Some ides on how to make
your home theater look like a commercial one
By Theo Kalomirakis

Technology
You can't really mimic the look and feel of a commercial theater in your home using a rear projection or plasma set. Rarely have I seen anything that truly resembles a theater-like atmosphere with anything other then a screen and front projector setup. Prior to the compact projectors available today, some clients weren't happy with the thought of a large CRT projector hanging in the room, so they insisted on a rear projector system. The tradeoff here is that, with the projector behind a screen, you are looking at something that more resembles a video screen, which is not a 35mm screen-look.

With today's small DLP projectors, most of the issues of the past no longer exist. CRT projectors had to be more or less at a fixed position and CRT rear projection with glass screens cost a fortune. These things are no longer an issue. It was all a CRT thing.

The Screen
I feel it's very important to "frame" the screen. A proscenium arch (or proscenium frame), recalls the days of the traditional theaters, not the multiplexes of today. The word proscenium comes from the Greek word proskenion (in front of the scene) and referred to a row of colonnades supporting an actor on a raised platform. In today's terms, it also describes the curtain and its framework.

How complex should the proscenium be? The area adjacent to the screen should not be so ornate that it distracts from the image on the screen, but it should also complement the style of the room. Whether you choose a classical or contemporary design, stay away from shiny finishes (i.e. glossy paint or gold leaf) and bright colors. Do use darker and non-reflective materials such as flat paints.

While on the subject of screens, many individuals go for the largest screen they can stuff into a room, not taking into account proper seating distancing, which effects clarity and peripheral vision. Certain guidelines should be taken into account. I don't install many screens above 120 inches wide, since even that size entails sitting 14 to 15 feet away from the screen. 90 inches is, in my opinion, the smallest size screen that justifies a dedicated home theater, though you can probably get by with an 80 inch. Keep in mind that widescreens are measured in width rather then diagonally like a television.

Regarding perforated screens, I personally don't mind them if viewed from a distance, so that the holes aren't visible. For screens measuring 100 inches to 120 inches and up, they work great because you'll be sitting far enough away. One thing that I am very conscience of is where the sound is coming from and perforated screens do permit a more realistic experience in that regard.

When I refer to a dedicated home theater, I don't mean a media room, which can be something like a family room or den with a large TV. Remember, there are two elements that really make a room a home theater: the screen, which acts as a focal point, and structured seating.

Back to Top