Practical Home Theater Guide: Systems Reviews and Home Theater Design

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Updated on: 26^th August 2010

Home Theater Design

Quick guide on how to build your Home Theater.

by Duncan McClelland
More information HERE

Panasonic 50-inch TC-P50G25

Best-selling 50" Plasma TV with THX certification

Home theater systems can do a remarkable job towards achieving a great cinematic experience. It is all about an intermix effect brought together by the different components:

the big screen TV,
home theater receiver, speaker placement,
home theater room setup, overall room decor...

Even what may appear as an ordinary sheet of stretched fabric - the projector screen, can do a lot to help support this cinematic effect. Through the info published on Practical Home Theater Guide, we show you that it is all a question of selecting appropriate gear to complement your room, and of following the necessary implementation principles for a correct home theater setup.

It is not true that the bigger a big screen TV, the better. Nor is it true that you will have better home theater sound by pumping more power into that sub-woofer!

Just follow through the various articles appearing on Practical Home Theater Guide to discover more.

Website Objective

We hope that Practical Home Theater Guide will serve as a comprehensive reference source with easy-to-follow information covering all aspects of home theater.

Our aim is to help you achieve through your own home theater system that same magical experience we enjoy at movie theaters. We are therefore presenting a series of informative articles and setup guides that discuss the various aspects of home theater.

Practical Home Theater Guide is broken down into various sections targeting specific areas of interest:

	Plasma and LCD LED HDTVs - Installation guides and product reviews
	Rear projection HDTVs
	Home Theater and Multimedia video projectors
	Video projector screens and projection screen paints
	Home theater receivers and wireless speaker systems
	Home theater calibration and setup discs
	Equipment protection,
	Digital and satellite TV
	...and much more.

Recently, we have also added a section on 3D TV systems. Each of these sections include the relevant home theater guides that discuss in detail the respective design criteria, setup constraints, equipment selection, and overall equipment integration.

Related home theater system reviews are also included, while links to manufacturers' sites and major online suppliers are provided whenever possible.

We are also featuring an interesting series of Home Theater Design articles that takes a full 360^o approach to the subject, starting with the basics in design concept up to final implementation.

Topics covered include: initial planning issues such as budget and available space, room acoustics, lighting, shared versus dedicated home theater room, room decor, home theater seating, screen size and viewing distance, equipment and speaker placement, speaker wiring, etc.

On our part, we are committed to continue developing our website into a complete resource of free home theater guides and product reviews.

We encourage you to subscribe to our free e-zine 'Practical HT Guide Update' to remain abreast with the latest additions to our site.

To subscribe, simply fill in the form below:

Remember also to subscribe to our RSS news-feed for the latest news and updates at Practical Home Theater Guide. If you would like to know more what an RSS news-feed is, click here.

Please feel free to use the site Feedback Form to post in your comments, suggestions or queries.

Meanwhile, we hope that you will enjoy and profit from the articles and guidelines appearing in Practical Home Theater Guide.

In the news...

The latest home theater news and more

Practical Home Theater Guide
Website Index - Main Categories

Video/TV - Digital Television and Direct View Guides: CRT, LCD, and Plasma TV

Guide to Digital TV
Discover all you need to know about digital television - from converter boxes to DTV antennas.

CRT TV Guide:
For many, the days for CRT TVs are over but... CRT still offers unsurpassed picture quality, and the new slim type tubes offer even more…

The Complete LCD TV Guide:
Discover all you need to know about LCD HDTV sets - including the latest LED LCD TVs, in this series of articles on LCD televisions.

Plasma Television ...a complete guide
Discover the basic operational principles, find out the pros and cons of plasma television vs. LCD TV, and identify the features to look for when making a plasma TV purchase.

3D TV in the Home
We experienced 3D in movie theaters; now 3D has come to the home thanks to the latest 3D HDTVs. But is it worth investing in 3D TV now? More in this series of 3D TV informative articles.

