Catching The Home Theater Illness

By David Bott, 10/24/12

Founder, AVS Forum

So there you are, the proud new owner of your newly built Home Theater. The room came out like you wanted, you have all the extras, and things are just right -- you can settle down now. Humm…Nope! Let me tell you something here. You are NEVER done with your Home Theater. In fact, you just may be ill.

You read me right: you're really not done. And it's more than likely that you will never be. Sure, you may be watching movies and enjoying your new theater, but you see, you will just never seem to stop looking for that little extra item that will push your theater to the next level. It may be a new piece of gear, or even something as small as a Blu-ray case stand you can place a case on that reads “Now Playing.” Take it from someone who knows and has been there: this is not the end of your home theater dream. Heck, I am still there, doing the same thing you will be doing years from now: looking…tweaking…wanting. It’s like you've caught some sort of mental illness. It just seems to stay with you, and you are now a carrier. But I personally like this illness, for it is something I really do not care if I spread. In fact…I want to spread it. I would like others to have both the fun and enjoyment I receive when I use my theater.

You know how it starts, this illness of yours. It just all seems to happen so fast. You are somewhere: a store, a friend’s place, or even a workplace, and you see this wonderful setup. It can be something that is as small as a 42” flat panel with a great audio system. You just seem to get drawn in by some big audio/video vacuum. You find yourself saying, “Boy, this would be great in our home.” You soon find yourself asking lots of questions and surfing the Internet for more information on products and items for a theater. You’ll maybe start small; you’ll add surround sound to your current family room. But then you think…Why stop there? Heck, we could use a bigger flat panel. Naw…you want that new DLP projector you saw when surfing the net for more info. But that requires a screen. No problem, you think. You can just move this wall here, and build this out there, and BAM! You’re really hooked. That’s it…you will never be able to stop this madness. (Really, I have tried.)

Before you know it, you have a totally dedicated system for your pleasure. (Ok, for your family’s pleasure also.) I am sorry to say, though, it is not just confined to your home, no siree. You have now moved on to an entirely new level. Yes, you are now officially known as "That Audio/Video Guy.” The doctor, if you will. The one person among all your friends who has the A/V answers. Because after all, you did it.

Now don’t tell me this hasn’t happened to you. You go over to your best bud’s home for an evening out only to find yourself telling him how he can improve his system. (Hey, he's the one who asked.) So then you start telling him: well, you can add this and just move that, and here, let me give you the name of a guy. The next thing you know, your friend is running wires to put in his first 5.1 surround sound system. What!?!? You just did it! You just spread this catchy virus we call Home Theater. What’s worse is when you have a group of friends over to your place, and you magically go from being that mentally ill guy they all talk about (you know they call you crazy behind your back) to being “the doctor.” As soon as they see your wonderful new room, they now think that you know everything about Home Theater. Now they’re calling you and asking you for advice about updating their system. Of course, being the good doctor you are (though mentally ill), you suggest they stop by AVSForum.com for the real scoop on Home Theater. After all, AVS is the place where you received your education (i.e. illness).

So the next time someone walks into your home theater and exclaims, “You’re Nuts!” just look right back at them with a smile (in your best psycho way) and say, “Why, yes I am.” Just remember, that is major complement.