Relive the Excitement of the Movie Theater Any Time in Your Private Cinema
“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I only had two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.” —The Outsiders
Isn’t there something magical about going to the movie theater? Luckily, you don’t have to wait until the next time you visit a cinema for that experience. You can replicate the thrill of the movies in your own house with a state-of-the-art home theater installation. With the right equipment, hidden wiring, and interior design, you’ll feel like it’s a getaway every time the lights dim and the movie starts.
To decide what works best for your theater, we’ve highlighted components to consider below. As a high-end home theater installer based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and worldwide, we’re happy to help.
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Which Screen Is Best?
The most common viewing option in theaters is a projector/screen combination. Not all screens are made alike, however. You have the choice between fixed frame, pull-down, and motorized screens that can connect to your smart home system. Screens are available in a variety of materials and colors. The variations are crucial, depending on the amount of light in your room. If there are windows or ambient light from a hallway, an ambient light rejection (ALR) screen keeps the image bright and bold. You also need to decide whether a 16x9 or 2.40 CinemaScope screen is the right way to go.
The two-piece projection system isn’t your only choice, though. Flat panel displays and TV walls have gotten large enough to create a cinema atmosphere. OLED flat panels create deeper blacks and more vibrant colors than ever, thanks to the technology that allows each pixel to illuminate individually. OLED panels like models by LG make an excellent option for a theater.
Pick Your Projector
Not all projectors are the same, either. For the best of the best, opt for a projector that has at least native 4K resolution, creating a video image that’s hyper clear, never blurry or dull. If you have a smaller room or are planning to use the space to entertain, an ultra-short-throw projector doesn’t hang from the ceiling. Instead, it is positioned below the screen only a foot or two away. You won’t have to worry about casting shadows on the screen, and the assembly of your theater can be more versatile and freer to rearrange.
Surround Sound Like A Pro
It’s not just a massive screen that makes a quality movie theater—it’s also the immersive sound that can transport you to magical lands or action sequences on city streets. There are dozens of speaker combinations for surround sound, and the number of speakers installed is up to you. A traditional 5.1 surround system will employ six speakers: a center speaker, front left and right, rear left and right, and a subwoofer. You can stop there, or go further with Dolby Atmos.
What’s Dolby Atmos? It’s a speaker technology that allows a “3D surround sound” effect, making sound hover in different areas of the room, above the seats. Sound is not restricted to channels, but moves like an object, bouncing from speaker to speaker. You’ll need at least two Dolby Atmos speakers and a Dolby Atmos-enabled receiver for the full experience.
Ready to enjoy movie theater quality in your home? Contact Frangioni Media to get started today. We are currently operating as an essential business and will be taking all health and safety precautions to protect our clients while delivering excellent installations.