My dream media center! Lotz of pics!

[synclastica_86]

Latest pics of updates at the bottom! Finally got a vid up...

At first, I just needed a new TV for my new condo. Then I thought it would be nice to have a universal remote to control the cable and tv. After some product research online and shopping around... i think i got slightly carried away. Anyways, here's my setup. It's a work in progress of feel free to chip in ideas! It's a work in progress, I'll keep you guys posted!


This is the front view. The TV is a sony XBR. It retracts into the cabinet. I had the cabinet built in between 2 concrete pillars. There's no electricity there, and hence the metal raceways on the floor. I plan to put a carpet with thick paddings around the raceway. I will not be noticed when done.


This is the back of it. I figured that it would be nice to have a bench near the door for me to wait for my wifey to get ready. The boxes on the floor are blinds waiting to be installed.


This is the only speaker I'll have. It's a "sound projector" that has 48 smaller speakers inside which faces different directions. It will bounce sound off object to create surround effect. I comes with a mic so that it can read the room's layout. (hopefully it'll work) I picked this over satellite speakers to give the environment a cleaner look.


Sub's tucked behind couch. Small but powerful. 2000 watts. Once again this is one of those things that I hope will work. I'm more used to a proper surround with subs the size of end tables.


Media PC. That's a touch screen on it. It can work as screen+mouse of the computer or run as dual monitor with the sony LCD. Uses for this function? Well, I figured that I can sit down there with my digital camera and just drag stuff to put on the big screen if u know what I mean.


This is the part where I start to get carried away. This is the main control unit. It links everything together. It connects to the internet so I can control everything online. It also have an iPhone interface so basically I can control everything in my house from anywhere on this planet.


This is the type of light switch that I'll be using. It runs wirelessly and can be set up to have scenes or themes. The led on the top and bottom can be programed to become any color I want (suggestions welcomed).


This is the pre-wiring for the blinds. They too will me automated and controlled by the main unit.


These are the controls. The white one controls the climate. I didn't have to run a wire to the main unit since it runs on RF. I plan to put a control screen near the door for obvious reasons. I want one in the bedroom too but don't know where to put it yet. (suggestions are once again welcomed!) The black one is the remote it came with. It does control everything from lights and blinds to climate and TV. But I think i'm getting it replaced with a larger LCD touch screen.

I can't wait to get everything together and run it. If all goes well, watching a movie would require nothing more than a touch of a button. The blinds will close, the lights would dim and the TV will pop out from the cabinet to play the movie. OMG I'm so effing excited!

Here are some updated pics. Computer guy came today and setup my PC.


My media PC up and running. It runs HDMI to the screen. Gr8 quality with the moving wall paper.


This picture is taken at this angle for a reason. Look carefully at the smaller screen, it's an extension of the large one. It's also a touch screen, I'll try to get some vids on here soon.


The small display can also be use to display vital info abt the comp (I have no idea why one would need or want to know) and access the AV files quickly. Once again a video will do it more justice.


I am not gonna elaborate on this pic (cus I don't know what does it mean). But the computer show me this and said smth about the core. So maybe one of you computer wiz on this forum can explain more to me.


Wireless keyboard with touch pad, what more can I say?

Finally, here's a vid of the touch screen
[u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7cLoIfoT8BI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7cLoIfoT8BI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]
Yup... crappy editing.

Ok, here's the 2nd update. This is actually happened 2 days ago, but my internet was out so I can only post it now.

So here is what's done:


This is the control panel at my entrance. It has a light sensor and can be program to put on a particular scene as I walk in the door. As of now, I think I want it turn on the TV (some kind of sports/news channel), turn on my media PC and have it display my e-mails, and open the blinds partially.


Here's a close-up.


This side currently house my power strip (bottom unit), PS3 and blueray. As you can see, I still have quite a bit of space, so help me figure out what else I need. I was thinking of an xbox or wii, but most of xbox's game I can get on PS3 (no i don't play halo) and the PS3 has better graphics. As for the wii, I don't really want to mount a sensor on the TV. Do you guys have a way to hide the sensor strip?


This is the compartment that the TV retracts into. The AV guys did a pretty good job tidying the cables.


Here's a shot with the TV retracted. The left side houses my media PC, cable box, blind controls, and networking switch. It turns out that I need a lot of ports since everything (TV, blue ray PS3........) need an internet connection to update itself. God I'm outdated.


See the round hole? It used to be for the IR receiver for the TV lift. I got an RF adapter so that too can be hidden. Now I'm waiting for a new front piece.

