Pardon my ignorancem, what does a Home Theatre consist of?

[Hellhog]

As the title states, I'm just getting into this whole Home Theatre understanding. (Obviuosly I can't afford the good stuff yet, baby steps, upgrade over time)

I've been doing a lot of searching on this sight trying to understand everything. I haven't seen anything definitive on the sight so I'm doing this as a reasurance and understanding. The part that confuses me the most is receivers, if I understand it right the speakers connect directly to the receiver.


Just fill in where I'm missing or correct me where I am wrong and please inform of alternatives (excuse my ignorance):


For the ultimate HD Audio/Video Home Theatre System-

1080p at least 60hz TV (for gaming and movies) (HDMI connect from receiver)
Surround Sound System (2 front, 2 side, 2 rear, Sub, Center Speakers)
A/V 7.1 Channel Blu-Ray Receiver that can decode LPCM/Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD MA
PS3/Xbox 360 Gaming System (HDMI connect to receiver)
Blu-Ray Player/DVD Upconverter (HDMI connect to receiver)
HD Cable/Satellite TV source (HDMI connect to receiver)

[Slec]

Speaker wire runs from the speakers to the receiver. The Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) is kinda like the brain of your home theater setup. You plug everything into is and it will keep all your connections organized for you. You might want to consider getting a good universal remote. Those made by Logitech and others are a bit more expensive, but well worth the cost because of flexibility and functionality. If you get the right AVR, it will also allow for only 1 additional cable to go to your tv (the first being the power cord)

If you get a PS3, you won't need a separate blu-ray player

what other questions do you have?

[Hellhog]

Appreciate the help! I think I understand it a bit better now. That explains why the A/V Receivers are pretty expensive, and why they have so many input/outputs.

I have another question in regards to All in One Blu-Ray 7.1 Home theatre Systems. I noticed a lot of people on this sight don't recomend them at all. Whats the difference in getting an all in one system and buying each unit itself?

[Beta Man]

I don't want to get into an entire "War" here.... but many people believe a "Home Theater" contains many minimums..... such as a dedicated room, sub-floor, tiered seating, proscenium, etc etc.... MANY (most) people don't have that, myself included..... but many people are adamant about the strictest form of the word.....

I just call my "space" a movie room, because that's all I use it for


To answer one of your questions..... the "All in one" systems don't usually afford you the ability to build upon what you have for the future, and as most know, upgrading is just a normal part of the "hobby"

[Hellhog]

Ok, cool. Appreciate the help, I understand it all so much better. I think after I get Blu-Ray (Whether a PS3 Slim or Panasonic BD60), probably won't upgrade much till I have a lot of money. No reason to buy Surround Sound without something to house it. Maybe a small 1080p TV that is 16:9 ratio (turns out mine is 16:10, annoying). I'm not a big movie guy anyway, more of a gamer and no game uses TrueHD or DTS-HD MA (PS3 or 360). So, advancing for a few movies would be a waste of money at this time.

[VinnAY]

dedicated room. period. Anything else is just a room with a display (TV) in it.

[alchav21]

I think the main item in a Home Theater is a Big Screen HDTV, and it should be no smaller than 50". Then you can build around this with a DVR, Blu-ray, and Sound System. Anything smaller than a 50" you just have a big TV.

[Phil Taylor]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I think the main item in a Home Theater is a Big Screen HDTV, and it should be no smaller than 50". Then you can build around this with a DVR, Blu-ray, and Sound System. Anything smaller than a 50" you just have a big TV.

I only have a 42" plasma ...



For Blu-ray and deserving TV shows I drop the 8ft wide projection screen and fire up the HD projector. Does that work for ya?




BTW - to the OP ... if you can let us know what your budget range is it would help get recommendations in your price range -- some folks ideas of "ultimate" is different from others.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I don't want to get into an entire "War" here.... but many people believe a "Home Theater" contains many minimums..... such as a dedicated room, sub-floor, tiered seating, proscenium, etc etc.... MANY (most) people don't have that, myself included..... but many people are adamant about the strictest form of the word.....

I just call my "space" a movie room, because that's all I use it for


To answer one of your questions..... the "All in one" systems don't usually afford you the ability to build upon what you have for the future, and as most know, upgrading is just a normal part of the "hobby"

Exactly. Obviously, there are individuals who think that the standards for the term Home Theater starts with their own. But this is just ego talking. I think anywhere you can replicate the movie experience for you is called your Home Theater. But I am sure most of us agree that there are a few requirements. Such as surround sound and a large screen display or projection. The rest is up to your imagination.

