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High-definition entertainment was the must-see celebrity at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
Over 150,000 people descended upon Las Vegas to ogle the latest gadgets, including HD camcorders and memory
sticks that stream HD video.
With all the static about digital, you may be thinking about creating a media room. Such rooms were once
reserved only for residences like the Hearst Castle, which had a 50-seat screening room. Fast-forward to today,
and there are do-it-yourself solutions for all budgets. Make sure your media room is a hit with our helpful tips about location and furniture.
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LIGHTS!
The room with the least amount of daylight is the best place for a media room. In most homes, this room is the basement. Formerly the domain of ping pong tables, these sublevels are being rediscovered by those of us seeking insulated walls and freedom from shouts of “quiet on the set!”
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When it comes to blockbuster comfort, the award goes to home theater sectionals.
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Face the TV away from any windows and use window treatments to prevent picture
washout. To further reduce eyestrain and glare, place a light with a 10- or 15-watt
incandescent (or 5-watt florescent) bulb behind the TV. Choose a white light rather
than pink to enhance the accuracy of how onscreen colors are seen.
Tip: To further improve how colors appear onscreen, use a neutralizing, flat gray paint on the wall
behind your TV.
Did you know? Films made before 1953 used frames that were almost square, which means
conventional, 4:3 ratio TVs are better than wide screens for watching old movies.
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PLACES! |
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Wondering where to sit? The optimum distance between viewer and
screen depends on the type of TV. |
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For analog sets with a regular 4:3 ratio (4 inches of width for every 3 inches of height), sit at a distance 3 to 6 times the diagonal width of the screen.
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For high-definition, wide-screens (16 inches of width for every 9 inches of height), sit at a distance 1.5 to 3 times the diagonal width of the screen.
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TVs of Tomorrow |
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As seen at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show |
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TCL-Thompson showed off its RCA Scenium, a digital light processor (DLP) that measures only 7 inches deep. |
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Sony showcased a 70-inch rear-projection TV powered by a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) chip. |
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Switching between TV and email was a breeze on Sony’s Vaio V TV PC. |
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CAMERA!
When it comes to equipment, it’s recommended you enlist the help of a gizmo-savvy friend
if you don’t know your TiVo from your Xbox. Basically, a home theater consists of a speaker
system, AM/FM receiver, DVD/VCR player, and of course, a television.
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The ideal screen size depends on your budget, as well as available space and viewing preferences.
An advantage of high-definition is a more refined picture, without the visible scan lines of analog televisions.
This means you can sit close to the screen and not worry that “you’ll ruin your eyes,” as Mom always said.
Many people find sitting close gives them a more theater-like experience, which means a small screen, as well
as a small media room, might be all you need for edge-of-your-seat, lump-in-your-throat entertainment.
Tip: The larger the screen, the farther away viewers should sit for an optimum picture.
Did you know? Early names for television included “audiovision,” “magic box,” and “hear seeing.”
The viewers were called “perceptors” or “telegazers.”
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Expandable entertainment
centers accommodate
future upgrades, like
wide-screen TVs.
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ACTION!
Like all stars, your home theater equipment needs a supporting cast. In this case, it’s the furniture.
Media room seating is a quickly growing category and there are abundant choices in padding, motion and
size. These designs promise double-feature comfort, and because soft materials absorb sound waves,
they also improve the audio quality of your room.
When choosing a home entertainment center, keep two shady characters in mind: dust and poor ventilation.
Avoid stacking electronics on top of each other, which can block vents and reduce performance. To control
dust, close cabinet doors when the system is not in use. Also, look for furniture with adjustable shelves
to ensure you have enough room to frequently wipe components clean. Tip: Experts recommend small media
fans that turn on automatically when temperatures rise.
Did you know? RCA put its first color set on the market in 1954 for $1,000. In today’s dollars, that’s
about $7,000.
CUT! That’s a wrap
Finally, while the focus of your media room is what’s on screen, you can still have fun with a theme.
Consider a collection of vintage television sets. Many are inexpensive, and quite striking, such as
the 1950 12-inch, mahogany-framed Admiral TV.
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