What is Home Cinema?

 

Home Cinema systems are advanced audio visual installations for watching films and television.

The purpose of home cinema is to create an exciting and immersive environment to watch films, using either plasma displays or projectors with advanced audio systems. This enables the viewer to actually feel like they are surrounded by the events in the movie they are watching. A large screen reduces the peripheral visual distractions, and surround sound audio lets things creep up on you from behind - greatly enhancing the feeling of realism.

Home Cinema Installation

Home entertainment has never been so affordable. What used to be available to a select few, can now be afforded by almost all home sound and visual enthusiasts. This is largely due to the continual fall of equipment prices as technology develops.

"There seems so much choice out there so where do I start?"

First set your budget. Basically, the more you pay the better it sounds. A second consideration is, should you go for an all in one package or a separate AV amplifier and speaker package?

 

All in one packages

There are some nice solutions with complete systems Bose, Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic, would be our recommendations. Another consideration is whether you want a 5.1 speaker system, 2.1 speaker system. With 5.1 there would be three speakers at the front. left, right and centre. It also includes a separate sub woofer and two rear speakers. Speakers can either be wall mounted or on stands.

2.1 home cinema requires only two front speakers and the subwoofer. The sub must sit on the floor and cannot be wall mounted. 2.1 systems offer a neater solution but a 5.1 system will always provide a more immersive sound.

 

AV amplifier and speaker systems

If you are looking for the most versatile and best sounding system, then a separate AV amplifier and speaker package is the best bet. There are lots of choices available. Again, set your budget as prices range from hundreds to thousands. The most popular of AV amplifiers seems to be the Yamaha, Pioneer and Denon. In terms of speaker systems, look out for Bose, KEF, Tannoy, B&W.

 

Sound projector

A third option is a single speaker sound projector. Yamaha is a poplar choice. They consist of one large speaker mounted under the screen (there are actually multiple speakers providing up to 40 sound beams. These sound beams bounce the sound around the room to recreate the home cinema surround sound experience. A subwoofer is optional but we would highly recommend one. The result is is by no means as effective as the real thing, but a good solution if you're not keen on speakers placed around the room.

 

 

 

Subwoofer
This is the bit of home cinema the ladies really hate. However it's an essential part of home cinema, whether that be a home cinema package or HiFi separates. The good news is the subwoofer can be tucked away in the corner of the room, even behind some curtains or a plant pot.

Why Do I Need A Subwoofer?

Your current speaker system probably has a woofer. This small cone handles both low and mid-range frequencies. It will play some low frequencies but generally cannot deliver the full-range with authority and high definition bass. A quality subwoofer will bring these sounds to you with full impact and clarity.

You need a sub for the following reasons:

• You have small stand or shelf-mounted speakers.
• You have an interest in going with a high-end multichannel stereo and plan to install a home cinema system in the future.
• If you love music with deep bass, only a sub will deliver it.
• If you have a large room that you wish to fill with realistic sound levels. A powered subwoofer will help to accomplish that goal.

 

With Master AV services home cinema installations, we do not only physically install your system, we also spend time setting up your new system Once all your speakers are in position, it is important to ensure your processor is calibrated correctly.  Any system regardless of cost can sound terrible if the processor is not adjusted to suit your speakers & their positions within the room. We take pride in the set up process to ensure that you achieve the best possible sound.