The receiver is both the “smarts" and the “power" behind a home theater system. It takes the audio signals from all of your source components, performs any needed decoding and post-processing, amplifies the signal to power your home theater’s array of loudspeakers, and controls the playback volume. For video signal, the receiver performs the necessary switching and outputs it to your TV. With all this functionality, a receiver is one of the more complex and expensive components in a home theater or home audio system.
•The most important factor in connecting theater components today is using the newest interfaces available. High-definition televisions use an interface called High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI combines digital audio and video together. If your HDTV does not have the HDMI interface, your receiver will be ready when you upgrade the HDTV in the future.
•Digital Versatile Disc and compact disc (CD) players, computer graphics cards, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors and portable electronic devices like digicams and cell phones are all migrating to a new audiovisual standard called Unified Digital Interface (UDI). UDI is compatible with the HDMI used on HDTVs. With UDI input and output ports on your receiver, you will be able to take advantage of the latest interfaces for Dvd/Cd players and portable devices. A receiver with a UDI-out port can also connect to a UDI-enabled computer graphics card to stream television to the computer.
•The receiver should also able to accommodate optical or digital audio interfaces, as well as older style analog left/right cabling. In other words, it should be backwards compatible with older technology so that you can upgrade existing components at will.
•While stereo receivers only support two speakers, home theater receivers support surround sound, or multiple speaker systems. The most basic configuration is 5-1 surround sound, which includes five speakers and a subwoofer to deliver bass. Newer configurations include 6-1 and 7-1 surround sound, or seven and eight speaker systems respectively, with a subwoofer included in each case.
•A receiver might also support a second set of remote surround sound speakers. These speakers might be located in a bedroom or on a sundeck. Remote surround sound speakers can be activated separately from the main speaker system.
•To easily set up a surround system, look for a receiver that offers automatic calibration. These receivers come with a small microphone and front microphone port. The microphone is placed in the area where you would like the sound to be optimum, such as on a facing couch at ear-level. By engaging the calibration program, the receiver emits a series of signals and sound effects, electronically measuring when each speaker’s output reaches the microphone. The receiver’s speaker channels self-adjust so that, regardless of speaker distance, sounds reach the microphone at the same time. This creates a perfect “sweet spot."
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If you have been "sitting on the fence" regarding home theater and are waiting for prices to drop further, all I can say is... there has never been a better time than now! Prices have been decreasing steadily for a number of years and the thing to remember is you can build it up over time; you don't need to start off with the system on the market.
How Much Can You Expect To Pay?
Realistically, you could get started for as low as $1000. You won't get the best home theater system on the market but you will get started! A television, a DVD player and some speakers but you would have to be a very prudent second hand shopper. Or better still, for those who already have a TV, then for less than a thousand bucks, you'll pick up a pretty handy set of speakers and DVD.
Between $3000-$5000
Let's be honest, most people visualize home theater as something akin to having home style cinema under their own roof. That's exactly how it should be. High cinema prices have been a big turn off in recent years plus you are in control of the system. So what can you expect to pay for a decent system? $3000-$5000 will get you a more than a handy system. It will definately get you comments from your friends.
Given that a larger portion of people will shop around the $3-$5000 price range means there is plenty of scope to pick up bargains so you'll need to keep an eye on the sales pages. An LCD television, DVD player and sub-woofer will set you back about $1500-$2500 and this should leave you plenty of scope to shop around for a more than competent digital sound projector.
Working To A Budget
The best home theater system on the market will cost you a minimum of six figures. What you need to realise is that unless you have an inheritance coming your way, then it's ridiculous to put off getting a system because you think you have to have the best and most expensive brand products in your home. This is the reason why many people are left "sitting on the fence." It's the "when I win the lottery" mentality.
Start with a budget you can afford. $3000 is a great starting point and as explained earlier, will get you a handy system. Once you have the core products in place, then you can plan to expand. It's not uncommon for some systems to take more than a year to come together.
Home theater can be treated as a project. You won't start off with the best system on the market but you can get it started for a reasonably low cost. Isn't it time you got off the fence and joined the revolution?
Both Vinay Choubey & Dean Caporella are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vinay Choubey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Nutrition and Web Development. Vinay ChoubeyContent Writer.. Vinay Choubey's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.
Dean Caporella has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Golf Guide and Surveys. Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Don't sit on the home theater fence any longer. Find out how to choose the