This article discusses the advantages of building your own home theater verses going to the movies.

So, have you gone to the movies lately? Let’s face it, in this day and age, going to the movies isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Recent studies have shown that box office ticket sales have steadily declined over the years and the reason is simple – years ago, if people wanted to see a movie, they had no other choice other than going to the theater. I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember the last time I had a pleasant “movie going” experience. Let’s look at what’s involved. First, you have to find out the times and the movies that are playing. Next you have to get in the car and drive to the theater giving yourself enough time to park, get your tickets, buy your popcorn, etc. Okay, now you’re all set and you enter the appropriate theater room and find your seat. The movie begins and here come the distractions. You have all the people straggling in that are late, fumbling around in the dark trying to find their seat, you have the whisperers, the plastic crinklers, the cell phone talkers … I think you get the point. By the way, I didn’t even mention the price of admission. Where I am from, it costs about $7.50 US Dollars per person. Bring your significant other, kids or whoever else and throw in the cost of snacks ….. This is Big Bucks!

I don’t go to the theater anymore, because now I have brought the theater to me. Yes, anytime I want to enjoy the movie experience (without the above aggravations), I simply change into my most comfortable lounging outfit and take the long trip down 13 steps into my game room , which I have transformed into a home theater. The advantages are unbelievable. I don’t have to drive anywhere, worry about parking, or deal with annoying people anymore. If I need to stop the movie to use the restroom or fix a quick snack, I just pause the movie and go do my thing. Yes, I still need to spend money on movies, but the prices of DVD’s have dropped tremendously and you can find many good deals on used DVD’s, which are just as good as a brand new one. Even the cost of a rental is at least half that of a theater ticket.

Don’t get me wrong, your going to have to shell out some bucks, but you can put together a decent set up for much less that you think. Basically, you need a flat screen tv and a surround system and you are good to go. How fancy you want to get all depends on your budget, but trust me, it will be a great investment in the long run. Don’t forget to keep all this in mind the next time your sitting at the theater and the kid next to you starts screaming out in the middle of the movie and the two teenagers in front of you wont shut up.

Reggie Dunn is a long time movie buff and also the webmaster of flat screen television

By Reggie Dunn Published: 8/20/2005

Technorati Tags: building your own home, home theater, movie theater, price of admission

Posted under home movie theater

Home Theater – Plasma TV VS Projectors
by: Jakob Culver

7eb

cdc

Many homeowners are struggling with an important, electronic question: What is the ideal display for my home theater? Many people have fought this debate, but I’ll try to make clear some important considerations.

The most important detail to consider when deciding between a projector and a large plasma television is ambient light. A room with lots of windows presents a problem for a projector because every little bit of ambient lighting degrades the projected image. The ideal environment for a projector is one where you have total control over the lighting. If your home theater uses a projector, you are limited to using it when you can eliminate other light. A plasma screen can be used anyplace, anytime.

Assuming your home theater has blackout curtains, or exists deep underground; let’s examine differences between a plasma television and a projector. One advantage of a projector is that you can get a much larger picture than is available in plasma. Projectors can produce images comparable to an 81-inch screen and larger. This just isn’t possible with a plasma screen. However, plasma’s have the advantage of not needing any amount of space. A projector must have a long enough corridor to project its image on the wall or screen. To get an 81-inch or greater image, you need a decent distance between the projector and the target. Second, a projector’s image is dependent on more than the quality of the projector; you must be projecting onto a specialized surface or you lose detail. A top of the line HD projector with a very high native resolution would be wasted if you were just projecting the image onto a wall. You need an equally high quality screen with features such as a matte finish to eliminate reflection and glare. A plasma display requires no additional equipment.

Overall, a projector has the potential of creating a beautiful image, but it needs too much to work effectively. If you’re creating a private movie theater with lighting control and an investment in a screen, mounting equipment, and blackout curtains, then a projector is your piece of equipment. For everyone else, I suggest a plasma television.

About The Author

Jakob Culver is founder of the website www.plasmatvarena.com providing information, articles and reviews about plasma tv’s. To find more articles like this one visit the site http://www.plasmatvarena.com/.

© Millennium Online Marteting Pty Ltd

This article may be reprinted for use in websites provided that the information box is kept intact. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: millenniumonlinemarketing@hotmail.com.

This article was posted on March 22, 2006

Technorati Tags: additional equipment, blackout curtains, cdc, electronic question, glare, home theater, matte finish, movie theater, native resolution, plasma display, plasma screen, plasma television, plasma tv, projector, projectors, quality screen, reflection

Posted under home movie theater

Flat screen televisions have now become a preferred television choice for virtually any home. As the technology has improved and their popularity has expanded, the prices have lowered on flat televisions and made them accessible to virtually everyone. Plus, flat TV has a few built-in advantages (such as wider viewing angles that make them easier to view from multiple areas around a room, and the fact that they can be wall-mounted, so they free up valuable floor space) that make them a desirable choice.

