Going out to the movies can be expensive. By the time you pay for tickets for the family, snacks and drinks, you can easily be faced with a bill running into the hundreds of dollars, for just one evening out! It’s no wonder then that more and more families are discovering the joys of a good quality home theater system. Although the initial cost might seem high, weighed against the cost of family movie nights a home theater setup can pay for itself within a year or two – and it will last for much, much longer than that!
So what is involved? There are several separate parts of a home theater system, and you can either buy these together as a kit or choose each part individually, to get the best possible system. The approach you take will depend on your budget and your desired level of quality – hardcore audiophiles will be more likely to choose optimum components down to the level of speaker cabling, but this much attention to detail won’t be for everybody.
It’s important to test a wide range when choosing your flatscreen TV. Image quality is very subjective, and what looks good to someone else might look terrible to you! The first choice you will need to make is between an LCD and a Plasma screen. Although there are a few other options, these are the most mature and cost effective types of screen. Both of these have their strengths and weaknesses. Plasma TVs offer a better viewing angle but tend to use more power, while LCD screens tend to offer higher resolution for the same price, and are lighter and more efficient.
Next, a media playback solution. While you can purchase individual DVD/Blu-Ray disc player, amplifier, and speakers, many shoppers will opt for the convenience of a media playback unit that accepts a range of formats in the one unit, often with an amplifier built in to boot. This type of unit cuts down on complexity (not to mention the number of remote controls you will need).
Once you have chosen all of this great new gear, it comes time to set it all up! If you have opted for a surround sound system, positioning speakers carefully will make sure you get the most out of your system. If you are in a tight space, wall mounted speakers are a good way to get some cables out of high traffic areas. Try your speakers in different positions though, as the shape of your room will change the sound of your speakers dramatically.
Finally, with a new TV, media player and surround sound speakers set up just right, it’s time to enjoy it all! Gather the family, turn down the lights, and relax… just don’t forget the popcorn!