Home Theaters

Hiring an architect or designer to develop your home theater may not be in your budget, but apparently you can still get a realistic view of what you’d like before you start building it.

Surfing for more great home theater ideas, I came across this video of a 3D rendering of a man’s home theater he is planning on building soon.

I never really thought about it, but taking this step seems like it would eliminate a lot of headaches and very likely leave you feeling far more satisfied with your finished product. Though not every detail is included, all the important ones from room size, viewing angle, screen size, furniture and lighting, are.

Designed with the Better Homes and Gardens Interior Designer software, there really isn’t much left to the imagination. Kudos for sharing and enlightening others to the possibility of digitally building your home theater before you get started on the actual construction.

You can check out some of the software’s abilities here, or purchase your own copy at Amazon for around $60.

home theater design, software, interior design

As if today’s dream home theaters weren’t enough to blow most of our collective minds, Microsoft (and a few other companies) is planning to take things to a whole new level.

Similar to Apple’s new iPhone, only “lifesize”, this touch sensitive 30-inch display can recognize physical objects or tagged devices like phones, cameras and even credit cards, and can transmit data to the device by touching the screen.

Check out Microsoft’s demo video below for some live action:

The applications for this technology are only limited by imagination. While it is being developed as a business tool for now, I can’t help but dream of how it can be used in a home theater.

Think of controlling your whole media room from your “coffee table”, including telling your microwave to cook the popcorn and seeing previews of other movies the actors you are currently watching have starred in. Or perhaps recognizing your guests and sending drink and food orders to the kitchen.

Check out this CNET review to see some more possibilities:

With an initial price tag between $5,000 and $10,000, it is expected to arrive in November in T-Mobile USA stores and properties owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. I doubt many of us are going to run out and add it to our own home theaters anytime soon, but one thing’s for sure though, the future is getting closer and closer, and it definitely looks amazing.

Microsoft expects consumer versions in the next three years or so.

Be sure to check out the Microsoft site for more of what they are planning on doing with this exciting technology. The blogosphere is also ablaze with Surface talk. Read some more great posts here, here and here.

Needless to say, this baby gets three green envy buttons from me and almost demands a 4 GEB category all to itself. Congrats to Microsoft on (finally) making a hit!

microsoft surface, tabletop computer, home theater, 3 geb, multimedia

I’m always inspired by people that build their own home theaters. Not only are they gung-ho about it, the elation they have when they finally finish is seldom seen in life.

Take this guy for example. He couldn’t wait to tell the world about his new home cinema and quickly uploaded his film to the internet upon completion. I can’t say I blame him. If I had a room dedicated to housing a Stewart Firehawk 110″ screen, a Tannoy 7.2 surround sound speaker system, an Arcam A/V Reveiver AVR250, an Arcam DVD player DV78, a Panasonic AE1000 HD projector, AppleTV, all controlled by a MX900 remote, I’d be singing in the rain.

Shoot, I’d just be happy with the vintage Pacman/Galaga standup in his waiting room.

home theater, ultimate envy, 3 geb

Looking for new uses for your Nintendo Entertainment System? This guy actually turned his into a working DVD player. It even has a functioning remote control!

I’m not to keen on the black duct tape, but if he got his design worked out a little better, I’d suggest getting together with the Nintendo guys to see if some sort of deal couldn’t be struck.

I know plenty of people that think retro design is far superior than neo design and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Nintendo brand couldn’t sell Trim Spa right now.

nes, nintendo, dvd player

I come across some pretty awesome home theaters in my search for uncovering the best products, at the best prices. While I try to restrict my posts to things normal people like us can actually buy, every now and then I feel the need to fantasize about what if…

Since I can’t help my envious nature, I decided to dedicate Friday’s posts to the most magnificent hedonistic home theaters I can find. Maybe if we see the things we don’t have and want them bad enough, some day, err, never mind. Let’s just get started with a look at the first Ultimate Envy home theater.

Some of the absolute best home theaters I have seen are featured at Electronic House, a web magazine that focuses on inspiring technological transformations. They recently released their awards for home of the year, and all I can really say is WOW.

First up is this 12,000 square foot Dallas, Texas home, complete with one of the coolest home theaters I’ve seen to date.

Simple, yet sophisticated, it features a 110-inch viewing screen to capture the Runco 1080p DLP projector’s impeccable picture quality.

One can only imagine watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster under the moon and stars of the beautifully-crafted vaulted ceiling. Polished wood poles give this theater even more cinema authenticity.

