Home Theater Guide Your complete guide to home theater2012-11-06T09:15:43Z http://www.home-theater-guide.org/feed/atom/WordPress Howard <![CDATA[How to Connect Speakers to Your Home Theater Receiver]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=288 2012-11-06T09:15:43Z 2012-11-06T09:09:58Z Once you’ve bought your new speaker, you might be interested in knowing how to connect the speaker to your home theater receiver. Connecting the speakers to the receiver is simple because there are only two wires; red and black, or plus and minus. However, there is still a chance of getting it wrong, which can [...]

Source: How to Connect Speakers to Your Home Theater Receiver

]]>
Once you’ve bought your new speaker, you might be interested in knowing how to connect the speaker to your home theater receiver. Connecting the speakers to the receiver is simple because there are only two wires; red and black, or plus and minus. However, there is still a chance of getting it wrong, which can seriously affect your system performance, so follow this guide carefully to make sure the connection is correct.

  1. The first thing to do before connecting the speakers to the receiver is to determine the location of your speakers. It’s important to do because the distance between the speakers and the receiver will determine what gauge cable you’ll use. Most home theater will use 14 gauge cables.
  2. Once you’ve determined the position of your speakers. Now it’s the time to connect the speakers to the receiver. Turn off the power to all the equipment you’re working with. It’s important to do this before connecting the cables.
  3. Connect each speaker to the receiver using the cables. The positive terminal is usually red and black is usually negative. The speaker wires must be connected properly on both the receiver and speakers. For example, the positive terminal (red) on the speaker must be connected to the positive terminal on the receiver and the negative terminal (black) on the speaker connected to the negative terminal on the receiver. If one of these connections is reversed (ie. positive to negative, instead of positive to positive), it will not damage the components, but cause serious sound quality problems.
  4. Once done, plug all the devices into an electrical outlet and turn them on to fine tune the sound.

Source: How to Connect Speakers to Your Home Theater Receiver

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Things To Consider When Choosing Speaker Wire For Your Home Theater System]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=278 2012-11-01T04:25:21Z 2012-11-01T02:28:04Z Choosing the right speaker wire can have a noticeable impact on the sound quality of your home theater system. However, due to the variety of speaker wire available on the market, it is not easy to find the right one. The following will explain some key criteria that you should consider when choosing speaker wire [...]

Source: Things To Consider When Choosing Speaker Wire For Your Home Theater System

]]>
Choosing the right speaker wire can have a noticeable impact on the sound quality of your home theater system. However, due to the variety of speaker wire available on the market, it is not easy to find the right one. The following will explain some key criteria that you should consider when choosing speaker wire for your home theater system.

  • Wire gauge
    Wire gauge is a measurement of how big a wire is. The lower the gauge of wire the thicker it will be and the better its capacity to pass the amplified audio signal through the speaker wiring conductor. Generally, speaker wire ranges from 12 to 16 gauge.

    For home theater uses, it is worth considering thicker gauge wires as it can help you achieve good sound quality and as the thicker wire handles the electrical signal much better. It reduce the resistance of the cable and therefore puts less strain on your amplifier or receiver thus giving longer life to your amplifier component and providing a better sound quality.

  • Wire types
    There are several different types of speaker cable. It is important to note that when running speaker cables on the wall, make sure that you’re using wall rated speaker wire. If you do not want to route your wires through the wall, you can use standard speaker cable. Paintable speaker wire will blend with your decor for a cleaner look and keep the wires hidden.
  • Wire connectors
    Speaker wire connectors is another thing to consider when choosing a speaker wire. For good connections, using speaker wire terminated with connectors instead of using stripped bare wire ends. Bare wires may seem like the simplest route, but they can unravel and fray, potentially causing a short circuit. A better option is the binding post terminals. Binding post terminal allow for a more secure connection by screwing down over spade connectors or accepting banana plugs. Banana plugs are comfortable and easy to connect, it gives you a more solid connection.

    There are many connectors types available. Take a look at the connection options and choose what works best for your home theater system.

  • Price
    After figuring out the type and connector of your speaker wire that fit to your theater room, make sure to find the most affordable ones. If your speakers are relatively close to your receiver, standard 16 gauge wire may be the way to go. In addition to being less expensive, thinner wire can be easier to work with if you are routing at the edge or door frames.

