Showing posts with label Home Theater Seating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Theater Seating. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Guide to Audio Video Furniture

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Home Theater Seating in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make.

The best time to learn about Home Theater Seating is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Home Theater Seating experience while it's still free.

You just bought you new plasma, LCD, DLP, flat panel TV or projector. If you can't find a proper place to mount on wall or you need to house your audio video components, you will most likely need an Audio cabinet for you components, a TV stand, or base to house both the TV and your home theater components. This guide will tell you all about audio video furniture.

Knockdown vs. Assembled

Most home theater audio video furniture either is KD (knockdown) or assembled in one piece. What's the difference? KD means that the unit ships un-assembled in pieces and you have to put it together with your time or hire someone to do it. The advantage of KD furniture is that it can usually ship quickly for those people that need to meet a time deadline. The other advantage it usually is less expensive than assembled furniture quality pieces. The quality of KD items varies greatly. AV furniture first and foremost must be able to handle heavy televisions and components and we believe that KD furniture must be made with MDF, not particle board. A term associated with KD (knockdown) is also RTA (Ready to Assemble). These terms mean the same thing. The customer pays a little less, but has to put the item together on their time. The other small advantage to KD or RTA audio video furniture is that if it gets damaged, replacement parts can be sent to fix the issue readily.

The best quality furniture pieces have furniture "styling" which is made to be sen, not to be hidden in a closet. The hardware on these pieces are of higher quality including hinges and handles. Most assembled furniture is made with MDF with real wood veneers.

Assembled furniture is a convenient option for those with people with little time or patience for assembling furniture. The assembled option in most cases is of higher quality than most KD pieces.. You would need to check the manufacturer as the market is flooded with many importers where quality can vary and the packing of the furniture may be sub standard for shipping on a freight truck. All assembled furniture is inspected by our delivery centers prior to delivery. This level of quality control does not exist with many other on line retailers. Who you buy from is just as important as what you buy in the world of on line furniture retailers. You should always call the toll free phone number of any web site before ordering assembled furniture. Be sure to check the hours of the web site first before calling. The key consideration is longevity of the company. It's best to make sure a company has been in business at least 5 years.

Consider the Placement of the Home Theater Furniture

When planning a home theater or media room, you will need to consider where to place your av rack. Will it be hidden from view in a closet, a utility room, a special av cabinet, or piece of furniture. If you are hiding your furniture in a cabinet or closet, consider rotating AV racks that can pull out and rotate.

If you plan to position the mount in the front of your room, you will need to consider a cabinet that has furniture styling, since it will always be in view.

If being placed in the back of room or off to the side, you may consider knockdown options.

Wood or Metal Glass

Furniture construction can vary. In general, the look you want to achieve comes down to wood or glass. If you like a traditional approach, wood AV furniture may appeal to you. Most choices include black, cherry or oak finish. A maple or walnut finish is available in certain styles. If you prefer a more contemporary look, you may consider a metal glass combination. The glass is typically tempered to make it extremely strong.

Dimensions and Weight Considerations for AV Furniture:

The most common issue with choosing AV furniture is the size. If you are using for a tv stand you will need to find out the width of the TV, not the diagonal measurement. Most manufacturers use diagonal measurements on TV's versus width measurements, you will need to find this specification to choose the correct tv stand size. The other common measurement needed is interior shelf dimensions. This is very important if you have some oversized av equipment, less important if you have normal components. Last but not least, consider the weight of your television and the weight of your components. The heaviest two pieces are usually the TV and the AV Receiver/Amp. Most top shelf designs of our tv stands can handle up to 250lbs, but check the specs to be sure. The other consideration is the interior shelf load bearing. Some amps can weigh up to 100lbs! It's best to place the amp on the lower shelf, which is best for weight and sound absorption.

