With the rising cost of going to the movies,
and the low cost and easy availability of movies at home –
both through DVDs and cable/satellite – opting for a
custom
home theater
is becoming more and more common. The price of setting up a home
theater is falling dramatically, as well.
You have two options in
designing your home theater. If you’re going for a simple set
up, or if you’re going to buy a “home theater in a
box,” (where all of the components come as a predetermined
set), you are probably fine to go it alone.
However, for any
complicated or major set-up, it’s probably in your best
interests to consult with a professional. This will ensure that
you’re getting the best components for your room and for the
use you intend, and that it’s all installed properly.
The
financial bonus to hiring a professional is that you’ll know
the entire cost up front…whereas do it yourself projects
usually end up with escalating budgets as the do-it-yourselfers
discover things they’ve forgotten or errors they need to fix.
When evaluating professionals who
you’re considering having install and design your system,
there are a couple of things to watch for. First, check them out with
the Better Business Bureau in your area.
References are a good thing,
but thing about this – what professional is going to give you
the number of someone who’s going to give them a bad report?
The Better Business Bureau is a good resource for an objective opinion.
Now, watch the installer as
they’re evaluating your room. When designing a custom home
theater, a professional will consider many aspects of the space.
These
include the size of the room, where the audience will be sitting and
which direction they’re facing, the room’s
acoustical properties, lighting situations that may interfere with the
viewing, and room ventilation.
They will discuss with you whether a
projection system will be best, or whether a large-screen television
will work better in your situation, and they’ll talk to you
about stand-alone versus in-wall speakers.
A custom home theater is a useful and modern
addition to any home, and with the right professional by your side, it
should be a pretty straightforward process to install.