Home Theaters

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

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

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