| When you walk into the home theatre system area of | | | | speaker system. Ideally, the surround sound should be |
| your local consumer electronics outlet, the multitude of | | | | Dolby 7.1 or at least Dolby 5.1. If you are going to spend |
| choices are daunting. Everything is gleaming under the | | | | the money on a great home theatre system, it makes |
| fluorescent lights, very new and very shiny, each | | | | little sense to "cheap out" with the speakers and audio |
| system seemingly saying "buy me, buy me". Before | | | | system, since after the picture, the SOUND is the |
| you get to that point, there are many things you need | | | | other component that lights up your internal sensory |
| to understand and realize to help you make the best | | | | perceptors as you are enjoying your system. You can |
| possible decision for your home and your wallet.First | | | | even go the extra mile with your surround sound |
| you need to determine which room of your home will | | | | system if you want to go whole hog, and use the |
| house this home theatre system. Note that if you are | | | | "bass shaker" attachments that are available with |
| going for the very large screen like 50 or 60 inches or | | | | some systems. These gadgets attach to your recliner |
| more, the best viewing is from about 10 to 12 feet | | | | or sofa, and when a scene comes on with an |
| away. So putting a screen of this size into a small | | | | explosion or car wreck, these gadgets actually |
| room is going to disappoint you because the screen | | | | SHAKE the recliner or sofa, adding to the realism of |
| will not look sharp or crisp. On the other hand, if you go | | | | the movie.I suggest you make yourself a list, or maybe |
| with a smaller screen like a 36 or 42 inch screen, this | | | | even a paper spreadsheet that you take with you |
| would be adequate for a small family room or even a | | | | when you shop around. Put a column for must-have |
| larger bedroom.You need to decide on what type of | | | | features, a column for nice-to-have features, and |
| display you want. LCD and plasma displays will provide | | | | perhaps yet another column for a feature you find that |
| the clearest and sharpest images. DLP and rear | | | | is specific to a particular brand. And definitely SHOP |
| projection systems can cost less, but a major | | | | AROUND for your home theatre system! Create a |
| disadvantage in these systems is the viewing angle -- | | | | budget for yourself that will NOT be exceeded, |
| DLP and rear projection do not provide as clear a | | | | regardless of how loudly a particular system is |
| picture when viewing the screen from an angle. Again, | | | | screaming at you to buy it. Watch for systems to go |
| examine your target room where your system will be | | | | on sale, which they do on a frequent basis, and you |
| located, and determine the typical viewing angle for the | | | | can save yourself a wad of cash. If you are buying |
| viewers which should help you decide the best display | | | | the components separately, my recommendation |
| technology to use.Another important component is the | | | | would be to buy them all from the same store. That |
| receiver. Some receivers for home theatre systems | | | | way if there is a problem, you will not have the issue |
| have inputs for your cable TV or satellite dish | | | | of "finger pointing" from the various stores trying to |
| connection, as well as inputs for a variety of other | | | | blame each other.The smart shopper is the one who |
| things, such as your DVD player, your VCR, your | | | | gets the quality system and doesn't pay "sticker price" |
| surround sound system, and perhaps even a PC input. | | | | for it. Be informed, know what you want, be willing to |
| Some even have a built-in radio, although these are | | | | learn if you run across an intelligent salesperson who |
| becoming less common. One of the newer additions to | | | | knows what he is talking about, and stick to your |
| receivers is the ability to play XM radio, although XM | | | | budget. You will be able to enjoy your investment in |
| radio will require a monthly subscription. So with all | | | | this superb home theatre system for years to |
| these choices, you need to evaluate what is important | | | | come.Jon Arnold is a computer engineer with interests |
| to you, as well as what you will actually USE. There is | | | | in various diverse areas, particularly in display |
| little sense, for example, in equipping the receiver with | | | | technologies and home theatre systems. He enjoys |
| XM radio if you will never or rarely use that option.No | | | | sharing his knowledge and insights at the several web |
| home theatre system is complete without a good | | | | sites he maintains. |