For many families, the television has become the focal point for the activity in the family room or home theater room. This means it tends to take up a large portion of the room and is what much of the furniture and lighting is developed around. But that looks all together unnatural when the television is turned off.
There are a number of ways to hide a flat panel television when it is not being used by incorporating the feature into the overall home theater room design. Some use a static image to display a piece of art or favorite family picture. Others use elaborate mounting unites and screens to cover the television when it is not in use. A professionally design theater system can incorporate any idea you have to make the room beautiful both when in use as well as when not.
Below are some display options available for home owners as they consider how they want their flat panel television to be concealed when not in use.
Screensaver Displays
Since many LCD TVs are simple displays like those used by computer users, they can be set to display art and photos when they are not in use. Using a screensaver however does require the television to be on so it is not recommended for long stretches of time. It is best for use during parties.
Customized Art Covers
Custom art overlay options are becoming more common. A specialized piece of art on a canvas can be made to be placed over the screen when homeowners are not using the TV. This is an inexpensive solution that does not require any new wiring or customized mounting.
Many homeowners choose to hang their flat panel televisions above a fireplace. For a traditional flare, a wooden frame can be installed around it, thus turning your television into a mantel piece. Professional installers can also design an automated system that slides a screen cover over the flat panel.
Moving Displays
Pop-up and flip-down displays are the ultimate convenience for home theater owners. At the touch of a button, the screen can be brought up from an inconspicuous piece of furniture or down from the ceiling. This technique is especially useful with flat panel televisions that need to be installed at the foot of the bed; the television can be placed on a motorized lifting mechanism that can move the television up while watching TV before bed and down before you turn off the lights.
Other Considerations
Most home theaters are not comprised of the TV alone. Mounted televisions prove more difficult to integrate into an entertainment system because all the necessary connections need to be run through walls. Wireless technology for these applications is improving but is not yet fool-proof.
Custom home theater installers can offer advice on how to arrange DVD players and receivers to match the subtle look of a hidden flat panel television.
Choosing the right option to hide a LCD TV into a room’s design can be difficult. The size and shape of walls or the way they are built can limit the installation options. Place the television in the appropriate spot for viewing, and then start considering installation options.
~ Ben Anton, 2008
By: Ben Anton
Archive for November, 2009
Home Theater Big Screen TV
November 21st, 2009
Every home should have a home theater big screen TV. With todays HDTV there are just to many excellent DVD videos movies to watch. Soon there will be nothing but HDTV so that old TV is out so why not a big screen TV to make the change.
It seems like a big screen TV is getting easier for the average person to afford every day as the demand rises.
There are three types of big screen TV’s I recommend to consider in todays electronics age. The Digital Projection, LCD and Plasma big screen TV. Let me explain what they are.
Big Screen Digital Projection TV’s have come a long way with the presence of new electronics technology. Digital projections TV’s today play clear and bright video pictures. Take for example Toshibas 56″ Theaterwide Rear Projection TV.
You can get a big screen TV up to 100 inches in diameter for less than $2,000 making digital projection TV’s a great value and extremely affordable.
LCD TV’s are similar to today’s computer monitors. While they don’t come as big yet as the digital projection TV’s, they are ultra thin and light weight. Many LCD TV’s can be mounted on a wall for space saving reasons. LCD’s are much more expensive than digital projection, but the price is dropping very fast.
Plasma TV’s are the Grand Daddy of the big screen TV’s. You can find plasma TV’s in the 40 inch to 60 inch range like this 42″ Widescreen Edtv Plasma Tv, but expect to pay a lot. For the money, plasma delivers an awesome picture.
With this new age of electronic technology there is no reason not to have a big screen TV. They are affordable and the day is coming when all TV’s will be digital and there will be no other choice.
By: Chet Holcomb
Home Theater Speakers – What Models and Styles Are Right For Your Home
November 21st, 2009
Having the right speakers for your home theater room – correct size, proper sound output, and fitting aesthetics – brings the entire room together in one cohesive piece. When looking at audio speakers, consider the size of the room, the appropriate speaker size, the number that you are going to be using, and what is within your price range for sound equipment. You may also want to consider more aesthetic items like speaker placement and the overall look of your home theater design.
When it comes to finding home speakers, the first thing to do is analyze the size of the room. You want to take a good look at how much space you have, and then do some calculations about the placement and number of pieces able to fit within your room. For instance, if the room is very large, you are going to want to place the units much higher. If it is small, speakers on the floor will cut down on echoes and make it easier to align your entire sound system. In-wall units are another option that will allow you to have quality sound from all parts of the room without dealing with the potential clutter of floorstanding models.
The next thing to consider is the size of the speakers themselves. Each speaker type (front, side, subwoofer) come in different sizes depending on how they will be mounted, the quality of the sound and the type of application they will be used for. Larger units may be able to give you richer, deeper sound but that sort of sound may not be necessary for the size and layout of your particular home theater room. Additionally, quality manufacturers are improving on the audio quality of smaller speakers every year. Large rooms may soon not require the use of large floorstanding or cabinet models. Consider the size of the in-wall speakers you prefer as well. The size will equate to the portion of your wall that will need to be removed. A custom home theater installer can help with defining the parameters for the speaker size best for your home.
The number of speakers your room needs is another item to consider. Several brands offer different lines that include three, five or seven unit configurations. Consult with a home audio technician or custom installer about what is the best proportion for your home if you are unsure of what you will need.
Speakers for any home theater are no longer outside of many people’s reach. Home theater equipment is available in a wide range of pricing suitable for any budget. Quality, top-brands are available within the range of average home owners and top of the line units are also available for audio junkies who have a fine ear for sound and a fascination with the technology. Don’t let pricing stop you from getting the right type of sound for your home. Talk to a custom installer about your price range and what is most important to you when it comes to the sound quality in your home theater.
Consider these important items as you develop your home theater’s audio system.
~ Ben Anton, 2007
By: Ben Anton
