In the first article in this series, we talked about the different types of home theaters that you might be asked to put into a home. In the second, we focused on the dedicated cinema room.
This time, we’ll focus on a common basement remodeling project – the media room or game room. This room differs from the home cinema in that it’s usually part of a larger entertaining space, which may include a bar, a pool table, conversation areas, or other entertaining spaces.
The media room is often separated from the rest of the space by a half-wall or a counter where a row of stools provides additional seating. There may also be more viewing screens such as flat panel TVs around the bar or in other segments. And your client will want to do more than watch movies on the main screen. Our clients want to watch sports, TV, and even video games on the big screen. And sometimes they even want a stage for their kids to perform on.
There are differences in acoustics, sources, seating, ambient light, and video distribution among other things.
Room acoustics
The first thing we notice with media rooms is that they’re missing a wall (sometimes two!). The back wall is often a half-wall, and a side wall can be missing or partially missing. This makes the theater room part of the rest of the space, including the other occupants in the movie, sports show, or video game if they choose. It also allows sound to move between the spaces, so the movie is heard at the bar, and the pool table is heard in the theater. The base level of ambient sound (the “Noise Criteria”) can be much higher when there’s a party, which means the volume needs to be higher in order to hear the softer passages. Of course, that volume invades the rest of the space during the louder scenes. This is probably exactly what the client wants when they’re watching a baseball or football game, but may not be ideal in a movie. It also means the sound bounces around the room differently, which can impact the surround-sound imaging even when there’s nobody else sharing the space.
Sources
When a client asks for a media room, they usually are thinking the space will serve multiple purposes. They’ll want to watch movies (Blu-Ray, Internet downloads, or Video-on-demand), sports (over-the-air or cable TV), regular TV programming, home movies, and even video games (Wii, Xbox, or Playstation). You need to consider where these sources will live, and especially in the case of the Wii, how the users will interact with the screen. There has to be enough room to play the active games like Wii Sports without knocking into the screen or the seating. And finally, people standing in front of the front row are likely to interfere with the projector image unless the room is very carefully designed and configured.
Video and Audio Distribution
Since the clients want the rest of the space to interact with the theater, you many need to consider multiple screens to ensure that everyone has good sightlines. The guest sitting at the bar will want to know the score without having to walk around the corner to the theater room. And of course you’ll want to carefully plan speaker locations so that all guests can hear the game without annoying echoes or delays, and without it being too loud for conversation. Speaker types and locations are important here, as is proper amplification.
Note that the client may also want to put something different on different screens. For example, the main screen may be showing the home team football game, while the bar TV may be showing a different game. A TV in a conversation area may show a movie for the kids, while the outdoor TVs may be showing a baseball game! For each different item that’s showing, you need a source, and you need a video switcher capable of routing that many signals to that many displays. And if the displays aren’t all capable of showing the same resolution (some may be 1080p, while others are 720p), you need to be able to scale the signal appropriately. And of course you need a way to control all of this!
Ambient Light
As the space is also an entertaining space, you’ll need to make sure there is plenty of natural light in the room. This means a normal low-lumen projector, designed for use in near complete darkness, won’t be able to project an image bright enough to compensate. You’ll need a brighter projector and possibly a higher-gain screen to make up for the additional light but still provide an excellent picture. And night-time entertaining will have a different level of light than day-time entertaining, which means the projector may need multiple calibration levels.
Seating
Many times, clients will opt for sofas instead of theater chairs in a media room – they’re considered more friendly in this type of space. And tiered seating may be out of the question, although bar stools behind a counter or half-wall may give the client backup seating space. But these seats aren’t usually within the surround-sound-stage, which means the audio portion of the event may not be very good from those seats unless the speaker locations are designed correctly.
Other thoughts
In many ways, a media room is even more complex than a cinema room. While the cinema room has to do audio and video very well, the media room has to be able to switch personalities quickly and easily.
Where to get help
For any electronic system, it’s important to bring in a CE pro (custom electronics professional). The CE pro will be able to help design the electronics, in conjunction with the architect, builder, and interior designer, in order to deliver the perfect experience for the client. That same CE pro will be able to recommend and provide the right mix of equipment and control systems for the client, staying within the client’s budget, and finally install and calibrate the equipment to ensure the best experience possible.
