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