Watching a movie in a cinema is more exciting than watching TV at home: the screen and sound immerse you in the atmosphere of the plot. But, often this is simply impossible or problematic, so a home theater is the best way out.
When planning the installation of a home theater in an apartment or in a house during the construction or renovation, you should immediately take care of the hidden wiring of audio and video cables if you need to implement a medium or professional-level home audio system project.
Not everyone has an idea what a real house project is. But this is not a sketch on paper, where the layout and architecture are roughly marked. Ideally, this is a large package of documents with drawings, where your future home is painted to the last self-tapping screw.
In order to make a home theater project, it is necessary to study the room, carefully select the components and plan the cabling. The number of speakers and the height of their installation will depend on the configuration of the room, and its illumination will affect the choice of the type of screen.
Home theater project
A home theater is a complex of audio and video equipment that allows you to realistically reproduce audio and video at home. Home theater design is the process of determining the necessary architectural and construction solutions aimed at the optimal placement of home theater components.
Pre-wiring your new home. It is better to include the presence of a home theater in the layout of the house during the initial construction or renovation phase. If the premises have already been renovated, the solution is to use a wireless connection.
Wires mounted in the wall or hidden in a box will look much more aesthetically pleasing. To isolate the sound, it is recommended to install a soundproofing material in the wall and place a special carpet on the floor.
If you plan to use a projector, not a TV, an appropriate place is allocated for it, the distance from the screen to the projector, the right angle, and the convenience of the audience are calculated.
A living room or other room 6 x 4 m is suitable for a home theater. It is worth considering lighting, transforming furniture that can be placed for receiving guests and watching movies.
What do you need for a home theater?
- projector and screen or TV
- sound system
- computer or player
- window light filters
The main benefit of the projector is a feeling of a real cinema; the disadvantage is the high cost. The main advantage of the TV is its affordable price, the ability to place it wherever it is convenient.
The sound system at home should be selected for a specific room so that the sound is surrounded. There are acoustic systems that will not only provide high-quality sound but will also be in harmony with the interior. They are placed in niches or left in plain sight.
It is important to avoid extraneous noise, so the room must be isolated. Carpets on the floor will not only protect you from neighbors’ dissatisfaction but also improve acoustics.
A computer will be needed to control the projector, turn on or off the movie, etc. In order for the image to be of high quality, select the correct type of connection between the projector and the computer.
Installing home theater… step by step guide
Stage 1: Correctly position the equipment. The speakers are placed at the same distance, 2-3 meters from the viewer, at head level. The center speaker is directed towards the audience.
It is recommended that all elements of the sound system be placed at head level, and not placed on the floor or higher. The subwoofer sits with the front speakers, and the rear speakers sit behind or above the head.
Correct placement of equipment is possible when there are enough cables. It is recommended to use HDMI as a universal and modern standard for wired information transfer. HDMI-oriented equipment will eliminate the need to purchase and place additional adapters and converters.
The distance between the screen and the viewer is 2–3 m.
Stage 2: Adjust sound. Modern models automatically adjust the sound after starting the microphone. If there is no such function, you can independently set the volume using the sound meter.
It is worth testing the system by playing music or a movie clip. The necessary settings are achieved with the equalizer or by turning off the dynamic control. If the subwoofer was bought separately, it is also tuned – there is a crossover that adjusts the volume and frequencies.
Stage 3: Connect the equipment correctly. It is recommended to use AV receivers with a large number of inputs and outputs. Often also are used HDMI ports, acoustic outputs. To connect correctly, check the diagrams in the manual. Also, the connectors should be clearly marked.
The idea of a home theater device in the house is good because at home you can watch movies in an IMAX atmosphere. But if you intend to buy expensive equipment and turn a separate room into a cinema, it is better to invite a specialist.