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A home theater receiver is
the heart of any decent quality home theater surround sound
audio system. ("High-end" home theater systems typically
utilize separate surround sound preamp/processors, power amplifiers, etc.) With all of the advanced 1080p high definition TVs, projectors, and HD source components now invited into many home entertainment centers, today's home theater receivers
are required to have more intelligent "brains" to handle and simplify the smooth operation of the widest possible array of
both analog and digital audio/video possibilities.
Home theater receivers perform many important duties as the central hub of your home
theater. Once properly connected to the rest of your audio/video home theater components and home theater speakers, an AV receiver makes it convenient to switch
between your audio and video input sources at the mere push of a button or turn of a knob. The buttons and knobs on the
front of a receiver function as pre-amplifier controls that allow you to adjust surround sound settings, tone, or volume. Perhaps one of
the top inventions of all time, a remote control gives you the power to adjust your home theater's audio/video settings without
leaving the couch!
In addition to A/V
switching, a home theater receiver also has built-in surround sound
processing whose job is to decode the multi-channel digital surround
sound audio soundtracks from Blu-ray Discs, HD DVD discs, DVDs, HD receivers,
etc. Home theater receivers also include an integrated multi-channel power amplifier whose job is to provide
plenty of clean, high-quality, non-distorted amplification to drive as many as 7 or more surround sound speakers. A powered subwoofer provides its own
built-in amplification for the deep bass effects.
Lastly, a receiver includes a built-in AM/FM radio tuner, usually with dozens of radio station presets. Many receivers today are also XM or Sirius satellite radio ready, or
Internet radio ready, which means (with additional optional
hardware and subscription to service) you'll be able to enjoy
unlimited digital radio programming. |
Some of the most
common video source components that consumers like to
connect to the back (or front) inputs on their home theater receiver are a Blu-ray disc player or HD DVD player, HDTV/digital satellite or cable box, TiVo HD DVR, standard DVD player, and VCR. Popular audio sources many people like to be able to
listen to through a receiver include a CD player, iPod
(additional optional docking hardware may be required), MP3 player,
cassette deck, and turntable (not all AV receivers have a
phonograph input!). Some surround receivers even allow
wired or wireless access to your home network, so you can enjoy
all the digital music residing on your computer!
In addition to 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. Your favorite music pumped through in-wall speakers and ceiling speakers located throughout your home and even to outdoor speakers is something that will not only make your everyday
living that much more enjoyable but also add considerable value and 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 components, as well as
any 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 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. Remember that the performance of your home
theater will only be as good as the weakest link in the chain! |
