Hayi Mansoor asked:




Home theater installation can be residential or commercial, single room or multiple room installation, and can even be custom installation. The toughest of all is definitely a custom theater installation because for that the installer needs to work out a complete plan for the process with you. First things first, custom installation of home theater is not a DIY job that can be completed in no time; you need to plan well in advance. There are certain factors that you need to take into consideration for a custom installation as they play a crucial role in the planning process.

Some of the factors to be considered for a custom home theater installation include:

1. Room Size: Yes! The size of the room definitely matters and more so if it is small.
2. Furniture and Seating: Next on line is the furniture and seating arrangement. You have to work out the seating arrangement relative to the home theater screen.
3. Acoustics: You need to find out from an expert about the acoustical properties of the room in question.
4. Lighting: You will need to identify the amount of lighting required and how this requirement can be fulfilled. Ambient lighting issues are one of the important factors that majorly affect video display when using a home theater. Hence, the issue of lighting should be taken seriously and solved prior to a custom theater installation.
5. TV or Screen: Once you have identified the room space, seating and lighting, you need to identify whether you need to install a large screen LCD TV, Plasma TV, HDTV, or just a simple projection system.
6. Speakers: Now you need to think about the sound. Since you are buying a home-theater system, it will comprise of surround sound speakers. You have to determine whether you want to keep standalone speakers or in-wall speakers in order to increase the effectiveness of the home theater system.
7. Components: A home theater system comes with a variety of components like cables, speakers, DVD, DVR, satellite box, TV, preamplifier/amplifier, satellite radio, AV receiver, preamp/processor etc. You need to identify the exact location or installation area for each of the theater components. You have to also take into consideration certain technicalities in custom theater installation like positioning of the speakers and amplifiers so that the overall sound is not distorted.
8. Ventilation: Last but not the least; you have to work out how the room is going to be ventilated. After all, you wouldn't want your guests gasping for air or feeling claustrophobic in your specially created home theater room.

Once you have identified all that is required for custom home-theater installation, it is time to look for a good installation company. You can contact CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) or check their website to find information on some of the licensed installers in your area. CEDIA is basically a worldwide association for custom electronics and theater specialists.

Jesse

Ben Anton asked:




With over 500 models of home theater speakers available through a generous number of high and low-end brands, many consumers rely on salesperson to lead them in the right direction. Consumers with only a limited budget will undoubtedly flock to the cheapest option available to suit there needs. This however, nearly always results in a less than ideal sound system that fails to meet the expectations or needs of the owner. It is therefore a good idea to educate one's self on the best brands, speaker styles and specifications that will fit a home's needs before making a choice.

A home theater speaker system is typically made up of a front speaker, left and right speaker, a center-channel speaker, a pair of surrounds, and a subwoofer. A home owner may mix-and-match components but help from a professional is advised to make sure the speakers are all compatible. These speaker types come in varying sizes, sound output and design. The following are the types of styles in which these speakers may be found:

Floor-Standing speakers are the largest home theater speakers available. They can be shifted around the theater area or be moved to another home.

Bookshelf or Cabinet speakers stand independently, just like floor standing speakers, but are smaller and can be placed on or in entertainment centers or shelving to save space.

In-Wall speakers require no floor space, and can disappear if matching the walls. Their quality is usually very good, but they need professional installation and wiring.

On-Wall speakers are recommended for use with a flat-panel television. They provide exceptional sound as well as a pleasing aesthetic component.

Home theater owners or designers must determine the listening requirements and preferences for a specific room in order to create a quality home theater space. Room size and layout are important factors as this will dictate the speaker configuration. Logistics like electrical outlet placement, room size, and usable room space strongly affect the type of equipment that can and should be put in the room.

Home theater speakers are available in many sizes. However not all sizes are meant for all rooms. Large speakers are not advantageous for small rooms because they will need to be played at a much lower volume. This may cause distortion to the audio. Lower quality small speakers used in large spaces may produce a tinny or thin sound if they are unable to produce enough sound at a decent output level. Speakers of similar size may differ greatly in their sound output or reproduce different levels of sound unequally so it is very important to listen to various speaker brands and sizes and compare them before buying.

Speakers are available in a variety of encasement types - natural or laminated wood, metal, and occasionally plastic, but often preferences may be limited by brand or model. Speakers are as varied as tennis shoes so make sure you try on several and know how they fit into your home theater before making a purchase.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Tyrone