Back Panel Options

Many video tv stands are coming out with back panel options. A back panel allows you to mount a plasma or lcd tv on the panel and run the wires behind it. This makes for ease of installation and a cost savings, since you don't need an installer to run av cables or electrical. A back panel is an attractive alternative to mounting a plasma on a wall. A static fixed mount will probably be the best option for a back panel. The back panel is also good because the TV is at the viewer's eye level while sitting down.

What's in a Name?

Many people search for equipment racks using these terms: Audio rack, video rack, av rack, audio furniture, av furniture, tv stand, television stand or home entertainment center. Generally, a "rack" is knockdown and "furniture" is usually an assembled piece. Be sure to check the details on all products. A name could be just a title that doesn't accurately describe the piece you are ordering.

Longevity

How long do I want this piece of furniture to last? How long will I be living in current residence? If you are planning on moving to a new location, you may consider a temporary solution versus a more permanent furniture purchase. The "Knockdown" option is good if you are going to move in a couple years. If you plan on living in your current residence longer than 5 years you may consider an assembled av furniture purchase.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Home Theater Seating. Share your new understanding about Home Theater Seating with others. They'll thank you for it.

Mounting Your Home Theater TV To the Wall

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Home Theater Seating? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about Home Theater Seating.

Most of this information comes straight from the Home Theater Seating pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.

Small condominiums and full-scale home theater owners are all looking to mount their flat panel televisions to create more space and a better eye-catching design. Mounting a television onto the wall does not have to be difficult but it does take some care and research in order to do it safely and correctly.

The following are some helpful steps and advice for mount your LCD flat panel television to your home theater or condominium wall.

1. Choose A Wall

Look around your home theater or living room and decide where the ideal location for your TV would be. Look for a wall that is roughly twice the width of your television. Also, look for a wall that gives you enough height for the size of your TV. Remember you may be watching the screen from a sitting position or standing. The rule of thumb is that you will want your flat screen television located where the bottom edge is at eye level when you are seated and the top is at eye level when you stand up.

Also consider your wiring when choosing a wall. You will need to be able to either drill into the wall to thread the wiring or be able to hide the wiring in some way. You will also want to choose a wall with access to your cable our satellite outlet.

2. Practice with Art

Before drilling into any wall, hang a framed picture the approximate size of your TV or cut out piece of paper where you think you want your television to go. Leave it for a while and see if it feels like the right location. Look to see whether sunlight or lamp glare is reflected off the surface. If it reflects on the paper it will reflect off your screen. Move the paper to a different location if it doesn't seem right.

3. Choose The Wall Mounts

Flat panel TV mounting brackets come in various shapes, sizes and functions. A home theater equipment retailer can point you to the right size for your particular brand of flat panel. Fixed brackets can be difficult to put in place because they require small hands and patience in order to line them up with the television mounts. Mounts that swivel are ideal for rooms where seating is located in several areas of the room. They also tend to be easier to mount.

4. Measure Before Drilling

Once you know where your television will go and what mount to use, find the wall stud and mark where the mounts should be placed with a pencil. Ensure the mounting bracket locations are level and that the height is appropriate. Once you are sure that the appropriate marks have been made, drill or screw in the mounting brackets. At this time, it is also appropriate to drill any holes for threading wiring if applicable. Just remember, measure two or three times before drilling into any wall.

5. Have a Buddy

It is imperative that you have help when hanging the television for your home theater. Many factory warranties do not cover damage that occurs as a result of trying to hang your flat panel television, so it is important to do things right and to be sure that you have help for the lifting and hanging. A helper can also give you advice on the location and height of the screen.

Consult with a home theater installer if you need any advice, or, if this seems like more than your time is worth, hire a professional to install it for you. That way you are sure it will be done in the best way possible.

Knowing enough about Home Theater Seating to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about Home Theater Seating, you should have nothing to worry about.

