Do I Really Need a Smart Home Theater System?

Without a doubt, there is a lot of exciting new technology these days. If you look at the devices available today versus 10 or 20 years ago, the difference is shocking. Back in the mid 90s, when Internet was still a new concept, it was difficult to imagine that in a decade or so, we would all be walking around with high speed touchscreen Internet devices in our pockets.

The contrast is even more dramatic when you look at what’s already possible with home automation. Capabilities now exist that would have been science fiction not long ago. There are smart thermostats that learn your heating and cooling patterns; smart home security systems that send you text messages and even video clips when motion detectors are triggered; and even smart sprinkler systems that keep your lawn and gardens healthy with minimal effort.

And those are just a few examples.

But with all this useful new technology, there are also quite a few technological gimmicks – things that may sound useful, but are just not that practical in the real world. For every invention and innovation that has true staying power in the marketplace, there are probably two or three products which will be completely obsolete within a few years. It can be a challenge for homeowners to invest in the right products and technologies.

What about smart home theater systems? Do they fall into the category of passing trends and empty gimmicks? Or do they represent the future of home entertainment?

Homeowners are right to ask these questions. Buying and installing a smart home theater system is a significant investment, and there are already so many expenses involved in being a homeowner. People also tend to focus on necessities before dedicating resources to entertainment upgrades.

In order to arrive at a meaningful answer, let’s take a look at what smart home theater systems can actually do.

The first thing a smart home theatre can do — at least when it’s been professionally curated and installed — is to make the basics work seamlessly. Streaming services have become the gold standard of home entertainment, but how many remotes do you have, and how reliable is your system? Reducing clutter and optimizing the system, so that it actually works like is should, is the first order of business when it comes to installing a true smart theater.

But it goes much farther than that. You might want to go beyond flat screens into the world of cinema projectors. You might want a screen that’s motorized, or hidden behind the wall. You might want integrated surround sound, and you might want everything to be controlled seamlessly from your favorite smart device, completely eliminating the need for remote control clutter. Today’s home automation technology can accomplish all of this and more.

Is there anywhere I can turn for trustworthy advice?



Home automation, including smart home entertainment, is an exciting but somewhat daunting frontier. There are so many products out there that claim to be “smart” devices, but they have widely varying degrees of quality, capability, and compatibility. Consulting a home automation specialist is one way to remove some of the variables and question marks around smart home entertainment, and realize its full potential for your home.