Be to sure to check out the slideshow of the rest of this breathtaking house on the Electric House site.

home theaters

No matter how much time and effort you put into building a home theater, it isn’t going to please everyone (not that it matters, they are in your home theater for a reason), but attempting to please each member of your family is an admirable effort.

To help you complete this near-impossible mission, Elite does its part in the area of theater seating. Their website allows you to build your own theater seat by choosing your favorite materials, colors, arm and back styles, cup holder qualities, foam density and layout. Through this process (assuming everyone picks the same material and colors), everyone in the family can have their very own seat customized to their liking that will fit perfectly with your home theater setup.

Judging from the amount of combinations possible through their website, I’m pretty sure there is a chair for everyone. You’ll need to contact them directly about price and distribution options as I could find very little outside information, so do your due diligence here.

For giving consumers control over their theater seating and doing it with style, the Elite product line gets two green envy buttons.

home theater, seating, elite, custom

Since posting about MobMov, a company that specializes in portable drive-ins, I have been extremely curious about the whole subject. Living in California, there are about six prime months of weather where watching movies outside is a fun family idea.

MobMov offers an affordable package you can set up on your own and watch drive-in style flicks wherever you want. Taking a different approach, Harmon Interiors designed this “both sides of the screen” projector theater that is sure to be the envy of video lovers.

Anchored by a SharpVision XV-Z3000 Projector, the screen is viewable from inside the home, and offers a reversed image of the screen to viewers outside on the patio. Imagine a world where all walls were made like this.

Audio is handled through an awesome Bose BuiltInvisible speaker system, completely built into the walls and ceiling of the house. The possibilities with a set up like this are endless (unless you share a wall with your kids and you get stuck watching Jimmy Neutron all day).

Whether you have the room for a double-sided theater or not, the components themselves are surprisingly affordable. The average price around the internet was $2,499 for the projector, but I found it here and here for considerably less.

The Bose AV38 Media Center that controls all the action was available at eBay for under $1,500.

For making it possible to watch your favorite movie and take the garbage out at the same time, this set up gets three green envy buttons.

home theater, projectors, bose, media center, sharp, screen on both sides

As a person envious of some of the great home theaters out there, I often spend time surfing the net in search of the cream of the crop. Typically they are far, far, far out of my budget, but it’s always nice to daydream. I have seen many that are specifically themed for one movie, or that just pack in every single new gadget and awe their viewers with hardware alone. Personally, I prefer the home theater that is a retreat from the real world and makes you feel you are at your very own movie theater.

Today, I came across this theater that made my jaw drop. Sadly, it’s bigger than any two rooms in my home combined, so it’s not going to be in my future any time soon, but it is worth a look.

Comfortably seating eight adults, the fine leather captain chairs and the massive flat screen are what first caught my eye. Not to be outdone, the theater’s lighting is immaculate and the work station area is perfect for a candlelit dinner or for a children’s play area.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’d trade my living room and bedroom for this masterpiece.

The only information I could find on this theater was that it had won an award (duh!) and was designed by Integrated Media Systems, a Sterling, Virginia company that can be reached at (703) 464-0736. If any of you can afford to build it, I’ll defintiely come

For not needing a reason to explain why, this theater gets three green envy buttons.

home theater, awards

If you are like me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of having a home theater is being able to enjoy a nice glass of wine with your movie instead of $6.00 tub of soda. I often have friends over to share a bottle when watching a new release as it seems to tie the whole experience together. While browsing for new home theater furniture, I recently came across this movie reel wine rack that I quickly added to my wish list.

A wonderful solution for displaying up to six bottles of your favorite wine in your home theater, this 16″ rack is a perfect gift for the wine loving home theatrician. Made of heavy gauge laser-cut metal and finished with a top quality black-epoxy paint, it will add yet another dash of ambiance to your theater and keep you in front of the action and out of the kitchen.

I discovered it at this website, where it was going for $245. After about fifteen minutes of searching other vendors, I was unable to find it anywhere else so I guess that’s the best price. If anyone can find a better one, I’d love to hear about it.

For bringing wine to the the home theater with class, this rack gets earns one green envy button.

home theater, furniture, wine rack

While some folks simply want a home theater they can invite friends and family over to enjoy the latest new release, others want a fully integrated movie going experience. For these people, furniture can be the extra touch that sets their home theater apart.

In the search for unique home theater furniture that allows the viewer to enjoy their experience in luxury, I have come across an enviable, yet endless list of recliners. One area that I have not explored much is tables, but for those interested in turning their home theater into an authentic experience of their own, I showcase for you today the reel end table.

