Posts Tagged ‘Home Theater System’

It’s A Home Theater Revolution

Home theater has been a tremendous boon for visual and sound enthusiasts in recent years; the idea of sitting back in your favorite chair, surrounded by a familiar environment and viewing your favorite movie or sporting event from the comfort of your own home has a decidedly nice feel to it, don’t you think?

In the United States, the number of basements being re-modelled to include a home theater room has increased significantly and why not, in many instances they are just used as storage areas or partially renovated. It seems they are the ideal environment to house the family “cinema.”

Selecting Your Home Theater System

For many prospective buyers, finding the right home theater system can often be a little confusing. Where do I start? How much do I spend? What brands should I look at? These are are all common questions and all form the basis of any due diligence performed in searching for the ultimate system. A good place to start is deciding on an appropriate budget. Price varies enormously and if you’re not careful, you could over capitalise and spend unnecessary dollars which could amount to thousands. Decide exactly where your system will be housed. Is it a large area or is the room limited? Is there a capacity to include a projection facility? Many a buyer has been overwhelmed by an over zealous salesperson who has pitched a terrific presentation, however, unless you have the space and the budget to accomodate all the “bells and whistles” that go with the basic unit, it could be money “down the drain.”

It’s not hard to imagine getting carried away with what a home theater set up actually comprises when the term is first pitched at you. Basically, a television with additional speakers, preferably surround sound and a DVD player and you are good to go. How much you are willing to spend is going to be governed by what budget you have set yourself. There are two trains of thought here. Stick to a moderate budget first up and only purchase the basic set up. As money and room allows at a later date, then you can add or upgrade on your existing system. Or, spend a little extra first up and to hell with the budget; I want it now. Many a consumer has got into trouble by adopting the latter, not just financially, but through feeling the full wrath of “you know who.” All I can say is, be diligent, sensible and work within your budget.

Installation

The question of installation is very real for most consumers. By and large, installing a home theater system is not that difficult but for the technically challenged, it’s always good policy to check with the seller as many offer installation as a paid service. In some extreme instances, free installation could be sought as a trade-off for purchasing something extra but this is your call. If you have the extra money to spend, go for the paid installation.

When Should I Buy?

Now is always a good time to buy. Depending on your level of diligence, there is always a good deal to be had. Let’s face it, waiting for the right moment can be likened a little to procrastination. If you truly are in the market for a system and you have a budget set aside then the present is always a good time to buy. Granted, the price of televisions for instance such as plasma are still high but with the advent of LCD, these are coming down in price quite alarmingly. In my case, I desperately wanted a particular brand of television and made concessions to be able to afford it. It was an award winner and the “ants pants” of televisions in it’s category. It was money well spent. Do you know that same set was available for $1000 less only a year later. Firstly, I could have waited a year but wasn’t to know it would come down in price and secondly, I would have been without it for another 12 months.

So if you are “still sitting on the fence” regarding your home theater system, all I can say is consider joining the revolution!

Consumer Reports – Home-theater-systems

Good speakers and the components for a home-theater system cost less than ever. But selecting separate components can be time-consuming, and connecting them can be a challenge. You can avoid some hassle by buying an all-in-one “home theater in a box” system that combines a receiver with a set of matched speakers, wiring, and often a DVD player. Unless you’re a serious music listener, you’re likely to find the sound quality to be just fine.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

Home theater packages include a receiver that can decode digital-audio soundtracks and six to eight compact speakers–two front, one center, two to four surround speakers for the rear, and a subwoofer–that have been matched for sound. You get all the cables and wiring you need, usually color-coded or labeled for easy setup.

Most systems include a progressive-scan DVD player, either built into the receiver or a separate component, and a powered subwoofer. Some bundle in a VCR as well. Price range: $200 to $1,000 for typical systems, and $2,000 or more for systems aimed at audiophiles. Panasonic and Sony are among the best-selling brands in the market.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

The receivers in home-theater-in-a-box systems tend to be on the simple side. They usually include both Dolby Digital and DTS decoders for handling the surround sound track when playing a DVD. Controls should be easy to use. Look for a front panel with displays and controls grouped by function and labeled clearly. An onscreen display lets you control the receiver via a television screen.

