Home Theater Installation Los Angeles

Picking The Right HDTV for Your Home Theater System

When you envision a theater-like video experience, you probably think first of a projection system and a very large screen. That's certainly the display of choice in the prototypical home theater. The two-piece projector/screen combination is generally best suited for a dedicated theater room, in which you can completely control the lighting (although many projector manufacturers now offer high-brightness models that are specifically designed for use in brighter environments). Companies like Runco, SIM2, Projection Design, and Digital Projection International offer projectors and services targeted more at the high-end marketplace, around $20,000 and above. However, projectors aren't reserved solely for the wealthy. This type of display device can actually offer the best screen-size-to-cost ratio. JVC, Sony, and Optoma have earned high marks for the performance of their mid-level projectors, which fall in the $5,000 to $10,000 price range, while Epson, Panasonic, and Sanyo offer high-quality entry-level projectors. As for the projection screen, you can choose between fixed-frame, pull-up/-down, or motorized screens, and most screen manufacturers offer a wide variety of screen materials to suit different projectors and environments. You also need to think about what screen shape you want: Do you want a standard 16:9 screen that's perfect for HDTV and many movies or a 2.35:1 screen that lets you watch CinemaScope movies with no black bars (this requires a suitably equipped projector and sometimes an add-on lens). Another option is to add a masking system that uses drapes or panels to tailor the screen shape to suit each source. Some of the top names in home theater screens are Stewart Filmscreen, Screen Innovations, dnp, Da-Lite, Vutec, and Elite Screens.

Projector Installation in L.A.