Monday, August 30, 2010

5 Luxuries to Add to Your Home When You Remodel

Current info about Home Theater Seating is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Home Theater Seating info available.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about Home Theater Seating. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

These days, more and more homeowners are choosing to renovate their homes. In part, they're doing it as an investment, to add value to their property, but they're also doing it to add comfort and convenience for themselves and their families.

If you are thinking about remodeling for the same reason, you may be wondering what renovations will add the most to your home in value and sheer pleasure. And of course, for most homeowners, cost is a concern, so you may have to pick and choose. What is going to give you the most bang for your buck? What is going to attract potential home buyers when the time comes to sell your home?

Let's look at a few of the top renovations people are adding that won't necessarily break the bank but will add value to your home and your everyday living:

1. Radiant Floor Heating

For bedrooms and living areas, carpets are out and hardwood floors are in. In bathrooms, old tiles from decades past are being ripped out and replaced with beautiful materials like slate and laminates made to look like expensive stones or hardwoods. Those kinds of surfaces tend to be cold, though, so more and more homeowners are installing radiant floor heating along with their new floors. Not only does it make the floor a pleasure to walk on with bare feet, radiant heating is more efficient than forced air heat, so it can save you money in the long run.

2. Luxury Showers

Big, jetted bathtubs are out; luxury showers are in. This is because homeowners are realizing they don't take baths nearly as often as they take showers. Why not have a bit of luxury every day? People are expanding their shower cubicles and turning them into steam rooms as well as adding multiple massaging showerheads to work out their aches and pains.

3. Central Vacuum Systems

Guys, if you're trying to sell your wives on a home remodel, this may be the addition that does it (and I'm sure there are men out there who can appreciate a system that makes cleaning easier too). Central vacuums replace portable vacuum cleaners. You install inlets around the house at convenient locations and just move the central vacuum hose from inlet to inlet. In the kitchen, you can add an automatic dustpan and simply sweep debris into a wall vent. All the dirt is sucked into the innards of the house and collected in a bin in the garage (or wherever you choose). The convenience of these systems has appeal; central vacuums can add $2,000 or more to the value of your home.

4. Home Theater

If your family enjoys watching television and movies, a projection system with comfy home theater seating replete with cup holders can give you a fun place to relax. Buyers are starting to look for home theaters when they shop for homes too. Basements are popular places to add these rooms, but if you don't have one, you can get a projector for the living room that disappears into the ceiling when not in use.

5. Gas Fireplace

While most people like the idea of a crackling wood fire in the hearth, few of us actually bother to light one on a regular basis. Who enjoys going through the hassle of buying and dragging in wood, then starting a fire that has to be monitored until the last embers burn out? Any gas fireplace owner will tell you what a convenient luxury it is. Simply flip the switch and you get instant heat as well as the ambiance of a fire. If you live in a warm climate, where the weather is nice most of the year, try an outdoor gas fire pit--it will give your guests a cozy place to gather when you entertain outdoors.

So now you know a little bit about Home Theater Seating. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Tips for Choosing an Audio System for Your Home Theater

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Home Theater Seating. When you start sharing the fascinating Home Theater Seating facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

The more authentic information about Home Theater Seating you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Home Theater Seating expert. Read on for even more Home Theater Seating facts that you can share.

An important part of a home theater system is the sound system that is attached to it. Without good sound, you will not enjoy the home theater like you should. In order to get high quality sound out of your home theater, there are some things that you need to consider.

First of all, is the home theater going to be in a designated room of its own, or is it in the family room where other activities abound? If it is going to be placed in the family room, you may want to use more components that can be more easily hidden from view.

Draw a map of the room including all of the furnishings in the room. Also include in the map all of the components of your home theater, including speaker placement. Measure the room and make a list of all of your components and the items you think you will need to connect these components to one another. If you have a list of all of the components needed, including speakers, and their distances from each other, this will make the purchasing experience a lot simpler.

