In the past, we’ve touched on how a few simple products can help you create a luxurious home theater no matter the size of your space or the size of your budget. Here we will look at the latest features available for your home theater, upgrades that will elevate from casual to epic, and what’s coming up in home theater technology in the future.
It wasn’t very long ago when the idea of having a home theater meant you also needed to own a fleet of yachts or have the same last name as a hotel chain. But that’s not the case anymore as technology becomes more accessible and less expensive. What was once tens of thousands of dollars has become much more affordable.
It’s not hard to find all the components of a good home theater at reasonable pricing with great variety. Every well-planned theater must have three components; lighting, surround sound, and a good viewing screen. So, what are some of the newest options available to you?
Lighting
Previously we mentioned the importance of the right lighting to set the tone and mood of your home theater. But what is the “right” lighting? It can vary depending on the size and shape of your room as well as what you’re watching and the kind of experience you want to have when you’re watching.
Wall sconces or pendant lights equipped with smart bulbs can help create the ambient light that allows for excellent viewing while still being able to see your snacks. Check out the LUX Edison Smart LED Light Bulb for a classic look combined with today’s must-have features. These bulbs are hubless, meaning you can simply screw them in and use the app to set them up. Link them to your home’s smart assistant and control them through your phone or with voice commands. As you dim the lights, you’ll feel the ambiance that the movies evoke.
Strip lighting is universally great for a home theater room. These flexible strips of LED lights can go just about anywhere, can be cut to fit your needs, and come in many styles with a range of features. Strip light options like LIFX Lightstrip Color Zones and Govee Smart WiFi LED Strip Lights offer color-changing options and are controlled through all current smart assistants. Strip lights are very customizable, and that makes them perfect for almost any setup. These lights will only continue to grow in popularity, making them a great addition to your investment.
For the best effect, try backlighting your screen and adding a continuous line of light around the ceiling and floorboards. Don’t think you have to go with the priciest option to be satisfied with the result. LED strip lighting comes in a wide range of sizes, lengths, and price points.
For extra jazz, create an aisle by setting up lighting along the floor outlining the seating. Use clear plastic tubing to protect your investment from wayward feet.
Surround Sound
Choosing a surround sound system for your home theater is exciting and daunting. Some remarkable feats of sound engineering are available, with multiple setup options to help create a crisp and complete experience. Many new models are capable of creating the perfect sound environment for watching movies, television, gaming, and more.
Surround sound works by using multiple speakers, placed strategically, and amplifying separate sound channels to recreate a more realistic and robust audio experience. Dolby 7.1 surround sound is on the cutting edge of audio technology for the home theater. Giving you the feel of really being there, just like the creators intended. You’ll come upon a lot of industry jargon as you research your options, figures like 5.1 or 6.1, for instance. It’s ok if you don’t know what any of it means, too. HowStuffWorks has a lot of helpful information to aid you in understanding how to build a sound system that fits your needs.
Another option for your home theater is to have it professionally designed and installed. While this may sound pricey or out of reach, you could potentially save yourself money and a headache. With the vast array of sound systems available, it can be easy to choose the wrong size, compatibility, or placement. The benefits of having this portion of your theater done professionally will become very obvious when sitting down to your first showing.
Screen
Perhaps the most crucial element in all of this is the screen. You can’t very well watch a movie or game if you can’t see it. And what good is watching something if you aren’t watching it on a big screen with all the details captured and rendered for you so clearly you could practically reach out and touch it?
There are two ways to go about this, a projector screen or a TV. Both of these choices have seen so much growth and improvement that even buying something on the cheaper side is going to give you results that could barely be imagined twenty years ago. Thankfully though, you don’t have to sacrifice quality and excellence for a lower price tag.
In the last decade, there have been considerable improvements in visual entertainment equipment, making projectors and screens more readily available. TaoTronics Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen is the perfect option for taking your viewing pleasure on the road (or at least to the backyard). 100″ and equipped with its own frame, this screen provides crisp, wrinkle-free viewing no matter where you want to take it.
If you’re more in the market for a smart tv, an investment that will hold value for a long time, and the most beautiful picture available, then you’ll want to look into Samsung’s QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV. Coming in a range of sizes, this 8K tv may set you back a penny or two, but it will continue to grow with your smart home advances through the next several years. While there isn’t much 8K content available yet, it is the future of filming. Much the way 4k came in and swept us away with clearer pictures and more intense detail, 8K has the potential to change the way we view entertainment.
Home theaters are becoming more popular and less intimidating as we move into an era of expanding smart technology. Timer lights, fully surrounding audio, wall-sized screens, and more streaming services than we can number, and you’ve got yourself an impressive viewing setup. There is no end in sight for the advancing technology. If you’re still a little unsure where to begin, give us a call to get started on creating the perfect theater for your home.