Nice work. We use Acoustiblok for our installations...in staggared stud installs we get a theoretical STC70 across the spectrum, which is pretty unbelievable. If you've never used this stuff, I'd recommend trying it out in a boiler room or your HVAC room to really reduce noise. Cost is reasonable, and you hang dry wall directly onto it making sure your drywall guys don't need to learn any new tricks.
If you have any questions along the way feel free to ask. We've been building theatres and completing home automation for years now, and I'd be happy to answer any questions or point you in the right direction.
Howdy,
A few tips first. Do not get to far along with the risc studs and panels. Make sure you plan out your speaker cables, power source, plugs here and there, overhead power source, hdmi cables, component cables, cat5 cat6 lines, coaxial feeds, etc... now is the time to plan these out and get them into place when its stick. It makes it a lot easier when its stick and not all panelled, and you remember you needed another speaker cable drop or something.
After 10+ years of visiting and reading AnandTech every single day (minus just a few for holidays, sickdays, etc), I've signed up for an account here... specifically because of this most interesting blog.
I too followed SmX's thread for the past few years as well as many others on AVS, but this particular project of yours, Anand, has me most excited and intrigued. Being an IT guy has always been my main focus in life (well, and being a good husband, father and son ;)), yet I've found my interest in audio/video has been steadily growing through the years and a DIY project like this slowly increasing since we bought our dream house. I love your writing style and humor and you always nail the particulars of a subject better than any other tech writer I've read. I simply can't wait for each installment of your project now, Anand. You are getting me inspired to actually start my dream project now more than ever.
Thank you and I very much look forward to each of your posts on this project from your unique perspective as an IT guy.
Hey Anand looks like your well on your way till now :D
A tip an question what for a Media Center software you going to use?
I have bin busy whit HTPC’s sins the first XBMC came out for the Xbox
(even before that I tried but HTPC soft/hardware then was mostly crap)
I have run a lot of Media Center (MC) I tried almost all MCs from Myth to MediOS and some others but noting was beating XBMC
Now a days I run the free OS MediaPortal (MP) whit the TV-server they developed.
MP was a spin-off from one of the original dev. of XBMC because he felt the XBMC was holding him back whit the options he wanted from a MC and found MS-MCE way to limited so he ported the XBMC to use as a HTPC
Its based on .NET and runs on any machine that can run that
Almost everything you wane do whit a MC you can do whit it, and then some more.
There are loads of plugins you can use like, automation, Audio/(web)Radio, EPG/TV, My Daily Comics (what I really love), Torrent client., ect. ect.,
And there are some really nice skins out there for MP
My favorit skins Xface 9/16 and PM III 3/4 skin
I like dark skins but there are lots more, and also brighter skins and even some weird skins.
MP works almost strait “out of the box” you have to follow a first setup install and install your codec’s and then it works like all other MC’s.
But if you put some extra time in, there are lots of options ware you can fine tune it like a race car it’s a bit of work but then, but when your done it will also handle like one and you have full control.
PM supports a lot of TV cards but at least all hardware that’s made for MS-MCE works under MP
I run now 4 HTPC in my house and they are all connected to my TV-server.
One whit top hardware for HD media, that’s connected to a 1080p TV and projector, and a Harmon Kardon 7.1 DD receiver.
And the tree other ones that are based on the VIA EPIA EX-series Mini-ITX
Two are connected to 720p TV’s in bedroom’s,
And one fitted whit a 15” LCD touch’s screens build in a kitchen wall to use as MC but also to look up recipe’s and so on. (plugin)
I have installed my TV-card’s (3x sat and 1x dual tuner digital cable TV-card) in the TV-server that is used also as a A/V file-serer
I have bin looking at the SandmanX tread at AVforum one thing I don’t understand is the fascination whit big touch screens
I have a Logitech Harmony 1000, but I still uses my old harmony 880 more because it got real buttons and I can still do anything I want/need whit it.
