Feeding your HDTV video system an actual HDTV signal makes a world of difference. I recently worked on the installation of a very high-end home theater system (six figure price tag on this job) and when the time came to test it, it was hard to watch anything but a true HDTV channel on the big 20 foot projection screen.
A high definition television system has a native resolution and every signal is either scaled up or scaled down until it matches this native resolution. The optimum situation is to feed it a signal that matches the native resolution so no scaling is required.
When a standard definition tv signal is displayed on an HDTV, the result is like looking at a low quality JPEG photo. All of the artifacts in the image are magnified. When you switch to a true HDTV image it’s like someone cleaned a layer of dirt off of the tv. Everything becomes much clearer and more vivid. So, how do you get a true HDTV signal into your new home theater system?
Tuning in to HDTV Channels
The three primary ways of getting an HDTV signal into your home theater system are: over-the-air, cable, and satellite broadcasts. Let’s take a closer look at these options.
Getting HDTV Over-The-Air
It might come as a surprise, but over 99% of US homes have at least one television station with a digital broadcast and 85% of all US homes have 5 or more stations broadcasting digitally. These are the major networks that you watch every day. Many of them have HDTV broadcasts. Before you go any further, look for local HDTV signals available in your area (www.hdtvpub.com.)
If you are planning to get most of your HDTV programming over-the-air, it makes sense to shop around for an HDTV with a built-in (ATSC) tuner. Many HDTVs (and almost all video projectors) do not have a built-in tuner. If you are building your home theater around a video projector, or plan to buy an HDTV without a built in tuner, you will have to invest in an HDTV (ATSC) tuner (like the Samsung SIR-T451) to access over-the-air broadcasts.
Once you have worked out the tuner issues, you need an antenna to get the broadcast out of the air and into your HDTV. The distance between your house and your local TV stations broadcast transmitter, and the power of the transmission they send out, will determine whether an old fashioned pair of ‘rabbit ears’ will work or whether you need a more robust antenna up on the roof. AntennaWeb’s antenna mapping program (www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp) is a resource that will help you find where the local broadcast transmitters are in your area and point you to the type of antenna you’ll need to put on the roof.
Check with your local tv stations to determine what over-the-air HDTV programming they offer. This will vary station by station and market by market, but the number of channels available is steadily growing. You may get a better mix of network HD broadcasts over-the-air than through your cable or satellite provider – and they’re free!
Getting HDTV Through Cable
To get HDTV programming from your local cable company you will need an HD compatible cable box (usually your cable provider will provide this for a small monthly fee) and a subscription to HD programming.
The amount of HDTV content broadcast over cable channels is growing every day. Check with your local cable company to determine what channels they offer in HD. They will likely have several different packages available.
Most HDTV cable service will provide excellent results. But, the quality of the signal that arrives at your home depends on the quality of the wiring network that your cable company maintains. In some instances this can lead to lower picture quality. If you plan to go with a cable solution, ask around and find out if others in your area are happy with the service.
Special Note: Digital Cable Service is not the same as HD Cable Service. Most digital service is still standard definition. You must purchase service that is specifically marketed as HDTV to get HDTV programming.
Getting HDTV Through Satellite
If you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, you can get your HDTV programming from one of the major satellite systems. DISH Networks, DirecTV, and VOOM are the major players in this market. Each offers a growing collection of HD channels and, if you live in a remote area, they may be your only option.
To get satellite programming you need to get an HD compatible satellite dish, an HD compatible receiver, and subscribe to an HDTV satellite programming service. Usually you can get all three as part of a package. If you have existing satellite service you may need to upgrade your hardware to become HD compatible. Check with your service provider to determine what upgrades you’ll need and if they are offering any special incentives to upgrade to HD.
Enjoy Your New View
Once you’ve got true HDTV running through your digital home theater, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your entertainment experience. You may find yourself skipping your favorite standard definition program just to watch anything in HD – it’s that beautiful.
By: Andrew Seltz
Archive for the ‘Articles’ category
Getting HDTV Into Your Home Theater
March 9th, 2010Home Theater System – 3 Tips on How to Purchasing the Best Wireless Speakers
March 8th, 2010
Don’t you just hate it, all those wires tangled, no more having to tip toe and avoid tripping over, and plus no more jungle!
