The following information is courtesy of the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Choice Awards. For more information on how to become a member of CEDIA, or information on its awards program please visit www.cedia.org or call (800) 669-5329.

2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Awards Entry: Best Large Home Theater, Level VI: $550,000 – $815,000

Our customer wanted a theater that captivated you from the very moment you entered the room. The brick accents, dark wood trim, and beamed ceiling provide for a delicate balance between comfortable and welcoming yet elegant and formal. The earthy color scheme provided for an intriguing lighting layout that literally changes the room when adjusting the zones. The theater also has a hidden camera (modulated to all of the other TV's in the house) so the parents can check up on the kids at any time. The lighted riser steps were finished with an opposing angle design that added to the uniqueness of the entire room.
The equipment was a bit of a challenge in that the homeowner was adamant in not wanting any wiring visible from the front of the equipment. With built-in shelving we had to custom design a wire management system that (with a matching wood overlay) channeled the interconnects behind the back wall creating a seamless view. The back of the equipment shelving utilizes normally wasted space under the steps and can be accessed through a hidden panel in the back base of the built-in cabinet.
The room dimensions were ideal for acoustic dispersion. Fabric panels surrounding the entire room restricted echo and acted as decorative sound dampening. We used a standard DB meter to set and adjust the speaker levels. Speaker placement was not a challenge, but the subwoofer had to be placed in an adjacent closet then ported into the room. The control system is RF and the individual pages were customized for the client and his family.
We did not use a commercial calibration device. We relied on test DVDs and the experience of two senior field technicians who, combined, have over 60 years of experience.
Equipment List
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Sim2 Model#: Projector HT-305E
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Peerless Model#: Projector Bracket
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Marantz Model#: Surround Sound Receiver
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Denon Model#: DVD Player DVD-2910
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Da-Lite Model#: Screen 119″
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: DirecTV Model#: HD Sat Tuner with TIVO HR1025D
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Furman Model#: Power Conditioner and Surge Protector Elite 15-DM
Qty: 7 Manufacturer: Klipsch Model#: Speaker Package R3800W
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Klipsch Model#: Powered Subwoofer RSW-15
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Universal Remote Control Model#: RF Remote MX-3000
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Universal Remote Control Model#: RF Base Station MRF-250
Qty: 1 Manufacturer: Lutron Model#: Lighting Control Grafik Eye 6-Zone
Time and Expertise Worksheet

Task Hours
Client Interviews: 16
Electronic Design and Engineering: 10
Proposal and System Documentation Preparation: 12
Project Management: 20
Pre-wire/Rough-in: 8
Trim-out: 8
Shop Time for Racking and Testing: 6
Programming: 5
Final Installation and Calibration: 5
Client Instruction: 3
Interior Design and/or Architecture by your Company: 8
Interior Design and/or Architecture by Others: 0
Project Management by Others: 30
Other time: 0
Total Hours to Complete: 131