Home Theater

John Leo asked:


I truly beleive that many people are confused by the words used in home theater equipment such as AC3,Aspect Ratio,Bridging and many others.Almost all of the terminology regarding home theater audio and video components is confusing for most people and is primarily intended for technical reasons.Therefore do not be intimidated by the language used to name and describe home theater audio and video components.Utilize our Home Theater dictionary to learn the meaning of the words used to describe the electronics of home theater systems.

The two most important thing in your home theater is to know what viewing quality you want and what sound you desire. By visiting your local Electronics store you can get a good idea from viewing the equipment up close for picture and sound quality and most sales people have the knowledge of there equipment that can convey to you in laymen terms. Once you have decided on a practical system you can buy from the Electronic store, or go online where the best deals are made. The components described below are most important and are what should be focused upon when buying a home theater system.

Video Selection #1 in Level Of Importance 1. Choose a TV at least 27 inches, preferably the bigger the better that will fit in your home theater area with plenty of room left over for comfort and a screen size that you do not have to strain to view. Most larger TVs are as cheap as the smaller TVs today…so get what you want the first time around. The components described below are most important and are what should be focused upon when buying a home theater system. 2. Flat screen TVs are the most common for good non glare viewing and are LCD (liquid crystal display) and have optional Plasma screens which is a display technology that you may not notice unless you have the two side by side. 3. Some TVs have built in DVD/VCR and we recommend purchasing a DVD/VCR as a separate component in case of failure. 4. Rear projection TVs are available in TVs with larger screen size of 42 inch and above and is not a advantage in viewing quality. 5. DLP (Digital Light Processing) projection system bring more light from lamp to screen. It also features better color uniformity over time–no burn-in, screen aging or color-shifting possible and is recommended feature for crisp, clear picture viewing. 6. HDTV (High Definition TV) is on the way is and will be the future of TV and is recommended as a must have. 7. HD TV (High Definition Television) are televisions that can process high definition signals thru the use of a separate set box. 8. AVR Receivers(see audio section)for TVs relate more to audio, but do play a role in the refresh rate of the screen, provide video input for games, other devices and synchronizes the sound to the picture. Other type receivers are satellite and HDTV. 9. DVD player/recorder/VCR play and or, record from DVD disks and can be separate components, or all in one unit called combo units. Some DVDs support Windows media such as CD/CD-RW for playing music and, or showing your stored pictures and music.

Sound Selection #2 In Level Of Importance. Audio is not that crucial to many as compared to the core of the home theater….which is the picture they see. TVs have speakers built in that will suffice for the better part of us, but add a few good speakers and you have quality sound. Your home theater room, or area plays a major part in how the sound is interpreted in relation to the acoustics of the room,size, furniture, walls, curtains, carpet etc that absorb the signal. As an example a long rectangle room with carpet will have better acoustics than a square room with hardwood floors. The typical entertainment room in your house can not be expected to exactly replicate movie theater sound since a commercial movie cinema is expressly designed for this purpose, unless you are design and construct a special custom home theater room in your home. Whatever your decision you will experience better audio with the proper equipment. 1. AVR Receivers manage all aspects of your audio system and video and considered the brain that controls the video portion and transforms signals into sound. AVR Receivers come in various watts that have separate channels to control and balance speakers. 2. The sizes and shapes of speakers vary significantly and are a wise investment if you want the highest quality sound . The quality of sound is determined by the watts of power they produce..ie a 100W will produce more sound quality than a 50W. The receiver is matched in wattage to correspond with the wattage of the speaker. Of all the audio components below, speakers are the most important of all so get the best you can.

3. Sub woofers increase the bass capabilities of your sound system. Not a requirement except if you prefer the sound of explosive blasts in an action movie. 4. Surround Sound will deliver a cinematic sound quality to your home theater, but is not an essential component.

Home Theater Mini System (”In A Box”) With a mini system all you need is the TV and installation is much easier than using separate components which may require you hiring a professional. You can get a mini system with just about any feature you want to include DVD/DVR/VCR/AVR/CD, speakers, sub woofers, surround sound etc…The systems are much cheaper in cost than purchasing separate components and the drawbacks are you may be limited on what you can output if you want additional add-on such as video games,extra speakers etc. The mini home theater is basically to run the components provided in the kit and if you want to add on you may not be able to. Another drawback is you may be sacrificing superior video and sound quality for lower a price. Just like anything else there are good mini home theaters and better ones…So get the best if you go this route.



