Home theatre systems offer primarily particularly good sound quality through a surround capable audio system. By means of several loudspeakers distributed in the area, the TV can be enjoyed with a cinema-like audio experience - which can be increased even more if it is used together with a standard TV-quality video projector or a projector that projects the image in Cinematic size onto the wall. It should definitely have at least one HDMI and DVI interface. Home cinema systems are offered in three kinds of system that differ in the complexity of the audio playback. A 5.1 channel system, which consists of four speakers and a subwoofer, may already fully reflect all the information contained on a DVD audio track. Such 5.1 surround sound provides a
complete system that is a good entry into the home theatre world. The benefit of the individual purchase of components however, is - like a PC - that the home theatre system can be customised to suit individual needs using high-quality technical components. Newer systems like the 6.1 and 7.1. formats, however, work with an additional rear center channel. This is distributed either with one (6.1) or two (7.1) more speakers and provides a more realistic audio playback for up to a nearly perfect 360 degree sound - always assuming that the required receiver is available for this. Effects and music signals can be better located, and are no longer adapted to a spatial position. The advantage is therefore mainly in the fact that the speakers no longer have to be arranged to follow a strict seating position for the listener, and hence providing optimal audio enjoyment to several people in the room. Since playback units must be co-ordinated such as DVD players and receivers with the loudspeakers, the user will also be offered complete DVD surround sound systems. These are particularly suited for technically inexperienced users who do not want to deal with the detailed composition of a system. Mini-home theater systems on the other hand are the "small versions" available if there is not enough space to install large speakers. If the reproduced audio sound is sufficient by cinema standards, the THX seal of quality is awarded. Home theatre with HTPCs has a picture and sound quality that can be compared to that of high quality equipment at a similar price.
More information
Strickly speaking any stereo system can be easily expanded to a home theatre system, as most modern DVD players, amplifiers or receivers already have available the necessary six channel sound decoder and connectivity for digital and analog playback. Should a receiver or amplifier for a home theatre system be bought separately, it is best to get it with an integrated decoder as this solution is superior to a DVD player with decoder in respect to loud speaker setup and sound quality. Also with the loud speakers, the speaker set for a hi-fi system can be supplemented, but all boxes should be from the same manufacturer and from the same series if possible. Complete systems where all the boxes are coordinated, usually supply the best sound.
Key connections
For the entire home theatre system it is important before buying to go through the connections that are needed for the devices connected to the home theatre network. By default, all DVD players possess a Scart socket, usually even in double execution, as a central interface if further devices are to be attached. These should be RGB-enabled. Another connection can be an S-Video port, which provides a better picture quality than the scart socket, but does not transmit audio signals. A component output would be useful in the sense that the high-quality analog video link, also called YUV, offers the slightest loss of quality. So-called digital video interfaces such as DVI or HDMI are becoming ever more common. This set a new standard for the digital transmission of high-resolution audio and video data over a single cable.
Loud Speaker
A complete system, in which all the boxes were consistent with each other, is often better in sound quality. When you purchase a complete system therefore, it can be useful if all the boxes are from the same manufacturer and come from the same series. Many manufacturers offer a variety of home theatre speaker series with main, center and surround speakers. An active subwoofer should not be omitted, because only with this does the complete surround-sound experience sound right. All current amplifier and receiver types, designed for six-channel operation, have an output for connecting an active subwoofer via RCA. In each case, when purchasing a loud speaker, be sure to listen to the equipment, because whether someone likes a speaker also depends on the subjective sound perception.
