8mm Forum: Who has a projection room?

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Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on May 11, 2006, 12:57 AM:

I'm interested to know who has a purpose built, or commandeered, projection room/box/booth in their home?

Over the years I have had several projection areas in living rooms etc but never a projection room in which I can leave my projectors set up in. I am now planning a new projection room where I can project into the adjoinging room through a port hole.

The buzz of setting up all of my gear for a show and then packing it all away is wearing thin after all these years, so I can't wait to have a permanent place.

What do you have?

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on May 11, 2006, 08:04 AM:

When we moved into our present house, I vowed to figure out just such a thing. The folks living there before us had added on a sunroom and an adjoining bedroom..with its own bathroom . I now have all my projectors set up sort of out of the way on one end of the sun room.....and have put a large glass port from there into the adjoining room. So now all projectors are permanently set up....and it was lucky the way they built the room..the bedroom ( now screening area) is two steps below the level of the sunroom....and with the projectors set high on their platforms....there is no problem with head shadows on the screen. There is no sound leak from room to room...so for more formal screenings with an audience other than me...the door is shut between the rooms....and I use inexpensive baby monitors to monitor the sound in the other room. It helps me to set the right levels...and also I can hear the comments of the audience , even if I'm in the projection "booth". The screen is a huge piece of plywood...painted with very white paint....and masked at the top, bottom and sides with rigid , but lightweight panels covered in black felt....which can be moved to give almost any aspect ratio from full scope , to old 1:33...or 1:85...etc. It's worked out pretty well. I run in the permanent setup two 16mm Kodak Pageant 250's, two Super 8 Elmo 1200HD's and one Eumig 810-D( which is set up for standard 8mm.) I also run a slide projector with those theater slides and quizes that you often see in theaters. A nice friend sends me new sets every once in a while. To make the illumination of the 35mm slides match the somewhat lower light coming out of the movie projectors, I simply took an old pair of polarized sunglass(no tint) and put one of the lenses in front of the slide projector lens...and the light levels are not so glaringly different. Sound from all the projectors is run into a mixer and into an amp which feeds the speakers down by the screen. That's about it.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on May 11, 2006, 10:45 AM:

While my son is away at college, I've taken over his room as my projection room, however it's merely two projectors (Super 8mm & 16mm )on two projection tables. A permanent booth/room would be a joy (At least for me. My wife would differ. Strongly.). Since the semester is coming to an end, I'll have to put my toys away.
Gary, I'm quite jealous.

Doug

[ May 11, 2006, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: Douglas Meltzer ]

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on May 11, 2006, 10:57 AM:

A projection booth in a house? Are you kidding? Come on now.....gotta have that noise of the machine during the show.

LOL

http://users.adelphia.net/~prfcg/s8s.html

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on May 11, 2006, 11:12 AM:

does a bedroom count?.andy.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 11, 2006, 11:35 AM:

I project from the dining room table through an archway to roll-down screen hanging in front of the living room window. Because of the hardwood floors, the projector noise is pretty audible. However, out the back of the dining room along the axis of projection we have a sun room, which has accoustic ceiling tile and carpeting. I figure during warm weather I can move the projectors out there through the sliding glass doors and between the added distance and the sound absorption of the room the projectors will be much quieter.

The first step to doing this is to put external speakers on either side of the screen. Since the on-machine speakers will wind up out on the porch as well.

The family benefit is we won't be sharing our meals with ELMO on nights when I leave the projector set up! If we have party where I'm going to show films, this also leaves the dining room open for well..... dining !

So I will sort-of have a projection booth!

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on May 11, 2006, 01:30 PM:

i love the sound of my gs1200 running;thats were the magic lies.andy.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 11, 2006, 01:42 PM:

I like the sound of the projector too, it's just that it starts to compete with the sound track, especially where the level is low. The dining room is all hard surfaces (right down to the wooden table top), and very efficient at taking the projector sounds and echoing them forward!

It's interesting, when you go to a commercial cinema, you can still hear the projectors. It's barely a whisper, but it's still there. Of course it's easier to hear it if you care enough to listen!

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on May 11, 2006, 03:45 PM:

It seems like this is a common problem with film collectors as i had the same trouble leaving things out so i decided to use my loft area.Now with everything set up it makes a great place to show films.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on May 11, 2006, 03:45 PM:

That's why I put in a booth inthe first place...to get rid of that projector noise.....to give the cinema experience.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on May 11, 2006, 03:57 PM:

Great topic David! My screening room is a work in progress. It's the great room in my basement. It's 14 feet by 24 feet with a fireplace on a side wall. Right now I'm using a sound proof box to house two projectors; a B&H 1580 and a GS-1200. The screen is painted on the wall with moveable black matting made of cloth. The two front speakers are behind the cloth. Like Gary, I run the sound through a mixer and then into two final amps(one for front speakers and one for the rear). The screen is 8 feet wide for flat and 12 feet wide for scope. The Booth is comming soon and will house five projectors(like Gary), light dimmer, and audio.

