Home Theater Systems

If you've been in an electronics store and perused the flat panel TV section, chances are you've seen 3D HDTV demonstrations from most or all of the TV manufacturers out there.

So what is 3D HDTV? It is the latest evolution in 3D technology. For the longest time, in order to watch 3D, we were forced to wear paper glasses with red and blue cellophane in front of our eyes. This did give us the illusion of 3D, but at the expense of inaccurate color reproduction and major image ghosting problems. Alas, this was the technology available at the time… so we endured. Enter the present day, and read the latest high definition television reviews and we have to applaud technology for ushering in an entirely new 3D technology!


When you combine the crisp clean imagery of high definition television broadcasting, hi def satellite, or blu ray 3D, with the new glasses that don't need to filter colors out in order to work properly, you get a visual experience that blows away the older technology in every way!

Yes, you do need to wear glasses, but the amazing technology in most LCD and Plasma TV's use their high frame rate to show left and right images in succession. Using a process known as active shutter technology, the glasses are synchronized to these alternating frames and are able to show the correct frames to each eye hundreds of times per second. The picture remains in high definition while providing the illusion of a three dimensional image.

Although the technology tints the glasses, thereby darkening the image ever so slightly, the color remains true, and the image razor sharp. By the way, Most manufacturer's 3D glasses are designed to fit over prescription eyeglasses, if you need to.

One interesting and common misconception is that if you were to buy one of these new HDTVs with 3D, you have to always wear the glasses and always watch everything in 3D. This is entirely false. These TV's are first and foremost 2D HDTV's with the ability to show 3D content as well. Think of it like pondering a sunroof on a new car purchase, "but what if it rains?" You don't have to open it if you don't want too. On a beautiful day or moonlit night; however, it sure is nice to have the option to open that sunroof if you have it. A 3D HDTV simply adds an additional entertainment option to enjoy, only if and when you so desire it.

If you like going to the movies to watch the latest hit films in 3D, then you should enjoy the latest offerings from the various 3D HDTV manufacturers. and the latest blu ray releases in 3D. Lets not forget about 3D gaming, a more immersive experience, now on the Playstation 3.

High definition video recorders today are the new VCR of tomorrow.

On June 12th, 2009 television changed across the United States and the difference was clear...literally! The amazing clarity of HDTV broadcasts simply blows away the standard definition analog signals we have enjoyed for much of the past century.

Depending on where you live, and how long you have had a high definition television, you might have noticed that HDTV signals were being simulcasted along with the analog broadcast. As of June 12, 2009, no more.

So how do you record these digital broadcasts? With high def video recorder!
They come in various forms such as a high definition dvr, or high definition box.

Companies such as Tivo, Moxi, Sony, and Hauppauge have released High definition video recorders that perform similar tasks; albeit with some key differences.

Tivo will record from cable or free over-the-air broadcasts, but requires a monthly fee to use its recording capability.

Moxi has no monthly fees, will record cable, but it will not record free over-the-air HD broadcasts.

Sony's recorder will record cable and free over-the-air HD broadcasts and has no fees; but it is discontinued. (As of this writing, they are available online from some merchants and auction sites such as ebay.)



Hauppauge's pvr (personal video recorder) can record HD from any set top box, with no fees, but not over the air broadcasts.

Regardless of which device you choose, expect to pay between $250 - $800 for any of these choices. If purchasing a unit is not a preferred option, and you subscribe to high definition satellite television or cable TV, then the integration of a HD recorder in your satellite or high definition cable box is available for a low additional monthly fee.

High definition dvd recorders can actually refer to two different products and is discussed here.

High definition dvrs are often available features built into high definition satellite receivers. This technology has been around for a few years with programming providers like high definition directv and dish network HD.

If you subscribe to cable TV, and you own or plan on getting an HDTV, make sure to upgrade to a high definition box so you can benefit from the awesome hi def experience!

High definition television sets come in a variety of styles. If you have had a chance to research high definition television reviews, then you know that the standards for picture quality have changed dramatically for the better. Of course, as with any product, some models will excel over others, but even on value priced brands the picture quality can tower over their analog ancestors.

