When you walk into the home theatre system area of your local consumer electronics outlet, the multitude of choices are daunting. Everything is gleaming under the fluorescent lights, very new and very shiny, each system seemingly saying "buy me, buy me". Before you get to that point, there are many things you need to understand and realize to help you make the best possible decision for your home and your wallet.
First you need to determine which room of your home will house this home theatre system. Note that if you are going for the very large screen like 50 or 60 inches or more, the best viewing is from about 10 to 12 feet away. So putting a screen of this size into a small room is going to disappoint you because the screen will not look sharp or crisp. On the other hand, if you go with a smaller screen like a 36 or 42 inch screen, this would be adequate for a small family room or even a larger bedroom.
You need to decide on what type of display you want. LCD and plasma displays will provide the clearest and sharpest images. DLP and rear projection systems can cost less, but a major disadvantage in these systems is the viewing angle -- DLP and rear projection do not provide as clear a picture when viewing the screen from an angle. Again, examine your target room where your system will be located, and determine the typical viewing angle for the viewers which should help you decide the best display technology to use.
Another important component is the receiver. Some receivers for home theatre systems have inputs for your cable TV or satellite dish connection, as well as inputs for a variety of other things, such as your DVD player, your VCR, your surround sound system, and perhaps even a PC input. Some even have a built-in radio, although these are becoming less common. One of the newer additions to receivers is the ability to play XM radio, although XM radio will require a monthly subscription. So with all these choices, you need to evaluate what is important to you, as well as what you will actually USE. There is little sense, for example, in equipping the receiver with XM radio if you will never or rarely use that option.
No home theatre system is complete without a good speaker system. Ideally, the surround sound should be Dolby 7.1 or at least Dolby 5.1. If you are going to spend the money on a great home theatre system, it makes little sense to "cheap out" with the speakers and audio system, since after the picture, the SOUND is the other component that lights up your internal sensory perceptors as you are enjoying your system.
You can even go the extra mile with your surround sound system if you want to go whole hog, and use the "bass shaker" attachments that are available with some systems. These gadgets attach to your recliner or sofa, and when a scene comes on with an explosion or car wreck, these gadgets actually SHAKE the recliner or sofa, adding to the realism of the movie.
I suggest you make yourself a list, or maybe even a paper spreadsheet that you take with you when you shop around. Put a column for must-have features, a column for nice-to-have features, and perhaps yet another column for a feature you find that is specific to a particular brand. And definitely SHOP AROUND for your home theatre system! Create a budget for yourself that will NOT be exceeded, regardless of how loudly a particular system is screaming at you to buy it. Watch for systems to go on sale, which they do on a frequent basis, and you can save yourself a wad of cash. If you are buying the components separately, my recommendation would be to buy them all from the same store. That way if there is a problem, you will not have the issue of "finger pointing" from the various stores trying to blame each other.
The smart shopper is the one who gets the quality system and doesn't pay "sticker price" for it. Be informed, know what you want, be willing to learn if you run across an intelligent salesperson who knows what he is talking about, and stick to your budget.
You will be able to enjoy your investment in this superb home theatre system for years to come.
Jon Arnold is a computer engineer with interests in display technologies and home theatre systems. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and insights at his web site about Home Theatre Systems at http://www.jag-info-resources.com/home-theatre/
- Ask / Related Q&A
Does it Take Long to Learn to Play Piano?
By: Sarah Walther | 02/01/2010The answer to this question depends on two things. You and your musical ability and the amount of time you are willing to put into it. Initially, do not expect great things overnight and it should be fully understood the commitment involved depending on the standard you want to achieve....
California: Got Earthquakes?
By: Steve Yeich | 02/01/2010This is a funny article about California covering numerous topics, including the earthquakes from which it sometimes suffers, but all hilariously.
Playseats Rule Home Gaming - Are You Next?
By: Roger Wadham | 01/01/2010If you're a gamer who's crouching over your computer screen or monitor, immersed in a race, you probably hardly ever wonder if there's a better way, just the adrenalin is enough. You go the arcade occasionally because its more fun than gaming from the couch, and automatically just plonk yourself in the driver seat of a machine with a steering wheel, pedals, gears, a big screen, and get racing without a second thought. It's so much better!
Canasta: Its back in vogue
By: David Petter | 01/01/2010RummyRoyal provides online Rummy Games, Play Gin Rummy, Kalooki, Oklahoma Gin , Rummy 500 and tournaments for fun or money. Learn how to play Rummy Games over the Internet.
EXCLUSIVE! Rajeev Jain (Indian Kenyan Director of Photography)
By: Janet Majerus | 01/01/2010EXCLUSIVE! Rajeev Jain (Indian Kenyan Director of Photography) Indian Kenyan Cinematographer Rajiv Jain talks about joining Heart Beat FM and explains the meaning of the "Heart Beat FM wide shot" in M-net’s exclusive interview. Rajiv Jain is kind, genial, funny, intense (in a very good way) and incredibly smart. Oh, and did I happen to mention, that he is a world renowned director of photography. Though he is a lot like his good friend, Matthew Robinson, he is his own personality .....
Art Studio Air Purifier - 7 Features That Will Keep Your Art Studio Air Quality High
By: Debbie Davis | 01/01/2010An art studio should be a place where the creative juices can flow freely. But because many of the products used by artists emit volatile airborne chemicals and other pollutants, it's important to select an air cleaner that can remove them effectively. Here are 5 features that will insure your cleaner will make your art studio a productive and healthy place to be.
Understanding Dance Lessons
By: Svetlana Marintcheva | 31/12/2009Do you feel scared when you go out on the dance floor? Do you feel that you could do it if you only had the skills and courage? Be assured that you may soon not have to put up with this nervousness. In fact, you may be able learn to be coordinated and skillful enough to dance like the experts.
Diabetes - Insulin, Glucose, Blood Sugar
By: Jon Arnold | 04/08/2006 | Non-FictionUnderstand how the elements of diabetes like insulin, glucose and blood sugar relate to each other.
Aerobic Shoes
By: Jon Arnold | 03/08/2006 | Non-FictionDo not under-estimate the value of the proper shoes, which depend on the type of aerobics workout you plan to do. The right shoes can make all the difference between a great workout or potential damage.
Aerobic Activity & Workouts
By: Jon Arnold | 03/08/2006 | Non-FictionUnderstand what muscle groups are worked when you are doing your aerobic workouts and aerobic activities, since not all of them are necessarily good for you.
Considerations BEFORE Buying A Home Theatre or Home Entertainment Center
By: Jon Arnold | 02/08/2006 | Art & EntertainmentThere are many things to consider, even more than the technology and price, that you need to plan for when looking at a home theatre or home entertainment system. This guide will help you understand the various considerations to make the most of your investment.