Home theaters
Submitted by: Christopher Behan
Home theaters systems have become a popular part of many homes,
as larger screens and more powerful stereos make it possible to
recreate the experience of the movies right in your own living
room. In fact, many homeowners are even devoting entire rooms to
their home theaters, installing theater style seating, complete
surround sound systems and truly massive screens. The basement
is the perfect spot for this type of home theater, offering
plenty of open space and a naturally dark environment that
allows movies to appear clearer and more vibrant.
The first element to consider in your home theater is the
screen. There are two main routes you can take, either a flat
screen TV or a projector, both of which have their own strengths
and weaknesses. TVs provide a clear picture and image quality
isn’t impacted by ambient light, however they are often too
heavy for the walls or subfloor of a finished basement.
Projectors on the other hand are more compact and lighter than
TVs, but require a large screen (usually 80” or more) to provide
a clear picture and can be difficult to view around other light
sources. Generally, these features make projectors the preferred
choice for basement home theaters, where weight is generally
more problematic than light interference. It’s also initially
more cost effective per inch of screen to use a projector, and
modern specialty paints make it possible to use them on a wall
without the need for a specialized screen. However, the powerful
bulbs used in these projectors can cost $300 or more to replace
and must be regularly replaced, so over time their cost can
increase.
The other important element of remodeling your basement into a
home theater is the sound system. These systems are generally
labeled based on the number of speakers and number of subwoofers
in the system, for example 5.1 indicating 5 speakers and 1
subwoofer. As a rule of thumb, the more speakers in a system,
the more immersive the sounds they can produce, however most
modern movies are encoded for a 7.1 format, providing a
diminishing returns for larger system. While the number of
speakers contribute to how immersive the sound in your theater
is, it’s also important to consider the response, wattage and
range of your speakers. Faster response times provide better
sound clarity, more wattage allows for louder sounds and a
broader range allows for a wider variety of sounds to be
generated.
Once you’ve gotten these two crucial elements for your basement
remodeling project, you can start filling in the little details.
Acoustic tiles, wall coatings and sound proofing insulation can
help movie watchers enjoy the show without interference and keep
the sound from bothering those in the main house. You may also
want to consider adding in extras like movie theater-style
seating, a popcorn machine, snack bar and other small features
to create a fully immersive experience.
While it’s possible to create these theaters on your own, it’s
often easier to get some professional help. Basement finishing
contractors can help you install the various components need to
remodel your basement, ensuring your new theater is protected
from dangers like water damage. Specialty audio video
contractors can then install, wire and fine tune your theater
system to ensure it operates at peak performance. With this
help, you’ll soon be enjoying movies and TV shows just like you
would in your local megaplex.
About the Author: Christopher Behan is a professional writer
specializing in the home improvement industry. His writing
focuses on basement remodeling, windows, sunrooms, and other
home remodeling products and services. His work has been
featured on multiple home improvement websites.
http://www.1800basement.com/
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