Bringing the local movie house home It all comes down to ease-of-use, agrees Lawrence Zwerin, owner/designer of Media Design Concepts, based in Coral Springs. "Though people do want their movies and music on-demand, they really are getting back to basics. They want the technology, but they want it to work. Products must be easy to use." Though large, flat-panel televisions provide the "wow" factor, Zwerin says it's really the "all-enveloping sound" that provides the movie-theater quality experience. Zwerin describes a "typical" project, where one room in a 10-year-old, $2.7 million home was retrofitted to house a home theater. The homeowners came in with an original budget in the $75,000 range for a dedicated theater room with all the frills and technology, but after looking in magazines, a theater in the $1.5 million caught their fancy. Zwerin came in with a proposal offering a similar feel, but for much less, and ultimately, the room was completed for $90,000. But, Zwerin continues, theater rooms can certainly be had for much less. In fact, he has complete rooms for builders, with frills, starting in the $30,000s. And even in that range, customers still get the full theater experience, with features such as a 103-inch television, 7-channel audio, the required acoustical treatments and audio/video components and décor befitting a luxury theater. Regardless of which bells and whistles are included, one feature to watchout for, Zwerin cautions, is the remote control required to run these systems. Many on the market today look more like laptop computers, cost upwards of $10,000 and take two hands to operate. Zwerin recommends a remotecontrol that, while not as "jazzy" looking, does the job with one hand and once programmed, costs well under $1,000. What's coming next? Zwerin says "complete automation systems" are available now to all homeowners. "Whether you're remodeling or constructing a new home," he says, "we can integrate your lighting, security, HVAC, draperies and audio/video systems from a single panel. An integrated system will allow you to control any electrical device by pushing a button, opening a door orentering a room. What's more, they're easy to use, and can be programmed to automate the house from your cell phone, car or laptop even when you're not there." What is most pertinent to builders is the new wiring systems required to run this high-tech home. "What kind of wire is used and how it is engineered and installed is critical," concludes Zwerin. |