TheaterSeatStore.com Showcases Their Youtube Channel

We are proud to announce that now all the videos produced over the years on top selling home theater products for the site products can be found in one place on our Youtube page.  Just enter www.youtube.com/theaterseatstore and click on any one of the featured videos.

New videos added include Jaymar home theater products as well as the Palliser Blade.  Others will be included over the course of the next month with more expected in the 3rd quarter.

Lane Steps Into Home Theater in A Big Way

Lane 103 Matinee Theater Seat

The demise of Berkline came as a big surprise to many in the industry, the details of which are included in an earlier post in this blog.  Berkline represented the lion's share of the home theater seating furniture sold in the US market, with Palliser coming in close behind them.  The big question on everyone's mind was who will step up to the plate and challenge the space in Berkline's absence?

Lane Furniture Company appears to have taken that challenge and by all accounts is right on track to make a dent in this space.  Key Berkline models that offered features customers admired have been used in creating some exciting new Lane models at compelling price points - similar to those offered by Berkline.  Lane also strategically hired some of the top Berkline home theater staff in an effort to make an investment and concerted push into the industry.

The summer Las Vegas furniture market will be used to introduce at least 8-10 new Lane home theater models.  Having worked extensively with Lane over the past few years, we can confirm that these models are exciting and will bring something fresh to the market.  

Lane is the largest reclining furniture brand in the world and operates out of St Louis and Mississippi, shipping custom made furniture in 3-4 weeks from order date.

New Exclusive - The Bullet from Palliser

TheaterSeatStore is once again proud to announce a new exclusive event with Palliser Furniture - the arrival of a best in class space-saver called The Bullet. 

With the world of home theater experiencing a dramatic set back on the untimely announcement of Berkline's liquidation, the options to consumers in the short term will be constrained.  The Berkline Tangiers was a industry leading space-saver with no real competition from the field.  Now the Bullet offers all the same features and more. 

Features include a chaise style foot rest - missing in the Tangiers - with lighted cup holders and a burl wood black colored tray table.  The base of the seat has ambient lighting for a true theater experience.  Most importantly these lights are not daisy chained to the entire configuration like they would have been with Berkline (even though the Tangiers did not offer lighting - this type of connection existed on other Berkline models) which is a feature that has the ability to cause frustration.  If one seat loses it's lighting then the entire chain is broken and all seats will lose the ambient lights.

The Bullet is available in stock in most configurations and can be delivered in around 10 days.  Material options include black or brown leather match, with power recline or manual.  Of course this includes Palliser's industry leading warranty - limited lifetime on the frame and mechanism and 5 years on the padding - power is warranted for 2 years.

Dispelling the Myths on Power Recline

Power recline is now completely in the main stream but there is not a single day that goes by without someone from our sales floor being asked about the risks of ordering power over manual.  The concerns would have been valid a few years back but today it should not cause anyone to hesitate for a second.

The motors used in power recline theater seats generally all come from a small handful of manufacturers.  These same brands make the exact same motors that go into cars today.  There is no hesitation when buying a car with power recline seats so their should be no hesitation buying a theater seat.  In the event that you do have a problem with the motor there are fail safes.  One, all motors have at least a one year warranty and from my experience if you are going to have a motor breakdown, it happens right in the beginning - within the first week in about 80% of the cases we see.  The remaining 15% of break downs will occur within the first year and then there are about 5% of motors that will give out beyond that period.  

Lets further assume that the motor breaks outside of the warranty - circumstances are not as bad as you may think.  Replacing the motor is easy.  The cost of the replacement motor with shipping to your home is between $75-$100.  The motor itself can be installed by a child - it literally takes less than 5 minutes.

So, with some fears abated - go out and enjoy those seats!

Movie Theater Economics

The cost of going to the movies has changed today dramatically when compared to 20 years ago.  Here is some interesting data that was compiled by our team recently that provides some valuable insight into the economics of the transaction.  This could also be a key driver in the trend to home theater the experience.  No doubt technology has played an important part in that trend as well with the advent of affordable large screen home theater electronics and sound.  If you cannot read the fine print, check the full graphic on our site here.

 

A previous post in this blog referenced an article featured in the USA Today that discussed the rise of home theater environments here in the US.  Their popularity continues to soar and the desire from enthusiasts to create the authentic theater experience has not subsided.

So, with that in mind, how much does it cost to have your own home theater?  It really is not as bad as you might think.

Certainly offers some food for thought??

Director's Rate of Return

This article provided some interesting analysis on some director's budgets and the revenue earned on their movies.  It shows how certain director's seem to have the midas touch when it comes to generating a return in the movie industry which is notoriously tough to succeed in.  This is just one director but some others can be found here: Director's Return

Home Theater Seating Space Requirements

The number one question that needs to be answered when buying theater seating relates to the dimension and space requirements.  The two factors that need to be considered here are the size of the actual seats and the distance that one needs to sit from the screen. 

