receivers and game consoles produce a ton of heat and I would have never put that stuff in an enclosed closet. The doors need to be kept open during use. Dont stack anything on top of the receiver!

Thanks. That confirms what I was thinking. Low-voltage guy is still trying to convince me that the component-in-the-closet setup will work. Even without, the heat issue, I find it annoying to have to pull-out a big cabinet just to pop in a DVD to watch.

I think the only solution will be to take the components out of the hallway cabinet under the stairs and move them into the side cabinets in the built-in entertainment center, which houses the TV and front speakers. Then replace the cabinet doors in the entertainment center with doors that are louvered or have grills on them, or something like that.

Nothing is stacked on top of the receiver - the components are on separate shelves in the hallway cabinet.

I regret that I let the GC, electrician, and low-voltage guy talk me into the component-in-the-closet idea. I can use that closet for storage for other stuff - just nothing electronic. And now I have to "eat" the cost of re-doing the whole set up - changing cabinetry, wiring, and probably adding another electrical outlet. It's been an expensive mistake.

http://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/tip-of-the-day-keep-your-system-cool

There are cooling systems from Cool Components and Active Thermal Management that will be near silent and designed for these types of installs. Also look into a Media server to to store your DVD's on.

I've attached photos of the built-in media center and component closet. The wall behind the media center is the garage. The TV is about 10 years old; plan to upgrade in a year or so. The front speakers are behind mesh covers. The subwoofer is on the floor to the left of the media center. The wires dangling on the left hand side of the media center are for the wii.

The component closet is under the stairs. If I put a fan in the component closet, there is still nowhere for the fan to push the hot air or take in cool air. Other problems are that there is no visual of the components when looking at the TV - when the IR eye was knocked off the DVR, I could not see it and wondered why I could no longer operate the TV with the remote. Some of the remote video controllers (blu tooth) work best when the controller is pointed toward the component, not away from it.

My options are: (1) purchase a stand-alone media stack (e.g., tempered glass doors, shelves, and openings in back) to fit into the alcove to the right of the TV. The alcove is 2 feet wide and 20" deep. (2) Replace the lower cabinet doors on both sides of the media center with tempered glass doors and vent out to the garage. (3) Replace the center drawers with shelves for components and leave shelves open in the front or vent behind to the garage. I've since read that the center speaker should be under, not over, the TV - so then would maybe move the speaker below the TV. (4) combine option (1) with option (2) - put some components in the cabinet on the right hand side and some in a media stack in the alcove.

My interior designer thinks option (2) will be the most attractive and less expensive than option (3); she does not like option (1). I think option (1) will be the most convenient and least expensive. I would be moving wires and adding one electrical outlet, but not reconfiguring built-in cabinetry. It would be more convenient for adding another component in the future.

Which option do you think would work best?

Thanks! A Middle Atlantic slide out rack? - Did not know such things existed, but I think I need one - just not sure whether to put one into the component closet, in the media center under the TV (in place of the drawers or lower cabinets), or create a tower in the alcove next to the media center?

I had thought the component closet would have a hinged door - the cabinet maker came up with the idea of the pull-out cabinet and delivered it that way, without discussing it. (We have a language barrier.) I guess he thought this would give better access to the back of the components, without tangling cables. In any case, I think the component cabinet would need to be completely rebuilt and re-installed to have a hinged door and slide out rack. This may be my most expensive option.

My GC told me that option (2) above won't work - it's against code to vent into the garage. So, altering the media center won't work, unless shelves are open in the front. My options are a tower next to media center or reconfiguring the component-cabinet-under-the-stairs.

Another option, and probably the cheapest:

Replace the inset on the door to the left lower cabinet with a breathable mesh. Replace the shelves with sloted shelf or a component shelf as suggested above for the receiver/game system to sit on. Attach a silent fan or two the the outer wall of the left lower cabinet. What is to the left of the media cabinet? it looks like a window, so the no one would see that you attached two fans to the side of your media cabinet.

This will also fix your "line of sight" issues so you dont have to worry about those IR extenders.

