Video games have evolved to now mean serious fun. Thanks to the increased sophistication and popularity of gaming consoles like the Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360, the gaming industry is bigger than ever. And video games have become as much a part of the home entertainment experience as the home theater, the digital music players and audio systems, and (perhaps) the popcorn machine.
It’s not unusual, therefore, that video gamers – the average age of which has now increased to include more mature audiences – are integrating their gaming systems to their home theaters. HD-ready TVs – plasma or LCD – are now considered essential for a more thrilling, realistic, and enjoyable gaming experience. An excellent speaker setup or surround sound system has also become a must-have – not just for music-playing or movie-watching, but also for video-gaming. Indeed, today’s most complete home theater setups have now extended to meet the demands of the gaming market.
If you’re looking to add a PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, or some other gaming console to your home theater setup, keep in mind that the extra component will require extra maintenance, too. To make sure you enjoy your games at the optimum level – and to make the fun last for years – we have come up with this list of tips on setting up / maintaining your home theater video game system. Enjoy!
Get the right cables and components. An HDMI cable will enhance the HD gaming experience on your new console, but of course that means your TV must be HDMI-enabled, too. For audio optimization, you might want to pick up some composite or optical cables. You don’t have to squander your life savings for an upgrade, but at least hook yourself up with components that enable you to appreciate the value of your video gaming system.
When installing the game console, think carefully about location. The place where you set up your new toy spells the difference between having it last for years and losing it to breakdowns. (Red Ring of Death, anyone?) Install it where it’s safe, clean, and dry; we highly recommend getting a support structure like a TV stand or an A/V rack.
Keep it cool. Today’s gaming consoles probably heat up faster than all other kinds of electronic equipment or home theater component. That’s just the way it is, considering the heavy-duty performance features of these systems (graphics, sound, speed, reproduction accuracy, etc.). What you can do to minimize this is to set the console up in a way that allows for maximum airflow. Avoid stacking CDs, game cases, and other peripherals on top of your system, and it’s also best to do away with enclosed stands and racks. And do keep it off the floor!
Keep it dust-free. One of the best ways to keep your PS3 or Xbox in great and smooth running condition is to prevent it from gathering too much dust and other unwanted particles. Dust is Bad, especially when it comes to electronics. So do get a dust cleaner, and keep your home entertainment room or gaming space as dry as possible. (Humid conditions give way to floating dust attaching itself to the moisture in the air.)
Get all wires and cables under control. You wouldn’t want a snake pit of controller cables, wires, HDMI cables, and jack connectors to ruin your pleasure of hours of hardcore gaming. Check out Decluttered.com for creative, efficient ways to get rid of cable clutter.
If in doubt, let the pros do it. If you’re having trouble hooking up your game console to your home theatre system, or connecting it to the Web and to your computer, don’t hesitate to call the installation pros. A quick service call may be all it takes to configure your system and get it up and running.
