by Maurice Lewis
Before you get started, let me clarify exactly what I mean when I speak of a home theater system.
Officially, if you have a TV and maybe one other component, such as a VCR, then you could make an argument that you have a home theater system. Sure, and you can also take that one share of Disney stock your grandmother gave you when you were born and claim you have a diversified financial portfolio, but you're not fooling anyone.
What I am referring to is the combination of a video component with that of an audio component to re-create the movie-theater experience to the best of your ability at home. Having said that, it really doesn't take too much to create a decent system. In essence, a home theater system will consist of a television, a VCR and/or DVD player, and a stereo surround-sound system.
If you ever wish to become better versed in the terms of the home theater world, then you can always refer to the Home Theater Glossary. But, if you just want to begin with the basics, then what you will need to get started is familiarity with the following essential components. These are the required ingredients for a home theater experience, and all should be researched carefully before being purchased:
The Television - O.K., if you are reading this and do not have a television, I will be greatly concerned. Sure, television is a drain on the brain, but you can watch movies and "Sportscenter" on it, which means you will come very close to a complete life. Read more to research what kind of television you should buy and what requirements to look for to ensure a good home theater experience·
The DVD Player - A staple of any decent theater system, the DVD is one of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind since the light bulb (or, at least the pet rock). More and more titles are available on DVD, and if they are, there is no point in getting them on VHS. And now that "Heat" is available, getting a DVD Player should be a no-brainer·
VCR - Well, since you still can't record on your DVD Player, you will still need this to record that late-night flick on Cinemax while you're sleeping·
Stereo Receiver - The brain of your system, the core through which all sound information passes, whether it is from the DVD, the CD player, or so forth. A good receiver can make all the difference in the world for your system.
Speakers - Without speakers you will have no sound. In my book, that makes them important components...
Jump ahead if you want info on any one component, but otherwise, to really understand what you're getting into, start at the beginning...First up, the video component. |
