 Filed Under: How To 
Posted Fri Nov 21, 2008, 6:29 PM ET — By Gary Altunian
Recently I sat down with Anthony Grimani, President of PMI, Ltd., an acoustics consulting firm, to discuss room acoustics and home theater design.
GA: Anthony, please start by explaining the services offered by your company, PMI, Ltd. Filed Under: Equipment How To
Posted Mon Aug 25, 2008, 8:40 PM ET — By Barbara Gonzalez
Simple ways to set free your photo, music, and video libraries for the “10-foot” home theater experience. Like most people, I have a digital camera, and I also recently bought a high-definition camcorder. They take detailed, gorgeous pictures that I upload onto my computer. And that’s where they’ve been locked up—in hard drive prison. I’ve also started downloading movies and TV shows that I’ve missed from the Internet. I sit at my desk and watch them on my relatively small computer monitor. But it’s not very comfortable or satisfying. And it’s particularly difficult for friends and family to crowd around my computer to see photos of my last vacation or watch the video of my son’s graduation. I transfer my favorite tunes from my computer to my iPod. But when I relax, I want to curl up on the couch cushions and listen to music on my full-range speakers so I can hear the details of the music. I also want to have slide shows for my friends and family (like we did when we had slide projectors) in the comfort of my living room. And the only place I ever want to watch movies is on my 1080p plasma. Filed Under: How To
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2008, 10:17 AM ET — By Steve Faber
Lighting, acoustic treatment, and other details to really make your theater your own. Home theater interiors are like fingerprints; it's kind of trite, but it's true. No two are identical. There are dozens of styles and hundreds of variations within them. If you're going for a true dedicated-theater look, you can choose from a traditional design, art deco, or even a theme (such as Star Wars or the Old West). Within the general theater concept, there is a staggering variety of color treatments, acoustic panels, fabrics, flooring, seating, columns, cabinetry, lighting, trim, curtains, speakers (yes, they can be a design consideration), stages, prosceniums, and paint to choose from. Here again, you can consult a professional designer for varying levels of assistance or go it alone. Filed Under: How To
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2008, 10:15 AM ET — By Mark Elson
Questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line. I consider myself an experienced gardener. But I recently came across a situation that was just too much, even for my green thumb. Five men and two days later, I realized I just didn't have the expertise to conquer a particularly troublesome planter. I knew when I was licked. Face it; you may encounter things in life that are just beyond your abilities. Not that you couldn't do a yeoman's job installing a home theater, but you might not have the tools, time, or experience. If you find yourself in such a situation, this article and sample contracts should provide some guidelines that will help guarantee a happy result. Filed Under: How To
Posted Mon Jan 28, 2008, 4:05 PM ET — By Gary Altunian
Like many homeowners, you probably enjoy home theater, but you'd prefer not to have five speakers and a subwoofer on your living-room floor. Then consider in-wall speakers as a solution. The question is, can you install them yourself, or should you call a professional? The answer is, yes you can install in-walls yourself, with some planning, a few basic tools, and a little patience. Here's a step-by-step overview of the process of installing in-wall (or in-ceiling) speakers, as well as the parts and tools you'll need to complete the job like a pro. Filed Under: How To
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2007, 10:59 AM ET — By J. Makin
Your home theater could hold the key. Alex Martinez knows what prospective home buyers want, even in a tough real-estate market. Alex, a Los Angeles–based real-estate entrepreneur, enjoys continued success, even though the L.A. real-estate segment, like those of most of the United States, is in a sluggish period. He derives his inside knowledge not only from his work, but also because he and partner designer Chris Ewen are new homeowners themselves. Filed Under: How To
Posted Fri Dec 7, 2007, 5:41 PM ET — By Adrienne Maxwell
Technology and green living converge in the LivingHome. Do you drive a Prius? Shop at Whole Foods Market? Donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council? If so, I have some bad news: You've been labeled. Like the soccer moms and NASCAR dads of yesteryear, you're no longer an individual but a target demographic. From here on out, you shall be known as a "cultural creative"—someone who values products and services that promote design, health, and ecological sustainability. Filed Under: How To
Posted Mon Dec 3, 2007, 12:13 PM ET — By Mark Elson
A pair of real-world theaters get a makeover. Back in July 2005, I visited the homes of several families with the common condition that their home entertainment systems were shoehorned into somewhat cozy quarters. The theme of that article was, with proper design, you don't need to reside in Hearst Castle to enjoy the pleasures of a great audio/video system. Sure, the word "theater" can conjure up a veritable Radio City Music Hall. But it's not the size of the screen that matters. Rather, it's your proximity to it and the screen's ability to capture as much of your peripheral vision as possible. In other words, it's about becoming enveloped within the audio and video images. An entertainment system properly crafted for an intimate environment can be fully enjoyable. One of the clear benefits to placing an entertainment system in a cozy environment is the efficient use of space. There is simply no room for clutter. These well-designed systems in our redux rooms provide maximum enjoyment and contribute to happy lives. One of our systems was installed by its owners, who also supplied the design brains and construction brawn. The other system required a professional custom installer, primarily because of lath-and-plaster walls, as well as layout challenges. Filed Under: How To
Posted Wed Nov 7, 2007, 10:29 AM ET — By Steve Faber
Everyone's home features lighting control to some extent. Maybe you've taken a step up and can control the level of a light or two with dimmers, but that's about as far as many people get. What is an actual lighting-control system, and what can it do for you? A lighting-control system allows you to control the level of multiple lights in your home from one or more locations. The more advanced systems permit you to take it even further, allowing your lighting to change based upon external events or time of day. Lighting-control systems come in many sizes and configurations. You can regulate every last lamp in your house or just a few. Filed Under: How To
