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Getting Window Shades for the
Media Room
Other than your electronic equipment, the
most important features of a media room are the window coverings. As you
are aware, any ambient light can put a damper on your movie viewing.
Even if you have the latest electronics, what good are they if you can't
fully enjoy viewing them during the daylight hours. Even with your
window coverings closed, it doesn't take much for a little light to
interrupt your viewing pleasure.
If at all possible, it is best to select a room in your home that will
have the least amount of daylight; ideally this would be a basement, but
since most homes no longer have basements, an extra bedroom may suffice.
Some light is necessary in a room in order to improve your eye's ability
to process the picture that is viewed on the screen, but it must be the
proper type of light. Proper lighting will also reduce eyestrain.
However, this generally does not mean sunlight, but rather artificial
lighting such as a low wattage (10 or 15-watt) incandescent light bulb.
You need to make sure that you will get the maximum viewing capacity,
therefore, your window coverings should contain blackout qualities.
Blackout shades, such as the Eclipse honeycomb shades, are quite common.
These shades even have the option of side rails which will virtually
eliminate all natural light. If your shades or blinds do have route
holes, you may install a feature that can be added to wood or aluminum
blinds in order to prevent the light from shining through and into your
room.
I can't stress enough how important your window coverings are to your
media room. Wouldn't it be a total waste to set up a media room with the
latest high-tech equipment and not have the proper window coverings? You
wouldn't even be able to watch a movie or an exciting sporting event
during the daylight hours without having the sunlight glare on your
screen? Oh, there may be one or two places in your room where you could
do so, but most of your friends or family may not be able to see the
screen clearly from their vantage point. Total or near black-out
conditions can be achieved simply and affordably by installing black-out
window systems. These window coverings do not leave any "holes" in the
system because roller shades with black-out fabrics may be used to
conceal any light leakage than may occur.
Once you have the latest high-tech equipment and the latest in quality
window coverings for your media room, all you need is the popcorn (or
maybe a popcorn machine).
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