See below just for ideas, shop around for the products:

http://www.diamondcase.com/Knowledge/Knowledge_HTML/Ventilation_Fans.HTML

Thanks for all the suggestions. I met with my cabinet maker, low-voltage guy, GC, and designer. Still working out my options.

I'm considering one more option - which is to place a component rack under-the-counter, where I had planned to put a 24" under-the-counter beverage center. I would be installing the Mid-Atlantic SRSR-2-17 rack (it pulls out and rotates for access to the rear of components). For ventilation, I would install the QBP-2A blower on the top rack to push out warm air and a vent plate at the bottom rack to suck up cold air from the 3 foot "crawl space" under the floor. Or, leave the whole rack open in the front, with no door on it.

If that doesn't work, I can install a MidAtlantic SRSR-2-12 rack in the cabinet to the left of the media center, with similar ventilation techniques. This rack is shorter than the SRSR-2-17 (height of usable space is 24" vs 33"), but the same price. I would need to have all the cables moved and would need a new door on the cabinet, in addition to the cost of the racks.

Re-configuring the existing component closet with a rack, fans, and vents may be less expensive than some of the other options because I would not need to move cables or rebuild cabinets. Cabinet maker would be taking out the shelves and converting cabinet to a swinging door. GC would add a vent through the closet into the wall next to the bar sink. This option does not solve the line-of-sight issue; I would be dedicating a large storage space to a few components. Fans would be running all the time.

A component tower in the alcove to the right of the media center would be the most expensive option because the cabinet maker would need to build an enclosure for the rack and the cables would need to be moved.

The attached picture shows the under-counter space - it's the "hole" containing empty component boxes. My teen son thinks this is an "unexpected" place for the components. There would still be space to install a 15" beverage center (take out the stack of 3 drawers), but may not need it.

Resolving this issue has been a slow process. Thanks for everyone's help!

I finally have the Mid Atlantic media rack that will go into the empty space that had been designed for a beverage center. My cabinet builder needs to build a platform for the rack to sit on, as the rack will "dip" when it is swung out of the space to connect or disconnect components; i.e., it can't be placed directly on the floor. I will have one fan at the top of the rack to blow out hot air; no cabinet door in front of the rack.

Thanks for all the suggestions - several months have passed, and I still have no resolution. My low-voltage guy transitioned to a different company and the mid-Atlantic rack is still sitting in its box. In the meantime, another low-voltage company proposed a different solution - which sounds crazy to me.

The interior designer brought in a "media designer" (aka salesman) to advise me on how I can make the component-in-the-closet concept workable (interior designer wants me to have a beverage center where I'd planned to put one.) My teen son agrees that he would rather have the game consoles in front of him, adjacent to the TV, instead of on the side where the beverage center was planned.

I thought this "advisor" would just be giving advice - but now he's handed me a contract to sign. He's proposed a plan for the thermal issue in the media cabinet, and claimed he would find a solution for the Xbox line-of sight issue. So, here's the proposal.

Keep the receiver and cable box in the slide-out cabinet under the stairs: remove the wooden shelves in the cabinet and replace with a mid-Atlantic rack, add a thermo-control system, and vent out into the coat closet that is also under the stairs, adjacent to the media cabinet. Place the game consoles in one of the lower cabinets next to the TV (to provide line-of sight). Cabinet maker would next to replace side panel with mesh to ventilate into the room. Run more cable (there's a crawl space under the floor) so that the sound and picture from the game consoles will run to the receiver under the cabinet and from the receiver back to the TV.

I think this sounds inefficient and expensive. I would need to have my cabinet builder reconfigure two cabinets - the cabinet under the stairs and the cabinet next to the TV. I would need two racks, one in the cabinet under the stairs and one in the cabinet next to the TV. I would need thermo-control in both locations. I would have long HDMI cables running between the game consoles and the receiver. And from a storage perspective, I would be devoting two cabinets to components, instead of one.

What do you think? Is this solution with two media cabinets viable?

