Page 8 - 2013 LDN Home Improvement Magazine

2013 HOME IMPROVEMENT MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com May 1, 2013
8
Tips for setting up your home
theater viewing space
Few things are more disappointing than
turning on your new TV for the first
time only to discover the picture doesn’t
look as good as it did in the store. Or the audio
balance is so far off that you feel like you’re
listening from inside a tunnel.
The home entertainment center concept has
evolved dramatically over
the past decade, from
a single “tube” TV and
a DVD player to full-
blown, high-definition
multi-media centers.
The technology today
offers a more immersive
experience. And with a
proper set up, you can
enjoy the full potential
of the pride and joy of your
living room.
Technologist and industry veteran Tom
Campbell, who helped first launch high
definition (HD) TVs and played a key role in
the recent emergence of “Ultra HD,” has some
tips for setting up the ideal viewing space for
your home theater:
Control lighting
“While darkness is great in a big movie
theater, it’s not always practical for your home
theater. You’ll need to manage lighting in the
room to ensure the best picture quality, whether
you’re enjoying a family movie with the kids or
watching the big game with friends,” Campbell
says.
Choose adjustable lighting; place lights on a
dimmer so that you can adapt the lighting level
depending on what you’re watching. Outfit
windows with shades
that can easily be closed
to further darken the
room. For times when the
lights will be on, be sure
to position lights so that
they won’t create glare
on the TV screen. And,
if possible, avoid placing
your screen in direct light
from outside, such as
opposite a window.
Maximize TV positioning
Believe it or not, the TV’s height or the angle
at which your eyes meet the screen can actually
affect how good the picture looks. If you’re
putting the TV on a stand, position the screen
so that your eyes are level with the bottom third
of the display. Generally, the center of your
screen should be no more than 42 to 52 inches
above the floor. If you don’t already have your
TV, for the widest viewing angles you want a
plasma or an LED TV with IPS technology, like
LG, which ensures a good picture for off-angle
viewing (both horizontal and vertical).
“A TV over the mantel or fireplace may look
nice, but that height can mean an awkward
angle for maximum viewing quality,” Campbell
says. “Viewers may have to crane their necks
to see well and the picture quality might be
compromised.” An adjustable wall mount can
help you adapt the angle of the TV so you still
have a straight-on angle and good picture.
They can also help with different viewing