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Home Theaters: Projecting the Right Image
See why you might want to trade that flat-screen TV for movies on the family-room wall
I write about home technology and shopping, and love both. I'm the Tech Girl in Traditional Home magazine and contribute retail coverage to Forbes, Yahoo! and Dealnews, among others.
I write about home technology and shopping, and love both. I'm the Tech... More »
After decades of TVs being the centerpiece of a living room or family room, lot of us are getting rid of them and using our computers for the occasional reality-TV or sitcom fix. Still, there are times when a night at home with a movie or the Sunday HBO series of the moment makes for a happy escape. That's where a projector and screen come in handy.
A projection screen delivers a more fully realized, professional quality movie experience. When not in use the screen retracts and the room is returns to a TV-free haven. These days, home theaters systems with projectors and screens can be found in just about every size and price range. Even better, a professional-grade projector will not only fit a smaller space, it can help make a small space feel roomier.
A projection screen delivers a more fully realized, professional quality movie experience. When not in use the screen retracts and the room is returns to a TV-free haven. These days, home theaters systems with projectors and screens can be found in just about every size and price range. Even better, a professional-grade projector will not only fit a smaller space, it can help make a small space feel roomier.
| Projectors are used in dedicated home theaters, and these days there's something to fit every budget. Many of these systems can get a TV signal, deliver 3D images or access content from the Internet. |
| Projectors no longer need to be big hulking units. Most are small and can be easily mounted on a ceiling in the rear of the room or perched on a table top. When mounting a projector on the wall, the closer to the screen, the smaller the resulting images. Ratios vary from unit to unit, but, for example, if the projector is 10 feet from the screen and can project an 120-inch image at that distance, then for every foot closer to the screen the projector is placed, the image size will be smaller. |
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The color of your projector can be matched to blend into walls or ceilings when mounted, and those used only occasionally can be stored in a closet or cupboard.
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This projector from Runco won't be available until December, but it will help solve the distance/image size problem. The LightStyle LS-100d has what the company calls a "short throw," meaning it uses technology that lets it throw a wide image from a short distance. This projector can actually be placed under the screen and still deliver a larger-than-life image. It's also compact so you can put it away when not in use.
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by Aurelio Vazquez
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| Projectors don't transmit sound, so you'll need to connect your projector to speakers. For movie viewing, five-channel surround sound is recommended. This gives you five total speakers: two in front on either side of the screen, one in the center, two in the rear, and a subwoofer that transmits deeper sounds. |
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Even the sound components have gotten smaller and more tasteful. The MilleniaSub subwoofer from Paradigm doesn't look too bad out on display, but it can also be tucked under a sofa or chair or placed in a cabinet. This unit will work with wireless speakers, keeping cords at bay.
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A variety of screens are also available. There's the basic pull-down screen (think elementary school classroom) and automated ones that lower from the ceiling. Or, just project your images against a black wall.
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Screen Paint is a nice alternative to either an actual screen or standard paint. It comes in five shades, and for less than $200, it transforms a basic wall into a screen capable of showing HD moving images.
More: How to Get a Big Movie Experience in a Smaller Space
More: How to Get a Big Movie Experience in a Smaller Space
Ideabook published on Oct. 8, 2011.
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If you're creating a dedicated home theater room, you can really accessorize to play up the grand theater feel - install step lights on the stairs and dimmable sconces on the walls. You can even install an LED exit sign for an authentic look.