Home theaters aim to bring the atmosphere of a movie theater into comfort of your home. These systems provide better screen and sound technology than standard television setups, and in some cases go as far as fully replicating the experience of a movie theater-complete with red drapes, popcorn machines, and lighting.

All of these accessories are not absolutely necessary, of course, but they show some of the options available. The basic components for a home theater system are a wide screen of some kind, a series of speakers designed for high sound quality, and a projector. From there, the options become more individualized and particular.

If you are considering installing a theater in your home, there are a few things you should think about before you get started. First, you need to determine which room in the house is the best fit. Common choices include unused basement space, a designated den area, or the family room. Most spaces can potentially work, but it is important to find the one that will be most comfortable for you.

Next, consider the acoustics of the room. Acoustics refers simply to the quality of sounds available. If you have a soundproofed room, that is an obvious choice. If not, it might be worth it to also install soundproofing. This can greatly improve the sound quality of your system.

Most theater systems use at least five speakers to create the effect of surround sound. These speakers vary in size and quality. A mid range amplifier and speakers is probably the best fit for a home. Along with the sound quality, you will need to consider the visual portion of you theater. The majority of home theaters use one of the following types of screens: liquid crystal (LCD), plasma and projection. LCD screens are useful because they provide viewing angles from most corners of the room. Plasma screens produce the best pictures in rooms without any natural light.

Projection screens are often popular for the simple reason that they most effectively replicate the kind of screen experience you get at a movie theater. If you go this route, you have two screen options: permanent and pull-down. Permanent screens are fixed on the wall and meant to provide a viewing surface that is entirely flat and immobile. Pull-down screens can be installed in a wider variety of places around the home, but the picture they provide tends to be a little less enhanced than permanent screens.

Remember, bigger screens do not invariably translate into a clearer image. The size of the screen you choose should be complementary to the room in which you plan to place it. If the screen is very large you will need to be further away for the best picture, and if the room is small, that is a less than ideal situation.

Of course, in order to watch something on that screen, you will need a projector. There are two basic types of projectors: film projectors and digital projectors. Film projectors require the use of film, which can sometimes be difficult for consumers to obtain. However, film does provide a high image quality. For cinephiles, film provides a viewing experience that cannot be replicated any other way.

A digital projector projects the image through a chip in the projector, and can be a little more accessible. Projectors can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, or they can be placed on something in the back of the room.

Lastly, there is the matter of seating. Some choose to install fixed seating; however, it is more common to use movable seating such as love sacs and small couches. Movable seats and adjustable lighting can make the transition from family room to theater relatively quick and seamless.

In addition to being able to replicate the movie theater experience at home, these rooms can also provide excellent ways of socializing over TV shows or sporting events. Whatever your intention, the sound, picture and overall atmosphere these theaters create is unrivaled compared to most home video setups.

By: Jennifer R Scott