| Look at your home theater system as a puzzle, | | | | You'll get more use out of your system if you |
| which require many different pieces to fit together | | | | separate the components since the DAP can be used |
| just right to create the total presentation. Unlike a | | | | to work with other components in your home |
| puzzle, each piece belongs in a different place and | | | | system because it has several input/output jacks. |
| together they project a theater-like picture and | | | | DVD Player |
| realistic sound. Understanding the role of each | | | | Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) are one of the most |
| component will make it easier to decide which ones | | | | popular elements of a home theatersystem, because |
| you need and want. Here's a breakdown of all the | | | | they are a multimedia platform for movies, music and |
| primary components you will need to consider when | | | | computers. Some of the advantages to DVD is that |
| creating your home theater. | | | | the picture quality is better and many DVDs have |
| Television | | | | Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is very close to |
| There are two things to pay attention to when | | | | the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many |
| buying a television: shape and size. To watch movies | | | | DVD movies have an on-screen index, where you |
| in their original wide screen format, you'll need a TV | | | | can select what part of the movie you want to view |
| with a rectangularly shaped 16:9 aspect ratio rather | | | | without rewinding or fast-forwarding it. Many high-end |
| than the traditional, square shaped 4:3. When it | | | | players are compatible with audio CDs and come with |
| comes to size go for the largest screen you can | | | | two viewing options for letterbox format (which fits |
| afford (27 inches is probably the bare minimum). For | | | | wide-screen TVs and the standard size format. |
| optimal viewing, the distance between the viewer | | | | VCR |
| and the screen should equal about three times the | | | | While DVDs are fast becoming the preferred player, |
| screen size. For example a 40-inch TV is best viewed | | | | VCRs still remain popular because of its recordability. |
| from a distance of 10 feet (120 inches). Before | | | | The disadvantages of the VCR include tape wear |
| buying your TV it is best to figure out where you're | | | | and damage and they don't have widescreen or |
| going to place the television and calculate the screen | | | | surround sound capability. |
| size accordingly. | | | | DVR (Digital Video Recorder) |
| Cathode-ray tube | | | | DVR is short for personal video recorder, a generic |
| While traditional tube televisions have some of the | | | | term for a device that is similar to a VCR but records |
| sharpest pictures and lowest price tags ($500-$2500), | | | | television data in digital format as opposed to the |
| the downside is they aren't available in large sizes - | | | | VCR's analog format. DVRs encode video data in |
| 40 inches is the maximum. If you favor a tube TV, | | | | MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 formats and store the data in a |
| than look for a flat-screen CRT, because they don't | | | | hard drive. DVRs have all of the same functionality of |
| have the distortion that effects the curved edges of | | | | VCRs (recording, playback, fast forwarding, |
| older models, and most can display the widescreen | | | | rewinding, pausing) plus the ability to instantly jump to |
| formats of DVDs. | | | | any part of the program without having to rewind or |
| Projection TV - Front or Rear | | | | fast forward the data stream. |
| In contrast to conventional TVs, projection TVs | | | | A DVR is essentially made up of two elements: the |
| form a small image on a device inside the projector, | | | | device that stores its hardware elements, such as |
| either a CRT or LCD, and then shine that image onto | | | | the hard disk drive, power supply and buses, and the |
| a large screen located elsewhere. There are two | | | | software in the form of a subscription service that |
| types of projecting TVs - rear or reflective | | | | provides programming information. There are three |
| projection and front or transmissive projection. On a | | | | predominant DVR types on the market: TiVo, |
| rear projection, the screen is located within the TV | | | | ReplayTV and UltimateTV, with TiVo being the |
| box itself. In this type, light reflects off the | | | | current market leader. |
| projection display panel and is then projected onto | | | | The benefits of DVRs: The digital storage of |
| the screen. A front projection has a separate screen | | | | television signals opens up a whole new world of |
| (which allows for greater size) and send the picture | | | | possibilities when it comes to playback and viewing. |
| across the room to a screen, much like a traditional | | | | For one, a DVR is tapeless. With a VCR, the device |
| movie projector. Both systems have four basic parts | | | | itself is only a recording tool and the blank cassette is |
| -a projector, screen (separate or built-in), control | | | | the media. In a DVR, media and tool are one and the |
| panel (separate or built-in) and a sound system | | | | same, which is a big plus if you never seem to be |
| (separate or built-in). Most rear projection TVs for | | | | able to find a blank tape when it comes time to |
| home theater systems tend to look like very | | | | record a favorite show. The only drawback is that |
| large-screen (up to 80-inches) conventional televisions. | | | | you can't add more storage space, because the |
| Each one is basically a large box that contains all of | | | | media is hard-wired into the unit. Getting more |
| the above parts, while front projection TVs are | | | | recording with a VCR is easy - you just buy another |
| spread out across your room in four components. | | | | box of blank tapes, but getting more recording time |
| Cost for either system starts around $1500 and | | | | on a DVR involves buying a new unit. |
| escalate to well over $50,000 (for a front projection | | | | Perhaps the biggest advantage of DVRs is the |
| TV). | | | | unprecedented control over playback. With a VCR, |
| Plasma/LCD | | | | you have to wait for a program to finish recording |
| Both Plasma and LCD TV are both represent two of | | | | before you can start watching it. Since there's no |
| the best new television technologies on the market | | | | tape to rewind, digital recording doesn't have this |
| and offer excellent picture quality. Right now, Plasma | | | | limitation. A show that started recording 10 minutes |
