Centerstage A/V, Author at Center Stage A/V

Home Entertainment Ideas To Watch the Big Game

August 22, 2016August 22, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Home Entertainment Ideas for Watching the Big Game in Frisco, TX

Do you get excited as football season draws near? We certainly do! Football means cheering on your favorite team, having friends and family over to scream and celebrate a good play, it means temperatures getting cooler outside. All great things. All opportunities to have fun, eat good food, and make memories. Let’s explore some home entertainment ideas and ways to step up your game at home to watch the big game.

Get the Popcorn Honey – We’re Watching the game in our Media Room!

Media rooms can provide the ultimate experience to watch the big game…on the BIG screen! It’s like being in a movie theater, sitting comfy in home theater chairs, eating popcorn, drinking your beverage of choice, and rallying with your family…and maybe even a group of your buddies. You can mount the biggest, coolest TV you can find on your wall or mount a projector with a large projector screen (typical projector screens can range from 92″ to 130″+). It’s all preference. We have customers who do prefer the TV over the projector with screen. Check out projector screen options here.

Gather Around, Family – We’re Watching the game in our Family Room!

Upgrade your family room set up with a large TV mounted on the wall (or mounting above the fireplace has became popular). Go for a 70″ mounted TV, have 5.1 surround sound speakers or 7.1 surround sound speakers installed. The surround sound speakers will give you the maximum sound to enjoy the big game in your family room.

Another home theater option for your family room, instead of surround sound speakers, is a soundbar. This is either mounted beneath the TV on the wall, or sat on the entertainment console. It is a great substitute for the standard surround sound speakers.

Come on over Friends – We’re Watching the game on the Back Patio and while we grill and enjoy the Fall weather!

Pool-facing mounted TV — Outdoor mounted TV

Take the watching party outside! Mount a big TV on your back patio. Add a pair or two of outdoor speakers to enhance the sound. You can purchase a standard flat screen TV for the patio and enclose it in a weather-proof TV case (idea! take on a fun Pinterest project and build one!). Or you can purchase a weather-proof TV. This is the more costly option, but certainly guarantees there would be no problems with it being on the patio.

This is a great time of year to invest in home entertainment, no matter which option you choose! Cheers to Fall, football, and building memories with family and friends.

Center Stage A/V serves the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Little Elm, Celina, Plano, Melissa, Anna, and surrounding areas.

Have some fun and visit our Build My Experience page or submit a quick Contact Us form!

Best home theater company

Center Stage A/V
2831 ElDorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
214-498-9996

Outdoor Entertainment Ideas for the Summer

May 4, 2016May 4, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Outdoor Entertainment Ideas for the Summer

Summer is right around the corner! Is your backyard and pool ready to entertain? Have you daydreamed about sitting on your back patio or relaxing in the pool, while listening to music, laughing, and enjoying quality time outdoors? If you answered yes, then you aren’t the only one! Outdoor entertainment is a big thing, and it certainly adds entertainment value to your home (not to mention the ‘cool’ factor with your friends and family!). We have listed a few excellent outdoor entertainment ideas from the a/v world.

There are many options for outdoor entertainment, to satisfy any scope of entertainment desire from a simple pair of patio speakers to a full multi-speaker with subwoofer system. Let’s break it down…

Patio Speakers: These are mounted (on-wall or in-wall), typically, under the eave or arbor on the back patio. If you want to think outside the box, patio speakers can be mounted to a tree or anywhere you want to conceal the speakers. They are outdoor-rated, making them weather-proof. You can mount one pair of speakers, or as many as you want. So, have fun with it!
Mounted Patio TV: There are essentially two options: 1) Purchase an inexpensive TV (any size) and have it professionally mounted under a covered patio, such as an arbor that will protect it indirectly from the elements. It’s also a good idea to purchase a cover or box to house the TV. This helps with protecting it from moisture. 2) Purchase an all-weather outdoor TV, such as a Sunbrite. This TV is a true outdoor TV, created to be outdoors and withstand the elements of the weather year-round. It’s a more pricey option, but it’s a great option.
Rock and Planter Speakers:
Rock Speaker

Both are made to blend with your outdoor surroundings.

