Home entertainment installation isn’t as simple as it used to be in the old days when all you needed was a TV and a couple of speakers. Modern technology has made installation not only more complicated but also much more necessary than ever before if you want to get the most out of your home theater system. Here’s everything you need to know about home entertainment installation and the best ways to go about it to ensure that you always enjoy your favorite shows, movies, and video games with the highest possible quality.
What is Home Entertainment?
Have you ever watched your favorite television show and thought, That’s great…but it could use a few explosions. If so, home entertainment is for you. These days it’s not just about movies and music: high-quality speaker systems, electronic games, surround sound technology—even artificial intelligence—are all part of today’s modern home entertainment systems.
Video Sources and Formats
If you’re thinking of setting up a home entertainment center, you have plenty of options when it comes to both sources and formats. Options such as DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, video streaming services (Netflix, Hulu Plus), Internet video sites (YouTube), and more are at your disposal. Your main considerations when deciding on these should be ease of use and quality. For example, if you want to watch old episodes of The Office or How I Met Your Mother, there’s no need for Blu-ray; just stream them from Netflix or YouTube. But if you want to watch movies in high definition, then Blu-ray is probably worth looking into. When it comes to formatting, DVD is still king for physical media and has been for years—but that doesn’t mean it’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Connectivity Options
In terms of connectivity, there are two main types of setups that are used: wired and wireless. With a wired setup, each device (e.g., your TV, Blu-ray player) is connected via cable. With a wireless setup, you connect all devices wirelessly using technology like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The advantage of using cables is that they’re more reliable; with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, you run into issues like signal interference and lag time when streaming content from one device to another. That said, most home entertainment systems will include both options for maximum flexibility.
Home Audio/Visual Room Layout
To get the best-sounding audio for your home theater, place your center channel speaker directly below or above your TV. Put your front speakers on either side of you (if possible), in line with where you sit. Place surround speakers directly behind your listening position. If you have a subwoofer, place it in a corner. The bass will bounce off of walls and ceilings and give you a much more impactful sound. For audio-only systems, make sure your left and right speakers are placed at ear level when sitting down. If they’re too high or low, you won’t be able to hear them properly. Ideally, your setup should be symmetrical—meaning if something is located to your left, then its counterpart should also be located to your right. This way you can create an immersive experience by simply moving back and forth between two points.
Wire Management
Ensuring that all wires are run neatly, along walls and in conduits, will allow your home entertainment installation to be well-organized. Not only will your AV installer appreciate a tidy work environment, but you’ll also have a more attractive setup when all wires are hidden from view. If you want your home theater wiring installation to look professional, plan and make sure everything is organized beforehand. This can even help with aesthetic concerns: some homeowners worry that running cables under carpets or between walls will ruin their floors or damage their drywall. However, an experienced installer can route cables in such a way as to avoid any damage—and if they can’t, they’ll let you know upfront.
Hooking Up Your Components
There are more components than you might think when it comes to hooking up your home entertainment system. While it may seem simple on its face, an Audio Video installation in Burr Ridge IL is much more complicated and time-consuming than a simple hookup of cables on your walls. The best AV installers need not only an eye for detail but plenty of skill with wires, outlets, and fiber optics as well.
Home Audio Equipment Options
Before we get into how to properly wire your home entertainment equipment, let’s discuss some of your wiring options. If you already have an existing audio-video (AV) receiver, feel free to skip ahead. When its time for a new installation, you’ll decide if you want to mount your AV receiver in a rack. Run cables directly from there. Or install it in an equipment cabinet or closet near your television and speakers. This is important because it will affect what type of audio/video cable you use to connect all your components.
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Home Theater Installation Professionals
Hiring a home theater installation professional will save you time and money. A professional will handle any required permits, subcontractors, and wiring safely, ensuring you don’t accidentally shock yourself or a family member with exposed wires when walking around your house. With that in mind, Audio Video Installation in Burr Ridge IL professionals should always be licensed . They should carry liability insurance for their work.
Make sure your system comes with an owner’s manual before it is installed. This manual should include safety precautions, warranty information, and directions on how to use all of its features. Finally, make sure you have a backup plan if anything goes wrong during your Audio Video Installation in Burr Ridge IL. Ask your installer what they would do if something were to happen during setup. Or if something doesn’t work properly after it has been installed. It may seem like a small thing now. But having a solid plan in place can save you from calling an expensive repairman down the road.