Here are some pics;

web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page

That's sweetums on the kitty perch. [Smile]

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on May 11, 2006, 10:09 PM:

A picture says more than 1,000 words.

So I'll be giving my digital camera a little exercise this weekend, and preparing a web page for y'all to peruse.

[Big Grin]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on May 12, 2006, 02:08 PM:

Dan- nice set up.

Thats really funny! I didn't even notice "Sweetums" when I looked at the photos the first time. I had to go back and take a second look to see what you were talking about. Sweetums was camouflaged up there,blending in with the backround. [Big Grin]

Nick.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 12, 2006, 08:40 PM:

Here is my home theater room. The room is 21 ft long x 12 ft wide. The power screen is 16:9 106 ins diagonal matt white, and drops down from the ceiling using a remote IR control. Hinged tabs can drop down for 4:3 masking. The Panasonic AE700 digital projector is mounted on a shelf right above the Elmo GS1200. Audio output from the GS1200 is routed thru a 10 channel stereo graphics equalizer and then into a 5.1 Dolby Prologic sound system. All speaker wiring is inside the walls.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on May 12, 2006, 08:41 PM:

Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of projectors too, but I work in a projection room during the week so when I watch at home I want to hear the film.

It is mainly the setting up and packing away that bugs me. I have film on Std 8, Super 8, 16 and 35mm (I have sold most of my 70mm). I plan to have three projectors permanently set up so I can simply choose what I wish to run and watch it. My main area of collecting is shorts, hence the varied formats. I have Columbia two reelers in formats from Std 8 to 35mm.

From reading above it seems most of us go to a great deal of effort to run our films regardless of a permanent projection room or not. I plan to use my new projection room to store my films in as well.

David

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 13, 2006, 07:25 PM:

Hi David
Yvonne here (Graham's wife)we have a spare room!!!yeh right spare room with 14 seats and projectors and wires and lots of things to do with FILM. I lost the spare room in the foundations before the concrete was poured,But in his defense it's great and have had lots of fun and enjoyment wouldn't have it any other way,we started with a screen in the longe and projector stand in the dining room,moved furniture around to watch cartoons with the kids good fun and thats what it's all about,now back to Graham, Graham here what can I say to that(nothing) [Smile]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on May 13, 2006, 07:43 PM:

Pual, are those lazy-boys? Gosh, that's my screening room dream; to have 9 lazy-boys with cup holders.

David, a rolling cart would be handy for those who have to set-it-up. Also, a long cable to plug into an existing sound source.

Yvonne, my wife also enjoys the films as much as me, especially if we're inviting guests. [Smile]

Keep up the good work! [Cool]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on May 13, 2006, 09:04 PM:

Oh Nooo! The wives have invaded the forum! Should'nt they be on the "Frustrated Wives of Film Nuts" forum? [Big Grin]

Hee Hee. Just kidding. Hi Graham and Yvonne!

My wife also enjoys the hobby, although she's not any where near as "obsessed" as I am [Wink]

.

Paul- that's a great set-up. I also try to go for that 'sofa and recliner' atmosphere. It makes for very comfortable movie viewing. Although, I still have a dream to one day get a couple of real cinema chairs.

Nick.

Posted by Martyn Bennett (Member # 263) on May 14, 2006, 02:14 PM:

I have converted my garage into an original "fleapit" and had built a projection room on the back, but at the time of this posting i have just started to extend it due to just having purchased two Weststar 35mm projectors.
These are going to be running alongside my two existing SD1200s.
Martyn, The Regal Redditch.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on May 14, 2006, 03:09 PM:

Still prepping my screening room for a photo shoot. [Eek!]

Next weekend, then! (Sigh) [Razz]

Posted by Dave Cragg (Member # 401) on May 15, 2006, 04:00 PM:

Have toyed with the idea of turning one of my bedrooms into a film room; I could purchase reprints of film posters for the walls from here http://pearlanddean.moviepostersdirect.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=143&strPageHistory=cat
and swap the current contents (pool table and dart board) for a 3 seater couch and a pull-down screen and voila!
For the time being, however, I prefer to use my small living room. I've got 2 two seater couches and I put my projector in the corner between them. The screen goes in the far corner in front of the telly.
Ps I think the sound of the projector adds to the effect as long as it doesn't compete with the film soundtrack.