Switched AC outlets let you plug in other components and turn on the whole system with one button. The receivers have about 20 or more presets you can use for AM and FM stations. Most receivers also offer a sleep timer, which turns them on or off at a preset time. Remote controls are most useful when they have clear labels and different-shaped and color-coded buttons grouped by function. A universal remote can control a number of devices.

A component-video output on the receiver that can connect to the TV allows for better picture quality if you choose to switch video signals through your receiver; however, not many receivers have such an output. Instead, most have S-video output, which is a tad below a component connection but better than a composite-video or RF (antenna) connection.

Look also for an S-video input, which lets you pipe signals from an external DVD player, digital camcorder, or certain cable or satellite boxes through the system. Any player that you might want to connect will need the same digital-audio connections, either optical or coaxial, as those of the included receiver. And if you want to make occasional connections at the front–perhaps for a camcorder or an MP3 player–you’ll need front-panel inputs.

DSP (for digital signal processor) modes use digital circuitry to duplicate the sound measurements of, say, a concert hall. Each mode represents a different listening environment. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds.

A subwoofer may be powered or unpowered. Either type will do the job, but a powered subwoofer often provides more control over bass.

An integrated DVD player, available with some models, typically has fewer features than does a stand-alone DVD player. Features to expect are track programmability (more useful for playing CDs than DVDs), track repeat, and disc repeat. If you want more features, a stand-alone DVD player may be the wiser choice.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Decide whether you want a DVD player. If not, you may save money by buying a system without one. If you want a DVD in the bundle, consider whether you need a multidisc model that will provide uninterrupted play of music CDs and DVD movies, or if a single-disc player will do. All the DVD-equipped systems we tested have a progressive-scan player. These offer regular DVD picture quality when used with a conventional TV but can deliver a smoother image when paired with a TV capable of displaying high-definition (HD) or enhanced-definition (ED) signals. Some bundled DVD players offer support for multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD music discs, although not in their original, high-resolution format.

Do you want a separate DVD player or one integrated with the receiver? Systems that integrate the DVD player and the receiver in one box tend to offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections than those that have two separate components. Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but they tend to be bulkier and may not allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Other devices, such as a digital-video recorder, would have to be hooked up directly to the TV.

Make sure there are enough inputs. You may want to route video as well as audio signals through your home-theater receiver so you can easily switch among sources such as a VCR, cable or satellite box, and digital video recorder. Before buying, consider which devices you’ll want to channel through the home-theater unit, and which ones you can hook up directly to the TV, and make sure you have enough of the appropriate inputs and outputs.

Each type of connection is capable of conveying a different level of video quality. If you’ll be connecting a DVD player to your TV through the receiver, look for a model with S-video, component-video, or HDMI connections, which should give you better picture quality than a composite-video hookup.

With audio inputs, you’ll need a digital-audio input for relaying undecoded digital audio from your DVD player, digital-cable box, or satellite receiver. Make sure the input on the home-theater system matches the output on the other device. Some of these units have an optical digital-audio output, while others have a coaxial digital-audio output. (An HDMI connection carries the audio along with video in one cable).

If you want to connect a turntable, see if the one you have requires a special phono input, which is hard to come by. Look for a front video input on the receiver if you want to make occasional connections, perhaps for a camcorder or a game system, and your TV doesn’t have accessible front-panel inputs.

Get features that suit your needs. With any system, you can be assured of basics such as AM/FM tunes, Dolby Digital and DTS surround-sound support, and enough speakers for at least a 5.1 surround setup. Some systems now include an integrated XM satellite-radio tuner or a USB port for connecting an iPod or other portable music player so you can listen to your music through the sound system.

