Home Automation Center

Home Theater

System Components The receiver is critical to any home theater. Ideally, it should feature high definition HDMI audio/video connectivity, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, and the latest in audio and video processing. Output wattage should be sufficient to drive the selected speakers. We recommend a variety of quality manufacturers. You may add a DVD or BD player, cable or satellite receiver, and a CD, media, or MP3 player. A popular luxury is a video library with a controller (Escient) to play your CD's/BD's on demand. They can be configured to store hundreds of disks, either physically in carousels or in memory.  A high quality power conditioner is also recommended to provide sufficient clean power and prevent damage to the components. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) will prevent damage to the projector lamp.	Integra 7.1 surround sound receiver Escient Fireball media controller Furmann Elite-20PFi power conditioner
Surround Sound System The most common speaker array purchased today is 5.1 surround sound. It consists of a left and right main speaker pair, a center speaker for voice, left and right surround speakers, and a subwoofer for low bass frequencies. 7.1 surround sound adds an additional pair of speakers behind the listener.    After hearing the performance of in-wall speakers by a high performance manufacturer such as Snell Acoustics, many consumers opt for this low profile installation. Even the subwoofer can be installed in-wall, with its amplifier mounted remotely. For those rooms without the walls required to hide the speakers, in-ceiling units are recommended. Floor standing and cabinet speakers are still the option if you desire the speakers be seen.  .	Snell in-wall speaker
Projection Screen Many home theaters are designed into existing family rooms, creating a multi-function media room. In this case, it is desirable that the screen and projector “disappear” when not in use. Electric roll-up screens hide into the ceiling. Projectors can be installed to drop down from the ceiling.     Home theater rooms are the choice of the home cinema enthusiasts. The room has only one function: highest video and audio performance. Permanently-mounted screens are generally installed. Some customers order screens with masking systems to automatically adjust the screen size for the various aspect ratios.   With rear projection, the image is projected onto the back of the screen. Advantage: ambient lighting is not a consideration. Disadvantage: the unusable space required behind the screen. We can advise you of the best screen technology for your environment. Stewart screen with masking
The Projector   Today’s projectors rival flat panel displays in performance. With sufficient light output (lumens), these projectors can handle screens up to 155" diagonal. The room does not need to be darkened. (there are projectors that will operate in a room with daylight streaming through the windows) They are available in full HD (1080p). The higher performance units feature three chips, one to control each of the primary colors. (red, green, and blue). With three chips, the color wheel is no longer required, eliminating the flicker (pixilation) and ambient noise of color wheel rotating. If you are looking for a screen beyond 50", a projector may be the choice for you.	SIM2 C3X three-chip projector SIM2 Domino projector.
Media Closet   Many clients prefer to house their audio/video components in a media closet. This is preferable to us. It makes for a neater, more easily accessible installation. We use only 19" heavy-duty rack mounting. This allows for better air flow than shelving, and, if the space is small, we can add flow-through cooling fans. Heating of the audio/video components is often overlooked, and is the primary cause of premature failure.	Middle Atlantic 19" A/V rack
System Remote Controller  It is not uncommon today to have six to a dozen remotes. Cable, TV, projector, music servers, DVD players, BD players, a receiver, automated DVD storage systems, screen control, shade control, lighting control, etc. The sequencing to manually switch from TV to projector, lower the screen, and play a movie can involve most of these remotes. We never install a system without providing a computer programmed remote for the entire system. Touch what you want to see or hear and on what medium (flat panel display or screen) and the programmed remote does the sequencing for you. And control the shades and lighting. One touch of ALL OFF shuts down all the equipment. Since the controller is RF, there is no more pointing. All the hardware can be contained in a closed closet or cabinet. Put all those remotes in storage and relax.	Universal MX-6000 controller Universal MX-3000 controller