The receiver is the brain of an audio / video system. It offers AM and FM tuners, amplifiers, surround sound and switching capacity. It 'also the core of the structure - the majority of devices in a home entertainment system to connect, including audio components such as speakers, a CD player, cassette and record players, and video sources such as TV, DVD player, VCR , cable and satellite boxes. To assume a larger role as receivers in home entertainment,lose some audio-related features that were years ago, such as monitors tape and phono inputs. The producers say they need to remove the least used to make room for others.
What is available
Sony is by far the best-selling brand. Other brands are Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, RCA, and Yamaha. Most models now are digital, designed for a six-channel surround sound formats in most DVDs and TV fare encoded asas high-definition (HD) programming. Here are the types you see are from the least to most expensive:
Stereo. Based receivers accept the analog stereo signals from a cassette deck, CD player or turntable. They offer two channels power a pair of stereo speakers. For a simple music setup, add to play a DVD or CD, CD or cassette tape. For rudimentary home theater, add a TV and DVD player or VCR. Performance is typically 50 to 100 watts per channel.
Price Range:$ 125 to $ 250
Dolby Pro Logic Surround. Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II and Pro Logic IIx is the standard analog home theater surround sound. Receivers that can support a two-channel Dolby stereo source from TV, DVD player, VCR or hi-fi and give them 56 to five speakers - three in front and 1-3 in the back. Power models for Dolby Pro Logic are typically 60 to 150 watts per channel.
Price: $ 150 to $ 300 or more.
Dolby Digital. Currently prevailingStandard digital surround sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder has a receiver built-in support for a six audio channels - front left and right, front center, rear with two different broadband signals and an active subwoofer for low frequency or bass effects ( which is where the ".1" is). Dolby Digital is the audio format for most of the DVD, HDTV, digital cable and some satellite TV systems. The new versions of Dolby Digital, 6.1 and 7.1, add one or two surround backChannels for a total of seven channels and eight audio channels, respectively. To take advantage of true surround sound capabilities, you need speakers to reproduce a good job to make full sound spectrum. Digital decoding receiver also accept a signal that was digitized or scanned at a certain rate per second and converted into digital form. Dolby Digital is compatible with and supports previous versions of how the Dolby Pro Logic. Output for Dolby DigitalReceiver is usually 75-150 watts per channel.
Price: $ 200 to $ 500 or more.
DTS. A competitor to Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theater Systems also offers six channels. It is a less common form of digital surround sound that is used in some passages of the film. Both DTS and Dolby Digital are often the beneficiary. Power models for DTS is usually 75-150 watts per channel.
Price: $ 200 to $ 500 or more.
THX-certified. The high-end receivers to meet thethis level of quality and full support for Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS. THX Select is the standard for components for small and medium-designed rooms, THX Ultra is for larger rooms. Power for THX models is typically 100-170 watts per channel.
Price: $ 500 to $ 2,500 and above.
IMPORTANT
Checks should be easy to use. Looking for a front panel with displays and controls clearly labeled and grouped by function. On-screen display lets you controlthe receiver on a TV screen, without the use of alternative cross-eyed recipient tiny LED or LCD display. Switched outlets (expect one or two), you can connect other components and turn the entire system on and off with a single touch.
Remote controls are most useful when they have clear labels and buttons, which are for use in low light environments. It is better if the buttons have different shapes and are color coded and grouped according to function - a goal rarely achieved in the remote receiver. ADistance learning can receive the programming data to other devices via their remote control "on some remote infrared signal, the necessary codes for other manufacturers devices are installed.
Input / output of the receiver one thing more than any other part of your home theater. Clear labeling, color coding and logical groupings of many outlets on the back can help prevent problems during installation, such as polarity and mixed-speakers and outputs. Input jackis at the front ensure a good connection to camcorders, video games, MP3 players, digital cameras, minidisc players and PDAs.
A stereo receiver will give you a couple of audio inputs and video jacks. Digital-ready receiver with Dolby Pro Logic, different types of video inputs, including composite and sometimes S-video and component video. S-video and component video connectors, you can route signals from DVD players and other sources of high quality video onThe receiver to your TV. Digital-ready receiver is also 5.1 analog audio inputs. These accept input from a DVD player with its built-in Dolby Digital decoder, an external receiver or other components with multichannel analog signals, such as a DVD-Audio or SACD. This makes it possible to transmit to the recipient, up to six channels of sound and music to the speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS receivers have the most comprehensive range of audio and video inputs, often with a different type ofSpace for multiple components.