When it comes to choosing a flat TV, how do you decide which one is right for you? Your HTSA member can review your specific room setting and measurements to help you determine the ideal television, but this basic primer will get you started.

What size is right?

Flat panel monitors are available from 13″ to 70″ (and growing!). In general, if you’re planning to do a lot of viewing or are using the television mainly for movies or home theater, it will be worth your investment to get the largest screen you can afford. But, you can’t ignore the size of your room. Sitting a few feet away from a 60″ television is probably going to be a lackluster experience.

As a general rule of thumb, plan for eight feet of viewing distance for a 40″ TV, 10 feet for a 50″ TV, 12 feet for a 60″ TV and 15 feet for 61″ or larger.

Where should it go?

The beauty of flat TV is that it has versatile placement options. Yes, they can be hidden in an armoire or entertainment center, but why would you want to? Their thin profiles (generally around four inches thick) mean they can fit into places where CRT televisions never could. The two most popular options are wall mounts or displaying them tabletop.

Wall mounting eliminates the need for additional furniture and frees up living space. Plus, it helps you make sure that the TV can be displayed at proper viewing height for your room. Also, special wall mounts can even give you the option to have the TV swing to adjust angles as you desire.

If you go tabletop, consider the new crop of home entertainment furniture designed specifically for flat televisions. These specialty pieces are built with the rugged construction needed to support and stabilize the televisions, and are often designed to support and display or conceal your accompanying electronics and speakers.

Plasma or LCD?

Now the big question. Do you choose a plasma or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) television? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Plasma screens are generally considered to have more film-like quality and more natural color capability, but the differences are arguable and may be modest, as LCD technology is improving at every turn. Plasma televisions can have problems with image burn-in. LCDs, on the other hand, typically weigh less, use less energy and do not have burn-in. Plus, if you want a TV smaller than 37″, LCD flat screens are the only choice. But, if you’re looking for a larger model, it really comes down to personal preference and deciding which advantages are most important to you. We recommend that you make sure you purchase the best plasma or LCD television you can afford.

By Jaan Kanellis Published: 4/20/2006

Technorati Tags: entertainment center, flat panel monitors, flat screen televisions, flat screen tv, flat televisions, flat tv, floor space, four inches, furniture, home theater, placement options

Posted under home movie theater

In today’s world many of us find the convenience of online shopping to be second to none. This is especially true at certain times of year and with certain items. There are still some items that need to be tried before they are purchased. This however doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the wide variety of pricing options that are available online if you do not like the price of your favorites in the store. One of these items that must be seen (and heard) in order to have a proper idea of its actual value to you is a home theater system.

You need to visit local stores and compare the products on hand with one another. You need to hear these systems and view these systems in order to determine whether or not you think they will provide the quality you are seeking for your home theater system. Viewing the systems that are sold as part of sets also allows you to have a good idea of what should be included in your average home theater if you decide to purchase the components individually, which I highly recommend, rather than as one complete kit.

The good news is that once you have narrowed down your selections and have a good idea of what local retailers are charging for the same items you can begin looking for bargains online. The problem many people come across is finding new brands or systems online at even better prices. While this may not seem like much of a problem on one hand, you are never really sure of who you are dealing with online and not all dealers are reputable just as all products are not created equally. There are times in life when you are truly getting what you are paying for when it comes to bargain hunting.

If something online seems too good to be true, this is generally a sign to pass. However, if you can find comparable bargains online to the same product you’ve seen in stores it may be worth purchasing provided you are going through a secure and reputable dealer. When shopping online for home theater equipment, systems, or components you should always make safety your first priority. If you feel you are being asked for too much personal information it may be a good idea to pass. If you are not certain the website is secure it’s a wise plan to pass, and most importantly if you have any questions, doubts, or concerns it is a good plan to pass rather than pay a steeper price later than you had intended.

The Internet has done much to bridge the gaps around the world and while it has made many things that much more convenient and enjoyable it has also made it possible for the unscrupulous to have an extra playing field among us. Be careful when giving out information online, especially personal and financial information, as you never really know who is on the other end of that information. This is not to say that you shouldn’t conduct business online only to encourage you to go through well-known companies and study reviews of companies and products before going with those you aren’t too familiar with. This can save a great deal of time, money, and hassle later on. It is not worth risking identity theft in order to save a few dollars.

Technorati Tags: buying home theater, buying home theater systems online, home movie theater, home theater

Posted under home movie theater

Technorati Tags: home theater, sci fi

Posted under home movie theater

When planning and purchasing a home theater you may find that in addition to a wide range of choices you are also faced with an extreme and vast array of pricing options for your home theater needs. Whether you are seeking a system that is simply a good means of watching your favorite sporting event on any given Sunday or you are hoping to find a home theater system that will be the envy of the neighborhood there are many systems available within many budget ranges that will accomplish both of those goals if you carefully plan the system you will ultimately purchase.