Flat-Panel TV Reviews: LCD and Plasma HDTVs

LCD TV Reviews:
Covering some of the best LCD HDTVs - from expensive LED LCD TVs to affordable LCD televisions in the so-called 'value category', more commonly referred to as cheap LCD TVs!

Plasma TV Reviews – discovering the best plasma televisions!
A series of plasma TV reviews covering some of the best yet most affordable plasma television sets.

Best HDTVs - A Flat-panel TV Roundup
Helping you pick the best LCDs, LED TVs, and plasma HDTVs

Video Projection Systems - Guides and Product Reviews: Rear projection TVs, Video Projectors and Projection Screens

Projection TV - the center of attraction in home entertainment
In search of BIG fun; look to the big screens of Projection TV. A complete guide to front and rear projection television systems.

Front Projection: Business and Home Theater Video Projector Reviews
Multimedia video projectors can serve many purposes. Our video projector reviews can help you discover the best-selling business and home theater projectors available today.

Rear Projection TV Reviews
A selection of Rear Projection TV reviews covering major top-selling systems for home theater use.

DIY projection TV
Imagine watching movies or your favorite sports in real life-size without spending a fortune! DIY projection TV can make this a reality but…

Home Theater Screens – the Secret behind Great Image Projections
Home theater screens are usually the last to be considered when setting up a home cinema; many would choose among the cheapest available. However, this is a BIG mistake...

Home Theater Audio: Multi-Channel Sound

Guide to Home Theater Sound
A complete guide to home theater sound - covering Dolby and DTS surround sound formats, THX certifications, DVD-A, DualDiscs, and SACDs. In the process, we also discuss AV amplifiers and home theater speaker systems as further detailed below:

Guide to AV Amplifiers:
What makes good amplifiers and AV receivers? Covering also amplifier specs, amplifier power requirements, and time delay settings in surround sound.

Guide to Home Theater Speaker Systems:
An introduction to multi-channel speaker systems, covering multi-channel audio speaker requirements, speaker buying tips, speaker placement, and speaker specs.

Home Theater Cables: AV Interconnects and HDCP

Home Theater Cables: Guide to AV Connectors and Speaker Wire
Do not underrate the importance of quality home theater cables; the quality of your AV connectors and speaker wire will impact system performance. Read here to discover more.

HDCP - A Guide to the most debated Digital Content Protection
Discover what HDCP is all about, why it impacts your HDTV viewing, and how it works. Is there an alternative to noncompliant HDTV devices - what about HDCP strippers?

Home Theater Guides: HT Design, AV Racks and System Set-up

Towards a Successful Home Theater Design
A correct home theater design is crucial for an immersive movie experience. Discover more in this series of home theater articles.

Home Theater Setup DVDs
Calibration discs can help you get the best out of your system without calling a professional. Discover how setup DVD discs can come in handy during equipment setup.

Guide to Audio Video Equipment Racks
AV Racks come in all shapes and sizes, and helps you keep your gear well organized and safe - essential for long-term trouble-free operation. But equipment racks than a storage space for your system components.

More in this informative home theater guide.

Home Theater Room Decor: Home Theater Pictures and Movie Posters

Home Theater Pictures - Visitor's Gallery
A collection of Home Theater Pictures submitted by Practical Home Theater Guide visitors, to help you discover what others have done to build their home theater masterpiece.

Movie Posters - a great way to relive your favorite movie magic!
Movie posters can help recreate the magic of the movie theater in the home. Learn more about the fascinating world of movie pictures, poster sizes, poster books, poster light boxes, etc.

Wireless Home Theater: Headphones, Speakers & Media Players

Guide to Wireless Headphones and Dolby Headphone technology
Ever told to turn it down? Wireless headphones may be a solution. However, you need to combine the flexibility of a wireless headset with Dolby Headphone technology to enjoy a great sound experience.

Wireless Home Theater – A buying guide to Wireless Speakers Systems
Wireless speakers offer greater flexibility especially when in-wall wiring is not an option. This wireless speakers buying guide should help you identify the best solution for your needs.

Wireless Media Players
Are you ready to expand your wireless networking from a simple home-office to a fully integrated wireless home entertainment system? Today’s wireless media players make this easily achievable.

