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Spotlight on…Media Rooms

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Home Theatre or Media Room?

What’s the difference between a Home Theatre and a Media Room?

On the face of it, it may seem that a Home Theatre and a Media Room are much the same thing.  You may hear the terms ‘home theatre’ (or ‘home cinema’) and ‘media room’ used interchangeably, however when speaking to your AV integrator, architect, or designer it’s important to be able to distinguish between them in order to be able to communicate your vision for the space.

What is a home theatre?

A home theatre is a controlled environment designed purely for the enjoyment of a cinematic experience where the utmost attention has been paid to audio and visual systems and creating a distraction free environment.

Important factors usually include:

  • The ability to control (or eliminate) ambient light – often these spaces are designed without window or have total blackout shades – to create a better onscreen picture.
  • Larger screens or projectors as they perform well in light-controlled environments
  • An acoustically treated room, specifically constructed for sound control – both keeping sound in and keeping outside sounds out.
  • Premium quality on-wall speakers and on-floor subwoofers for exceptional surround sound producing an immersive cinema experience.
  • Theatre-like seating for optimised for viewing, sometimes built on risers so that the whole audience has unobstructed views from any seat.

So, what is a Media Room?

A media room is usually a multipurpose space with a more relaxed seating arrangement that encourages entertaining, watching a rugby game or enjoying a movie with family, rather than being optimised for the ultimate cinematic experience.  Media rooms can be installed in virtually any space- lounge, living room, rumpus room or in an open floor area of some sort.

Distinguishing features:

  • Ambient light is less of a concern.
  • Flat screen TV’s usually specified over projectors.
  • Acoustic treatments and sound isolation not usually necessary.
  • Smaller surround sound systems, providing a lesser degree of cinematic immersion, often utilising architectural (in-wall or in-ceiling) speakers for aesthetic reasons.
  • Relaxed seating arrangement for multipurpose room use.

Talk to one of our friendly consultants today about how we can create the perfect space – home theatre or media room – to fit you and your family’s lifestyle.  Phone 0508 288 662 or email advice@aa.net.nz

Simplify Life.

Media Room vs Home Theatre

A Home Theatre is a dedicated space where you go to watch TV, Movies or for Gaming, a Media Room is a general purpose social space that has an entertainment system within it.

So, how do you decide which one is right for you….

The primary design driver behind a Home Theatre (also known as a Home Cinema) is the entertainment system, the room is designed around the entertainment experience first and the social aspect second.  The room will have very good light control, all seats will be facing the screen, the screen will dominate the space just like it does in a commercial theatre. The walls will have acoustic treatment and there may be raked (stepped) seating so everyone gets the best view.

A Media Room is all about the people, the couch and coffee table will be the focus, there will be plenty of natural light and a well designed media system will be present and still provide an impressive entertainment experience but when turned off it will not dominate the space.

Which one is right for me?

Do you have different people in the home watching different content at the same time?

Do you need somewhere to keep the little ones busy for a while?

Do you need somewhere to retreat to and immerse yourself for rest and relaxation?

If you answered yes to any of these and have room then a dedicated home theatre is the right way to go.

If not, a media room will be a better choice for you, integrating the main TV and entertaining area into a focal point for your family and friends.

If you’d like a media room or home cinema, or would like more information, click here to have one of our friendly experts get in touch