And in the bedroom I use the MS-MCE remote and I almost prefer that one over the Logitech one’s its simple and dose what it needs to do, its all you really need.
(but if I need to pick one now, I would properly get a harmony 890)
I don’t know if MP fits your bill, but I will give it a good chance ;)
But as your are a news site why not combine pleasure whit work and test the different MCs and tell what you think about them and of course what you going to use :-)
I too just got done (briefly) scanning SandmanX's massive thread at AVS. Question: What happened to his DIY Screen Thread? Did he decide to remove it as he wanted to start a company instead of sharing all of his research/secrets publicly?
I don't remember the DIY screen thread itself, but his screen research was still in the original theater construction thread the last time I checked. I believe the conclusions he came to were as follows:
1) For a non-acoustically transparent screen, the fabric didn't really matter. In fact, his plain drywall was almost as good as most of the expensive materials.
2) For an acoustically transparent screen, the original SMX material was just Phifer SheerWeave 4000. I'm not sure if the SMX material has changed at all since then, but the SheerWeave 4000 is what I would've gone with had I elected to go the AT route. I believe the current SMX screens now promise the highest gain of any AT material, so I don't know if he's found a new material or has done something to the SheerWeave to make it better.
I'll post more about my screen decisions in greater detail later :)
If you do go with a DIY acoustically transparent screen, then you should check out http://www.seymourav.com">http://www.seymourav.com as they sell the same Phifer material cut to your specifications. Also, it works best cut at a 15 degree angle, so there won't be a moire problem. Anyway, I thought I would mention it as I have seen that particular material compared to my screen. I have a Carada screen in brilliant white. The SeymourAV fabric isn't quite as bright, but it's pretty darn close. Of course, my screen isn't acoustically transparent, either. *shrug*
A staggered stud wall is one option and I believe it provides better STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating since the wall facing the inside of the room is completely decoupled from the wall facing the rest of the house.
Nice blog.
I do wonder why you didn't add the staggered studs. Typically one would only lose 4" (2" each wall) and, I would think, it would have been easier and less expensive. The ceiling? Well, that's something else.
Originally I didn't want to have to get the framers involved again, and Bryan suggested the RSIC route. If I had done research before building the basement I would've definitely gone the staggered stud route, you get much better STC values out of that and it is considerably cheaper.
I understand the framing. I guess I didn't understand the DIY. As I meant one could have added a staggered 2x4 wall to an existing 2x4 wall, which would yield a 2x6 wall. You aren't doing any of the trade work? Only the planning? Understanding this will allow putting future posts in the proper perspective.
Nice work thus far Anand. I know the feeling you get with a project like this. I converted my office last year into a home theater room and it was a huge mix of emotions. Can't wait to see the rest of the updates.
Oh and thanks for ruining my Friday night reading through ShadowmanX's 112 page thread on AVS! :) Great read for sure.
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21 Comments
Back to Article
xxPaulCPxx - Thursday, January 24, 2008 - link
I've seen those clips before, but I've always wondered: How much space do they put between the stud and the inside of the drywall?RupTheKid - Monday, January 21, 2008 - link
Anand,Nice work. We use Acoustiblok for our installations...in staggared stud installs we get a theoretical STC70 across the spectrum, which is pretty unbelievable. If you've never used this stuff, I'd recommend trying it out in a boiler room or your HVAC room to really reduce noise. Cost is reasonable, and you hang dry wall directly onto it making sure your drywall guys don't need to learn any new tricks.
If you have any questions along the way feel free to ask. We've been building theatres and completing home automation for years now, and I'd be happy to answer any questions or point you in the right direction.