Standing 24″ high with a 22″ diameter, these three-legged stainless steel beauties may just put the magic into your movie room. Available with a stationary solid top or a lazy-Susan cut-out glass top to fit 2 bowls, these tables are a perfect fit for any movie memorabilia maniac, and will not only increase the aesthetic nature of your home theater, but will also take your guests back to movies golden age while offering them a contemporary solution to snack management.

For the extra price, the lazy-Susan model will keep your spill to compliment ratio at an all-time high. With its rotating top, the popcorn will never be too far and built with durability and style in mind, are the added detail that will keep your home theater a cut above the rest.

Their steep price can be a deal breaker, but with substantially lower prices available on eBay and other internet outlets, I’m positive you can find a pair of these beautiful tables for a tolerable amount.

For turning the end table on its head and offering a classic yet contemporary look, with the movie-goer in mind, these tables earn two green envy buttons.

home theater furniture, end tables, reel tables

One of the best parts of going to the movies is enjoying all the goodies at the concession stands. Price withstanding, the concession stand has the ability to make just about anyone feel like a child again. With so many choices, there are still two more popular than any others: popcorn and soda.

While we’ve long been able to enjoy soda in our home theaters, recreating movie popcorn has been elusive for all but the most dedicated home theatricians. As the marketplace for home theaters continues to explode, you can find products to satisfy just about any itch. Having movie popcorn at home is one of these markets that in time will offer diverse products of all shapes, sizes and prices.

Unless you are planning on building a complete concession stand, with soda fountain, popcorn maker and candy displays, one of the best ways to bring movie popcorn home is this Goldrush two-wheeled home theater popcorn machine.

Complete with scratch-resistant windows, six ounce kettle and plenty of room to satisfy your whole clan for at least one sitting, this popcorn cart evokes theater memories of the golden days.

With its marriage of antique styling and contemporary build, both models unite the best of old and new in cooked corn. The interior heat lamp and heated corn deck keep popcorn warm and buttery for the duration of your movie, and the removable nickel-plated, all-steel kettle and unpopped kernel tray make cleaning up afterwards a snap.

At nearly six feet tall, this model will be an eye-catching addition to your home theater and a mouth-watering surprise for your guests sure to keep them coming back for more. As a popcorn enthusiast and a fan of the old-school, this cool cart gets two green envy buttons.

popcorn, home theater, snacks, carts, design

At some point during the construction of your home theater, you need to think less about electronics and more about where everyone is going to sit. The home theater is arguably the most expensive and most enjoyed of all rooms in your home and it deserves furniture to compliment all that cool stuff.

In many home theaters, it is common to see a beautiful sectional couch around the optimal viewing areas, complete with end recliners and cup trays. Maybe that’s just my house, but still, I’ve seen it before. Promise.

Coming across the Solara Home Lounge Recliner in a catalog this morning, however, convinced me that I for one, had taken the wrong route.

These gorgeous leather microfiber recliners bring together the best in theater seating. Each one is small and light enough to move around the room and takes up little extra space when reclined. The head rest is adjustable, maintaining neck comfort while you watch television in reclined luxury.

Losing remote controls is the scourge of living rooms across this great country, but it no longer needs to be with the built-in accessory pocket. Imagine your relaxation time not being shattered by the frantic search for the channel changer as Wheel ends and your favorite prime time shows begin. Now that’s comfort.

Even after all those highlights, there is still one better. This recliner is also a power massager. What can be better than coming home after work, kicking off your shoes, dropping your weight in a form-fitting leather chair, reclining back, reaching down and knowing the remote control is where you expect it to be, turning on your big screen television and having your weariness massaged away?

For also coming in three colors (brown, beige and burgundy) and making me think about getting off from a job I don’t currently have, the Solara Lounge Recliners earn three green envy buttons.

lounge, recliners, home theater furniture, design

If you are looking for a smaller surround sound package in the $1000 range, yet have been unsatisfied with most of the offerings in this category, check out the Wharfedale Moviestar 70 Surround Sound Speaker System.

Wharfedale has done an incredible job packing the sound into these compact cinema speakers, made possible by a 80 Hz, 150w subwoofer. For around $600, you get all the speakers you will ever need for your home theater, and save a lot of space in the process. Four front-ported, single-way satellites pump out superior sound, not only for the price, but any price range, and are equally adept for music and movies.

