How to set up a home entertainment system at home
Entertainment doesn't mean going to a movie theatre or sitting outdoors any more. Entertainment has made its way into the living room. No, we are not talking about viewing content on your TV. You can watch a live match, movie, news or your favourite TV show using today's smart gadgets.
Low on budget? Not to worry.
Setting up home entertainment doesn't always involve a lot of expenditure. You can install the basics, which are good enough for you to call your friends over and flaunt your personalized home theatre. And if you have the money to splurge, you can get the best of gadgets as well.
Up to Rs 75,000
Rs 50,500
This is an ultra-portable business projector, providing sharp and bright images considering its size. This shortthrow projector is ideal for those who have limited space and budget to set up home entertainment. With the native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, it has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. It can comfortably project anywhere between 20 inch and 240 inch. The LED has a lamp life of 20,000 hours and the projector offers a host of connectivity options. There is also a remote control
Rs 9,990
You can play movies directly from your laptop by plugging in an HDMI cable or a USB. But you could also invest in this Sony 5.1 channel speaker with a DVD player that will serve two purposes: allow you to play DVDs and create a home theatre-like sound effect. The DVD player can be used to play popular formats like Xvid, MPEG-4 and MP3. The sound output of the speakers combined is 360 Watt.
Rs 2,690
The movie watching experience is never complete without popcorn. Get yourself Sevrein Popcorn Maker, which makes popcorn using hot air within 2.5 mins approximately. It has a transparent lid with an integrated flipping scoop, a user friendly on-off switch with pilot light and a great grip.
Rs 1450
Many gadgets mean multiple remote controls. Replace them with a universal remote. This one can pair up to six devices including TV, DVD, home theatre, game console, iPod docks, etc.
Up to Rs 2.5 lakh
Rs 98,699
The Epson EH-TW5200 is positioned as an economy segment 3D-capable 1080p (HD) home projector for gamers and AV enthusiasts. It is a compact projector with a curved appearance and therefore more appealing compared to rectangular projectors. It has two HDMI ports, a VGA port, an RS232 port, a composite port, a USB port and ports for audio output. There is also a built-in 2W mono speaker with the grill located at the back of the device. It has a full HD 3D LCD projector featuring a 480Hz 3D drive. The projector offers a 15,000:1 contrast ratio. It offers a color light output and white light output of 2000 lumens. It can project up to 328 inches.
Rs 23,990
It brings together a Blu-Ray player and a 5.1 channel speaker. It offers a total power of 1000 Watts and 3D surround sound. The vertical surround meets DTS processor to create real 3D sound that will make your living room feel like the inside of a cinema. The DTS Neo with its seven channel surround sound speakers deliver better sound depth and isolated stereo channels, so it sounds as if the audio comes from different areas of the room.
On Request
The biggest joy of having a home theatre is the automated lighting system that you can control without moving from your recliner. You can either get sensors installed while setting up your house or go for a cheaper alternative by installing modular units. These can be installed in the existing fitting. It comes with fully functional hand held remote for operations.
Rs 10,890
Having a refrigerator in your living room can be a spoiler. But getting up again and again to get chilled beer isn't a good idea either. Get yourself this 25 litre electric cool box with a built-in cable storage compartment. The powered lid houses a long lasting brushless motor ensuring an environment-friendly peltier cooling system that cools to 20C below the ambient temperature.
Rs 2.5 lakh and above
Rs 2,50,000
Targeted at the niche crowd, the Panasonic's AE projectors try to bring home a cinema experience. The AE 8000 stands out for its 3D projection quality. This full-size projector comes with a 2400 lumens lamp. The projector also offers a contrast ratio of 500000:1. There is a 480 Hz full HD panel that also helps in projecting bright and clear content. The colours look natural, even when you are projecting in 3D.
2. LG BH9530TW
Rs 69,990
This is an advanced multi-directional sound system composed of nine speakers and one woofer. These speakers deliver nine different sounds from different directions. The sounds are precise and genuine. The speakers are made of Aramid Fiber. With its high resistance fabric, it minimises sound distortion and delivers precise sound. And the rear speakers are wireless, reducing the clutter of wires. The speakers are Bluetooth compatible, allowing you to play music directly from your smartphone.
Rs 30,000 onwards
Recliners bring home the Gold class experience. La-z-Boy, the oldest and most reputed name among recliners, has its parts shipped to India and later assembled in this country. You can choose the colour you want. There are automated recliners with cup holders too.
As per Area
Installing motorised blinds combines natural beauty with enhanced functionality. They offer the ideal solution to control natural light. The blinds can be raised and lowered while sitting from a distance.
The Dynalite from Philips is a complete solution for controlling lighting, security, motorised blinds and curtains, climate control and much more. It comprises multi-function sensors which can detect motion in a room and accordingly adjust the level of artificial light. Compatible with LEDs, CFLs, halogens, tube lights, GLS bulbs, etc. from various lighting companies, it has its real intelligence unit installed behind the interface board. It is operated by remote control.
Cables & Ports
USB: Available in three forms - normal, mini and micro. These cables connect various devices like printer and external flash drives to the computer and laptops. These days flat panel TVs and projectors have USB ports that can be used to play content from the flash drive, directly.
DVI: Digital Video interface is a port common to PCs, laptops and projectors. It streams digital video. Auxiliary: Similar to the composite cable, is used only for audio streaming.
Component: These allow connectivity without loss of digital data and can be used for hi-def products.
Composite: The most commonly used form of analogue connectivity for TVs, projectors and DVD players. It does not support HD viewing or HD Sound.
HDMI: Definition Multimedia Interface is mostly used with hi-def thin panels and consoles. They stream the best picture quality.
VGA: Video Graphics Array has been used in PCs since the late 1980s. They have become outdated now as DVI has taken over.
