A professional AV system may include many elements of Audio, Video & Control and Automation. Audio may conceptually include audio sources like various types of microphones, recorded music playback sources, a mixing console, an audio Digital Signal Processor, amplifiers & loudspeakers. Video system may include various video sources and one or more display units (flat panel displays or projection systems) and video switchers, transmitter receiver sets etc. Control & Automation requires at least one Control Processor & at least one Touch Panel (or iPad) with customized Graphic User Interface. This may also be integrated with Lighting, HVAC, and Motorised Blinds etc. A networking infrastructure may also be required to interconnect all devices together depending on the type & scale of the system.
Performance of any audio-visual system also depends on shape & size of the venue, acoustic parameters (reverberation time), lighting design, structural necessities for installation of critical elements of the system, correct installation & proper calibration.
Apart from a Large Display as your primary cinema screen, you will need a few Medium to Large format Loudspeakers comprising mainly Front Left, Centre, Front Right Channels & a Subwoofer. A few small format Surround speakers. For a regular 5.1 surround format, you will need a pair or two of surround speakers based on the size of the room. For Immersive Surround formats (Home version of Dolby ATMOS / DTS-X) you will need a greater number of surround speakers on side & rear walls and a pair or two of ceiling mount speakers. The backend system comprises amplifier channels for all loudspeakers and a Surround Sound Processor / decoder. An AV Rack or Credenza for storage backed with sufficient power outlets and cabling between the backend electronics and loudspeakers. The home theatre system may also be combined with automation by adding control systems. Cinema Content delivery sources like DTH, OTT (Apple TV 4K, Amazon Fire Stick 4K, Chromebox to name a few), Blue Ray Player etc. are also required.
Consumer Speakers cater to very small spaces with very close listening distances whereas professional speakers cater to large areas with higher loudness. Most consumer speakers have very limited mounting options, and most components are kept floor standing with no option to tilt them vertically. Professional speakers, on the other hand, allow flexible placements & installations with multiple mounting options and horizontal & vertical tilting. Consumer system cannot compensate for acoustic issues much and the tuning resources (DSP) are limited and of nonprofessional grade. Professional system, however, can be fine-tuned or calibrated to perform by compensating for the acoustics of the space. Consumer systems are prone to be overdriven and may lead to faults or damages in the long run. Professional systems are well protected against overdriving and have a much longer lifespan. Professional systems, in general, also offer longer warranty periods.
If an audio-visual system is designed at the right time, it ensures that all AV elements are aesthetically blended well with the overall look & feel of the spaces and all the connections and cabling are concealed. While the right time varies slightly with the type of space being created, broadly speaking, the best time to get the AV design is when the basic layout of the space has been created by the architects and interior design has started. The latest would be to work on the AV design before actual implementation of the projects starts with MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) work at site.
AV System Designing requires the Layout drawings, Section & Elevation Drawings created by the architects. While these drawings are preferred in CAD file formats, for smaller venues, pdf versions with all measurements mentioned may also be used. A 3D rendering file from interior / architects may help us visualize the AV elements and help us choose the right mounting hardware & accessories and plan the installation better, well in advance. Information on the primary utility of each space along with defining other or secondary use cases is a must. It may help us further if there are must-have and good-to-have features or functionalities expected from the AV system, already listed, or defined.