Award-Winning Home Automation & Electronic Control Systems Integrators in Michigan

Choosing a Home Theater Installer: A Checklist
On any given day, you can find a great component for your home theater. You can upgrade your video, sound or entire system with just one good salesman (or one good deal at the big box). But, to get the most out of your home theater experience, you’ll need to look into a reputable home theater installer.

Why choose a home theater installer? Well, consider a few things - the least of which is that high-quality equipment you just bought. You probably bought that audio or video equipment because it was top-notch, so you could enhance your TV, movie-watching or home stereo experience. Like most things, there’s the right way and then there’s the other way to get these things done. You can be thorough or you can take a few shortcuts. Now, it doesn’t much matter sometimes, when all you want is the screen to light up and sound to come out of the speakers, but if you’ve made an investment in parts, then you should get the service, too.

We’ve sat down and come up with a helpful checklist for choosing a home theater installer. Please, forgive us for being uncompromisingly forthright with our list, we’re experts in home theater installations and we’re here to help.

1. Look for a CEDIA certification. First and foremost, do your research. CEDIA is the industry organization, and the website will help you find the very best in custom electronic residential design and installation … and peace of mind. Locate a CEDIA installer here.

2. Inventory your audio and video. Take a moment to write down what you’ve got, as far as equipment and components. Consider the age of your electronics, too. It’ll be good to be able to share thoughts with the pros on what you’ve already got and what to consider for the future.

3. Make plans to wire. Even wireless systems require a few wires here and there. Especially if you are building new or just remodeling your home theater room, start with a plan (or at least expectations) for wiring for the future. This will help with further home automation controls down the road.

4. Think about integration. It’s possible to integrate lighting and other home comfort controls at the same time you install your new, modern home theater. So, make a wish list of things you think might be nice to have integrated… you never know how easily that can be done!

5. Ask around. Web searches and links are great, but we also recommend that you ask around for references. Ask your neighbors, or even your local Better Business Bureau. Find a finished project that might be similar to what you’ve got in mind for your home theater. There’s nothing quite like good word of mouth.

Our only other recommendation: Be careful, because your home theater project may turn your home cinema into the new “family room,” so expect a lot of use!

Let us know your thoughts and comments! Do you have someone great to recommend?

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm and is filed under Home Theater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.