Extras such as switched AC outlets are less common than on component receivers, so make sure a system has what you want. An onscreen display is handy for setting up and adjusting various functions using the TV screen rather than a small display on the console. Among our tested systems, only those with a DVD player integrated with the receiver have an onscreen display.

A few models offer newer Dolby and DTS surround formats that process 6.1 or 7.1 channels, which support an additional one or two rear-surround speakers, respectively. Those formats still aren’t widely used in movies but could become more common in the future.

Also consider the warranty. You may get 24-month coverage, rather than 12 months, on some models.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

Find More
Home Theater Sys. with Easy Deal
ShopNdeal.com

Your Home Theater How-to Hookup

I love the movie theater experience. The large screen that sucks you into the story. The sound that literally shakes your seat and comes at you from all sides. The darkened room. As I get older though, budget, family and other responsibilities keep me from going to the theater as much as I would like. So how about the next best thing–bringing the theater going experience to you. I am talking about home theaters.

Who wouldn’t want a crystal clear picture, surround sound, all connected to give you a great home viewing experience? Of course, if you are like me both budget and lack of expertise can keep you from making the jump. I will attempt to lay out the basics for you here.

Obviously, you need to start with a quality HDTV. HD stands for high definition. HDTV’s give you a very high resolution image which give your picture great clarity. This is the central piece to your home theater system and can take up the majority of the price. HDTV’s can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

When it comes to home theaters and TV’s size does matter. You can get smaller HDTV’s and the picture will be excellent but for a home theater you want to get something that is 32″ or larger for the best experience. The picture quality on a larger TV may not be quite as good as the smaller sets, but the difference is minimal and it is worth the sacrifice in picture quality to get the larger set.

After you choose what size TV is best for you, the quality of the image is your next concern. Resolutions range from 720p to 1080i to 1080p. The better the resolution the more the TV is going to run you. The easiest way to decide what resolution is satisfactory to both your eyes and your wallet is to go to the store and compare and contrast the different options you are considering.

Once you have selected your TV, sound is your next issue. There are tons of options when it comes to sound. Many people, especially those with less technical knowledge, will choose a bundled system. Bundled systems tend to take up less room, have less wires to deal with, and are easier to install.

However, other people may choose to customize their sound systems. If you choose to do this you have an almost infinite set of choices. The real issue is that it will take a lot of tweaking and trial and error to make sure all the components are working together. Do not skimp when it comes to speaker and cable quality. You may have a great sound system that will be worthless with cheap speakers or wires that dampen or dull the sound.

For most people, a ready made system will be fine and will satisfy all your home theater needs. If you do decide to customize be sure to do your research well. Either way, enjoy that theater experience in the comfort of your own home!

Home Electronics: Must-Have Components For Any Home Theater

All home entertainment units have three major components that are essential to creating a functional home theater system. The main focus of any theater is the television or video display. Sound quality is essential. A complete sound system is key to providing the soul and voice of the theatre. A source player is the third element, providing the picture and sound. Cable or satellite TV is standard in most homes but DVD and other players are also added to expand the usefulness of a home theater. It is these three major pieces of electronic innovation that make watching a movie, playing the XBox or listening to a favorite CD enjoyable and worthwhile.

Visual Element

There are video display options available to a home depending on budget and preferences.

Rear Projection Television. Television technology has been based on the cathode ray tube (CRT) up until the 21st century. In a rear projection TV, there are three tubes, each representing one of the primary colors. This colors mix along with quality wiring and a good screen, provide a very high resolution picture. Manufacturers are starting to drop rear project televisions from their product lines however. Research your manufacturer’s warranty before purchasing a rear projection television to make sure that customer service and repairs will be available down the line.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Television. An LCD TV can be found as both a rear projection and as a flat screen. LCD rear projection TVs are much more compact than their CRT cousins and use less power. I have written about LCD televisions extensively in other articles so I will forego further explanation here.