Planter Speaker
They produce excellent sound while blending in the landscape. There are seemingly endless options for rock and planter speakers. This is a really cool way to get the sound you want, and blending it with the yard.

Sonance SR1 — Sonarray SR1 by Sonance Speaker System

Multi-Speaker System: We have a great recommendation on this one. The Sonarray SR1 by Sonance system is incredible! It comes with 8 speakers and a subwoofer. This is the speaker system you want to get if you want some serious sound. Each speaker can be discretely placed throughout the yard and/or around the pool, including the sub. The sub needs to be buried for maximum bass quality. Check out the demo of this system.

We could go on and on listing options. There are so many options, and it’s a lot of fun thinking about the possibilities! This list is a great start to brainstorming the outdoor entertainment ideas for your backyard and pool areas.

Contact CSAV today to install your outdoor entertainment oasis!

Best home theater company in Frisco, TX

Center Stage A/V
2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
214-498-9996
CenterStageTX.com

Center Stage A/V services the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Allen, Anna, Plano, Lucas, Savannah, Little Elm, Denton.

5.1 Surround Sound vs. 7.1 Surround Sound – What’s the Difference?

April 17, 2016April 17, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

5.1 Surround Sound vs. 7.1 Surround Sound – What’s the Difference?

One question we are asked often is, what is the difference between 5.1 surround sound vs. 7.1 surround sound? Let’s explore the differences between the two systems, both of which are great solutions to adding surround sound to your home.

5.1 Surround Sound System Overview

A 5.1 Surround Sound system includes the following equipment.

5 total speakers:

A pair in the front – one left speaker and one right speaker. These are typically in-wall speakers. The front speakers are primarily used for music and sound effects.
A center channel, which is the most important speaker you could have because it produces about 90% of the dialogue (sound). As the name of this speaker alludes to, it sits on the center of the console (or in-wall) since it produces the majority of the sound output.
A pair of surround (sides) – one left surround speaker and one right surround speaker, installed on the sides of the room (hence the name surround sound). The surround speakers are primarily used for music and sound effects, same as the front speakers.

A sub-woofer, which typically sits in the corner of room (back or front). The sub-woofer produces the low-frequency effects (LFE), which is most commonly known as the deep, base sounds coming from the show/movie being watched. The best location for the sub-woofer is corner of the room,as it helps to reverberate the sound.

A receiver, which all components are connected to for running the system. Any basic receiver manufactured will support a 5.1 surround sound system.

All network TV stations are broadcast in 5.1, so anything produced for televsision will have the ability to be played through a 5.1 surround sound system.

7.1 Surround Sound System Overview

With a 7.1 surround sound system, there are 7 total speakers. The system is the same as the 5.1 system listed previously, with an additional two speakers.

The additional speakers are installed as two rear speakers, making it a 7.1 system (7 total speakers, 1 sub-woofer). This gives you a wider range of effects. The effects/sound coming from the surround (side) speakers, are the same effects/sounds that come through the rear speakers. Essentially, giving you a greater field of depth for those effects and sounds.

If you want to hear more base, then good news. You can add a second sub-woofer to a 7.1 system, and as a result, making it a 7.2 system (7 speakers, 2 subs).

The receiver for a 7.1 surround sound system will need to be different than the 5.1 system. The receiver will need to have inputs for 7 speakers. If you opt for a 7.2 system (2 subs), be sure to get a receiver that supports 7 speakers and 2 subs.

For a visual on the difference between a 5.1 surround sound vs. 7.1 surround sound system, check out this Dolby Labs link.

Both systems can be installed in a family room or media room. If you want to go really big with your speaker system, you can upgrade to Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 or Dolby Atmos 7.1.4. These put out some serious sound!

Best home theater installation Frisco, TX

Center Stage A/V
2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
www.CenterStageTX.com
214-498-9996

Center Stage A/V services the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Allen, Anna, Plano, Lucas, Savannah, Little Elm, Denton.

