It’s one thing to make a decision to set up home theater in you home but it’s another in actually doing it. Do you know how to set up a home theater? Most will answer no so what do you do?

Let’s get one thing straight, a home theater can mean just having a television, DVD player and sound system but most people will have images of cinema style entertainment. There’s nothing wrong with this thinking. What this article is about is making you aware of the fact unless you plan your home theater installation then it will come back to haunt you later on…that’s a given.

For those working on a tight budget then start small and complete your set up as your budget allows. But if you can afford it, then getting a professional in to do the job is almost as good as putting money in the bank. In fact, there are professional home theater consultants available today that can plan your entire set up.

Some of the major consumer electronics stores also offer services on how to set up a home theater. For the inexperienced, this is advice worth listening to. Not only will they give you advice but you can also have your home theaters professionally installed.

What about if you have the experience with electronics and are prepared to do the installation yourself?

How To Plan A Home Theater Set Up

Let’s take a look at several factors which can either enhance or ruin your home entertainment experience. These are not in any particular order but all important in the final outcome.

1. Plan you entire layout on paper. This includes cabling and always allow for extra cables.

2. Highlight where you want your equipment to go. Where will you place the TV? Can it be mounted or will it sit on a cabinet or stand and will the layout of the room enable or accommodate the TV and sound system? You also need to allow room for extra components which may be added later on. This is one of the major factors and many don’t take future additions into consideration.

3. How much power do you have coming in? Will it be able to support your system? If you are unsure then ask an electrician to come in and check it. When asking how to set up a home theater power is often overlooked but it should be one of the first things to be considered.

4. Heating can be a problem. Many systems can generate a lot of heat and you need to clarify this with an expert. It is always a good idea to install a cooling system which may simply be just a small fan connected to an air vent.

5. TV viewing distance is vital. Take into account the size of your room in comparison to the television. If you are buying a large screen TV then be sure you can position your seating far enough away to enjoy the experience. A general rule of thumb is to take the width of the screen into account and it needs to be at least 2-5 to 3-5 times that distance from the TV.

6. Take into consideration factors such as phone and high speed computer connections especially if you intend using your system for gaming such as play station. Just make sure the connections are close by. Also, consider your cabling length. Buying short cables is a trap for new players as it restricts the flexibility of your system.