Home Theater Books, Magazines and Electronics Catalogs

Home Theater Magazines and books - Reviews and Suggestions
Grab one or two ‘solid’ home theater magazines and a few ‘good’ home theater books, and you are on a sure way to avoid costly mistakes when planning a home theater or making a purchase.

Free Electronics Catalogs
Now you can get some of the best Electronics Catalogs from major companies covering top electronic gadgets and home theater gear, free of charge. More info here.

Power Protection: Line Conditioners and Surge Suppressors

Power Protection in the Home Theater - Power Line Conditioners
A guide to power protection in the home theater: Power line conditioners, surge protectors, and AC regenerators surely represent an effective insurance policy for your home theater gear, but not only…

Satellite Television - Installation Guides & 'Free' Sat TV Offers

Comprehensive online guide to Digital Satellite TV
With its exceptional picture and sound quality, digital satellite TV is delivering entertainment to millions in the USA - it is surely a great choice to complement your home theater and a great source for HD broadcast content.

Useful Links

Home Theater Resource Directory
A selection of home theater guides and informative articles from specialized top-rated home theater sites, with links to related web resources.

Useful Links - Home Theater
Lots more info at Practical-home-theater-guide.com: Recommended Home Theater links sorted by category.

More Links
Additional resources: Useful websites worth visiting.

Online Store & Price Search

Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com Home Theater Store
The Home Theater Store with the movie 'magic' in mind - covering books, home theater magazines, audio video cables, DVDs, videos and music CDs, home theater receivers and TVs, etc.

Price Search
Do not just buy it... Best Price Search It! We have partnered with one of the major price comparison search engines to help you identify the best deals when shopping online.

About ME

About Me!
Revealing who is behind www.practical-home-theater-guide.com and how I built this site.

Website Information

About this Website Content
Nature of the content you may expect to find on our website.

Practical Home Theater Guide 'Terms-of-Use'
Practical Home Theater Guide terms of use and website disclaimer policy.

Practical Home Theater Guide 'Privacy Policy'
Your privacy is important to us. Read here for details.

Practical Home Theater Guide Blog
Practical Home Theater Guide Blog provides instant updates about anything appearing on practical-home-theater-guide.com.

Feedback Form
Submitting your queries, remarks, suggestions, etc. is easy; just use Practical Home Theater Guide Feedback Form!

Editor's Note: Most product links - images and or text - appearing on this website are affiliate links. When you click on these links and complete your purchase at the respective online seller, we get a small commission that goes to help us maintain this site.

However, rest assured that we remain committed to provide unbiased information. Opinions expressed in our articles represent our sole and informed view based on our knowledge of the subject.

Discussions

...and submissions!

Do you think it is worth investing in a 3D HDTV now?
3D TV in the home is a reality. Are you ready to invest in a 3D HDTV now.

Would Do You Think about Sony's latest 2010 LED HDTVs?
Sony may have missed the LED TV bandwagon in 2009; it is definitely not the case this year.

Submit your home theater to our Picture Gallery. It is fun, easy, and free!

Submit your site to be featured on our site Practical Home Theater Guide; details here.

Satellite vs. Cable TV: Which is better? Share your experience; it will surely be of value to others.

You may also join in our discussions on the different products reviewed on our site. Just follow through the respective product review for more information.

New / Updated Content:

More information @ Practical Home Theater Guide

Best Cheap Plasma TVs:
2010 budget-class plasma TV roundup.

LG Plasma TVs for 2010: Product Review
LG plasma TV lineup for 2010 is the smallest, but is still one of the most valid HDTV options characterized by extensive features and attractive pricing.

In the first part of this write-up, we look at the features on offer. In the second part, we discuss each series, analyzing features and performance.

We then present a detailed review of the PK950 Series. These have been dubbed as the best LG plasma TVs ever. But do they offer the performance of a flagship model from a top brand?

2010 Panasonic plasma TVs: Detailed Product Review
Panasonic's new line of Viera Plasma TVs comprises the largest range of plasma TVs from a single brand. Premium models are among the best in black level performance, while Panasonic flagship plasma TVs deliver solid 2D and 3D picture quality - but at a rather expensive price.

