subject: Don't just watch films - create your own home entertainment system! [print this page] Don't just watch films - create your own home entertainment system!
The last year has seen the return of 3D to the big screen, as movies like James Cameron's Avatar have reignited cinema goers imagination and lead the way for others to follow. However, experiencing films in superb picture and sound quality doesn't only have to be done at the multiscreens. Televisions and home audio solutions have never been so advanced and so commercially available, and because of this, building your own perfect home entertainment suite has never been so simple.
The first thing you need to decide is exactly what the focus of your entertainment centre will be. For some this will be a high-end sound system to play LPs, CDs or MP3s on, and for others it will most likely be a room where they can escape to watch the latest DVD releases in perfect hi-def quality. Once you have decided what to aim for, then it's time to start planning the necessary purchases.
If you're on a strict budget and can't afford to initially buy an entirely new entertainment system, then simply take stock of what audio-visual components you have in the house already and decide whether or not these will make a solid base to build the rest of your system around. If so great, but if not don't worry, as there are many online retailers who specialise in selling good quality, good value components.
Assuming you're perhaps planning on creating a home movie theatre from scratch, then you will obviously need a place, or a room, dedicated to it. An individual room is perfect as it will allow you the freedom and flexibility to do whatever you like without encroaching on the rest of your home. Plus, it means you can add to your system at a later date or try out new ideas without getting in anyone's way. Once you have a dedicated space though, it's time to start moving in the essentials.
If your aim is to watch lots of movies then the TV will undoubtedly be the main attraction here. Make sure you have not only a good place to put it where everyone in the room will be able to see it clearly, but also make sure it's big enough. Many TVs, like widescreen LCD televisions, don't necessarily look that good from an angle, so consider how your guests or family will see the movie. An increasingly popular solution to this is to install a projector. Hooked up to your DVD player, a projector can easily fill a wall space of over 100 inches in high definition - creating a very cool home movie theatre.
Next you want to sort out your sound. There are many surround sound receivers out there on the market to choose from so know your budget and find the best one you can afford. Basically an amplifier, this box should have a high definition output and as many inputs as possible - at least one for every component you plan to hook up to it; like games consoles, a cable box etc. In terms of sound and speaker combinations, 5.1 is perfect for most home use. Once you have your front, rear and central speakers in place, which are essential for all home entertainment systems you are ready to start experiencing movies as they should be watched.
