Large screen projection cinema
In order to achieve a large screen cinema, a Sim2 C3X Lite projector was chosen combined with an 8 foot Screen Research projector screen. This provided the biggest screen possible for the budget, whilst also ensuring video quality was kept at a very high level.

Careful Design Consideration
As the room was originally two rooms with a staircase running in between the rooms this would have to be taken into consideration. Once a survey had been carried out we used Autocad to produce a detailed layout of the room with exact dimensions of where the equipment needed to go and used the drawings to mark out cable runs – the house itself is an 18th century property so we needed to minimise the damage to it..

Discreet Projector
The steel beam that runs between the division of the two previous rooms was designed such that the projector was recessed back into the centre of the beam. This ensured that when sitting back behind the beam itself the projector was completely discreet and out of sight. All the audio and visual equipment was rack mounted in a small room that connected to the lounge to keep cable runs as short as possible.

Boardroom style presentations
Whilst the room’s primary use was for “home entertainment” purposes the client also wanted to use the room for informal boardroom style presentations to his shareholders. An easily accessible VGA and audio wall plate was added under a side table to allow the client to plug his laptop straight in a conduct the presentation using a simple RF clicker.

Web browsing on the big screen
A dedicated desktop computer was added next to the comms rack with an RF integrated keyboard and mouse. This allows web browsing from the sofa without any dangerous or unsightly wiring running back to the comms room.

Parental content control
An obvious choice to provide rated access to DVDs was to integrate an iDyl media server with parental content control. This of course had the added benefit of making it very easy for the family to browse through all their DVDs on screen – no more lost DVDs, empty cases or scratched DVDs.

Ability to use the system during the daytime
Any projection system will be subject to the problem of ambient light. This room was especially challenging as there were 7 windows in total each of which required light blocking out. To keep using the system during the daytime as quick and easy as possible seven electric Goelst blinds were installed that were triggered along with the projector screen.

Simple Control
A Philips RFX9600 relay was chosen to control the blinds as it features relays and contact closures, offering much more reliability than standard I.R. control. We also use the serial interface for more reliable control of other devices such as the projector, Arcam surround processor and used IR control for the Idyl media server and Sky HD box. The entire family all understand how to use the system via the remote which was programmed with total simplicity in mind.

Design Feature
The last point, but probably the most important consideration for the client was the actual interior design of the room. Instead of adopting the standard “hidden cinema” solution with in-wall and in-ceiling they wanted to create a design feature out of the speakers. For this reason Artcoustic speakers were chosen for their sleek design and mounted in a recess behind the screen with a green glass design feature positioned above and below.

The final verdict…
The first demo to the client and his family late of the Friday evening, the night before his daughters birthday was an experience that reminds you why we as custom installers. The whole family was absolutely blown away by the experience and it made all the late nights leading up to completion worthwhile.

Being in the building trade the client understood the technical difficulties which we overcame and brought the project in on budget and on time. He has also recommended us for another similar installation which we are currently in the process of designing.

The room is being used on a daily basis and has brought the family together as they now all watch TV, enjoy movies together and with the addition of a computer do their homework there too. Towards the end of the project the client decided they wanted a multi-room audio system as well for the kitchen, bedroom and lounge areas. To integrate this with the other works we were carrying out we specified a Sonos system which being wireless meant minimal disruption with running cables between now decorated rooms and integration with the music stored on the Idyl media server.

“Thanks Finite. Cracking job. Absolutely delighted. I know that it was a real battle to get it finished on time but I was absolutely blown away by the result. I have added you onto our website www.larock.co.uk and I can’t wait to work with Finite on the next project”