How to Build a Home Theater

Step 3: Pre-Wire Surround Sound
Most domestic theaters use a 7.1 surround sound gadget. This consists of one subwoofer and 7 channel audio system – left, right, middle, two aspect surrounds, and two rear surrounds. To pre-wire a 7.1 gadget, observe those steps:

Mark the place where every speaker will cross:

Center – just above or below the viewing screen

Left/Right – on either side of the display at ear height

Side Surrounds – at the aspect partitions just at the back of the main row of seating

Rear Surrounds – at the returned wall (how some distance aside depends at the system)
Choose a spot for the hub so one can house your receiver and different A/V device. The hub can be hidden in a cupboard inside the theater or in a closet close by.

Run audio cables from the hub to each speaker location. Cables ought to be at the least sixteen-four (sixteen-gauge, 4 conductors) for facet and rear speakers. Use more potent 12 or 14-gauge cables for left, right, and center speakers.
Some home theaters now use 9.1 surround sound, says Michael Fox of Cinema Sound. This adds another set of speakers within the the front of the room. “If there’s a helicopter flying overhead (within the film), you may listen that sound from those pinnacle speakers,” Fox says.

Step 4: Pre-Wire a Video Projector
For a sensible, huge-screen theater revel in, you’ll want to pre-wire a projector machine. This entails simply cables:

An HDMI cable to carry excessive-definition video to the projector

A CAT5 manipulate cord for gaining access to the projector with a radiofrequency (RF) remote.
This will permit you to start your films with out pointing at the projector.

One cease of these cables ought to extend from the ceiling at the rear of the theater, wherein the projector will cling. The different give up have to connect to your device hub. Be sure to pre-twine the hub together with your cable or satellite tv for pc feed, in addition to high-speed Internet for streaming video.

Step 5: Pre-Wire Lighting
Appropriate lighting fixtures is essential for creating a film theater surroundings. This includes recessed lights inside the ceiling and sconces alongside the facet partitions. Run basic electrical wiring to each of these places. Connecting the lighting to an RF dimmer will can help you manipulate them with the identical RF far off you operate for the projector. You can even set the lighting fixtures to automobile-dim while you press play.
If you intend to have stadium seating, you’ll also need floor lights alongside the stairs. One choice is to pre-twine low-voltage lighting fixtures that may be left on all the time.

Step 6: Install Drywall and Sound Barriers
When striking the drywall, make cautious incisions thru that you’ll path all of your pre-stressed electrical and audio cables. At this stage, you’ll have two major options for extra soundproofing:

Use forte drywall, including QuietRock Soundproof Drywall. This is a completely effective
sound barrier, but can price 8 times as an awful lot as general drywall.

Use ordinary drywall covered with sound-dampening materials, along with high-density vinyl.
Whichever manner you pass, make certain to hang a solid-core door for optimum sound reduction.

Step 7: Set Up Video and Sound Systems
Once your drywall is painted, you could grasp your speakers, projector, and screen. In a theater of 20 through thirteen feet, the precise screen length is a hundred and ten-120 inches. For a professional experience, frame the display with a proscenium – a set of black acoustic panels that hide the left, proper, and center speakers.

Camouflage the ultimate speakers with acoustic panels that double as art work. These panels can be printed with custom designs, inclusive of family photographs or favourite movie posters.

The audio system and projector will connect to the receiver in your device hub. The receiver accepts content from a extensive variety of multimedia devices, together with:
Blu-ray participant

Cable/satellite tv for pc feed

Game console

Home theater PC
A exact Blu-ray participant will do far greater than play discs. Through a pay-according to-view service like VUDU, you could circulation high-definition movies off the Internet whenever you like. Some Blu-ray players additionally network with your personal laptop, making it easy to experience photographs, song, and home videos on your theater.

Step 8: Install Theater-Style Seating
ou can provide your theater with comfortable sofas and loveseats. But for the actual deal, you may want to install genuine theater-style seating. Two rows of 4 seats will match quite simply in a 20 via thirteen theater. For higher viewing, increase the lower back row with a pre-built platform.

Theater seating is available in a wide range of patterns, which include true leather-based with cup-holders within the armrests. These are the kind of seats that beckon you to sit down lower back, relax, and revel in the feature presentation!