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Written by Kenton Cruz
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 18:26 |
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The down turn in the economy has everyone feeling the pinch. People are working longer hours, spending longer on their commutes to and from work, and finding it more difficult to balance career life, and family life. When there is time away from work, families spend a great deal of it, and a great deal of money on family entertainment. One way to offset the cost of entertainment, at least in the long run would be to invest in home theater/entertainment.
It is said that the average family spends around $200 per month in entertainment. It is not hard to see that this is an average amount, as the cost of a professional sporting event would eclipse that dollar figure rather quickly, for a family of four. The average coast of admission for a movie is $10 for adults, and $8 for kids under 12. The math on this suggests that just getting to a movie a few times a month would also pass the average monthly figure for entertainment. For argument's sake though, lets use the $200 number and show how home theater would be a great way to entertain your family and be a great value in the long run.
$200 per month over 1 year would be $2400. Using that $2400 to invest in home theater equipment would allow for a wide range of options to choose from. Choosing the gadgets you want is a matter of budget, taste, and personal preference. Flat panel televisions are a great option. They are low to no maintenance, relatively affordable, and they produce extremely clear images. Mounting options for flat panels can range from simple fixed mounts on the wall to pivoting wall arm mounts. The lone drawback in selecting a flat panel tv as the centerpiece for your home theater would be the cost of the tv. There may not be much left over from the $2400 budget to get accessories like surround sound, or the mounting option you choose.
For the most bang for your buck, and if you have the space in your home, try the projector and screen. The advantages here are that you can have a much larger display than a plasma or lcd tv. In addition, the look and feel of a movie theater is easily accomplished with a screen and projector. Here is a great example of an all inclusive home theater package that falls well within the $2400 budget.
There are do-it-yourself options for home theater enthusiasts. You can also choose to select each piece individually. Choosing the all-in-one package leaves enough room to hire an installer as well. So, even though the economy may be challenging for all, family entertainment does not have to suffer because of it.  |