If you’re looking for a CE pro that you can trust to work with you and deliver the best results for your clients, call the experts at Inspired Electronics, Inc. We specialize in residential and commercial audio, video, and control systems. Call Keith Rose at 847.471.420 or email at keith@inspired-electronics.com.
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit our website at http://www.inspired-electronics.com.
Showing posts with label Home Cinema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Cinema. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Home Cinema for Contractors
Your client just told you they want a home theater as part of their remodeling or building project. You think, “Cool, this is really going to make this project a great living experience for the client!”
Now you need to make sure you design and build the theater that your clients are hoping for. And you probably don’t have a degree in acoustic design. This article will give you some basic rules-of-thumb to get you going. For more detailed design help, please contact Inspired Electronics, Inc. at info@inspired-electronics.com, www.inspired-electronics.com, or 847.471.4420.
In order to be sure you create the right room, you first need to delve a little bit more into what the client really wants. Take a look at our previous article to learn about the different options, so you can narrow down what your client is really interested in.
Now, let’s assume for this article that the client really wants that holy grail of home entertainment experiences, a dedicated home cinema. Here are a few things you should consider when designing and building that room.
Room acoustics
Everyone knows that the video display is a critical part of a cinema experience. But have you ever really considered the audio? Room acoustics play a huge part in making that home cinema room sound as good as it looks, delivering a knock-your-socks-off experience.
The room should be rectangular in shape, with the screen on the short wall. And all four walls and ceiling should be there – if you have a half-wall opening onto another room, the acoustics change significantly. There needs to be a door, and windows are generally not desirable. Any sort of ell or nook will also change the acoustics.
Walls should be flat, although columns and a proscenium are fine.
In general, you want the room furnishings to absorb or disperse some of the sound energy in the room, without damping the room too much. If the room is too absorptive, it will sound “dead”, and if it’s too reflective, it will sound “bright” or “echo-y”. Curtains across or beside the screen are fine (but shouldn’t cover the speakers), and furniture will also be sound absorptive. Carpet is good for the same reason. But don’t dampen the room too much – you can always add acoustical treatments later if necessary.
Note that bass frequencies behave differently than treble frequencies. They are much harder to control after construction, so you need to take them into consideration during the design phase. You may consider using a dedicated software package to predict how the bass frequencies are going to interact with the room. In some cases, you may need to provide for a way to “trap” the bass, or plan for multiple subwoofers to even out the response.
Room isolation
Your client probably wants sound isolation from the rest of the home. This serves two purposes. First, it allows someone to watch a movie at full volume without disturbing others in the home. Second, it removes outside noise such as the HVAC, street noise, or other outside noises that interfere with low-volume listening.
In order to properly isolate a room, you need to build a “room-within-a-room”. This means double stud walls, with a sound-dampening material woven between the walls. Double drywall does little to prevent the most annoying sound frequencies from traveling to another room unless a sound-dampening barrier is also used.
The Screen and Speakers
Most clients will want the screen to be as big as possible. You need to be sure they can see the bottom of the screen from the back row. You also need to be sure there’s room for the speakers. Speakers can be hidden behind an acoustically transparent screen if needed. Your client may also want an ultra-wide screen (anamorphic widescreen). This allows the client to watch movies in the very wide 2.35:1 aspect ratio format. You will want a masking screen and an anamorphic lens at the projector for this option.
In a dedicated cinema room, the client will expect the Left/Center/Right front speakers, plus 4 or 6 surround/rear speakers, plus 2 or even 4 subwoofers. This setup has the ability to deliver the best possible sound to every seat in the room.
Other room factors
Be sure you can fit as many seats as the client wants. If there are two or more rows of seating, you’ll need to have clear sight lines from the back rows.
The projector will most likely be mounted toward the back of the room, near the ceiling. Too low, and heads will be in the way – too high, and the projector may “wash” the ceiling too much. And it needs to be centered with the projector, of course. Some projectors have vertical and horizontal shift mechanisms, but you may not want to rely on that.
The audio and video equipment (amplifiers, Blu-Ray player, control systems, etc.) all need to live somewhere. Ideally, they will be accessible from the room without taking up room space, which usually means putting a pull-out rack in a closet or cubby. Make sure there is access to the back of the rack for upgrades, repairs, or reconfigurations. And be sure there is sufficient ventilation, as amplifiers get hot, while Blu-Ray players can be sensitive to heat!