Sit and contemplate how you will have your room set up. You want to make sure that there is no glare on the television from anywhere in the room, but especially from your favorite seat. After you have determined perfect placement of the furniture, now is the time to determine perfect placement of the speaker system. Keep in mind that sound does not sound as good when it has to be reflected off of bare walls and windows. Some sound absorption is actually a positive.

When most people set up a home theater, they are wanting the full experience including great picture, great lighting, comfortable seating, and GREAT sound quality. All of these things can be brought to life with some pre-purchase research. You can do your research by asking others who already have home theater systems, by searching online, by visiting electronic stores, and by joining online forums.

Once you have done some research, go back to your original drawing and make sure that you had everything correct from the beginning. If you have learned anything in your research that suggests that you may do something different, now is the perfect time to change. Before anything is bought, you want to make all changes necessary.

While you are doing your research, find out pricing on the items that you are interest in purchasing, and take notes. Keep in mind that several stores in the same area may have several different prices, and online retailers are usually able to sell the item at a cheaper cost because they have less overhead costs. Watch for store promotions and sale ads, and keep a watch on the online retailers.

Finding a great deal on a good sound system is icing on the cake when it comes to creating a good home theater sound system.

There's no doubt that the topic of Home Theater Seating can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Home Theater Seating, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Family Home Theater - 8 Reasons Why The Family Home Theater Is Better Then The Local Movie Theater

The only way to keep up with the latest about Home Theater Seating is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Home Theater Seating, it won't take long for you to become an influential authority.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Young and old, moms and dads, we all love the movies. So when you want to spend some quality family time together what is the best option, the local movie theater or the family home theater?

First of all lets run down the advantages of the local movie theater. Unless you have a really, really big house, the movie theater is going to have a bigger screen. Ok, that about does it for the advantages of the local theater. Now for the 8 reasons why the home theater is better.

Ticket cost - Let's start from the moment you walk in the door and pull out your wallet. A family of five is going to have to shell out at least $40 in most cases for tickets alone. For that money you could have nearly three months of unlimited movie rentals with NetFlix or purchase several new movies from the local Wal-mart that could be watched over and over again.

Food cost - Ticket cost is only the beginning. What about the cost of food? What is a movie without a pail of popcorn, candy and a large soda for each of the family? Add at least another $20 or so to the cost (not to mention several pounds to the waste). In your home theater you can pop your own popcorn, have the snacks and drinks of your choice without the inflated food and beverage surcharges.

Cleanliness - The movie theater floor is often littered with popcorn kernels, and sticky soda residue while the chairs are covered with a plethora of flavors of chewed up bubble gum. Your home theater on the other hand can be as clean and well kept as you like. (Of course at my house I must admit there are times where we rival the local cinemas level of cleanliness.)

Comfortable Seating - The local cinema's seats are moderately comfortable at best. Seating is spaced for attendance, not for comfort. For the typical family home theater, comfort is key with the overstuffed, leather theater recliners spaciously separated for plenty of room to kick back and relax.

No cell phones - What movie experience would be complete without the group of noisy, obnoxious teenagers more intent on chatting on the phone with their friends that couldn't make it as opposed to quietly enjoying the movie with their friends who did. Don't get me wrong, a family home theater should not be a silent, stuffy place where you can't laugh with friends, however a little respect for those around you can go a great way towards enjoying a movie.

Potty breaks - Remember when we talked about the large sodas for everyone? Well that soda eventually has to make an exit. Believe me I have missed too many exciting scenes in the movies due to the cries of "Daddy, I really, really can't wait any longer." At the home theater you can actually pause the movie so you and your guests can take a break without trying to struggle through the movie in discomfort.

Visual quality - - It is hard to compete with the sheer size of the screen on the local cinema, although the visual quality of many cinema screens can be lacking, especially when the movie picture begins to degrade after showing for many weeks. With the arrival of High definition projectors and televisions along with HD-DVD and Blu-ray players you can enjoy crystal clear movie visuals in your home.