Backlit Projector Screen Adds Vibrant Color to Media Rooms

March 18, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Backlit Projector Screen Adds Vibrant Color to Media Rooms

Have you ever seen a projector screen in a media room that displays color behind it? If so, you know how super cool it looks in a media room. This is called a backlit projector screen.

Projector screens are typically matte white, with no back lighting. However, there are multiple options on the market today for consumers to purchase a backlit projector screen. This type of screen displays a multitude of vibrant colors behind the projector screen itself. In fact, it will display ANY color you want!

How Does it Work?

The backlit projector screen has an LED strip that is embedded in the back of the projector screen. It comes with a remote control that allows you to select your color of choice.

You have the option of keeping it as one static color behind the screen, or having it transition from one color to the next. Adds an enhanced element of fun to the movie watching experience.

The colors displayed create both a vibrant and soothing feeling. The backlit projector screen takes the viewing experience to a whole new level, and also makes the screen appear to be bigger than it really is.

The video below shows a demo of the backlit projector screen playing a movie while changing colors.

Having a media room in your home is about home entertainment – an experience in your home – unlike any experience at a public move theater.

Invite your friends and family over, grab some popcorn, and enjoy your media room experience!

Best home theater installation Frisco, TX

Center Stage A/V
2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
www.CenterStageTX.com
214-498-9996

Center Stage A/V service the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Allen, Lucas, Savannah, Little Elm, Denton.

Security Cameras: High-Definition 24 Hour Surveillance

March 18, 2016February 25, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Have you ever heard a noise outside at night and wondered what it was? Have you ever wondered what that strange car was doing outside of your house or your neighbor’s house? Or even worse, have you ever experienced a robbery and had no footage of the burglar from security cameras? Security camera systems can help to answer all of those questions, and more.

Latest security camera technology:

Technology has changed incredibly over the years, including the technology in security cameras. You can buy excellent quality high definition security cameras for a fair price. These provide a very clear image, night and day.

Security camera systems have come a long way since the original analog days when the images were fuzzy and unable to distinguish details within the image.

Reasons to purchase them:

Peace of mind: Knowing there is a device keeping an ‘eye’ on your property at all times gives a sense in peace of mind. Those random moments when you wonder what happened outside could easily be answered with security cameras.
Providing evidence to the police: If your property, which could even be a vehicle parked outside within view of the camera, is burglarized, high definition security cameras could capture the evidence necessary for the police to identify the burglar. The visual reach of these cameras could capture part of your neighbor’s property as well (be sure to let them know that). This could be beneficial if there’s an incident on their property captured on camera.
Ability to see your home any time. Some of the high definition security camera systems offer an app you can download on your smart phone. This allows you to login and view footage from your security cameras from anywhere, any time! You don’t have to be home to view your security cameras.
They act as a deterrent: Security cameras are visible, and as a result, act as a deterrent to potential criminal activity.

Considerations when buying:

There are some great options for high definition security camera systems on the market. Here are some things to consider when you’re shopping:

Get high definition. If you need good footage at some point, you will want high definition. It makes a big difference in the quality and clarity of the images.
Night vision. Be sure the security cameras have night vision, and great quality night vision.
Range of view. Look at how much ‘ground’ the security cameras would cover. Go into your search knowing what parts of your property are most important to capture, including street views, where your vehicles are parked, back patio, front door, etc.

Contact CSAV for professional installation of security cameras!

Best home theater and security camera installation

Center Stage A/V
2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
214-498-9996

Center Stage A/V services the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco TX, Prosper TX, Celina TX, McKinney TX, Little Elm TX, Plano TX, Allen TX, Lucas TX, Savannah TX.

Home Theater Reviews in Frisco, TX

March 18, 2016February 1, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Home Theater Reviews in Frisco, TX

We all do this. It provides us with details and peace of mind in making a purchase. What are we referencing? Looking up online reviews on just about anything on the market these days, and this includes home theater reviews.

