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Modern Powerful Home Theater

Thanks to advances in modern audio and video technology, more
and more people are becoming home theater enthusiasts. And
while some home theater system owners approach their systems
as if money is no object, this is certainly not an option for
most would-be home theater owners. Luckily, the recent
advances in technology have also made home theater equipment
even more affordable, allowing even those on a limited budget
to buy a powerful home theater system as long as you know what
to look for.

There are several things you should consider once you decide
to buy a home theater system, especially on a limited budget
(around $1000 or less). Since this is a popular price range,
there are several options to choose from for each of the
components you'll need to purchase. The goal is to have a
system that gives you great performance, several steps up
from the typical "home theater in a box" but still taking
up minimal space. We'll take a look at the components you'll
need and some considerations you should keep in mind. Note
that since we're working with a $1000 or less budget, we'll
leave out the television for now and assume you're using your
current TV in the meantime.

Receiver: The receiver should certainly have Dolby Digital ™
5.1 surround sound to provide an immersive experience when
watching your favorite DVDs. It should also be expandable to
other formats as your system grows. That way, you can rest
assured that your receiver will still be able to satisfy
your audio needs for years to come.

DVD Player: Definitely look for a quality DVD player. You
can certainly find players in the sub-$100 range but you
should be cautious on such deals and definitely check the
warranty and return policy just in case. Something in the
$150 ballpark will likely be sufficient but price isn't the
only factor to consider. Since we're aiming for a 5.1
surround sound system, you'll need to be sure the DVD player
is Dolby Digital ™ compatible to ensure you have the best
audio output from your new system (most players are). In
addition, check to see what type of video inputs your
television has--either component video, s-video or composite/
analog video (which have been listed in order of video
quality). You'll want to be sure your DVD player has outputs
compatible with the best quality video input on your
television. Finally, keep in mind that your DVD player
will play a dual role, acting as your CD player as well.

Speakers: Again, with the goal being a 5.1 surround sound
system, you'll probably want to go with a set of speakers
rather than purchasing them separately or in pairs. You'll
have 6 speakers in all, one in each corner of the room
(roughly), one speaker front and center either on or just
below the television and one subwoofer to handle the bass.
You'll want to ensure that the speakers are rated to handle
the amount of power put out by the amplifier in your
receiver. That way, you can enjoy full, rich surround sound
without stressing your speakers and possibly damaging them.

Cables: Finally, you'll need several types of interconnect
cables to wire everything together. Some of these might
come with the individual components you purchase depending
on the model. If not, shoot for mid-priced cables rather
than the lower end options. Surprisingly enough, the
quality of the cables you purchase can have a dramatic
effect on the overall performance of your system so
skimping here is not advised.

By following these simple guidelines, you'll be able to
find the best components to build your new home theater
system. And you can rest assured that it will have all the
features you need for a great home theater experience
without breaking the bank.

Article written by Kevin Nelson