How Home Theater Systems Work

By Jason Carwell


When the film project equipment became more affordable during the early 1950's, home cinema or commonly known as home theatre grew popular. The technology behind this entertainment has became more advanced and continually progresses.

It has been a few decades since home theater systems were just standard television set or a projector, a VHS and a set of speakers that are capable of at least stereo audio. Currently, they are a range of input and output devices. A few examples are PC desktops for media streaming, Blu-ray 3D players, HD/3D video projectors and projector screens and complete digital surround sound systems like the Klipsch 300 HD.

For another, the industry itself that supports home entertainment has blossomed beautifully and has broken the boundaries of technology previously set by the now obsolete sciences. The evolution of both innovation and technology brought these advancements possible today.

The Purpose of Home Theater - Home theaters are meant to give a movie house experience within the comfort of your home. Basically, home theaters are meant to recreate the experience of viewing films on actual theaters at the home - a personal movie house so to say.

Understanding the Basics of Home Theater - But going back to the basics, a home theater is made up of three elements of essence. First, a good audio/video feed or source is needed. The advancement in the technology of today can provide countless devices that will give you a one of a kind entertainment. It was said earlier these may consist of a home theater PC, DVD, LaserDisc, Blue-ray, or VHS player; a satellite or a cable feed or a game console like that of the XBOX or PS3.

Two, you'll need either a stand-alone AV receiver, or a Preamplifier and a Sound Processor. The devices mentioned before are receivers that are responsible in amplifying the sounds from any given compatible sources and also they do route video signals to your viewing device. Separately, a Preamplifier (Preamp) prepares a small audio signal for amplification or processing and switches between various line level sources. It also adjusts for volume control. A Sound Processor also considers digital surround sound audio formats (relatively more complex than simple stereo) like the Dolby Digital, Dolby True-HD, Dolby Pro-Logic, and also DTS-HD Master Audio.

Third, you'll need an audio-video output device. You will need a lot of audio devices, at least two speakers for decency and at most five to seven separate speakers located strategically around the listeners for surround sound (you can have as much as 11 speakers including subwoofers, which are bass enhancers). For video, an LCD, HD, 3D, or plasma TV may be utilized as well as an LCD, HD, or 3D video projector with a compatible projection screen.

Perks over Actual Theaters - Home theaters like the Sony BRAVIA DVD Home Theater System can be inexpensive yet more preferable than actual theaters mostly because they are yours for the taking. You don't need a ticket, to wait in line, to share the space with unruly viewers, or miss a part of the movie when the call of nature arrives. You also have the comfort of a familiar environment in addition to other comforts only a home can provide. Truly there's no place like home, and no viewing venue like a home theater.




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