Home Theater Forum is a site dedicated to the love of all things cinema and film, home theater equipment and all varieties of home entertainment

Table of Content

• Welcome to Acoustic Frontiers Blog
• Home Theater
• BLUE HAWAII 4K UHD Review
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IX – Blu-ray Review

From the opening scene in the Revenant where they are hiking through the water in a fjord. It gave such a sense of space it was almost uncomfortable - it was so realistic . Dynamics and bass were off the charts.

That is not simply a home theater, or dedicated home theater, it is from the ground up a professional, I would buy ticket's to go see a movie there theater. But with none of the compromises, or VERY little, that commercial theaters have to deal with. It is a no compromise i want the best...period. And its truly stunning to behold and I am sure the photo's no matter how well done don't do it justice. May's project of the month is a dedicated listening room incorporating YG Anat speakers and BMC amplifiers and DACs.

Welcome to Acoustic Frontiers Blog

But my demos don't do justice next to Rob's.. I just can't image how the micro-LED screens will ever solve the "acoustically transparent" requirement. Speakers above and below the screen and "fixing" with something like a Trinnov would be a really poor option .

I'd like to thank Mark Seaton who suggested I contact a guy named Keith Yates as someone I should consider for help in designing my theater. I've written at length in the other threads about how special Keith is, so I won't repeat all that here. Anyone who can have Keith in his corner is an extremely lucky person! You know, I just built a very nice theater - professionally designed and installed - It's awesome.... You can read the original HToM post here . And once he decided to go for it, he basically demolished half his house and built a custom theater—no shortcuts taken—from the ground up.

Home Theater

Fortunately there is a full build thread on AVS Forum along with a very extensive discussion, which you can find here . I would like to include John Hibbard - he was the site supervisor on our job and was superb in coordinating all the complex tasks for our entire home project. He quickly realized that he needed help for the theater portion and he and Rick Koch, Davenport's general contractor, decided that Bob Cebulski should be the guy. Bob worked closely with Rick's son, Gill and the theater's construction is as wonderful as it is because of their diligence and extraordinary attention to detail. I could never build this theater but I would buy a ticket twice a week.

So many people contributed to the success of the final project - it's hard to single out anyone (and I'm afraid I'll inadvertantly leave someone out)! Keith does mention some of the special people on his website at the end of the piece on my theater. They were the ones who made it happen. His build thread says it all...Keith Yates, Fluid Dynamics algorithms for design and the best building principles, materials, construction and thinking.

BLUE HAWAII 4K UHD Review

That led me to contact people like Art Sonneborn, Jeff (thebland - respecting how he elects to show himself in public), Ash Sharma and Lon. They were so generous with their time as they invited me into their homes to experience their theaters - this exploration took me all over the country. I think what amazed me when I first saw that thread was that they went out of their way to recreate and actual theater.

It is a jaw dropping Cinema by any definition. I would get goosebumps every time I walked through the theater doors. But, by his own admission, the only "shortcoming" is that he isn't currently getting true HDR out of his 19' wide screen. I think he is running 4K/WCG, which based on my past experience, gives up only a smidgen to the real thing.

For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sony celebrates 30 years of its Sony Pictures Classics division in this 11-film collection, 10 of which are new to the 4K UHD format. Copyright © 1999 – 2022 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this context, the Hahn Theater by Keith Yates Design represents an ideal—cover all the bases needed to deliver a "truly reference" viewing experience in a home theater. A man who understands what it takes to turn sound into something tangible, visceral, that tricks you into thinking what you hear is real... And then tie it into what's on screen in a manner that achieves transcendental suspension of disbelief.

If you are the site owner , please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details , so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread. Thanks for sharing with us your amazing theater. Any updates to the theater or any plans in the works.

You can just label it Home Theater of the Century. Rob's theater is better than any commercial theater it just happens to be attached to his home.

AVS Forum Home Theater Projects

Table of Content

• Top Contributors this Month
• Projection Screens
• A few words about…™ – Westworld -Season Four — in 4k UHD
• Home Theater Setups
• What's Happening at AVS Discussions
• Welcome to Acoustic Frontiers Blog

It is a jaw dropping Cinema by any definition. I would get goosebumps every time I walked through the theater doors. But, by his own admission, the only "shortcoming" is that he isn't currently getting true HDR out of his 19' wide screen. I think he is running 4K/WCG, which based on my past experience, gives up only a smidgen to the real thing.

