Movie nights at home are a great way to spend an evening and they can be enhanced with a great home theatre system. This can be anything from a simple screen, speaker and playback device (like a BluRay player) to a fully integrated and automated system that takes advantage of the incredible technology out there. 

If you want to set up a truly immersive home theatre system, or just need some help choosing the right equipment then we’ve got some information to help you. Including:

• Components of a home theatre system
• Automating your home theatre system
• How much does a home theatre cost?
• Getting quotes for a home theatre expert

Components of a home theatre system

A home theatre system generally refers to a setup that lets you watch cinema-quality content in your own home. Depending on your budget, desires and style it could involve a wide array of systems and technology but there are three common components that all home theatre systems will have. A screen, a sound system and a playback device like a DVD or BluRay player. 

The screen 

When we think of a screen, we usually think of a TV. Most home theatre systems will use one and there are many options you can choose from including:

• Plasma
• LCD
• OLED
• UltraHD
• 4K

These days, Smart TVs are also becoming more popular and they can often eliminate the need for a playback device. They also open up the opportunity to integrate home automation into your system. 

Another option that is commonly used but not always considered is a projector. Like TVs, Projectors have seen a lot of innovation over the last handful of years and they can give you a bigger screen and a different way to use the space.

The sound system

Sound systems are used to boost the quality of your home theatre’s audio. Your TV or projector may have speakers built in but more often than not these will be worse quality than what you can get by adding in a sound system. 

At its simplest, you can connect a soundbar to your TV and your audio will already be much better than what you had. More involved solutions include a subwoofer and surround sound speakers set up around the room to let the audio become fully immersive. 

The playback system

With the advent of streaming services, smart TV and casting, the playback system has become an optional part of a home theatre setup. Rather, they are more commonly included in your screen. 

There are many additional playback systems that you can add to your system to enhance your experience or add more ways to enjoy the space. Some of these include:

• DVD or BluRay players
• CD players
• Record Players
• Game consoles
• Streaming boxes 
• Smart devices (like Apple Home or Chromecast)

 

Automating your home theatre system

Automation has become all the rage and with that trendiness comes a range of products that are easy to use and integrate into your home theatre system. Automating your entertainment system can be as easy or complex as you want. Some uses that you’ll be able to organise with your home theatre expert or an electrician may include:

• Auto-connecting devices such as linking your soundbar and TV so that all you have to do is turn the TV on and the soundbar will turn on too
• Incorporating lights or LED bars to automatically add atmospheric lighting when the TV is turned on or a command is given
• Voice commands to play music or turn on devices

You can even work in some truly complex automation if you want. Things like turning the TV on and setting the lights and volume to certain levels, all triggered by you sitting on the couch or entering the room.  

Your home theatre expert, electrician or home automation specialist can all help you with these automations if you want them. 

How much does a home theatre cost?

The cost of a home theatre system will depend largely on your imagination and the components you want to include. A simple system without any bells and whistles could come in under $1,000. This can get you a decent screen, even a smart TV, and audio system. 

The more systems you want to add or the better quality you want your components to be, the more pricey your home theatre system will be. Some TVs can cost as much as $8,000 alone and sound systems can easily become just as expensive. A fully customised, automation-integrated system can cost up to $10,000 or more. 

The design and installation of a home theatre system will depend on whether you are building a new home, or installing the system into an existing home. For more information see home theatre design for existing premises or new premises

If you are experiencing difficulties with your entertainment system, see our guide to home theatre troubleshooting service.

Getting quotes for a home theatre expert 

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for. One way to do this is to request a written quote. This will make it easier to compare the quotes you receive and choose the right service for you.