Poole based Living Home Tech, have seen their Home Cinema install business increase year on year. Thanks to new Technology now available for the Residential market, such as Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced and 4K. It really is now achievable to have a Cinematic experience at home, which out performs a commercial Cinema.
On this particular Home Cinema project, our remit was to provide the client with a high-end solution after spending years of ‘DIY’ solutions and growing frustrated with the performance and operation of their room. Not only frustrating, but also wasting a lot of money along the way. This project was a challenge due to the room shape and a retrofit installation in the client’s basement.
Straight away we made the decision we needed to turn the room 180 degrees to improve the layout and allow us to use a larger screen with more speaker channels. This room is 11.1.2 Dolby Atmos, that’s a total of 13 speakers and 1 subwoofer! Using the very stylish Artcoustic on wall speakers, with careful placement, which is based on science not guess work. Our design and careful speaker placement are based on producing 105dB at the centre seat the ‘sweet spot’, which was very difficult with a room already built. We had various obstacles such as the bar, external entry door and windows, along with the tight projector throw to achieve the desired image size.
The 120″ 2:35 ratio 4K Neo Screen Excellence widescreen hides the front 3 speakers and subwoofer. We supplied detailed designs for the arranged contractor to carry out the building works required for the front stud work and decoration works. The 4K image is provided by a Sony 4K projector, using their latest native 4k resolution, this is paired with their flagship 4K UHD Blu-ray player. We then added 5 bespoke Cinema seats for the client to enjoy their new Cinema in comfort, but also offering convenience with the cup holders and foot rests.
We designed new lighting layouts and specified some LED colour change ceiling coffer detail to create different moods when desired. The client is a Man United fan (don’t hold that against him!), he can light the room in Red colours while watching the big match. Lighting Control with pre-set scenes, we used the Clipsal C-Bus system, with their stylish eDLT switch with bespoke digital labelling, giving the client a user-friendly experience.
Blind controls have now also been added, we advised we should 1st fix a blind control point. The client was pleased we did as the interior designer planned for an electric black out blind. This has been added to the ‘watch Cinema’ scene, at the touch of a button the room dims, blind closes, projector turns on and the room is ready to be Cinematic. Simple control from a single Control4 handheld remote, giving the client a very user-friendly interface.
Living Home Tech are pleased to have been nominated for a ‘Smart Building Award’ in the ‘Best Home Cinema over £50,000’ category for this project.
Living Home Tech are nearing completion of their HQ showroom refurbishment, offering a demonstration of a Dolby Atmos, 4K Home Cinema set up. A very exciting room to welcome clients, Architects and Designers.
Our Top Tip: When booking to go and see a movie at a commercial Cinema, try and book your seats as close to the centre of the room as possible. This is where Cinema Designers calculate performance levels from, it’s the best seat!
For more information www.livinghometech.co.uk