So many people contributed to the success of the final project - it's hard to single out anyone (and I'm afraid I'll inadvertantly leave someone out)! Keith does mention some of the special people on his website at the end of the piece on my theater. They were the ones who made it happen. His build thread says it all...Keith Yates, Fluid Dynamics algorithms for design and the best building principles, materials, construction and thinking.

Top Contributors this Month

That is not simply a home theater, or dedicated home theater, it is from the ground up a professional, I would buy ticket's to go see a movie there theater. But with none of the compromises, or VERY little, that commercial theaters have to deal with. It is a no compromise i want the best...period. And its truly stunning to behold and I am sure the photo's no matter how well done don't do it justice. May's project of the month is a dedicated listening room incorporating YG Anat speakers and BMC amplifiers and DACs.

If you are the site owner , please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details , so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread. Thanks for sharing with us your amazing theater. Any updates to the theater or any plans in the works.

Projection Screens

I'd like to thank Mark Seaton who suggested I contact a guy named Keith Yates as someone I should consider for help in designing my theater. I've written at length in the other threads about how special Keith is, so I won't repeat all that here. Anyone who can have Keith in his corner is an extremely lucky person! You know, I just built a very nice theater - professionally designed and installed - It's awesome.... You can read the original HToM post here . And once he decided to go for it, he basically demolished half his house and built a custom theater—no shortcuts taken—from the ground up.

We watched Gravity and the low noise floor truly gave an amazing impression of space - particularly when the space debris exploded onto the scene. The dynamic range knocked me for a loop and even in my nice theater, I don't have that. I've never been in a more quiet room. I'm an avid AV enthusiast, photographer, video producer, and drone pilot who spends his spare time exploring cities, listening to music, watching movies, and playing video games.

A few words about…™ – Westworld -Season Four — in 4k UHD

But given his passion , he will eventually get that solved given the rapid improvements in display technology. This no-holds-barred theater is well known to AVS Forum regulars who frequent the site and follow the Home Theater of the Month series... It sets the standard for performance. The theater’s owner, Rob Hahn is a retired Hollywood cinematographer with A-list credentials , which helps explain where the inspiration—as well as the resources—to build this epic theater came from. Even though it took 3 years to design and build, it was really a decades-long process. My wife and I were invited out for a weekend to the Hahn theater and watched a movie and many demos in that room until late at night .

You can just label it Home Theater of the Century. Rob's theater is better than any commercial theater it just happens to be attached to his home.

But my demos don't do justice next to Rob's.. I just can't image how the micro-LED screens will ever solve the "acoustically transparent" requirement. Speakers above and below the screen and "fixing" with something like a Trinnov would be a really poor option .

An outstanding achievement for sure. The new Christie uber projector seems to be the natural choice for this theatre.... Keith Yates has informed me that the Hahn Theater ebook featuring the schematics and additional images and info is currently lo-res but that soon it'll be updated so you can click through to a hi-res version. Fortunately, I didn't kill my experience in my own theater...

Fortunately there is a full build thread on AVS Forum along with a very extensive discussion, which you can find here . I would like to include John Hibbard - he was the site supervisor on our job and was superb in coordinating all the complex tasks for our entire home project. He quickly realized that he needed help for the theater portion and he and Rick Koch, Davenport's general contractor, decided that Bob Cebulski should be the guy. Bob worked closely with Rick's son, Gill and the theater's construction is as wonderful as it is because of their diligence and extraordinary attention to detail. I could never build this theater but I would buy a ticket twice a week.

In this context, the Hahn Theater by Keith Yates Design represents an ideal—cover all the bases needed to deliver a "truly reference" viewing experience in a home theater. A man who understands what it takes to turn sound into something tangible, visceral, that tricks you into thinking what you hear is real... And then tie it into what's on screen in a manner that achieves transcendental suspension of disbelief.