So what differentiates a high definition TV set from those that aren't?
Well, for one, HDTVs are usually more rectangular in shape. This is due to the fact that the high definition broadcasting standard uses a 16 X 9 widescreen format.

Notice the difference? On the left, the widescreen picture shows more information, whereas the older TV on the right shows a 4 X 3 image offering less picture information.

So what do these numbers mean? It's quite simple really.
The numbers '16 X 9' refer to the dimensions of the screen, 16 across, by 9 high. Older TVs have a ratio of 4 across, by 3 high or '4 X 3' Sometimes they are written as 16:9 and 4:3, but it means the same thing.



So you get more picture, but you also get higher resolution and more color. High definition television channels are up to six times sharper than standard definition ones, offering much improved color and clarity which must be seen to be appreciated. Additionally, many manufacturers offer models which include the option to enjoy 3D HDTV! Click on the links below to learn more about the various types of High definition TV sets available.

A high definition TV antenna is one of the least expensive ways to enjoy local high definition television stations. It can cost as little as a few dollars at your neighborhood electronics store. The signal strength may vary, depending on your proximity, and the type of terrain between you and the broadcast towers; i.e. hills, mountains, etc. A TV antenna, connected to your HDTV may be the only thing you need to enjoy a large number of free over the air HD broadcast channels. Unlike analog broadcasting, digital TV signals either come in crystal clear, or not at all. No grain. No fuzz. Surprisingly, the picture quality may be even better than cable or satellite due to the compression techniques used by these providers to give you more channels, despite bandwidth limitations. Of course if more programming choices are important then by all means, keep your cable or satellite provider and upgrade to their high definition box or high definition satellite receivers if you haven't done so already. For those who subscribe because you want a clearer picture when watching local TV, then give a high def TV antenna a try. The antenna you need may be as simple as a pair of rabbit ears, to a small powered antenna, to an outdoor roof antenna, depending on signal strength in your area. Once you see the picture, you will be amazed!

High definition satellite television is a great choice if a high definition TV antenna is not an option, or you simply want access to more high definition TV channels! When it comes to getting a clear digital picture, satellite television enjoys a long history of providing just that.

High definition satellite receivers; however, take clarity and content to a whole new level when compared to their standard definition counterparts.

Whether you use a Dish Network or Directv high def satellite receiver or other provider depends on which one offers the best value and programming options for you.




Another thing to consider is the availability of 3D HDTV programs, which are arriving more and more as live sports coverage, popular movies, and other original 3D choices are showing up on program guides across the country.

Once you've made your decision on your program provider, make sure to specify that you want high definition to get the best possible picture on your HDTV.

Many satellite TV providers offer local high definition television stations for an additional cost. This is convenient; however, depending where you live, you may be able to get them for free by simply using a high definition TV antenna connected directly to your TV's antenna input.

Something else to note is that many providers offer high definition satellite recievers that incorporate a high definition video recorder built right into the box! This lets you watch TV on your schedule and in most cases, even record one program while you watch another.

DVD technology has been around a long time, over fifteen years, actually. Even with the introduction of blu ray disc, DVD is still essential in your own home theater design. Todays display technologies have evolved, and so has dvd technology right along with them.

Even in the best home theater design built today, the DVD player is an important piece of equipment.
DVD technology was a breakthrough for home theater systems that allowed a disc the same size as a CD to hold so much more information. This enabled high quality standard definition video and multi-channel audio to be recorded on a single disc.




At first, DVD players were designed to replace VCRs as the new way to watch movies. In the mid nineties, there was no high definition TV in the USA, just regular standard definition picture. DVD players were able to offer a far superior picture quality to VHS tape with roughly twice the resolution. 720 X 480 (DVD) vs. 320 X 240 (VHS). These numbers refer to the vertical and horizontal lines of resolution the two technologies can display.

With regard to picture quality, televisions have advanced, and DVD has advanced with them. First it was with progressive scan players. These players allowed playback of DVD discs to scan all of the horizontal lines in sequence vs. having to interlace the odd number and even number lines separately as televisions did to display their images. The process of displaying a picture with odd and even frames intermittently is called interlacing. To better understand this, visit the display resolutions page.

