Gear from top down:

• Rotel RB-1070 - 2x130w rear speakers power.
  
  

• Rotel RMB-1075 - 5x120w front / centre / side speaker power.
  
  

• Rotel RSP-1098 - Digital processor. All devices are connected into processor and composite video from each device is displayed on RSP-1098 monitor when active.
  
  

• Topfield Masterpiece - PVR / Hard drive recorder with ICETV EPG guide.
  
  

• Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro DSP-1124P - Parameteric Equiliser. This device smooths out the room peaks and troughs for the two subwoofers.
  
  

• Sony DVP-NS76H - DVD player connected via component to Plasma.
  
  

• Topfield TF-7000HD - High definition set top box connected via HDMI to Plasma and RGB to projector.
  
  

• Denon 2900 - DVD player connected via component to Projector.
  
  

• Microsoft XBOX360 and HD-DVD Drive - Media Extender, games and HD-DVD viewing connected to Projector and Plasma. This is linked via gigabit ethernet to main server and Internet.
  
  

• Video Storm CSM42 - IR controlled HD component switch with 4 in / 2 out allows devices to be switched between Plasma and Projector. This device performs HD switching with no preceived loss in picture quality.
  
  

• D-Link DGS-1005D Gigabit Ethernet Switch - Provides gigabit ethernet connectivity for XBOX360 and Mac Mini to Main Server and Internet.
  
  

• Nintendo Wii - Connected via component to Plasma and Projector.
  
  

• Kordz HDS-51 5 Port HDMI Switch - IR Controlled HDMI switch for connecting HD Set Top Box and Mac Mini to HDMI port on Plasma.
  
  

• Apple Mac Mini Home Theatre PC - 1.83Ghz, 2Gb RAM, OSX 10.4.9 Connected via HDMI switch to Plasma and Gigabit Ethernet to main PC and Internet.
  
  DVI Detective is used to ensure that the Mini always has access to the Plasma's EDID data even when the plasma is not turned on. This is important if you have to reboot the Mini. Without DVI Detective, you would have to turn on the Plasma every time you rebooted the Mini otherwise it would not pick up the correct resolution (1280x720 @ 50Hz). The Mini is extremely quite and reliable for stability and recordings.
  
  Main applications are Front Row, EyeTV with Miglia TVMini HD Tuner and VLC. EPG provided by IceTV.
  
  The Mini is controlled remotely from the main PC via VNC. The Harmony remote emulates the Apple Remote for Navigation purposes.
  
  

• M9-DX External Disk Enclosure - External disk enclosure with 320Gb drive connected to Mac Mini via firewire. This stores iTunes music, photos, EyeTV recordings, Divx and H.264 videos.

Not visible in picture:

• Xantech IR Extender - IR remote transmitter
  
  

• Projector screen 12volt trigger control - Automatically lowers / raises screen when projector is turned on / off.

• Jamo D6PEX - THX Ultra Speaker System Front / Centre (D6LCR). This are a HT oriented speakers system with a hard 80Hz cut off. Not the best for two channel stereo, but amazing for movies.
  
  

• Jamo SW-3015 - THX Ultra 15" Servo Subwoofer 300W (right side in cabinet)
  
  

• DSE A2669 - 10" 100W Subwoofer (left side in cabinet)
  
  

• Grandview - 102" Motorised Screen (controlled by projector) in ceiling bulkhead
  
  

• Fujitsu P50XHA51AS - 50" Plasma TV. This converted me from CRT TV's to Plasma. A HD image is amazing while it also does a great job with SD content. If you are interested here is the spec sheet.
  
  

• Xantech - IR receiver - recieves IR and relays to HT cupboard
  
  

• Infocus 5700 - Projector. This projector has a resolution of 576x1024 which are a prefect match for PAL DVD's (576x720) without the need to scale the image. This leads to a razor sharp picture projected onto the screen.
  
  

• Jamo D6PEX - THX Ultra Speaker System Sides / Rear (D6SUB). These are dipolar speakers with a hard 80Hz cut off. Everything below 80Hz is directed to the two subs.

• Marantz RC5200 - Programmable remote control. This unit allows the system to be turned on or off with the press of a single button. Click here to get a copy of my CCF file. This is an extremely powerful remote that can control everything from the HT setup to the lights and air conditioner. The kids just have to pick it up and press the 'On' button and the Marantz does the rest. As you can appreciate its not really designed to be thrown around or dropped during general TV viewing, this is where the Harmony 520 comes into play.

• Harmony 520 - Programmable Remote Control. This is the 'throw around' remote control used by the kids for general tv viewing. While the Marantz 5200 is a very powerful remote than can control the whole system its not 'kid safe'. I'm sure you can imagine what would happen if the kids dropped it or the dog run off with it in its mouth! The harmony 520 is a cheap easy to use remote that I programmed to just control the Fujitsu, HD STB, PVR and DVD player. It really does a great job of integrating all these components into a family friendly remote. It also won't be the end of the world if the dog ran off with it .ie. the remote is worth less that we paid for the dog! On the other hand if the dog run off with the Marantz 5200, then the dog would be on shaky ground!

Equipment Wiring Diagrams

The diagrams to the right detail how the system is wired together. The two major goals I was trying to achieve where:

1. Wire equipment into both the TV and Projector.

2. For day to day viewing, allow the kids to watch TV, PVR or a DVD without having to turn on the HT processor or amps and just use the sound through the TV speakers.

IR Repeater Equipment

To have HT gear out of sight requires a means to receive the IR signal from the remote. This is achieved though Xantech IR repeater equipment. A IR sensor at the front of the room received the IR signal. It then sends it via a wire to the IR connection block (Red +12v, Black ground, White IR signal). The connection block then distributes it to the IR emitters attached. The emitters then repeat the signal to the IR receiver on the corresponding piece of HT gear. In some cases an emitter is not needed and the IR signal can be inputed directly from the connection block into the HT gear via a 3.5mm mono cable,. This is the case with the Rotel Processor and Denon 2900 DVD player. Pictures clockwise show:

1. IR Receiver.

2. IR Connection Block.

3. IR Emitter.

4. IR Direct Input.