You should establish a budget before going shopping for your home theater system and buy a system that suits both the requirements you wish to have filled and your means with which to pay. The good news is that there are some home theater packages that will suit most budgets; even the tightest and you can always find the one system you like and watch closely to see if it goes on sale.

The point is that there really are all kinds of home theater systems on the market and they vary greatly in price, quality, and scope. Be sure you know exactly what you are getting when your purchase a home theater system, especially if you are buying one of the many home theater in a box kits that are on the market today. You may not be getting everything you believe you are getting and it pays to know what you need in regards to what you currently have.

Common components you will find in a home theater system kit include the following: a receiver, speakers, and a DVD or DVR. Most kits currently on the market do not include televisions and some kits being advertised as home theater kits are merely boxes of speakers. This is why you need to make sure that you read carefully and know exactly what is included in the ‘kit’ you are paying for.

If you need a new television in order for your home theater to be worth anything to you that might be the starting point for your home theater system upon which you can build later. If you have a decent television that is HD ready then you are prepared to start searching for an excellent HD home theater. If your television isn’t HD ready, it would be a waste of money to make the investment in HD equipment at today’s inflated prices that will not be of immediate use to you. If HD is important, then you should really begin by purchasing an HD television and not build your home theater until you have that key component in place.

On the other hand, if HD isn’t important to you at the moment or you would prefer to wait until lower prices prevail, it is a sound decision to go ahead and purchase a home theater that has the best technology you are capable of utilizing at the moment. You can actually get pretty good deals on what is considered yesterday’s technology (which can be just that recent in today’s electronics market) and for many that is definitely the way to go when buying a home theater system. You can get the best of yesterday’s technology for a fraction of the cost of many lower quality items that are on the market today.

The biggest thing to remember when comparing features is to know what is important to you in a home theater system and buy with that knowledge. It doesn’t make sense to make this sort of investment if you are going to find that you cannot live with the limitations of your technology 6 months from now. For this reason, only you can decide what is and isn’t an acceptable price for you to pay for your home theater system as well as what level of technology for which you are willing to settle.

Technorati Tags: buy a home theater within your means, buying a home theater, home movie theater, home theater

Posted under home movie theater

Americans tend to spend a lot of time in front of our television sets. Whether we are movie junkies with multiple memberships to Internet movie rental companies or are serious addicts to all things reality on television we are addicted to our entertainment. Since we spend so much time watching our televisions it makes sense that we make a sizeable investment in our home theater in order to get the best possible quality picture and sound from our systems.

We do not, however live in a one size fits all world, which has lead to a good deal of healthy competition within the entertainment industry as well as the electronics industry. This is excellent news for consumers that must live within the constraints of their budgets. As competition emerges along with newer technologies we see a downward trend in the prices of existing technology. The real trick however is to be content with last year’s technology today and you could actually save thousands on your home theater.

If you are even willing to go a step back as far as technology, trust me it isn’t evolving all that noticeably fast when it comes to home theaters, you can still get a great home theater on Ebay or even in your local paper that is of excellent quality for a fraction of the cost you would have paid for the system had you purchased it brand new. If you are merely budget conscious or are going through a budget famine you should find that there are some outstanding options available through second hand home theaters.

If you are like many (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this) who do not like purchasing used items for whatever reason, the most common being a lack of a warranty, then it makes perfect sense not to consider this particular option. Selecting this option however does not leave you without options by any means. Perhaps my favorite option is to build your own home theater one piece at a time. You might be surprised to find that in the end you have a superior system to most of those you will find on the market today.

Life is a series of choices and that process doesn’t end at all when you are choosing the right home theater for your home and needs. Unfortunately neither does the fact that we often must live within budget restrictions that we do not appreciate nearly as much as we enjoy the idea of Dolby Digital Surround Sound or Bose speakers. The good news is that if you look and take your time by checking out and comparing your likes and dislikes in many systems you will have become an informed consumer. This is the best gift you can give yourself when shopping around.

Compare prices, beg, bargain, and barter. See if stores will match the prices of other stores or throw in freebies in order to compete. You should also remember that unless you have the equipment and skills necessary for the installation of your home theater it is quite likely that you will need to pay for that as well. A retailer that is willing to throw in free installation might be a bargain worth giving a little more thought.

In the end, the goal is to get the best possible home theater for your home for the least amount of money possible. By learning about your options you will know when you leave the store whether or not you got a good deal on the home theater you bought. There cannot be enough said about the knowledge you will gain about home theaters through this process or what you will learn about the price of things compared to their value. More importantly you just might learn the real price we often pay simply to go with a name that we know. You can save a great deal of money by taking a chance on emerging companies but do your research fist and learn as much about the company as possible before you give them your hard earned money.

Technorati Tags: building home movie theater, building home movie theater on a budget, home movie theater, home theater

Posted under home movie theater