We analyze each of the different series on offer and then review the Panasonic G20/G25 premium plasma TVs to see what is being offered at the more affordable price bracket.

We also review the Panasonic VT20/VT25 3D plasma TVs to see if these are worth their relatively expensive price.

2010 Samsung plasma TVs: Detailed Product Evaluation
With 22 different plasma TVs, choosing a Samsung plasma HDTV is not easy.

This four part plasma TV review article first presents an overview of Samsung plasma lineup for 2010. In the process, we analyze the key features on offer. We then review Samsung Series 5 and Series 7 and 8 plasma HDTVs to see what is exactly on offer from this major player in the field.

LG LED TV Lineup for 2010: Full Product Evaluation
LG is presenting seven different LED TV series. Relatively affordable, LG LED TVs offer a lot for the price. But what about picture quality - is it worthy of a leader in the field? In this LG TV review, we analyze each of these series to discover more.

Samsung 2010 LED HDTV Lineup - Product Evaluation
With more than 30 LED TVs, from entry-level to C9000 flagship HDTVs, Samsung new LED TV lineup seems all set to be an even bigger hit.

This Samsung LED TV review evaluates each of these series for features and performance, to see what's on offer for 2010.

Guide to Home Theater Sound
Topics covered include Dolby and DTS surround sound formats, THX certifications, DVD-A, DualDiscs, and SACDs. In the process, we also discuss AV amplifiers and home theater speaker systems as detailed below:

AV Amplifiers: What makes good amplifiers and AV receivers? Covering also amplifier specs, amplifier power requirements to match your preferred level of loudness, and time delay settings in surround sound.

Speaker Systems: An introduction to multi-channel speaker systems - covering multi-channel audio speaker requirements, speaker buying tips, speaker placement, and speaker specs.

Sony LED HDTV Lineup for 2010 - Full Product Guide:
Sony is proposing an extensive line of 2D and 3D LED TVs, with a total of 22 different models. But what is exactly on offer and how do these perform with respect to LED TVs from other brands?

Optimal Viewing Distance for an immersive 3D Experience
Your 3D TV viewing distance, TV screen size and viewing angle all play an important role in delivering a realistic 3D experience.

Home Theater Guides

Recommended Technical Guides

Image Sticking in LCD TVs
This is one of the least known phenomena associated with the use of TFT LCD panels, yet image retention is not just an issue with plasma TVs...

LCD Response Time - Is faster always better?
Is it possible to compare LCD TV response times between different brands? What about 120Hz LCD TVs - are they really better at eliminating motion blur?

TV Viewing Distance
A big screen TV for your home theater? Do not fall into the trap of buying a too large TV!

Contrast Ratio - Playing with Numbers!
To what extent high contrast ratios affect the performance of a home theater projector or a video display device?

Dolby vs. DTS - Which delivers better sound?
We discuss the differences between these surround sound formats to help you understand why this Dolby vs. DTS controversy prevails.

Plasma vs. LCD TV
A detailed 360 degrees comparative guide to choosing between a plasma television and an LCD HDTV.

Feel the Shake!
Bass Shakers, Buttkickers... Add the sensation of tactile sound and discover a whole new world in home entertainment.

The HDMI Cable Guide
To many, HDMI is still an unfamiliar term. This easy-to follow home theater guide explains all you need to know about HDMI.

Poster Light Boxes:
Movie Posters help bring about the Hollywood magic in the home. But the fascinating world of movie pictures is more than just a beautiful poster hanging on the wall. For that unique touch, you need a poster light box.

Miscellaneous Guides:

Buying Online Guides

A Buyer's Guide to Shopping Online
Shopping online is cheaper, but is it safe? Discover how to manage the risks while still enjoying big savings.

Buying Refurbished Electronics
A way to a cheap HDTV is to opt for a refurbished product. However, to make the most out of your purchase, you first need to understand what refurbished products are.

HT Books and Magazines