Maybe you’re sick of shelling out money for torn seats and smelly aisles at the movies. Perhaps you’re planning a big night in with the girls. Or you may just have nothing else to do on your Friday nights. Whatever the case, a solid home entertainment system can open up a world of fun without you having to even step out of the door. Getting your system set up, however, can be more pain than gain if you don’t know what you’re doing. Every home entertainment system needs a few key bits to make it sparkle, and with some simple tips you’ll be ready to start your own little backyard box office.
Sound System: Make sure it fits your room. One of the biggest problems with buying a huge surround sound system is that the number of speakers can often overcrowd your space. In some cases, buying a three-speaker system can be more appropriate than getting one with seven or eight different speakers. Make a point to find out how much cabling is required for your speakers – awkward cables can often trip up visitors and leave both your guests and your entertainment system in a rather foul mood.
Computer: Have you considered using a laptop? Using a portable device like a laptop, notebook or even tablet PC can reduce the hassle of linking your PC to your TV. All you need to do is put your device near the TV, plug it in with a single cable, and you’re off – and you can remove it at any time when you’re not entertaining your friends or whiling away some leisure time. You may even consider laptop rental or a new purchase to get a dedicated machine for media purposes – whether this be streaming movies to your TV or watching them on the train. Entertainment is increasingly mobile nowadays, after all.
TV: Well, this is pretty obvious. You’re going to want a pretty big screen, with high-definition image quality – but you should also make sure that you can connect your TV to your sound system, computer, and other peripherals like Blu-Ray players or games consoles. Check with your retailer whether all your devices are compatible with your chosen TV, and bring the actual cables if you want to make sure before buying. LCD is probably the best bet for your TV at the moment, as it provides top picture quality as well as the option for 3D viewing with some models. With LCD TVs, rental is often a good move, as it minimises upfront costs and means you can apply to upgrade (or switch) your set when you’re ready to switch between technologies.
Home entertainment systems need a whole lot of different parts which will work together, and this can be a complex process. Don’t be afraid to ask your retailer questions or test the equipment before you buy. Advice from friends can also point you in the right direction when trying to find compatible devices. Happy hunting!