The seat dimensions are the easy part, the harder part is figuring out the placement of the furniture in relation to the other seats and the screen itself.  The size of the screen in front of the seating plays a pivotal role in this decision.  Knowing the furthest and closest that one can place the furniture is important. The formula for this is quite simple - take the horizontal - not diagonal - length of your screen and multiply that by 2X to get the closest to the screen and by 5X to get the furthest distance from the screen.

This diagram helps map this out:

Berkline Decides To Close It's Doors

Berkline Furniture Company is now the latest casualty of the economic recession here in the USA and as of early April has decided to close it's door and file for bankruptcy protection with a liquidation of assets.  Orders accepted by the factory were being honored - we're not sure for how long that will continue. 

This represents a sad day for the industry and a great loss to consumers as Berkline always maintained a high standard of quality - building most models domestically here in TN - they are one of the last US based furniture brands that haven't moved the majority of their production to Asia in some shape or form.

In the home theater industry, Berkline have been instrumental and powerful.  Their large range of models have driven the industry from a design perspective and dominated all home theater seating sales. 

There are also a number of rumors floating around that they will be resurrected by one of the heavy weight US furniture brands but that remains to be seen.  

Unethical Furniture - Is this too much?

Furniture is made primarily from wood, leather, fabrics and now polyurethane by-products.  The role of synthetic products in furniture has never been more important as the price of producing them decreases and the quality and look compared to the real thing improves.  But there are still some exotic materials that are being used that are getting attention.  They include:

• kangaroo hide
• cat and dog skins (in China)
• animal blood and bone (used for glues)
• ivory (no surprise)
• antlers
• human bones

Other popular hides are alligator and crocodile which are produced commercially now for many years - subject to seasonal hunting guidelines.  This article on Unethical Furniture goes into more detail on the use of 'unconventional' and sometimes 'unethical' products in furniture and other products and is well worth a read.

Cowhide Home Theater Style

There is probably no room in the house that allows for more 'design identity' without the obvious consequences than a home theater room.  If you love Batman, some have made Batman caves with 70 inch screens and luxury leather seating.  There is a reason this room has adopted the phrase 'man cave' so easily.  It's an environment that should be an expression of the fantasy that enjoying a movie often takes one to.

To match the broad spectrum of fantasies, the home theater industry has risen to meet the full range of needs.  If you especially like Westerns, there are tons of options for decor and furniture.  No better in our opinion than Tahoe Seating - the leader of home theater furniture cowhide style.

This seat, the Tahoe Ruidosa offers heavily rolled arm rests with thick padding and a custom selection of nail heads to finish the front trim.  Wooden feet are offered in a large number of premium woods and the seat can include a power recline mechanism.  Select from an almost unlimited hide and leather selection and enjoy a generous 44 inch seat back height.

Berkline Price Increases Effective March 01, 2011 On Select Models

Berkline will institute minimum pricing policies across their entire product line starting March 01, 2011.  Most of the line is currently protected by this MAP pricing but there were a few exclusions.  These exclusions included some of their top selling models like the Berkline Reno, Tangiers, Trylogy and the 45090, to mention just a few.

What this effectively means is that the prices of these excluded models will now increase to the required minimum pricing as instructed by the policy.  It effectively will push prices for the Reno from an industry average of $599 to $630.....or a 5% increase.

The time to buy your seats is now, especially if one of those models was on the radar.

Does it get better than this??

You know when you have arrived.....when this is your home theater room!!  Used by a Hollywood executive on transcontinental flights, this is probably as good as it will ever get.  Installed to allow for better productivity while traveling, this lcd was, at the time, the biggest ever on a private plane.

Many planes bought today have interiors custom designed by their owners to meet their needs.  If one would consider a custom design for one's home, then why not do the same for one's private plane.  Common design requests include home theater environments, marble floors, bedrooms en suite and decorative artwork.  Not surprisingly,  one of the most requested elements are custom crests with initials.

These type of interior design jobs commonly run into the millions, depending on the level of customization and features.  The design process involves several creative renderings of the desired interiors before the final product is agreed upon.  Often the latest in 3D dimensional modeling technology is leveraged to create an experience, as close to the final product as possible.

 Luxury does not fly much higher than this.

Human Touch Offers The Ultimate Home Theater Experience

Human Touch Perfect Recliner

The world of home theater furnishings has a number of luxury brand options. Many will push the price of furniture into a category that is significantly above mid-market brands like Palliser and Berkline.  These brands mostly offer luxurious custom options such as premium Scandinavian leathers, or customized seating built exactly to the users dimensions.  Their features and benefits are great - if you can afford them - but this portion of the market is competitive, and has not really offered anything original for many years.