Speaking for myself, I look at reviews for eeeeverything it seems! Simple to big, it all gets researched! People have referenced me as the ‘queen of research’. Why? Because I really, really enjoy (and find it to be a MUST) to look at reviews of products and companies before making a purchase or decision on a contractor. Dare to say that I am a bit obsessed. I will admit it. Reviews are where it’s at! Okay, enough about me (see, I get excited talking about reviews!).

I am certainly not the only person who looks at online reviews. With the endless amounts of information online these days, the information is there to make an educated decision on just about any purchase.

This includes deciding on which home theater company to hire for your home theater system install. Check out home theater reviews to educate yourself on home theater companies near you.

Home Advisor badge — Top Rated Home Theater Company in Frisco, TX

Center Stage A/V is a top-rated company on HomeAdvisor. We average a 5-star rating from our customers, which earned us the badge scene here.

Reviews give us something that almost nothing else does – peace of mind with our purchase. The ability to read home theater reviews is truly a sign of the times. The reviews answer questions we have, provide details about the product/service, and most importantly, provides the important decision-altering information about the customer’s experience.

Take advantage of today’s technology and open feedback from other buyers, and read home theater reviews. Have other’s experiences give you that peace of mind needed when making a big decision such as who will design and install your home theater system.

Best home theater install company

Center Stage A/V
2831 ElDorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-1072
Frisco, TX 75033
www.CenterStageTX.com
214-498-9996

We service the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco TX, Prosper TX, Celina TX, McKinney TX, Little Elm TX, Plano TX, Allen TX, Lucas TX, Savannah TX.

Home Theater PreWire: How to Plan and Prepare for It, Frisco TX

January 20, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Home Theater PreWire: How to Plan and Prepare for It, Frisco TX

You are building a home. You know that you will want speakers and other various exciting a/v features in your home. You are making one important decision after another in the building process. Some of these important decisions will be related to how you want to prepare your home for entertainment down the road, by doing home theater prewire. Frisco, TX

We have composed some helpful tips and important considerations for your home theater pre-wire. While reading through this, keep in mind to have some fun in this process. Home entertainment is precisely that – entertainment – it is meant to be fun and enjoyable. So, make the home theater prewire process enjoyable. Dream of the entertainment possibilities!

Let’s get started…

Tip #1:

Plan, plan, plan!

Grab a notebook and a pen. Jot down a list of all the ways you would want to entertain in your new home. Examples include backyard parties, movie nights with the family, holiday gatherings, where you want to watch TV, watching sports with friends, etc.
Now that you know how you want to entertain, jot down a list of the various rooms (inside and outside) in the house where you will be entertaining. For example, for backyard parties, you will want to ensure you have outdoor speakers, a mounted TV, etc. on your back patio (and around the pool). Below some ideas to ensure you have a complete list for your home theater prewire:
- Media room (5.1 or 7.1 or Dolby Atmos system)
- Whole House Audio – What rooms do you want to have speakers in the ceiling to play music throughout the house?
  Home Theater Pre-Wire, Structured Wire, Media Rooms, Whole House Sound, Frisco TX
  
  Suggestions: Family room, formal dining, kitchen, master bedroom, upstairs hallway, etc.)
- Surround Sound in the family room
- Outdoor speakers. Back patio, pool area, driveway, garage, etc.
- TV Mounting. What rooms do you want to have TVs?
- Volume Controls (for whole house audio)
- Visit this list of home theater options to more ideas

Tip #2:

Think ahead…way ahead. You have a pretty awesome list now. Revisit that list. Think ahead. What else could be missing? Is your family growing? How long do you plan to be in this house? If it’s a long term move, consider 5 years down the road, 10 years down the road.

It is always best to install the home theater prewire in the building process, even if you have it installed in a room where you aren’t positive you will need it. Our advice: Install it anyway. Invest now. Why? Two reasons. 1) It will save you big bucks down the road. Installing home theater pre-wire once drywall is installed can be very costly. The drywall would need to be cut, and patched, which can add up quickly. 2) Some areas of the house can’t be reached to install home theater prewire if there isn’t attic access.

