Home Theater Gadget Gift Ideas

The holidays are finally here.  Over the next few days the gift buying is only going to get more intense as people embark on that annual shopping trip for the perfect holiday gifts for loved ones.  Looking for some great gadget gift ideas for that high tech lover in your life this year?  Here are a few great home theater-themed gift ideas:

1- Home automation system: Give the gift of full home control this holiday season.  A home automation system has started to become very well recognized over the years and as a home theater company that does home theater installation and a variety of other home theater services, we have been getting asked more and more about home automation systems.  What does a home automation system enable you to do?  It gives you the ability to control the lights in your home theater or TV room with a universal remote.  It can give complete control over climate, whole house lighting, blinds, pool and spa, lawn sprinklers, access gate, surveillance, securing, A/V and much more right at your fingertips.  What a great holiday gift to give this season.

2- Universal remotes:  Another great home theater-themed holiday gift to give this season is the universal remote.  With all the components we use these days just to access our favorite entertainment sources, wouldn't it be great to only need one remote? No need to shuffle back and forth with several different remotes when a universal remote offers full control over all of your components. An all-in-one remote makes for a great gift this year.

3- Room darkening shades:  Consider some room darkening shades as a gift for your home theater lover this year.  A custom home theater is a great addition to your home, but what makes it even better is recreating the movie theater atmosphere.  Room darkening shades give the room added darkness providing ambiance and the true movie theater experience.  

Looking for some more home theater-themed gift ideas or have a few of your own great gift ideas?  Feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us.

Choosing a Home Theater Projector

As a Winnetka Home Theater Company, we know all things custom home theaters and are very skilled at the art of home theater installation and frequently we are asked what types of home theater equipment are "the best."  Each piece of equipment has its own pros and cons, so it is hard to say which pieces are really the "best of the best."  Many times it is based on preference.  Have you recently made the decision to use a projector to complete your home theater?  Great!  So how do you choose which projector is best for you and your home theater?  It can be a tough call since there are so many different types of projectors available on the market today.  Here are some tips on how to choose the right projector:

1- Your budget: When it comes to purchasing home theater equipment you should always keep your budget in mind.  How much are you willing to spend on the home theater equipment that you will be purchasing?  Projectors alone can get quite pricey, so your budget really needs to be taken into consideration.

2- Space: Keep in mind the amount of space you have available in the room that you will be placing your home theater and projector in.  Space is a big determinant for how the projector will look when you use it, so make sure you have plenty of room.

3- Deals: When you begin shopping for projectors ask yourself first if you will be buying brand new or used.  If you are planning on buying brand new you should plan on spending top dollar.  Buying used gives you a little wiggle room to save some money.  Deal are out there, especially if you check Ebay, Craiglists or other similar deal sources.  Another option is going refurbished.  There can be some great refurbished projectors out there as well.

4- Lamp check: One of the most important parts of any projector is the lamp.  Lamps can get quite expensive especially with some projector models, so find out what type of lamp your projector choices utilize.  If you have decided to get a used projector keep in mind that if the projector is older the lamps may be extremely difficult to find.  Make sure you are able to get a replacement lamp.

5- Overall performance: When it comes to a projector's overall performance there are two things you need to keep in mind: lumen vs contrast.  A projector over 1500 lumen's with a contrast ratio of 500:1 will typically work well in most settings.  When it comes to resolution most (but definitely not all) projectors can display 720p/1080i.  Newer projectors typically can display at 1080p, but these are usually pretty expensive.  While you are trying to make your decision check around to see what multiple models offer.

Have your own experience with using a projector for your home theater?  Let us know what you think and leave a comment or contact us.

Themed Home Theaters

As a Winnetka Home Theater Company we've had customers looking to achieve all sorts of looks when it comes to their custom home theater.  The home theater installation process can really vary based on the wish list of the customer.  Over the years, we have come across some truly inspirational custom home theaters and thought we'd share some unique home theater themes:

1- Titanic Themed Home Theater:  Look out Titanic movie lovers, we've got the home theater theme for you!  Looking just like the interior of the Titanic ship, this themed custom home theater is elegant and truly stunning inside.  The ambiance it provides and all the Titanic ship details make this home theater one of a kind.

 
2- Italian Themed Home Theater:  Looking to pick up a cultural vibe in your custom home theater?  Here's an Italian theme to get you thinking about ideas for your own custom home theater.  The wall detailing down to the seats make you feel as if you are in Italy right from the comforts of your own home.

3- Under The Sea Themed Home Theater: This custom home theater was created to look like the inside of a ship.  Complete with wood paneling covering the ceilings and walls.  Portholes adorn the walls just like a real ship.  We like the darkness this theater provides.

