| Having a good home cinema system is the | | | | and television screen. |
| closest thing to enjoying a cinematic | | | | |
| experience without actually having to go to | | | | Blu-ray is the newest technology in DVD |
| the cinema. Each of the major components of a | | | | entertainment and is fast catching up in the |
| home theatre system come in a range of | | | | marketplace with DVD HD. As an example, |
| specifications and models and what you choose | | | | Sony's new Playstation 3 embodies Blu-Ray |
| will depend on the several factors, including | | | | technology, thus combining game play with |
| your watching environment and budget. | | | | high resolution DVD playback. |
| | | | |
| Display Unit | | | | Amplifier and Speakers |
| | | | |
| This could possibly be the easiest item to | | | | Naturally, there is little point in having a |
| procure, mainly because you may have one | | | | great television and DVD player if you opt |
| already, which you currently use to watch | | | | for a low end sound system. Decent home |
| television. However, you may want something | | | | cinema requires surround sound. This can be |
| more geared towards high-impact home cinema. | | | | obtained either as an integrated system or |
| | | | purchased separately as components. The |
| Display units come in LCD, plasma or | | | | latter approach requires quite considerable |
| traditional CRT models, the latter of which | | | | knowledge of hi-fi and compatibility issues |
| which are expected to eventually exit the | | | | and generally deeper pockets but may yield a |
| market after decades of dominance. For the | | | | better overall result. Many people opt for |
| ultimate cinematic experience, you should | | | | integrated systems from a single manufacturer |
| look for high-definition television sets that | | | | for simplicity and budgetary reasons - these |
| are capable of handling and displaying higher | | | | are getting better all the time. |
| resolution images than normal TVs and offer | | | | |
| sharper pictures, richer colours and thus a | | | | Look for a minimum of five speakers plus a |
| more realistic cinematic experience. | | | | sub-woofer for bass sound reproduction. Some |
| | | | systems offer as many as nine speakers for |
| Of course, the larger your screen, the more | | | | 9:1 surround sound although few DVDs are |
| you can replicate the cinema experience in | | | | recorded with this in mind so the benefit of |
| your home. However, bigger doesn't always | | | | the additional effects speakers is likely to |
| mean better. Make sure your screen fits in | | | | be marginal. Surround sound systems comprise |
| with the dimensions of your living area or | | | | an amplifier and decoder which takes the |
| room. Flat-panel televisions are ideal | | | | signal from your DVD player, divdes it into |
| because they can be hung on a wall or | | | | the requisite number of 'channels' and |
| otherwise located without unduly intruding | | | | amplifies it out to the speakers. All systems |
| into your living / viewing space. | | | | have front right and left speakers which |
| | | | handle music and voice, a centre speaker, |
| As another large screen option, you can also | | | | primarily for voice, a sub-woofer for bass |
| choose rear-projection models, which project | | | | reproduction (which can be located anywhere |
| an image on to a translucent screen. Although | | | | in the room) and two or more rear effects |
| historically these have been sometimes bulky | | | | speakers which provide the all-encompassing |
| and impractical for many homes, newer models | | | | surround sound. |
| are becoming increasingly compact. | | | | |
| | | | Conclusion |
| DVD Player | | | | |
| | | | With all of the components ready, you should |
| Do not underestimate the importance of your | | | | be able to enjoy your favourite movies in as |
| DVD player for home cinema entertainment | | | | close to a cinematic environment as you can |
| systems. You will generally need more than a | | | | get, without having to leave your home. It is |
| portable and low-end model to ensure the best | | | | important that you choose a system that is |
| viewing experience. | | | | appropriately sized and has appropriate sound |
| | | | output power for your home and budget. It is |
| For the best pictures, you require a DVD unit | | | | better to spend more on higher quality items |
| with high-definition (HD) or Blu-ray | | | | from reputable manufacturers and perhaps |
| capabilities. The companies that manufacture | | | | compromise a little on size and output as a |
| traditional DVDs also now offer HD / Blu-Ray | | | | result. Always check the compatibity in terms |
| players, which send out high-resolution | | | | of signal types and connections between the |
| signals to the television screen and make for | | | | different components and be sure to see the |
| crisper and sharper images with added depth. | | | | components working in a demonstration room |
| Be sure that the output of your DVD player is | | | | (ideally all together) before finally |
| compatible with your surround sound system | | | | committing to a purchase. |