Tip #3:

Consider the end result. Where will you store your a/v components (Receiver, Blue Ray Player, etc.) in your media room? Will you place them in an a/v component rack? Will they be in an entertainment console? It’s a good idea to determine in advance where the cables will need to be run for the storage of the various components. That will dictate where those home theater prewire cables will end.

We hope you find these tips helpful!

Specializing in the northern Collin County area: Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Plano, Little Elm, Lucas, Allen. Contact CSAV!

Center Stage A/V

2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste. 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
214-498-9996

Home Theater Equipment – Proper Heat Ventilation, Frisco TX

March 18, 2016January 15, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

Heat Ventilation for Home Theater Equipment, Frisco TX

You have invested in your very own media room in your home. You have purchased all of the latest and greatest home theater equipment for your media room. You are planning to ‘live’ in your brand new media room because it is just that exciting. Oh, the possibilities of events you could host in your new media room. Football watching parties. Movie nights with the family. March Madness with the friends. The list goes on!

You are right. It is an exciting, thrilling, “can’t wait until the weekend” kind of feeling. Imagine this – it is Saturday night, you are sitting back watching a movie with your family in your awesome media room, and all of the sudden the movie shuts off. What happened? Could it be the heat gremlin? What is a heat gremlin? We have the answer and solution.

The heat gremlin is when home theater equipment gets too hot and overheats, which could cause the home theater equipment to shut down. Yes, that happens! Let’s explain…

Home theater equipment must have proper heat ventilation. Each a/v component (Blue Ray player, Receiver, Cable box, etc.) produces heat, similar to how a computer or laptop produces heat. When there a several a/v components in one small space, such as an a/v component rack, that heat can easily and quickly build up, and potentially created issues.

Watch this video for a demonstration and more details on proper home theater equipment heat ventilation.

There are a few other notable factors to consider as it relates to proper home theater equipment heat ventilation, to ensure an optimal lifespan for your investment.

They should be kept at a comfortable, cool temperature.
The ideal temperature is 85 degrees or lower in the component cabinet. For every 10 degrees above that, there could be a possible reduction in lifespan of 40% (based on studies).
Maintain proper airflow for the home theater equipment. As long as the heat from your components can be released, and not recirculate within the component space, all should be good.
Place your equipment is a home theater equipment rack, such as the one pictured here.

Protect your investment, and enjoy it for years to come!

Contact Center Stage A/V today to discuss your home theater installation!

Best home theater installation
Center Stage A/V
2831 Eldorado Pkwy. Ste 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
214-498-9996

We service the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco TX, Prosper TX, Celina TX, McKinney TX, Little Elm TX, Plano TX, Allen TX, Lucas TX, Savannah TX.

AV Component Rack: A Solution for Component Storage

March 18, 2016January 5, 2016 by Centerstage A/V

AV Component Rack: A Solution for Component Storage

There is a great solution on the market for storage of a/v components in one cleanly-housed place in Prosper, TX. It is called an AV Component Rack. Typically, a entertainment console is used to store a/v components. However, there are a couple of great reasons to consider using an AV Component Rack instead of an entertainment console.

Reason 1:

It is clean, consolidated storage of components. Instead of having your a/v components spread out in various places within your space, the a/v component rack provides a storage solution that is clean, and well organized for each component.

Reason 2:

It is a space saver. The number of a/v components you have could add up quickly, which could easily translate to those components taking over a lot of space (plus the wires!). The a/v component rack goes up (vertical), as opposed to horizontally like an entertainment console.

Reason 3:

It locks. The rack has a glass door that locks. This is a bonus if you have children, especially small children, who like to play with the a/v components. The locks protects your component investment from being touched and damaged.

Cool features of the AV Component Rack:

Multiple shelves for storage of several a/v components
Ventilates hot air to prevent overheating of a/v equipment
Glass door on front provides a view of the components from the outside while protecting them
Glass door locks
Several options for placement of rack (i.e. closet, inside custom cabinetry, in the corner of the room, etc.)
Solid, sturdy construction
Looks nice, good aesthetics

In summary, an AV Component Rack is a good solution for someone who has a number of a/v components that need a good, clean, well-constructed storage solution.