Where to get help
For any electronic system, it’s important to bring in a CE pro (custom electronics professional). The CE pro will be able to help design the electronics, in conjunction with the architect, builder, and interior designer, in order to deliver the perfect experience for the client. That same CE pro will be able to recommend and provide the right mix of equipment and control systems for the client, staying within the client’s budget, and finally install and calibrate the equipment to ensure the best experience possible.
If you’re looking for a CE pro that you can trust to work with you and deliver the best results for your clients, call the experts at Inspired Electronics, Inc. We specialize in residential and commercial audio, video, and control systems. Call Keith Rose at 847.471.420 or email at keith@inspired-electronics.com.
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit our website at http://www.inspired-electronics.com.
Now you need to make sure you design and build the theater that your clients are hoping for. And you probably don’t have a degree in acoustic design. This article will give you some basic rules-of-thumb to get you going. For more detailed design help, please contact Inspired Electronics, Inc. at info@inspired-electronics.com, www.inspired-electronics.com, or 847.471.4420.
In order to be sure you create the right room, you first need to delve a little bit more into what the client really wants. Take a look at our previous article to learn about the different options, so you can narrow down what your client is really interested in.
Now, let’s assume for this article that the client really wants that holy grail of home entertainment experiences, a dedicated home cinema. Here are a few things you should consider when designing and building that room.
Room acoustics
Everyone knows that the video display is a critical part of a cinema experience. But have you ever really considered the audio? Room acoustics play a huge part in making that home cinema room sound as good as it looks, delivering a knock-your-socks-off experience.
The room should be rectangular in shape, with the screen on the short wall. And all four walls and ceiling should be there – if you have a half-wall opening onto another room, the acoustics change significantly. There needs to be a door, and windows are generally not desirable. Any sort of ell or nook will also change the acoustics.
Walls should be flat, although columns and a proscenium are fine.
In general, you want the room furnishings to absorb or disperse some of the sound energy in the room, without damping the room too much. If the room is too absorptive, it will sound “dead”, and if it’s too reflective, it will sound “bright” or “echo-y”. Curtains across or beside the screen are fine (but shouldn’t cover the speakers), and furniture will also be sound absorptive. Carpet is good for the same reason. But don’t dampen the room too much – you can always add acoustical treatments later if necessary.
Note that bass frequencies behave differently than treble frequencies. They are much harder to control after construction, so you need to take them into consideration during the design phase. You may consider using a dedicated software package to predict how the bass frequencies are going to interact with the room. In some cases, you may need to provide for a way to “trap” the bass, or plan for multiple subwoofers to even out the response.
Room isolation
Your client probably wants sound isolation from the rest of the home. This serves two purposes. First, it allows someone to watch a movie at full volume without disturbing others in the home. Second, it removes outside noise such as the HVAC, street noise, or other outside noises that interfere with low-volume listening.
In order to properly isolate a room, you need to build a “room-within-a-room”. This means double stud walls, with a sound-dampening material woven between the walls. Double drywall does little to prevent the most annoying sound frequencies from traveling to another room unless a sound-dampening barrier is also used.
The Screen and Speakers
Most clients will want the screen to be as big as possible. You need to be sure they can see the bottom of the screen from the back row. You also need to be sure there’s room for the speakers. Speakers can be hidden behind an acoustically transparent screen if needed. Your client may also want an ultra-wide screen (anamorphic widescreen). This allows the client to watch movies in the very wide 2.35:1 aspect ratio format. You will want a masking screen and an anamorphic lens at the projector for this option.
In a dedicated cinema room, the client will expect the Left/Center/Right front speakers, plus 4 or 6 surround/rear speakers, plus 2 or even 4 subwoofers. This setup has the ability to deliver the best possible sound to every seat in the room.
Other room factors
Be sure you can fit as many seats as the client wants. If there are two or more rows of seating, you’ll need to have clear sight lines from the back rows.
The projector will most likely be mounted toward the back of the room, near the ceiling. Too low, and heads will be in the way – too high, and the projector may “wash” the ceiling too much. And it needs to be centered with the projector, of course. Some projectors have vertical and horizontal shift mechanisms, but you may not want to rely on that.
