High-definition entertainment was the must-see celebrity at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Over 150,000 people descended upon Las Vegas to ogle the latest gadgets, including HD camcorders and memory sticks that stream HD video. With all the static about digital, you may be thinking about creating a media room. Such rooms were once reserved only for residences like the Hearst Castle, which had a 50-seat screening room. Fast-forward to today, and there are do-it-yourself solutions for all budgets. Make sure your media room is a hit with our helpful tips about location and furniture.

LIGHTS! The room with the least amount of daylight is the best place for a media room. In most homes, this room is the basement. Formerly the domain of ping pong tables, these sublevels are being rediscovered by those of us seeking insulated walls and freedom from shouts of “quiet on the set!”