We often dream of having our own home theater setup. The truth is that it’s achievable for many people. With a little knowledge and planning, you can build your own theater that makes for great entertainment, and learning about the essential equipment can help you on that journey.
Display
You want to start with your display. After all, a good TV can handle everything you need for your entertainment room. In general, you have two options for your theater display. You can choose a TV or a projector.
If you opt for a TV, the journey begins with selecting the right size. Bigger is not always better, but even small home theaters can support surprisingly large televisions.
After you choose your TV size, you want to consider the features. Are you getting a smart TV, or do you prefer to use a media adapter (like a Roku or Google TV)? Do you have specific display settings that matter to you? You can choose from various pixel counts, brightness settings, color ranges, refresh rates, and more. If you’re not sure where to start, any modern TV will have a great picture. Advanced specs take you beyond “great.”
On the other hand, you can choose a projector setup. Remember that a projector needs a screen, so factor that into your budget. For projector screens, make sure the size is appropriate for your wall space, and generally speaking, tighter screens are better.
Modern projectors are similar to TVs – they’re all pretty good. The comparisons focus on resolution and brightness. A higher resolution and a brighter projector (measured in lumens) typically translate to a better viewing experience.
Sound
The next essential is sound. As mentioned before, even basic TVs already come with sound, and that’s a good enough starting point. But if you want to elevate your home theater, then sound systems give you a ton of options.
The first level of upgrade starts with soundbars. They range in price and function, but a good soundbar can put out a lot of volume, and you can get excellent sound quality as well.
The next step from there would be 5.1 surround sound. This is almost considered “standard” for home theater setups. The numbers mean that sounds can come from five different points in your theater – making for a more immersive experience.
Expanding from 5.1, you can opt for 7.1 surround sound. It allows for even more directional sound and even more immersion.
At the top of the line for sound, you have Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These systems project sound all over the place, making it feel like you really are in the middle of the show or game. If you’ve never experienced it, try seeing a movie in an Atmos or DTS:X theater. The difference will be clear.
Audio/Video (AV) Receiver
Display and sound control the theater experience, but the audio/video receiver (or amplifier) functions as the brain of the whole operation. This is the central device where you plug in all of your different AV components.
The receiver manages signal input and output, and it allows your very different devices to communicate for a seamless experience.
There are a ton of features available with AV receivers, but you mostly need to focus on one thing: connections. If your receiver has enough ports for all of your stuff, you’re off to a great start. Remember that you can connect your display, sound system, media streamer, video game consoles, Blu-ray player, or even a TV antenna. So, make sure your receiver has enough ports and the right ports for each piece of equipment.
Beyond connections, it’s worth comparing features—especially for control. Can you control everything from a single remote? Is there a phone app to make things even easier? Do you want to tinker with balance and control settings, or do you prefer automation for that?
Control
Finally, you need to think about connections and control. While your receiver is the key device for control, everything needs to connect. Are you running as much wireless connectivity as possible, or are you running cables for everything?
This is where planning and installation get a lot more complicated, and it’s a good point to think about talking to professionals. A home AV installation service can start with a consultation to help you plan everything, and they can get it all installed to make things that much easier.
Regardless of what you choose, this is your home theater setup. Aim for an experience that speaks to you. What matters most is that you’re happy with the outcome. So, do some homework, take your time, and create the home theater you always wanted.