Full Project Managed Solution
The client required a completely project managed solution, from room design and lighting design through to construction of the interior, AV installation and final setup. Finite Solutions managed all the 3rd party contractors including the electrician, builders and decorators so the client was presented with a single bill at the end, and Finite were completely responsible for the whole project. This full turn key solution made it very easy for the client, and gave him confidence that there would be no project management headaches for him along the way.

Value For Money
The budget for this project was around £35,000 which included everything from start to finish including all design, building work, electrics, lighting, audio visual, furniture, carpets and decorating. The system fits into a price range which represents good value for money, being relatively inexpensive for the functions present, but having a good level of performance.

Clever Room Design
What makes the system special for this customer is how the overall room fits into a relatively small area, allowing enough space on the lower ground floor to still have a large bar area next to the cinema. It also has the exact same feel as the show house cinema that inspired him initially. It was the overall lifestyle combination that was crucial to this customer, and having a cinema slotted discreetly next to the bar gives the right balance for his tastes.

Extensive System Functionality
The DF Media Server allows hundreds of CDs and DVDs to be stored on the system. Choosing what movie to watch is as simple as browsing through all the DVD on screen which displays all the cover artwork and film descriptions. Also the adjoining bar has access to all the CDs, so the client can browse through all their music on the Philips pronto when behind the bar to entertain their guests.

The cinema has full 7.1 surround sound powered by an Arcam DiVA AVR350 using Bowers and Wilkins LCR 7 in-wall speakers and a Rel R305 subwoofer. The speakers are hidden behind an acoustically transparent Screen Research SC 2.2 projector screen which utilises a 1080p In Focus IN82 projector. The client can watch DVDs, browse CDs, watch Sky HD as well as CCTV cameras on the screen.

Security and Comfort
A 6 camera CCTV system was installed around the perimeter of the property which can be viewed directly on the cinema screen, but also on the Samsung TV in the adjoining bar room. A Fujitsu air conditioning unit was also added into the cinema room so that it would be cool and well ventilated in the summer, but also acted as a heater in the summer removing the need to unsightly plumbing a radiator in the room.

Dramatic Mood Lighting
Rako mood lighting is incorporated into the room, so with the touch of a button different scenes can be selected whilst reclining back in the cinema seats. Scenes such as "All On", "Movie", "Intermission" and "Party" set the various spots, wall lights and stage levels at different predefined levels to create the perfect mood for whatever the purpose room is being used for. All these scenes can be chosen using the Philips Pronto TSU 9600 Remote Control and also can be selected directly on the light switch on the wall.

The Project Process:

3D design:
The first stage of the process was to create fully scaled plans of the cinema in 3D to allow the customer to visualise the final cinema with ease. This made the decision making process easier, and allowed scaled plans to be made for the construction team to work from.

New walls:
The cinema room needed to essentially be a room within a room. The starting point was a large indoor space that was originally a dance studio, which would be split into a cinema and bar area. The cinema was installed in one corner, requiring the addition of two new walls, plus extensive interior modelling of the new room.

Damp course:
The walls of the cinema needed to be fitted with a damp course due to the room being basement level. This was the second phase of installation after the new walls were built.

Interior architecture:
The final interior was designed to include several sculpted features on the walls. In order to achieve this a timber frame was first constructed, on which the final rendered finish could be installed. The design of the cinema was done in scaled 3D, which allowed the construction team to refer to a ready made set of plans, making the final room the closest match to the initial designs as possible.

Furniture:
On this project we specified and provided an exclusive range of CineLounge cinema seats to complete the cinema experience. These are fully electric reclinable seats that come in a variety of different colours and leathers.

Project management:
It was crucial for this customer to be able to leave the entire managing and running of the project to us, as no other work was being done in the house at the time, meaning that he would be able to have a hands off approach, and simply enjoy the final result. From the design process, through the construction, to the commissioning of the equipment we were able to take all of the responsibility.

What is the client's verdict on the installation?
We were recommended to the client by a previous customer of ours. Despite this high recommendation, the customer found that the end result exceeded his expectations, both in terms of performance and in how much he now uses the cinema. The cinema was one of several new features in his home, which was given equal importance in the design process, but now represents a vital part of their lives.

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.

He was also grateful for not having to manage the project, and found the process to be a very easy one for him, being happy to leave us to manage the project.