Media Rooms
Home-theater systems continue to drop in price and rise in sales. Parks
Associates, a leading high-tech research firm, states that an estimated
28 percent of all US households now have a home-theater system.
But what's the difference between a simple, well-equipped family
room with a home-theater system and a true media room or dedicated home
theater that would make any audiophile or film buff truly happy?
"There's a big misconception out there that by simply plugging a
surround sound system into a fairly large TV (anything bigger than 27
inches), you have a home theater," says James Theobald, marketing
director for Theo Kalomirakis Theaters of New York. "It takes a lot more
than that."
Schnell Entertainment specializes in dedicated home theaters, where the
sole function is to view movies. He says that while a high-end media
room provides a variety of uses for the family, both it and a dedicated
home theater have certain requirements that make them stand out:
A Big Screen
"For true immersion in the theater experience, it all starts with
a big screen. About six feet wide is a pretty good size.
For larger rooms, 80 or 90 inches are usually the smallest sizes that
justify a dedicated home theater. Ten-foot screens are about the
maximum, as you would have to sit about 15 feet from the screen for
optimal viewing.
Surround Sound
A home theater needs at least a 5.1 system (five full-range
speakers and one subwoofer) for total immersion in theater-like sound,
where dialog, sound effects, background music and low-frequency (bass)
emanate from specific speakers placed carefully about the room. But many people are going with the new 6.1 and 7.1 systems to
really fill the room with sound.
Amplification
An A/V receiver with the proper decoder is required for
multichannel audio formats (such as Dolby Digital EX 6.1 or THX Surround
EX). Some of these receivers have integrated amplifiers and equalizers;
others house those components separately. Most manufacturers package
their components together--a convenience for the consumer. "You need to
make sure all the components complement each other, and that there's
enough amplification to drive the sound.
Control System
Most people are going for touchpad controls that
integrate many systems. "People like to be able to enter their home
theater, turn on the components, set the room temperature, dim the
lights and close their shades all from one controller.
Something to Watch
The whole point of a home theater is that people will be able to
watch something. This is where the DVD player and even the trusty VCR
retain their place as must-haves. And don't forget the TV signal, which
most often comes from satellite dishes or through digital cable.
"Satellite is becoming more popular because they carry a lot more
high-definition broadcast.
So those are the basics that turn a regular room into a
spectacular media room or home theater, but what about the bells and
whistles? To provide your clients with a media experience they'll
remember, suggest these popular items:
Media servers (often simply a powerful PC) allow users to store
multiple entertainment formats (video, audio, photographs, etc.) and
enjoy them through their television, computer or stereo system.
Digital video recorders (such as TiVo) allow for easier recording
of television programs and storing them on a hard drive--no tapes, CDs
or DVDs. However, such recorders also involve a subscription service.
Professional home theater designers optimize acoustics by
properly sizing the room and placing materials that properly absorb,
reflect or diffuse sound. They also optimize sightlines by placing
seating in an amphitheater style and at the proper distance from the
screen
Seamless integration of the electronics into the design of the
room by placing components behind a wall or cabinet with hidden access
and placing speakers in the ceiling or wall provides a clean, sleek look
to the home theater..
Some pretty spectacular seating is available, such as recliners
with massage and heat that are styled after true theater seats (only
more plush). There are also specialized home theater seats with speakers
and subwoofers hidden within.