The guide: buying the ultimate home cinema
- By Annie Deakin
- Published 08/19/2009
- Meditation
- Unrated
The guide: buying the ultimate home cinema
1. What are you really after?
A cinema or a multi-purpose entertainment room? Will you house it in a separate room or as part of your living space? Plasma screen for every day or projector that drops down discreetly for sport of films? Is it for movie parties, karaoke sessions or sports evenings? Consider soundproofing, touch-of-a-button lighting, crafting custom-made cabinetry, and running cables within walls and under floorboards. Try Finite Solutions or Neville Johnson.
2. Down under
Disused basements are ideal home cinema territory. Dark, cosy, and once sound-proofed, suitably cocoon-like. You may need to tank (waterproof) and ventilate it first. Basement conversions aren't cheap but you may recoup costs by adding value to your home. For more info on basement conversions contact The Basement Information Centre.
3. Separates
Investing in 'separates' - buying your speakers, amplifier and DVD player separately - usually ensures better surround sound. It tends to be more expensive but suits the music aficionados best.
4. All-in-one
For dedicated movie marathons, 'all-in-one' kits comprising all your necessary equipment may be better. The HTS8100 home theatre kit (£599, Littlewoods Direct) comes recommended. Kits are more energy efficient as they use about 40 watts, compared to 150 watts for a typical separates system.
5. Acoustics
For the ultimate in acoustics, you can't beat a Dolby Digital Surround Sound system. It has a six speaker system (known as 5:1) which should be arranged strategically. Place the front speakers one metre to the left and right of the TV, facing the viewer, ideally at ear level. The centre speaker belongs below the screen, as close to
it as possible.
The subwoofer (the device which produces low frequency sounds) should be on the wall in the middle of the front. Put the two rear speakers behind the sofa at opposite corners of the room to give the surround sound effect.
6. Lights out
Go full throttle on luxury with floor to ceiling curtains to create a blackout. Seek out old cinema seating from salvage yards such as Salvo!.
7. Colours
Soft, subdued walls in understated taupe ensure the screen stays centre stage, and also keeps the room restful between screenings.
8. Size is everything
Frankly, my dear, it comes down to this. When choosing your plasma TV, be aware you'll need to sit about eight feet away (or six times your height of vision). Look for the 'viewing ratios' - 16:9 (widescreen), 4:3 (traditional) or a zoom option (this feature magnifies the image if it doesn't completely fill the screen). As a rough guide, when considering seating and flatscreen position, be sure you can sit at least four metres from a 42" screen. If your room enables to you sit 3.5 - 4 metres away, opt for a screen between 36 and 42 inches. Any closer, or in snugger spaces, a 26 inch screen should suffice.
9. Extra treats
How about a bar for the back of the room? Invest in moody low-floor lighting and a mini fridge. Add a few low tables and you needn't move all evening.... And how about a bar trolley?
10. Party on
Send out your invites, pop the corn, kick off you shoes and enjoy.
You don't still have a bulky TV, do you? Go slimline and read our guide to buying a flatscreen TV. Are gadgets your thing? Wire up with the latest green gadgets that won't cost the earth.
Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com who is currently interested in photo albums, desk, and dishwashers.
A cinema or a multi-purpose entertainment room? Will you house it in a separate room or as part of your living space? Plasma screen for every day or projector that drops down discreetly for sport of films? Is it for movie parties, karaoke sessions or sports evenings? Consider soundproofing, touch-of-a-button lighting, crafting custom-made cabinetry, and running cables within walls and under floorboards. Try Finite Solutions or Neville Johnson.
2. Down under
Disused basements are ideal home cinema territory. Dark, cosy, and once sound-proofed, suitably cocoon-like. You may need to tank (waterproof) and ventilate it first. Basement conversions aren't cheap but you may recoup costs by adding value to your home. For more info on basement conversions contact The Basement Information Centre.
3. Separates
Investing in 'separates' - buying your speakers, amplifier and DVD player separately - usually ensures better surround sound. It tends to be more expensive but suits the music aficionados best.
4. All-in-one
For dedicated movie marathons, 'all-in-one' kits comprising all your necessary equipment may be better. The HTS8100 home theatre kit (£599, Littlewoods Direct) comes recommended. Kits are more energy efficient as they use about 40 watts, compared to 150 watts for a typical separates system.
5. Acoustics
For the ultimate in acoustics, you can't beat a Dolby Digital Surround Sound system. It has a six speaker system (known as 5:1) which should be arranged strategically. Place the front speakers one metre to the left and right of the TV, facing the viewer, ideally at ear level. The centre speaker belongs below the screen, as close to
The subwoofer (the device which produces low frequency sounds) should be on the wall in the middle of the front. Put the two rear speakers behind the sofa at opposite corners of the room to give the surround sound effect.
6. Lights out
Go full throttle on luxury with floor to ceiling curtains to create a blackout. Seek out old cinema seating from salvage yards such as Salvo!.
7. Colours
Soft, subdued walls in understated taupe ensure the screen stays centre stage, and also keeps the room restful between screenings.
8. Size is everything
Frankly, my dear, it comes down to this. When choosing your plasma TV, be aware you'll need to sit about eight feet away (or six times your height of vision). Look for the 'viewing ratios' - 16:9 (widescreen), 4:3 (traditional) or a zoom option (this feature magnifies the image if it doesn't completely fill the screen). As a rough guide, when considering seating and flatscreen position, be sure you can sit at least four metres from a 42" screen. If your room enables to you sit 3.5 - 4 metres away, opt for a screen between 36 and 42 inches. Any closer, or in snugger spaces, a 26 inch screen should suffice.
9. Extra treats
How about a bar for the back of the room? Invest in moody low-floor lighting and a mini fridge. Add a few low tables and you needn't move all evening.... And how about a bar trolley?
10. Party on
Send out your invites, pop the corn, kick off you shoes and enjoy.
You don't still have a bulky TV, do you? Go slimline and read our guide to buying a flatscreen TV. Are gadgets your thing? Wire up with the latest green gadgets that won't cost the earth.
Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com who is currently interested in photo albums, desk, and dishwashers.
Annie Deakin
The editor of the online magazine mydeco. My current area of specialism is Gardens, Furniture, Storage
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