Can you Complete a Basic Home Theater Installation?

There are a few key components necessary for a basic Home Theater Installation. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using prepackaged home theaters, which are also referred to as a home theater in a box, as there are for mixing and matching components. One obvious advantage of using the home theater in box, is that there may be less concern for compatibility problems as the components will be sourced from the same manufacturer.

The major components in your basic Home theater installation will usually include an audio/visual receiver or AVR, the speaker system will likely be the 5.1-channel surround sound home theater speakers, an audio video signal source such as a television and the necessary cables to connect them.

The receiver will be at the core of the entire system, as it receives and processes the signals that are sent to the speakers and the television. It would normally include a radio tuner and an amplifier with multiple channels. It is where you can switch between sources and channels, or improve the resolution of the videos.

You may be able to upgrade your speaker system to 7.1 surround sound, with the addition of another pair of speakers, but before you do, you should evaluate your surroundings to ensure that you have adequate room.

The audio video signals can be supplied by a number of devices that include a set top box, a disc player, or even a gaming console. Set top boxes may also be able to support streaming content from many of the providers over the internet. Blu-ray players also have the capability for streaming, so having internet access is also important. In addition it can also be done wirelessly by adding the device to your router or LAN.

You will need to ensure that you have the right number or lengths of HDMI cables.

If you are confident that you have all of the necessary components and the required tools, your best option may to first consult a professional as there may be some undisclosed hazards or obstacles that may not be apparent.  Home Theater Installations may sometime require wiring that should only be handled by certified electricians.

However there are a few home theater installation tips that can get you going in the right direction.

• Ensure that there is enough clearance for proper ventilation of you AV gear to avoid overheating.
• Speaker should be wall mounted slightly above ear level when seated, and woofer and sub-woofers should be at least 12 inches away from the wall to avoid sound reflection.
• All cables should be properly labeled.
• After installation, all equipment should be calibrated for both sound and video performance.

The testing and calibration is necessary as your Home theater installation requires modification for optimum performance in your environment. There are special tools that are used to accelerate the process, which can be arduous when done through trial and error.

A few accessories may be available for purchase online, but proper use, requires training and a sometime steep learning curve.

The process can be accomplished much more efficiently and much better results can be achieved with the help of professional TV installers.