There’s a reason why movie theaters continue to operate. When people want to really get into the movie experience, nothing quite beats the immersive listening and viewing quality offered by commercial theaters. However, with all the advances in technology that this generation has been spoiled with, it is now possible to recreate that same amazing cinematic experience in movie houses in a dedicated home theater. Just imagine—no driving through traffic, no standing in long lines, and definitely no crowds.
To get that ultimate home theater experience, the following electronic items are deemed essential.
A Projector
If the home theater were a house, the projector would be considered its foundation. In choosing this component, there are several things to look into: the resolution, brightness and contrast, throw distance, connectivity options, and its flexibility in placement. Certainly, a great projector doesn’t come cheap, but it’s important to choose one that will provide the optimum output that can provide that visual immersion necessary in a theater experience. Additionally, after purchasing the projector, be sure to choose the right wall mount for the projector to be installed on.
The Screen
Now, even the best projector in the world wouldn’t really be of much use without the screen. And this home-theater component needs to be of good quality in order to do the projector good. It’s easy to think that all screens are made the same, but there are different types to choose from; plasma displays, wall-mounted video panels, liquid crystal displays, and more. When deciding on which type of screen to purchase, consider the area where the home theater is to be located. Measure out the size of the room where the projector will be placed, and calculate the distance between the seats and the screen. Some screens don’t work well in rooms that get plenty of sunlight, so determine how much lighting the room can get from different lighting sources.
The Sound System
Another important factor in the theater experience is the sound. Commercial movie houses often have, at the very least, surround sound systems, which allows for sound to move freely all throughout the theater. This can be quite tricky to install at home without much experience, so there might be a need to contact a professional installation team to ensure that each speaker is strategically placed to ensure that sounds from the home theater system are being distributed evenly.
The Receiver
This component powers the speakers and essentially works as an amplifier. It receives the sound signal from the movie player, which is them amped and then delivered as audio through the speakers.
The Source Component
This is where the movie that is projected on the screen comes from. At a minimum, a home theater will need a DVD player. If budget allows, consider getting an ultra-HD Blu-ray disc player instead, which provides the best 4K resolution display. Another source of content that is quickly becoming a staple in well-connected households is internet streaming, which may require an external box to provide streaming capability from certain services such as Netflix and Hulu.
Surge Protectors
There’s no telling when a power outage may happen, and sometimes, such instances may affect the home theater system that’s been so painstakingly put together. While surge protectors aren’t foolproof, they do provide a buffer against sudden electrical surges.
An Automation System
A home theater shouldn’t need a ton of work just to get one movie to project on the screen. Instead, the design should ideally allow for every component to be powered on with just a push of a button. Fortunately, there already exists a technology that can allow for every device in the home theater to be connected to a central control system, which in turn provides the user with easy access to everything from the cable box to the brightness of the lights in the room. This way, with just a touch of a button, the bright room can be transformed into a darkened movie theater in the comforts of home.
It can be intimidating even to take the first steps toward building a home theater. There are many things to consider, and the costs can pile up quickly. But starting with the essentials is fairly doable, and eventually, it will make adding other components easier.
Photo by Pedro Martin on Unsplash