Article posted on October 10, 2019
Planning home entertainment installation should be fun, because you’re creating ideas to turn a space in your home into somewhere you can enjoy for years to come. But you’ll have to make sure that once the popcorn is popped and the lights are down, there are no problems to spoil the occasion. Here are some key tips to avoid mistakes when you’re putting together your home theater system.
One of the key differences between going to a movie theater and watching at home is the sound. At the theater, the sound comes from all directions and it’s pumped out at volumes that immerse you in the action. Good home electronics installation lets you recreate the cinema experience, especially if you are able to dedicate a whole room to use as a home theater.
For most home theaters, a 5.1 speaker set up works well. This involves putting a speaker at each side of the screen, and one in the center above or below the screen. You’ll also place a speaker in each corner at the back of the room. The .1 is a subwoofer that’s needed to hit the low notes. Low frequency sound is less directional, so there is some flexibility with subwoofer placement.
When it comes to choosing the right screen for your home theater installation, it’s not always a case of “the bigger, the better.” If you have a huge screen but your room isn’t very large, you’ll end up sitting too close to the screen. As a general rule, the best viewing distance is around 1.5 to 2 times the length of the screen for 720p and 1080p HDTVs. With a 4K Ultra HD TV, you could sit a little closer because you won’t notice the pixels as much.
If you’re thinking of installing a projector as part of your home entertainment system, bear in mind that projectors only work properly if they are the correct distance from the screen. The bigger the screen, the further away the projector has to be. The manufacturer info will tell you the throw ratio for any projector you are considering. You can then use that as part of this calculation:
(Throw ratio) X (screen size in inches) = (distance from screen in inches)
The sound and the screen are essential components in a home entertainment system, but you need to think about the details too. One thing to consider is the lighting. Even a small amount of in might detract from the experience and cause glare on the screen, so it’s best to choose a basement or a windowless room for your theater. Blackout curtains also help. To avoid stumbling back to the switch when you need more popcorn, install smart lighting that you can control with your voice or phone.
Another detail to think about is keeping the room tidy. With all those electronics, you could end up with a bit of a mess when it comes to managing the cables and wires. Getting cables that aren’t too long will reduce mess, as will installing speakers on the walls or even in the ceiling. Wireless speakers work very well for home theater speakers.
Home theaters have a lot of components to them, and setting them up isn’t always easy, so consulting a professional before you start is a good idea. Audiovisual (AV) professionals often think of little details, whether it’s recommending the right equipment, giving you tips about where to place the screen and speakers, or even acoustical treatment.
Home entertainment installation services include the full range of options, from providing all of the equipment and doing the installation to giving you a bit of helpful advice. The professionals don’t need to plug in every last cable, and if you’d prefer to go DIY with your home entertainment project then you can still rely on an AV services company for anything you don’t feel confident with.
Advanced Sound & Communication offers video, audio, and acoustic solutions for everything from home theaters to commercial AV. To get started with your home theater installation and make your entertainment ideas a reality, contact us today!