4- The Batcave Themed Home Theater:  Perhaps you're a superhero fan, then why not make your custom home theater look like a superhero could live there?  This particular home theater resembles the Batcave.  Complete with sleek, black leather seats that are said to resemble bat ears, this is a room Batman himself would love.  Ice-pick shapes hang from the ceiling giving this custom home theater a true batcave feel.  This home theater is another one that provides a very dark ambiance.

5- Star Trek Themed Home Theater:  Star Trek fans, this one is for you!  Not only does this custom home theater completely resemble all that is Star Trek, but it is the techiest of all the themes.  Gadget focused, this theme is for the tech-savvy customer.

If your looking for more home theater advice, feel free to leave us a comment or contact us.

Choosing a TV

When preparing for a custom home theater setup in your home, undoubtedly one of the most important features is your TV.  Are you going with a projector and a screen to match or the largest flat screen you can find?  Are you looking to create a real movie theater experience right in the comforts of your very own home?  With so many different TVs to choose from, the decision can be difficult.  When choosing a TV, consider the following:

1- The screen size: It's okay if you're not sure what screen size to purchase.  Here's a good rule of thumb when it comes to choosing a screen size: Sit at a distance of about five times the screen's height, or even depending the TV try to sit as close as three times the screen's height, especially with an HDTV source.  Measure the distance between your main seating area and the TV's location.  After that divide the number by 5.  That will yield an estimated screen height.  This will at least give you an approximation.  From there you can of course go bigger or smaller depending on your preference.  If you have a TV cabinet of course measure to ensure the new TV will fit nicely inside the space.

2- Budget:  Typically your budget and screen size will go hand and hand, but really budget should probably be your first consideration.  You may want the biggest, most expensive TV on the market, but in reality that may just break the bank.  Consider the max of what you're willing to spend and see where your money gets you in TV land.

3- The room characteristics: Consider the room the new TV will be going into.  If the new TV is going to be apart of a new custom home theater setup, consider the layout of the room.  Is the room brightly lit?  If the new TV is going into a bright room you'll need a very bright TV so that the image won't appear washed out.  Is the room very dark?  If the room is very dark then you'll want a TV with a good black level to give images more depth.  Depending on the room characteristics a different TV type may be necessary.

4- Visit multiple stores: In your search for the perfect television you should visit multiple stores including retailers both big and small.  Big retailers offer great selection, while smaller stores may provide you with the attention and knowledge you need to help you make your decision.

5- Display type: Think about what kind of display type you are looking for.  This is also where budget once again come into play.  Perhaps you want the best flat panel model available, but don't have the budget for it.  You may want to consider other options and with so many different display types available, you should be able to find something great that is still in budget.

6- View the same TV in multiple stores: Once you've narrowed down your choices, try to visit the same models in multiple stores.  This will help you get a better idea of each TV's performance.  Check the lighting in each store and see how the TVs look in multiple kinds of lighting and environments.  The different environments may really help you choose.  

7- Service plan: So you've picked out your TV and you're ready to purchase.  Now you're faced with the question of, "Should I purchase the service plan?"  As with many major retail purchases, you will most likely be offered some type of insurance plan on your TV.  Look into what the service plan offers.  Depending on the plan it might just be worth it.  Some plans offer free pickup and delivery for a defective unit and this obviously comes in handy if something does happen to be wrong with TV you purchase.

Choosing the perfect TV to complete your custom home theater can be a challenging experience, but the end result makes it worth it.  Have questions about choosing a TV to complete your custom home 
theater setup?  Feel free to comment on this post or contact us.

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Custom Home Theater Features

What are the most important parts of a custom home theater system?  Answers to this question may vary, but there are some components that really up the "awesome factor"of a custom home theater.  As a Winnetka Custom Home Theater company, we have installed and created top-notch home theaters.  As a result, we have realized that many factors contribute to what makes a custom home theater a truly great one.  Here are a couple of the features that go into a making a custom home theater great:

Equipment

As custom home theater specialists, we cannot stress enough how important it is to pick solid home theater equipment.  The equipment will dictate the quality, so choosing wisely is key.  Typically, homeowners grow concerned over sound quality and rightly so.  Sound quality can greatly impact the enjoyment a homeowner gets from a home theater.  Speakers, projectors, and screens are just a few of the important home theater components that impact the quality of a homeowner's home theater experience.

Design

More than just the equipment, the design of the room is a big part of what makes a custom home theater truly look like and feel like a theater.  Finding that perfect space in your home is the first step in creating a great home theater design.  Typically the better the space, the better the home theater.  Choosing a dark room, installing lighting to provide ambiance, the arrangement of the seating, the color of the walls, the room angles are all design factors that can make a home theater go from okay to great.

