A flat-screen entertainment center relies upon the size and arrangement of the room as much as the TV and home theater equipment. Plan it properly and your entertainment center will make excellent use of its surroundings. Prepare poorly and you may end up with a TV that doesn't fit the place and a less-than-satisfying viewing experience. Before purchasing any equipment, examine the space for your entertainment center and decide which components will work best within it.
Instructions
1. Measure the wall space where you intend to put the flat screen TV. It should fit the dimensions precisely, with at least 6 inches of free space surrounding it--clear of pictures, windows or other distractions. If you intend to mount it on the wall, use a stud finder to locate the studs within your chosen space. They make the sturdiest locations for a mounting system. Check for potential glare from lights and windows, too. Sunlight from a window may reflect off the TV screen and mar your viewing experience.
2. Measure the distance between your intended screen and the spot where you intend to sit. For best viewing results, the distance should be 2 to 3 times the diagonal length of the screen. If space is limited and you have to sit closer, consider purchasing a smaller flat-screen TV.
3. Count the number of additional components your entertainment center will have: DVD players, A/V receivers, VCRs and speakers. Each component will need shelf space positioned close enough to the other components to run wiring between them. Plan for a few inches of extra shelf space for each component, to properly ventilate them and keep them from overheating. If you're using a single piece of furniture for all your components, make sure it can properly support the weight of them all and that there are access panels in the rear to let you run cables through without a great deal of hassle.
4. Determine the number of electrical outlets you will need and their distance from the planned home entertainment center. If it's farther from the center than the various plugs can stretch, use extension cords. Consider also whether you want to disguise the cords in some way to preserve the aesthetic value of the room. Group them in a tube, run them behind the furniture or get an electrician to run them through the walls.
5. Consider any other wiring needs you have. Rear speakers need to be wired to the rest of the entertainment center, as do subwoofers and projector systems. Map out the course of any required wiring, noting doorways or entryways they need to pass across and any potential tripping hazard. If possible, run them along the baseboard of the wall.
6. Plan any seating arrangements for your flat-screen entertainment center, whether it be specialized recliner seats or just a simple couch. Every viewing person in the household should have at least one seat set within a 30-degree angle of the center of the screen.
7. Assemble your components within the space you have prepared.
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