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Several movie theaters have been affected since the global pandemic began. Many theaters and productions were temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the covid19 virus. With this, viewers were left with no choice but to stay home for their safety. Alongside the adjustment to what seems to be the new normal, new streaming video services from different companies such as Universal, Warner Bros, Disney, and other entertainment companies were released. Hence, it allows stay-at-home viewers to watch movies in their homes without worrying about getting infected. In this topic, you can get some tips on glamming up your home theater even if you are on a tight budget.
Room
You might probably have a prospect on where you will be doing your setup. It can be in your living room, your spare bedroom, or perhaps your basement area, where you can add up a little spice. While some of these mentioned places can be your future home theater area, there are certain considerations that you need to check first. It includes sound quality, comfort, and the like.
The Shape of Your Room. The shape of your room can add a significant impact to your home theater setup. Rooms having a square tend to make odd harmonic distortions. If possible, it is better to choose a rectangular room so that you can adequately plan the display of your screen along with your speakers for the best sound and video projection.
Fewer Windows. The fewer windows for your home theater area, the better. Windows can reflect sound, and this might only lead to audio distortion. Additionally, they can let light-producing reflections affect your viewing surface. With this kind of issue, you may place curtains having heavy shades. However, this means that you need to close your blights every time you use your home theater. If you can, you may go for a blackout-style window that can track tight window jambs and seal out the light.
Home Theater Walls. If you are already on the verge of placing egg cartons all over your walls to muffle sounds, well, the good news is you don’t have to. Regular drywall is already enough to suffice your home theater walls. However, you need to avoid large flat surfaces with furniture. Adding a framed art with glass can make your room fancy, but it can also be the source of reflection for light and sound, making your audiovisual quality distorted.
Using a concrete block is not a good option if you plan to use your basement as your home theater’s designated room. Instead, you may include acoustic wall panels as they can absorb sound, help in modulating the sound frequencies, and even prevent echoes.
Flooring Matters. Cushy pads and wall-to-wall carpet can absorb ambient sound and contributes coziness inside your room theater. If you watch a movie with your whole family, your kids will surely love to crawl and sit on the carpet. Plus, it can light up the mood if you are watching romantic movies with your loved ones.
Room Color. The color of your mood affects the mood inside your home theater. If possible, choose darker painting colors for your room. You may opt for neutral browns, tans, and olives. Using bright colors can cause light reflections and become distracting when there is a bright scene on the screen. It is better to choose reflection-fighting eggshells and refrain from installing gloss or semi-gloss sheens.
Sound: Checking Your Home Speaker Systems
Your speaker technology can significantly affect your home theater audio effects. Imagine watching a movie with a defective sound system? It can only ruin your romantic date instead of enjoying the moment. Thus, choosing a high-quality speaker would mean a lot.
Primarily, home theater speaker systems are specifically designed to provide sounds for a particular listening environment. For instance, you are watching a movie, and it happens that a train approaching is in the scene, you can hear that the sound seems to move from one side to the other.
Speaker Positioning. Some home theaters have three speakers and a woofer placed towards the front of the room. The other two remaining speakers are on your sides and behind your viewing position. Keep your speakers at least twenty inches from the walls. Always remember that each room’s design is unique, so you won’t be able to know what the sound will be like unless you try to experiment with how its outcome will be.
Distance From Each Speaker. Speakers have their volume controls that you can manipulate. Sophisticated speakers or those with high quality can provide time sound projections that ensure every sound that arrives in your ear is precisely at the same instant. This can go well for larger rooms that contain speakers at varying distances.
Center Front Speakers. Of all the speakers inside your home theater, the center front speaker is the most influential as it bears the responsibility of projecting the sound from the screen. Its purpose is essential for the interpretation of dialogue. You don’t want to guess what the actors from the movie are saying, do you?
Display Viewing
In any home theater setup, a high-definition display screen is considered to be the crown jewel. The thing is, a great size can increase viewing pleasure. However, you would want an immersive experience rather than having a huge display that will only make you swing your head side to side with an effort to grasp the action from what you are watching.
Viewing Angle. Several HDTV manufacturers and home theater professionals recommend 30 to 40 degrees as the optimum viewing angle. In this specific angle, you can take in all the actions without straining your eyes. If you also plan to place multiple seats, you need to ensure that those chairs have optimum viewing angles.
Ideal Viewing Height. A good viewing height must have the center of the display screen within the eye level. While some elevate their displays, it means that you also need to tilt them so that they still face your seating area. If you elevate your display, don’t forget to elevate your center speakers as well. You don’t want to watch a movie where it might seem that the actor is talking with the side of his mouth.
Trends in Home Theater
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With today’s evolving and advanced technology, the home theater experience is one of the most accessible and cool entertainment. Some of the added features in a home theater that you would probably don’t want to miss are the following:
3-D Technology
The 3-D technology is one of the latest audiovisual treats a home theater owner must try. Several major appliance makers release their 3-D capable televisions along with Blu-Ray Players. These 3-D images use battery-powered glasses that have a flicker rate of 120 times per second and are triggered by the infrared signal coming from the television.
Video Projectors
For those who still prefer a huge-screen format, a video can produce an image of 70- 200 inches. However, room lighting can take quite a challenge since some stray lights can wash out screens. Therefore, a darkened room can be a good characteristic of a home theater ambiance.
Internet Streaming Capability
Nothing seems impossible in our modern technology. You can now bring the internet content into your home theater. From playing games, watching the news, listening to music, and so on, you can all do this in your home theater with a flick of your thumb. You only need to have internet-enabled devices like television or a blu-ray disc player. A standalone box can be a good alternative if you lack one of these since it can stream your internet content.
Mobile Phone Accessibility
You can now access your home automation control system through your smartphone, including your home theater systems. With this feature, you can check your security system, adjust the temperature, and even use your mobile phone to switch content sources, adjust the light, and many more.
Sound Bars
The quality of sound in your home theater can recreate the surround sound experience by offering a full dynamic range. They can produce rich, satisfying audio even without the help of a separate subwoofer and works best in small to medium-sized rooms. Most of the soundbars models already include a standalone amplification feature.
Word of Thought
The covid 19 pandemic indeed has affected all of us. Several cinemas have been closed to prevent the increase of the risk of getting the virus. However, as technological advancement continues, everything now seems possible. You can now even experience the cinematic thrill inside your home. Theater experience can now be achieved without spending too much. With thorough planning, you can have affordable large screens, high definition television sets that let you watch with superb quality audio. To ensure that you will be achieving the ideal home theater design you have always wanted, it is best to consult an expert.
