Patti Deni wanted to surprise her teenage son by giving him his own big-screen TV, so while their new home was being built, she contacted Williamsville, NY–based Stereo Advantage with an idea: Instead of mounting the set to the wall, like everyone else does, she suggested having the TV laid flush across the ceiling.
“It was definitely a first for us,” says systems designer Kevin Bohner.
A 98-inch StarGlas60 display from Stewart Filmscreen was chosen for the unusual project.
“Because it’s so big and has such a wide viewing angle, Patty’s son wouldn’t have to lay flat on his back necessary to see the screen,” Bohner explains.
“He and his friends can prop themselves just about anywhere and get a good view,” adds Patty.
In order to support the weight of the display, plus the NEC video projector and the specialty Draper projection mirrors positioned behind it (a total weight of more than 300 pounds), the ceiling had to be reframed and reinforced.
Also, wiring had to be installed to tie the teen’s gaming consoles, laptop computer and cable box to the rear-projection assembly.
Although her son spends plenty of time gaming, Patty says that viewing and editing his own videos is probably her son’s favorite big-screen application—about the only thing that’s typical in this totally unconventional viewing environment.


Systems Design & Installation
Stereo Advantage
Williamsville, NY
www.stereoadvantage.com
Equipment List
NEC NP4001 projector with NP4000-06FL short throw lens
Draper custom RPX projector cradle and first surface mirror
Stewart Filmscreen 98” diagonal 16:9 StarGlas60,
Polk Audio RC80i in-ceiling speakers
Crestron Adagio AES amplified zone
Crestron APAD controller
Monster Cable HTFS500 power center
Niles Audio C5HDDA video and C5A2 audio baluns
Ok, so you personally do not like the taste of wine mixed with dog excrement. Does this mean they can’t enjoy it? Everyone has their own personal preference. The comments like “this kid is spoiled”, “he is going to grow into some fat guy”, “he can enjoy the TV after he gets his GED and is still living at home” etc. are not constructive criticism, they are insults as a direct result of jealousy. The comments like looking up for long periods of time is going to give him neck pain are constructive and give a little insight of what to expect.
I think we should distinguish between our jealousy and our criticism…
Jealousy - if there was a $500 bottle of wine someone had, I might be jealous of them for not being able to afford it myself.
Criticism - if they took that wine and mixed it with dog #### I would no longer be jealous, but rather I’d be critical of them for doing such a stupid thing.
Most comments here are critical, not jealous.
i can’t believe all the comments.
so what? let them buy a kickass tv for the kid!
i think all the jealous idiots out there need to get a life and buy something for their kid. life’s too short.
An interesting setup at best, but not practical at all. I use a projection system for viewing movies and the beauty of the setup is if I need to change the layout of the room my video system is totally mobile.
Plus that angle…I can’t see looking up at that thing for hours. Even back when I was a teenager!
Amazon is slashing 37 percent off the cost of Onkyo’s 3D-enabled AVR.
homeowners use the half wall in their great room as a room divider and as a place for video displays
Sayonara, set-top box? Or will it just take an energy-saving nap?
It’s hard to imagine life without remote controls, but it’s been a long, strange path to the modern incarnation we know and love today.
John, get a grip. Ever heard of satire, cynical humor, goofing? Stop pretending that these comments are from people who would act the same way in a face to face with this family. They (me included) are clowns, goofs to the crowd for the fun of ‘roasting’ a pretty “off the wall” installation.