moderndallas.net-hometheater featuring rbdg; starpower and dfwmediarooms

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RBDG - Client Project

Starpower Project

RBDG - Client Project

“A large theater screen flanked by multiple
flat screens has become a popular choice,”
says Daniel Pidgeon, CEO of Starpower
Home Entertainment Systems, Inc. The
additional screens create an immersive
multimedia experience and offer families
simultaneous viewing capabilities.

Chuck Chiles of Russ Berger Design Group has
seen an increase in home theaters used as audio
listening environments and performance venues.
“We are currently designing a home theater in
Southlake,” says Chiles, “that will also feature a
spectacular music listening environment, including
a super subwoofer system that is built into the
room’s architecture.”

Most designers suggest a dark windowless
room for a home theater, but Chiles recently
designed a room that broke several industry
rules. “The walls and seating are all white,”
says Chiles. “That is ‘wrong’ because it shows
too much reflected light from the screen, but
the arresting aesthetic effect was too much
fun to pass up.”

The space also includes windows and door lights.
“At movie time, we use blackout shades to control
the light and sliding panels to control unruly
acoustical reflections. Now, the room has luxurious
light and great acoustics.” A custom clad stainless
steel door with an azure blue window rounds out
the design.

Some families are even turning their home theater into poolside
entertainment. However, poor picture quality and bad acoustics make
this a less popular investment.

The Gear

“The great thing about gear is that each year, performance gets better
while prices go down,” says Chiles. “While the latest gimmicks and gadgets
are often times of limited value, solid picture quality, audio fidelity, ease of
use – these are the things that you should invest in.”

“Wide screen is a must have,” says Purcell. “Go with the HD screen and the
HD projector.” You can get a great one for under $4,000. “Always use a
fixed screen when you have the option,” continues Purcell, “and no walls
should ever have a painted-on screen.”

Trust the experts when it comes to sound quality too. “You can achieve a
great theater experience from even the least expensive speaker system if it
is installed properly,” says Pidgeon. “I have seen very expensive equipment,
installed poorly, that doesn’t sound as good as our least expensive system.”

Overall, have fun when designing your home theater. Chiles says it best:
“Sleek and modern can be great fun when done with boldness and
passion.”

Home Theater Sources

DFW Media Rooms
214.705.0300.
www.dfwmediarooms.net

Russ Berger Design Group
4006 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 160, Addison, TX 75001.
214.413.2341.
www.rbdg.com

Starpower Home Entertainment Systems, Inc.
15340 N. Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75248.
972.503.6000.
www.star-power. com

Modern Media

Creating a Contemporary Home Theater

According to John Purcell, General Manager of DFW Media Rooms, the home
theaters on shows like “MTV Cribs” cost as much as $100,000. Fortunately, a
quality media room can be had for far less.

The Trends

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