How to Buy Your First Home in 19 Steps: A Complete Guide

Table of Content

• Permanent Life
• Review Your Retirement Plan
• Change Address with Friends, Relatives, Employer
• Everything you need to know to make that big purchase easier
• Don’t Get Into New Debts

Now that you’ve got your dream home, the last thing you want is to be hit with an emergency that you’re not financially prepared to cover. Try to put away at least 1% of your paycheck, more if you can, so you’re not in trouble if problems do pop up. Once you’re in your new home, set up your utilities, including gas, water, electric, Internet, and cable/television. Then, set up autopay everywhere you can to keep your credit pristine and avoid missing any utility payments. Check all the lights in your new house and replace any bulbs that are out. If you’re on the West Coast, don’t make the mistake of thinking your homeowners’ policy will cover you in an earthquake — it won’t.

If you find out something is, contact your moving company to determine who is liable. Pay close attention to cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, but also check your gutters, backyard, flowerbeds , dryer vents, chimney, and the carpet. If you think the carpet needs a more thorough cleaning, you can also schedule a professional carpet cleaner to come, preferably before you move in. If you don't have keyless locks, be sure to hide a house key so you don't get locked out. Consider a location other than under the welcome mat, like in a garden hose or under a flower pot.

Permanent Life

Using a bridge loan or HELOC allows you to buy a new home before selling your current home. Because it’s the most financially attainable, Option A is a common scenario. It’s impossible to say this is the better choice, but it’s safe to say that Option A has the least amount of risk and can be a less stressful choice. We have been buying things in stages to spread out the cost.

Instead, spend the first few days in your new home cleaning everything. You could also hire a cleaning company to do this, if it’s in your budget. There are so many steps to complete and papers to sign before you can walk in the front door. You might feel a sense of relief when it’s all over and you have your keys in hand, but don’t rest just yet. There are still a few important steps you need to take immediately after buying your house. With the large amount of money that you’re putting into your home, you’ll want to make sure to take excellent care of it.

Review Your Retirement Plan

Alternatively, you can negotiate to have the seller make the repairs or discount the selling price. That means a couple could withdraw a maximum of $20,000 ($10,000 from each account) to use toward a first-home purchase. Just know that if you don’t use the funds to pay for the home within 120 days—and if you’re under age 59½—then it becomes subject to the 10% penalty.

Buying a house can take as little as a few days if you're buying in cash, or can take years if you're counting the amount of time it takes you to save money for a down payment and decide where to live. In a competitive housing market, you may put in multiple offers on homes before one is accepted. Conversely, mounting worry over a housing recession could lead more sellers to pull their homes from the market, making it more difficult to find a suitable property. If you already have your money saved and have a good idea of the neighborhoods and type of home you want, the process will probably take you two to six months.

Change Address with Friends, Relatives, Employer

If you’re just getting started, though, buying a first aid kit, extra water, batteries, and a power bank to charge your cell phone when the electricity is out is helpful. Switching over the gas bill, water bill, and electric bill to your name might be a bit easier. Call them to see what needs to be done before moving the accounts under your name. It’s important to make sure the previous homeowners have no outstanding bills or debts to utility companies as well, as that could pose a problem to seamlessly moving the account.

One of the biggest challenges is keeping your savings in an accessible, relatively safe vehicle that still provides a return so that you’re keeping up with inflation. Once you’ve moved in, it’s important to maintain your home and keep saving. “Get a good agent who is available full-time and is committed to making sure you see properties as they come up,” Sweet advises.

While it’s highly unlikely the previous owners of your new home would want to gain access to the property, changing the alarm code should always be on your list of things to do when you’ve moved in. A home mortgage is a loan given by a bank, mortgage company, or other financial institution for the purchase of a primary or investment residence. A mortgage is a loan used to purchase or maintain real estate.

When you speak to the property’s gas and electric providers to submit your meter readings, find out which tariff the property’s previous owners were on. But always check to see if buildings insurance is your responsibility. After all, the purchase process can be extremely stressful. A first mortgage is the primary lien on the property that secures the mortgage and has priority over all claims on a property in the event of default. Asking friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations is a great place to start.

