A home theater system is an entertainment system that allows you to experience theater-quality movies and sporting events in your own home. Systems can be any size you want, but thanks to advances in technology, many home theater specialists can integrate them into your home automation system so anyone can use them with ease. In short, the essence of a home theater system is a screen, the surround sound system and the devices to reproduce it, whether it is a DVD player or a signal receiver, and everything else is a matter of quality, quantity , size and budget. .

The components:

1. The “big” screen

The first thing to consider for a home or business to install a home theater system is to decide what type of screen you want, the standard options being plasma, LCD or projector. Currently, plasma screens offer a high quality image while taking up relatively little space and benefit from lower prices every month. LCD screens are of almost equal quality, although they generally have the drawback of being smaller. Projectors deliver higher-end images along with the larger screen, but they typically face the downside of requiring more maintenance in the form of changing the projector lamp annually, depending on how often you use it and whether or not such a system is in place. or outside your home. around a pool or deck area.

2. Theater quality sound system

The sound system that surrounds you can range from an inexpensive set to a collection of high-quality individual speakers. In general, home theater experts recommend that you try to get the best quality system you can afford so that the sound quality better matches the ever-improving picture quality. At a minimum, most systems should have five speakers: two in the back, two in the front, and all four working in harmony with a subwoofer, although nine is now becoming the industry norm.

3. The various playback devices available

The playback device is most likely your DVD player, or even a gaming system or HD cable or satellite box. In general, selecting a player that has progressive scan capabilities will give you the best picture quality. It goes without saying that you can opt for a DVD burner if you want the added ability to record TV shows or your gaming system.

Designing the system that best suits your needs

1. Selecting the Best Room in your Home or Business

Home theater systems work best when used in a single room for a specific purpose, but I have also installed systems around pool areas and outdoors on large area decks. If you’re indoors, the room you select should obviously allow as little natural light as possible. To protect against sound absorption or unnatural bouncing, your room should be carpeted and corners should be free of cracks and gaps to prevent sound from bouncing back and producing an “echo” or muffled effect.

Home theater experts typically work with architects if the system will be part of a new home in the construction stages; but it can just as easily be installed on an existing installation.

2. System automation for ease of use

The best home theater experts have a showroom that can allow you to see first hand the advancement in automation technology with regards to automating your home theater system to the point where you will be able to control every aspect from one remote control only (perhaps even as an app on your phone) or from a wall-mounted panel. Automation is not limited to home theater, as you can also choose to automate the lights to dim or turn off when the home theater is running. Similarly, automating your home entertainment systems also gives you the ability to play music in several different rooms at once for a complete concert hall experience. While it’s less expensive to install wiring for your automation when you’re already involved in renovations or building your home, wiring can be installed after the fact by upgrading, though that often comes with the downside of being more expensive and hassle-free. .

3. How much can someone expect to spend?

State-of-the-art home theater installations inside and outside some of the nation’s most luxurious homes have become commonplace, and such systems have become an equivalent luxury addition to what swimming pools were years ago. . That said, home theater systems are limited only by what you can imagine and can range from very affordable to expensive, depending on where you’re installing them, what you’re installing, and what you want as a finished product or experience. An easy-to-use plug-and-play system without any design considerations can be had for around a thousand dollars, while a custom integrated home theater can cost much more depending on the demands placed on the screen. and to the sound system. and whether it’s around a pool area or on a terrace or inside your home or business. While a do-it-yourself approach may seem best, if you really want the full home theater experience, you may want to consider consulting a specialist or doing more research.