Having a home theatre system in Pakistan was once considered the ultimate luxury, available only to a select few since it doubled as a style statement and a status symbol. Thanks to the tech revolution and the manufacturing boom in China, any middle-income household in the country can now enjoy the luxury of having an exclusive audio-video room.
Needless to say, the pleasure of having a private cinema is quite similar to watching a movie or a TV show in commercial movie theatres, that too with additional comfort, hygiene, and privacy. So, is it the right time for you to consider getting a home theatre system?
We’ll answer this question, along with sharing other essential information that you should have before getting a personal media room.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Home Theatre System in Pakistan
We know for a fact that for most people, especially the working individuals, watching movies, playing video games, or listening to music is more pleasurable within the comforts of their abode than in public venues. So, if you’re considering an investment in a home theatre system, here’s a list of a few important things for you to go through:
- Intended Use
- Available Space for Equipment
- Cost of a Home Theatre
- Home Resale Value
Intended Use
Before you get a home theatre system, you should make sure that the room offers the flexibility of watching movies, enjoying music, or playing video games in the same place. It will give you the pleasure and freedom of switching between different activities without having to move to another room or area. Simultaneously, having all of these activities in separate rooms require more components and even more connections. Not to mention that space becomes single-use and limited, such as movie-watching zones only. Additionally, a multipurpose room ensures that the systems installed are used more frequently by more members of the family, so they don’t stay in a corner collecting dust for extended periods.
Available Space for Equipment
If you are worried that you need to have a big space for installing a home theatre system in Pakistan – worry no more. You just need a room big enough to accommodate your family members or friends if you ever plan on watching movies together. The equipment is mostly smart and occupies negligible space on the floor – you can also opt for hardware that can be pinned to the wall.
Cost of a Home Theatre
The cost of building a brand new room dedicated to movie watching is considerably costlier than converting a basement or a living room into a private cinema. While you are opting for a basement or any equally bigger space, you should be aware of the fact that components for larger rooms are also higher in price — not to mention the cost of soundproofing, suitable lighting, and additional furnishings. So, before you begin your media room project, keep in mind the maximum number of guests you usually have for movie nights to avoid overspending.
Home Resale Value
Taking into account the recent wave of transformation in the property market of the three main cities of Pakistan – Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi – there’s no harm in saying that homebuyers and property investors are becoming smarter in terms of making choices that enhance their property’s value.
So, it is difficult to predict whether your property’s resale value will skyrocket after you add a high-tech private cinema or will the addition result in a nosedive. Most real estate professionals and home designers, however, agree that the tech-savvy homeowners tend to attract more buyers, and their houses tend to sell quicker. They even insist on the fact that houses with impressive living rooms, especially the ones with home theatre systems, are likely to sell first.
Furthermore, these experts also suggest that the only situation in which a home theatre could negatively affect the value is when it overpowers the size of the room. Just make sure that your house has enough space for living and bedrooms. Keep one thing in mind – it is a private cinema in one corner of your house. You are not living in a cinema.
Now that you have a better understanding of every nook and cranny of getting a private cinema in your home, let’s get to the price of home theatre in Pakistan.
Price of Home Theatre in Pakistan
A home theatre system is more than just an LED screen slapped on the wall and speakers scattered around the room. In order for the system to completely immerse you and allow you an escape from the routine, you need to build a place where audio and video seamlessly fuse to help you experience what you see. This small guide will help you plan and execute an incredible home cinema. Here’s what you will need:
- Choosing a TV Screen
- Opting for HD Projector
- Appropriate Sound System
- Installing a Gaming System
Choosing a TV Screen
This just might be one of the toughest decisions to make looking at the choices available in the market. While you will be confused about whether to take a Smart TV home or an ordinary one, you will also be introduced to the idea of multiple screens. No doubt, multiple screens are better than one, the cost will also be doubled.
For an idea, a branded Smart TV powered by the Android OS can cost an average of PKR 40,000 to PKR 90,000. The price may vary with size and a few other factors, such as the brand reputation, guarantee, features, and installation costs.
Opting for HD Projector
While you might have a hard time deciding between multiple screens or a single screen, you can also take it to the whole next level by ditching the idea of a TV screen in favour of an HD projector with a motorised screen. An ordinary projector can cost you PKR 35,000 at a minimum, while a branded fit for home theatre can cost you around PKR 100,000 on average. Similarly, a motorised wall projection screen can be bought for anywhere around PKR 20,000.
We are, in no way, suggesting that you should go for a projector. It is just another option available on the spectrum. While comparing screens with projectors, the majority of people who have never had a home theatre system before tend to go for smart televisions. You can keep this option as an upgrade for later if you like.
Appropriate Sound System
Right after you have taken a leap of faith by selecting the appropriate screen option, the next and most important thing on the list is the sound system. You will be surprised to know that a bigger and better sound is more important than a bigger picture in taking your experience up a notch. The most important components for a home theatre system are a source for sound, an AV receiver with a multichannel sound amplifier, and a minimum of five multichannel speakers.
In most cases, people keep TVs as their primary source of the sound, while some also opt for cable box, satellite system, DVDs, CPU, or any other gaming system.
To reduce the hassle, we suggest that you get a standard set of sound system that includes all of the components mentioned above. A branded sound system for home theatres in Pakistan can cost you a minimum of PKR 50,000. The price may vary depending on the brand and configuration.
Installing a Gaming System
Coupling a gaming system with a home theatre is optional. Well, hardcore gamers are sure to think otherwise. Now, it entirely depends on what you opt for, either a gaming console or a gaming computer. The most popular gaming consoles in Pakistan are Xbox and PlayStation, and their latest editions can cost you somewhere around PKR 32,000 and PKR 40,000, respectively.
The price of a gaming computer, however, depends on the gaming card, memory, processors, and a few other factors. A default 4th generation gaming PC with Core i5, 8 GB RAM, and a gaming card, Rx 570 4GB 256Bit, can cost around PKR 60,000.
We have mentioned the four most important and popular options when it comes to home theatres in Pakistan. There are a few more ancillary devices such as universal remotes, gaming controllers, and electricity suppressor or UPS.
If you are still contemplating whether to have a theatre system in your home, imagine yourself relaxing on your couch, munching on your favourite snacks, and being virtually transported to the depths of the ocean at the same time – take our word for it, the experience is worth the investment!
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