| So you have questions about connecting a Home | | | | |
| Theater System to your Big Screen TV. There | | | | A low cost "Home Theater In A Box" ($200 - |
| are lots of good questions that may be | | | | $500) is required in this configuration. |
| floating around in your head: | | | | You'll can get a Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound |
| | | | amplifier, five speakers and a subwoofer from |
| What type of audio system is needed? What | | | | manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic. |
| system will provide the best sound? Can I use | | | | |
| my old stereo? What connecting cords are | | | | This setup will give you full digital HDTV |
| required? How much will it cost? | | | | picture and sound; you'll enjoy a brilliant |
| | | | image and crystal clear audio. You'll need a |
| We're going to offer you three levels of Home | | | | separate HDMI cord for each peripheral. |
| Theater System performance: Beginner, Good | | | | |
| and Pro. If you're on a tight budget, start | | | | - Pro Home Theater System ($1500 - Up*) - |
| off on the Beginner level, but please don't | | | | |
| settle for that. A Beginner system doesn't | | | | Now we're ready for a Top Of The Line audio |
| deliver the full sound quality your TV is | | | | system delivering movie quality sound! Hook |
| capable of producing. | | | | up the following: a Big Screen TV, quality |
| | | | HDMI cords, digital cable, a HDTV DVD player, |
| Gradually add pieces until you move your | | | | a TiVo, a Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound amplifier |
| system up to Good or Pro level. A Good system | | | | and speakers, theater seating, a popcorn |
| gives you the minimum audio quality needed | | | | maker, professional soundproofing and |
| for High Definition TV broadcasts. | | | | motorized window blinds. |
| | | | |
| A Pro level system gives you bragging rights | | | | Hire a cute usher for your home theater and |
| for your whole neighborhood! | | | | you're good to go! |
| | | | |
| - Beginner Home Theater System ($300 - $500*) | | | | A premier Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Home |
| | | | Theater System can run $800 to $1,500, and |
| Hook together the following equipment: a Big | | | | some cost much more. What you'll get is eight |
| Screen TV, quality Component and HDMI cords, | | | | channels of crystal-clear, pumping sound from |
| digital cable, your current VCR, your current | | | | seven speakers and a subwoofer, with sound |
| DVD player and your home stereo. You'll need | | | | coming from in front of, on both sides and |
| component cords for the VCR and DVD; your | | | | behind the viewers. |
| cable company should provide a HDMI | | | | |
| connection for the cable box. | | | | * The estimated prices above do not include |
| | | | the cost of a Big Screen TV. |
| (If you're not familiar with some of the | | | | |
| terms used above - component, HDMI, digital - | | | | These three Home Theater setups range from |
| Google the "123 Guide To Plasma TV.com") | | | | bare bones to luxurious. Pick the one that |
| | | | you can afford and feel comfortable with. |
| Using your existing components will keep the | | | | Over time, you can upgrade to a better system |
| cost down, but will not give you the full | | | | with more bells and whistles. |
| Dolby sound your TV is capable of. The stereo | | | | |
| sound beats the audio that comes out of most | | | | Please don't settle for the Beginner system; |
| televisions, but don't settle for this. | | | | it doesn't produce the sound that your system |
| | | | (and you) deserve. With a little perseverance |
| - Good Home Theater System ($800 - $1000*) - | | | | and planning you and your family will enjoy |
| | | | booming movie sound tracks and digital |
| Assemble the following equipment: a Big | | | | broadcasts for many years to come! |
| Screen TV, quality HDMI cords, digital cable, | | | | |
| a HDTV DVD player, a TiVo and a Dolby 5.1 | | | | It's as easy as 123! |
| Surround Sound amplifier and speakers. | | | | |