Source: Things To Consider When Choosing Speaker Wire For Your Home Theater System

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[5 Easy Steps to Create a Simple Home Theater]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=272 2012-10-06T02:05:19Z 2012-10-06T01:59:09Z Home theater is becoming more and more popular with homeowners around the world. With all the great technology that is currently available, it is no surprise that so many people are choosing to turn their living room into a home theater room. If you are a person who interests in turning your home’s living room [...]

Source: 5 Easy Steps to Create a Simple Home Theater

]]>
Home theater is becoming more and more popular with homeowners around the world. With all the great technology that is currently available, it is no surprise that so many people are choosing to turn their living room into a home theater room.

If you are a person who interests in turning your home’s living room into a home theater, here are 5 easy steps that you can take to make it happen.

  1. Plan the layout
    The first step to creating your own home theater is to plan the layout of your room. Obviously, you will be limited to the space you have available in your living room, so determine where you will place your seating and your screen. If you do not have enough space to install your home theater system, then you may need to add extra space at this point.
  2. Determine the type of screen
    The type of screen you use will depend on your personal preference. While you can purchase a projector and projector screen in order to create a true cinematic experience, most people prefer to use a large flat-panel televisions instead. Although this will limit the size of your screen, but the screen picture will be much clearer if you purchase a good quality television. So make sure to determine the type of the TV that you will use for your home theater and create shelving for television as well as for your surround sound system.
  3. Decorate the Wall
    To create a greater sound, you’ll need to make some changes on your wall. Namely, you will need to add foam panels to your wall so the wall you can dampen the sound and make an acoustics effect. You can then cover the foam with fabric in order to create a more attractive appearance.
  4. Choose The Right Furniture
    To turn your living room into a home theater, you may also need to invest in some furniture designed for home theater. This will add value to your home theater, giving it a theater-like experience in your comfort home.
  5. Connect everything
    Now everything is all ready for your home theater, it is time to connect all your equipments such as television, speakers, and blu-ray or DVD player. If you are not sure how to connect it all in order to get the best picture and sound quality, you might want to consider hiring a professional to do the job. In this way, you can be sure you get the most from your system.

Source: 5 Easy Steps to Create a Simple Home Theater

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[How to Connect Blu-ray Player to Your Home Theater System]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=267 2012-09-30T15:43:38Z 2012-09-30T15:43:38Z Once you’ve purchased your new Blu-ray player, you might be interested in knowing how to properly connect your Blu-ray player to your home theater system. The following are three ways that you can use to connect a blu-ray disc player to a home theater system that does not have a 3D-compliant home theater receiver. If [...]

Source: How to Connect Blu-ray Player to Your Home Theater System

]]>
Once you’ve purchased your new Blu-ray player, you might be interested in knowing how to properly connect your Blu-ray player to your home theater system. The following are three ways that you can use to connect a blu-ray disc player to a home theater system that does not have a 3D-compliant home theater receiver.

  1. If you buy a Blu-ray Disc player that has two HDMI, you can connect HDMI output 1 to TV for video and HDMI output 2 for audio. This will provide access to all available surround sound audio formats employed by the Blu-ray Disc and DVD formats.
  2. If you buy a Blu-ray 3D Disc that has one HDMI output, plus a set of 5.1/7.1 channel analog outputs, you can connect the HDMI output from Blu-ray Disc player directly to the TV for the video and connect the 5.1/7.1 channel analog outputs of the Blu-ray Disc player to 5.1/7.1 channel analog audio input of your home theater receiver.

    In this configuration, the Blu-ray Disc player will do all the necessary audio decoding of Dolby TrueHD and send the those signals to the receiver as uncompressed PCM signals. The sound quality will be the same – you just won’t see Dolby TrueHD displayed on the home theater receiver’s front panel display.

  3. If you purchase a 3D Blu-ray Disc player that does not have either HDMI outputs or 5.1 /7.1 channel analog audio outputs, you can still connect the HDMI connection of the blu ray disc player to the TV for the video, but you would have to connect the blu-ray disc player’s digital optical or digital coaxial output to the receiver for the audio. However, using this connection, you will only be able to access standard Dolby Digital and DTS signals – not Dolby TrueHD.

If a cable does not fit, do not force it. Take the time to check to make sure that the pins on the inside of the cables are straight.

Whether it is a Blu-ray dic player, surround sound speakers or just a television set, having everything connected properly is the first step to have a great cinematic experience.