Posted by Mark Norton (Member # 165) on May 17, 2006, 07:10 AM:

After a lot of thought I decided to put the projector in the screening room rather than in a separate projection booth, with seating either side. Worked out very well, due to convienience it's used nearly every day by me with shows for family and friends about one a month.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on May 17, 2006, 08:18 AM:

Dude, that's awesome. [Cool]

I love the lighting and the ease of access to the projector & sound equipment, right from the cine seat. Clever! [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 17, 2006, 04:45 PM:

Hi Mark
You have a really nice set up I like the neat way your projector is set up ,your screen looks good I like the generous amount of masking you have all very well thought out just great [Smile]

Regards Graham.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 17, 2006, 05:49 PM:

Hi Mark,
Awesome set up! That couch shelf system looks good enough to market!I feel the same as you do- that wonderful GS1200 should be out where everyone can see it and admire it, not hidden away in a booth! Not only that, it means that you can be in the room with your family and guests- much more sociable, plus you can adjust the focus without getting up and down all the time. What's the projector sitting on? Congratulations Mark on a first class job, you have encouraged me to improve my own HT room.

Posted by Mark Norton (Member # 165) on May 19, 2006, 02:13 PM:

Many thanks for all the nice comments, it took a long time to put together but well worth the effort in the end as it's a well used room.

Projector is sitting on a 10 Band Graphic Equillizer, which goes to the 7.1 Sony Amp., underneath is a Toshiba DVD Player. I,ve got a 6 speaker set up, no sub yet or a proper centre speaker. I switch the amp to 2 channel through the 2 big speakers ( that I drag out for shows) for single track and old cut down films. For the newer stuff that I have been able to re-record I get very good separation through the six speakers. Also there is a small 4inch T.V. that is connected to the DVD that I can pull out to run in sync via Pedro's sync box.
Screen is just under 10ft in scope and is only a painted wall. I used vinyl matt emulsion. Curtains are motorised with the switches, and dimmer light switch built in under the projector.
I've got a standard halogen GS with a 2 bladed shutter, have thought about a Xenon or HTI conversion but I am unsure wether the extra noise would be an issue.

Posted by Chester Brooks (Member # 610) on May 22, 2006, 11:08 AM:

I have a small black hole to watch movies in at the moment. It is really nothing more than a projector, wall and speakers. I have a bigger garage that i want to convert at some time. At present all types of crates & boxes camping tents an old motorcycle reside there plus a stray cat.

I was planning to shoot the cat but maybe I might keep it like a mascot if it behaves [Mad]

If not I can always have taken to the taxidermist. Who needs Leo the Lion. Great taliking point for Halloween Shows Ho Ho

Chester

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on May 29, 2006, 08:12 PM:

I finally took some photos of my home theater room and here's a web page to view them at:

http://home.neo.rr.com/taesite/cinema.html

The page doesn't actually exist yet, I'm going to create it right after writing this post - so if it comes up "not found" please try again within 1/2 to 1 hour. (allowing me time to write up some brief descriptions for each picture) [Big Grin]

EDIT: Page is now online [Smile]

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on May 30, 2006, 09:16 AM:

That's real nice Jan. I recall when I first started, everything I had was out in an open room, not enclosed. I had it that way for a very long time. So you have to start somewhere, and Jan's on the right track (no pun intended).

CG

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on May 30, 2006, 09:51 AM:

Jan, my set up isn't really far from yours (except that I have a VP instead of a TV).
Mark: wow!!!! The detail that's really killing me is the rewinds integrated into the shelf...

Posted by Scott G. Bruce (Member # 384) on May 30, 2006, 12:32 PM:

Wow is right. You guys are killing me too! Such lovely set-ups that I can't even hope to emulate because my little shoebox of a house doesn't even have a basement! Crap. I mean: Inspiring!

SGB

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on May 30, 2006, 04:18 PM:

well jan,what you got is smashing.well done.i wish i had one.andy.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 30, 2006, 05:42 PM:

Hi Jan
Great room! It's good to have somewhere to leave the projectors set up,looking at it I can visualize a screen with curtains and coloured lights, in the future do you think you will head down that path.Jan have you seen the Armchair Odeon tapes, if you get a chance they are well worth it,its great to see what you are doing and hope you will post more photos as time goes by,all the best [Smile]

Graham

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on May 30, 2006, 10:25 PM:

Thanks Graham & everybody else [Cool]

... yes, I can definitely see curtains and fancy wall lights in there, dimmable lights of course [Smile]

As for those Armchair Odeon tapes, not sure what you mean? Are they videotapes? Would like to get more information please [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 31, 2006, 02:47 AM:

Hi Jan
Keith Wilton made a series of video tapes called Armchair Odeons a few years ago, they were well made and very interesting regarding home cinemas,I'm not sure of there availability you will have to contact Gary at Derann.
Regards Graham.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on June 01, 2006, 09:10 AM:

I suppose these videos are in PAL format... dangit, why couldn't there have been just one worldwide TV standard. It worked for films and audio cassettes and CDs, so what gives [Roll Eyes]

But I suppose I'll one day need a multiformat VCR anyway, as I have several PAL tapes of my own (brought with me from Germany of course).

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