What do the words home theater mean to you? A big screen TV in your living room with surround sound speakers hidden behind the couch, or a custom designed room with every possible high-end audio/video equipment and dedicated theater seating? The choice comes down to your level of use . . . and your pocketbook.
Start with the room you plan to use as your home theater. If it's your multi-purpose living room, think about mounting a flat-panel LCD HDTV on the wall and finding one of the many artistic solutions for hiding the screen when it's not in use. Make sure the furniture that houses your audio/video components has a cable management system to hide power cords and sufficient ventilation. Rear wheels on the cabinet make accessing your connections much easier!
There is a large range of possible entertainment centers: a plasma console or wall system, an entertainment center with bookcase or storage, cabinets to hold a large screen display. Be sure to measure your room accurately to know what will fit best in the space you have available. If you're redoing a room or moving to a new place, now is a good time to prewire the room for audio, video, security and communication needs, including cabling for future technologies. It makes for an elegant, nearly invisible installation of equipment, with more leeway in the type of furniture you choose. Another possibility — if your "home theater" room also includes your computer desk, think about using your PC to store and play your favorite MP3 files, patched through an amplifier.
There are so many choices — media stands, audio stands that hold 5 to 10 AV components, TV stands for any size television (some loaded with features like wire management systems, adjustable shelves, open ventilation, tempered glass) — as well as choices in styles and finishes, from the beauty of natural hardwoods to contemporary design elements. With such a broad variety of audio/video and other furnishings, mounts and accessories, even the most demanding A/V enthusiast or home decorator will be satisfied with the way your home theater looks.
Once you've housed your components, the next most important choice involves your seating. Do you prefer watching movies in your home theater from the comfort of a recliner, cuddled with someone special on a couch, or from dedicated custom theater seating? Do you prefer seating covered with micro fiber fabric, microfiber suede, faux leather or premium leather? Does a home theater conjure up visions of kids with large tubs of buttered popcorn, beer and chips for the guys watching the big game, or romantic glasses of wine? Choose an easy-to-clean surface, and have sturdy tables close at hand to your seating.
As long as you're visualizing your perfect home theater set-up, remember to connect the lighting and the home theater system to a master remote control. With a few taps of your finger, the DVD spins, the lights dim, you sink into your seat, and enter a galaxy far, far away . . . right from home.
Philips Pronto - Take Control
By: Ivor Davies | 04/01/2010Remote controls have become an essential of everyday life, but, have been around for far longer than we give them credit for. Although, the earliest remote control operations were for military use during World War 1, A U.S inventor submitted a remote control patent in the late 1890’s. The first remote control for a television appeared in 1950, but, it was not as remote as one might think as the controller was connected to the television via a wire.
Linn DSi - Free Your Music
By: Ivor Davies | 04/01/2010Should you have never have been fortunate enough to be present for a live musical performance of any kind, then you will be aware that a Linn DSi (digital stream) player offers an improved sound quality advancement over your usual method of audio entertainment, but, to truly understand how good Linn’s Majik and Sekrit DSi players are at audio reproduction then a direct comparison with your experiences of a ringside seat at the concert of your preferred musicians is essential.
Mosaic Tiles - Stylish flooring pieces giving a glamorous appeal
By: jacob oramy | 04/01/2010One of the sleek decorative products that have captured the market attention is mosaic tile. Coming with vivid design patterns and types these stylish flooring pieces enhance the beauty of the room. To know more, this section covers how it is being widely used and has become the common choice among the consumers.
Steam Cleaner Vs Conventional Cleaner
By: thomasgalvin | 04/01/2010Nowdays, steam cleaners are considered to be the best way to clean homes and offices. They are not only effective but also affordable medium for cleaning big articles like carpets, and other linens. Steam cleaners are getting competitive edge over traditional cleaners with its ease of maintenance. Steam cleaners are ideal to clean carpets and hard floors. The places, which traditional cleaners are not able to clean properly, can be perfectly cleaned by steam cleaners.
Woodworking4Home Review - Is Woodworking 4 Home a Scam?
By: Gary Ashby | 04/01/2010The Woodworking4Home Package is a database of more than 14,000 different woodworking projects designed for the home. Having seen all the designs and blueprints inside this package, I must say that I am truly impressed with what I have found inside. In this article, I will tell you more about what I have found inside and the reasons what I like about it.
Basis Points to keep in Mind when using Steam cleaner:
By: thomasgalvin | 04/01/2010The best and cheapest way for cleaning all your linen is to use a steam cleaner at home. This is cheaper than sending linen for dry cleaning. Using Steam Cleaner at home is very simple and cost effective; we need to take care of small aspects to utilize the device in the perfect way.
How to Increase the Value of Your Home
By: Steven Britton | 04/01/2010The global economic crisis has hit the United Kingdom hard. This has had a direct affect on the UK housing market, causing the value of properties to decrease as a result. Some properties have dropped by a staggering 20% in value as a result of the economic crisis. So what...
Onyx tiles - Luxurious masterpieces having timeless beauty
By: LehmanJoseph | 04/01/2010To give its room an aesthetic appeal these days one can find number of different kind of tiles available but seldom any of them matches to the beauty of Onyx tiles. Reason behind this preference lies in its cost and a royal feel.
What to do With a Large Kitchen
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementBy following certain guidelines, you can have a warm and cozy kitchen no matter the size.
Let There Be Light in Your Bedroom!
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementIf you're someone who gets blue without enough light in your life, try brightening up your bedroom by making it feel like summer!
Take Your Kitchen to the Country
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementMany of us spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so comfort is right up there with convenience. Here are some ways to create that feeling of warmth in your kitchen.
Spring Cleaning
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementIt's time to shake off the darkness of winter with a good round of Spring Cleaning!
The Bedroom Refuge
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementIs your bedroom a haven — a sanctuary where you can rest and rejuvenate?
Choosing an Office Chair
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementDoes your workday consist of sitting for many hours in a chair
The Right Stuff for Your Home Office
By: Parvati Markus | 23/06/2006 | Home ImprovementAre you trying to run your own business out of your home or are you a government or company employee who has the option to work from home?