The audio and video equipment (amplifiers, Blu-Ray player, control systems, etc.) all need to live somewhere. Ideally, they will be accessible from the room without taking up room space, which usually means putting a pull-out rack in a closet or cubby. Make sure there is access to the back of the rack for upgrades, repairs, or reconfigurations. And be sure there is sufficient ventilation, as amplifiers get hot, while Blu-Ray players can be sensitive to heat!
Where to get help
For any electronic system, it’s important to bring in a CE pro (custom electronics professional). The CE pro will be able to help design the electronics, in conjunction with the architect, builder, and interior designer, in order to deliver the perfect experience for the client. That same CE pro will be able to recommend and provide the right mix of equipment and control systems for the client, staying within the client’s budget, and finally install and calibrate the equipment to ensure the best experience possible.
If you’re looking for a CE pro that you can trust to work with you and deliver the best results for your clients, call the experts at Inspired Electronics, Inc. We specialize in residential and commercial audio, video, and control systems. Call Keith Rose at 847.471.420 or email at keith@inspired-electronics.com.
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit our website at http://www.inspired-electronics.com.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Home Theater: Contractor Basics
How many times have you heard a client say, “I want a home theater?” Over the last few years, this area has become common in both remodeling projects and initial home designs.
But what exactly is home theater?
Simply defined, a home theater is an audio and video system where the speakers are not part of the video display, but rather are separate components. That’s a lot of latitude, since it can encompass anything from a small TV hooked up to a stereo all the way up to a dedicated room with seating for 40 with a very large projection system, multiple surround-speakers, racks of equipment, and a large touch panel control system.
So the first thing you need to do is learn exactly what a client wants when they say “home theater." Here are a few basic categories to help get you started.
Small Bedroom or Living Room System with Stereo
The simplest home theater has a small (by today’s standards!) flat panel TV mounted either on a stand or on the wall (over a fireplace is common), connected to a small stereo receiver and a pair of wall-mounted (in-wall or on-wall) or free-standing speakers. “Small” typically means under 40” diagonal.
If your client wants this, make sure you know if the TV will be wall- or stand-mounted (provide power and a cable chase if wall-mounted), and whether the speakers will be wall-mounted or free standing (if in-wall or on-wall, you’ll need to pre-wire with good-quality in-wall speaker wire – typically 16/2).
The client will probably also need a place to put the DVD or Blu-Ray player, the cable or satellite receiver, and the stereo receiver. A properly-sized nook or an equipment stand are the best options for this.
The wiring chase to the TV location can have an HDMI cable, Component Video cables, or other video cables pulled as needed. We like 2” flexible raceways to give enough room for the cable heads to get through.
Living room surround-sound system
The next level up typically incorporates a larger video display and surround-sound instead of stereo speakers. You still have to worry about power for the TV if it’s wall-mounted and pre-wiring for five speakers plus the subwoofer.
You’ll still need a place for the equipment to reside, so make sure to ask the client whether they want a built-in nook or if they’ll be putting in some furniture. Don’t forget to account for space for a gaming system and a way to dissipate heat! You need a way to get video up to the TV, so that cable chase is still important.
A new component you need to consider is the subwoofer. Surround-sound speakers generally require a separate subwoofer to handle the low frequencies. Don’t put the subwoofer in a nook, because the enclosure will further focus and amplify the bass frequencies. If the client wants to hide the sub, there are in-wall subwoofers available. These need to be preplanned, since there are enclosures that need to be built into the wall.
Media Rooms
Media rooms are one of the most common forms of home theater that people think of when building an addition or finishing a basement.
These frequently have a partially separated room for the video display and surround-sound, which joins into another entertaining space. There are a couple of major “gotcha’s” with media rooms.
First, you’re usually missing a wall. This has a big impact on the audio design, and means the client probably can’t watch one thing in the theater part while watching or listening to something else in the main entertaining area.
Second, some clients will want projectors, while others will want a very large flat panel display. It’s important to ferret this out at the beginning, since it impacts power needs and video cabling.
