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A home theater receiver provides the heart and brains for an entire home theater surround sound audio system. With all of the advanced high definition A/V source components and Full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution televisions and 1080p home theater projectors that are now part of home theater systems, today's home theater receivers need to be versatile enough to handle the widest array of both analog and digital audio/video entertainment possibilities.
Home theater receivers perform many important duties as the central hub of a home theater system. Once properly connected to each of your A/V sources, HDTV or front projector, and home theater speaker system, the home theater receiver makes it simple to switch between audio and video input sources by merely pushing a button or turning a knob.
Some of the buttons and knobs on the front of the AV receiver function as pre-amplifier controls that allow you to adjust surround sound settings, tone, volume, etc. Perhaps one of the top inventions of all time, the remote control gives you the power to adjust your home theater's audio/video settings from the comfort of the couch. [Many people choose to separately purchase a more advanced universal remote control than the one that comes standard with their A/V receiver.]
In addition to switching inputs and adjusting settings, a home theater receiver features digital surround sound processing technology for decoding the 7.1 or 5.1 channels of surround sound audio found on Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, video games, and HD television programming. Home theater receivers also include an integrated multi-channel power amplifier whose job is to supply plenty of clean, high-quality, non-distorted amplification to drive 5 to 7 surround sound speakers. A self-powered subwoofer has its own built-in amplification for producing the deep bass effects. |
Lastly, a surround sound receiver includes a built-in AM/FM radio tuner, usually with dozens of station presets. For virtually unlimited digital radio programming possibilities, many
receivers are also Sirius satellite radio ready, HD radio ready, or Internet radio ready - additional optional hardware and/or subscription to service may be required.
The most popular video source components that people like to connect to the inputs on the back (or front) of their home theater receiver are a Blu-ray disc player, upconverting DVD player, HD digital satellite or cable box receiver / DVR, video game system(s), and VCR.
Popular audio sources include a CD changer, iPod (additional optional docking hardware may be required), cassette deck, and turntable (not all home theater receivers feature a phono input). Some surround sound receivers have Ethernet or WiFi capability for wired or wireless access to your home network, so you can enjoy all the digital music residing on your computer.
In addition to setting up your home theater system, you may want to also be able to listen to music in multiple other rooms of your house, and even outside. If you are building a new home or remodeling pre-existing construction, you will definitely want to consider installing a whole house audio system and integrating it with your home theater system.
Enjoying your favorite music pumped through in-wall speakers and ceiling speakers located throughout your home and even outdoor speakers is sure to make your everyday living that much more enjoyable, and may also add value and/or appeal to the property if and when you decide to sell your home.
No matter which home theater receiver you decide to buy, be sure that it's got adequate amplifier power and enough of the right types and quantity of audio/video inputs to connect all of your home theater equipment, as well as any A/V gear that you anticipate adding in the future. Basically, you can never have too much power or too many inputs.
Last, but certainly not least, be sure to connect everything with quality digital audio, video, and speaker cables, and connect all your AC power cords as well as any incoming satellite, cable, and phone lines into a high-grade home theater surge protector such as a Monster Power Center.
While in the midst of your comparison shopping, keep in mind that the performance of your entire system can only be as good as the weakest link in the home theater chain! If you are wanting the very best, consider a THX certified receiver and speakers. |
