Source Equipment

A top of the range Marantz DV9600 DVD player was chosen due to it's full 1080p high definition picture upscaling and it's ability to play a multitude of disc formats including CD, SACD and DVD Audio.

This allows the cinema room to be enjoyed for music and movies, in stereo and multi-channel surround sound.

An HD Sky box was also installed, along with an International Satellite so the client could pick up full coverage of international sporting events that were not broadcast on standard Sky. Provision was also made for an Xbox 360 so the children could play driving games on the big screen.

Processing and Amplification

A Rotel RSP-1068 processor takes care of all the SACD, and DVD audio, video processing and switching, outputting it to a Rotel RMB-1075 5 channel power amplifier.

Separating the AV processor and power amplifier into two separate units provides much better audio and video reproduction than most combined AV receivers in this price bracket.

The high quality audio and video processing of the RSP-1068, along with the 120 watts per channel of the RMB-1075 make for a very detailed, but bold output into the B&W FPM6 speakers.

Loudspeakers

Given the constraints in the room, in-wall speakers were not an option due to the physical nature of the property. Floor standing speakers were not appropriate due to the position of the 3 adjoining doors and floor space.

We therefore choose the B&W FPM6 speakers that are matched superbly to the Rotel processing and amplification. The high gloss black finish and sleek design make great focal points in the room.

An MJ Acoustics Reference 1 subwoofer was then discreetly installed in the corner of the room. This incredible piece of equipment quite literally makes a glass of water ripple when playing that famous scene from Jurassic Park.

Projector

The most expensive piece of equipment in the whole system is the Marantz VP12-S4 high definition projector. It represents approximately 25% of the budget but the images that it is capable of producing are truly jaw dropping.

The crowning achievement of Marantz is a completely new video processing engine. This new processing chip was developed by Gennum and is the most powerful video processor ever included in a video display device—consumer or professional.

This level of smoothness and film like realism has been previously reserved for professional 3-chip type devices and of course, film.

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Projector Screen

In order to get the best room layout and viewing experience, the screen had to sit on the same wall as the fireplace. This meant the the screen had to be a dropdown screen so that it could sit out in front of the fireplace.

It was necessary to get a custom screen size manufactured in order to get the maximum possible screen size due to the low ceiling height.

A Stewart screen was an obvious choice due to the ability to get the dimension millimetre perfect, but also for the high quality patented Firehawk material that it uses. It is tab tensioned to ensure that the screen stays as flat as possible giving the best possible picture.

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Macros were programmed so that with a single button press, the lights dim, all the equipment is switched on and set to the correct inputs, the electric projector screen drops down and the movie starts playing.