Hidden Home Theater

It wasn’t too long ago that having a home theater meant you needed to have a dedicated room. That’s because, home theater gear was bulky. Projectors were huge, screens were stationary, and the equipment itself, well it just needed a ton of space. Back then, aesthetics were not as high a priority because projectors required a near blackout setting, making design elements secondary. But today, that has all changed.

Advancements in video and sound technology have removed the bulky projector, changing the look and feel of the home theater space. Streamlined technology that takes up far less space allows for the design of multi-use spaces. Home theaters today are an extension of the home rather than a focal point. Today adding a hidden home theater is possible in just about every room of your home.

Making technology disappear from view when not in use is the name of the game today. Like an 8-by-12-foot, screen that drops down in front of your bookshelves when needed. But more importantly, the screen vanishes from view when you want to do a little more chilling with the family, then movie watching. Designing a hidden home theater system that will allow you watch movies the way the director intended can be achieved with the right gear. For those looking for an immersive entertainment experience within a formal living area or any other area of their home, we offer some insight.

There are numerous ways to accomplish this, including a drop-down electric screen that hides in the ceiling coupled with a projector that descends from the ceiling or sits in a soffit with a motorized door panel. Ceiling recessed motorized screens are installed in a ceiling so that the screen is concealed and hidden away. They key here is to have beautifully detailed images, whatever the projector or conditions.

Keep in mind that projectors generate quite a bit of heat when they’re operating. So, it is important that the soffit is well ventilated. Also, keep in mind that the soffit should be built with a trap door so that the machine can be easily serviced. With this in mind, Screen Innovations make high-quality, electric, projection screens. They even have models that can be viewed in normal room light or during the day.

Say goodbye to the black mask above the viewing surface with Zero-G®, an all-new take on motorized projection screens. When watching the game or your favorite movie, Zero-G drops out of the case and expands at a preset location giving you a “levitating” image, suspended by cables.

You paid for your view. Don’t rearrange your room just so you can see the flat panel television. With Zero-G^® you can drop your screen in front of a bay of windows, or art-deco wall where you never could have placed a flat-panel television.

Solo’s big brother, but totally made to order. Solo Pro defines a new era of total customization in motorized projection screens. Solo Pro is the first motorized screen available with two motor options; Lithium Rechargeable or Low-Voltage (24v). The in-house powder coating facilities Screen Innovations offers enables a wide variety of color options for Solo Pro’s cassette. Match your wall color or make it stand out, the choice is yours!

The workhorse of motorized. The 5 Series Motorized screen includes the features people requested most often. For the best motorized big screen experience, the 5 Series Motorized workhorse is available in flush (in ceiling) or external (wall) mount option. Thus, giving you the flexibility to install your system in a wide variety of locations.

With both ceiling mount flush, and wall mount external options, the custom, big screen experience is now available to everyone. The 3 Series motorized affordable screens are still more advanced than any other motorized screen. This means that they come with a low voltage trigger, IR remote, and wall switch.

As a custom audio/video installer, Shultz Audio Video can design and build a home theater tailored to your unique needs and budget. Whether you want a living room home theater filled with the latest technologies and surround sound with chest-rattling bass or just a nice flat screen TV mounted in your living room, our aim is to elevate your movie viewing experience to an entirely different level.

Installing a projector system is often more complex than many people expect. To help, we will come to you with a Free In-Home Consultation. We will walk through your home to help you determine the setup that is best for you. Call our office to schedule your appointment today (760) 505-7461.