01 · HOME THEATER · DOLBY ATMOS
Home theater & media room installation in Houston.
No picture, missing sound or a remote that no longer controls the room? We troubleshoot existing theaters as well as designing and installing new rooms. Start with the equipment you have, the experience you want and a practical assessment before replacement.
Request a call back
Tell us what stopped working. We will call you.
Leave your name, number and a line about the problem. We call back to talk it through before anything is scheduled. If it is urgent, call 346-357-5323.
Design and installation built around the room
Start with how you use the space: a dedicated cinema, a family media room, or an existing theater that needs updating. We assess seating, sightlines, daylight, wiring access and the equipment you want to retain before proposing a system.
- Projector or display selection, screen size and mounting
- Surround and Dolby Atmos speaker layout
- Amplification, sources and cable routes
- Lighting scenes and practical control
- Agreed acoustic treatment, calibration and handover
For new construction, coordinate wiring and mounting provisions before walls close. In a finished room, we inspect access and discuss visible cabling, patching and other trade work before installation.
Dolby Atmos, acoustics and calibration
Speaker layout starts with the listening positions, available mounting locations, speaker coverage and the processor’s supported channels—not a room-length rule. A 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 layout describes channel configuration; neither requires one universal minimum room length.
We plan placement and aim using the applicable Dolby setup guidance, then assess levels, delays, crossovers and subwoofer integration. Supported room correction may include Dirac Live, Audyssey or other tools appropriate to the installed equipment.
Acoustic treatment and electronic correction solve different problems. Reflections, bass variation and background noise are assessed for the actual room; treatment and measurement deliverables are agreed for the project rather than promised identically on every visit.
For the technical detail, see our Dolby Atmos design guide, room-acoustics guide and calibration guide.
Media rooms and living-room cinema
Not every home needs a dedicated theater. A media room is a family room or living room that becomes a cinema when you want it to: a large flat panel or a concealed projector and screen, in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, and one control that dims the lights, closes the shades and starts the movie.
A dedicated theater is built for one purpose, with controlled light, acoustic treatment, fixed seating and projection. A media room gives up some of that control in exchange for a space the household uses every day. Windows, open floor plans and furniture placement usually decide the display and speaker layout, so we look at daylight, sightlines and where the equipment can live before recommending either approach.
- 5.1 or Dolby Atmos surround with in-wall and in-ceiling speakers
- Large flat panels, displays built into cabinetry, or drop-down projection screens
- TV mounting with concealed cabling where wall access allows
- One-touch control with Control4, Crestron, Savant and Lutron lighting and shade scenes
For speaker layout detail, see surround sound installation. Existing media rooms with picture, sound or control problems are handled the same way as theater repairs below.
Repair and upgrades for existing theaters
No picture, dialogue missing, intermittent HDMI, or a remote that no longer starts the room? Tell us what stopped working and what changed recently. We assess the signal path, control, power and network where relevant before recommending replacement.
Possible work includes correcting source and display settings, diagnosing audio routing, replacing a failed component, restoring supported control functions or recalibrating after equipment changes. Projector lamp replacement is model-specific; a lamp projector is not assumed convertible to laser.
Adding height speakers, changing a receiver or replacing a projector may be possible without rebuilding the room. Compatibility, cable capability, mounting and authorized access determine the scope. Source-dependent programming is discussed separately.
For integrated controls, see Control4, Crestron and Savant service, or start at our repair and takeover hub.
Projection or a direct-view display?
Compare screen size, seating distance, light control, reflections, installation access and budget together. Projection can suit a large image in a light-controlled room; a direct-view display may be more practical where daylight and everyday use matter.
OLED is not limited to 88 inches: LG has offered a 97-inch OLED. Available sizes and models change, so we confirm current options rather than use a fixed technology-wide ceiling. OLED screens still reflect room light; brightness, screen finish and window placement matter.
Large LCD and modular LED displays are other options, with their own cost, power, mounting and service requirements. No one display technology is automatically best for every theater.
Installation, testing and handover
- Assessment: review the room, symptoms or project goals, retained equipment and budget.
- Agreed scope: specify equipment, wiring, access, trade coordination and charges before work proceeds.
- Installation or repair: complete the authorized work and check the affected signal paths and controls.
- Calibration and handover: verify agreed listening and viewing functions, explain normal operation and provide the documentation included in the proposal.
Occupied homes, shared walls, HVAC noise and rack cooling need practical planning. Electrical or structural work is coordinated with the appropriate trades. Scheduling, follow-up and any warranty terms depend on the agreed work—not a blanket turnaround promise.
Experience across the system—not just one box
Chris Cox brings over 25 years of professional AV engineering, programming, integration and troubleshooting experience across multiple platforms. We look at how the equipment, control and network work together, then discuss the service scope, access requirements and charges before work begins.
AV repair and system takeovers · Control4 service · Savant service · Crestron service · Lutron service
Home theater installation and service questions
What is the difference between a media room and a home theater?
A dedicated home theater is a room designed specifically for cinema, with controlled lighting, acoustic treatment, fixed seating and projection. A media room is a living room or family room that doubles as a cinema, typically with a large display or concealed projection, in-ceiling speakers and integrated control. Media rooms serve the household every day; dedicated theaters are built for the most controlled movie-watching experience.
How much does a home theater cost in Houston?
Pricing depends on the room, equipment retained, wiring access and installation or repair scope. Diagnostic charges and any design fees are confirmed before booking; additional work is proposed separately.
Can you upgrade or repair an existing theater?
Yes. We assess the affected functions and equipment before proposing repair, recalibration or upgrades. Compatibility, available access and the condition of the installed system determine what can be retained.
What room size do I need for Dolby Atmos?
There is no single room-length threshold for a 5.1.4, 7.1.4 or larger layout. Seating positions, speaker placement and coverage, ceiling conditions and supported processor channels determine which configuration is practical.
Should I choose projection, OLED or another display?
The choice depends on image size, seating distance, ambient light, reflections, budget and installation requirements. OLED is not limited to 88 inches; 97-inch models have been offered. Available models and sizes are checked when specifying the project.
How long will installation or service take?
Timing depends on diagnosis, equipment availability, wiring access, construction and other trades. We confirm scheduling and interruption requirements for the agreed scope rather than promise a fixed completion window for every room.
Do you offer consultation and calibration?
Yes. Design consultation and existing-system diagnostics are separate services; fees and deliverables are confirmed before booking. Calibration depends on the installed equipment and may involve speaker levels, delays, crossover settings, subwoofer integration and supported room correction.
Can you add a theater to a finished room?
Often, but cable routes, mounting, speaker positions, light control and noise transfer need assessment. We explain access, visible finishes and any required work by other trades before proposing the conversion.
Do you serve my Houston neighborhood?
We provide home theater installation and service across Greater Houston, including River Oaks, Memorial and The Woodlands. These are service areas, not separate offices; appointment availability and travel arrangements are confirmed when booking.
Related services and Houston coverage
For distributed music, outdoor systems or room-specific planning, use the relevant service page below. Our gallery contains project photographs; captions identify the pictured room without inventing measurements or results.
Guides worth reading first
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Tell us what you want the room to do. We'll handle the rest.