by Revetta Dixon, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
Home theater enthusiasts are turning Blockbuster nights into evenings at Mann's Chinese Theater with the help of accessories that can create both the look and feel of a true cinema experience. From walk-in music to earth-shattering bass, companies across the country offer products to make the movie room feel like the local theater .
Toby's Tunes in Minneapolis, Minn., produces a 45-minute compact disc of "orchestral movie music and ambient effects of people entering the theater."
Several different companies offer lines of recliners and couches for home theaters . ElectroShops, also based in Minneapolis, offers a selection of seating for added movie-watching comfort. Authentic theater seats are available, as well as recliners in leather and suede.
"Loungers are starting to get really popular," said Lance Fletcher, president of ElectroShops. "You can even get them motorized. You could hit a button and have the foot rest come up."
Gary Yacoubian of Myer-Emco, a stereo and video systems retailer based in Gaithersburg , Md., says home theater decor is becoming more and more elaborate.
"We're seeing dedicated home theater rooms, as opposed to the old paradigm of a living room or family room with home theater stuff in there," said Yacoubian, vice president of the company. "Some people use finished basements as home theaters where they can completely control ambient lighting and even have home theater seating."
Fletcher says that having rooms specifically designed for movie-watching has contributed to the popularity of other traditional movie theater items, such as poster marquees and wall sconces.
Beyond furnishings and accents, audio and video components are also becoming more advanced.
"I think people are really excited with the advent of digital surround sound," said Yacoubian. "It's a tremendous breakthrough. And the picture quality of wide-screen HDTVs is astounding. It allows DVDs to look dramatically better than with conventional televisions."
Theater sound can be taken to the next level with the help of tactile transducers , also called bass shakers and motion actuators, that let movie-watchers feel the thundering bass of blockbuster films like "Jurassic Park." The transducers can be placed under the flooring or directly onto the seating in the room.
Some owners are even taking the sights and sounds of the movies to other rooms within the home.
"Another exciting trend for us is using home theater as the basis for multi-room audio/video around the house," said Yacoubian. "We have the ability to connect multiple sets of speakers with different program content going to different areas. It can be controlled from any point in the house."
Touch-screen remotes make multi-room control simple. The remote controls are programmed specifically for the user's needs, said Yacoubian. The button can be customized to a specific product and, when pressed, can perform a specific set of actions.
"My wife's name is Sylvia, so I could make a button called 'Sylvia's favorite channel ' and one button could turn on the TV, switch to the proper channel and even dim the lighting in the room," said Yacoubian. The same remote can also be programmed to control the home security system and even the heating and air conditioning.
With all the gadgets and gizmos available, it's easy to be intimidated if you're just starting out in the world of home theater. Fletcher and Yacoubian agree that a home theater doesn't have to cost as much as the actual home.
"You can get into really good quality without spending an arm and a leg," said Fletcher. "With a smaller room, you don't need a huge budget. All you need is good sound quality and picture quality."
Yacoubian says the cost of the system can depend on what the individual considers important. "Some people want a big TV and are not concerned with how it sounds. Those are more like your sports fans. Movie buffs are more concerned with the sound."
Yacoubian says those in the market for home theater equipment can expect to spend about $1,000 for a dedicated sound system. But that price can go up to $50,000 and beyond. He also says to expect to put down at least $700 for a big-screen television . Myer-Emco defines "big screen" as 32 inches or higher. Yacoubian says some customers have spent beyond $10,000 for video equipment.
"A good home theater can be put together for around $2,000," said Yacoubian. "It doesn't have to be terrible."
