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A home theater receiver has lots of audio/video inputs for a reason. Each of your source components (Blu-ray Disc player, video game consoles, satellite/cable TV tuner box, etc.) has outputs that need to be connected using the right
types of cables to the proper inputs on the backside (or front) of the receiver. Only then can the receiver perform its duties of switching A/V sources, decoding surround sound audio, up-converting and sending out video to the TV or projector, and powering the speaker system.
If your TV viewing will consist of nothing more than watching free over the air digital broadcast television programming, you can simply connect an HDTV antenna (loop the cable from an outdoor TV antenna through your surge protector first and then) to the RF antenna input on the back of your HDTV (which, by definition, has a built-in digital ATSC HD tuner), and also send a digital audio cable out of the television to a digital input on the receiver. This will let you experience up to 5.1 channels of digital surround sound audio effects, although not all TV programs will send a signal to all six speakers. This hookup is not possible with a home theater projector, because projectors lack an integrated television tuner.
Most home theater owners, however, want more than just the free TV programming they can get from an antenna... |
You can also pay for access/subscription to premium and on-demand HD movies and TV programming from satellite dish, cable/fiber, or broadband connection.
Each of these pay options requires that you also connect a separate HDTV tuner box (which is typically either leased or purchased) to your home theater receiver with HDMI cable.
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV now offer lots of 1080i high definition TV channels and even on-demand 1080p HD movies, but you will need to have the right satellite dish, HD receiver / DVR, and programming package.
Depending on where you live, you can probably also get high definition television programming from your local cable or FTTH/FIOS service provider.
A great thing about getting your HD television programming from a satellite dish or your local cable provider is that you MAY not have to outright purchase HDTV receivers / DVRs for each of your TVs -- they can often be leased on your monthly bill. You may have to pay extra for HDMI cables!
If you've got a blazing fast broadband Internet connection, you might want to look into VUDU or Roku. |
