Home Theater Systems » Home Theater Receiver

A Guide to Purchasing a Home Theater Receiver

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:28:17 +0000

If you are a home theater newbie and you are used to the average television set, then a home theater receiver may be a new addition to your vocabulary.

The home theater receiver is said to be the central source of power of a home theater system which is responsible for switching, surround sound decoding, signal processing, and amplifying in addition to being an AM/FM radio turner.

Xaviera Arata Editor of the Best Home Theater Systems website — http://www.BestHomeTheaterSystem.me — pointed out;

“…Other terms used interchangeably with home theater receiver include the following: audio/video receiver, surround receiver, and receiver to name a few…” Added Xaviera Arata

Surveying the market

There are so many home theater receivers available on the market, and choosing one for your home can be overwhelming. The simple task of choosing the cheapest of the bunch isn’t recommended and comparing receivers isn’t limited to their price range. Although undeniably, the price range will give you a good idea if the receiver belongs to a group that will give you the combined value of your money with quality. A receiver which costs less than $400 is said to be of poor quality, while one that is $800 to $1500 is a safe choice for excellent-quality receivers that don’t break the bank.

Once you have settled on a price range that you are comfortable with, it is time to compare the product features. The key words to look for are the said functions that you want to get out of your receiver. Don’t be misled by faulty advertising and do a home audition of the home theater receiver you intend to purchase. Remember that all written product specifications are all useless if the item isn’t able to deliver.

Moreover, look for a home theater receiver that has at least one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy from its manufacturer or supplier. This way, you have the assurance that the company will be liable for any factory defects and design faults.

Where to buy

These home theater receivers can be bought from local retailers or from online suppliers.
In purchasing such home theater equipment, it may sometimes be beneficial to wait for clearance sales. These items are usually sold at a lesser price once new arrivals or new product models are offered on the market, and sometimes this is equivalent to waiting for a couple of months.

“…Regardless of where and when you intend to buy your home theater receiver, ensuring that you are purchasing a receiver that performs according to your expectations and product specifications should be a top priority…” Added Xaviera Arata

Further information, resources and reviews of the best home theater systems by clicking: http://www.BestHomeTheaterSystem.me

Watch the video related to Home Theater Systems

Richard Glikes and David Berman of The Home Theater Specialists of America partnered with vendors to construct the world’s first solar powered home theater. The Guiltless Green Home Theater has all the features of a high-end home theater room, with one extra; a connection to four solar panels that provide 19 hours of off-the-grid entertainment each week. HTSA worked with HiFi House, LG Energy Solutions and Nolen Companies to complete the project. Visit www.htsa.com to contact an HTSA member in your area who can help you design your own green theater system.

Help answer the question about Home Theater Systems

Do home theater systems work with just the TV and 5.1 speakers?
I have an LCD TV, an Xbox360 and a Bose Lifestyle® 25 Series II home theater system 5.1 surround sound. I just want to watch satellite TV in surround sound. Can I set up my speaker systems to my TV for surround sound? Or does it have to route through my xbox 360 and use it when I watch movies?

About Author

Xaviera Arata -
About the Author:

Xaviera Arata runs his corporate website at http://www.OpsRegs.com where you can see all his articles and press releases

Home Theater Repair Done Right

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:18:02 +0000

Even the best equipment can develop bugs or wear out over time; home-theater repair is something that will need to be done periodically. Fortunately, home theater repairs are often covered by a warranty; home theater system repair is a service usually offered by the same people who installed your system in the first place.

Home-theater system repair is also available for homes that have such a system already in place, with older, but still serviceable components. Issues that include home theater projector repair and/or home theater receiver repair are to be expected as these components wear out over time. However, in this age of “reduce, recycle and reuse,” there is no reason why such components should not be used for many years with proper repair and maintenance.

Home-Theater System Repair – Or Overhaul?

When home-theater repair is necessary, technicians will make recommendations as to whether components can actually be rehabilitated, or whether home-theater repairs are not possible and such components will have to be replaced. In many cases, this is actually more cost-effective; for example, it may not be worth it to carry out home-theater projector repair if the system is based on an old-style VHS – and with today’s digital big-screen televisions, the video quality of old-style videotapes is downright awful.