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2007, 11:13 AM ET — By Nikhil Burman
How About Some More Options? When you take matters into your own hands, you can save money. But, if you have the money, you should turn the duties over to professionals who make their living out of outdoor A/V installations. And, as I got to experience firsthand in one case, the results can be mighty impressive. Let's take a look at a few options in the professional-install world, and I'll point out some more interesting, cutting-edge products to enhance your outdoor theater. Filed Under: How To
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2007, 11:11 AM ET — By Mark Elson
System 2: $25,914 to $35,180
Screen
Filed Under: How To
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2007, 10:56 AM ET — By Mark Elson
Backyard home theater is about more than bringing the indoors out. Outdoor living is all the rage, so it's only natural that we've been seeing an increasing interest in entertainment for outdoor living spaces. Festive fire pits and sexy spas create focal points for terraces and gardens. In the design world, rattan, teak, and wrought iron are meeting moisture-resistant materials, producing a new generation of rugged, attractive outdoor seating. And, ever the entertainment commandos, we know that, where there's a seat, there simply must be an A/V system nearby. Let's look at some new components and create two outdoor theaters of varying scope and price. For most categories, I'll offer several choices of products, since there is a plethora of goods out there. Filed Under: How To
Posted Thu Oct 4, 2007, 1:20 PM ET — By Room Acoustics
You've installed your speakers, but your room still doesn't sound right. In this installment, we show you how to tweak your room's sound with acoustics. It's got a greater effect on the ultimate sound of your home theater than almost any other single component. It can make great speakers sound like garbage and the most carefully designed subwoofer sound boomy. What is this mysterious component that can make or break your home theater? It's not really a component at all. It's the room itself. The good news is that you don't have to sit back and let it wreak havoc on your home theater system. Filed Under: How To
Posted Mon Oct 1, 2007, 12:42 PM ET — By Steve Faber
Set up your video display to get a great picture. Last month in this column, I offered some do-it-yourself tips for making your audio system shine. But that's only half the story. Now that you've got your audio gear calibrated, it's time to get your video system in great shape. And guess what: You don't have to shell out the big bucks to have a professional do it. With the right information and a little bit of patience, you can get your digital or direct-view display performing its best. Filed Under: How To
Posted Mon Oct 1, 2007, 11:55 AM ET — By Krissy Rushing
Try out your home theater before you buy it. Shopping for a home theater is not like shopping for a pair of shoes. You can't simply go to the store and pick one out. However, the process of getting the theater of your dreams in your own home has gotten easier than ever because more and more homeowners—from the newbie to the more technically sophisticated—are installing home theaters. According to Parks Associates, a leading high-tech research firm, penetration of home theater systems stands at an estimated 28 percent of all U.S. households. That percentage accounts for basic setups to intricate home theaters that can range in price upward of $250,000. As demand for these high-tech havens rises, the onus is on the specialty A/V retailer to make the shopping experience easier and more turnkey than ever before. That's why many of them are turning more and more to lifestyle-inspired design centers to let consumers experience something akin to what the final product will be like in their own homes. This article is designed to teach you what to expect and what to know before you shop. Filed Under: How To
Posted Fri Sep 21, 2007, 11:55 AM ET — By Steve Faber
The art of making your whole system sound great. There's more to getting the home theater of your dreams than piecing together a bunch of equipment. First, you have to get everything assembled and connected correctly. Then, you've got to make sure that all of the settings are correct and adjust your gear so that it reproduces your material the way it was intended. This is the process of calibration. Proper calibration is the final step that can make your home theater perform its best. Filed Under: How To
Posted Fri Aug 31, 2007, 11:46 AM ET — By Steve Faber
Choosing components that work for you. You've been saving forever, it seems, and now you can finally get some gear for the home theater you've been building. There's a dizzying array of different home theater components available these days. Which of the myriad of components will give you the best combination? How do you design your system and choose components so that you'll get the system you're looking for? Should you do it yourself or get some professional help? Filed Under: How To
Posted Wed Aug 29, 2007, 2:13 AM ET — By Steve Faber
The elements of a solid foundation. You're finally getting to install that home theater you've been wanting for so long. The most important thing is the wiring. It's the backbone of your entire home theater. If the proper wires aren't in place, you may not get the kind of performance you were hoping for, or you may be unable to do what you want. So, what wiring goes where? Filed Under: How To
Posted Wed Aug 29, 2007, 2:11 AM ET — By Dan Daley
And you thought home theater was just for the home. Thinking about spicing up your home theater experience? How about watching the chase scene from The French Connection—while going 60 miles per hour on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Or how about checking out Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock's desperate bus ride in Speed—while you're doing 75 mph on the 405 headed to LAX? (Well, maybe at 5 a.m.) Now that home theater has taken to the road in a big way, it's moving really fast. Filed Under: How To
Posted Wed Aug 29, 2007, 1:49 AM ET — By Steve Faber
In this installment of tips for building your home theater, we look at ways to keep sound isolated. Well, you're finally building your home theater and are really looking forward to those movie nights. Your neighbors, on the other hand, probably don't want to hear a red-tailed P-51 roar overhead as you watch Hart's War for the 25th time. Come to think of it, you probably wouldn't be too thrilled to hear them yell at their kids while you and your significant other enjoy a romantic, Saturday-night movie, either. 1 2 Older Posts >
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