Bass and treble tone controls, allowing you to fix the acoustics of the room and meet personal preferences. A graphic equalizer breaks the sound spectrum into three or more sections, which allows some control over the entire audio spectrum. Instead of tone controls, some receivers come with tone presets such as jazz, classical and rock, each emphasizing a different pattern of frequency, you can often create their own style.
DSP (digitalSignal processor) modes use a computer chip on the characteristics of the sound of a concert hall and other listening environments to duplicate. A bass-boost switch boosts the smaller notes, and midnight mode loud noise and amplified music or soundtracks in the Pacific.
"One touch" is sometimes also called a memory settings to store the settings for each source to minimize differences in volume, tone and other settings when switching between sources. A similar function, the volumeStorage is limited to the volume settings alone.
Tape monitor, you can listen to one source, as you listen to a second record of a tape deck or record, as has been done. Includes features such as automatic tuning seek (automatic search of the next range station) and go to 20-40 preset your favorite stations.
To catch stations too weak for the search mode, which most receivers have a manual knob or the steppes buttons, mostly in single channel increments.But most of the models of creep in half or quarter of steps, which means no use touch button to find the desired frequency. Direct tuning of frequencies, you can search for stations by its frequency on a keyboard.
HOW TO CHOOSE
First, do not expect to overcome the expensive brands cheaper. We have to find artists in all price ranges. Things to consider:
How many devices you want to participate? Even low-end receivers usually have enough video inputs and audioa CD or DVD, a VCR and a cable box or satellite receiver. Middle and high-priced models usually have more inputs, so you can connect multiple devices, such as a camcorder, a personal video recorder or a gaming system.
The number of inputs is not the only problem, the type is important. Composite video inputs, the easiest way possible, with everything from an old VCR for a new DVD player uses. S-Video and composite video are mostly used by digital devices such as DVDPlayers and satellite receivers. If you have a sort of digital devices, or add, have a receiver with a pair of S-video inputs and / or component-video. Both can have a better video quality than composite video.
All those video inputs require audio companion. The basic input left / right audio can be used to provide stereo sound from virtually any device. A turntable requires a phono input, which models on fewer than in previous years.
For multi-channel audio from DVDThe players, set-top boxes and satellite receivers, you generally use a digital audio input. This input is encoded multichannel audio via a single cable routed to the receiver, which decodes it into separate channels. O optical, coaxial, or the most common type - - such as the question must be the same type of device, the receiver input. You must buy the cable, about $ 10 and above, digital audio, S-video and component video connections.
What kind of sound thatwant from the movie? All new digital receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS surround-sound formats used on most films. Both offer 5.1 channels. Most receivers also support Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II and Pro Logic IIx times. If you are a new type of surround sound-like, for a receiver, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES supported look. This offer 6.1-or 7.1-channel, in a subtle way to improve the surround back. Very few movies with these sizes are available, but prices shouldto increase.
What kind of music do you like? Each receiver can play regular CD stereo. Most models are equipped with digital signal processing (DSP) methods to simulate this process, a CD of the two channels to a healthy environment, such as a concert hall. DSP modes feed a stereo signal through all speakers to simulate surround sound. For music multichannel SACD or DVD-Audio, a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs received.
How big is your room? Make sure a receiver has the urge to givesufficient volume, at least 50 watts per channel in a typical 12-by-20 foot living room, or 85 watts for a room of 15-by-25 feet. A huge room, equipment, or an environment aloud all require more power.
If the receiver with your speakers? If you want to skip the music for hours, get a receiver impedance of the front speakers handle '. Most receivers are 6 ohms and 8 ohms designed. If a 4-ohms is used, for example, a receiver could overheat,down.
It 'easy to use? Most receivers have a display readable and well defined function keys. Some add a menu screen, the settings will be displayed on the TV screen. An auto-calibration adjusts the volume and balance to improve the surround effect. Models with a test-tone function to set the speaker levels to balance the sound.
Two tips: When deciding where to place the receiver allow 4 inches or so of space behind for cables and at least about 2 cmsuperior venting to prevent overheating. When setting up a home theater is more popular than you want, you should consult a professional installer. Dealers often offer a installation service or refer to one.
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