Home Theater Buyers Guide

Having your own Home Theater is something forrecorder/VCR play and or, record from DVD
the entire family to enjoy that can be rather fundisks and can be separate components, or all in
while shopping for your home theater and settingone unit called combo units. Some DVDs support
up your system. The biggest problem is mostWindows media such as CD/CD-RW for playing
people do not understand the terms used and somusic and, or showing your stored pictures and
born is our Home Theater Buyers Guide.I willmusic.Sound Selection #2 In Level Of
honestly say that most people are overwhelmedImportance.Sound is not as important to some as
by the terms used in electronic equipment likerelated to the core of the home theater....which is
AC3, Aspect Ratio, Bridging and the list goes on.the picture they see.
Most of the term relating to home electronics areTVs have speakers built in that will suffice for
baffling to the majority and really intended forthe better part of us, but add a few good
technical purposes...So do not get discouraged andspeakers and you have quality sound.Your home
give up. You can see our Home Theatertheater room, or area plays a major part in how
Dictionary for an explanation of the terms used inthe sound is interpreted in relation to the
home theater electronics.The two most importantacoustics of the room,size, furniture, walls,
thing in your home theater is to know whatcurtains, carpet etc that absorb the signal. As an
viewing quality you want and what sound youexample a long rectangle room with carpet will
desire.have better acoustics than a square room with
By visiting your local Electronics store you canhardwood floors.
get a good idea from viewing the equipment upReally do not expect exact movie theater sound
close for picture and sound quality and most salesfrom your existing rooms because a theater is
people have the knowledge of there equipmentdesigned especially for this purpose, unless you
that can convey to you in laymen terms.Onceplan to build a special room. Whatever you decide
you have decided on a practical system you canyou will experience better sound with the right
buy from the Electronic store, or go online wherecomponents.1. AVR Receivers control every
the best deals are made.The items listed belowaspect of your sound system and video and is
are what you should be concerned with inthe brain that takes the video portion then
selecting a home theater system.Video Selectiontransmits signals into sound. AVR Receivers come
#1 in Level Of Importance1. Choose a TV at leastin various watts that have separate channels to
27 inches, preferably the bigger the better thatcontrol and balance speakers.2. Speakers come in
will fit in your home theater area with plenty ofall sizes and shapes and are a good investment if
room left over for comfort and a screen sizeyou want the most out of sound . The quality of
that you do not have to strain to view.sound is determined by the watts of power they
Most larger TVs are as cheap as the smaller Tvsproduce..ie a 100W will produce more sound quality
today...so get what you want the first timethan a 50W. The receiver is matched in wattage
around.The items listed below are what youto correspond with the wattage of the speaker.
should be concerned with in selecting a homeOf all the audio components below, speakers are
theater system.2. Flat screen TVs are the mostthe most important of all so get the best you
common for good non glare viewing and are LCDcan.3. Sub woofers increase the bass capabilities
(liquid crystal display) and have optional Plasmaof your sound system. Not a necessity unless
screens which is a display technology that youyou like the sound of thundering explosions in an
may not notice unless you have the two side byaction movie.4. Surround Sound will deliver a
side.3. Some TVs have built in DVD/VCR and wecinematic sound quality to your home theater, but
recommend purchasing a DVD/VCR as ais not an essential component.Home Theatre Mini
separate component in case of failure.4. RearSystem ("In A Box")With a mini system all you
projection TVs are available in TVs with largerneed is the TV and installation is much easier than
screen size of 42 inch and above and is not ausing separate components which may require
advantage in viewing quality.5. DLP (Digital Lightyou hiring a professional. You can get a mini
Processing) projection system bring more lightsystem with just about any feature you want to
from lamp to screen. It also features better colorinclude DVD/DVR/VCR/AVR/CD, speakers, sub
uniformity over time--no burn-in, screen aging orwoofers, surround sound etc...The systems are
color-shifting possible and is recommended featuremuch cheaper in cost than purchasing separate
for crisp, clear picture viewing.6. HDTV (Highcomponents and the drawbacks are you may be
Definition TV) is on the way is and will be thelimited on what you can output if you want
future of TV and is recommended as a mustadditional add-on such as video games,extra
have.7. HD Ready (High Definition Ready) is a TVspeakers etc. The mini home theater is basically
that supports high definition signal when using ato run the components provided in the kit and if
separate set box.8. AVR Receivers(see audioyou want to add on you may not be able to.
section)for TVs relate more to audio, but do playAnother drawback is you may be sacrificing
a role in the refresh rate of the screen, providesuperior video and sound quality for lower a price.
video input for games, other devices andJust like anything else there are good mini home
synchronizes the sound to the picture. Other typetheaters and better ones...So get the best if you
receivers are satellite and HDTV.9. DVD playergo this route.