What to know if a home theater is on your horizon
Even before a nasty virus drove us out of the commercial theaters, the desire for an in-home theater to entertain friends and family was building. We asked Kerry Penwell, CEO/Principal at Kasted Design Group, to tell us what to expect when considering a theater.
Home Theater Q&A
How do I replace my outdated home theater systems?
Theaters are one of the easiest areas of a home to update. The first question to ask is, “Are you pleased with the audio performance and sound?” Speakers are one technology that has not changed much over time. A good speaker placed in a well-designed room will last for years. If you are pleased with the sound, then it is easy to upgrade the video and processing in the room. Video is an area that has significantly improved over the years, with laser projectors and 4k video quality, and the price for the video has decreased, which is great news for updating systems. Oftentimes, our clients who are upgrading are spending substantially less on equipment than when they initially built the room, but the performance of the new equipment matches a commercial theater.
What is the newest sound system technology?
Ray Dolby, founder of Dolby Laboratories, gave us surround sound in the late 1970s. With minor improvements over the past four decades, not much has changed. Dolby Atmos is Dolby Laboratories’ newest and most amazing invention. Surround sound typically has speakers in the walls aimed at the listener. Atmos goes to another level and adds speakers in the ceiling. Along with the needed processors, Dolby Atmos adds more control to sound, creating a wonderful sound atmosphere for the listener.
What would be the perfect room dimensions for an indoor theater?
There is no magic, perfect-sized room for a theater. The size of the room depends on the number of viewers that will be watching and the movie experience desired. A room desired to be an IMAX experience would require a minimum size of 16 feet by 24 feet, or a smaller viewing screen with a room of 10 feet by 14 feet. The key is that the room needs to be a rectangle. This is driven by the acoustical properties required for a movie experience.
How can a home theater double as a gaming area?
A multipurpose or “architectural theater” is the most requested theater style. More clients want to have a space they can use every day but that still performs as a dedicated theater. We call this an “architectural theater” because everything blends with the interiors of the home. This type of room takes the most planning and design but often delivers the best option. It may include features like roller shades to block light from a wall of windows, a motorized screen to lower over an existing TV on the wall to provide a cinema-size video, or a full video wall to display multiple games at once or one large image for a movie. The options are limitless.
Are outdoor theaters growing in popularity?
This is the second most popular area. We live in an amazing area with fantastic weather. Our customers are entertaining outside more than they are inside. Providing outdoor audio and video is essential to enhance that experience and enjoyment. It may be as simple as a temporary projector and screen or an outdoor video wall.
What’s the best way to combine high-tech equipment with your current home aesthetic?
With today’s technology, there is no reason that technology should take away from a person’s interiors. Choose a firm that distinguishes itself with intentional design. Aesthetics are a focus when choosing your architect and your designer. It should also be a qualifier for your AV firm. Pick an AV firm that is accustomed to collaborating with interior designers and architects from the beginning of your project. By the time an electrical walk is happening, it is typically too late to implement aesthetically pleasing solutions. We are typically involved before physical work even begins on a project, allowing the necessary planning for things like hidden shades, invisible speakers, art TVs, or motorized TV lifts. It also allows for simple things like placing a wireless access point where it cannot be seen. Sometimes, it is the little things that make a big difference in a highly functional, aesthetically pleasing home.
