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Home - Equipment Racks

Date: 16th May 2011


 

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Issues discussed in this article

Blue bullet   Introduction to AV Racks: Use of equipment racks in the home theater 

Blue bullet   Equipment Racks Guide Section Index: This guide is divided into a number of articles covering topics ranging from 19" rack basics, to  thermal management in AV racks, rack selection, and available rack solutions.

 
Sanus Systems DFAV30-MO1 Designer Series 37-Inch A/V Component Stand

Sanus Systems DFAV30-MO1 Designer Series A/V Component Stand - a well built easy to assemble 37-inch AV equipment rack with a nice wood finish.


Available from Amazon US


An Introduction to AV Equipment Racks

While you can place your AV system components almost anywhere, the ideal approach is to install your gear in a fixed dedicated enclosure. Keeping system components in an appropriate equipment rack or component stand will ensure the safety of your expensive equipment while giving you easy access to system components for service and future growth.

It is true that in its simplest form, inexpensive rack systems are merely a cabinet with shelves to take your AV equipment. Yet today's rack solutions have evolved far beyond the simple enclosure designed to stack your gear.

Rather, more elaborate racks found in advanced home theater installations form a complete system in itself; these include accessories for power distribution, system thermal protection, and extensive cable management.

What's more, many manufactures have started to offer affordable stylish rack options that complement any room decor.

These designer component stands are a far cry from the industrial look of the traditional standard 19-inch rack. A case in point is the Sanus Systems DFAV30-MO1 Designer Series component stand featured above; it comes in a nice wood finish and includes special features like removable metal back panels for easy equipment access and a clever central wireway at the back to better manage your cables.

The Sanus is just one of a never-ending list of rack designs that comes in all shapes and sizes. Some of these racks are designed for use in media-closets, while others come in an attractive finish to better complement your home theater decor when used on their own, or embedded within some piece of furniture, cabinet, or built-in wall enclosure for that unique approach.

And there is more...

You can find AV rack systems that come with support shelves on rails that can be pulled out for ease of equipment handling and maintenance.

Others would even allow you to pull out the whole shelving assembly complete with the installed gear and rotate it a full 180 degrees for ease of access to the back panel of your system components.

One such example is the range of Pullout/Swivel Audio Video Rack solutions by Middle Atlantic. The AV rack shown here may be mounted direct in a wooden cabinet to integrate better with the rest of the home theater room decor; alternatively, it can be floor standing and rolled on castors.

Similar pullout rotating AV racks are also available from AVRAK as further featured on our site. AVRAK has a full innovative line of rotating AV racks - from stationary, rotating, pullout and rotating, freestanding with rotation - of outstanding quality.

A unique rack solution within the full AVRAK line is a double-width rotating equipment rack as part of their Fatrak series; this would definitely come in handy when available height for your equipment rack is an issue.

Middle Atlantic ASR-48 Rotating Slide-Out Shelving System

Middle Atlantic ASR-48
Rotating Slide-out Component Shelving System


Available from Amazon US





AV Equipment Racks - All You Need to Know
Section Index:

This Guide to AV Equipment Racks is divided into a series of short articles, starting with the basics of standard 19-inch equipment racks.

In the process, we present a list of tips on how best to select and install equipment racks. We also discuss thermal management in rack enclosures. Finally, we look at some of the most interesting audio video rack options available for home theater use.

Standard 19-inch Rack Enclosures - The Basics

In this first part of our rack guide, we discuss the basics of rack enclosures for a better understanding of standard rack solutions.

Selecting and Mounting Audio Video Rack Enclosures

Selecting a suitable rack enclosure may turn out to be a tedious and time-consuming process. However, this does not have to be so!

In this second part of our guide, we cover the subject of rack selection and equipment mounting in rack enclosures. We also discuss the important issue of thermal management and see how to keep your equipment cool.

Available Rack Solutions for the Home Theater

AV racks range from industrial style EIA 310-D compliant 19-inch rack enclosures to the more decor friendly rack solutions available specifically for home theater use. More in this info guide.

AVRAK - The Rotating AV Rack System

Avrak extensive range of rotating AV racks is based on the simple concept of reaching the back of your gear from the front - simply by giving your gear a spin!

These AV racks are relatively expensive but in return you get a stylish heavy-duty rack of exceptional standard and high degree of adaptability.

Home Media Cabinets for that Unique Finishing Touch

Maria Yee Line of EcoLuxury™ Home Theater Furniture represents an exclusive three-piece collection of AV cabinets that offer more than just style and functionality. Read here to discover more.


Looking for AV Equipment Racks?

Check out the Amazon storefront for a vast choice of products at significantly reduced prices. You can search the amazon storefront without leaving our site by using the amazon search box below; your search results will appear here under.

While at amazon, we advise to do some research of your own; see the customer feedback posted on the amazon site to discover what others had to say about their purchase especially with respect to product quality and manufacturer customer support. This should give you a better insight about the product of interest.

 

 

Equipment Rack Guides

Articles covered under this section

Introduction to Equipment Rack

Standard 19-inch Rack Enclosures Basics: We discuss the basics of rack enclosures for a better understanding of standard rack solutions.

Selecting and Mounting Audio Video Rack Enclosures: In this second part of our guide, we cover the subject of rack selection and equipment mounting in rack enclosures. We also discuss the important issue of thermal management and see how to keep your equipment cool.

Available Rack Solutions for the Home Theater: AV racks range from industrial style EIA 310-D compliant 19-inch rack enclosures to the more decor friendly rack solutions.

AVRAK - The Rotating AV Rack System: Avrak range of rotating AV racks is based on the simple concept of reaching the back of your gear from the front - simply by giving your gear a spin!

Home Media Cabinets for that Unique Finishing Touch: Maria Yee Line of EcoLuxury™ Home Theater Furniture represents an exclusive collection of AV cabinets that offer more than just style and functionality.

 

 Home Theater Guides:

Recommended Technical Guides 

Guide to LCD Television Installation:
This TV installation guide looks at various installation issues - from placement, to running cables and safety considerations.

Installing a Plasma TV over the Fireplace:
Mounting a plasma television over the fireplace is a great way to display your new flat-panel TV. More in this TV Installation Guide.

LCD Response Time and Image Lag:
Is faster always better? Is it possible to compare LCD TV response times between different manufactures? Discover the hard facts in this TV article.

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.

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.

Guide to Wireless Home Entertainment Systems
Wireless Media Players and Wi-Fi enabled home theater gear take home entertainment to a new level.

 Home Theater Books

Recommended Home Theater Reading

A Quick Guide to Home Theater Design

An easy-to-follow e-book on how to research, design, and build your own
Home Theater

Home Theater Design e-book

by Duncan McClelland
More information HERE.

Featured Audio Video Equipment Racks

Check out the latest special offers on AV Equipment Racks at amazon

 

 

 

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Back to Equipment Racks Section Index

Back to Home Theater Design Section Index

Suggested further reading:

- 19-inch Rack Enclosures Basics

- Selecting and Mounting AV Racks

- Available Rack Solutions

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