| With so many common components like the LCD | | | | service or USB ports so that you can stream |
| flat panel TV and a surround sound home audio | | | | music wirelessly from your home computer or |
| system, it can sometimes be confusing when | | | | plug in an external hard drive so that you |
| additional equipment such as an A/V receiver | | | | can enjoy saved music and movies in their |
| is needed to tie home theater equipment | | | | digital format without having to burn them to |
| together. A good A/V receiver is essential to | | | | a CD or DVD. |
| having a good home theater system since it is | | | | |
| literally the piece of equipment that serves | | | | Home Theater Components that Attach to an A/V |
| as the command center for the entire system | | | | Receiver |
| and gets all of the audio and video | | | | |
| components working together in sync. | | | | A variety of home theater components can be |
| | | | attached to an A/V receiver. In addition to |
| The functionality of an A/V receiver relies | | | | your television, DVD player, and advanced |
| on everything being connected together | | | | disc formats such as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray |
| properly. Once you've properly set up your | | | | players, you can include a stereo CD player, |
| receiver, home theater problems will | | | | satellite television receivers, a digital |
| generally vanish. In order to make sure that | | | | video recorder (DVR) or similar device, and |
| you can connect your various home theater | | | | in many cases some older components such as |
| components to your A/V receiver properly, | | | | an analog record player. Popular gaming |
| here is some basic information on how the | | | | systems such as the Nintendo Wii, the Sony |
| receivers work and what sort of components | | | | PS3, and the X-Box 360 can also be connected |
| can be connected to one. | | | | to your receiver with ease so that you can |
| | | | enjoy surround sound to enhance your gaming |
| Function of an A/V Receiver | | | | experience. If your computer is nearby to |
| | | | your home audio system then you can attach |
| An A/V receiver is what could be considered | | | | the sound outputs to the receiver as well so |
| the "command center" of your home theater | | | | as to take advantage of your existing |
| system. This means that it receives input | | | | surround sound system instead of having to |
| from some of your home theater devices, | | | | rely on smaller computer speakers. |
| organizes that input, and sends it as output | | | | |
| to other devices that are attached to your | | | | Using Your A/V Receiver |
| home theater system. This allows you to use | | | | |
| your home audio system with surround sound in | | | | Once you're ready to make use of your A/V |
| conjunction with your HD-DVD or Blu-Ray | | | | receiver, setting it up is relatively easy. |
| player and your LCD flat panel TV, all while | | | | Using standard A/V cables, connect the |
| controlling only a single home theater | | | | outputs on your DVD player, stereo, satellite |
| component. An A/V receiver sorts through all | | | | decoder, DVR, or similar components to the |
| of the audio and visual signals that are sent | | | | corresponding inputs on the back of your |
| by your devices, organizing them so that the | | | | receiver. From there you simply need to |
| appropriate output devices receive only the | | | | attach your TV and speakers to the receiver's |
| signals that they need and eliminating the | | | | outputs. Once everything has been properly |
| mass of wires that can be required to try and | | | | plugged in and set up, you should be able to |
| manually connect all of these components | | | | control many if not all of the functions of |
| without the use of a central receiver. | | | | your home theater system directly from your A |
| | | | V receiver. |
| Perhaps more important is that A/V receivers | | | | |
| generally work as a digital amplifier for | | | | If you are uncertain about installing your |
| your audio system. This means that you'll be | | | | home theater A/V receiver and the |
| able to watch movies, play games, and listen | | | | corresponding components yourself, consult a |
| to music in digital surround sound. To | | | | professional to make the job simpler. They |
| further improve your listening pleasure, many | | | | can get you on your way to enjoying your new |
| modern A/V receivers have built-in wireless | | | | home theater system in a hurry. |