Jayden

Mike Singh asked:


Accessories that go with the latest home theater equipment offer additional aesthetic enjoyment for the consumers. Not only are they functional, but they are also fun with multi decor designs to enhance this new form of home entertainment. With assorted electronic components for mimicking the movie theaters, the world is now open to cinema settings in our own home. If a new home has been recently purchased or is in the making, there should be a fun room designed for the home theater and its accessories.

In today’s world, there are plenty of options available with products that are nothing short of perfect for home use, such as the new surround sound speakers similar to the standard movie theater’s three speaker system: one to the right; one to the left; and one in the center - with the rest spread throughout the theater OR the entertainment room at home. No matter what type of system that goes into the homes, by all means have every accessory available to make it the perfect way to play and have fun. A home theater is a great choice to consider for a complete family playground.

The sounds of a movie at a downtown theater or at a drive-in theater is the main reason most people go, instead of simply renting a tape and staying home - even though many do just that. But for the others, added accessories for the home theater system makes staying at home similar to sitting in a movie theater. First, there is function to think about - a home theater system may actually need to be upgraded with additional speakers or receivers, depending on a specific need. These accessories are available quite easily from the manufacturer of a recently purchased home theater system. By adding on new accessories, some may be more for comfort than for the actual system itself.

For example, add-on features such as DVR burning technologies that will allow you to burn a video of your favorite television show. Or, you may be looking for the new, latest technology of software available. There are plenty of accessories that you can consider for your home theater.

If there is consideration for a home theater set-up that is all encompassing, then look away from the electronics and into the wide range of comfortable chairs, home theater loungers with vibrating speakers, popcorn machines, movie theater decor, and sofas that you can purchase.

Home theater chairs can be purchased in a theater style look or spend every days in the theater’s leather, massaging recliners that are also available. There are plenty of options to look at and choose in accessories, with most of them right here on the web.



Jonathan

Alex Olson asked:


A home theater, to put it very simply, is arranging a variety of electronic components in order to make you feel that you are really watching a movie in a movie theater. Watching a movie on a home theater system is not at all like watching it on an ordinary television.

In order to build a home theater properly you will need to try to recreate the same type of elements that you would find in a movie theater. To have a good home theater system, you will have to have the following essentials (and this is a bare minimum):

1. You will need to have a television that measures at least 27 inches diagonally. You should also make sure that it delivers a clear picture.

2. You should have a minimum of four speakers.

3. You will need equipment that is able to split up the surround-sound signal and send it to the speakers.

4. You will need a component that is able to broadcast or play movies in surround sound and something that will give you a clear picture as well.

You will definitely needs a room in your house that will be suitable for arranging all of the home theater equipment.

There are many ways of meeting the above mentioned criteria. Basically, the kind of home theater you will have will depend largely on your budget. You must also rank in importance the different areas of performance and which means the most to you.

If you do not have all that much money to spend but it has been your dream to have a home theater system, then take another look at your television and your stereo system. Perhaps your TV is large enough that you would not have to consider getting a bigger television.

Your home entertainment system could be upgraded into a simple home theater system just by adding some extra speakers as well as some other rather inexpensive components. If your budget only allows for the basics, you just may get away with spending only about $500. This will probably get you a new DVD player as well as a basic surround-sound system.

Of course, if you are looking to have a more advanced home theater that has a much larger TV and a more advanced sound system, then you may be looking at spending about $8,000. If money is no object and you really want to have that true movie experience at home, then for about $30,000 you could set up your own theater inside of your home that is equipped with real theater seats, a projection TV and built-in speakers.

Here are also several reasons why you might want to consider a home theater system:

1. In your own home theater system, you can ask people to be quiet without any qualms of being beat up.

2. You can take off your shoes and feel comfortable when you are at home with your own home theater.

3. In your own home theater system you can rewind the movie if you did not get something the first time, did not understand something or if you just want to see the scene again.

4. You don’t have to put up with screaming children when you view something on your own home theater system.

These are just some of the benefits of having your own home theater system. You will find that in the long run, it will probably save you money as well as the inconvenience of having to go out all of the time to see a movie!



Nath