Audio/Visual Equipment
Options to Enjoy
BY ANDREW TRAEGER
Home entertainment systems have come a long way from the record player and stereo speakers of yesteryear. Systems today can be as simple as a box and three speakers or as elaborate as seven speakers and rack of equipment for just one room. New entertainment systems can be designed for all budgets and are often easy enough for guests to turn on.
Design
Of course, systems today can be as complicated as you want them to be. But if you are looking for a simple out-of-the-box experience and are on a budget, we recommend the all-in-one systems. These units take the confusion out of wiring and designing your room. Each system has a built-in DVD player, amplifier and stereo tuner, and many even have an iPod docking station. Some now offer wireless speakers that can be placed around the room, which saves you the frustration of running wires under the carpet or trying to hide them behind furniture. Then there are units as simple as the Bose 3:2:1. This system is made up of one DVD player and three small elegant speakers that manage to fill the whole room with quality sound. Combine any of them with a good television, and it will give you a more movie theater-like experience.
 If you are not afraid of something a little more complex, you can usually get better sound and picture quality out of individual components. This will typically cost you a little more and take a little longer to set up, but it can be worth the trouble. Ask for guidance from a sales representative on which components will work best together. Many companies, like Sony, include cables that will allow each separate component to communicate with the others other. It’s also important to remember to purchase quality cables that complement your equipment. You should expect to spend at least 10 percent of your budget on cables if you want your equipment to work the way it was designed.
If you want the quality but no frustration at all, companies like San Antonio’s Innovations in Home Theater can handle “truly custom” home theaters. Designer Gabriel Ramirez explains, “Every system is different, according to the budget and application, from windows to seating. We design it for the customer.” Complete systems start at $10,000 and go up from there.
Now if you’re more of an audiophile and are looking for truly amazing sound, schedule an appointment with Roger Tiller of Blue Marble Audio. His appointment-only audio/video gallery holds some of the finest equipment on the market.
 Controlling it all
With all this new equipment, how many remotes should it take to play your favorite movie? The answer is one, and, even better, you should have to press only one button to make it start. Imagine being able to tap a button and watch your curtains close, lights dim, and have the television, stereo and DVD players all come to life seamlessly. That is no longer a dream or a luxury; many companies are designing remotes that can be programmed to execute a series of commands that have been programmed into a computer. Don’t be intimidated by that; in the case of the Logitech One remote, you connect it to your computer, enter the model numbers for each piece of equipment in your living room, answer a few questions about how you “watch TV” or “watch a DVD,” and you’re done, all in less than 20 minutes. After that it’s as simple as sitting down on the couch and pressing one button and watching everything work. Remotes like this cost about $250 and can be found at stores like Bjorn’s Audio and Video.
If you’re looking for more complex systems that can control the audio in different rooms, close the curtains and adjust the air conditioner, and you don’t want to handle the set-up yourself, companies like Enevation or any of the others mentioned can build a custom remote that they program and maintain.
Whatever you’re in the market for, don’t be afraid to shop around a bit. According to USA Today, the average person watches four hours and 35 minutes of television a day, so your television should be something you’ll look forward to using. Entertainment equals enjoyment, so be sure you’re getting the most out of your audio/ visual entertainment equipment. |
