"Lee Michaels" leemichaels*nadaspam* at comcast dot net wrote:
"Leon" lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote in message
...
My wife said that if I built in our entertainment nook I could but a
new 70" LED TV. ;~)
Well the price dropped on the top of the line model that I have been
looking at and we got the TV at a reduced price, $900.00 off the going
price. I got the TV and the savings will pay for the entertainment center.
We are going for a different type look. Walnut panels mounted
vertically and floating out from the existing wall behind the TV and
a walnut console, for the electronics and storage, that will remind
some of you of a 60's console stereo.
The electronics will be under the top and behind the front 3 grilled
doors. Top access to ease adding equipment and routing wires.
Comments?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/9622250273/
Having some problems with my newsreader. I will try this one more time.
These are my opinions only! Ya wanted comments, so here goes. ;-)
1) I find those flat screen furniture that hide the screen to be big,
bulky and not that interesting. If you are gong to a fancy display to
show off that big ass TV, display it proudly! Show it off. Just give it
a wipe down now and then to keep the dust away.
The TV will never be hidden, it will always be visible..and AAMOF in stand
by mode it displays a slide show of pictures if set up that way.
2. The idea of dark around the screen is good. It is easier on the eyes.
Dark but slightly illuminated, with the TV being the only thing on it is a
bit too much.
3. Want to hide the other components? You may need to see them to
operate them. Changing channels, etc. is much easier if you can actually see the display.
Actually IR lights from the remotes travels through the speaker grills just
fine. The doors center material will be some type speaker grill material..
Not sure of cloth or metal yet.
4. Make it remote friendly. I had to modify a couple entertainment
centers when folks who were sitting in their easy chair could not
activate the components that controlled what was up on that big screen.
On one such job, I had to cut out much of one side of the opening to
allow access to the infrared ports on the cable box and DVD player. On
another, I drilled some holes. Neither were very attractive. Just
functional. But they had too much money into everything to pay for
something custom or nice.
5. To continue the past point, make everything future upgrade friendly.
I just replaced my cable box a few days ago. It was smaller and the
infrared port was on the opposite side. I had to reposition the box and
angle it slightly. The opening allowed this. But I had to put a block
under it. Or stand to use the remote.
Sooooo....., You need remote access now, and into the future. Plan, and
build accordingly.
My picture would be worth a thousand words. :-)
6. And speaking of remotes, here is an idea. I saw this a couple of
times. Why not a custom "cabinet" for the remotes? Ideally something
that would allow you to "put it away" after use. Ya know, to keep the
dust off of them. I never met a remote that did not get dirty and dusty.
And they get misplaced from time to time. Create a nice little "home"
for them and they tend to stay healthier, cleaner and accessible. Maybe
a place to put drinks down as well. Or the TV guide, etc. A dedicated
cabinet that takes care of all your need by the easy chair while viewing
your favorite programs.
We have a FlexSteel powered love seat recliner with center console for
remotes on order. :-)
7. One of my pet peeves about big cabinets for electronics is that they
often become junk collectors. People stack all kinds of crap on them.
Use this for the electronics and nothing else. If you need to store
something, stash it away inside a drawer or cabinet. Keep the overall
appearance clean and uncluttered. Out of that context, try to design it
so that is a shortage of available space to stack crap on it that doesn't belong there!
Agreed, the front and center speaker might go on top. Each of the three
grilled doors will hide electronics, 8' wide and 6 drawers.
I gotta run. That is all I could think of off the top of my head. (To
maintain your wrec credibility, you need to use at least 432 dominoes on
this project!) :-)