Third, many clients will want multiple video screens. This may mean they need a video distribution system, additional speakers and amplification, and the ability to control it all. They may also have enough equipment at this point to warrant a dedicated space for an equipment rack. Be sure to learn whether the client likes to see the equipment, or would like it hidden.
Finally, the seating becomes very important. This level is where many clients want “seat shakers” (requires power at the seats and low voltage cabling to control the actuators) and multiple seating rows (requires careful attention to sight lines, audio placement, and tiered seating).
Dedicated Cinema Rooms
I use the term Cinema Room to differentiate a higher-end dedicated theater. Your high-end clients will probably prefer this term, since it offers a bit more prestige than the lower-end living room systems and more generic media rooms.
Cinema rooms can have from 4 to 40 or more seating locations, will likely have tiered seating, and will almost always be front-projection systems with a large screen. Multiple subwoofers are common, as are equipment racks. A standard 15-amp circuit may not provide enough power, but you still have to get everything on a single circuit if possible to prevent ground-loop issues.
You may also need to worry about sound isolation in a cinema room. First, you need to isolate any outside sounds such as HVAC, footsteps overhead, traffic outside, etc. This enables the theater to more accurately re-create very low volume sounds. Second, your client is likely to want to keep the theater sounds away from the rest of the house. They don’t want to have to turn down the volume on their favorite action movie so they don’t disturb the kids after bedtime!
Where to get help
For any electronic system, it’s important to bring in a CE pro (custom electronics professional). The CE pro will be able to help design the electronics, in conjunction with the architect, builder, and interior designer, in order to deliver the perfect experience for the client. That same CE pro will be able to recommend and provide the right mix of equipment and control systems for the client, staying within the client’s budget, and finally install and calibrate the equipment to ensure the best experience possible.
If you’re looking for a CE pro that you can trust to work with you (not against you) and deliver the best results for your clients, call the experts at Inspired Electronics, Inc. We are a local, family-run company that specializes in residential and commercial audio, video, and control systems. Call Keith Rose at 847.471.420 or email at keith@inspired-electronics.com.
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit our website at http://www.inspired-electronics.com/.
But what exactly is home theater?
Simply defined, a home theater is an audio and video system where the speakers are not part of the video display, but rather are separate components. That’s a lot of latitude, since it can encompass anything from a small TV hooked up to a stereo all the way up to a dedicated room with seating for 40 with a very large projection system, multiple surround-speakers, racks of equipment, and a large touch panel control system.
So the first thing you need to do is learn exactly what a client wants when they say “home theater." Here are a few basic categories to help get you started.
Small Bedroom or Living Room System with Stereo
The simplest home theater has a small (by today’s standards!) flat panel TV mounted either on a stand or on the wall (over a fireplace is common), connected to a small stereo receiver and a pair of wall-mounted (in-wall or on-wall) or free-standing speakers. “Small” typically means under 40” diagonal.
If your client wants this, make sure you know if the TV will be wall- or stand-mounted (provide power and a cable chase if wall-mounted), and whether the speakers will be wall-mounted or free standing (if in-wall or on-wall, you’ll need to pre-wire with good-quality in-wall speaker wire – typically 16/2).
The client will probably also need a place to put the DVD or Blu-Ray player, the cable or satellite receiver, and the stereo receiver. A properly-sized nook or an equipment stand are the best options for this.
The wiring chase to the TV location can have an HDMI cable, Component Video cables, or other video cables pulled as needed. We like 2” flexible raceways to give enough room for the cable heads to get through.
Living room surround-sound system
The next level up typically incorporates a larger video display and surround-sound instead of stereo speakers. You still have to worry about power for the TV if it’s wall-mounted and pre-wiring for five speakers plus the subwoofer.
You’ll still need a place for the equipment to reside, so make sure to ask the client whether they want a built-in nook or if they’ll be putting in some furniture. Don’t forget to account for space for a gaming system and a way to dissipate heat! You need a way to get video up to the TV, so that cable chase is still important.
A new component you need to consider is the subwoofer. Surround-sound speakers generally require a separate subwoofer to handle the low frequencies. Don’t put the subwoofer in a nook, because the enclosure will further focus and amplify the bass frequencies. If the client wants to hide the sub, there are in-wall subwoofers available. These need to be preplanned, since there are enclosures that need to be built into the wall.