[gonzo]

That is some nice gear and gadgets. Monday Night Football at your place.

For an LED color choice. I like a warm orange or a dark blue.

Not to be nosey but is that yours or sig others purse?

[ianthegreat]

you are a sick sick man.. i love it

[number335]

Nice set-up. Only thing i can think of right now is to upgrade your couch.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Monday Night Football at your place.

I don't think that this setup is for 2 rather than monday night football. The screen and the room is too small. Monday night football should be done properly. Hang a 300 inch screen outside your garage and use a projector. Of course, a finger food buffet is a must. lol.

Originally Posted by gonzo

Not to be nosey but is that yours or sig others purse?

It's my wifey's purse. And that's part of the reason that the cabinet is built with 2 end tables.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by number335

Nice set-up. Only thing i can think of right now is to upgrade your couch.

What do u think I should do to the couch? THis is a tough one....... i want one that is plush and I can crash on, but my wife wanted style. Any suggestions?

[gonzo]

I love my big puffy leather couch. Soft as heck leather. I crash on it more than I like... stub my toe when stumbling for the big king. Fabric gets too hot for me and itchy too. Leather is cool in summer and warm in winter.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I love my big puffy leather couch. Soft as heck leather. I crash on it more than I like... stub my toe when stumbling for the big king. Fabric gets too hot for me and itchy too. Leather is cool in summer and warm in winter.

Leather? But isn't leather freezing when you first sit on it, but gets too hot after a while?

[number335]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

What do u think I should do to the couch? THis is a tough one....... i want one that is plush and I can crash on, but my wife wanted style. Any suggestions?

Maybe something like these to match your condo?

[synclastica_86]

looks good, but the armrest looks a bit...um......not plush.

[GreenThree]

Slightly carried away? LOL. THats a sick set up.

[yomama69]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

looks good, but the armrest looks a bit...um......not plush.

http://www.ashleyfurniture.com/Showr...=1&IsClicked=1
I just ordered over 3K of new furniture from Ashley for my new house. My wife and I have different tastes in furniture, but we were able to agree on things for the house.

[bigslickak]

That looks very cool.

I have a condo as well, and I think I need to look into a setup like that. Currently, I have a 55" sitting on a nice stand, but would like to build something with some space saving features such as what your setup has.

[firstkill]

awesome set up,

How long does it take the TV to rise up from the stand?


fk

[solefald]

awesome toys, not feeling the furniture piece

[jk6672]

Impressive!

[Blake]

dayum. nice setup. makes me want to upgrade my "dated" 2 year old equipment.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by dark335i

thats a really nice setup! you should get one of those couches with the fridges in it

Then what will I use my wifey for? LOL.... I'm just kiddin...... and I love u!! (sometimes she gets on this forum too). But gd idea. One less reason to leave the cough.

Originally Posted by bigslickak

That looks very cool.
I have a condo as well, and I think I need to look into a setup like that. Currently, I have a 55" sitting on a nice stand, but would like to build something with some space saving features such as what your setup has.

This will not save you space. It is actually quite to opposite, it wastes a lot of space. You can't put anything on top of the cabinet since the tv would knock it off as it rises. You also need to leave room in the cabinet to accommodate the tv. The only way to have it save space is to have it wall mounted.

Originally Posted by firstkill

How long does it take the TV to rise up from the stand?

Never actually counted. But I guess around 30 secs. But it comes up with what you want already on screen and your lighting scene ready. So if time is what you are worried about, it actually saves you time.

Originally Posted by Blake

dayum. nice setup. makes me want to upgrade my "dated" 2 year old equipment.

I hear u. things are now developing so fast. 2 years is a long long time when we are talking about electronics. In 2 yr's time we'll all be watching OLEDs. In 4 yrs? Everything will be 3D. I've seen a prototype in my school's technology fair thing (CASE Showcase). It's awesome. Now all I need to do is get one of those robotics guys from the engineering department to build me a beverage and snacks serving robot. And I'll be all set.

[AjzRide]

Sweet!! A Control 4!! Are you programming the Control 4 yourself, or having an installer do it?

[synclastica_86]

Installer... but I'm gonna watch so if I need to add stuff, I can do it myself. At first I was going to do everything myself since the original plan was only to get a new TV and a universal remote. But things soon grew to more than I could handle by myself. So I called in the pros.

[darkphantom]

Best way to organize wires are:

a) get them fully situated so you will NEVER have to take them out again
b) wrap them around in electrical tape
c) run it through the ceiling or underground/carpet
d) enjoy the clean look!

[Scorpion]

Crazy nice man.