Made of high-density MDF construction with molded baffles and gold-plated metal binding posts, durability is a key component of Wharfedale speakers. Each of the compact speakers delivers up to 100w per channel, with domed tweeters that provide an exceptional level of frequency response.

The system also comes with a tuned center channel speaker with extended frequency response to cover even more range. Designed for new users, the system is easily tuned for optimum sound in any room, and thanks to their size, the speakers are all capable of wall or ceiling mounting. Matching stands are also available, though sold separately.

For this price, you’d expect to pay more for extras, but speaker cable and mounting brackets are also included in this package. All in all, this system offers exceptional quality and design at an amazing price. Add in the fact they match my furniture and television, and they earn two green envy buttons.

Wharfedale, audio, home theater speakers, Surround Sound

Flipping through a new issue of one of my favorite magazines, I came across one of the most uniquely designed improvements I’ve seen in a long time. The bulky power strips most of us have gathering dust balls behind our computers and entertainment centers are a wonderful invention, but past their prime for today’s consumers. With many plugs taking up multiple jacks due to their unwieldy size and shapes, something had to give.

Enter the PowerSquid. Finally instead of someone making a longer power strip, someone actually put their mind to work and made a completely new one which is sure to dominate its market in the years to come. It’s superiority comes from its design. Rather than make each plug in line like a ladder, PowerSquid frees up each plug with an extension cord, each of which is housed in the main mouse-shaped power source that takes up significantly less space than a traditional surge protector.

PowerSquid currently comes in three models, ranging from $18-$85. The basic model will save a lot of space and moving of furniture for about the same price as a normal surge protector, but lacks actual surge protection. This is good marketing in my opinion, and forces the savvy consumer to opt for at least the mid-level model, which is more than quadruple the price. With the value of what’s being protected in mind, this is probably a good investment and comes with connected equipment insurance and the wires are twice as long.

For home theater professionals, the Calamari model is probably your best bet as it includes the above, as well as swiveling plugs, an audible alarm for surge emergencies and neon-illuminated outlets for ten bucks more. Each model is relatively equal in size, approximately 4″x7″ not counting tentacles, and have lifetime warranties.

Design will continue to lead the way in the 21st century, as redesigns of old staples revolutionize the way we use things. The PowerSquid is an invention of necessity and makes you wonder what took someone so long to think of it. I congratulate Flexity, the company that created the PowerSquid, and see this as their cash cow and defining moment. It won’t be long before it becomes a staple in all home theaters and media centers.

For genius design and turning the ugly into an icon, I give this power strip three green envy buttons.

PowerSquid, surge protector

Remember the drive-in?

It was about the only place you could play tag, eat popcorn and watch a movie at the same time. The drive-in from my youth was turned into a full time swap meet, and later on, a Wal-Mart. Luckily, both places I have moved since have drive-ins, and the good memories have continued well into parenthood. I now enjoy watching my own kids run around and play while taking in the new animated feature.

Much of the country is sadly lacking a drive-in now, as megaplexes with $9 tickets and $8 popcorn dominate the movie-going landscape. Most of today’s kids grow up without this wonderful tradition, but thanks to MobMov, they no longer need be deprived.

MobMov (short for Mobile Movie) is an online community of do-it-yourself drive-in fans. By joining the community, you get invites to chapters in your area and information on how to start your own, including details on how to set up your own vehicle with a projector and suggestions for where to host your theater. There’s also information about what movies you can watch and any copyright legalities you may need to know about.

This seems to be an idea with some legs, as people are continually seeking affordable social fare, especially when it comes to a night out with the kids. As exciting as watching a movie from your car is, I don’t see why the idea can’t be taken a step further. Car’s are mostly symbolic and nostalgic in this model. If you can find an audio source and weather is warm in your area of the world, a white screen, lawn chairs, an ice chest and a barbecue would be more than sufficient in setting up your own theater in your backyard and enjoying your feature under the stars.

Either way, hosting your own theater is a great way to socialize with friends, family and neighbors. The MobMov Manifesto has some projector and transmitter suggestions, as well as how to legally set it all up. The biggest drawbacks from most people will be the cost of a good projector (though I ‘m sure you basically make up for it after just a few showings) and the lack of movies that are apparently available legally at this juncture. Barriers ordinarily can’t keep good ideas contained, and so I think in time, the movie companies will find a way to benefit from relaxing their rules, and we can all benefit from bringing the drive-in home.

A simple solution for a dying institution. For reincarnating an old favorite and making it available to the masses, this idea gets two green envy buttons.

MobMov, drive-in, home theater, home video