The choice to set up a home theater is a big decision, and a big task. However, if you do your research, plan ahead and follow the instructions, your movie and television experience will be transformed. Your days of watching poor quality video with uneven sound will be over forever.
Once you have done your research, selected your components and read all of your instruction manuals, it is time to plan your at-home theater. Whether you are using a big room or a small room, a basement or an attic, the same considerations generally apply lighting, sound, viewing and seating.
Lighting is what provides the “movie mood” in your home theater. If you are in a room with windows, curtains may be necessary. If you do not like to watch television and movies in a completely darkened room, you may want to consider installing a dimmer switch on your lights. There is nothing worse than seeing the glare from your lights or the sun reflected in the middle of your favorite movie.
While the sound quality of your speakers is vital to the success of a home theater, poor acoustics can make even the best speakers sound poor. If your space has hard floors or concrete walls, something to absorb the sound might be in order. Area rugs or carpeting will help absorb sound and prevent echoing, so will well-padded furniture. For concrete walls, you can consider covering them in drywall or hanging curtains to help absorb sounds.
Viewing is critical to creating a home theater. The Home Theater Setup Guide has more advice about viewing angles but the basics are to consider where you will place your television or projection screen and your seating so that all viewers can see the screen without tilting their heads. If someone cannot see the movie, the experience will not be nearly as pleasant. Ideally, the seating should be facing the screen and placed at a distance that is close enough for viewers to see details, yet far enough away that they can see the entire screen and not have to strain their neck to look up or around at the screen. Once you have arranged your room all that is left is setting up your home theater components, pop some popcorn, turn on a movie, sit back, relax and enjoy!
