| If you're in the market for a new home | | | | inputs for your cable TV or satellite dish |
| entertainment system, you've most likely | | | | connection, as well as inputs for a variety |
| heard of the latest and greatest new | | | | of other things, such as your DVD player, |
| technology televisions with new affordable | | | | your VCR, your surround sound system, and |
| price tags. However, prices are dropping | | | | perhaps even a PC input. Some even have a |
| drastically on media technology across the | | | | built-in radio, although these are becoming |
| board, meaning that serious theater | | | | less common. One of the newer additions to |
| technology can now be purchased for around | | | | receivers is the ability to play XM radio, |
| $2000, roughly the cost of a high-end | | | | although XM radio will require a monthly |
| television. You can have a professional | | | | subscription. So with all these choices, you |
| quality home entertainment system for less | | | | need to evaluate what is important to you, as |
| then you may think. | | | | well as what you will actually USE. There is |
| | | | little sense, for example, in equipping the |
| First you need to determine which room of | | | | receiver with XM radio if you will never or |
| your home will house this home theatre | | | | rarely use that option. |
| system. Note that if you are going for the | | | | |
| very large screen like 50 or 60 inches or | | | | No home theatre system is complete without a |
| more, the best viewing is from about 10 to 12 | | | | good speaker system. Ideally, the surround |
| feet away. So putting a screen of this size | | | | sound should be Dolby 7.1 or at least Dolby |
| into a small room is going to disappoint you | | | | 5.1. If you are going to spend the money on a |
| because the screen will not look sharp or | | | | great home theatre system, it makes little |
| crisp. On the other hand, if you go with a | | | | sense to "cheap out" with the speakers and |
| smaller screen like a 36 or 42 inch screen, | | | | audio system, since after the picture, the |
| this would be adequate for a small family | | | | SOUND is the other component that lights up |
| room or even a larger bedroom. | | | | your internal sensory perceptors as you are |
| | | | enjoying your system. |
| You need to decide on what type of display | | | | |
| you want. LCD and plasma displays will | | | | You can even go the extra mile with your |
| provide the clearest and sharpest images. DLP | | | | surround sound system if you want to go whole |
| and rear projection systems can cost less, | | | | hog, and use the "bass shaker" attachments |
| but a major disadvantage in these systems is | | | | that are available with some systems. These |
| the viewing angle -- DLP and rear projection | | | | gadgets attach to your recliner or sofa, and |
| do not provide as clear a picture when | | | | when a scene comes on with an explosion or |
| viewing the screen from an angle. Again, | | | | car wreck, these gadgets actually SHAKE the |
| examine your target room where your system | | | | recliner or sofa, adding to the realism of |
| will be located, and determine the typical | | | | the movie. |
| viewing angle for the viewers which should | | | | |
| help you decide the best display technology | | | | Be willing to learn if you run across an |
| to use.visit | | | | intelligent salesperson who knows what he is |
| | | | talking about, and stick to your budget. You |
| Another important component is the receiver. | | | | will be able to enjoy your investment in this |
| Some receivers for home theatre systems have | | | | superb home theatre system for years to come. |