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Tron-Themed Home Theater Achieves Maximum Performance

2024, May 21

Top-of-the-line components reach new heights with Stormaudio’s integrated Dirac Live Active Room Treatment optimization software ensuring an elevated home theater experience.

For custom integrator Tyler Neyland of Videotechnica, one homeowners’ request to transform an existing media room into a show-stopping home theater meant utilizing the best-of-the-best in modern AV equipment and optimization processes. The stunning Houston, Texas home theater is designed to mirror the sweeping neon accents and dark foreboding backgrounds featured in the futuristic Disney movie Tron, while offering a true cinematic experience that envelops viewers in immersive sights and sounds. The theater demonstrates how creative design, audiophile-grade StormAudio components and the integrated Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) calibration software can complement each other to elevate home media spaces of any size or shape.

“This client knew what they wanted and was eager to leverage our knowledge and expertise to create a one-of-a-kind home theater that maximizes audio quality and capabilities with the latest high-end components,” Neyland said. “The StormAudio ISP Core 16 processor is central to the cinema experience, including the native integration of Dirac Live Active Room Treatment software that enables precise computer-assisted adjustments for each speaker, enabling optimized audio experiences based on the room’s unique size, shape, decor and seating arrangement.”

After becoming enamored with the aesthetic of the Tron ride at Disney world that juxtaposes bright highlights against ominous dark landscapes, the homeowners – a long-time lover of high-quality audio and owners of multiple surround sound systems – set a high bar for Videotechnica. Knowing that StormAudio is the leader in high-end sound processing and had begun integrating the powerful Dirac Live software to maximize the sound characteristics of any system in any room, he was eager to hear it for himself. While the carefully designed LED light bars and luxury seating are instrumental to the desired ambiance, once the lights go down the optimized audio takes over as the dominant force in the theater.

The resulting 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos system presents a listening experience that rivals many commercial theaters with its incredible sound reproduction and ability to maximize any type of content from surround sound film audio to stereo music tracks. Controlled through an easy-to-use Josh.ai smart home solution and mobile app, the theater combines Wisdom surround speakers, Theory subwoofers, and the StormAudio ISP Core 16 to perfectly complement the cinema-grade picture quality provided by a JVC NZ8 4K laser projector and 140-inch Screen Innovations screen surrounded by sleek LED lighting accents.

Once installation was underway, Neyland utilized Dirac Live Active Room Treatment solution to find the perfect location and mix for all 15 speakers, including the four Atmos surround speakers. This raised the bar even higher, creating such excitement and awe for the owners that words just wouldn’t do, and a bearhug was the only sufficient way to express his appreciation. “We love the way the design and the technology have come together in our space to create an immersive experience. Before, we hardly used the room and spent most of our leisure time in the living room. Now, we’re in our theater every day, watching movies from our ever expanding 4K Blu-Ray collection, playing video games or listening to our favorite music. It’s unlike anything we ever expected it could be and brought a new level of entertainment to our home.”

“Everything about this custom space is designed to transport viewers into whatever content they choose, and the combination of StormAudio and Dirac Live was critical to showing him just how advanced a modern home theater can be,” Neyland added. “At the end of the day, this isn’t just a room or a theater, it is an escape, an experience that goes beyond mere entertainment thanks to truly enveloping audio and video. By having the owners see for themselves how the Dirac Live process improved the already-excellent performance in specific listening spots, his trust in me – and the technology – was validated.”

Managing the reflections and other room characteristics also involved thoughtful placement of 2D and 3D sound diffusers, quadratic diffusers, flex fabric acoustic treatments, scattering devices and acoustic soundboards.

The audio and video sources available in the theater include a BlueSound streaming node with Tidal and Apple Music, a Blu-Ray player, a PS5, an Xbox, a Nintendo Switch and a turntable. Programmable presets for the room enable instant setup and shutdown, with all systems tied into the Josh.ai control solution to offer a one-button experience that activates specific lights and AV components for different usage scenarios. Prolux lighting also offers additional customization with RGBW color control.

Congratulations to the entire team for this great project: Tyler Neyland, Evan Jones, Nikki Ozjiki, Braden Dougherty, Caleb Manning, Omar Mania and BEM Drywall Pros.

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