Installing Home Entertainment Equipment
Planning ahead: Visualize your project ahead of time, perhaps with a diagram or a list of your desired components and how you want to use them. In today's ever-changing wired world, it's much more complicated to set up a computer, DVD player and video games to a satellite or cable television hook-up than it used to be, and a visual representation of your set-up will be helpful to the service professional.
Different systems: If you're a basic user, you probably
want an easy-to-use, minimum bells-and-whistles system that allows
you to push and play with minimum fuss. Intermediate users probably
want a little more flair (mid-range speakers, for instance) and
a CD player that can handle 50 or more CDs on a random-play basis
at once.
Components: Picking the components for your home entertainment system depends on several factors, including budget. Do you still have vinyl albums that you can't bear to part with and haven't replaced with CDs? If so, you will want a turntable. Do you do a lot of home taping? You'll need a tape deck, either built into another component or as a separate unit.
Technology is changing quickly. It's now possible to record (or "burn") CDs to blanks, so a CD recorder is another possibility. DVD technology allows you to watch movies from digital discs, which contain many more "extras" such as foreign language subtitles, interviews, outtakes and original previews than do most video tape editions.
A satellite dish can pull in hundreds of channels. If you have cable, some cable providers now include Internet access through the system.
The type of music you listen to will play a major role in choosing speakers for your entertainment system. Some brands and types of speaker have a reputation of reproducing the high end of symphonic music better than others, while other brands specialize in delivering booming bass for those who like the pounding of dance beats. You always want to get speakers that are matched to your musical tastes. A professional or someone from a high-quality audio-video retailer can help you decide your needs and make your decisions, but also trust yourself.
Where to put it: Today's advanced audio and video components can be incorporated throughout the home and yet be unobtrusive. Music and video can be placed in as many rooms as you like, with nearly invisible in-wall speakers and wall-mounted keypad controls that won't detract from your design goals.
Giving you access to a different source of material in different rooms means everyone can enjoy personalized entertainment whenever they want.
Speakers: In-wall speakers can also be painted to match your room decor. In-ceiling speakers can also be used in a variety of places where in-wall or cabinet speakers are impractical. They are often easier to place and can also be painted to match your decor. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Equipment: If you ever need repairs, be ready to tell your service professional what kind of equipment you use, whether your system is integrated, wall and ceiling access and specific places where you are experiencing problems.
-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com