Source: How to Connect Blu-ray Player to Your Home Theater System

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Top 5 Things to Do After Buying an HDTV]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=260 2012-07-09T07:45:22Z 2012-07-09T07:05:23Z Once you’ve bought your HDTV, the following are some things to get the most out of your new HDTV set. Use the Right Inputs and Cables Most TV offers a wide range of inputs, including composite video and audio using white, yellow, and red RCA connectors and no HD. S-Video connector that use a round [...]

Source: Top 5 Things to Do After Buying an HDTV

]]>
Once you’ve bought your HDTV, the following are some things to get the most out of your new HDTV set.

  1. Use the Right Inputs and Cables
    Most TV offers a wide range of inputs, including composite video and audio using white, yellow, and red RCA connectors and no HD. S-Video connector that use a round black connector, which is slightly better, but still no HD. The best is HDMI which provide high-quality digital connection for audio and video. So, it is advised to use the HDMI cable, but do not get fooled into buying expensive cables from the salesperson.
  2. Adjust Room Lights and Eliminate Glare
    Plasma TVs are tends to problems with glare which may affect your viewing experience. LCD TV can reflect light too, so, it is recommended to turn down the room lights and add soft light behind the TV.
  3. Calibrate
    You don’t need to pay a professional to calibrate your new HDTV. And you don’t even need to spend $40 for that. All you need is a DVD or Blu-ray Disc with the THX Optimizer feature, like Terminator 2: Judgment Day Skynet Edition Blu-ray disc, and a $2 pair of blue glasses to turn your screen from an out-of-the-box testament into a glorious example of cinematically accurate color and light.
  4. Use Additional Speakers
    Most high definition TVs have outputs for added speakers. The first thing you should consider is adding a subwoofer that will boost the bass. A 5.1 surround sound speakers which includes a subwoofer, could cost you a few hundred dollars for a decent set. Another option is a sound bar that sits under the front of your TV.
  5. Mount It
    Mounting a large flat panel TV may require more skill and tools than you have on stand but the TV that is mounted on an articulated arm against a wall of your room can not only make the TV look more attractive but it can even enhance the viewing experience as the articulating arm can extend from the wall and tilted to optimize the viewing angle. They can also make it easier to access ports when you want to change the connection on back of the set.

Source: Top 5 Things to Do After Buying an HDTV

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Things To Consider When Buying an HDTV For Your Home Theater System]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=255 2012-07-08T14:24:56Z 2012-07-08T14:24:56Z Buying an HDTV is a not an easy task because there are so many HDTVs available on the market. And since buying an HDTV is a long term investment, there are several important things to consider before invest your money on any new HDTV model. Room Size You may need to check the size of [...]

Source: Things To Consider When Buying an HDTV For Your Home Theater System

]]>
Buying an HDTV is a not an easy task because there are so many HDTVs available on the market. And since buying an HDTV is a long term investment, there are several important things to consider before invest your money on any new HDTV model.

  • Room Size
    You may need to check the size of the room in which you are planning to set up your HDTV. Since the resolution of HDTV is much greater than Standard-definition television (SDTV) so you can sit anywhere closer than SDTV which is from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size in inches. For example, if the viewing distance 4 metres which is around 157.5 inches, so the maximum size of your TV would be 105 inches and the minimum size would be 52 inches.
  • Resolution
    Another significant factor to always keep in mind when looking for an HDTV is the resolution. High-definition televisions will have resolutions of 720p or 1080p. The higher the resolution, the better the picture quality. If you see a resolution number without a “p” or an “i” behind it, it’s likely the HDTV you are purchasing isn’t genuine.
  • Color and style
    These seems only a small point but somehow it is also important, the same 48-inch led HDTV will surely have slightly different styles for different brands, so it’s best to choose a color and style that fit to your room’s style and color.
  • Price
    After figuring out the size and style of HDTV that fit to your theater room, make sure to find the most affordable ones. Once you know exactly what you want, check and compare the TV prices online, most TV retailers offer cheaper price online. But make sure to check the shipping price. Some online shop may offer you cheaper price for products but they get more money from shipping rate. So make sure to add TV price and shipping rate together plus tax rate when compare.

Finally, make sure that you get an HDTV with Built-in tuner to capture free broadcast program in your area.