We have Xbox One, PS3, Wii, and a PS4 that is still unwrapped.

The Xbox One is the issue. Last week the "media designer" who proposed this plan had initially said he would be able to get everything to work in the cabinet under the stairs, but this week retracted his claim as not 100% solution.

We have infrared repeater systems for the components that use infrared - but this is a different problem - the sensor that is supposed to stick onto the cable box keeps falling off. In order to change TV channels, I need to be standing in front of the cable box. The PS-3 is bluetooth. The Universal remote is infrared.

Easy fix, there are adhesive sticky pads that wrap over the IR emitters and efficiently stick in front and over the IR sensor to keep them in place (called IR flasher covers and prevents them from falling off). Xbox One, PS3 & PS4 must have IR codes that RTI, Pro Control, URC can decode. www.remotecentral.com should be able to supply your low voltage contractor hex code format that can be converted to IR. Cooling issue should have been handled a long time ago, a 4 1/2" whisper fan on a switched outlet should have resolved that issue. Hate to say this, you must be dealing with Rookies? What make and model of Universal Remote do you have?

I have the MX-850 universal remote. The designer guy told me that I should replace it with a $1500 universal remote. But, really? Do I need to spend that much money for a remote?

I think the problem with the IR sensor not sticking was from my son's friends messing around with the equipment - connecting various components to the receiver - not because of the installation.

The distance between the media cabinet under the stairs and the TV is about 18 feet. Would it be problematic to have the receiver and cable box in one cabinet and the game controllers in a different cabinet (18 ft apart)? Designer guy is claiming that I will need cooling only for the receiver and cable box, but not for the game controllers - that they can be in a tightly enclosed cabinet with no ventilation.

The designer guy's approach is to keep the components in existing cabinetry, without giving up the beverage center area to media components and without putting a media tower in the niche to the right of the TV.

I don't have a price proposal for any of these approaches, so I'm asking whether it makes sense from a technical standpoint to have two separate component cabinets.

RTI & ProControl both have equivalent control capabilities, it's finding a custom integrator in your market that can program these. I concur with Fusion9 Design LLC on locating a CEDIA or other professional custom integrator with experience. URC are tough to program, RTI is easier but not as cost effective as their subsidiary, ProControl. What's nice about RTI is the program can be retrieved from the device if it's ever lost. They also have a data base of software (IR commands) that exceeds 15 years.

Your MX-850 won't support what you're trying to do.

OK, Thanks. I've dropped the designer - who works on multi-million dollar smart homes for clients with more discretionary funds. I'm going back to Plan B - which was to create a component tower in the alcove to the right of the media center - the cabinet maker will likely need to build an enclosure for the
rack, and the cables will need to be moved there. I'll need a professional to help with the design.

The space is 23" wide - although I will lose some width if I enclose a rack within a cabinet. To be flush with the built-in entertainment center, the depth of the space would be 21."

Is it important to have equipment enclosed to protect from dust? If so, I would maybe put plexiglass doors on the cabinet and a fan on the top of the cabinet to ventilate above it. Or go with something simpler? Just shelves and no enclosure?

The photo below from Houzz of a Mid Atlantic rack looks like more than I would need.

CEDIA 2013 Triple Gold Winning Project "Historic Renovation" · More Info

The design below has space on the top for ventilation.

Custom AV Unit · More Info

Or maybe something simpler - if I can find something like this that would fit the space.

Audio Tower w AV Support - Midnight Mist · More Info

Equipment racks, manufactured by several companies (Mid Atlantic for one) are all standard widths, variable heights. You have a lot going on there, what market are you in?

I'm in Southern California. I talked to a technical rep at MidAtlantic. He suggested either a 4-post rack enclosed in a cabinet or something in the BRK series.

Where in S. Cal? There are literally dozens, if not hundreds of qualified Custom Integrators from Santa Barbara to San Diego. What county are you located ? FYI, most manufacturers don't want to get into an educational or training relationship with an end user (or decorator), that's why they have a dealer base of knowledgeable custom integrators. Also, for some reason, custom cabinet builders don't want to learn the specs or skills to resolve these same issues. Thus, the modular equipment racks (by many manufacturers) are ideal for proper spacing, electrical accommodation, cable routing, and access to back of equipment.