| TVs offer the advantage of larger screen sizes, | | | | ago can be viewed at any time, even while it is still |
| lower costs, better viewing angles, and superior | | | | taping. |
| image refresh rates, which make them a great choice | | | | DSS RECEIVER |
| for home theater. While LCD TV is rapidly improving, | | | | This is not like the satellite dish of yesterday. |
| manufacturers still need to overcome its weaknesses | | | | Besides being a lot smaller (about the size of a large |
| - ghosting trails on fast moving images, small screen | | | | pizza) Digital Satellite Systems (DSS) are more |
| size and cost. The pros of LCD are no burn-in risk, | | | | technically advanced. They receive digital satellite |
| longer life span, low weight and low power | | | | signals that carry superior image capabilities similar to |
| consumption. | | | | a laserdisc player with CD quality sound. |
| HDTV (High Definition Television) | | | | They're easy to setup and tune in and can handle |
| High-definition television is a type of digital signal that | | | | high definition television and six-channel surround |
| carries a more detailed image and is encoded with | | | | sound. Monthly service plans cost about the same as |
| surround sound information. All of the above | | | | standard cable service. |
| televisions are available in HDTV, but some models | | | | Speakers |
| may require a separate HDTV decoding tuner. | | | | Since sound attributes to half of the home theater |
| Because they have a high screen resolution you can | | | | experience, it's a good idea to get the best speakers |
| view these TVs from a much closer distance than a | | | | you can afford. Like amplifiers, speakers should be |
| TV that doesn't have high-definition. This is definitely | | | | able to reproduce a large frequency range clearly |
| the wave of the future, since the FCC recently | | | | without distortion. |
| decided that all television programming must be | | | | No two speakers sound alike so selecting them is |
| broadcast in digital format by 2006. | | | | often a matter of personal listening preference. A |
| Screen | | | | home theater should have an array of six speakers |
| It's not something you may think about, but your | | | | or more to properly create sound. These will include |
| television screen is your view into your home theater. | | | | left, right, and center speakers across the front; a |
| Manufacturers use different screen materials, but | | | | couple of surrounds and a subwoofer or bass unit to |
| most use a matte-finished screen or acetate sheets | | | | create the low, loud, feel-it-in-your-stomach sounds. |
| with complex technologies for improving brightness | | | | Cables and Interconnects |
| and clarity. Finding out what kind of screen the | | | | They may seem relatively unimportant compared to |
| television you're thinking of buying has will clear up a | | | | the rest of the equipment, but cables and |
| lot issues before you bring it home. | | | | interconnects can make a difference between a |
| Receivers | | | | good sounding system and a great sounding system. |
| In most cases the receiver is the brain in most | | | | This is true on any size system from the low end to |
| home theater systems. It is the central core where | | | | the highest quality. The signals between components |
| all the audio comes together. Basically, the receiver | | | | and speakers need to flow unrestricted or the |
| decodes signals from the inputs (DVD player, satellite | | | | output will suffer. Cables should be a heavy gauge |
| dish, cable television) and routes them to the proper | | | | and the connectors should be gold plated. Price can |
| outputs (television and speakers). A good receiver | | | | range from $15 cents a foot to over a $1000. |
| has inputs and outputs, a built-in timer, surround | | | | If aesthetics are a big concern for you, they you'll |
| sound capabilities, built-in amplifiers and equalizers. | | | | want to consider flat speaker wire, which is as thin |
| Prices range from $1000 to $5000. It's important that | | | | as a credit card, flexible enough to turn corners, and |
| your receiver has at least 100 continuous watts per | | | | ready to be mounted on walls and ceiling. You can |
| channel and has enough outputs to connect to all | | | | even hide them completely by wallpapering or |
| your speakers. | | | | painting over them. |
| Amplifiers | | | | Remote Control |
| While most receivers come with a pre-amp to | | | | Most electronic equipment has a remote control, so |
| equalize the audio signal and a power amp to boost | | | | to avoid clutter and confusion it is best to purchase a |
| it, these components can also be purchased | | | | universal remote control to run your home theater. |
| separately. Stand-alone power amps give you the | | | | Universal remotes come pre-programmed to control |
| ability to more easily fine-tune and upgrade individual | | | | hundreds of devices from a variety of manufacturers |
| speakers and will enable you to generate superior | | | | so setup is a snap. No matter which remote you |
| sound, especially at high volumes, but the extra cost | | | | choose, you should look for one that has an |
| can add up ($1,000 to $10,000 per unit). | | | | illuminated keypad or backlit screen so you can |
| Controller | | | | operate it with ease in low-light situations. If you're |
| If you're going for a state-of-the-art home theater | | | | planning on putting your components in a closed |
| system, then a controller will replace the receiver. | | | | cabinet or set in a wall unit you'll want a remote |
| The biggest difference between a controller and | | | | that's radio frequency-capable, because its radio |
| receiver is that the controller controls both the audio | | | | waves can travel through walls, doors and floors |
| and video. If you're using a controller you'll need a | | | | without having to point it at the components. |
| separate tuner for radio stations. | | | | All-in-one systems |
| CD Player | | | | If you don't want to be bothered with the hassle of |
| If you plan on listening to your favorite music then | | | | picking out separate components you can pick up a |
| you'll need a good quality CD player. You can choose | | | | home-theater-in-a-box, which can cost between $300 |
| from a one piece or two piece player where the unit | | | | to $3000. You'll get almost everything you need for a |
| that houses and spins the discs is separate from the | | | | basic setup - an integrated receiver/DVD player, a |
| DAP (Digital Audio Processor) where the all the | | | | complete set of speakers including a subwoofer and |
| information from your disc is electronically processed. | | | | even the wires to connect everything. |