For many, it is the home interior design dream. Creating the perfect sanctuary to watch movies or live sports in the home with top-of-the-line technology providing the ultimate watching experience. Obviously, how people go about that will depend on budget but we are going to take a look at how you can make your televisual dreams come true.
Whether it is enjoying films on screens to rival art house movie theaters or watching European Champions League soccer with the best audio and visual tech, we are going to go through the process of creating the best imaginable experience.
These things don’t come cheap. But our guide will talk you through the different components of the perfect home TV room and allow you to decide which is the most important – and most budget-friendly. These pieces of advice are designed to let you design your dream space, with the help of our expert knowledge.
What You Need
Before we get into the details of your home cinema/sports room, we should really begin with a quick checklist of the equipment you will need. Everything else will be down to the space and design of the room you want all of this to happen. So, this is what you will need if you want to create the best audiovisual room ever.
The whole idea of this room is to immerse yourself in the action. So a large-screen TV or projector is a must. Add to that a state-of-the-art sound system with different settings for different occasions. You can then think about the décor and finishing touches to turn your room into a place that you never really want to leave.
Location, Location, Location
You may have heard this phrase when people are looking for the perfect home. It is not always just the actual house that is important, but also the location. It may be obvious which room in your house is going to be your home cinema/personal sports bar but it is important that you get this decision right.
You obviously need it to be big enough to comfortably deal with a large screen and multiple speakers. But you also have to think about layout, the way light will enter the room, and where you are going to position seating. Rectangular rooms are better than square rooms for this very reason.
Choose the TV or Projector
Now we can get to the tech details. The screen is going to be the focal point of the room and probably the most important piece of hardware, so choosing between a projector system or a TV should be your first decision. Projectors may be better if you are looking for a 50-inch plus screen – but there is an excellent range of larger TVs on the market these days.
Look for the best value TV that gives you what you want from your experience. The choice has improved in the last few years and as long as there is at least a 200Hz panel there should not be any blurriness. If you do opt for a projector system, it is very important that you go for a home cinema version, rather than one specifically designed for businesses. Also, if you are going to watch a lot of sports, you will need to consider brightness levels.
Select the Speakers
To get the full cinematic experience – or to give yourself the best immersive sports sound – a good speaker setup is a must. There is no point going all in on a projector or large-screen smart TV if you are not complementing it with the right audio tech. That means not just a solo soundbar or stereo speakers, no matter how much the manufacturer claims it will give you the best sound.
If you are serious about creating an ideal audio experience you will need to position your speakers correctly. You will also need at least five separate speakers and a subwoofer. The main central speaker should be positioned beneath the screen, as that is where the main dialogue and sound will be emitted. The subwoofer can also be placed here. You will ideally have two speakers on either side of the TV or projector screen, with another two behind where you are sitting but in a direct line to the front two. If your room allows, you could also place two more following the same pattern. Once everything is in place you can then test-drive the room to ensure that the speakers are perfectly situated.
Finishing Touches
Much of the sound and vision equipment these days is Bluetooth, so you should not have to worry about a lot of cabling. But there are a few finishing touches that are crucial if you are to make this room the perfect place for watching movies and sports.
A universal remote is ideal to ensure that you are not overwhelmed by separate ones for all of your new devices. You will also want to install a lighting system that allows dimming, for the perfect balance at any time of the day. Your TV or projector system should have all the right specifics to help with the colors and deep blacks onscreen.
Finally, make sure that all sightlines are completely unobstructed and all unnecessary furniture is removed. You will obviously want the most comfortable seating for those marathon sessions. Once all that is sorted you can sit back and relax and take in your chosen entertainment.
