Q: How Much Will My Home Theater Cost?

All construction, electrical, installation and furnishing costs aside, here's a rundown of the equipment you'll be able to afford on a budget of $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $200,000 (yes, some people actually spend that much for only the gear). A pro at helping homeowners allocate their home theater dollars, Michael Fehmers of DSI Entertainment Systems in Studio City, CA, helped us put together this useful breakdown.

$5,000

Display: A 42-inch flat-screen TV (LCD or plasma)

Sound: A home-theater-in-a-box system, which includes a surround-sound receiver and five speakers.

Control: A basic infrared remote.

Environment: A finished space, like your family room or den.

Installation: You'll need to set it up yourself.

$10,000

Display: A 42-inch or larger flat-screen TV (LCD or plasma).

Sound: A surround-sound receiver with separate in-ceiling speakers and a stand-alone subwoofer.

Control: A radio-frequency remote control (it's more reliable and versatile than a standard infrared clicker).

Environment: A finished space, like your family room or den.

Installation: If you buy your own equipment you might be able to afford to have a professional install it.

$20,000

Display: An inexpensive video projector and screen.

Sound: A 7.1 surround-sound setup with higher-quality speakers and subwoofers.

Control: A radio-frequency remote control.

Environment: A built-from-scratch dedicated theater room (you may have to furnish the room with pieces you already own).

Installation: Professionally done.

$50,000

Display: A higher-quality projector and screen (possibly a perforated screen that allows sound from speakers placed behind it to drift into the room).

Sound: A 7.1 setup but with a higher-quality receiver and speakers than what you could afford with $20,000.

Control: A small touch screen-style remote.

Environment: A built-from-scratch dedicated theater room.

Installation: Professionally done.

$100,000

Display: A 1080p video projector )has the highest resolution available) and a CinemaScope screen (shaped to be super wide for a highly engaging viewing experience).

Sound: A separate processor and amplifiers; seven great speakers and two subwoofers.

Control: A color touch screen-style remote.

Environment: A built-from-scratch dedicated theater room with new specialty cinema seating (you may be able to afford hiring a home theater designer who can create a theme for your room).

Installation: Professionally done, from the interior elements to the electronic equipment.

$200,000+

Everything and anything, so let your imagination run wild. Some ideas:

• Add a special lens to your projector that can display images in anamorphic (super wide) mode.
• Add masking material to your screen that alters the shape of the screen based on the format of the video being displayed.
• Add a DVD server that can store hundreds of DVDs digitally and display the titles of your movie library on the theater screen.
• Add decorative acoustical treatments to the walls and ceiling; hire an acoustician to design and install the products for you.
• Motorize everything: the screen, the projector and window shades.
• Accessorize to the hilt: a popcorn machine, a bar in the back, a lobby, marquees, tactile transducers that make the seats shake in sync with the movie action.