Home cinemas are all the rage these days. Indeed, advancements in technology have come a long way since the original project screens. Today, your average home cinema allows you to stream movies right into your home via the internet, as well as record television in high-definition.
That said, a high quality system with all the right equipment does not have to cost a fortune. You can now set up a great home theatre room at a reasonable cost and with much of the processing done by a computer, you no longer need so many devices.
Projector and Screen
Kick off your shopping list with the most visible part of the project; your choice of display. You have so many options for TVs these days with LCD, UHDTV, Plasma or OLED to swoon over. Take your time doing your research to find a high quality projector that does not cost a fortune, but will last a long time and ensure it has enough Lumens so it will be bright enough to see. Ebay is a great source for tips on looking for a projector and for purchasing one. You may be able to get a used unit that still works well if you really need to save on costs.
Selecting a screen will be a much simpler process, as there are far fewer choices. It will be less expensive as well. You can find a nice screen for between $100 and $200. For more, you can purchase one that is motorised, but to save money stick with the screens that rely on manual pulls. You can also look at special paint that will allow you to project straight onto your walls.
Speakers
The visual set up is important for a movie theatre, but do not forget the sound. Without a good sound system, you simply have a room for watching movies. With great speakers, arranged properly, you have a true home cinema. If sound is important to you, splurging on more expensive speakers may be something to consider. It’s also important to match the speakers to your room size and for true sound experience match the equipment so that it is either digital or analogue. As with the projector, be sure to shop around for the best deal. Gizmodo Australia has excellent information about everything to do with speakers.
Getting high quality speakers is not the only important consideration for your home cinema’s sound. Arranging the speakers is also crucial. Getting The Grid Hifi Home Theatre Audio would be an awesome solution since the team from The Grid are also available to come and install it properly. Depending on how many speakers you purchase, you may want to put them to the sides of the seating area, behind the seating, mounted up in the corners of ceiling, and below the screen. It is tough to know exactly where to put speakers without experimentation. Move the speakers around and sit down to listen to the result before you commit to permanent locations for them, or consider using a professional to install the speakers correctly.
Electronics
This is the tough part unless you are familiar with setting up and making receivers, DVD players, and computers work. If this is not your forte, consider hiring a professional to do your set up and even to help you decide what components you need. To show movies, you will need a DVD player, and maybe a Blu-Ray player, but recommend a media box such as an Apple TV that can stream YouTube, TV Shows or movies. If you decide to brave the set up yourself, make sure you purchase your pieces from a local store so that if you have questions or decide you do need some help, they will be nearby for you to get support.
Setting up a home cinema is a big undertaking, but it is no longer just for the wealthy. With the right research and a little help from experts, you can get everything you need without breaking the bank. Remember there are so many other considerations as well, including furniture, sound proofing, lighting options and smart remotes.
