Hidden Cinema

We want to use our existing living room for occasional TV and Movie watching but do not want any equipment to be seen when not in use.

The client’s living room measured approx. 6m * 4m and perfectly suited a projection based system.  An adjacent room was available to accommodate the dedicated wall mounted equipment enclosure.

The couple were movie fans and had accumulated around 100 DVD’s but rarely watched them due to hassle of selecting one to watch.  The couple were not technical but owned an  Apple iPad they used for surfing the internet.  As well as watching films the couple liked to watch sports and were already Sky subscribers.

The couple’s children had all grown up and left the family nest but throughout the house family photos could be seen of past family memories.

The client had just decorated the proposed room so only modest installation work was possible.

The availability of a room in close proximity to the living room was perfect for locating the audio visual equipment out of sight.  This meant the living room was free from equipment and ultimately heat and noise which would otherwise be generated.  The fact that the room was adjacent meant we could also place the projector in the adjacent room.  A cinema style projection window was cut into the wall and built a shelf for the projector to sit on.

The length of the room required a projector with a long throw lens.  The full High Definition ThemeScene HD87 projector with optional long throw lens was ideal for the job.  The resulting screen image was an impressive 233cm (W) * 131cm (H).

Ensuring nothing could be seen when not in use, we selected a tab tensioned electric in-ceiling projection screen from Belgium manufacturer Beamax.   The projection screen automatically retracted in to the standard ceiling void when the projector was switched off and dropped down when switched on.  The tab tensioned model was specified to ensure the screen remained taught.

Continuing the nothing could be seen theme we specified Diablo Monitor “hidden” speakers from Artcoustic.  The speakers were wall mounted and allowed the client to optionally select artwork from an extensive range art portfolio.  The artwork then covers the speaker and leaves it looking like the many other pictures the couple had around their home.

Being movie fans we wanted to provide the couple with the best in movie servers which meant only one name came to mind, Kaleidescape.  The Kaleidescape Cinema One capable of storing 225 DVD’s meant the couple would never run out of DVD storage and all their existing DVDs could be placed in the loft.

Having all the equipment in a different room meant a wireless control system was required.  As the client already owned and was familiar with an iPad we utilised it to also control their cinema.  The RTI XP-6 controller was used due to its ability to use an iPad.  The controller was connected to the client’s existing wireless network.  A bespoke App for the iPad was customised and programmed.

The App when selected gave the couple complete control of system.  With one button press the equipment turned on and the projection screen lowered.  The entire movie collection stored on the Kaleidescape movie server was displayed on the iPad including cover art for the couple simply to press Play not before grabbing some popcorn.