Why Not To Assemble Your Family Home Theatre System

By Jeff DeCleff

If there were a book on how NOT to install a personal home cinema system, I think that I could add a few chapters of my very own. Having decided not to contact my local Electrical Contractor in Swan Hill - it all started off pleasantly. Enviably large flat screen TV? Check. Speakers that would have the neighbors moaning until morning? Check. Enough wires to wrap around the block? Check.

With all my stuff in hand, all that I had to do was actually just ticking the boxes. O.K, I admit that I am no technical nerd or certified sparky, but I'm ok when it comes to reading and following a guide. Fitted out with a heap of instruction guides and a fresh coffee I got to work.

To make a long story short, I failed totally. What occurred between starting on this mission and ultimately giving up is a little bit of a blur, but here goes.

The 1st issue was all that lingo! Somewhere between anamorphic, bridging and matrix, I started to develop a little bit of a brain meltdown. Not to mention the indisputable fact that I could've played Boggle with all of the illegible acronyms like ADSL, THX and DHCP. Wowsers!

Once I wrapped my gray matter around a number of these unknown terms (OK, I admit I Had to use Bing more than a number of times), it was on to making all the various elements come together in one pleasant system. Well, my aspirations of home cinema system glory were pulverised once more when I discovered how non-compatible the numerous hardware can be. It's as if the manufacturers purposely make it baffling purely for their own amusement. The idiot box is off doing its own thing, while the DVD / CD player is going in the alternative direction, and meanwhile the satellite receiver has gone AWOL. Each wants to be in charge of the numerous functions, but the more you try and simplify your options, the further you spin into a deep, dark hole of system overload.

As I sat there besieged by loose wires, random components and a handful of remote controls, I realized that installing a home cinema system isn't a DIY sort of job. I only wish I had come to that conclusion sooner. No matter how much I tell myself I can do things on my own, this is one case where I had to confess defeat and call on somebody to dig me out of this technological hole I had dug myself into. So after hours of trying, a few not-so-nice words, and 1 or 2 cups of coffee I came to one straightforward conclusion: Some things really are better left to the professionals!

About the Author:

When looking for home theatre installation by the execs then check out dLook's range of Electrical Contractors.

How To Install A Home Theater Set-up

By Owen Jones

It is certain that the most important consideration in setting up a home theater set-up is the size of the room where you will set up the home theater set-up. Therefore, the size of the most important part of a home theater set-up, which is the screen, is also dependent on the size of the room. Regardless of the size of the room, the minimum recommended size of the screen is 28 inches.

A flat screen television is also suggested, because it will cut down on reflections and glare. Speakers are also dependent on the size of the room. Clearly, you would require more speakers in a very large room than in a small one.

You might want to put a lot of small speakers in a large room or one large speaker in a small room. The acoustics of the room is an important factor in this. Therefore, I recommend that you either get an expert in or get a wireless sound system that can be built upon.

The average number of speakers in a starter system in an average sized room would be five or six. The more speakers you use, up to a point, the greater the reality, but lots of speakers also means that you do not need thunderous volume too. There are many considerations when it comes to the sound - far more than with the screen.

You will want surround sound, with woofers, sub woofers, treble and bass speakers all with the Dolby control set-up, probably all controlled by a graphic equalizer. All these controls can be confusing, but once you have the sound right, you will know it. It will sound like a full-sized movie theater.

Another important component of your home theater set-up is the DVD player. Your DVD player really must have a progressive scan. This is because a progressive scan produces sharp and flicker-free pictures. However, the progressive scan facility depends on the television unit, because not all television sets support progressive scan signals.

An possible upgrade might be a five-disk carousel DVD player. All of these things also depend on the amount of money you have, of course. However, if money is short, start with the best DVD player you can afford and use a few old speakers and the biggest television set you can get hold of. Later, you can upgrade the television or the speakers.

The furniture is crucial too. You have to feel as if you are undergoing a special experience. The goal is to have reclining seats, but you can start with large bean bags. Add air conditioning and a fridge for cold drinks and a few tables for nuts and candy and you are almost there.

My finishing touches would be old movie posters, photos of movie stars, a collection of autographs would be great, a replica Oscar and any other memorabilia you can think of. Then set all this off with some subtle lighting that you can raise or dim as required.

Sound, camera, action!

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Home Movie Theatre. If you are interested in a Home Audio Theatre, please click through to our blog.