I think this article is trying to create as close to the “Perfect World” as possible by helping you avoid common mistakes. If you are building a theater from scratch (as this article implies), or retrofitting an existing room into a theater, it’s easy enough to provide adequate ventilation (most of the time) for minimal effort or expense. That way you won’t be forced to leave your cabinet door open. A little forethought goes a long way.

This article is ridiculous.
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Don’t forget upgrading an audio receiver, if necessary, to correct for lip-sync error. That was my unfortunate experience!

several issues: for “least expensive gear”: sometimes it’s a good idea to go less expensive.  for example, if you have a system with 4 hdmi sources, and a $200 receiver addresses every need you have except enough hdmi sources, doesn’t it make more sense to simply add in a $50 5-port HDMI switch with infared input - especially if you’re using a harmony remote anyway, so control of it would be seamless - than to pay the $600 or more it would take to get the equivelant receiver with enough hdmi inputs?  The article presents it as if it were skimming, but there’s nothing wrong with choosing economically if your eyes are open.

Similarly, for “compromises”, that comes down to an economic evaluation.  For example, if it’s worth it to you to switch cables rather than paying for the additional equipment, how is it a “mistake”?  I’d never deal with it, but this article imposes its values on other people - a common mistake among industry “professionals” (a whole other article could be written about those!)

Some good advice.  Some questionable advice.  My question to you: what purpose do ethernet jacks serve?  There is something called wireless… you may want to check it out. :)

Wireless?  Why would you go wireless if you have the option/ability to run wire?  I can understand using wireless if there is no other option but sure isn’t my 1st choice.  With everything moving towards media streaming, good luck doing that on a wireless connection even if it is an 802.11N!

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These “professionals” seem to think that everybody has $100k to initially invest in a “good” home theater.

I have a 65” Sony TV, a PS3, a first-generation Toshiba HD-XA1, a 300 watt amp (cost $99), and a good set of Axiom speakers (5 total) and am quite happy.

I don’t feel a need to upgrade every 2 months to the “newest” and “latest.”

And finally, I am quite certain that even these “professionals” were DIYers at one point in their life. They seem to think that they “know it all,” which probably explains why their components seem to go bad a lot faster than usual. Most of my stuff is 3+ years old and it still works perfectly well.

I’m not sure what all the smack talk is about. No one suggested that you buy the highest-performance gear that money can buy. These are just a few tips that unseasoned DIYers might heed.

Yes, defiance, another great tip would be: don’t overspend on features you don’t need, especially if products in your A/V rack already offer those features.

Sure enough, there are plenty of pros that make these and other silly mistakes.

Having an inadequate ventilation for equipment is seen to be the most neglected part resulting to burned out gear. In every purchase, the buyer should be informed beforehand.
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