So you want to build your own home theatre cinema. There's no better way to watch a good movie or show than in the comfort of your own home. Here's a few pointers.
You want to build your own home theatre cinema around the most important part - the picture. Select your TV first. There are many different types of TV's - tube, projection, plasma, and LCD, to name a few.
First, look at picture tube TVs. I think these TVs have the clearest, sharpest pictures. Problems with large tube TVs include: expense, weight, and screen size is rarely above 45". There are even widescreen and digital ready tube TVs. There are many good models of tube TV's available - one of my favorites is the Samsung TXP3064W.
Other options to build your own home theatre cinema is to try out the two kinds of projection TVs - Rear Projection (where everything is in one large box) and Front Projection (where the projector is mounted on the floor or ceiling and projects an image on a separate screen).
Rear Projection TVs have improved over time, and some have picture quality almost as good as tube TVs. Most Rear Projection TVs start at 40" and go up to 72". Front Projection TVs are smaller in box size, but have a much larger screen area - I've seen some up to 84". They have two components, the projector and the screen, and must be watched in a darker room. Problems with both types of Projection TVs include: size (they are all bigger than even the largest tube TV), picture quality, and expense.
To really build your own home theatre theatre to get that theater experience, there's nothing better than widescreen. Widescreen TVs have an image size that is the same aspect ratio as movies, 16x9. Many VHS and DVD movies have a disclaimer that says: "This film has been altered to fit your screen." This means you're losing some image to the extreme right and extreme left of center. Many DVD and VHS movies now come in widescreen as well as full screen. Widescreen loses no image, since it's the same aspect ratio as film. Make sure the DVD player you buy displays widescreen movies correctly on your widescreen TV.
Plasma TV is very big and bright, but can suffer from "burn-in" - a condition where one image that stays in the same place all the time can make a permanent image on your screen. If using Plasma, think twice before hooking it to video games. Plasma TV's can also suffer some from not having enough black. Make sure the TV you buy has a picture quality you like. Take a DVD you enjoy at home to the store and try it. Plasma TV's are flat and can be placed in the home almost anywhere you would hang a large picture (although make SURE you hang it from more than two wall studs!).
LCD TV has a good picture, but IMHO, not quite as good as tube TV's. LCD TV's can also suffer from pixelation - a condition where one (or more!) of the color producing diodes burn out, producing a very small area that will never have any color. Some people don't notice this, others do. LCD TV's are flat and can be placed in the home almost anywhere you would hang a large picture (although make SURE you hang it from more than two wall studs!).
Speaking of DVD players, try to get one with Progressive Scan at least, if not the new DVI upconversion. Progressive scan will give you a clearer picture with your new home theater, and DVI transmits info from your DVD player to your TV digitally, with virtually no loss of quality.
Make extra sure you buy the very best cables you can afford, and keep length of cables as short as possible. People don't pay enough attention to this, but the greatest signal loss in TV today is through cables. I can't stress this enough.
Today's systems work best when they're integrated. This means: try to find one brand you like for your home cinema systems equipment and stick with it. I use Sony equipment at home, except for a backup DVD player. Trinitron TVs have one of the sharpest picture qualities in the industry. Sony's other products are equally good. Bose speakers are probably some of the best sounding for normal home use, and they've just started making home theater systems.
Speaking of speakers, don't skimp. The minimum for real home theater sound is two front speakers (these two should be the very best you can afford), two rear speakers (often called "surround sound" speakers), one center channel speaker, and one sub-woofer. This system is called 5.1. If you have the money, go for a THX certified system. The sound quality is superb, but expensive. There's also 7.1 systems with two additional side speakers. These sound fantastic when set up correctly.
If you buy a receiver to integrate your system, make sure it can handle all the inputs you need. At the very least, your receiver should be able to handle no less than 1 TV input, 1 VCR input, 1 DVD and 1 CD input, and the usual stereo inputs, as well as at least one S-video and one DVI jack. Make sure the cabling connectors in the back match up with the components you have. This is the main reason you want integrated systems.
To build your own home theatre cinema is well and good but don't be afraid of hiring a professional to do tricky work such as cabling unless you know what you're doing. Often stores will offer free installation when buying a whole system. Look into this option if offered. Ask for it if it isn't offered.
Finally, test your system. I recommend you get a couple movies on DVD with the most special effects intensive scenes possible. Some of my favorite DVDs to test with include: "Twister" (the scene where the tornado is chasing the car is especially good), "Matrix", "Jurassic Park", "Lost World", "True Lies", "Armageddon", and "Terminator 2." Play DVDs like these on the system you're thinking about buying before you buy. If your dealer won't let you do this, look for another dealer. "True Lies" is just loaded with stuff that will test Bass response to the limit. "Jurassic Park" and "Lost World" have several scenes that do a great job of testing surround sound capabilities.
Once you build your own home theatre cinema and everything is installed in your home, don't let the installers leave until you have a chance to sit where you want the sound to focus and enjoy a scene or two. There should be a sound calibration to center the audio for your room. Make sure that the set performs just as well, if not better, than the one you saw in the store. Then sit back, and enjoy your new home cinema experience.