Best,
Rupesh Kapadia
www.mySystematiq.com
wizbang - Monday, January 7, 2008 - link
Howdy,A few tips first. Do not get to far along with the risc studs and panels. Make sure you plan out your speaker cables, power source, plugs here and there, overhead power source, hdmi cables, component cables, cat5 cat6 lines, coaxial feeds, etc... now is the time to plan these out and get them into place when its stick. It makes it a lot easier when its stick and not all panelled, and you remember you needed another speaker cable drop or something.
xsilver - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 - link
pardon my ignorance but is the finished project just going to be these damped drywalls with paint on them?how would that compare to using heavy curtains on a regular drywall?
PAPutzback - Monday, January 7, 2008 - link
Is it my end or yours?ElrondElvish - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
After 10+ years of visiting and reading AnandTech every single day (minus just a few for holidays, sickdays, etc), I've signed up for an account here... specifically because of this most interesting blog.I too followed SmX's thread for the past few years as well as many others on AVS, but this particular project of yours, Anand, has me most excited and intrigued. Being an IT guy has always been my main focus in life (well, and being a good husband, father and son ;)), yet I've found my interest in audio/video has been steadily growing through the years and a DIY project like this slowly increasing since we bought our dream house. I love your writing style and humor and you always nail the particulars of a subject better than any other tech writer I've read. I simply can't wait for each installment of your project now, Anand. You are getting me inspired to actually start my dream project now more than ever.
Thank you and I very much look forward to each of your posts on this project from your unique perspective as an IT guy.
Havor - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
Hey Anand looks like your well on your way till now :DA tip an question what for a Media Center software you going to use?
I have bin busy whit HTPC’s sins the first XBMC came out for the Xbox
(even before that I tried but HTPC soft/hardware then was mostly crap)
I have run a lot of Media Center (MC) I tried almost all MCs from Myth to MediOS and some others but noting was beating XBMC
Now a days I run the free OS MediaPortal (MP) whit the TV-server they developed.
MP was a spin-off from one of the original dev. of XBMC because he felt the XBMC was holding him back whit the options he wanted from a MC and found MS-MCE way to limited so he ported the XBMC to use as a HTPC
Its based on .NET and runs on any machine that can run that
Almost everything you wane do whit a MC you can do whit it, and then some more.
There are loads of plugins you can use like, automation, Audio/(web)Radio, EPG/TV, My Daily Comics (what I really love), Torrent client., ect. ect.,
And there are some really nice skins out there for MP
My favorit skins Xface 9/16 and PM III 3/4 skin
I like dark skins but there are lots more, and also brighter skins and even some weird skins.
MP works almost strait “out of the box” you have to follow a first setup install and install your codec’s and then it works like all other MC’s.
But if you put some extra time in, there are lots of options ware you can fine tune it like a race car it’s a bit of work but then, but when your done it will also handle like one and you have full control.
PM supports a lot of TV cards but at least all hardware that’s made for MS-MCE works under MP
I run now 4 HTPC in my house and they are all connected to my TV-server.
One whit top hardware for HD media, that’s connected to a 1080p TV and projector, and a Harmon Kardon 7.1 DD receiver.
And the tree other ones that are based on the VIA EPIA EX-series Mini-ITX
Two are connected to 720p TV’s in bedroom’s,
And one fitted whit a 15” LCD touch’s screens build in a kitchen wall to use as MC but also to look up recipe’s and so on. (plugin)
I have installed my TV-card’s (3x sat and 1x dual tuner digital cable TV-card) in the TV-server that is used also as a A/V file-serer
I have bin looking at the SandmanX tread at AVforum one thing I don’t understand is the fascination whit big touch screens
I have a Logitech Harmony 1000, but I still uses my old harmony 880 more because it got real buttons and I can still do anything I want/need whit it.
And in the bedroom I use the MS-MCE remote and I almost prefer that one over the Logitech one’s its simple and dose what it needs to do, its all you really need.
