The Basics: Home Theater Systems

Why do you need a home theater system?  The shelves of stores like Blockbuster were once completely filled by VHS tapes. Today, most video store shelf space holds DVD discs. Many stores, such as Borders, don't sell VHS at all, except for children and exercise tapes.

The DVD market has easily surpassed the wildest expectations of everyone in the business, even surpassing the introduction phase of CD. More than anything, this shows how quickly DVD has pushed aside VHS sales and rentals. Unfortunately, as with any new technology, DVD requires a new array of equipment.

You can certainly go out and piece together your own system with a DVD player, home theater receiver, five tonally matched speakers and a subwoofer, but why not leave the decision making to the professionals? Equipment manufacturers offer completely integrated home theater systems designed to take the guesswork out of the home theater equation. A full-size component system might be fine for folks with dedicated home theater rooms, but what about someone who just wants to enjoy an occasional movie in surround sound?

Home theater systems (also known as home-theater-in-a-box or all-in-one) systems are perfect for a small family or living room, or even better, to bring DVD viewing to a bedroom, dorm or office. All you'll need to add is a TV set. These small home theater systems contain a DVD player that also plays CD, so your music needs are met as well.

More expensive home theater systems can even provide playback of DVD-Audio and SACD discs, for high-resolution audio like you've never heard. Both of these formats use higher sampling rates than CD, and they are usually presented in surround sound. More and more titles are being released in these formats, and classic recordings are being remixed in surround sound to bring a new level of entertainment to your home.

When you have a surround sound home theater system, sound effects can soar around you -- flying over your shoulder, sneaking around the corner and wrapping you up in the movie. Surround sound music discs can put you right in the middle of the orchestra, or right on stage of your favorite jazz band. However, putting together an entire home theater system on your own can be expensive, and confusing.

Most surround sound is in a 5.1 format, which consists of five main channels for the front left and right channels, center channel and rear right and rear left. The ".1" refers to a single subwoofer channel. Some home theater systems even integrate a VCR into the system. One of the common complaints with home theater setups is the confusion that comes with the installation, but there's no problem here. These home theater systems can be housed in one compact unit -- just unpack and connect the speakers. Many home theater systems even supply color-coded cables for the speakers, making the entire set-up process foolproof.

Another potential cause of confusion with build-it-yourself component systems is the interface between component DVD players and home theater receivers. Component units require proper configuration between the two for the correct transmission of Dolby Digital and DTS signals (Dolby Digital and DTS are both 5.1 surround formats that are commonly used to create a movie's soundtrack) from the DVD player to the receiver. Different options include multi-channel analog, optical digital and coaxial digital. There is nothing worse than settling in to watch a sound-effects-heavy flick with a killer 5.1-channel surround mix, then have to spend an hour trying to figure out why your receiver is only playing the stereo two-channel sound. A self-contained home theater system eliminates possible miscommunication between units.

Home theater systems generally use small "satellite" speakers, and they typically include a subwoofer. The small size of some of the amplifiers and speakers in lower-cost systems means that you won't be able to fill a huge room with sound, although there are certainly powerful models that prove to be the exception to this rule. In general, if you have a moderate space that you want to fill with movie magic, a home-theater-in-a box solution might be just right for you. Turn on your TV, microwave some popcorn and you're good to go.

How to Shop

How do you decide on the best home theater system for you? Well, things like amplifier power ratings (the more watts the better) and broad disc compatibility are always good indicators, while other considerations are more subjective.

First, you need to decide which features are necessary for you, and which ones can be waived. There is no point in paying for a function or capability that you'll never need or use. Some packaged home theater systems feature a disc changer that holds three discs or more, while the smaller systems use single-disc players in an effort to save space. Consider how important the convenience of a changer is to you.

Home theater systems come with five (and in come cases six or more) speakers, and most include the subwoofer necessary for true multi-channel surround sound. Decoders are integrated, so these systems can handle Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS playback, in a variety of combinations. Make sure the one you're looking at can handle the format you prefer.

High-end home theater systems take 5.1 a few steps further, by providing amplifiers, speakers and processing for 6.1 or 7.1 formats, such as Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES. Most home theater systems come plastered with logos that indicate their functionality, so take some time and study these carefully and ask questions, as the logos can be confusing and don't always fairly represent what a system can and can't do. Keep in mind that home theater systems advertise a DVD player instead of a CD player, but every DVD player can also play CD.

Many home theater systems include digital signal processing (sometimes it is given a trade name) in an effort to make the systems sound better. There are reverb programs that enhance the sound with names like concert hall, disco and stadium; most of these gimmicky programs really just mask the inadequacy of the speakers. However, equalization controls like bass boost and treble adjustments help you customize your sound. Preset equalization patterns are often labeled according to the style of music they should enhance, but use them however you prefer.

Home-theater-in-a-box systems generally start at MSRPs of about $300, and even low-end systems are sufficient for an office or den. They might use a single full-range driver in the satellite speakers, instead of a two-way design with a tweeter to provide a cleaner high-end. Another problem with the speakers included in some low-cost systems is a problem of physics. The small subwoofers just can't recreate the truly earthshaking sound that some movie-watchers demand.

Another problem is a bit more complicated. The small drivers used in the satellite speakers are limited by the amount of low-end they can produce. Similarly, the subwoofer is limited in the amount of high-end it can produce, and you really don't want the subwoofer to produce much high-end. So, there can be a gap between the lowest frequencies produced by the satellite and the highest produced by the subwoofer. On movies, this is less noticeable -- the dialogue is clearly produced (and usually mixed mainly to the center channel) and the booming explosions are there. However, if you mainly listen to music, you'll notice that gap in the upper bass to lower midrange.

For a little more money, will get you a better system, but still with relatively small speakers and low wattage amplification. Upgrade again, and you can get higher-end systems with equalization, sound processing, two-way speakers, and a subwoofer. This price range is better for a dorm room, where louder is typically better. You'll find CD or DVD changers that hold three or even five discs, more detailed EQ packages, more powerful amplifiers, and better sounding speakers.

Other high-end systems take 5.1 a few steps further, by providing amplifiers, speakers and processing for 6.1 or 7.1 formats, such as Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES. The extra speakers are for extra rear channels. More expensive systems can even provide playback of DVD-Audio and SACD discs, for high-resolution audio like you've never heard. Both of these formats use higher sampling rates than CD, and are usually presented in surround sound. More and more titles are being released in these formats, and classic recordings are being remixed, to bring a new level of entertainment to your home. These days, features such as satellite radio capability and USB connectivity are becoming more popular.

If this home theater system is going to be a mainstay entertainment system in your living room that will occupy you for many hours each week, it may be worth it to invest more of your hard-earned money. The easiest, most affordable and usually most convenient way to bring all the excitement of Hollywood's latest blockbusters to your home is an all-in-one home theater system.