All Winners

To top off the big-screen experience, the family can choose content from TiVo, cable TV, Apple TV and a Kaleidescape movie server - all stored in an equipment rack located elsewhere, of course, so no one’s eyes stray from all the home theater drama.

What’s with the Seats?
The Ohio owners of this home theater wanted an unconventional design, and that included a departure from the typical row-style seating with four or five connected chairs. “They wanted something with more flair, and that just didn’t fit,” says Calderaro. “We probably wouldn’t have come up with this first.”

That would be the odd arrangement of single seats on one side and rows of three seats on the other, separated by an off-center aisle that leads to the off-center entry door. It fit the bill aesthetically for the owners, and AVI liked how the layout maintained an intimate feel.

AVI put the second row and single seat on risers for good sightlines, despite a ceiling height of just under 10 feet, and installed a superwide screen with enough brightness to provide proper viewing angles to the wide seating area. The solo front seat may seem a bit too immersive, but it is the kids’ favorite when they’re playing Xbox 360, says Calderaro. “The kids want to be right on top of the screen.”

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Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.