How To Choose A Home Theater System
When choosing a home theater system one must first consider there budget. In years past a home theater system was for only the rich, but with improvements in technology, home theater system are available for almost any budget. Costs range from $299 to $30,000 or more, depending on the components chosen and the size of your home theater system.
Components
Most people try to achieve creating a movie theater in there home. Now of days a most theaters have surround sound system. Therefore in a home theater you will want to look for the following components, a large-screen television (usually 32” or larger), and a speaker system with a subwoofer (a loud speaker designed to reproduce bass frequencies) & front and rear (usually a minimum of 5 speakers) speakers for quality sound. You will also need an audio/video surround receiver, a DVD player, and a cable or satellite receiver. Most people also add a video recorder and a DVD recorder.
The big screen television
High-definition television (HDTV) is the most popular for Home theater systems. HDTV’s digital technologies give a much sharper & crisper picture quality, also an improved video field to bring the audience right into the middle of the action.
One of the things you must consider when you design your theater system is to look to the future. This way your system will stay up to date longer. To do this you will need to consider things like purchasing a high-quality, integrated HDTV monitor with wide screen display, because the conventional full screen movies we have enjoyed for years will someday be replaced with the movie theater style wide screen movies that more and more we are enjoying now. Even cable systems are delivering digital viewing services, which will only continue to develop.
Wide-screen HDTV monitors start at 27” for a traditional square shape and 30” for a wide-screen, and range up to 82”.
When considering a televisison for a smaller area you may want to look at direct-view televisions. For larger areas you can consider rear-projection or plasma televisions, Direct-view televisions don’t require viewers to sit so far back from the viewing screen.
Surround-sound
Remember when considering your home theater system that sound is a very important part of the experience. You can buy a box system for as little as $200. You will want to look at different system and choose the one that best fit your needs and the sound quality that best fit you space and needs.
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound has been the industry standard for years, says Craig Eggers, director of consumer electronics technology marketing for Dolby Laboratories. Dolby is now the North American audio standard for HDTV. This technology “delivers 5.1 channels of fully discrete surround sound audio to any home theater,” Eggers says. This means the soundtracks are recorded with five main channels: left, center, right, left surround and right surround, plus a low-frequency effects bass channel.
Surround sound systems use a minimum of five speakers to bring the listener inside the viewing experience. Instead of watching the picture, you’re a participant–just like at a movie theater.
These box systems also include various components such as DVD players or recorders, or am fm stereo, VCR players or recorders, some system may also include iPod or Mp3 technology.
This will complete the basic systems, but don’t forget that you may also want to consider a camcorder or digital camera technology for those home videos.
Once you have developed the home theater that best fits your needs the only thing left is to sit back and enjoy and don’t forget the popcorn.
Written by Kevin Hampton, visit me at www.costlesselectronics.com
How-To Tips
Cables are an integral part of a home theater. Good cables will enhance the performance of your entire system, while poor quality cables can actually reduce quality. Look for the following when cable shopping:
· Look for cables with high-density shielding, gold-plated connectors and durable jackets to provide long-lasting, reliable connections. If you have the choice of using either digital or analog cables, choose digital to eliminate unneeded digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions, which lead to reduced image and sound quality.
· When you’re looking for the right cables, make sure you avoid generic cables made with low-grade materials and low-quality construction because they’re highly prone to noise and distortion. Watch especially for connectors that fit loose or too tight, with inadequate shielding and unprotected solder joints.
· Be wary of manufacturers that don’t provide information concerning the construction of their cables. Quality cable companies, such as Accell or Monster Cable, often will provide a cable cut-away illustration, providing clear visibility of their cables’ material and construction.
· Finally, make sure to keep your cable lengths as short as possible to get the best quality sound.
Source: Accell Corporation
