Home Theater Design and Installation

One of the first pieces of equipment that probably comes to mind when you consider the electronics included in a home theater system is a projector. Choosing the right projector is key to making sure that every movie or video game is displayed in the best possible quality. There are three types of projectors that we will take a look at. It is important to consider the pros and cons of each projector when determining which one will work best in the room where you plan to place it. The three main types of projectors are LED, LCD, and DLP.

LED is an acronym for Light Emitting Diode. Essentially, a diode is an electrical component that has two terminals that conduct electricity in just one direction when in use. LED projectors have a lifespan of over 20,000 hours, which is the primary reason why they have virtually no maintenance costs. They are smaller, generate less heat, and have a lower power consumption. They also produce better colors, but they have limited brightness. For this reason, you should consider the room where you plan to mount the projector and take stock of the amount of ambient lighting it receives.

LCD projectors are created with a Liquid Crystal Display. They have a better color saturation and sharper image, but the image can sometimes be pixelated. There are no moving parts, so it is definitely a more cost-effective choice, and it's even less expensive if you get a single-chip LCD. 3-chip LCDs, however, offer a much better color saturation and lower noise levels. These projectors do have weak black and contrast levels and require constant filter maintenance. If you are someone who struggles to remember to change the air filters in your home, this might not be the best option for you.

When talking about projectors, the letters DLP stand for Digital Light Processing. This type of projector is smaller, needs no filters, and has a better response system. It has excellent black and contrast levels and even has 3D capabilities which are sure to impress everyone who watches 3D movies at your house! It uses a chip made of microscopic mirrors and a spinning color wheel to create the image. A downside to this projector is that the lamp life is very low at a range of 2,000 to 5,000 hours. Due to the moving parts and mirrors, it can produce an unwanted visual effect on the screen sometimes called ghosting, or a rainbow effect.

As you can see, there are benefits to each type of projector, so making the right choice will depend on what you want from your projector's performance, the logistics of the room in which it will be placed, and any other needs that you may have. When you contact Maddox AV in Annapolis, MD, we can help guide you to the right product for your home. Call us today and let us show you how we can help you create the home theater of your dreams.

No home theater system would be complete without a great sound system. There are so many good stereo systems on the market that it may be hard to choose which one is right for you, and how many speakers you should choose, but we have some tips to help guide you in the right direction. As you look at home theater systems, make sure to choose a sound system that includes these parts: a receiver, a center channel speaker, front left and right speakers, two to four surround speakers, and one to two powered subwoofers. While a pair of in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers are not critical, they will definitely elevate your home theater system to a whole new level!. Depending on how immersed you want to feel, you can choose a few of these speakers, or all of them. At Maddox AV in Annapolis, MD, we highly recommend that you consider acquiring all of these pieces to make your home theater system the best system possible!

Choosing the speakers first is important because it will help you determine which receiver to choose. This is a logical process, as big speakers will need a big source of power, and smaller speakers will require less power. In addition to this, the more speakers you decide to have will require you to have more channels on your receiver. If you are hoping to go full-scale and install multi-room audio, then that will require you to add even more channels on the receiver, as well as add additional power sources. If enjoying the most immersive experience possible is important to you, then you will also want to consider adding some of the latest products in home theater technology. Maddox AV is happy to help you with all of the questions you may have about home audio options for your home theater system. Be sure to call and let us know how we can help.

Once your home theater system is fully installed, you will want to have easy access to control all aspects of your new system, from the picture to the various sound levels coming out of each speaker. There's no point in having the best subwoofer on the market if it is not producing bass levels that are appropriate to the type of movie you are watching, or the game you are playing. Remote control will help you to quickly adjust the levels of bass to help you feel as if you are part of the chase scene, or relaxing on a back porch at twilight. While remote controls certainly make life much easier, it might not be easy to know which type of remote is the best one for your home theater system. Be sure to call the professionals at Maddox AV and let us know what levels of control you want to have and we will be more than happy to guide you to the best remotes for your home theater system.

Depending on the number of speakers you have chosen for your home theater system, you will want to put serious consideration into the right type of surge protection for your whole system. If there were to be a lightning strike or a power outage, you would be devastated to find out that parts of your system were fried and in need of replacement. While you may not think about it too much, it can be risky to plug any of your audio and video gear into unprotected outlets. Besides the obvious danger of lightning, there are other, smaller power surges, spikes, and sags that occur almost daily. They are small enough that most people never notice them, but they can cause damage to your equipment, which means that you want to make sure to select a surge protector that is appropriate to the needs of your home theater system.

Today's home theaters and surround sound systems can be so discreet you won't even see them! This creates the best complement to the architecture and design of your home. Home theater seating, equipment placement, concealed speakers and lighting all contribute to the overall aesthetics and design of your home theater. Our design team will recommend the elements of design that will help you create the perfect experience. Each design choice has pros and cons, and we are happy to help you go through each option carefully so that you can make the best choice for your room. Maddox AV has the industry experience and knowledge to help you create the home theater system you want. Call us today!

As you begin to set up the room where your home theater system will go, it is important to take a close look at the type of ambient light the room receives over the course of the day. Unless you are using a room in your basement, you probably have at least one window in the room where your home theater system will be housed. Ambient lighting is wonderful - until you want to watch a movie. When you are watching TV, ambient light can create unwanted glare on the screen or a surface reflection where you are looking at your own reflection more than the characters on the screen. Ambient lighting also washes out images from video projectors. For the best experience, you need to find a way to block ambient lighting when you are ready to watch a movie or play a video game. Before you decide that you need to change rooms, check out some of the options available for blocking light. There are a wide variety of room-darkening curtains on the market today that are sure to match the style and design you have chosen.

You probably never notice when you are in a movie theater just how many different elements contribute to noise absorption to create the best possible viewing experience such as the type of flooring, materials on the walls, or even the upholstery on the seating. When you are creating your home theater, you need to consider all of the factors that will either enhance or detract from the audio portion of your movies. If your room is carpeted, it will be much more effective than a hard floor at absorbing unwanted sound echoes and uneven bass. Hard floors are more reflective and cause something referred to as unwanted audio artifacts. To avoid echoes, reverberations, and other unwanted audio effects, be sure to choose the right type of flooring for your home theater.

The construction of the walls of the room also plays a part in the overall quality of sound. Drywall, for instance, is much less reflective than wood paneling, but can still generate unwanted vibrations. To help minimize this effect, you will want to consider installing acoustic treatments. Maddox AV in Annapolis, MD can guide you through this process to make sure that you have the right elements in place for the best possible home theater experience.

If you want to add incredible value to your home, then you should install a home theater system with the help of Maddox AV in Annapolis, MD. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you through the entire process of selecting the right equipment and determining the perfect location for each piece of equipment. When you have made all of these decisions, we will install your home theater and demonstrate the functionality of each piece. Be sure to invite your friends over for the unveiling, and enjoy your favorite movies in the comfort of your own home theater! If you have been thinking about upgrading your home, then you should call us today and let us show you all that home theater systems have to offer you.