Homeowners have always craved the latest and greatest home theater technologies. Since the dawn of the 2000s especially, home entertainment technology development has accelerated at just about an unprecedented rate for integrators to easily quench that AV thirst.
Video transitioned from NTSC broadcast and the DVD format, which offered a resolution of 480p.
Audio wasn’t far behind as it transitioned from Pro Logic II to Dolby Digital and what was then DTS surround sound. More recently, we’ve transitioned in and out of 3D, 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus to 4K with High Dynamic Range, and immersive audio that includes Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D.
Now through the capabilities of the HDMI 2.1 format, we are sitting on the cusp of 8K at 60Hz, 4K at 120Hz, better gaming experiences via HDMI’s Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) provisions.
It also shouldn’t be overlooked that broadcasters are in the early stages of the ATSC 3.0 format, which will improve the viewing experience in several ways.
Moreover, immersive audio continues to grow in adoption with the music industry’s increasing support of the format, as well as the increasing access to high-resolution audio via streaming services.
Integrators Are Conduits to Ultimate At-Home AV Experiences
Today with these technologies so sophisticated, the role of integrators has become increasingly important to home theater-seeking homeowners.
Modern integration companies have the skills and resources to design home entertainment systems that rival commercial theaters, leveraging their manufacturer and industry training that includes trusted resources such as the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), the Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA), CEDIA and the CTA.
Many years ago, it might have seemed farfetched to say that integrators can deliver systems that are on par with commercial cinemas but given how far home technologies have progressed, the idea is no longer outlandish. And high-performance home entertainment isn’t just for six-figure projects.
For a sense of how far custom electronics products and technologies have come, here is a small sampling of state-of-the-art home AV components that will bolster the performance of any home entertainment system.
