Philips 42PF9731D37 42 in. HDTV-Ready LCD Television
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Home Theater System Buying Guide
Are home theater systems making people spend more time at home, or are people embracing home theater systems just because they spend more time at home? That’s the latest chicken-or-the-egg question facing Hollywood studios, as a growing number of consumers embrace the convenience and features of home theater systems. If you’re still thinking that stereo TVs are a neat idea, it’s time to start thinking about your own home theater system. Not sure how to get started? Pronto’s Buying Guide breaks it down so you’ll be hosting movie night at your house before you know it. In this guide, we’ll be looking at all-in-one home theater systems, which are an excellent choice for consumers just starting to build a home theater system or those who aren’t technically inclined.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Building a System
Out of the box all-in-one home theater systems are an excellent solution for consumers just starting to build a home theater system as well as those who aren’t technically inclined. Piece by piece assembly of home theatre components should be saved only for the gadget geeks.
Choose better speakers
Make speaker quality a priority. Look for speakers that feature magnetic coils (sign of quality). Heavier speakers usually mean quality components and better sound.
Receiver features
More wattage gives you greater flexibility if you plan to upgrade your home theater system speakers. Remember that the home theater system will sound very different at home compared to the store, and look for models that offer a variety of preset sound fields.
Connectivity is essential
A home theater system needs multiple HDMI or component video inputs and outputs to keep pace with the new wave of high-definition home theater components, so choose a system with a minimum of three HDMI or component inputs and one HDMI output.
Weigh extras based on your needs
Built-in speakers limit the placement of the receiver and should be avoided. A standard DVD player with a good list of playback features and a solid performance record is an excellent addition. Avoid home theater systems with built-in high definition DVD players, as they may become obsolete in a year or two.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
Versatility makes the Onkyo HT-S907 Home Theater System an outstanding mid-range pick for most consumers. This home theater system’s 7.1 channel receiver adds an additional speaker for more lifelike surround sound, and the six-disc progressive scan DVD player is an impressive feature for movie lovers. Digital upconversion to 1080i, HDMI ports, and XM satellite radio compatibility deliver plenty...
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experts say
CNET—“Onkyo's HT-S907 Home Theater Systemdelivers an extraordinary combination of excellent features and impressive sound quality at a very competitive price.” Source: CNET
Home Theater Magazine—“When you look at the price and start opening the boxes, it's immediately apparent what a bargain this Denon DHT-487DV Home Theater in a Box is…” Source: Home Theater Magazine
Consumer Guide—“The Bose Lifestyle 48Home Theater System is an expensive system that simplifies the complexity of playback, letting listeners simply enjoy the sound and picture from a smart and unobtrusive system.” Source: HowStuffWorks.com
CNET—“The keenly balanced Panasonic SC-HT940 Home Theater System boasts an affordable price tag, a generous and truly useful feature set, and decent all-around performance.” Source: CNET
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of home theater systems?
Home theater systems have gone wireless. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Neosonik boasted its latest development: a completely wireless stereo and home theater speaker system—the first of its kind. The 100% digital system features system consists of a preamp/controller/processor equipped with mutli-channel wireless transmitters, which transmit digital audio signals to a speaker(s) equipped with a receiver, DA converter, and high-end monoblock power amplifier. Best of all? You won’t have to break through your walls or monkey with existing wiring to install it. Source: neosonik.com
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Home Theater Systems) |
| $ | Entry-level home theater systems ($200-400) are a good choice for smaller rooms and those who aren’t too picky about sound. Built-in DVD players are common in these home theater systems, but you may be better off sacrificing that feature for an amplifier with more preset options. Pay careful attention to speaker quality at this level, particularly frequency range, and watch out for underpowered amplifiers. |
Compare prices at 19 stores $136 - $340 |
| $$ | Movie lovers and sports fans will do well with mid-level home theater systems priced ($500-1000). The latest craze is 7.1 sound, which adds two additional speakers. Look for speaker quality and amplifier presets and power over flashy built-in DVRs and DVD players. At this price level, multiple HDMI ports should be a must for future expansion, along with analog video upconversion to a minimum of 1080i. Try to get as much amplifier power as you can for future speaker upgrades. |
Compare prices at 7 stores $600 - $999 |
| $$$ | A lack of technical sophistication is no longer a barrier to top-performing home theater systems. At prices over $1000, you’ll find superior speakers balanced to an appropriately powered amplifier. Even savvy consumers who prefer separate components should look at these home theater systems. Look for 1080p video processing and more HDMI ports than you ever expect to need. |
Buy now at Smarthome.com $3,999.00 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Amplifier
A home theater system component that increases the volume of an audio source. Amplifiers are typically built in to all-in-one home theater systems, and their power output is measured in watts. Higher-watt systems can produce more volume.
Blu-ray
One of two competing high-definition DVD formats, Blu-ray is backed by Sony and can store 25GB of information on a disc surface.
Center Channel
A home theater system speaker that carries dialogue and sound effects close to the camera in a video source. Center channel speakers should be placed directly above or below the video screen.
Component Video
A home theater system cable connection based on the RCA standard that can carry a high-definition signal by splitting the red, green, and blue signal components into separate channels.
Front Channel
The left and right speakers that carry the bulk of audio in a home theater system. These are similar to the speakers in a standard stereo system and should be placed at an equal distance to the left and right of the screen, angled so that their signals cross near the back of the room.
Graphic Equalizer
An audio component that allows you to customize the sound from a home theater system by adjusting the level of specific high, low, and midrange tones.
HD-DVD
One of two competing high-definition DVD formats, backed by a consortium of manufacturers, that can store up to 15GB of information on a disc surface.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Input is the new standard for connecting components in a home theater system. HDMI transmits digital data through a bundled cable that is capable of carrying more data than other connection methods.
DVD
Digital Versatile Disc is a silicon-based media storage device that holds digital information read by a laser.
Progressive Scan
A feature on DVD players that transforms the native 480i resolution of a standard-definition DVD to a higher quality 480i resolution for enhanced images on high-definition TVs.
Rear Channel
The back speakers, sometimes called satellite speakers, in a 5.1 home theater system surround sound setup. Similar to front channel speakers, there are left and right speakers that should optimally be placed a foot or two behind the seating area.
Receiver
The heart of a home theater system, this device contains all the input and output connections for components and may include a built-in amplifier and an AM, FM, or satellite radio tuner.
Subwoofer
A single speaker that carries the bass sounds in a home theater system. Powered subwoofers must be plugged in to an electrical outlet and produce more bass than nonpowered models. Because the human ear has trouble locating the source of bass frequencies, a subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room in a home theater setup.
Upconversion
A home theater system receiver feature that can transform an analog or digital video source to a higher resolution compatible with the native resolution of an HDTV.
guide tools
Research Central
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