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