Los Angeles County, in the South Bay area.

A year has passed since I first posted here about my ventilation issues, and I'm finally making progress! I had no response from the Cedia professional organization. In June, I called Middle Atlantic again and they gave me names of several professional installers in my area. The technician at Middle Atlantic was very patient with me - spent an hour helping me figure out what size rack I needed and most of the pieces I would need on the rack. The first installer that they recommended lives in my area and has been awesome in walking me through this.

I'm using a different rack than the SRSR rack that I initially purchased; hoping I can find someone who will purchase the SRSR rack that is still sitting in its box.

The new rack will be going into the alcove next to the entertainment center. The rack is on castors, so can slide it out for maintenance. It will have a fan at the top that blows air outward into the room. I'm leaving space at the bottom of the rack if I need to add a second fan to draw in cooler air. I'm replacing the universal remote with an RTI system. The new TV is in place and mounted. Electrician installed a new outlet this week.

Yes, I contacted someone in my area from the finder search results. I received a message that they would get back to me; no followup; I called again and no response.

Ventilation or rack fan should not be rocket science, Middle Atlantic offers a great 4 1/2" whisper fan. Any custom audio/video installer should be able to assist. You just want to be sure that it's on a trigger and will turn on when your components come on, turn off when same action with components. CEDIA is a great resource, but not the only game on the planet.

AudioPlus,

My new rack is the Middle Atlantic Slim 5 series with 37 spaces, fitted with a skirted wheelbase with casters. I've ordered a UQFP-4DRA Ultra Quiet Fan Panel with Proportional Speed Fan Control - takes up two rack spaces - is this the "whisper fan"? (I'm a retired rocket scientist but no expert on fans :-)

So, are you finished? I just saw your original post and, looking at your pictures, I think you should put the components in the open cabinets on the left and right of the TV. I like the idea of racks, and I guess that's what you are now using. Regarding heat, I disagree with Fusion as to where to place the heat-producing components. People frequently put them at the bottom back in the days when those components were very heavy (read analog tube-based amps). Since heat rises, I would put them at the top! And, of course, if they have any controls you have to reach, make them reachable. What's behind your console? If it is a hallway or closet, could you break into the back to give easy access to cabling? If you are anything like me, I am always changing things.

Here's an update and answers to some of the suggestions offered:

Existing lower cabinets were too shallow for installing components to the sides of the TV. Not enough space in the open shelves to place all the components; cable management would be a challenge; and would look unattractive, given that components lack uniformity in aesthetics.

I'm updating to an RTI remote control system. Also updating the receiver. New "alcove" cabinet is in place, rack frame assembled, cables rearranged. I'm waiting for delivery of some of the equipment.

The contractor who is doing the work was a CEDIA member previously. Hoping to finish up in next couple weeks. I'll post photos when done.

Hi - not sure if you are still working on this project but enclosed spaces are fine, AS LONG AS, you exchange the air enough in the space to keep everything cool. AV Integrators can calculate this for you by determining the total average watts used for your gear into a total BTU output and then finally a CFM rating to keep your system cool. Then you install a fan with similar CFM. That's a bit of tech talk, but if you just want a specific recommendation to try instead, look at the 1pt or 2pt Duct Cool system by Middle Atlantic. They work GREAT!!! We are also a Los Angeles based AV Integration house so if you are looking for one or just want a second opinion feel free to give us a call.

Thanks - project was finished in November. Since I started on this project, my niece has given birth to two babies (not twins).

But this reminds me that I owe photos. Ventilation issues are resolved. Fan on top and open grill space on bottom. I like the new RTI remote.

My cabinet guy was able to make the new cabinet space look like it was planned from the beginning. New TV is now mounted on the wall. Rack is on castors.

Nice job-- looks great!!!

Only thing the RTI can't do is flip your vinyl :) Nice job!