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Home cinemas replace swimming pools as must-haves for the wealthy
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor9 Nov 2009
The home cinema has replaced the swimming pool and gym as the must-have room in the modern home.
Experts say that, despite the recession, the market for cinemas costing up to £250,000 is booming. Basements, attics and even garden sheds across the capital are being converted.
Where previously it was footballers and musicians installing them, now it is families and young professionals.
"Business is really, really good, particularly at the high end of the market, where systems begin at £25,000 and go to over £250,000," said Mike Beatty of Passionate about Cinema, a group representing home-cinema firms.
"This year we have seen around a 10 per cent increase, and interestingly, the systems we are selling are a much higher value than ever before. The recession has meant people think about staying home a lot more, and installing a home cinema has become a good option."
Mr Beatty said many of his customers were now opting for £14,000 cinema seats that move and vibrate in time to the on-screen action.
He said: "People want the absolute best quality they can get, and the seats can make a real difference," he said.
"People are also asking for remote-control blinds and lighting, along with computers than can store their movie collection on a server, so they don't have to find DVDs."
"It is a huge status symbol, and being able to have your friends over to watch a film is a great thing," said Rufus Greenway of Cedia, which represents home-cinema installers.
David Smith, a 67-year-old lecturer from Rickmansworth, decided to install a cinema in a £20,000 log cabin he imported for his garden.
It has a nine-foot screen and 14 high-quality speakers and cost him over £100,000.
"It was all about quality," he said. "I can't think of anything else I'd rather have spent the money on."
The £250,000 cinema - what you'll need
Chairs with motion sensors £70,000
Projector £85,000
Screen £19,000
Speakers £35,000
Amplifier and sound processor £11,000
Computer server to store films £10,000
Remote-control lighting and blinds £5,000
Remote-control unit £5,000
LED lights for screen £10,000
