| You're about to join the revolution... it's | | | | - How many power outlets do you have in the |
| time to install a home theater and all you | | | | room? |
| can think about is what type of television | | | | |
| you should buy, plasma or LCD? Wait, before | | | | - Is wiring going to be an issue? Give this |
| you even think about equipment think about | | | | serious thought. You want your wiring out of |
| home theater installation, more precisely, | | | | the way. It should be neatly planned to run |
| think about the planning stage! | | | | along the wall boundaries and not across the |
| | | | room. |
| A badly planned audio and video area will | | | | |
| become more of a frustration than anything | | | | More Planning |
| else and besides, this is going to be the | | | | |
| showpiece of your home; the place where you | | | | A Home theater with all the "bells and |
| can impress and put a touch of jealousy into | | | | whistles" is going to use up more power than |
| the hearts of your friends. | | | | your average room in the house. Will your |
| | | | power supply be able to handle the load? Ask |
| Planning The Home Theater Installation Stage | | | | a professional for advice but most homes will |
| | | | be able to handle the extra power. Power |
| There are some things to consider before you | | | | outlets...do you have enough? Again, very |
| go ahead and purchase your equipment. Have | | | | important to make sure you have more than you |
| you planned where your home theater set up is | | | | need. Believe me, you'll need them at some |
| going to be or exactly how you want | | | | stage. |
| everything laid out. Believe me, do this now | | | | |
| and you won't regret it. Here's a few tips in | | | | Circuit boards and safety breakers are also |
| the planning stage: | | | | necessary. Power boards with safety breakers |
| | | | in case of power surge and overload are |
| - Can you draw a map? You'll need a rough | | | | desirable, particularly during thunderstorms. |
| draft of your home theater down on paper. | | | | |
| Look at your room and picture in your mind | | | | The Home Theater Plan |
| where everything is going to sit. | | | | |
| | | | Home theater has undergone some sort of |
| - Your map should not just include the | | | | revolution in recent years, so much so, it's |
| equipment placement but also doors and | | | | almost hard to live without it. Yes it can be |
| windows. Important to determine if their are | | | | costly and every person's situation is |
| going to be obstruction issues. | | | | different but if you "take the plunge" then |
| | | | consider planning it right. Use a |
| - Will you be putting in a projection unit? | | | | professional home theater installation |
| How much sunlight comes into the room? If | | | | designer if you have the budget; they are |
| it's a lot then window coverings become an | | | | becoming more common and are not as expensive |
| issue. | | | | as you may think but remember, it's not a |
| | | | race, it's a work in progress! |