Contact CSAV today!

The best home theater design and installation

Center Stage A/V
www.CenterStageTX.com
214-498-9996
2831 Eldorado Pkwy.
Ste 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
info@CenterStageTX.com

We service the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco TX, Prosper TX, Celina TX, McKinney TX, Little Elm TX, Plano TX, Allen TX, Lucas TX, Savannah TX.

Top 5 Home Theater Holiday Gifts, Prosper, TX

March 18, 2016November 29, 2015 by Centerstage A/V

Top 5 Home Theater Holiday Gifts to Surprise Your Loved One, Prosper, TX

The holiday season is officially upon us in Prosper, TX! While this wonderful season is full of family, friends, and a lot of eating, the holidays also come with the task of identifying the ‘perfect’ gift for loved ones. Finding that perfect gift is accompanied by several questions that run through all of our minds…what does s/he want? What would make them smile? What would they LOVE?

We have compiled a list of Top 5 home theater holiday gift ideas to surprise your loved one with, all from the home theater world. There is a lot going on in the home theater a/v world right now. There are countless cool products for the home.

We hope you find this Top 5 list helpful! Here we go…

Soundbar: This is a long, slender speaker that essentially produces a large amount of sound for any space in the home (e.g. family room, bedroom, etc.). A soundbar can be either mounted (above or below) the television, or simply put on an a/v
console. This is an excellent, and affordable, option to serve as an alternative to multiple speakers to give you the home theater holiday gift your loved one deserves.

Soundbar

2. Streaming Devices: In today’s world, we all want video and audio on demand. We want the ability to watch movies, listen to music, etc. when we want to, where we want to, and on the device of our own selection. This is made possible by the multitude of streaming options and devices on the market today. Examples of streaming devices include Apple TV, Blue Ray players (to play Netflix, Hulu, Voodoo, etc.), and a Roku 3, These are all really fun options that could certainly serve as a home theater holiday gifts with the ‘cool’ factor to surprise your loved one.

3. Universal Remote Control: Does your loved one have a pile of remotes they use to control their various a/v components (Receiver, Blue Ray player, TV, etc.)? If the answer is yes, a Universal Remote Control could be an well-received home theater holiday gifts for your loved one. A Universal Remote Control consolidates all of those various remotes into one single remote control. This is a beautiful thing, and certainly makes any TV and movie watching experience that much better!

4. Sonos: This is the smart speaker system that streams all your favorite music to any room, or every room.

Control your music with one simple app, and fill your home with pure, immersive sound. We are listing this one separately because it is just that great. Sonos is big in the home theater market today, so it is definitely worth its own call out on this Top 5 list. The ability to control your Sonos system through any mobile device (smart phone, iPad, etc.), makes it one of the easiest, most fun home theater holiday gifts options out there. Your loved one will be excited and grateful for this gift!

5. Nest: Have you heard of Nest?

This is a brand of devices that includes thermostats and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, as well as in-home cameras. Why does this make the Top 5 list? Because all of these devices can be controlled through a very intuitive app on your mobile device. This means all of those nights when you’ve crawled up in bed, cozy and warm, then you realize you haven’t adjusted your thermostat. We have all been there! With the Nest thermostat, you can quickly adjust the temperature settings without leaving your cozy bed. The thermostat can be adjusted from literally anywhere on the mobile app. That in itself gives the Nest devices a definite cool factor with a high practicality ranking, making it an unexpectedly great home theater holiday gifts.

Happy Holidays from Center Stage A/V!

Best home theater installer
Center Stage AV
2831 El Dorado Pkwy. Ste 103-172
Frisco, TX 75033
www.CenterStageTX.com
214-498-9996

We service the northern Collin County, TX area: Frisco TX, Prosper TX, Celina TX, McKinney TX, Little Elm TX, Plano TX, Allen TX, Lucas TX, Savannah TX.