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‘Future-Proof’ Your Theater
One aspect you shouldn’t neglect when deciding on your home theater design and components is what professionals call “future-proofing.”
“Although you should keep long-term use in mind when choosing your initial equipment, there are now a host of upgrades that can be made in the future as technology develops,” Bala says. “I suggest to my clients to take the time and effort and minimal expense to ‘future-proof’ their theaters, like running extra wires and cable” for technologies that may come in the future, such as seats that can be programmed for individual users or peripherals for future technologies.
One aspect consumer may be thinking about now is adding a high-definition DVD system to their setup, says Nathan Adams, the digital technology sales manager for the Los Angeles-based home theater specialists DR Group.
With Toshiba’s recent announcement that they would stop producing the HD-DVD line of players, Sony’s Blu-Ray effectively “won” the format battle for this line of players.
“Blu-Ray won out because it's the better product,” Adams says, noting the Blu-Ray disc’s greater storage capacity (25GB compared to HD-DVD’s 15GB for a single-layer disc), which, he says, leads to a better image quality.
And while Adams says that consumers who want high-definition DVDs should shell out for a Blu-Ray player, he believes the “old school distribution model” of hard copy DVDs is headed for extinction.
“I think digital distribution over high-speed Internet will eventually be the delivery method of choice for Americans that have high-speed Internet and a computer,” he says. “Once the studios embrace the immense opportunities presented by Internet distribution and stop clinging to the dying business model of DVD distribution, the consumer and the studios will be much happier.”
Another technology on the horizon is the impending switch to digital signals set to occur on April 1, 2009, which will cause problems for consumers who own televisions that get signals over the air and don’t have a built-in digital tuner.
| | | |  | |  | | | | | Insuring Your Home Theater
A home theater is a major investment in your dwelling, and too many times homeowners fail to consider the insurance implications of this type of improvement. Tim Bowen, director of claims for MetLife Auto & Home, offers a few tips on making sure your investment is protected:
1.) Reconsider the basement theater. Bowen says basement rooms are risky because of their propensity for flooding. He says events like sewer backups or flood damage are excluded from many policies and can leave homeowners uncomfortably exposed. He says if you plan on adding a home theater in your basement, modify your risk by getting sump pump or sewer “endorsements” on your policy or choose “all perils” coverage for the contents of the room. 2.) Think about contents. Even in the event of a “named peril” like a tornado or fire, homeowners policies have a cap on the amount of contents they cover. “If you go out and buy a $10,000 television and only have $100,000 worth of contents coverage on your house, well, you only have $90,000 for everything else in your dwelling,” he says. Again, scheduling an item like this by purchasing a rider for your policy can be a good investment. 3.) Consider your electric system. Investing in a whole-house surge protector and making sure you hire a licensed technician may cost a little more, but it is well worth it when you consider how much you’re spending on the room.
4.) Look at your total budget. It’s time to call your agent to double-check your coverage when you spend more than $10,000 on any type of home improvement, Bowen says, including a home theater. | | | | | | | | | | | If you are concerned you might be affected, the Federal Communications Commission is administering a program that grants consumers certificates good toward the purchase of digital converters. The TV Converter Box Coupon Program web site explains who is affected, how to manage the impending switchover and how to get and redeem coupons to keep your shows on after the change.
Don’t Neglect Creature Comforts
When putting together a home theater, the electronics get the most attention. But all the technology in the world won’t make a room great if you can’t get comfortable in the space.
“Seating’s significance in a home theater is often underestimated,” Bala says. “In a good home theater, a client should expect to spend hundreds of hours of enjoyment in that room. No amount of audio or video technology will compensate for an uncomfortable or improperly designed chair.”
Make sure you leave room in your budget for seating that you’ll want to spend time in. “We recommend that 20 to 30 percent of the theater budget be dedicated to seating and seating-related accessories,” says Bala.
Think Professional for Best Results
If this all sounds complicated and a little overwhelming, the experts say that’s because designing and installing a home theater is a detail-oriented, technical process that is best handled by a professional.
“To get the most out of a home theater, homeowners should hire a professional, industry-certified installer,” says Diggin. “A pro can recommend the best products for the homeowner’s budget and help design the theater room for maximum performance and enjoyment.”
You wouldn’t sit down to design and build a home without an architect and a contractor, says Allyn, and you shouldn’t drop big bucks on a home theater without a specialist, either. “We are the advocate for the client,” he says.
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Text by Alyson McNutt English
© 2008 BobVila.com
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