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DIY

DIY

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #493: Step by Step DIY Home Automation

A step-by-step DIY home automation guide covers system design using protocols such as Insteon, Z-Wave, Lutron, and powerline/RF/Ethernet/RS-232 signal transmission methods, helping homeowners choose between wireless convenience and hardwired reliability. The guide outlines a phased planning approach, from room-by-room automation inventories to macro-based triggers like dimming lights when a Blu-ray player is paused. Practical applications include Bluetooth-based presence detection for automatic home/away mode switching and SMS alerts when motion sensors are tripped, potentially eliminating monthly security monitoring fees.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater DIY Projection HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #485: Painting Your Projector Screen

Painting a projector screen onto a wall can reduce screen costs by up to 95% compared to commercial options like the $2,700 Ara Black Diamond II, using specialized DIY kits from Goo Systems or DIY Theatre priced between $194 and $279, or a basic Home Depot approach for under $20. Proper wall prep with fine-grit sandpaper and a quality primer are critical to achieving a consistent image without hot spots. For viewers on a tight budget, this approach offers a custom-sized, fixed-screen solution that one user has relied on for six years after calibrating his projector for optimal picture quality.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
DIY

HDTV Almanac - DIY Big Antenna

A 40-by-36-inch DIY TV antenna, sourced from a hobbyist's experimental designs on Instructables, promises over-the-air reception up to 30 miles from transmitters using inexpensive materials from a hardware store. The design is optimized for UHF frequencies and performs well at the high end of the VHF range, though it may underperform for lower VHF signals used by some ABC affiliates. For cord-cutters or fringe-area viewers, building this antenna from scrap parts could deliver reliable digital broadcast reception at minimal cost.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
HD Audio DIY

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #386 - DIY Whole House Audio

Building a DIY whole-house audio system using Apple Airport Express units ($99 each) connected via powerline network adapters delivers up to 10 fully synchronized zones through iTunes and the Rogue Amoeba Airfoil application. Airfoil allows audio from any source, including Pandora or web radio, to be routed simultaneously to every Airport Express and Mac/PC on the network, overcoming iTunes' native zone limitations. A complete single-zone setup costs approximately $300, with an iPod Touch serving as a capable wireless remote control.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater DIY

HDTV Almanac - Flat Panel Wall Mounts Get Easier

OmniMount's new wall mount system simplifies flat panel TV installation by using four plastic discs and a cardboard template with a built-in bubble level, supporting VESA-standard mounting hole patterns. The system is rated for up to 40 pounds on drywall without requiring a stud finder, doubling to 80 pounds when two discs are anchored into a stud. At $39.95, it offers a practical, tool-light alternative to traditional metal bracket kits that often exceed $100 and demand more complex installation steps.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Home Theater DIY Projection HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #321 - DIY or eBay?

A DIY home theater projector build using a salvaged overhead projector, an LCD panel, and a wooden enclosure can theoretically achieve 1024x768 resolution at 3000 lumens for roughly $360, but comparable eBay units like the Sony VPL-PX31 (native XGA 1024x768, 2800 ANSI lumens) sold for as little as $20.50 at the time of writing. A DIY projection screen using super-white seamless paper and velveteen-wrapped framing runs about $98.50, saving only $10-12 versus a commercial option. For budget-conscious home theater builders, the eBay route offers better specs per dollar, though the DIY path remains viable as a learning exercise.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater DIY

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #282 - Bathroom TVs

A budget-focused guide to installing a bathroom TV explores options ranging from waterproof sets at $2000 and up to a DIY setup built around a 16-inch Viewsonic N1630W 720p LCD ($250), a Mac Mini with 2GB RAM ($600), and a SlingBox Pro ($240). The SlingBox streams live TV over an internal network via 802.11g, while an optional El Gato HD HomeRun tuner requires 802.11n for HD over-the-air content and adds DVR capability. The complete DIY solution comes in under $1000 and also supports movies, music, podcasts, and web browsing, though standard consumer hardware is not rated for bathroom humidity.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater DIY

HDTV Podcast #171

HDTV Podcast episode 171 covers a DIY drive-in theater build sourced from Popular Mechanics, offering a hands-on home entertainment project for enthusiasts. The episode also examines RealD 3D cinema technology, which uses circular polarization to deliver stereoscopic imagery. Together, these topics give listeners a practical look at both backyard large-format projection setups and the state of theatrical 3D display systems.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater DIY

HDTV Podcast #152

Ara Derderian, co-host of the HDTV and Home Theater podcast, shares his approach to building a DIY video server and home entertainment network using an Apple Mac Mini as the core hardware. The setup centers on integrating the Mac Mini into a home theater environment to centralize media distribution. For readers considering a similar build, this offers a practical starting point for evaluating compact, consumer-grade hardware as a media server platform.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts