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INI AV Home Theater Design Services

7 Steps to a Dedicated Home Theater

December 12, 2019 Home Theater

Today, you can find home entertainment through a variety of screens and devices. Whether you’re streaming Netflix on your laptop, enjoying a movie in the media room on your 4K TV, or catching the game on your phone, access to entertainment has never been easier.

We’re living the future, and that means you can aim for an even more immersive entertainment experience. Imagine feeling like you’re in the front row of your favorite football team’s big game, or that you’re one of the characters in the newest thriller with stellar surround-sound and crisp visuals.

With a home theater, this is easily achievable. Luckily, anyone can have a home theater, whether you're constructing a million-dollar room or transforming an existing room on a modest budget. The result? A memorable movie night every single time.

Here are 7 steps to guide you through the creation of your new home theater.

Map out Your Idea

Write down and draw out your vision of the ideal media room. Consider the size of your budget and all the pros and cons of each feature to get you started. While you could pull it off by yourself, it’s advisable to partner with an AV expert like INI AV for the smoothest and quickest process. If you plan to build it from scratch, you have to plan with the builder from the start. If you prefer to remodel a spare room, think about the structural adjustments you may need before getting started. Which leads to the next step.

Centralize Your Wiring

You should see all the action and none of the wires in your new home theater. A proper installation should also bring all the wires together in a single centralized location to discreetly integrate all your new features, like speakers, lights, and a screen. For you, this means a clean design that’s easy to maintain and an increased value on your home for the next lucky owner.

Select Your Screen

A vital part of state-of-the-art home theater is owning a high-resolution screen to get the feeling of a real movie theater. New 4K flat screens provide an unparalleled image that take you right to the game, battlefield, performance, or whatever it is you're watching. Consider the television’s placement in conjunction with possible windows that could cast a glare, and make sure you pick a size that provides an immersive but not overwhelming picture at a comfortable distance from your couch

Choose Your Couch

For your home theater, you want seating that allows you to snuggle up for romance flicks or be on the edge for nail-biting thrillers. Here you can easily surpass the movie theaters’ stiff recliners with a comfortable sofa that can fit the whole family or individual leather seats with sizable cup holders. If you desire, you can even have a 4D experience with seats that vibrate along to the movie. The options are endless; you’ll find the perfect seating to fit your budget.

Pick Your Acoustics and Speakers

Another essential aspect of your new home cinema is the audio. The size of your room directly correlates with the power of your sound system: more volume for bigger rooms. Don't forget receiver/amplifier equipment that matches your speakers' power or the acoustics of your home theater. For the best sound quality, cover at least half of your room in absorption material. This is easily done no matter your budget; acoustic panels are ideal but carpet works as a great substitute.

Personalize Your Decor

Creating your own home theater shouldn’t be a chore. You get to add personal touches that truly make it a one-of-a-kind room. Design the room to resemble a 1920’s speakeasy with art deco features, or pay homage to all the great sci-fi flicks with Star Wars and Mad Max memorabilia. Whether you want to incorporate custom countertops for a bar in one corner, shelves for figurines, or a funky carpet, the choice is yours! But remember to keep the decorations from interfering with the functionality of the theater.

Program Your Media Controls

The lure of the local cinema is that it requires no work on your part: you just sit down and watch. There's rarely the technical difficulties that sometimes accompany the old experience of watching movies at home. But today you can get a movie started seamlessly with a few taps from your remote. A well-designed home theater has automated controls that rely on the centralized wiring systems mentioned earlier, meaning all you need to do is select the "Movie" setting for an ideal audio-video sequence and the perfect lighting. Even the oldest and youngest members of your family will be able to get movie night started!

A well-designed home theater is an experience that brings family and friends together. If you’re considering adding one to your home, the team of professionals at INI AV are here to help.

Contact us today to get started on your new dream home theater!

  • Jim and his crew saved my entire implementation of my home audio/video/lighting paired with Savant's home automation platform. I had been through 2 integrators previously. My first integrator failed to address many of the issues on the setup they installed themselves. My 2nd integrator was decent, but never responded to my follow up inquiries. I contacted Savant Systems and asked for the best integrator in the area and they recommended INI. Jim has always been responsive and efficient by making sure all issues are addressed. Jim and his crew (I met Luke and Pablo) were able to address all of my issues and get my setup rock solid. I haven't had one single issue since. My biggest regret is not finding them from the beginning of my build out. I would have likely saved money and time if I used them from the beginning. I won't hesitate to reach out to INI for future needs or the next home system I build out.

    Sean Brown
  • I had them automate my house and the professionalism and attention to detail was prefect. To sum it up, it just works.

    It was a three man team to automate my house with lutron lights, audio,  and video control using a Savant system. They ran wire, redid my network, and showed my how to use the new simple technology. 

    It's pretty cool to go from just hanging out to full entertainment inside and outside of the house for a game while playing music with two touches on my phone. The team was fast, efficient, and knowledgeable. You can tell they've been working together for awhile. 

    I would highly recommend!

    Sean Reiche (via Yelp)
  • My wife and I have been an INI client for many years. The expertise and value they have brought has been remarkable. They assisted us with a failed system, upgraded us to a new system years later and have been there for all unexpected issues (i.e. power outage resets, user error, etc.). They are responsive and have always been available when needed - in my opinion this is rare. Kudos and to Jim, Luke and the INI team!!! John & Lori

    John Wiegand
  • I have used the INI team for a few jobs because they are professional, thorough and I trust them. Jim and his team are technically savvy and remain available and responsive when I call back with questions. They also care about their community and have supported numerous Veteran / Wounded Warrior events. I will use INI again.

    Ed Mason
  • When our home was built, INI did all my audio/video installation. Any issue I had, they were right there with positive assistance. Jim and Eric are the best. They are knowledgeable and courteous. I trust them without any hesitation.

    Jim Moseley
  • We have worked with Jim and Luke and the folks at INI for over 10 years. They have always been exteamly helpful listening to what we wanted to accomplish with our TV and sound system helping us to realize our a fantastic finished product. Not being Tech savy we were more than intimidated by the incredible advancements in TV, programming and sound systems. Jim or Luke were always there to answer our questions and to walk us through a glitches we may have caused. Their incredible patience led us into the new world of modern TV viewing. I would highly recommend this company to anyone who is looking for the latest and greatest in home entertainment. They are just the BEST.

    Jim and Rusty Shilkett
  • INI did an awesome job hooking up my condo. From tv's, sonos sound system to a new network.  

    Staff was friendly, punctual, flexible around my work schedule. Took extra time to walk me through how to use the system.  Very professional and clean.  

    Melanie Ciz (via Yelp)