Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Orthofunk on April 13, 2006, 01:24:24 am
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I thought you guys might enjoy my "backyard theater" thread. Maybe off topic, but at least there's a hot tub in some of the pics.
I have a Crestron home automation system for control.
Here you can see the screen up... in a motorized enclosure above the bay window:
(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/1446/10xl2.jpg)
This picture shows the screen down. The screen is a 100% opaque white sunshade... made to withstand the weather.
(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/228/24pf.jpg)
The projector is a Sanyo high definition model. I needed a projector that was very bright (3000 lumens), had a good throw distance, and good keystoning (since the angle is about 35 degrees). I have been very impressed with the picture quality as well as the viewing angle. People on the upper deck and in the hot tub can see a very clear picture. The projector sits on top of a rolling metal shelf that was intended for kitchen use. I keep it in the basement control room when it's not in use.
(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/708/34zq.jpg)
This is how the projector is connected to the control system. The following video sources are available:
DVDs from an Escient DVD server - 800 disc capacity
High definition DirecTV and OTA locals from 1 of 2 HD DirecTivos
PC access using wireless keyboard/mouse (1776X1000 or 1152X648 resolution)
Modified XBOX - can play games using wireless controllers and also use it as a network connected media server with XBMC
Security camera display... If the doorbell rings, I get an audio alert through the outdoor speakers. I can switch to the front door camera to see who is at the door, and talk to them through an intercom.
(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/7396/47wz.jpg)
There are 3 audio zones that can be used, independently or together, depending on where people are located. Each zone has a local volume control knob.
Zone 1 is the main zone which has 2 12" Rockustics planter speakers. The arrow is pointing to one of them. These can be moved anywhere on the lower deck.
Zone 2 is on the upper deck. It has 2 8" planter speakers.
Zone 3 is the hot tub zone There is 1 Niles dual speaker mounted under the deck directly facing the hot tub.
In addition to the audio that goes with the above video sources, FM radio is available as well as CDs in the Escient server and mp3s on the network.
In this picture you can also see a natural gas firepit, locted to the right of the projector... for those chilly nights.
(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/9480/51de1.jpg)
This shows the HD Tivo source from the firepit area:
(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3328/67of.jpg)
Here is a DVD image from behind the pool:
(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/248/70df.jpg)
I got everything up and running last October, so I didn't have too many chances to use it last year... other than a few Monday Night Football get togethers.
I'm looking forward to many outdoor viewing events this year.
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I am jealous!!!!!
Party at Ortho's house!!!!!
r100rs
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I didn't see my invite or hear what type of beverage to bring.
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very nice
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wow.....neighbors are gonna LOVE you, it's like a drive-in theater, minus the expensive popcorn!
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It looks great. Every year a friend of ours does the same thing Hillbilly style putting a 20 foot bed sheet like screen on the 2 car garage door, put a hue projection/audio system on a cart, light several fires and we enjoy a nighttime Buckeye game. This looks like a great place for the WTBHT party.
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WOW. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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WOW. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Ditto squared! :o
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Awesome!! Where did you say you lived? LOL! I'm jelous!
On a side note...whoa, those are some "funky" teeth!
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I didn't see my invite or hear what type of beverage to bring.
Newcastle Brown Ale is my beverage of choice!
(http://www.bestinwine.com/shop/image.php?productid=16265)
Thanks for all the nice comments.
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What do the neighbors think of the new drive-in (or is that a dive-in? (groan).
8)
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What do the neighbors think of the new drive-in (or is that a dive-in? (groan).
8)
Ha
Only 2 neighbors right now are aware of it. House next door to the right likes it. They were over for MNF last year, and have a kid the same age as one of my daughters' who will be over for movie parties.
The neighbor behind us is not too impressed. They built their house on a nice wooded lot so they could have peace and quiet. There have been a couple occasions where the festivities got a little too loud for their liking. They told me the sound from the outdoor speakers ricochets off the pool water and goes directly to their house. ::)
I guess they should have gotten a bigger lot :P
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I bet they wont be too happy when you premier "Hot Tub Party Tarts Vol 3" this Friday night, 8).
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Great set up ortho - very, very nice
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(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/d84f1a05.jpg)
T.P. Cooter sez:
"You shore got a purty mouf, Orfo. And I shore like yer backyard movin' pixure show."
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(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/309c6dc9.jpg)
Lil' Conjob sez:
"I like you're pretty mouth as well and your home entertainment system. However, if you'd of purchased your entertainment center at one of our shows, you would receive double your money back after 3 years."
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Cool. I'm green with envy. I'm in the process of drawing out plans for a backyard theater. That's a Sanyo Z1 isn't it? Right now I have an infocus X2 and 4805 projector. I'm planning on making a fixed screen by using 4x8 sheets of some sort of vinyl panneling designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens (water resistant) I found at Home Depot for $10 each. However I really like your motorized screen. If it's not too bold, can I ask where you got it from... I'd like to do a little research into them.
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Cool. I'm green with envy. I'm in the process of drawing out plans for a backyard theater. That's a Sanyo Z1 isn't it? Right now I have an infocus X2 and 4805 projector. I'm planning on making a fixed screen by using 4x8 sheets of some sort of vinyl panneling designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens (water resistant) I found at Home Depot for $10 each. However I really like your motorized screen. If it's not too bold, can I ask where you got it from... I'd like to do a little research into them.
The motorized screen makes it. 8)
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Term,
Did you take BOTH pills this morning? (The red and the green one?) . your posts are freakin' me out.
;)
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Very Nice
Wish I had room for a pool.
Looks like you have the total package to entertain!
I recently purchased a gas fire pit like the one
shown below and I really enjoy sitting by the
logs on cool evenings.
(http://www.owlee.com/06_collections/06_gallery/pits-04.jpg)
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Term,
Did you take BOTH pills this morning? (The red and the green one?) . your posts are freakin' me out.
;)
I ate some green M&M's.
I'm sorry, I didn't intend to freak you or anyone else out.
Terminator
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I ate some green M&M's.
I'm sorry, I didn't intend to freak you or anyone else out.
Terminator
as long as you didn't take the blue ones. ;D
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Cool. I'm green with envy. I'm in the process of drawing out plans for a backyard theater. That's a Sanyo Z1 isn't it? Right now I have an infocus X2 and 4805 projector. I'm planning on making a fixed screen by using 4x8 sheets of some sort of vinyl panneling designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens (water resistant) I found at Home Depot for $10 each. However I really like your motorized screen. If it's not too bold, can I ask where you got it from... I'd like to do a little research into them.
It is the Sanyo PLC-XU58 XGA ultraportable multimedia LCD projector. The Z1 isn't bright enough.
(http://www.proektor.ru/image/articles/PLC_XU58_550.jpg)
The screen came from a local St. Louis company called Lawrence Fabric. They specialize in sunshades and awnings. In order to be controlled by the Creston system, I needed a motor that had an RS232 interface. Somfy is the industry leader in this area. They have many motors that can be controlled in countless ways.
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Orthofunk, I thought you might enjoy knowing that if you search for "motorized outdoor screen" on Yahoo, your post on AVS is the first result, lol.