Sometimes a bank will give you a loan for more house than you really want to pay for. Just because a bank says it will lend you $300,000 doesn’t mean that you should actually borrow that much. A common rule of thumb used by lenders in determining mortgage affordability is for the estimated mortgage payment to be no more than 28% of a borrower's monthly gross income. In addition to Investopedia, she has written for Forbes Advisor, The Motley Fool, Credible, and Insider and is the managing editor of an economics journal.

Once you have determined how much you can really spend and are preapproved for a mortgage, it's time to find a good real estate agent. This is one of the most important steps when preparing to buy a home. With your household bills, such as electricity, water and gas, you can set up automatic payments for each on separate weeks. That way, it may not feel like so much money is being paid at once.

In some instances, says Sweet, buyers will actually get a check back at closing. “Buyers with VA loans can get 100% financing, so there are times when they’ll receive their earnest money back at closing,” he explains. One question you may have is choosing a term or permanent life insurance policy. Tad Hill, founder and president of Freedom Financial Group in Birmingham, Alabama, said that first-time buyers should set up a separate homeownership savings fund to cover more extensive repairs. "The price range for these services is not small, so I'd suggest planning to keep at least $5,000 to $10,000 in cash, so you have it available when something breaks," he said. Buying and selling a home at the same time is hard, but it’s not impossible.

Lock, Shop & Home program is NOT available for bond, jumbo, or renovation loan programs. If they request a conventional loan, or a government fixed-rate loan program. Programs are available to help homeowners make the most of their home buying budget.

“When I write up an offer, I’m always asking the seller to pay for a home warranty,” explains top-selling Charlotte real estate agent Greg Martin. But if that doesn’t happen, it’s a good idea to look into a home warranty yourself. Buyers — especially first-time buyers — can feel like they’ve just finished running a marathon after buying a house. You still have to move in, customize the house to your needs, and make sure you’re prepared for the rigors of homeownership.

Financial Tips After Buying Your First Home

Table of Content

• Locate Your Home's Main Water Shutoff Valve
• What if rates go down after I lock in my interest rate?
• Weightlifting Shoes [And Other Shoe Options] To Level Up Your Gym Game
• Option B: Move From First Home Right to Second Home
• Confused on What to Do After Buying a House? Here are Some Tips
• Homebuyers Are Hoping for a 2023 Market Crash: What Will Really Happen?
• Guide Taxonomy
• Floor Cleaners

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds public housing and offers vouchers for low-income Americans. Once you've found the home for you, make sure to get a thorough home inspection. When you do so, the home inspector will look for hidden problems with the home before you purchase it. On the other hand, a fixed-rate mortgage remains the same, no matter what is happening with the economy or the market. Your preapproval can provide you with an idea of how much you can afford.

You can ask a lender for a bridge loan or a home equity line of credit . To qualify, you’ll need an exceptional credit score and a sizable amount of built-up equity in your current home. You can take the profit from your current home and use it to make the down payment on your next home.

Locate Your Home's Main Water Shutoff Valve

It may be wiser financially to pay cash (over 80% surveyed did), however. Because most rate-locking programs only last 60 or 90 days, it’s important that you don’t lock in your rate before you’re truly ready to search for and purchase a home. Before you decide on rate locking or a certain loan program, it’s in your best interest to speak with a professional.

This puts you in charge of the property and keeps out unwanted visitors. Before applying for mortgages, it's essential to clean up your credit score if necessary, according to Campos. Does the neighborhood have an annual block party or barbecue? NextDoor, a social network specifically for your neighborhood, is also a great way to stay informed about events, sharing safety tips, and even finding babysitters/house sitters. If you’re unsure about how to introduce yourself, a small party can be a great icebreaker for meeting your neighbors as well. In the United States, more than 20% of homes rely on a septic system for treating wastewater.

What if rates go down after I lock in my interest rate?

The California Earthquake Authority has a premium calculator on their site, although you do have to purchase insurance through a participating insurance company. If you are a first-time buyer it may be helpful to set aside a savings account and add to it monthly, to help you pay for any repairs or rehab projects that might unexpectedly come up. All of the work you have already done should help the process, of course.