Media Rooms
Media rooms are one of the most common forms of home theater that people think of when building an addition or finishing a basement.
These frequently have a partially separated room for the video display and surround-sound, which joins into another entertaining space. There are a couple of major “gotcha’s” with media rooms.
First, you’re usually missing a wall. This has a big impact on the audio design, and means the client probably can’t watch one thing in the theater part while watching or listening to something else in the main entertaining area.
Second, some clients will want projectors, while others will want a very large flat panel display. It’s important to ferret this out at the beginning, since it impacts power needs and video cabling.
Third, many clients will want multiple video screens. This may mean they need a video distribution system, additional speakers and amplification, and the ability to control it all. They may also have enough equipment at this point to warrant a dedicated space for an equipment rack. Be sure to learn whether the client likes to see the equipment, or would like it hidden.
Finally, the seating becomes very important. This level is where many clients want “seat shakers” (requires power at the seats and low voltage cabling to control the actuators) and multiple seating rows (requires careful attention to sight lines, audio placement, and tiered seating).
Dedicated Cinema Rooms
I use the term Cinema Room to differentiate a higher-end dedicated theater. Your high-end clients will probably prefer this term, since it offers a bit more prestige than the lower-end living room systems and more generic media rooms.
Cinema rooms can have from 4 to 40 or more seating locations, will likely have tiered seating, and will almost always be front-projection systems with a large screen. Multiple subwoofers are common, as are equipment racks. A standard 15-amp circuit may not provide enough power, but you still have to get everything on a single circuit if possible to prevent ground-loop issues.
You may also need to worry about sound isolation in a cinema room. First, you need to isolate any outside sounds such as HVAC, footsteps overhead, traffic outside, etc. This enables the theater to more accurately re-create very low volume sounds. Second, your client is likely to want to keep the theater sounds away from the rest of the house. They don’t want to have to turn down the volume on their favorite action movie so they don’t disturb the kids after bedtime!
Where to get help
For any electronic system, it’s important to bring in a CE pro (custom electronics professional). The CE pro will be able to help design the electronics, in conjunction with the architect, builder, and interior designer, in order to deliver the perfect experience for the client. That same CE pro will be able to recommend and provide the right mix of equipment and control systems for the client, staying within the client’s budget, and finally install and calibrate the equipment to ensure the best experience possible.
If you’re looking for a CE pro that you can trust to work with you (not against you) and deliver the best results for your clients, call the experts at Inspired Electronics, Inc. We are a local, family-run company that specializes in residential and commercial audio, video, and control systems. Call Keith Rose at 847.471.420 or email at keith@inspired-electronics.com.
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit our website at http://www.inspired-electronics.com/.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The $25K Home Theater
Over the last few posts, I've talked about what you can get in a home theater for $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000. This week, I'm going to step up a bit and talk about what you can get with a larger budget, in this case, $25,000. I realize that's a pretty big step, and there's a lot of room between $10,000 and $25,000. Just remember, we can tailor any package to your specific budget, so call us to design your perfect home theater on your perfect budget!
Think of this more as a home cinema than a home theater. Everything is upgraded. You get better video, better audio, and better control. Quality installation remains the same, but since you'll have a somewhat more complex system, installation time may rise a bit. We also assume this system is going into a dedicated cinema room or a media room where the light levels and outside sound infiltration can be controlled.
Video
The most visible part of a home cinema is, of course, the video. In this package, we use JVC’s Reference Series 3-chip projector. This option eliminates color separation and “rainbow” effects, and provides one of the best 1080p pictures available at this price point. We couple that
with a Draper 106” fixed-mount screen that has a “hi-def grey” finish. The grey finish actually helps a projector deliver more accurate pictures in both lighter and darker areas of the picture. And in a room where light levels are controlled, you don’t need the higher reflectivity (or gain) of a bright white screen like you would in a room with lots of light. Just like a movie theater, the room will be dark when you’re watching a movie, both to reduce distractions and to provide better contrast in the projected picture.
And of course we included a Blu-Ray player that has interactive capabilities, Netflix streaming, and a few other bells and whistles.
Audio
In the $10,000 system we had stepped up to a more powerful receiver that could handle multi-zone and a few other things. Here, we step it up again to get even more power, and more importantly, to handle the 7.2 speaker system.