Plasma Screen Televisions. In this technology, different gases are trapped between two panes of glass and an electronic signal can modify them to allow them to display a picture. These televisions are produced with a sleek thin design and can produce excellent resolution.

No matter which video display you are leaning toward, make sure to measure the area you want to put the TV so it fits when you bring it home. Also look into whether the screen is able to handle high definition (HD) television and DVDs.

Audio Elements

The sound system is going to make a huge difference in the enjoyment and functionality of your home theater. A good audio system includes the following elements:

Receiver. This component takes the audio signal, and often the video signal, and distributes it to the proper part of your system.

Amplifier. This component is what increases the signal strength before it is sent to the speakers. Often times, a purchased receiver will have an amplifier already built into it, making an additional piece of equipment unnecessary.

Surround Sound Speakers. Standard speaker sets of five are typical for most home theaters. There is a center channel, a right front, right rear, left front and left rear. These different speakers, when properly positioned, make the sound come from the appropriate direction.

Data / Signal Source

A basic DVD player is a standard signal source in most theater systems. The signal information sent from the player contains the video data as well as your 5.1 surround sound. Your cable box or digital satellite is also signal sources for a home theater. These sources can all be used in one system with the proper wiring and remote programming.

~Ben Anton, 2008

How to Buy a Powerful Home Theater System: Part 1 (Limited Budget)

Thanks to advances in modern audio and video technology, more and more people are becoming home theater enthusiasts. And while some home theater system owners approach their systems as if money is no object, this is certainly not an option for most would-be home theater owners. Luckily, the recent advances in technology have also made home theater equipment even more affordable, allowing even those on a limited budget to buy a powerful home theater system as long as you know what to look for.

There are several things you should consider once you decide to buy a home theater system, especially on a limited budget (around $1000 or less). Since this is a popular price range, there are several options to choose from for each of the components you’ll need to purchase. The goal is to have a system that gives you great performance, several steps up from the typical “home theater in a box” but still taking up minimal space. We’ll take a look at the components you’ll need and some considerations you should keep in mind. Note that since we’re working with a $1000 or less budget, we’ll leave out the television for now and assume you’re using your current TV in the meantime.

Receiver: The receiver should certainly have Dolby Digital ™ 5.1 surround sound to provide an immersive experience when watching your favorite DVDs. It should also be expandable to other formats as your system grows. That way, you can rest assured that your receiver will still be able to satisfy your audio needs for years to come.

DVD Player: Definitely look for a quality DVD player. You can certainly find players in the sub-$100 range but you should be cautious on such deals and definitely check the warranty and return policy just in case. Something in the $150 ballpark will likely be sufficient but price isn’t the only factor to consider. Since we’re aiming for a 5.1 surround sound system, you’ll need to be sure the DVD player is Dolby Digital ™ compatible to ensure you have the best audio output from your new system (most players are). In addition, check to see what type of video inputs your television has—either component video, s-video or composite/analog video (which have been listed in order of video quality). You’ll want to be sure your DVD player has outputs compatible with the best quality video input on your television. Finally, keep in mind that your DVD player will play a dual role, acting as your CD player as well.

Speakers: Again, with the goal being a 5.1 surround sound system, you’ll probably want to go with a set of speakers rather than purchasing them separately or in pairs. You’ll have 6 speakers in all, one in each corner of the room (roughly), one speaker front and center either on or just below the television and one subwoofer to handle the bass. You’ll want to ensure that the speakers are rated to handle the amount of power put out by the amplifier in your receiver. That way, you can enjoy full, rich surround sound without stressing your speakers and possibly damaging them.

Cables: Finally, you’ll need several types of interconnect cables to wire everything together. Some of these might come with the individual components you purchase depending on the model. If not, shoot for mid-priced cables rather than the lower end options. Surprisingly enough, the quality of the cables you purchase can have a dramatic effect on the overall performance of your system so skimping here is not advised.

By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be able to find the best components to build your new home theater system. And you can rest assured that it will have all the features you need for a great home theater experience without breaking the bank.