Home Theater: Tips For Planning The Best Installation

Whether you are buying a new home, remodeling an existing one or finally realizing a dream project, installing a home theater can be an exciting project. Unfortunately, it can be too easy for consumers to get wrapped up in the flashing lights and sleek-looking technology that is available and forget about the multitude of other factors that affect a project of this scope. Before you run out and buy the same TV your neighbor is bragging about, here are some tips to get your planning going in the right direction.

Plan for today
There are many things to think about before starting the installation of a home theater. First, take careful inventory of the space and the furniture that you have available. Then, utilize manufacturers’ websites to determine the specifications of your desired equipment. Know how much space will be required and what type of shelving, wall mounts or cabinetry will be required to support weight of various pieces.

Next, consider factors like your AC power source and phone and data connection. You may want to consider having an electrician running a direct line from your breaker to help the system run better. For large projects that will likely generate a lot of heat, installing a whisper fan before beginning the rest of the project begins will be a good idea. Having a high-speed data connection will allow you more gaming and TV programming features as well as simplifying future upgrades.

Shop wisely
Look for home theater retailers that let you test drive or experience the system, or a similar one. Instead of having to research and evaluate all the choices, that will allow you to focus on the end results and make choices based on overall performance.

Utilize the expert’s advice, but don’t let them up sell you on things like a TV that is too large for your space. To maximize enjoyment of your system, invest in easy to use, all-in-one remote controls. You can even have them custom programmed or with the ability to control them through Internet browsers anywhere in the world.

Plan for the future
Designing and installing a home theater is a time and money consuming project. In order to get the most for your investment, plan today for future needs. Do you have any additional upgrades or goals for your system? If so, think about what needs to be done today in order to simplify that process. Consider these goals when taking inventory of your space. Also, a professional can offer advice about technologies on the horizon that may impact your system today.