Meanwhile, there have been dramatic drops in the cost of cutting-edge audio-visual technology. If you remember the old first-generation of top-loading VHS players, they cost in excess of $1000 back in the early 1980s. Today, a new DVD player can be purchased for under $75. This should give you a good idea about the relative costs of repair versus replacement.

Instead of home-theater projector repair, technicians may recommend that you install a DVD or Blu-Ray player and digital projector for maximize video quality.

When it comes to home-theater receiver repair, it’s also possible to take advantage of the latest Video On Demand (VOD) technology by integrating an inexpensive PC and an Internet into your home-theater system. With more and more Internet-based companies offering streaming video, it could be possible to download movies you want to see, when you want to see them over the World Wide Web.

To Fix Or Not To Fix?

A qualified audio-visual technician is the best person to tell you whether home theater repair is the best choice or you should upgrade to the latest digital technologies. Make an appointment today and let a qualified professional help you decide between home theater repair or replacement.

By: Wayne Hemrick

The Advantages Of Home Theater Receiver

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:39:27 +0000

How does the home theater system works? The soul of the home theater is the home theater receiver. It is probably the best method to centralize your system. They aren’t too expensive. They are usually moderately priced. It actually serves many purposes like it powers your speakers; you can also switch DVD players easily with this. It connects all the output and input of your system. They come in various models and the choice will depend on your requirements. The home theater receivers do decoding which allows you to watch your favorite shows and movies. They are also used as radio tuner. The receiver is known by various names like A/V receiver, Dolby Digital receiver, surround receiver etc.

The working of home theater receiver

The receiver performs a number of audio signal processing functions like bass management, digital audio decoding and simulated soundfields. The home theater receiver has three components. These are the tuner, preamp and a multi channel amplifier. These three components work together for the proper functioning of the receiver. Each one serves some specific functions. The function of the tuner is to receive FM/AM, HD and internet radio. It also receives Sirius satellite radio. You can choose the source of your AV. It can be a DVD player or a CD. iPod is also a AV source. So this function of choosing the audio/video source is provided by the preamp. The preamp can also process the incoming signals and send them to various channels. Finally, the surround sound signals are distributed by the amplifier. This multi channels amplifies powers up the speakers. Amplification is a process by which a low signal is converted in to a high one. More amplification results in better and louder sound. Basically, the receiver takes the signals from the source, performs the required information and amplifies it. This is how it works.

Choose your receiver carefully

You have to keep certain things in your mind while buying home theater receiver. A power listing is always given with these receivers. The rating mentions the watts per channel. So always take notice of this rating when you are buying the receiver. A higher rating does not imply that the receiver is good. The watts required will depend on the type of receiver you are opting for. The distortion should also be good. Distortion measures the level of amplification of sound and music.

A good receiver should have low distortion level. A low distortion level means that there will be low noise even when the receiver is used at high volume. So you will have no disturbances while you are watching your favorite shows. The distortion level should be always taken into consideration. Go for a receiver which has low distortion level as well as low watt.

A good receiver is one which can maintain full power output for a long time and that too continuously. Receivers should work for a considerable period of time. Buy a receiver which fulfils this criterion even if it is low in watts. RMS measure is something which tells you about the watt output. This will tell you the level of volume that can be tolerated with a particular output. Do not be interested in the maximum power the receiver can generate. Instead, one should always look out for the continuous power. RMS stands for root mean square and it is a measure of continuous power.

There are several things which you must consider before you finally buy the home theater receiver. As mentioned earlier it should have a low distortion level. It should also have a low power rating. In addition to all this, the receiver should be compatible enough with your home theater. It should be easy to use and easy to connect. You must also not compromise on sound quality which should be excellent. Thus, you can get the best receiver for yourself only when you take into account all these things. You have to choose a model which fulfils all your needs.

By: David Faulkner

advantages of home theatre systems, Dvd home theater system advantages and disadvantages

How to Place Home Theater Speakers

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:03:39 +0000

You have your television and home theater receiver; you just bought your new speakers and subwoofer and are ready to test things out. It’s time to break out the measuring tape because precision is vital to achieving the full potential of your home theater system. For this article, we are going to focus on a 5.1 surround sound system. The term “5.1″ refers to the number of speakers and subwoofers in the system respectively. So for a 5.1 surround sound system, there are five speakers (the center channel, the two front speakers, and the two rear speakers) and one subwoofer.