Sound quality - The local movie theater now is no longer the only ones with surround sound. A moderately priced home theater surround sound system with a subwoofer can surpass many movie theater sound systems. Your family home theater can mesmerize family and guests with crystal clear voices, immersive surround effects and powerful, theater shaking explosions.

It is no wonder that the popularity of family home theaters has skyrocketed over the past decade. If you don't have a room dedicated to the enjoyment of home theater, what are you waiting on? A family home theater is achievable in rooms of all sizes, with budgets great and small, so check out more information on how you can achieve the magic of the movies in the comfort of your own home.

For more information about Home Theater Design and Home Theater Accessories visit Jared's site at http://familyhometheaterguide.com

The Family Home Theater Guide is an informative guide to home theater, with a particular emphasis on family entertainment. Jared has a wife and three children that love to experience the magic of the big screen in the comfort of their own home.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about Home Theater Seating.

How To Connect Your Computer To Your Home Theater

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Home Theater Seating, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of Home Theater Seating.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

These days, a computer can act a lot more like an entertainment device than ever before. You can watch online video, listen to music, view pictures and more!

But who wants to sit in their home office on a desktop computer or sit at a notebook computer to do this? "Not I, said the cat." Listening through cheap computer speakers and watching video on a computer monitor is not my idea of real entertainment; how about you?

Why not connect your computer's audio and video to your home entertainment system? You can watch TV shows, movies, and videos on your HDTV or any other TV with appropriate inputs. You can listen to music through your home stereo if it has AUX, VIDEO, or any other input using a standard RCA connection.

Connecting Computer Video to Your TV:

To connect the video, your computer must have an output for which your TV has a matching input.

Virtually every computer comes with a VGA output of some kind. The plug for this looks almost rectangular (you can see one by locating where you computer monitor connects to the back end of your desktop computer).

Another video output connection many computers may have is S-Video. This is a round connection. S-Video plugs have 4 tiny round holes (2 on each side) and a tiny rectangular hole in the bottom. S-Video cables have a round end with 4 tiny metal prongs and a tiny rectangular piece of plastic at the bottom.

However, many televisions do not have VGA inputs and only some have S-Video inputs. If yours doesn't, you'll need to make sure it at least has an RCA video input (this is a very standard connection which is used to connect record players, VCRs and CD players to other devices). If your TV came out since the early to mid 1990s it most likely has a standard RCA video input.

If your TV does have an RCA video input, simply buy a VGA to TV Converter. This will connect to your computer's VGA output and provide RCA and S-Video connections (which are standard inputs found on most TVs since the 1990s).

Make sure you have the proper cables for your TV. Depending on which type of input your TV uses, you'll need an RCA cable, an S-Video cable or a VGA cable.

Connecting Computer Sound to Your TV, Stereo or Home Theater System:

Now that the hard part is out of the way, the sound is easy. Simply buy a Y-cord. It should contain a stereo male 1/8" on one end and two RCA males on the other end. Just ask your local electronics store; this is a standard cable they will all most-likely carry in-stock.

Connect the stereo 1/8" male end to the green jack on your computer (usually on the back of desktop computers and on the front or side of notebook computers) where your speakers would normally connect.

Alternatively, you may connect the 1/8" to the headphone jack on your computer. (Note: any device with a headphone jack can connect to your home theater, such as an iPod using this same cord!)

Connect the two RCA males to the L and R input jacks on your TV, Home Theater or Stereo. And you're done! Just make sure to select the right setting (AUX, VIDEO, etc.) on your stereo or receiver.

Enjoy online content in all the glory you've enjoyed content from TV, DVD, CD, and the radio! There's already tons of online content available on major broadcasting sites, and there will be more as the future moves forward.

If you don't have a DVD player but there is a DVD drive on your computer, this setup will turn your computer into a DVD player! Once connected, call the store from whom you bought your computer and ask how to play a DVD on the computer.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.