| The home theater receiver (also referred to as an AV | | | | computer graphics card to stream television to the |
| Receiver) not only provides power to the speakers, | | | | computer. |
| but serves as an integrated control center for all of | | | | * The receiver should also able to accommodate |
| your components, often times providing both audio and | | | | optical or digital audio interfaces, as well as older style |
| video switching. | | | | analog left/right cabling. In other words, it should be |
| The receiver is both the smarts and the power behind | | | | backwards compatible with older technology so that |
| a home theater system. It takes the audio signals from | | | | you can upgrade existing components at will. |
| all of your source components, performs any needed | | | | * While stereo receivers only support two speakers, |
| decoding and post-processing, amplifies the signal to | | | | home theater receivers support surround sound, or |
| power your home theater's array of loudspeakers, and | | | | multiple speaker systems. The most basic |
| controls the playback volume. For video signal, the | | | | configuration is 5-1 surround sound, which includes five |
| receiver performs the necessary switching and | | | | speakers and a subwoofer to deliver bass. Newer |
| outputs it to your TV. With all this functionality, a | | | | configurations include 6-1 and 7-1 surround sound, or |
| receiver is one of the more complex and expensive | | | | seven and eight speaker systems respectively, with a |
| components in a home theater or home audio system. | | | | subwoofer included in each case. |
| * The most important factor in connecting theater | | | | * A receiver might also support a second set of |
| components today is using the newest interfaces | | | | remote surround sound speakers. These speakers |
| available. High-definition televisions use an interface | | | | might be located in a bedroom or on a sundeck. |
| called High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI | | | | Remote surround sound speakers can be activated |
| combines digital audio and video together. If your | | | | separately from the main speaker system. |
| HDTV does not have the HDMI interface, your | | | | * To easily set up a surround system, look for a |
| receiver will be ready when you upgrade the HDTV in | | | | receiver that offers automatic calibration. These |
| the future. | | | | receivers come with a small microphone and front |
| * Digital Versatile Disc and compact disc (CD) players, | | | | microphone port. The microphone is placed in the area |
| computer graphics cards, liquid crystal display (LCD) | | | | where you would like the sound to be optimum, such |
| monitors and portable electronic devices like digicams | | | | as on a facing couch at ear-level. By engaging the |
| and cell phones are all migrating to a new audiovisual | | | | calibration program, the receiver emits a series of |
| standard called Unified Digital Interface (UDI). UDI is | | | | signals and sound effects, electronically measuring |
| compatible with the HDMI used on HDTVs. With UDI | | | | when each speaker output reaches the microphone. |
| input and output ports on your receiver, you will be able | | | | The receiver speaker channels self-adjust so that, |
| to take advantage of the latest interfaces for Dvd/Cd | | | | regardless of speaker distance, sounds reach the |
| players and portable devices. A receiver with a | | | | microphone at the same time. This creates a perfect |
| UDI-out port can also connect to a UDI-enabled | | | | sweet spot. |