Bring in the Noise with Home Theater Receivers
For most families, the purchase of a home theater system is an important decision; these systems are pricey, and due to modern technology, they can last an increasingly long time. A good home theater system should adapt to changes in audio and video technology so to not become obsolete overnight, and it should always provide entertainment equal to its cost.
When it comes to home theater systems, sometimes going bigger is better; since even the cheapest systems cost hundreds of dollars, the investment in time and money might as well be for the best product on the market. From DVD players to stereos, home theater systems require numerous separate electronics in order to provide the ultimate experience, and home theater receivers are the nerve centers of the entire creation.
From Small to Large
Home theater receivers function in much the same way as classic audio receivers; the input is isolated, amplified, processed and converted into whatever form the user desires, from sound and video to pictures and digital data. However, in a home theater system, the input is not from an antenna, but from myriad cables connected to CD players and video games, televisions and recorders. Home theater receivers consist of various line-level inputs that are often identical, meaning any number of electronics can be plugged in; while some may be color-coded or identified by a picture, they are all auxiliary inputs, and the user is free to connect any combination of devices.
Home theater receivers not only make the home theater experience possible, they provide countless customizable qualities. In other words, home theater receivers export sound, video and data, but they also manipulate those experiences. Most receivers are a combination of a tuner, a preamplifier and a power amplifier, and fine-tuning the balances of these three devices, along with any number of speakers and subwoofers, can create the illusion of anything from surround sound to concert halls. Some users do not appreciate integrated home theater receivers, however, and prefer that the tuners and amplifiers remain separate units, providing even more sound manipulation precision.
The home theater in a box has become a common purchase in recent years, owing to its simplicity, especially for families and non-technical individuals. In these packaged deals, home theater receivers come already integrated with DVD players, and the user can easily connect the entire unit to a television and speakers. However, with simplicity comes the absence of customizability, and anyone with the smallest urge to tune his or her system will not appreciate this product.