-Make sure you have a very good outline of what you want to
achieve, and stick with it.
-Avoid the "I wish I had" statements at a later date.
Look at the Purchase For It's Long-Term Value:
-You are making an investment. Make sure you are not just
buying for today, and that the investment will have long-term value.
Know the Background and Experience Level Of Your Dealer:
-Some have gotten into the business, because the
requirements are not outwardly stringent.
-Make sure your dealer is product, trend, and background knowledgeable,
and is a licensed California contractor. Ask his experiences and verify
by references. Check with the Contractors License Board.
Know What The Term "Home Theater" Really Means:
-There are many levels of equipment to which the term
applies. Make certain you know what level of products are sold by a
particular vendor and how those will apply to your "plan".
Be Realistic About What You "Think" You Should Buy:
-The "does it come any smaller" and "does it come in white"
attitude does not equate to the reality of home theater!
-Décor and colors should be the last concern for decent home
theater. Product quality and capabilities are most essential to quality
home theater.
Can In-Wall Speakers Really Make For A Good System:
-Box speakers have been designed around stringent
parameters. A great deal of design, experimentation, and testing goes
into the design of good quality loudspeakers.
-In-wall speakers are easy to make and do not
follow the same criterion. Don't be fooled to think that in-walls will
make a great system.
Not All Plasmas Are Created Equally:
-There are many offerings but very few of good quality. Make
sure you understand about resolution, their differences, and the
extreme limits and inability of a 42" to produce high definition.
High Definition Is The Future:
-All broadcasts in a few years will be HD only. That is
either 1080i or 720p lines of horizontal resolution. Make sure you
understand what this means, and what you will get long-term from your
purchase.
Make Sure Your Dealer Gives You A Complete Contract:
-Ask for a copy and read it
thoroughly. If there is none available, you are asking for trouble.
Who does what if things go wrong is a very important
consideration at the time of signing and not at a later date.
