NORTHFIELD, Minn. January 31, 2012 — Come Super Bowl Sunday, we are happy to have a home theatre. Our friends who come over agree. Nothing beats a large graphic image for watching football. What is a media room? In our home, it is a ceiling mounted digital projector, pull down screen, media center, and surround sound speakers.
Football used to be frustrating to watch. Missing the play on our TV screen, I would ask my husband "What happened?" Hundreds of times I would interrupt his viewing during the game. No more. Once we equipped our media room, everything is easier to watch.
It might be too late for this year's Super Bowl; however, why not put a media room on your bucket list? Next year you can host the party.
The catalyst for our new media room was an ailing 32 inch, 1997 model, large tube TV. It had been repaired twice. We either needed to replace it with a TV or projector. Having used projectors for presentations at work, we decided to check out that option and it became our ultimate direction.
Here is my non-technical description of the equipment you will need and the advantages that I see for this type of equipment. First off, consult an expert before you begin.
The Projector
When it comes to viewing movies and playing video games, you want a projector that delivers true-to-life colors and high quality images. If you have children into gaming, you also want a projector that can handle the inputs from your Blu-ray player, Xbox, 360, Wii etc. (Projector People).
Projectors typically go on sale in January. Entry level packages, including the projector, screen and more begins as low as $1,200.
Home theatre with projection screen
Some of the advantages of a projector include:
* Compact
* Excellent picture quality
* Large, clear images
* Wireless option
* Ceiling mount allows for low impact in the room
The Audio/Video Receiver
This is the piece of equipment that serves as the main hub of the system. It has:
* Video and Audio Input Devices: One or more video/audio sources for DVD player and/or video game consoles (Xbox, 360, Blue Ray, etc.)
* Audio Processing Devices: Input devices are processed by a receiver and/or Sound Processor for complex surround sound formats.
* Audio Output: Systems usually consist of at least 2 speakers; some
have built ins. Our surround sound system has 5 speakers.
* Video Output: A large-screen display like a video projector
The Advantages of the Audio/Video Receiver Include:
* Computer, DVD, and gaming systems are integrated into one piece of equipment. The media center is the central control for the projector and sound system; computers can also be connected for television viewing.
* Gaming systems are automated. After initial set-up, you turn on the system and a menu of options comes on the screen. These can include: Netflix (streaming version), your DVD/Blu-Ray movie, Wii, 360, Xbox, etc.
* Only one TV remote for the multiple systems
The Screen
Projector screens are available in various sizes and materials designed to enhance video quality for your home theater. One of the advantages of the screen is that it can be rolled up when not in use. Ours fits under a wide wooden trim piece for low impact in the room (when rolled up, you don't see it).
Once you begin your research into equipping a media room, you will see that cables and other items are necessary to complete your project. Technical help and displays of equipment is readily available. On-line resources can also point the way to what is needed.
Before we committed to equipping a media room I had to be convinced that is was affordable and reasonable for our home. It was. Now that we have it completed, it is fun to see teenage boys gathered around for video gaming, girls over for Wii activities and movies, and sports fans over for games.
Super Bowls commercials are also even more fun to watch. The huge amount of advertising going into those ads is well spent for those of us watching in a home theatre.
Please Comment: Do you have a home theatre? What are the pro's and con's?
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