By Ralph Davis
Ask any five sports fans what their "ultimate media room" would be like, and you'll probably get five different answers. What makes something "ultimate" to you -- whether it's a high-end stereo, Corinthian leather seats, a display case for all your trophies and collectibles, or whatever -- is unlikely to be the same for anyone else.
But there are a few things you'll want to consider.
Video
Many experts (and homeowners) agree that the anchor of a media center is a high-definition big-screen monitor, whether it's a projection TV or a plasma or LCD screen. In addition, it's a good idea to have several smaller screens around the room. Jim Berner, a custom system designer from Abt Electronics in Glenview, Ill., notes that he once had a customer who had one big-screen with three smaller screens on either side. So, theoretically, he could watch seven games at the same time. The audio should be associated with the large screen, but you can switch the channel (and the audio) if something important starts happening on one of the smaller screens.
In addition to the big-screen being the most important element of the media center, it also gives you the most bang for your buck. Many professional and college games are now broadcast in high-definition, which makes it a lot easier to second-guess the referees.
In the past, seating distance was determined largely by screen size. As Berner points out, that's no longer an issue. "High-definition has made distance irrelevant," he says. "You don't have to worry about sitting so close that you see the dots on the screen. Now it's a matter of personal preference. When I'm working with clients, I ask them where they like to sit in a movie theater-- in the front row, in the middle, or in the back. Then I go from there in determining what kind of screen they'll like."
Audio
Because your media room is being used primarily for sports viewing, audio isn't the most important component. However, part of the whole "media room experience" is the feeling that you're out in the crowd. So, you don't want to skimp on the sound system.
Audio components continue to evolve. In today's market, you're most likely to encounter 5.1 or 7.1 systems. These numbers refer to the speakers in the system; typically, a 5.1 system consists of two front speakers, two rear speakers, a center channel, and a subwoofer. A 7.1 system adds even more speakers for an improved three-dimensional audio experience; however, it might be overkill for a media center that's based on sport activities.
And speaking of speakers, keep in mind that your audio system is only as good as the speakers you use. You don't necessarily need six-foot tower units in every corner of the room (and bigger isn't always better), but a good rule of thumb is that you should allocate about half of your audio budget to your speakers.
Another note about your audio/video receiver: the more complicated it is in terms of switching out audio and video displays, the more complicated it's going to be to install. Yes, you could probably do it yourself... but there's no shame in getting a professional installation; plus, you'll be guaranteed that it'll work right the first time.
Design
Whether you're incorporating a media center into the design of a new house, attaching one to your home, or converting an existing room, you're going to want the help of a professional designer. Check around to find designers who have media room experience, and interview at least two or three to make sure you've found someone who really understands your needs.
A good designer will work with you to fine-tune the look you're wanting. But that's not all they bring to the table. They'll also help you with things you might not have considered, such as traffic flow for large gatherings, lighting concerns, seating arrangements, refreshment areas, and more. Berner's own fantasy media room would contain leather recliners complete with cup holders. Some of these recliners are available with their own remote controls; they have motorized reclining that takes the concept of couch potato to a whole new level.
Don't forget about all your collectibles and sports memorabilia. This is the perfect place to showcase them. Be sure to mention your treasures to your designer when planning the media center so that they can be worked into the final design.
A final note about design: If you've got other people living with you, remember that this is their house, too. A good designer will sit down with all the members of the household to work out any issues and arrive at a design that satisfies everyone.
Versatility
At some point, you may decide that you want to change things around a little. For example, maybe the monitors would look better on a different wall. But that would mean the speakers would have to move. And if you do that, you'd have to call someone in and rewire the entire room.
Or would you?
If you plan ahead a little, you can use a technique known as "structured wiring" to give yourself some flexibility. In a nutshell, structured wiring incorporates all of your wiring needs into every outlet in the room; so all of your wiring needs will be taken care of regardless of where you want to move something. This will save a lot of hassle if you (or someone else in your family) decide it's time for some rearranging.
Soundproofing
Whether you're watching a game by yourself or throwing a playoff party for all your friends, you don't want the noise from your media center invading the rest of the house. Acoustic insulation and ductwork are a must, and if money and space permit, you might want to consider a double-wall approach to create a "dead space" that will further prevent sounds from escaping.
Extra right-angles in your ductwork can also keep sound from traveling, but be sure to check with a specialist to make sure your heating and air-conditioning system stays properly balanced.
HGTVPro.com Ultimate Sports Media Room
At HGTVPro, we've constructed the HGTVPro.com Ultimate Sports Media Room to share with visitors at the tradeshows we attend. In it, we showcase design ideas, soundproofing technology, custom wiring techniques, and -- of course -- high-end audio and video equipment. As a bonus, we're holding a Builders' Football League "pick and win" promotion during the 2005-2006 football season, and the winner receives a bowl game trip to Hawaii as well as the equipment featured in our media room! Visit HGTVPro.com after May 31 for more information on the media room and the Builders' Football League promotion.
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