Ask The Right Questions: Building A Home Theater System

HDTV If your old television has seen better days, you want to throw out your VCR and cut-rate DVD player and your speakers hardly pick up sound anymore, it is time to invest in a high-quality home theater. Most people think of quality audio and video equipment, they have in mind items that create the best picture and sound quality and are made to last. Without spending a fortune, you can find a good quality home theater unit if you are willing to ask the right questions and spend some time on research online or at your favorite store.

Many people who are purchasing a home theater for the first time prefer to get an all-in-one set commonly referred to as "a home theater in a box". The most basic combination comes with speakers and a DVD player, both of which can be connected to a television. A more sophisticated home theater in a box can contain subwoofers, which work with your speakers to pick up more bass. The home theater in a box has a mixed reputation, as we noted earlier.

While it is a good idea (but not always the best option) to purchase the same brand of equipment, many people are unhappy with the quality of some items in the home theater in a box, particularly the speakers. Often this combination is quite basic and the speakers are usually unable to fill a very large room with sound. However, you might be able to find a home theater in a box that is an exception to this rule and has high-quality speakers included. This requires knowledge of how much power you need for your room and what the speakers can deliver. Always test the speakers at the store before purchasing them, and do not be afraid to turn the volume up full blast for a few seconds, even when the store is crowded.

A good quality home theater has a DVD player with channel programming and special recording features. A good DVD player should also have a recorder included, which can copy other disks, as long as anti-copy encoding does not interfere. Usually, about five small speakers are included that can be placed in various locations around the room. These are usually about 100 watts, which deliver a good amount of power. Better sets include a subwoofer, to pick up bass tones, and an amplifier. If you are not satisfied with the speakers in your current home theater unit, consider purchasing an amplifier and subwoofer alone to maximize your sound.

The problem with you current home theater unit may not be the equipment, but the cords you are using. Changing your cords is certainly cheaper than purchasing a whole new home entertainment set and it is much easier. The best cables for sound delivery are made of copper, which are especially designed for efficient sound transfer. Experiment with different types of copper cables,since you need to change you cables periodically anyway. You might get the benefits of having new, good quality speakers without actually having to go out and buy them.

You might also want to check your current home theater equipment for dust,and you might find that a good cleaning is better than a repair or are placement. To keep your high quality home theater equipment in top shape,brush off the dust that collects on the surfaces of and inside your equipment.You can purchase small machines that will clean your CDs and will remove scratches from those disks that were nearly destined for the trash. Always use specially designed cleaning fluid for screens and microfiber clothes; it is a common mistake to use window cleaner for your screens or water. Finally, your speakers might not need to be replaced, but their foam might be rotten. You can order a kit that will instruct you on how to replace your speaker foam yourself,which will save money on expensive repairs or new speakers.

When looking for a high-quality home theater system, don't assume that a hefty price tag means better sound and picture. One consumer paid $1,000 for a home theater that lacked even the basic requirements for a decent sound system.For around $700, you can find a great quality home theater, with a DVD, which produces rich colors and speakers that can pick up both treble and bass quite clearly. However, many very good systems can be a bit complicated to install, so it might be worth the investment to hire someone to install your system for you.With whatever quality home theater you choose, make sure that all of your equipment comes with a good warranty.

Eric Love is The Home Theater Guy and he writes daily about all aspects of Home Theater | Home Theater Systems. Click here to find out more about Custom Home Theater.