With advancing technology, more and more homeowners are making the addition of a home theater to enhance their quality of life. Sifting through the seemingly endless brands and models of home theater system equipment is no small task.
Basic Requirements and Guideline
There are basic guidelines to help with the process of home theater installation and selection for the best home theater system for your individual needs:
- Home theater room design and size - the design and size of the room will dictate the size and scope of the system. A rule of thumb is that the viewing distance from the screen should be at least 3 times the diagonal size of the screen. For example, the minimum distance for a 42-inch screen would be 126 inches, or just over 10 feet. Therefore, the optimum viewing distance would be around 12.5 feet or more.
- Location of home theater rooms is important - dry basements and attics are good choices to minimize disturbing other areas of the home; such as bedrooms or the nursery. Basements are an especially good choice because of fewer windows, and the ease of controlling light for optimum viewing enjoyment.
- Cost is an important factor- with a nearly infinite selection of home theater equipment from which to select, there are viable solutions for nearly any budget. If necessary, develop a budget and stick to it when putting together a system. Take advantage of discount home theater system pricing by shopping closeouts, discontinued models, and display units. Remember to take home theater lighting and room decor into consideration. Also, adequate soundproofing when the home theater will be located adjacent to sound sensitive areas.
- Screen resolution - with mandatory transition to digital broadcasting on 2/17/2009 in the US and 8/31/2011 in Canada, old analog TV sets with lower resolution cathode ray tube screens will no longer work - unless hooked up to a cable converter box. With prices dropping significantly within the last few years for digital format LCD screen and plasma screen televisions, consumers are flocking to the check out stands. New LCD or plasma flat screens have much higher resolution or more pixels - “dots per square inch†than old sets; up to 10 times the final resolution. This results in a much sharper, clearer image. Plasma and LCD TV commonly offers 768p or 1080p resolution
- Home video and video editing - digital technology has made it much easier to create and edit family videos; however special equipment such as a PC with adequate system requirements and editing software programs are required. Digital sources such as a digital camcorder can be plugged right into the computer, provided there is a Firewire or ilink port. Analog video sources (such as an older tape video camera or VCR) will require a video capture card installed on the mother board; for video input to the computer for editing.
- Home theater surround sound -made possible by specialized sound system components; including an amplifier/control unit and multiple speakers. Size and power amplifier requirements, and speaker placement will depend on room size and shape. The latest trend in technology is a digital home theater audio system, or even a wireless home theater system. A wireless home theater eliminates the need of unsightly home theater wiring; bundles of cables running underfoot.
- Personal preference - ultimately the final deciding factor when making choice selection is the discretion and preference of the homeowner. The type sound system, screen size, room decor, lighting, etc., as well as budget limit.
Homeowner Tips for Home Theater Success
Putting together a custom home theater is no small task. There are many details to address. Listed below are tips to help make the decision making process both better informed and easier.
Selecting the type and size of wide screen TV involves several factors, including the 3 format types most widely used:
- 1. DLP rear projection - an LCD format where the image is generated by a special chip and projected via micro-sized mirrors (one mirror per pixel) onto the screen. Although affordably priced, these unites have a large foot print and are not suitable for wall mounting. DLP TV offers good contrast with deep blacks. Bulbs have a short life span; as low as 2000 hours, costing about $300 each. A $2000 42-inch unit and bulbs purchased over a 10-year span will average about $383 per year.
- 2. Wide screen LCD TV - a large flat screen in digital HDTV format. LCD TV is your best value, with models up to 32-inchs available for under $700. Earlier models had poor contrast ratio lacking in deep blacks, and problems with image transition (moving pictures appeared jerky). However, vast improvements have been made in newer models. LCD TVs are the lightest for wall mounting, and provide the brightest picture. Especially in rooms with increased ambient lighting. Optimum performance screen life is 20,000 to 30,000 hours. (about 13 years at 6 hours per day) A 42-inch TV purchased for $1100 will average $110 per year for 10-years use.
- 3. Plasma television panels - heavier than LCD TVs, but still suitable for wall mounting. Plasma TVs offer a slightly higher contrast ratio than current LCD technology, with excellent deep blacks. But picture quality may be compromised in ambient room light. High altitudes can also affect picture quality because of gas content in the plasma screen. However, high altitude models are available, for additional cost. Pricing is similar to LCD TV; screen life is 50,000 to 70,000 hours (about 20 years at 6 hours per day). Plasma television is not available in smaller than 37-inches. A 42-inch plasma purchased for $1000 will average $100 per year for 10-years use.
Tip: homeowners should be aware that video and audio technology changes rapidly, improving performance at an alarming rate. It would be wise to consult the latest consumer report before purchasing any particular equipment.
Home Theater Installation is Highly Technical - Hire a Professional
Some homeowners may possess the skill and savvy required to install and set up home theater equipment. However, the average homeowner will require the services of a skilled electronic technician or installer to help simplify the process.
To find experienced home theater installers in their Canadian province, homeowners all across Canada are turning to TrustedPros.ca. Where locating reliable local service providers is fast, easy, and free!
For any size home theater project, whether large or small; in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal or Vancouver. Homeowners sign up without cost or obligation and post their home theater project online, where project information is immediately visible to member contractors in their community 24/7. Contractors also receive e-mail notification of new project listings and provide competitive bids, even just hours from project posting.
Homeowners can view contractor profile pages, references, customer feedback, licensing/insurance/certification credentials, and photos of company employees and recently completed projects online at TrustedPros.ca. And then make an informed hiring decision, or hire no one at all. Remember, there is no obligation whatsoever.
Posted by: TrustedPros
