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Home Entertainment
Technicalities
So you want a more technical view on Home Entertainment...
Home entertainment products and systems change fast, and individual preferences and needs are
widely varied,
so it is impossible to publish specific recommendations and expect them to stay current.
Home entertainment systems may include many components including background sound, video source and display, music media players, theater surround sound systems, lighting
controls, room design and appointments, system controllers, signal amplification and distribution systems, ... .Well, you get the point. It gets complicated, it changes constantly, and considering there are volumes of literature on the subject,
one cannot expect to cover it all here.
Sound . . .
The biggest impact from home entertainment systems is from the sound system. Few home theater installations are in ideal acoustic settings, so theater sound is compromised by the room itself. Most home systems are used for music as well as theater sound. The is to build a balanced system with good performance for theater and music appropriate for the setting. Room geometry, decorating, surround technology, speakers and speaker placement are all important factors to be considered and balanced according to individual taste and preference.
There are no shortcuts to quality performance in this area. Many of the big brand retail surround sound systems you see in stores are designed for voice and big boom and do not provide quality range and definition in a home setting. This compromise in quality is not noticeable in the store demonstration areas, but in a home setting where music is as important as theater effects limitations become apparent. Whether you are a casual listener or an audiophile, you want a good quality sound receiver and the best speakers you can fit in your budget, and then be certain they are installed to optimize the sound performance given the limitations your environment imposes. You will appreciate the finished product.
Video Display . . .
Video display is more than just a matter of preference. The display unit should be selected to be appropriate for the room and the space. LCD and most projectors do best in a dark room. DLP, CRT and Plasma can perform well in higher ambient light.
Changing Technology . . .
Your home systems need to be prepared for fast changing technology. Computer interfaces, networked components, web-based audio and video programming, networked gaming are just a few emerging technologies your system may need to accommodate. This is done not only with current equipment, but with an installation that can be adapted and updated. Accessible cabling, appropriate enclosures, and designed adaptability are essential. Without adaptability, your system may be outdated as fast as your new computer.
Environment . . .
Your home theater is more than just the audio/video equipment. It is a living space. Lighting, furnishings, environmental controls are integral parts that should be considered when designing the environment you want
Controls
. . .
Most people do not consider a table full of remote controls
an attractive decorative feature. Neither do they want control systems
to be too complex to use. A balance must be achieved between convenience
and complexity. The goal is maximum control and simple operation.
There are a wide range of control devices and systems for your home entertainment systems. Programmable universal remotes, built in sound distribution controls, computerized access and control systems, lighting and HVAC control are all possible, and most can be applied to home systems to be simple and intuitive.