You don’t want the previous homeowners to have access to your house because you forgot this important step. You probably set up homeowners’ insurance while you were processing your mortgage paperwork, which is great. But your address can affect your car insurance as well, so make sure to check in with your insurance company to confirm that your car insurance is sufficient.

Weightlifting Shoes [And Other Shoe Options] To Level Up Your Gym Game

With homeownership comes major unexpected expenses, such as replacing the roof or getting a new water heater. Start an emergency fund for your home so that you won't be caught off guard when these costs inevitably arise. Once you’re seriously shopping for a home, don’t walk into an open house without having an agent (or at least being prepared to throw out the name of someone with whom you’re supposedly working). You can see how it might not work in your best interest to start dealing with a seller’s agent before contacting one of your own.

You can also use local searches and read reviews of realtors on sites like Zillow. Once you've picked out a few of your top realtors, meet with them and see if they're a good fit for you. If you think you've been discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, marital status, use of public assistance, national origin, disability, or age, there are steps you can take.

Option B: Move From First Home Right to Second Home

You might wake up each morning feeling like it's Christmas, the giddiness never quite wearing off. You can find a simple hammer and nails kit online or at your local hardware store, along with easy-to-use drills, toolboxes and screwdriver kits. You never know when you’ll want to add a new decorative piece or if a table you purchase will require assembly. Starlight Homes come with new appliances, so they may heat faster than you are used to; the dishwasher settings could be different, or the microwave wattage just a tad higher. Find the settings that work for you to help get the most out of your new home and lower your utility bill.

We work with small businesses and individuals to help with tax preparation, tax planning, tax resolution and more. Geisha Morris-Jacobs is an accountant with over 13 years of experience in accounting, taxes, and estate planning. She has helped dozens of clients with clearing up IRS audits and past tax debts. Geisha is also the owner of Jacobwise & Co., a boutique accounting firm that specializes in helping small businesses grow their revenue and individuals create estates to provide for their loved ones. There’s no need to overspend on your new home just because you’re excited about it.

If you're unsure of which to buy, Whipple suggests that you discuss your options with a licensed insurance broker or agent. Most sellers, unless they are desperate, will not accept a contingency offer because it’s not in their best interest. Sellers want a sure thing, and a contingency offer can fall apart for many reasons.

Where you’ve lived in the past may not be the same size nor have the same appliances as the home you have just purchased. Luckily, Starlight Homes is here to guide you through these first few weeks as you settle into your new title of Homeowner. Draw up a list and budget for the items you want to buy and then make sure you shop around.

Homebuyers Are Hoping for a 2023 Market Crash: What Will Really Happen?

For example, you might request energy bills from the past 12 months to get an idea of average monthly costs. The minimum credit score to qualify for an FHA loan if you have 10% for a down payment. 580 is the minimum credit score to qualify with a 3.5% down payment. Once you’re under contract, you’ll enter the due diligence period, where you’ll make sure that the house you are buying is in the condition you want it to be. During a home inspection, an inspector will check the structure and systems of the home. Before you decide on the location of your new home, you’ll want to do some extensive research on the neighborhoods on your list.

You need to know exactly how much you’re spending every month—and where it’s going. This calculation will tell you how much you can allocate to a mortgage payment. Some buyers choose a 15- or 20-year loan, because the term is shorter, and they might be able to lock in a low rate. On the other hand, one reason 30-year loans are so popular is that a longer-term usually means a lower monthly payment. In this case, you might have a slightly higher interest rate, but the payments are usually more manageable.

Make sure you know how to shut off your water in case a faucet breaks or a sink starts leaking. Your new home might not have any window treatments; if not, they should be at the top of your list of things to purchase (you don’t want to give your new neighbors a bad first impression, after all). A budget is an estimation of revenue and expenses over a specified future period of time and is usually compiled and re-evaluated on a periodic basis. Personal finance is about managing your budget and how best to put your money to work to realize your financial independence and goals. That amount, however, doesn't cover larger expenses you may encounter as a homeowner, such as having to replace your HVAC system or replacing a roof, which could run tens of thousands of dollars. Summit Mortgage is one of the highest-rated mortgage lenders on Experience.com.