| As home theaters increase in popularity, many people | | | | of what it takes to get great picture and sound out of |
| are trying to design and layout their rooms on their | | | | a home theater setup. |
| own with little guidance. Where this can save you | | | | Options Available |
| money initially, it will inevitably cause heartache and | | | | Different installation companies will have varying |
| money down the line. Home theater installation requires | | | | options and components available for purchase. Talk |
| not only someone with technical know how and an | | | | to someone at the store and see exactly what is |
| eye for room layout. It also takes an audio expert who | | | | available to you and how you can maximize the |
| knows both what equipment is available and what | | | | enjoyment that you'll get from your new system. If |
| limitations a room may have. Too often people end up | | | | possible, bring photographs of the room or rooms that |
| with a system that does not fit their home or needs | | | | you'll be installing the theater in if they are unable to |
| because they were unskilled in matching speakers and | | | | come to the house directly. This way, the designer can |
| components with the layout and acoustics of a home. | | | | see exactly what they'll have to work with and how |
| A professional installer is trained in all of these areas | | | | much space will be available for speakers and other |
| and can help ensure that the money invested in a | | | | components. Help them to get a feel for exactly the |
| home theater will be money well spent. | | | | sort of custom home theatre system that you want, |
| When looking for a custom installer, find a person or | | | | and see whether they'll be able to create one that |
| team that is skilled in home theater design and that | | | | meets your specific needs. Be sure to let them know |
| they are knowledgeable of all of the equipment options | | | | of any special items that you want in the package, |
| which could help transform a basic system into a | | | | such as an HD DVD player, digital video recorder, Blu |
| custom work of entertainment technology. Here are a | | | | Ray player, or any other items that might not be |
| few things that you should keep in mind when | | | | included in a standard design. |
| shopping around for an installer. | | | | Cost and Value |
| Business Focus | | | | Research component pricing before you go out looking |
| When choosing a home theater installer, make sure | | | | for a home theater installer, making sure that you have |
| that you find someone who knows audio and visual | | | | an idea of any specific equipment that you are |
| equipment inside and out. Look at the nature of the | | | | wanting and how much they are likely to cost. Shop |
| installer's business. Do they have a primary focus on | | | | around at different stores, seeing how much each will |
| electronics and home theater entertainment or is their | | | | charge for the equipment that you want including the |
| installation service just an added service provided for | | | | price of installation. Try to stay within that budget. A |
| buying a big-screen television or stereo system from | | | | good installer will be able to recommend equipment |
| their electronics department? Do they have dedicated | | | | that may be equal in quality but cost less. Compare the |
| staff that conduct A/V and home theater design as | | | | quotes that you receive so that you'll know which |
| their primary job function or will the installer be an | | | | business is offering you the best value for your |
| hourly employee who received a basic training | | | | money. After all, you are the one who's going to have |
| course? Take the time to make sure that the person | | | | to use the resulting home theater system, so be sure |
| who will be installing your home theater has both | | | | that above all else you end up with a system that you |
| experience with the task and is highly knowledgeable | | | | enjoy and that works well. |