Who we are...

Home Theater Hero is a small division of Masterpiece Home Theater. But while Masterpiece Home Theater serves the "sky is the limit" market, Home Theater Hero is all about home theater on a budget. We're fanatical about it. And we're firm believers that "affordable home theater" doesn't have to mean "crummy home theater". We love helping people who don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a dedicated room with state-of-the-art equipment and fancy leather recliners with built-in cupholders.

Why we do what we do...

Simply put, we love home theater - and we think everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy it as much as we do. Our goal is to bring affordable home theater to the masses! Limited amounts of discretionary income doesn't have to be a barrier to home theater. It can be done on a budget and still be done well!

Why we love home theater...

A movie tells a story, and who doesn't like a good story? Sure, books tell a story, too, but books require judicious use of the imagination. That's their appeal for some people, but for the rest of us, TV is a better medium because it indulges the senses of sight and sound in addition to the imagination.

Movies take this a step further. A large screen dominates the visual sense (because it's large enough to fill much more of your field of vision) while the surround sound envelops the auditory senses in a way that closely simulates reality. If all the factors are right, it makes for an immersive experience that can (for a couple of hours or so) make you forget about your day-to-day problems and allow you to get lost in the story that's being told.

If you cried when they shot Old Yeller or when E.T. lay dying... if you were rooting for Rocky Balboa... if you were shocked and bewildered at the end of "The Sixth Sense"... if you felt a sense of awe the first time you saw "living" dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park"... if you nearly jumped out of your skin the first time the shark in "Jaws" unexpectedly lunged up out of the water - then you know what it is to suspend belief for a little while... to temporarily lose yourself in an alternate reality. It's been called "The Magic of Hollywood" - but it's also the wonder of home theater!

But I really like going to the movies!

Home theater doesn't have to replace the commercial cinema experience. (Although for many home theater enthusiasts it does!) But consider home theater's many advantages over "going to the movies"...

• No sticky floors!
• Reasonably priced popcorn, sodas and candy!
• You can have a beer if you want it! (Just like in Amsterdam!)
• If you have to go to the bathroom - pause the movie!
• No cell phones shattering the illusion by ringing right at that suspenseful moment!
• Every seat is a good seat - no need to arrive early and wait in line to avoid sitting too close or too far from the screen!
• No crying babies!
• If you're the one with the baby, you don't have to hire a baysitter every time you want to see a movie!
• Not just for movies- great for a Super Bowl party, watching the Olympics, "Survivor" parties, gaming, photo slideshows and more!

What does a home theater consist of?

A home theater consists of a video source such as a DVD or Blu-Ray player, a surround sound system (typically a surround sound receiver, 5-7 speakers and a subwoofer), and a big screen.

Big? How big?

In the end, that's up to you, but for optimal enjoyment, there's a distinct relationship between screen size and seating distance. So the real answer is, "It depends on how far away you're sitting." In most cases, the screen size requirement is large enough that it takes a video projector in order to do it affordably. (A 72" plasma or LCD TV is expensive!) But some people do choose to go with a screen size that's smaller than optimal; it all depends on your priorities.

I live in an apartment; I'm worried about the neighbors complaining. And how do I run the wires?

We've got a couple of good tricks up our sleeves for running wires! As for the neighbors, there are a few ways to deal with that problem. (One of the best is inviting them over, but we can talk to you about other ways as well.)

How much better is Blu-Ray really? Is it worth it? Do I really need to replace all my DVDs?

Once again, the answer to that is, "It depends." This is something we're happy to discuss and explain at the initial consultation. Once we see your intended location, we'll be better able to answer this question.

Why do you charge for your initial consultation? Aren't initial consultations usually free?

Yes, they are... and you get just what you pay for. Our initial consultation is more than just listening to you talk about what you want, then saying, "Sure, we can help you. And it's going to cost $..." We evaluate your situation, your room, your wants and your needs. We answer all of your technical questions, explain the science behind the design and configuration of commercial movie theaters (and how to apply that to your home theater). And within a couple of days or so, we provide you with a list of recommended products - including where to buy them at prices that will more than pay for the initial consulting fee.

When you say "affordable", how much are you really talking about?

We're serious when we say, "affordable home theater"! It's actually possible for us to put together a home theater system for as little as $1000! (Though spending a little more will get you a lot more.) Past clients who have spent as little as $2000 have been "blown away" by our results.