestions from this group.

Quote (AV_Integrated on Aug 20, 2022 9:44 AM): I like the setup. I think I would get the projector first and get the screen second. Take some real thought of what size you really want to end up with. My thought: I think the wall supports 2.35 nicely, but I would probably go larger. At the size you are working at, I would stick with a 16:9 screen instead of a 2.4 screen. I do still do work in the NoVA area, so feel free to give me a call if you want to chat at some point. If you don't have the equipment rack already, do consider how much room there is in the rack and the height of the rack. You want enough room for cabling, devices, and future growth.

Thanks! I think I've landed on the JVC RS1100 (NP5). That projector will fill up a 138" diagonal 16x9 screen (130" 2.4 content area). I won't be able to go larger than that as the projector is hitting the back of the wall. I allowed for a 3" clearance behind the projector and 2" clearance for the screen (looking at Seymour CenterStage XD) to allow for some distance from in-wall speakers behind it. That gives me a throw distance of 15'1" (room depth is 17'2").
Is there a good time or day to call you? I'll reach out on Friday if that's ok.