We’ve coupled that receiver with 7 satellite speakers and two subwoofers. The 7 satellites provide a more even sound field at all seating locations, and help with locating sounds that are coming from the sides and behind. The multiple subwoofers even out the bass frequencies and can help compensate for room modes (peaks and valleys in the bass range due to the way those sounds are reflected around the room).
And furthermore, we’ve chosen speakers that are THX Select certified. So you know that when the system is calibrated for your room, you will be getting the sounds that the director intended. After all, sound is at least 50% of a movie!
Control
Controlling all of this equipment is one of the most interesting parts of putting together a home cinema system. You want a single control device that anyone can pick up and use, and that provides a level of “wow factor” that will have your guests talking about your system. We chose a Universal Remote Control MX6000 touchscreen tablet for this level.
This remote is a tablet-style remote with a color touchscreen interface that we can tailor just for you. We can even put on a sports theme or movie theme for you!
And the remote has 2-way capability with Internet connectivity, so you can get real-time sports scores, news, weather, and stocks, and you can see album cover art, artist lists, or song lists right on the remote.
Of course, we’ll program it to turn your system on with a single button that’s labeled according to what you want to do. For example, the buttons might be, “Watch Blu-Ray”, “Watch TV”, “Play Video Game”, “Listen to CD”, etc. And we’ll even program the remote to turn the lights up or down according to what you’re doing. Just imagine pressing “Play” and having the lights slowly dim to off or almost off. Then pressing “Pause” and having the lights come up part way so you can find your way to the fridge or bathroom!
Accessories
Naturally, there are a lot of other things you need to make your home cinema system work – cables, mounting brackets, a rack to hold the equipment, wall plates to connect the speakers to, equipment to provide clean power, and much more. All of this is included at the $25K price point.
Labor
Since we offer both equipment sales and installation services, you know that you not only get the best equipment for your budget, but that it’s also properly installed, configured, and calibrated for your room so you get the most out of your investment. After all, why spend $25,000 on anything, just to get only some of the performance that it’s capable of? Our professional installation services are included in this and every package. We will install the system quickly and cleanly, and will make sure everything is working for you. And with our 90-day labor warranty, you can be confident the system will work perfectly for you!
Above $25K
For someone with a larger budget, the equipment listed here could easily be considered “mid-range”. Of course, if your budget is well below $25,000, this is considered “high-end”. We cater to all ends of the market, so we have plenty of options at all price points.
For example, we could step up to better speakers. The THX Select Certified speakers listed here aren’t THX Ultra certified. And while they’re from an excellent brand (Atlantic Technologies), they’re not Martin Logan’s or another very high-end brand.
And the projector is still “only” 1080p – we could step up to a 4K projector, go to a brighter projector, at a motorized drop-down screen, incorporate a better Blu-Ray player, add an anamorphic lens, and make many other changes to fit your lifestyle and desires in your perfect home cinema.
Another item to consider is that this doesn’t include any construction costs, seating, sound isolation, decorative items, etc.
Remember, there are more choices in electronics than you can imagine. Each choice opens up a range of options in other areas - if you spend more on the projector, you may be more limited in your seating choices. Your budget and what's most important to you are the main determining factors of what makes your perfect home cinema!
At Inspired Electronics, Inc., we can help you cut through all of the options to figure out how to maximize your home theater experience within your budget and constraints. Call us today to get started on your project!
For more information on how Inspired Electronics, Inc. can put in your dream home theater, visit our web site at http://www.inspired-electronics.com/ or call us at 847.471.4420 for a consultation or an appointment to meet us at our showroom!
Thanks -
Rob
Think of this more as a home cinema than a home theater. Everything is upgraded. You get better video, better audio, and better control. Quality installation remains the same, but since you'll have a somewhat more complex system, installation time may rise a bit. We also assume this system is going into a dedicated cinema room or a media room where the light levels and outside sound infiltration can be controlled.Video
The most visible part of a home cinema is, of course, the video. In this package, we use JVC’s Reference Series 3-chip projector. This option eliminates color separation and “rainbow” effects, and provides one of the best 1080p pictures available at this price point. We couple that
with a Draper 106” fixed-mount screen that has a “hi-def grey” finish. The grey finish actually helps a projector deliver more accurate pictures in both lighter and darker areas of the picture. And in a room where light levels are controlled, you don’t need the higher reflectivity (or gain) of a bright white screen like you would in a room with lots of light. Just like a movie theater, the room will be dark when you’re watching a movie, both to reduce distractions and to provide better contrast in the projected picture.And of course we included a Blu-Ray player that has interactive capabilities, Netflix streaming, and a few other bells and whistles.