Human Touch is a brand that offers options in the upper end of the home theater furniture spectrum that are ground breaking.  Their recliners are not only original and notable style icons, but bring benefits to the table that are not seen from anyone.  Their perfect chair recliners are zero gravity recliners that include a modern and clean design that will prove to be a work of art in any home theater room.

Zero gravity means the seat and foot rest recline backwards to a position which relieves the constant pressure one feels from the earth's continuous gravitational pull on our bodies.  Fully reclined, one's feet sit higher than one's head - a heart conscious and healthy posture to relax in.  Fine craftsmanship and attention to the smallest details, complete a product that is known for its quality and respected by its peers.

TheaterSeatStore is proud to offer this great brand of seating, along with all its models for purchase from January 2011.

Palliser Introduces Ambient Base Lighting

Ambient base rail lighting has been around in the home theater world for a while now.  It gives a theater room a very authentic theater type look when that low level lighting is on.  Berkline have had this feature for about 2 years and now Palliser have decided to introduce a broad offering of ambient base seating options.  They previously only had this feature on the Mellow.  Some of these new models include:

• Zeal
• Strategy
• Fortune
• Spectacle
• Celebration
• Circuit
• Sensation
• Firenze

Palliser's approach has been to introduce these versions with ambient base lights and a version without - but give them different names.  One nice feature that is also included here is the smaller scale seating as offered by the Firenze.....this continues to be a popular feature in home theater today.

Touchmotion Recline from Berkline

You may have been in the market for a Berkline theater seat or recliner and seen them mention the benefits of touch motion proprietary technology in their seats and wondered what that is?  Well, Berkline are helping us out here by providing a meaningful video that describes touchmotion in detail and how it benefits the product and user experience.

Palliser Product Comparison Chart

Palliser is one of the dominant theater seating brands in North America.  Their products are known for quality and attention to detail and can be seen across the country in most leading home theater stores like Magnolia.  Here is a model comparison chart for Palliser similar to the one that was produced last month for Berkline which received a very positive response.  This chart will help simplify the differences that define models within the brand.

Palliser Blade Videos Introduced

Palliser Blade in Black Leather

The Palliser Blade is an exclusive offering by Palliser Furniture to TheaterSeatStore and was introduced in September of 2010.  This seat is a space saver that has a high seat back.  Since the very first day of its introduction, this seat has been a success because it finally offers a viable alternative to Berkline' Tangiers.

The market benefits from having choices.  That is a known fact.  The Blade is Palliser's space saving introduction to the home theater world.  It brings a best of breed feature set into a design that is clean and driven by function.  Although we have reviewed the seat earlier in this blog, the real benefit comes by now being able to watch our professionally produced video of the Blade and seeing the seat in action.  A picture may speak a thousand words but a video will say it all.

Watch this video here: Palliser Blade 

Berkline Elite Theater Seat Videos

TheaterSeatStore is proud to announce the release of a professionally produced product video for their top selling Berkline Elite theater seat. The Berkline Elite is the space saving model that Berkline Furniture produces exclusively for TheaterSeatStore.

See the seat in action as we describe the benefits in crystal clear high definition video. The Elite includes deep in arm hidden storage with a tray table and a high seat back. This seat has an articulated head rest and stylishly curved seat back. The main benefit of the Elite is the reclining mechanism which reclines to the point where the foot rest is slightly higher than the seat cushion which is supposed to be heart healthy.

The seat is now available on quick ship within 10 business days after having been sold out after its first month's introduction due to its popularity and value.

Check out the latest video edition here: Berkline Elite

USA Today Reports Home Theater is Booming

Nobody needs to be reminded of how rough the US economy has been over the course of the last 2-3 years.  Every publication documents the dire state of the nation across almost all industries.  But, according to an article published by the USA Today 'Home Theater Gear is a Booming Business' and Berkline - the largest provider in the US - is experiencing strong sales and year over year growth in this category.  The global demand for home theater is expected to reach $2.9BN in 2013 from $1.9BN in 2006.

That is impressive growth.

Apparently this trend was started by the renewed interest in televisions that came about with flat screen technology reaching the masses.  Home theater products include sound systems, display systems, players, media storage and furniture.

New Videos Added for Jaymar Home Theater

Jaymar Home Theater Seating

Buying furniture online has never been easy for most people because of the lack of the touch and feel element.  TheaterSeatStore helps overcome this fear by providing professionally produced videos of some of the top products in the industry from lines like Berkline and Palliser, just to mention a few.

Now we are proud to offer some Jaymar home theater seating videos.  This exclusive line of home theater furniture from Canada is cutting edge in its design and priced above the main stream but nevertheless an excellent deal for the money.  The following top 3 sellers from Jaymar are featured here:

• Jaymar 262
• Jaymar 59142
• Jaymar Panther