THE AT-HOME CINEMA EXPERIENCE
Ask An Expert
Going to the cinema is always a joyful experience. But in recent years, it has also become a private experience that can be enjoyed without leaving the house. Technology allows homeowners to install home-based cinemas while they relax at home. Toronto Home asked the experts at Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, a company that offers its customers home cinemas, how to create one.
Question: Once a homeowner has decided on buying a home cinema, what is the first step?
Answer: We assess our customers’ expectations and requirements. Once they have decided on how they want their system to work, we select products to suit their system and budget. We can work with designers or architects from structural drawings, but often we work with clients directly.
Q: Is it easier to create a home cinema in a new build or can one be retrofitted into an existing home during a renovation?
A: It is easier to work with a new build or major renovation as it gives us a blank canvas to deliver what the client wants. But we also have experience retrofitting existing rooms. Cables can be run under baseboards or through the basement or ceiling, or we can incorporate some excellent wireless product.
Q: We often have the belief that a home cinema needs technical expertise to operate, similar to commercial cinemas. Please explain what technology is used in home cinemas that make them functional for homeowners who lack technical expertise.
A: One item that makes the operation simple for homeowners is the universal remote control or home-automation system. We can program a complex series of functions into simple one-button macros.
Q: What is the range of services that Trutone Electronics offers in the creation of home cinemas?
A: We offer the proverbial “a-to-z” service menu for home cinema, audio and video distribution, and home automation. We oversee the entire process. Starting with the initial design, we work with contractors or designers, do construction pre-prep such as structured wiring and home networking, and we provide all of the pre-production and planning required for big jobs.
Q: Is it possible to build a home cinema in a small room? What is the smallest square footage that could accommodate a home cinema?
A: There would be no problem enjoying a wonderful home cinema system in a room as small as 100 square feet. Many of our clients live in condominiums and we carry products that work extremely well in those environments.
Q: Is it necessary to sound-proof a home cinema? If so, how should it be done?
A: It’s actually more important to insulate in order to block the noise coming in from outside. For every decibel that we can decrease the noise heard in the listening environment, we can increase the dynamic range of sound.