Audio
In the $10,000 system we had stepped up to a more powerful receiver that could handle multi-zone and a few other things. Here, we step it up again to get even more power, and more importantly, to handle the 7.2 speaker system.
We’ve coupled that receiver with 7 satellite speakers and two subwoofers. The 7 satellites provide a more even sound field at all seating locations, and help with locating sounds that are coming from the sides and behind. The multiple subwoofers even out the bass frequencies and can help compensate for room modes (peaks and valleys in the bass range due to the way those sounds are reflected around the room).
And furthermore, we’ve chosen speakers that are THX Select certified. So you know that when the system is calibrated for your room, you will be getting the sounds that the director intended. After all, sound is at least 50% of a movie!
Control
Controlling all of this equipment is one of the most interesting parts of putting together a home cinema system. You want a single control device that anyone can pick up and use, and that provides a level of “wow factor” that will have your guests talking about your system. We chose a Universal Remote Control MX6000 touchscreen tablet for this level.
This remote is a tablet-style remote with a color touchscreen interface that we can tailor just for you. We can even put on a sports theme or movie theme for you!And the remote has 2-way capability with Internet connectivity, so you can get real-time sports scores, news, weather, and stocks, and you can see album cover art, artist lists, or song lists right on the remote.
Of course, we’ll program it to turn your system on with a single button that’s labeled according to what you want to do. For example, the buttons might be, “Watch Blu-Ray”, “Watch TV”, “Play Video Game”, “Listen to CD”, etc. And we’ll even program the remote to turn the lights up or down according to what you’re doing. Just imagine pressing “Play” and having the lights slowly dim to off or almost off. Then pressing “Pause” and having the lights come up part way so you can find your way to the fridge or bathroom!
Accessories
Naturally, there are a lot of other things you need to make your home cinema system work – cables, mounting brackets, a rack to hold the equipment, wall plates to connect the speakers to, equipment to provide clean power, and much more. All of this is included at the $25K price point.
Labor
Since we offer both equipment sales and installation services, you know that you not only get the best equipment for your budget, but that it’s also properly installed, configured, and calibrated for your room so you get the most out of your investment. After all, why spend $25,000 on anything, just to get only some of the performance that it’s capable of? Our professional installation services are included in this and every package. We will install the system quickly and cleanly, and will make sure everything is working for you. And with our 90-day labor warranty, you can be confident the system will work perfectly for you!
Above $25K
For someone with a larger budget, the equipment listed here could easily be considered “mid-range”. Of course, if your budget is well below $25,000, this is considered “high-end”. We cater to all ends of the market, so we have plenty of options at all price points.
For example, we could step up to better speakers. The THX Select Certified speakers listed here aren’t THX Ultra certified. And while they’re from an excellent brand (Atlantic Technologies), they’re not Martin Logan’s or another very high-end brand.
And the projector is still “only” 1080p – we could step up to a 4K projector, go to a brighter projector, at a motorized drop-down screen, incorporate a better Blu-Ray player, add an anamorphic lens, and make many other changes to fit your lifestyle and desires in your perfect home cinema.
Another item to consider is that this doesn’t include any construction costs, seating, sound isolation, decorative items, etc.
Remember, there are more choices in electronics than you can imagine. Each choice opens up a range of options in other areas - if you spend more on the projector, you may be more limited in your seating choices. Your budget and what's most important to you are the main determining factors of what makes your perfect home cinema!
At Inspired Electronics, Inc., we can help you cut through all of the options to figure out how to maximize your home theater experience within your budget and constraints. Call us today to get started on your project!
For more information on how Inspired Electronics, Inc. can put in your dream home theater, visit our web site at http://www.inspired-electronics.com/ or call us at 847.471.4420 for a consultation or an appointment to meet us at our showroom!
Thanks -
Rob
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