A decade ago all speakers were wired, but with today’s technology speakers are now wireless and that is fantastic as you soon shall see.
You can place them virtually anywhere so long as the receiver can reach them.
It’s a fact that for many years the electronics market is ever changing in terms of new products and technology coming in also prices lowering a slight degree.
Wireless speakers
Having come from no-where a few years back the technology has really received popularity to finally allow manufacturers to lower prices and perhaps finally these components are ripe for investment.
The price is still sizable in comparison but it will add much value and gives lots of entertainment value to you, also if you currently are fed up with your system, and its in dire need of an upgrade, then this option could be well suited for you.
Tip 1
Don’t just rush off to the Internet and buy the first wireless speaker you see, as there are things to consider first.
As you have got to know the true quality of the wireless speaker and don’t forget your receiver too.
Tip 2
So simply, go down to your local electronics store and have fun testing out the various options available.
Tip 3
Once that is done, then it time to go online.
Do this:
Find the best online price and compare with local stores price Negotiate with local store and see if they will offer the same model for the same online price.
This way you can get better deals plus you don’t pay the shipping charges.
Conclusion
Creating a home theater is all about creating atmosphere so you and your family get together and enjoy viewing television experience just like at the ‘movies.’
Sound is a very important component that should be given careful consideration, get it wrong and the effect and be very dissatisfying.
Get the very best wireless speakers for your budget with the fullest amount of sound.
You work hard for your money and a home theater system is an investment that should provide you with hours and hours of enjoyment as well as a well deserved releases from life’s pressures.
So, invest wisely, take great car to make the best possible investment for your money.
By: Robert Cacciatore
Lights, Camera, Action – Building the Perfect Home Theatre System
March 8th, 2010
Home theatre systems have come a long way from the days of placing two huge speakers on either side of your television and listening to records while watching Saturday Night Fever on your VCR and television. These days there are as many ways to design a home theatre system as there are customers to buy them.
“The basics of the home entertainment system haven’t changed much in the last 15 years or so. What have changed are people’s tastes and priorities,” explains Adam Bowden of Bose Home Theatre. “Fifteen to 20 years ago a home entertainment system meant music. People would spend hours in stores and bring in a variety of music and listen to the various speakers before selecting a unit to buy. Today a home entertainment system is a visual experience focused on movies, and people make decisions based on aesthetics, under the assumption (and rightly so) that the sound will be exceptional. They will purchase a home theatre system that is visually appealing and assume that the sound will be appealing as well.”
“Prices are falling on flat panel televisions and the quality is going up so more people are incorporating bigger flat panels and surround sound into their home theatre system design,” says Joe Strang, President of Show Case Home Theatres in Alberta. “The other big thing is the all-in-one touch pad controls.”
The price of a home theatre system depends on how seriously you take your entertainment needs. According to Strang, you can buy a “big box” system for $5,000. But to really get the whole experience, he recommends having a custom system installed.
“You have to start with speakers, remote control, and flat panel all installed and you can do that for about $9, 000,” he says.
But if money’s no object then there’s no end of fun to be had. “We’ve done media rooms that are $500,000 for one room. For that you get projectors that have better than movie theatre quality, sound so good that when someone’s whispering on screen it feels like they’re whispering in your ear.”
Some homeowners go for the total theatre experience and have custom theatre seating installed in their media rooms, with one-touch remote controls in the arm of each chair, massage units and heated seats.
“We’ve even put motion in the seats so that when there’s motion in the movie you feel it in your seat,” he says. “And I don’t mean it just vibrates…it actually moves.”
Other options for your home theatre system include custom draperies, acoustic paint, and sound-proofing. This may seem like overkill but Strang says that most homes over $700,000 now come with a media room or dedicated home theatre room.
“I find that we usually install home theatre systems that are about 10 per cent of the value of the home, not just in the home theatre room but throughout the house, multi-room sound, lighting, automation and such. So for a $1.5 million home, you’re looking at $150,000 worth of home entertainment equipment.”
By: Amy Bostock
