Entertaining at home has it all over going out to a movie theatre or live event for several reasons. It’s quieter and more comfortable, you control the atmosphere, and aside from the initial investment in home theater equipment, you’ll save a lot of money.
In fact, your audio equipment, projection system, and viewing platform constitute your biggest expenses. Proper care will allow you to use your equipment for years with few problems, making it a solid investment in home entertainment.
A lot of big tech sites, like Cnet, TechCrunch, and TechRadar, recommend projectors specifically for home theatres. But, projector expert Steve Scott recommends using short throw projectors for a more versatile approach to home theatre setup. Short throw projectors are 1/2 the price, have longer lasting bulbs, and are great for gaming.
The Benefits of Short Throw Projection Systems
Projection technology has made purchasing a system more affordable than ever. Short-throw projection equipment allows you to enjoy the same type of viewing experience as a more traditional projector while viewing in smaller spaces like apartments of bedrooms. This makes short-throw projectors ideal for gaming, but you’ll also be able to host live streams like concerts and sporting events as well as seeing your favorite movies in the comfort of your own home.
Most short-throw projection systems are built to project up to a 100-inch image size from a distance as short as three feet from the wall or screen. The biggest considerations when purchasing a projector include screen resolution and contrast, which directly contribute to image quality. Many models have built-in audio, but you can connect to a home audio system with surround sound for better quality. That will also help compensate for any noise from the projector’s fan.
Screen resolution and contrast lend sharpness and vivid color to the viewing experience. Anb average contrast ratio is 500:1. That means that any whites are 500 times brighter than blacks. The higher the ratio, the better the contrast. As for screen resolution, you can get true high-definition viewing with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 dpi.
Ultimately, image quality is affected by the ambient light in the room. You want to extinguish all light sources and use blackout curtains or shutters to control light from outside.
The next consideration is throw ratio. This is the width of the screen in relation to its distance from the image source. A throw ratio of 3.0. means that the projector must be three feet from the screen to fill a 100-inch screen without affecting quality or experiencing screen overbleed. That’s why it’s best to use a short-throw projector for home theater viewing.
These projection systems require minimal maintenance in order to keep them in good working condition. This can be accomplished by following these three easy guidelines:
1. Use no more than three to five hours per day
2. Keep in a dust-free environment
3. Make sure to keep all vents and filters clean and free of debris
Since many use LED or laser technology, bulb life is extended and cost-effective. You can choose between standard short-throw projectors or ultra short-throw, which can provide quality viewing at even shorter screen-to-projector ratios, some as little as 1 1/2 feet away from the viewing surface.
Home Theater Setup Tips
Planning a home theater setup involves doing some preliminary work so that you can get the best sound and picture quality for your space and budget. The first consideration is the space itself. You want enough projection power to have a quality viewing and listening experience, and it has to be affordable.
If you’re working within a small space that can’t be customised, like a dorm or small apartment, you would do best with an ultra short-throw system and a self-contained audio interface like home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) or sound bar. For larger living rooms, dens, or dedicated home theater rooms, you can choose a regular short-throw projector and build your audio using custom components.
Many projectors have built-in speakers. To augment your audio, you can opt for a separate sound system that’s compatible with your projector. Due to modern connectivity, many separate components can be easily connected or synced to work with your projector.
There are three types of home audio used for home theater:
1. Home-theater-in-a-box is just what it sounds like. They’re sold as one unit, wiring included, all in the same box. The setup usually consists of five speakers, a subwoofer, and an amplifier.
2. Sound bars, which are long, thin bars that contain loudspeaker drivers. There is sometimes a wireless subwoofer included.
3. Component systems are traditional audio equipment that includes a receiver, speakers, and an audio source like CD player or projector. You can also find component separates like turntables and amplifiers.
Experiment with speaker placement for best quality audio from any seating area. Sound quality is affected by room size, composition, and acoustics. Reflections can be controlled by setting up in a room that contains bookshelves and using curtains or shades on windows. Creating spaces with equal areas of hard and soft surfaces provides balance. If you have a high, hard ceiling, you’ll have the best results with carpeted floors or area rugs set up in front of the stereo speakers. Just be careful that the table used to support your projector is on an even, flat area for more stability.
Next, you’ll need a viewing surface. There are a variety of screens that are created especially for use with home projection systems. However, many people find the experience perfectly acceptable when viewing on a bare, white wall. When choosing a screen, consider storage and portability, in addition to available setup space.
Final Thoughts
With a short-throw projector and a decent stereo system, you can support a high-quality theater system right in the comfort of your home. Whether you’re using your laptop to setup your home theater system or using a stand alone setup, our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make smart purchasing decisions. The rest is up to you.
