So you have picked out your favorite components for your new Home Theater System. Now you want to custom install everything into your home and get the best viewing and sound. You will need to plan for the best location of the HDTV, the speakers and how to route the many connecting wires and cables. If done right, you will have an incredible system with the best picture and sound possible.

First the flat-panel HDTV should be placed either on a stand, an existing piece of furniture or on the wall. A bad location is opposite a window that gives a lot of sunlight if you plan for daytime viewing. It is actually better to place the screen on a stand in front of this window. The sunlight may have to be shaded with curtains or blinds, but some filtered light is also acceptable. If the window is not a problem you can consider mounting the screen on the wall. Be aware of children and passers by that might accidentally come in contact with the screen and damage it. The best safe location is either higher on the wall or have a lower piece of furniture like a credenza or shallow table of some sort below the screen. Remember to get help to avoid personal injury to your self when moving or lifting a heavy HDTV.

Next you want to consider the placement of the sound system speakers. The bass sub woofer is best located in front of the viewer but it can be behind as the lower frequencies are difficult to locate (Omni-directional.) The center speaker needs to be positioned above or just below the HDTV screen. The front left and right speakers should be placed as far wide as possible to the side of the screen. This will give a more panoramic sound.

Finally the rear left and right speakers should be placed to the sides and just to the rear of the seating area. You may have to experiment with the locations of the rear speakers due to chair height or other obstructions. I have found that if they are placed too far back they are harder to hear. If too close you may only hear the one next to the side you are seated.

Last you will need the speaker wires and cables placed where they will be least noticeable. Use heavy 16ga. lamp cord wire (not coaxial) which can be had at your favorite hardware or home improvement store. Most of the wire that comes with a sound system is barely adequate. If you want loud sound, you need heave gage (low resistance) wire. You can hide the wires along the edge of the wall (behind baseboards) or under carpets or rugs. If you have the luxury of running them under the flooring, better yet.

You will most likely need to buy audio cables for connecting the input devices to your surround sound Amp. The new DVD players and Digital receivers now use DVI or HDMI cables. You can save on all of these at a discount TV store online. Make sure you purchase cables long enough to reach the location you choose for each component. Usually 6 foot cables will work best. You should now have everything in place and connected. Enjoy an outstanding picture and sound with your next movie or HDTV show.