How do I design and build a home theater?

Answer 1

That requires a long answer and more information from you. Dedicated home theatres (HT) can cost $100K or more, or be built for a few thousand (including equipment).

Some questions to answer:
- What type of home theatre? For a small-medium TV/DVD combination? For music and video? For a projection setup?
- Where? If in an existing room, this will define some of the constraints. For example, seating distance will largely determine screen size. If a new room for the HT this has it's own demands based on many variables.
- How fussy will you be about acoustics and sound proofing?
- What electrical and other wiring requirements are there? For example, do you require hidden wiring, connection to internet or a home network, or cable or satellite?

I don't want to scare you, but many factors interrrelate and need to be worked through. The more you think about and plan the better the result will be.

You also need to be realistic. If you have limited funds you will want to do much of the work yourself, but do you have the expertise? A HT is great (I took a year to plan and build am just now enjoying the results .. and I'm not finished) but it is not an easy project to take on yourself.

nuff said. Have a look at the construction and design threads on AVS Forum (See link to home page). Read all you can about home theatre equipment(e.g. for projectors read Projector Central. Consider seating and screen design .. see links) design ..... and go for what you can realistically take on.

Answer 2

I dunno, I kinda like that last answer. I could spend 3 hours on the phone and not impart enough - but I build home theaters for fun and profit. I have stuck a couch in front of a plasma screen with a receiver and 5.1 surround, and I have buildt entire rooms with floating floors, soundproofed walls, stadium style seating, and 20 foot screens.

Post some specifics on what you want to do (tv and a couch, turn an area in your basement into the real deal, etc) and we can help you more.

Provide the following:

Room size and shape (ceiling height very important)
Windows and doors
Seating pref and number (couches, individual seating for 13)
Screen size pref
sound prefs (7.1, accoustical accuracy versus "good enough")
sound leakage (can't hear it in next room, don't care if the neighbor hears it)

Oh year, and budget.

Answer 3

On top of the other great answers above DIY did a show on designing and building a system.

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dhtw/

Answer 4

Congrats on beginning off your guy or female employer! That appears like an spectacular suitable! i understand Profound Cinema & Sound. It has an spectacular organization sound to it. i'm waiting to located you in touch with professionals you may seek for for suggestion from with that helps small biz vendors of their ventures. bypass to my source under.as immediately as you're there,click on the "WATCH action image" for an outline of centers. sturdy success!!

Answer 5

Go to Crutchfield.com

Answer 6

You need help from...