When placing your home theater speakers, try to use the same amount of speaker wire for each type of speaker. For example, use the same length of wire for each of the front speakers. This will allow the signal to reach each speaker in about the same instant. I say “about” because there are variations in the wire which could cause the signal to reach one speaker slightly (fractions of a fraction of a second) before the other. By making the two lengths equal, you ensure that this delay remains tiny and unnoticeable.

Center Channel

The center channel should always be placed either immediately above or immediately below the viewing screen. Make sure the speaker is pointed directly at the audience.

Front Speakers

The two front speakers should be the same distance from the audience as the center channel. Doing this will ensure that the sound will travel from each speaker to the audience in the same amount of time and reduce the chances of there being a noticeable delay between what takes place on screen to when you hear it. Each of the front speakers should also be positioned an equal distance from the TV on either side. This distance is dependant on your specific tastes; just make sure that the distances are both equal.

Rear Speakers

The rear speakers should be mounted on the walls on either side of the audience. Their purpose is to provide a sense of atmosphere, not provide the main sound for your home theater system. Therefore, they should not be pointed directly at the audience’s ears or you risk over powering the center channel and the two front speakers. Again, distance is important. Try to have the rear speakers the same distance from the TV in order to use the same amount of speaker wire and if possible have them placed equidistance from the audience.

Subwoofer

Bass tones by their nature are more difficult to localize than the midrange and high notes of the other five speakers. This will give you more freedom as to where to place the subwoofer. However, the location surrounding the subwoofer can greatly influence the bass tones you hear. Placing the subwoofer in a corner or under a table will create a deeper resonating tone as the sound waves reflect off of the surfaces. The placement of the subwoofer is up to you, depending on the type of bass you want. Experiment with different locations and find the one that best suits your taste.

Realizing the full potential of your home theater speakers is not a difficult task. By following these guidelines, you will be ready to enjoy your home theater the way it was meant to be heard.

By: Jon Martin

Home Theater Receiver Reviews

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:49:53 +0000

The brain of a surround sound system is the receiver, which delivers surround sound systems, amplifiers and changing capabilities. The receiver is one of the important parts of a surround sound system because there are a lot of devices that connect to it, as well as all kinds of audio equipment like speakers, TV, VCR, CD players, DVD players, disco light and many more.

The receivers also tend to lose key audio parts that are no longer in use by the people which is “old” now like tape monitors and phono inputs. I would say Sony is one of the top selling brand names and here are other quality brand names; Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer, JVC, Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon and RCA. I don’t know if you have noticed that all the different receiver models are now digital. Most people are more than impressed with these receivers with a flawless combination and system that eliminates all most all of the feedback and noise that passes through your surround sound system.

Here are a few tips on finding the right receiver for your home entertainment system. If you buy almost any receiver today it must have DTS (Digital true Surround) and it should be able to handle surround sound systems, what that means is that the sound coming out of your surround sound system will sound more practical to you than the monophonic option.

With the multi channel outputs you get the occasion to widen your sound to different speakers in you entertainment room and set their volumes each at a different level. By doing that you get what you call DTS (Digital Tue Surround) were you can literally hear all the different sounds approaching you from all the different speakers, angles and directions.

As for monophonic sound you can only widen one indicator to all the different channels evenly. Before you buy a receiver you should do some research on them first by finding out if the receiver that you want to buy will be compatible with your surround sound system, what that means is that you should check if your DSTV, DVD, TV, CD player and mp3 player will be able to connect in the receiver and it should deliver sound, otherwise you will have a problem.

By making your receiver that you bought the main brain of your surround sound system you will be able to manage between all the different audio/video components that you have by only using only one remote for all the components and you only have to press one button to select them.

There are a very big variety of receivers to buy you should search online for one that you like and that it do what you want it to do. If you bought one of the top brand receivers you should be able use your new receiver for all your different components in your home and send signals any place in your house without interruptions.

These receivers are great they can use multiple components at the same time so you could be watching a DVD and your children can watch a cartoon on another TV in the house and there can play a song in one of the other rooms isn’t that great. Just a last piece of advice before purchasing your receiver make sure to ask about the receivers warranty just to be save in case something happens to the receiver.

By: Abel Konel