Turntable Optical Output
Consumer Reports – home-theater-systems
good speakers and components of cost of home theater system less than ever. But the selection of components separately can be time consuming, and connecting them can be a challenge. You can avoid some problems with the purchase of an all-in-one home theater in a box " system that combines a receiver with a compatible set of speakers, cables, and often a DVD player. Unless you're a serious music listener, you may find the sound quality very well.
What's Available
Home theater packages include a receiver that can decode digital audio tracks audio and six to eight compact speakers – two front, one center, two to four speakers for the rear, and subwoofer – that have been matched for sound. You get all cables and wiring you need, usually color-coded or labeled for easy installation.
Most systems include a scan progressive DVD player, either built into the receiver or a separate component, and a powered subwoofer. Some bundle in a VCR as well. Price Range: between $ 200 and $ 1,000 for typical systems, and $ 2,000 or more for systems aimed at audiophiles. Panasonic and Sony are among the best selling brands on the market.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
The receivers in home theater systems in a box "tend to be on the simple side. Usually include both Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound for the management of the sound track when playing a DVD. Controls should be easy to use. Find a panel front displays and controls grouped by function and labeled clearly. A screen message lets you control the receiver via a television screen.
Switched AC outlets let you connect to other components and turn the whole system with a single button. The receivers have about 20 or more presets you can use to AM and FM stations. Most receivers also offer a sleep timer that turns them on or off at the scheduled time. Remote controls are useful when they have clear labels and different in shape and color-coded buttons grouped by function. A universal remote can control a number of devices.
A component video output on the receiver that can connect to your TV allows for better image quality if you decide to switch video signals through its receptor, however, many recipients do not have a way out. Instead, most have S-video output, which is slightly below a component connection but better than a video composite or RF (antenna) connection.
Look also for an S-video input, which lets you pipe signals an external DVD player, camera digital video or certain cable or satellite boxes through the system. Any player may want to connect have the same digital audio connections, either optical or coaxial, as receiver included. And if you want to make occasional connections at the front – perhaps by a video camera or an MP3 player – you'll need inputs on the front panel.
However DSP (digital signal processor) the use of digital circuits to duplicate the sound measurements, for example, a concert hall. Each mode represents a different listening environment. A low-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds.
A subwoofer can be powered or without motor. Either type will work, but a powered subwoofer often provides greater control over the bass.
An integrated DVD player, available on some models, typically has fewer features than have a separate DVD player. Features to expect are track programming (more useful for playing CD DVD), one track repeat and disc repeat. If you want more features, stand-alone DVD player may be the wisest choice.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Decide whether you want a DVD player. If not, you can save money by buying a system without one. If you want a DVD in the package, consider whether needs a multi-model that will provide uninterrupted play music CDs and DVD movies, or if a player on a single disk is sufficient. All DVD-equipped systems we tested have a progressive scan player. They offer a picture quality of regular DVD when used with a conventional TV, but can offer a softer image when combined with a TV capable of displaying high definition (HD) or enhanced definition (ED) signals. Some DVD players offer support for multi-channel including DVD-Audio and SACD music, although not in its original format, high resolution.
Do you want a separate DVD player or integrated with a receiver? Systems making up the DVD player and receiver in one box tend to offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections than having two separate components. Integrated units are somewhat easier to configure, but tend to be bulkier and not let you connect video devices other than a TV receiver. Other devices, such as a digital video recorder, would be connected directly to the TV.
Make sure there are enough entries. You may want to route video, and audio signals through your home theater receiver so you can easily switch between different sources, such as a video player cable or satellite, and digital video recorder. Before buying, consider the devices you want to channel through the home theater unit, and that you can connect directly to your TV and make sure you have enough appropriate inputs and outputs.
Each type of connection is capable of transmitting a different level of video quality. If you connect a DVD player to the TV through the receiver, look for a model with S-video, component video or HDMI connections, which should give you a better picture quality than composite video connection.
With audio inputs, you will have a digital audio input for relaying digital audio undecoded your DVD player, digital cable box or satellite receiver. Make sure to enter the home theater system matches the output on the other device. Some of these units have an optical digital audio output, while others have a coaxial digital audio output. (An HDMI connection carries the audio along with video in a single cable).
To connect a turntable, see if it necessitates a special phono input, which is difficult to achieve. Look for a front video input the receiver if you want to make occasional connections, perhaps for a camcorder or a game system, and the TV does not have accessible entrances on the front panel.
Get features that suit your needs. With any system, you can be sure the basics such as AM / FM tunes, Dolby Digital and DTS support surround sound speakers and enough to at least 5.1 surround. Some systems now include an XM satellite radio tuner or a USB port to connect a laptop iPod or other music player so you can listen to your music through the sound system.
Extras such as switched AC outlets are less frequent than in recipients of components, so make sure that the system has what he wants. A menu screen is very useful for setting and adjusting various functions using the TV screen instead of a small screen on the console. Among our test systems, only those with an integrated DVD player and the receiver have a screen display.
Some models offer new Dolby and DTS surround formats that process 7.1 channels or 6.1, which support an additional one or two speakers Surround Back, respectively. These models are not yet widely used in films, but may be more common in the future.
Be considered also the warranty. You can get to cover 24 months instead of 12 months, in some models.
Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.
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