Seating

The type of seating in a custom home theater can also up the great factor.  Think about it this way: if you walked into the home of someone with a custom home theater, would you expect to see cushy, leather recliners or folding chairs?  Obviously folding chairs wouldn't look as authentic as a row of leather recliners.  The type of seating chosen for a custom home theater provides that home movie theater feel, so in theory, seating is important.  The seating layout is also important.  It should be a simple, non-confusing layout.  Aside from the type of chair that is chosen and the seating layout, it should most importantly be comfortable to the homeowner and to guests.  After all, comfort is important when sitting through a 2 hour movie.

Just like the real deal

Some of the best custom home theaters are deemed the best because they are extremely close to the real deal. They bring the movie theater straight to the homeowner's home, which we find is usually the goal for homeowners who are looking to install a custom home theater.

If you're looking for more features to improve the quality or look of your custom home theater, leave us a comment below or contact us.

Lighting and Home Theaters

When it comes to your home theater there are a lot of factors to take into consideration.  For starters, the type of equipment you purchase, the room in your home the home theater will be in, the sound you are looking to achieve and the lighting in the room housing your home theater.  Lighting is a very important factor due to the fact that lighting creates ambiance for your custom home theater.  Here at Avidia we don't just install custom home theater systems.  We also put in lighting systems giving our customer's custom home theaters the real movie theater at home experience.  Why invest in a good lighting system for your custom home theater?  Here's a few reasons why we suggest it:

(1) Preserves energy: Worried about preserving energy in your home?  Invest in a great lighting system and save energy.  Lighting systems are a great way to preserve energy.  Lighting systems allow for capping the maximum light bulb output during every day usage.  This saves energy and also extends the bulb life.  A win win!

(2) Programmable: Lighting systems can be programmed to turn on or off all the lights at any predetermined time.  Maybe you're going on vacation, but you don't want anyone to know you are away.  Then simply programs your home's lighting to go on and off at set times while you are away.  Perhaps the whole family is in bed by 10, then simply set your lighting system to turn off all the lights by 10.  It's just that easy.

(3) Create different scenes:  We mentioned earlier how lighting provides ambiance and lighting systems make creating that ambiance even easier.  Lighting systems make creating different scenes easy.  You can create that perfect mood for a party all by using a lighting system.

(4) Ease of use: Lighting systems are designed with ease of use in mind.  Lighting systems are user friendly and make providing the rooms in your home with adequate lighting very easy.

(5) More control:  A regular on/off switch is nothing in comparison to a lighting system.  With a lighting system you have complete control over the lighting in your home.  One panel gives you the ability to control all of the lighting to give the rooms in your home or custom home theater the perfect lighting.

Questions or comments about lighting systems?  Feel free to comment below or contact us.

Advantages of Universal Remotes

You've decided to install a custom home theater system.  You've had a Winnetka Custom Home Theater company come out to your home and install your home theater system to your liking, but now you've just realized that between all the home theater components, you are stuck with five remote controls.  You're thinking that is four remotes too many.  We don't blame you.  Luckily, here at Avidia we know how to solve the "one too many remotes" problem.

Between your television, surround receiver, cable/satellite box, Blu-ray player, etc., you're left with multiple remotes.  It can become frustrating dealing with multiple remotes to achieved your desired outcome.  Having multiple remotes also requires keeping track of each one and losing remotes probably happens often.  Completely understandable.  This is where a custom, computer programmed universal remote control steps in.  A universal remote can manage several components, eliminating the use of multiple remotes.  A high-end universal remote can manager several components and some incorporate a color touch panel screen.  Here are a couple advantages to using a universal remote:

(1) No more multiple remotes: As we said before, a universal remote allows you to get rid of your multiple remotes.  With a universal remote, you have one control that operates multiple systems creating a much more simplified experience.  With one remote you can turn on your television, surround sound system, and DVD player.

(2) No more clutter: Instead of having multiple remotes lying around and taking up space, a universal remote will clear up the clutter on the coffee table.  A universal remote simplifies life, streamlining your custom home theater experience.

(3) Gives you full control: Instead of juggling multiple remotes to adjust various components of your home theater, a universal remote gives you full control of multiple components all using a single remote.

(4) Ease of use: Instead of needing to use and understand multiple remotes for several components, you will only need to understand and work one remote-- your universal remote.  Universal remotes are made user-friendly, simplifying life, and streamlining your custom home theater experience.

(5) Programmable: Universal remotes can be programmed to suit your needs and there are a variety of different types to choose from.  Remotes can be designed and programmed for a specific project since everyone uses their custom home theater system differently.

If you have comments or questions regarding universal remotes or custom home theaters, feel free to contact us.