Source: Things To Consider When Buying an HDTV For Your Home Theater System

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Tips on Buying the Right 3D TV for Your Home Theater System]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=246 2012-05-02T16:24:03Z 2012-05-02T16:24:03Z 3D TV is the future of HDTV and home entertainment with a stunning three-dimensional realism in the latest Plasma TV. Because the new mode of entertainment may be a bit expensive, so you have to make sure that you are purchasing the right one. Think about your needs and your budget. Make sure that the [...]

Source: Tips on Buying the Right 3D TV for Your Home Theater System

]]>
3D TV is the future of HDTV and home entertainment with a stunning three-dimensional realism in the latest Plasma TV. Because the new mode of entertainment may be a bit expensive, so you have to make sure that you are purchasing the right one. Think about your needs and your budget. Make sure that the television you buy is one that will fit your needs and that you are not going to regret buying it.

Since you want to be sure to buy the right one, it is important for you to take a look at some of these criteria before buying a 3D TV for your home theater system.

The first thing you should consider is the budget for the overall unit cost. Simply buying a 3D TV does not allow viewing in 3D, as additional equipment required. Active shutter glasses, or passive polarized glasses, are required to experience the 3D effect, not to mention a 3D compatible Blu-Ray player. Therefore, you need to determine a budget for total cost of the experience as those components can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the 3D transition.

One of the easiest techniques used in stretching the budget for purchasing a 3D TV is to buy the components separately. While a 3D television can be quite expensive, a 3D capable Blu-Ray player can be purchased and used with a regular HDTV. Moreover, 3D enabled discs can also be stockpiled in anticipation of the switch, just as compatible glasses, it can be purchased when prices are favorable. Basically, the initial costs can be offset by slowing acquire the equipment necessary for the best possible 3D experience.

Another important criteria to consider is the size of the television. How big your 3D TV will depend on your budget and your room size. If you are looking for a complete movie theater experience, then you may take a look for a large screen television, but that could cost you more money. It is also necessary to consider the size of the television room. Ideally, the best viewing distance for today’s HDTV is from about 1.5 to 3 times the screen size. Always measure the available space to find out what size the television you should buy before you go out and purchase it.

Connectivity is another important consideration when buying a 3D TV. Research the number of HDMI ports, A/V connectors, and USB port that are included with the TV. Is there an SD card slot? Look into what specs the TV provides, like whether if it can connect to a local wireless network. This will allow you to surf the web and access other important information from the comfort of your living room room.

Source: Tips on Buying the Right 3D TV for Your Home Theater System

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[How to Choose the Right Home Theater Projector Screen]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=214 2012-05-05T03:04:41Z 2012-04-22T15:09:36Z Choosing the right home theater projector screen is as important as choosing the right home theater projector. Because having a good projection screen can significantly enhance the viewing from your home theater projector. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right projector screen for your home theater system. In this article, we’ll include some key [...]

Source: How to Choose the Right Home Theater Projector Screen

]]>
Choosing the right home theater projector screen is as important as choosing the right home theater projector. Because having a good projection screen can significantly enhance the viewing from your home theater projector. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right projector screen for your home theater system. In this article, we’ll include some key criteria that you should consider when choosing the right home theater projector screen for your need.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a home theater projector screen is the screen size. Too large screen will strain the neck as the head turns from side to side to watch the movie while too small screen makes you miss some of the high-definition detail you paid for. In general, the usual measurement is that the height should be one-sixth the distance from the screen into the seating. It should also be placed two screen heights away from the viewing seating. Then, the bottom edge of the projector should be four feet from the floor or at a level where the center of the screen just above eye level for the majority of the audiences.

Aspect ratio is another consideration. The screen aspect ratio can be 4×3 or 16×9 depending on the purpose of using the projector. If the goal is simply for presentation use, then the 4:3 size will be suffice. However, if you plan to use the projector for watching movies then the wider 16:9 size is more suitable.

Determining the right material for the projection screen is also important in choosing a home theater projector screen. This will largely depend on two factors: the type of projector being used and the environmental characteristics of the room. If the light in the room can be controlled, it is best to use the matte screen. This screen does not fail to provide an enjoyable cinematic experience.

These are just few important factors that you must pay attention when choosing a home theater projector screen. As noted above, projector screen will enhance the picture from your home theater projector. So, if you demand the best movie-viewing experience, a projector screen should be a part of your home theater system.

