When you walk into the home theatre system area of your local consumer electronics outlet, the multitude of choices are daunting. Everything is gleaming under the fluorescent lights, very new and very shiny, each system seemingly saying “buy me, buy me”. Before you get to that point, there are many things you need to understand and realize to help you make the best possible decision for your home and your wallet.
First you need to determine which room of your home will house this home theatre system. Note that if you are going for the very large screen like 50 or 60 inches or more, the best viewing is from about 10 to 12 feet away. So putting a screen of this size into a small room is going to disappoint you because the screen will not look sharp. On the other hand, if you go with a smaller screen like a 36 or 42 inch screen, this would be adequate for a small family room or even a larger bedroom.
Another important component is the receiver. Some receivers for home theatre systems have inputs for your cable TV or satellite dish connection, as well as inputs for a variety of other things, such as your DVD player, your VCR, your surround sound system, and perhaps even a PC input. Some even have a built-in radio, although these are becoming less common. One of the newer additions to receivers is the ability to play XM radio, although XM radio will require a monthly subscription. So with all these choices, you need to evaluate what is important to you, as well as what you will actually USE. There is little sense, for example, in equipping the receiver with XM radio if you will never or rarely use that option.
No home theatre system is complete without a good speaker system. Ideally, the surround sound should be Dolby 7.1 or at least Dolby 5.1. More information on speakers is in another article at this site, but suffice it to say here that if you are going to spend the money on a money home theatre system, it makes little sense to “cheap out” with the speakers, since after the picture, the SOUND is the other component that lights up your internal sensory perceptors as you are enjoying your system.
I suggest you make yourself a list, or maybe even a paper spreadsheet that you take with you when you shop around. And definitely SHOP AROUND for your home theatre system! Create a budget for yourself that will NOT be exceeded, regardless of how loudly a particular system is screaming at you to buy it. Watch for systems to go on sale, which they do on a frequent basis, and you can save yourself a wad of cash. If you are buying the components separately, my recommendation would be to buy them all from the same store. That way if there is a problem, you will not have the issue of “finger pointing” from the various stores trying to blame each other.
The smart shopper is the one who gets the quality system and doesn’t pay “sticker price” for it. Be informed, know what you want, be willing to learn if you run across an intelligent salesperson who knows what he is talking about, and stick to your budget. You will be able to enjoy your investment in this superb home theatre system for years to come.
Home Theatres
Dvd Player
Putting together a home theatre can be a fantastic family project that results in a room everyone enjoys spending time in together. To make sure everything is right from the screen down to the home theatre seating, some planning must come into play. One of the keys to making the room perfect is in fact the comfort level, so the seats will be vital.
Choosing home theatre seating will likely be more involved than many people might realize. The truth is there are a lot of options out there and some are better than others. Pricing will likely play a big role in the choice as will size restrictions and personal taste. There are seating choices that fit just about any desire.
Some of the types of home theatre seating choices include:
Recliners: Regular recliners are the choice of many for home theatre seating. Easy to find, generally quite comfortable and typically affordable, this choice of seating is perfect in rooms that can accommodate multiple recliners and still look good. Regular recliners tend to be a bit bulkier, so this could be a chore in a smaller room. The truth is, however, this can be a fantastic way to provide a good look and comfort, too.
Couches: Run of the mill couches can work perfectly for home theatres. As long as they are comfortable and provide enough seating, they can be a great choice. The only downfall with couches is that typically don’t offer the ability to kick back and put the feet up, but good ottomans can solve that problem.
Theatre chairs: Some families opt to buy actual theatre chairs to incorporate into the design of their rooms. Generally mimicking actual theatre seating to the letter, these chairs can really add to the atmosphere, but not necessarily the comfort level.
Theatre recliners: This is considered by many to be the ultimate choice in home theatre seating. These recliners are specifically created for home theatres, offering great looks and designs for these specialized rooms. Some of these recliners come with built-in refreshment holders and they are typically meat to be set up in rows. Their design is generally a bit more narrow than a regular living room recliner, making them work well in viewing rooms. They can offer a variety of styles and looks, too, making it fairly easy to fit them in with almost any theme.
Other specialized seating: Some people prefer futons, bean bag chairs and even hard-back or high-back chairs for their theatre rooms. The fact is anything goes, but the key is making the room a hit is to be sure the chairs chosen are comfortable enough to make watching a long movie comfortable.
When setting up seating, don’t forget to make sure each seat offers a good view of the screen. In some rooms, this might require seating to be closer to the screen than in others. Go with what looks and feels right.
Creating a home theatre is a wonderful way to bring entertainment home. Everything from the screen down to the home theatre seating should be carefully considered to make the best room possible. Budget constraints aside, there are some great choices along the way.
Home Theatres
Fantastic Family, Personal Taste, Size Restrictions
One of the overwhelming aspects of finding and/or designing he right home theatre system is that there are now so many options to choose from. With the ever steady boom in home theatre demand, more manufacturers are producing a wide array of options. Technology continues to change and improve in leaps and bounds, which often means what was brand new and completely unaffordable only twelve months ago may now be right in your perfect price range.
One reason many individuals like having a hand in designing their own home theatre system is that you can basically mix and match to make it into whatever you want. You are not restrained by package deals. It is possible to put together a full-scale, state of the art system with projector, receiver and the works, or if that seems a little over the top, you can buy a quality TV (some almost to projection screen sizes nowadays) and accessorize it with DVD player and surround sound speakers.
The variance can go from a couple thousand, to $100,000 for the ludicrously rich and extravagant. This illustrates the importance of choosing a system that suits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.
In the end, it’s all about getting the best possible home theater system for the money you have available. Don’t be afraid if it’s not state of the art-your neighbor will still be paying that off six years down the road when you’ve already upgraded for cheaper. Because of the rapid move of technology, prices bottom out pretty quickly as companies rush at sometimes break neck speeds to try and out do each other.
Think about your own watching and listening needs. Based on what you prefer, a little research should reveal to you the best brands, the best speakers, the best options for what you want to enjoy.
Building your home theater can be a great experience. If you are a family man, you can enjoy movies with the family without having to go out to the hassles of a theatre. If you’re a bachelor, invite the guys over for the game. If you’re a college student, you are probably incredibly popular (just don’t put it on the credit cards). There are several different factors to consider when picking out the various parts that will go into your own personal home theatre system. Here is a check list of a few things to consider:
* Projector or TV? Are you in a semi-permanent residence, or moving soon? That may make a huge difference in how much you want to sink in.
* If you’re shooting for the projector, then what type suits your needs?
* Small room or larger one.
* What is the focus? Movies? Music? Football games? All of the above?
* Location, location, location!
* Can I do it myself, or should I get help?
Keep this checklist in mind and do your research, and you’ll be sure to find the home theatre system that matches your needs.
Home Theatres
Family Man, Hassles