(but if I need to pick one now, I would properly get a harmony 890)
I don’t know if MP fits your bill, but I will give it a good chance ;)
But as your are a news site why not combine pleasure whit work and test the different MCs and tell what you think about them and of course what you going to use :-)
Havor - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
Some how I couldn’t insert hyperlinks in the text, and couldn’t edit him, so done a extra post whit the linksMediaPortal
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/">http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
Skins Xface & PMIII (Project Mayhem 3)
http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/xface_skin_versi...">http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/xface...version_...
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/screenshots/catid,...">http://www.team-mediaportal.com/screenshots/catid,...
VIA EPIA EX-series Mini-ITX
http://via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/motherboa...">http://via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/motherboa...
Logitech Harmony 1000
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universa...">http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remot...ersal_re...
GTaudiophile - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
Anand,I too just got done (briefly) scanning SandmanX's massive thread at AVS. Question: What happened to his DIY Screen Thread? Did he decide to remove it as he wanted to start a company instead of sharing all of his research/secrets publicly?
Anand Lal Shimpi - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
I don't remember the DIY screen thread itself, but his screen research was still in the original theater construction thread the last time I checked. I believe the conclusions he came to were as follows:1) For a non-acoustically transparent screen, the fabric didn't really matter. In fact, his plain drywall was almost as good as most of the expensive materials.
2) For an acoustically transparent screen, the original SMX material was just Phifer SheerWeave 4000. I'm not sure if the SMX material has changed at all since then, but the SheerWeave 4000 is what I would've gone with had I elected to go the AT route. I believe the current SMX screens now promise the highest gain of any AT material, so I don't know if he's found a new material or has done something to the SheerWeave to make it better.
I'll post more about my screen decisions in greater detail later :)
-A
Bexox - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
If you do go with a DIY acoustically transparent screen, then you should check out http://www.seymourav.com">http://www.seymourav.com as they sell the same Phifer material cut to your specifications. Also, it works best cut at a 15 degree angle, so there won't be a moire problem. Anyway, I thought I would mention it as I have seen that particular material compared to my screen. I have a Carada screen in brilliant white. The SeymourAV fabric isn't quite as bright, but it's pretty darn close. Of course, my screen isn't acoustically transparent, either. *shrug*mikester0421 - Saturday, January 5, 2008 - link
Just curious since I might want to build a house soon.Anand Lal Shimpi - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
A staggered stud wall is one option and I believe it provides better STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating since the wall facing the inside of the room is completely decoupled from the wall facing the rest of the house.-A
bpwilldo - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
Nice blog.I do wonder why you didn't add the staggered studs. Typically one would only lose 4" (2" each wall) and, I would think, it would have been easier and less expensive. The ceiling? Well, that's something else.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
Originally I didn't want to have to get the framers involved again, and Bryan suggested the RSIC route. If I had done research before building the basement I would've definitely gone the staggered stud route, you get much better STC values out of that and it is considerably cheaper.-A
bpwilldo - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
I understand the framing. I guess I didn't understand the DIY. As I meant one could have added a staggered 2x4 wall to an existing 2x4 wall, which would yield a 2x6 wall. You aren't doing any of the trade work? Only the planning? Understanding this will allow putting future posts in the proper perspective.bigben - Monday, January 7, 2008 - link
Here is a chart showing the best forms of sound isolation.http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/pages/...">http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/pages/...
puffpio - Monday, January 7, 2008 - link
those graphs make it look like, no matter what just use 3 layers of wall on both sides.so if you didn't have the time or money to do fancy things, and couldn't redesign or pull out beams..just add more layers on both sides
Noya - Sunday, January 6, 2008 - link
I think it's usually a false / double wall.bwmccann - Saturday, January 5, 2008 - link
Nice work thus far Anand. I know the feeling you get with a project like this. I converted my office last year into a home theater room and it was a huge mix of emotions. Can't wait to see the rest of the updates.Oh and thanks for ruining my Friday night reading through ShadowmanX's 112 page thread on AVS! :) Great read for sure.
Brian
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