Source: How to Choose the Right Home Theater Projector Screen

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Tips On Buying a 3D Home Theater System]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=209 2012-04-28T04:49:43Z 2012-04-16T05:25:33Z Nowadays, most of the manufacturers offer a huge range of 3D home theater at various price points. Branded 3D home theater systems usually have multichannel power speakers, woofers, receivers, media playback, and FM tuner. With their great video performance and surround sound system, these home theaters truly enrich your movie-viewing experience. Here are some key [...]

Source: Tips On Buying a 3D Home Theater System

]]>
Nowadays, most of the manufacturers offer a huge range of 3D home theater at various price points. Branded 3D home theater systems usually have multichannel power speakers, woofers, receivers, media playback, and FM tuner. With their great video performance and surround sound system, these home theaters truly enrich your movie-viewing experience. Here are some key criteria that you should consider when buying a 3D home theater system.

First, consider the size of the room in which you are planning to set up your 3D home theater. For many of us, buying a home theater is like a time or investment of time and we want to get the most durable. Thus, it is important to choose one that fits best into your room. It is advisable to buy a 3D home theater that has a diagonal screen size no larger than about half the distance from your seat. You should also consider the ideal size for the placement of the speakers and amplifier, so it allow you to enjoy blu-ray and other high definition displays.

HDMI elements is another important consideration for the best sound and picture quality. It is advisable to look for HDMI or composite-video inputs that can produce the best picture quality. You should also look for features such as USM media host. With USM Media Host, you can connect your digital music, photos, and video easily with your 3D home theater system.

You’ll also want to make sure that it’s compatible to a blu-ray player. Blu-ray is an optical disc format that produces the best picture quality of high-definition video and game. Also, be sure that your initial speaker-wattage is high and the sub woofer wattage is at least its double. If you do not want to spend much money on it, you can buy 3d home theater with the center, left and right speaker and then buy a sub woofer for extra bases later.

Another thing to look for when buying a 3d home theater system is the performance of home theater receiver. It helps in managing your entire home theater surround sound audio system. Currently, most of the receiver can decode important format such as Dolby Digital and DTS. Approximately 50 to 100 watts per channel is enough to power a 3d home theater.

Finally, look for return policy and warranty before buying the home theater. This will ensure you get better value for your money.

These are just few tips that can help you to buy the right 3d home theater system so you can enjoy a true cinema in your comfort home.

Source: Tips On Buying a 3D Home Theater System

]]>
0
Howard <![CDATA[Tips for Choosing the Best Home Theater Projector]]> http://www.home-theater-guide.org/?p=191 2012-04-13T01:55:53Z 2012-04-12T08:04:16Z Due to the variety of projector models available on the market, it is not easy to find the right home theater projector. However, it’s possible to narrow your search by determining what you need for a projector. Here are some factors to look at when choosing the best home theater projector. Resolution One of the [...]

Source: Tips for Choosing the Best Home Theater Projector

]]>
Due to the variety of projector models available on the market, it is not easy to find the right home theater projector. However, it’s possible to narrow your search by determining what you need for a projector. Here are some factors to look at when choosing the best home theater projector.

Resolution
One of the most significant factors to always keep in mind when looking for a home theater projector is the size of the resolution. For digital projectors, resolution is the number of pixels measured from side to side and top to bottom of the imaging chip. High-definition projectors will have resolutions of 720p or 1080p. The higher the projector resolution, the better the picture quality; because each pixel is smaller, images look more seamless, with less noticeable “pixel structure.”

Contrast Ratio
Another important factor to consider when looking for a home theater projector is the contrast ratio. A high contrast ratio means that the shadows look black, not washed-out gray.
Good contrast is very crucial for home theater projectors. In fact, many models include multiple lighting settings that allow you to reduce brightness and increase contrast ratio for optimal viewing in a darkened room. The greater the contrast ratio, the more you can expect to pay for the projector.

Brightness
Without sufficient brightness your image will look muddy and soft, even in a darkened room. Home theater projectors typically have brightness ratings of 700-2500 lumens. Relatively, projectors with 1,000 lumens or greater have sufficient brightness for home theater use. The more lumens a projector has, the brighter the screen image appears.

In order to get the most out of your viewing experience, a projector screen should not be ignored. The purpose of these screens is to further improve the quality and brilliance of picture.

If you currently only have the budget to get a quality projector but not a screen, there is an alternative. If you take a section of a wall in your home, smooth it out, and cover it with a flat white paint, you can still get good results.

Source: Tips for Choosing the Best Home Theater Projector

]]>
0