A high quality home theater or multi-purpose media room system is much more than a bunch of high priced electronic equipment purchased either online or at the nearest big box retailer. Often people become fixated on the brand name and price of the equipment, while ignoring the heart of the system, which is the design. Even the best equipment in the world will not provide the level of audio and visual performance required, unless the entire system is well designed!
The home theater design will incorporate a number of factors including room dimensions, room layout, seating layout, acoustic layout, projector location, screen location and component selection. All of these factors must be considered together and integrated to provide the homeowner the best possible value and performance of the system.
In some homes it may not be possible to have a home theater room due to space constraints, but it is possible to design a multi-purpose media room, which will provide as much enjoyment as a home theater. The design of the multi-purpose media room will incorporate the design criteria as a home theater, but will also include provisions for concealing the audio and video components of the system so they do not dominate the room’s décor or use.
A well designed home theater room or multi-purpose media room will provide years of enjoyment for any family. The audio and video technology today is truly amazing and it has never been easier and more affordable to enjoy a movie like experience in the comfort of your home!
Posted on behalf of Callaway Home Theater
A well designed home theater takes planning and expertise to get the right combination of visual and audio effects. While the electronics are important components, they alone are not what turn a good home theater into a great one. Whether you want a room to watch your favorite sports team or to enjoy movies with your friends and family in high definition splendor, how the room is designed and set up can play a major part in the quality of theater room you will end up with.
Home Theater Design Elements
While any room could potentially turned into a home theater, there are certain aspects that need to be considered. Just adding a large television and sound system will not necessarily create the theater room you had in mind. Some elements to consider when designing your home theater include:
Many elements of creating a professional grade home theater room are complicated, requiring the expertise of a home theater designer. Since this is a sizable investment into your home, using a professional home theater design company to help you plan and build your room can make sure that it turns out exactly the way you envision.
Posted on behalf of Callaway Home Theater
The most important component of any home theater system – for most people, anyway – is a flat screen television. But if you’ve done any shopping for a TV lately, you might be a little baffled or even downright confused by all the choices out there.
Is there really a big difference between a LCD TV and a plasma TV? And what is an LED/LCD TV anyhow?
Plasma
Plasma is a relatively new technology in TVs. When they hit the market in the late 1990s and early 2000s, plasma TVs were considered a status symbol, as they were very expensive, some fetching $45,000 or more. Prices have since come way down, and now it is possible to buy a plasma TV for less than $1,000.
With this type of TV, the screen is built from two plates of glass with neon or xenon gas in between. When the gas is exposed to an electrical field, it glows, producing a picture.
Plasma TVs are only available in 42″ screens or bigger, and from just a small handful of manufacturers. They have a great all-around viewing angle, vibrant color and great definition, but aren’t quite as bright as LCD or LED TVs.
Plasma TVs are also very susceptible to damage. If they are hit with a hard object, it could break some of the gas filled pixels, eventually leading to a distorted screen image. So when purchasing a plasma TV, many people opt for an extended warranty or some sort of insurance.
More and more homeowners are installing home theaters as a means of entertainment for family and friends. It is a cheaper alternative to going to the movies and, with the excellent quality and vast quantity of electronic equipment on the market, it is possible to get a real theater experience right in your very own home.
But why pay a home theater specialist to do the design and installation? We’ve got the three best reasons right here.
1. It is a complicated job. Whether you are building a theater from scratch, or adding to your existing home theater, installing new devices and getting them to work properly with existing devices can be very tricky work. A home theater design specialist will spare you the trials and tribulations and integrate your system so that every electronic component is working properly and harmoniously with other components.
2. Flawless, professional results. A home theater installer not only knows how electronic components work best with one another, but can do the drilling, mounting and wiring so that all wires are hidden flawlessly within the walls. In other words, you can kiss all that tangled wire mess goodbye.
3. Home theater specialists can work within a budget. Are you working within a tight budget? If so, the home theater designer and installer can stretch that dollar to get the most for your money. Depending on your own particular needs for budget and space, the designer may recommend, for example, that you go with a high end surround sound system and less of a TV, or vice versa.
The bottom line is, hiring a home theater installer is a sure way to ensure, professional results. You’ll find that the extra money spent for this service is well worth it in the long run.
With modern technological advancements and their affordability, having a personal home theater today is not at all far-fetched nor limited to the rich and famous. Big, wall-mounted, flat screen televisions combined with surround sound stereo have made owning some form of a home theater virtually a common experience in most homes today. Movie theater attendance is declining, with many opting for the ease and comfort of at-home viewing.
Now you can step up your home experience by having a licensed contractor assist you in creating the ultimate design you desire. Any unfinished space in your home (you know, that basement you’ve been planning on getting around to finishing someday) can be turned into your own custom designed theater. Home theater designers can fashion a system specifically for the size of your available space. All of the details of your design, such as room configuration and preferred seating selection, are carefully considered. While selecting the components of your home theater system may seem overwhelming at first glance, experts can help you narrow down those options that best fit with your needs, wants and budget. Design experts will assist you with everything from selecting acoustical equipment, projector and screen, to laying out seating placement.
Contact your local home theater construction and design experts today. You can have the home theater system that you’ve been dreaming about. With properly skilled designers, engineers and technicians, you will enjoy many hours of quality entertainment in your own custom designed home theater. No doubt, it will become the favorite place of home entertainment for your family and friends. All you’ll have to worry about is supplying the popcorn.
Seating is a very important element of home theater design and planning. From the seating configuration, to ergonomics, to the seat style and features, seating can have a big impact on how you and your guests experience and use your home theater. Here are some options to consider when it comes to home theater seating.
Seating configuration
Standard tiered seating (straight, stadium-style rows) is perhaps the most common seating arrangement for home theaters. You can construct your home theater to have tiered seating by placing seats on risers, but there is also the option of using different seat heights per row to eliminate the need for tiered flooring. You can also opt for more versatile seating arrangements, such as placing seats around the circumference of the room, having stand-alone seats in the center of the room (e.g. cabaret-style seating), or using an l-shaped seating plan. You can also consider adding bar seating at the back of the room or to the side. Alternative seating arrangements are not for everyone, but can add flair and personality to a home theater.
Seat style and features
Seat style plays a huge role in conveying the aesthetics of your home theater and includes things like upholstery/materials, chair height, color, and design. You can choose from a range of upholstery fabrics including leather, velvet, plush microfiber suede, and more. There is even the option of having monogrammed seats. Standard theater seats also come with a range of different functional features including built-in cup-holders (which may or may not be removable) and snack consoles. You can consider whether you want reclining seats or seats with matching ottomans. You should also bear in mind that you are not limited to standard theater seats. Modular sofas, chaise lounges, and floor chairs with cushions are all alternative seating styles that can add pizzazz to your home theater. Seating units should complement the overall décor of the room.
Ergonomics
Theater seats should be comfortable, providing back and leg support, stability, and promoting good posture. Consider the height range of the seating unit, the seat shape, and the firmness of the seat pan and backrest. Ergonomic features of theater seats include padded backrests, adjustable headrests, and pillow arms.
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