Home Theatre Design

Exhibit Design Company Brings
Commercial Audiovisual Expertise to
Home Theatre Design

Home theatre is now hotter than ever. Whether you want an entire room devoted to the enjoyment of movies and music or whether you want audiovisual equipment that magically “disappears” when not in use, today there is something to please everyone. How about a home theatre that looks like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise or the inside of a Pharaoh’s tomb? Anything is possible.

The newest advances in video systems hit the commercial market first, and that is where 3DL Design, Inc. of Mundelein, IL has first hand experience. They have been serving Chicago’s northern suburbs for eighteen years.

If you have been dreaming of a home theatre system but don’t know what components you need or how to achieve the effect you want, 3DL Design, Inc. has the solution. A theatre design specialist will provide and in-home assessment and present you with a design proposal and a cost quotation for your customized home theatre system. They will also build and install the custom cabinetry, furniture and fixtures included in the theatre design. If you are building a new home, a theatre design specialist can assist in designing your home theatre room before you begin building.

Custom Video Screens

The video screen is the centerpiece of the home theatre. 3DL offers a variety of screens including their Hi-T rear projection screen. They also offer front and rear projection screens by Da-Lite, Stewart, and Draper, as well as plasma screens by NEC, Samsung, Pioneer, and Fujitsu.

There is great design flexibility with the variety of systems offered by 3DL. “Screens can be hung virtually anywhere a client wishes and a projection system can be custom designed to work with the location,” says Randy Harju, company president. Screen systems can be designed to retract into the ceiling (easier to do with a front projection screen that can be rolled up to fit into a small space), or they can be embedded into a wall and perhaps hidden with an automated curtain and a rear projection system can be custom built-in behind the screen.

“Whenever possible we recommend rear projection,” says Jay Verenski, Design V.P. This is because it offers better contrast and a bright picture whether or not the room lighting is dimmed.

Remote Control Systems

"First and foremost behind a remote control system is ease of use. You should be able to sit right down, pick up the remote and control your home theatre system without having to read a text book sized manual or take a training seminar,” says Verenski. 3DL offers a variety of universally programmable systems including wireless button controls, wireless touch screens, two-way wireless touch screens and large wired touch screens.

When installation and programming are complete, you could turn on your components, reveal the screen, dim the lights, insert the DVD into the player and begin playing the movie with the touch of a single button. Shutting down the entire theatre system can be just as simple.

Other Custom Components

3DL Design doesn’t stop until you have everything you need for a complete home theatre system. They offer theatre curtain systems from Am-Source. The curtains come with their own remote control but can be programmed into your theatre remote system. 3DL offers front and rear projectors by NEC, Mitsubishi, Boxlight and Marantz. Audio equipment components and speaker systems include manufacturers such as Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, Sony and Bose.

Beyond the Equipment

Once you have decided on the design and components for your home theatre, 3DL Design provides custom construction by a team of experienced, insured craftsmen. Union certified teams are available upon request.

After your system has been installed and you are enjoying all the benefits of theatre that is customized to your wishes, 3DL continues to stand by their work by offering a variety of post-installation service packages. On-call is available daily. Automatic monthly service includes routine system checks, bulb replacements, and even updating your DVD movie database. “We make home video as easy as turning on a light switch,” explains Harju. They intend to keep it that way.

What if you already have the makings of a home theatre but want to upgrade it or remodel? 3DL Design can help. All home theatre components can be purchased separately. You can upgrade from a large screen television to a Hi-T rear projection screen, or upgrade your sound system or add a remote control system to all your components at any time. 3DL will even assist in redesigning your current room or they can design and build custom furniture or cabinetry and fixtures to work with your current components. The possibilities are endless. How about an art deco motif or a “groovy” Austin Powers pad, or a majestic theatre of yesteryear replete with a silver screen…

Laura Vincent, Sunscript Enterprises Staff Writer