With the advance to high definition television (HDTV), DVD players have held on by improving their own capability to output higher resolution pictures. Some players even output up to 1080p resolution to maximize their picture quality on todays sophisticated TVs that can display it. This process is called up-converting or up-scaling, and it allows the DVD player to produce a sharper picture from a lower resolution source. Now while this picture will look great, it will not be as sharp or amazing as an image produced by a blu ray disc.
Remember, if you are concerned about the idea of purchasing both types of players, you don't have to. A blu ray player is also an up-scaling DVD player as well, sometimes referred to as a blu ray dvd player.

The bottom line? With thousands of great movie titles to choose from and prices falling all the time, DVD players and discs will be a mainstay of home theater systems for a while. Even with blu ray, high def satellite, and high def cable TV, an up-converting DVD player can be had for under $100!

The best home theater design involves many important decisions:

• Determine the amount of space you can allow for a home theater
• The location in the home where your system will be set up
• What if any home theater furniture would be most appropriate
• the budget set aside for your home theater system investment

SPACE

There is more than one aspect of space to consider. The first consideration is the size of the place you live in. The second, is how much space do you want to dedicate to your home theater design? These two variables can be very different depending on your taste and floor-plan, regardless of the size of your living space.

Lets use a small apartment for example. You might want to keep the home theater confined to a corner or one side of the main room. A separate dining area, a home theater area, and a home office space, each taking up a third of the space of one large room would be an example. There are so many great home theater systems that are small enough to enjoy without overpowering a confined area, but offer large theater like sound without compromise. Many 'home theater in a box' solutions are an ideal choice for this application. A compact audio system coupled with the appropriate size flat screen HDTV will make your movies at home simply breathtaking.

Depending on your taste, you may take that same room, but elect to have a system that uses the whole room. Imagine a retractible screen on one wall and small speakers beside it. On the opposite wall, small surround speakers. A subwoofer hidden in a corner. A home theater projector on the ceiling. If the speakers are wall mounted and small in stature, when your movie screen is up and away, you might not even know a home theater system exists here. Dim the lights and get comfortable on your sofa and be transported to another world when your system comes to life. This home theater design is ideal for both a house with a dedicated room for a home theater system, and the small apartment setting as well, provided the floor plan allows for the screen, speaker, and projector placement as described.




LOCATION

Although the topic of space and location can overlap each other, they are not the same. Where are you going to install this stuff? To get the maximum pleasure out of your home theater design, it is important to consider your surroundings (besides the awesome sound that will be surrounding you).

Do you have a baby sleeping in the room next to where you want to watch movies loudly? This is an important consideration, even if a baby is on the way, because installing the best home theater system, and then uninstalling it is not so much fun. You may not need to enjoy your movies at high volume levels, but babies are very sensitive. Why take a chance?

Another consideration is the people around you (particularly in an apartment or condominium setting). Is there someone's bedroom right below your subwoofer? This is sometimes hard to avoid, but if it is possible, set up your home theater system in a location that does not disturb other members of the household or the neighbors.

Will the sun be shining through the window right on to your picture that is so bright that even the blinds can't cover it all? The glare can be very distracting and lessen the impact of the beautiful picture on your TV or screen.

Is the area you are considering prone to high traffic where people will have to cross in front of the screen often? (This may be unavoidable depending on your space, but it can be very annoying) If you have another option, all the better. Of course if your living situation, including yourself, consists of just one or two people, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

FURNITURE

Ah the furniture! Now don't worry, your existing stuff might be just fine. No matter what furniture you use, it will not affect the sound or picture quality. The right choice, however, can affect the overall experience when enjoying your home theater system. Click here to learn more about home theater furniture including equipment furniture as well as home theater seating and the role they can play in your overall home theater design.

BUDGET

This is something that should be determined as you plan your home theater. Remember, you do not have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get a good system. Also note that if you desire higher end gear, then you can build it piece by piece, over time, as your financial situation permits.