You are also correct on the "All in one" systems. I think many people starting out in this hobby have either bought one of these systems or thought about buying one. The plus side for this type of system is its easy and usually inexpensive. The downside is you will usually get inferior tech and will not really be able to upgrade it. Leaving you possibly with buyers remorse down the road as you get more into this hobby.

[DougMac]

Originally Posted by Hellhog

I have another question in regards to All in One Blu-Ray 7.1 Home theatre Systems. I noticed a lot of people on this sight don't recomend them at all. Whats the difference in getting an all in one system and buying each unit itself?

I'll add a couple of thoughts. Going back to your original post, if you buy a PS3, you don't need another BD/DVD player. PS3 has a very well regarded upconverter, we use it to play DVDs and I'm surprised how good they look.

As far as all in ones, if you go with the cheap stuff the performance is inferior. If you go with an expensive setup, you get get better quality for less by shopping for separates.

The "upgrade over time" method works well. There are many paths you can take based on what you can afford as an initial outlay. I would suggest getting a good but modest receiver to begin with. If money is really tight, I think it would be better to start with 2.1 or 3.1 with decent speakers rather than a 5.1 or 7.1 with crappy speakers. You can even start with smaller mains, then move them to surrounds as you are able to add to your system.

As far as "ultimate" home theater goes, I think minimum "ultimate" would consist of:
Dedicated room with total light control
Front projection
5.1
A subwoofer able to go very deep (way less than 32hz).

[4K display]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

dedicated room. period. Anything else is just a room with a display (TV) in it.

Um, Brain Sturgeon just called...

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Hellhog

I'm not a big movie guy anyway, more of a gamer and no game uses TrueHD or DTS-HD MA (PS3 or 360). So, advancing for a few movies would be a waste of money at this time.

But they do have some incredible 5.1 & 7.1 surround sound games that can make it worth your wild..

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Exactly. Obviously, there are individuals who think that the standards for the term Home Theater starts with their own. But this is just ego talking. I think anywhere you can replicate the movie experience for you is called your Home Theater. But I am sure most of us agree that there are a few requirements. Such as surround sound and a large screen display or projection. The rest is up to your imagination.

You are also correct on the "All in one" systems. I think many people starting out in this hobby have either bought one of these systems or thought about buying one. The plus side for this type of system is its easy and usually inexpensive. The downside is you will usually get inferior tech and will not really be able to upgrade it. Leaving you possibly with buyers remorse down the road as you get more into this hobby.

+1. Anyone can develop his or her own home theater with the right components, and in their own space, whether it's a dedicated theater room, game room, spare bedroom, or basement. There's no singular definition or code written that defines what a "home theater" consists of. As long as you have the desire to watch movies in an environment where you can have great visuals and surround sound, you can build it.

[DougMac]

Now this is a home theater:

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/showcase/1248.asp

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

dedicated room. period. Anything else is just a room with a display (TV) in it.

Of course it is and you must be one of the special people that have one

All of us minions just have a poor little display in a room.

Maybe some day I can say I have a "Home Theater" And my own Jet too!

[Slec]

too take the argument to basics....A home theater = display + surround sound.

IMO it starts with surround sound. regardless of what you watch movies on, sound changes the game completely. After that are varying gradations. We can't all afford expensive rigs, large tv's, PJ's, or 2 channel quality fronts. The whole point of this is to get a better experience out of movies. OP, Build up as you can with what you are able to do. No shame in any of it.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Slec

too take the argument to basics....A home theater = display + surround sound.

IMO it starts with surround sound. regardless of what you watch movies on, sound changes the game completely. After that are varying gradations. We can't all afford expensive rigs, large tv's, PJ's, or 2 channel quality fronts. The whole point of this is to get a better experience out of movies. OP, Build up as you can with what you are able to do. No shame in any of it.

I agree completely. A home theater IMO starts with a display and surround sound... and goes up from there.

I do agree that a dedicated room would add to the "theater ambiance" and it is my opinion that a room that can at least be sealed or closed off from the rest of the house can have a significant impact on sound quality. My cats are able to open the doors to my HT, and when they do I can tell it instantly. Even though I can not see or hear the door open... I can hear the change in sound.

[Musashi]

Depending on your money comes in, there are differing strategies as to how to build your home theater. In my case, since I generally get a large amount of expendible funds in February, I've been making one big upgrade to my setup every year in that month, as shown here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...ater+evolution .

The OPs list of major items covers the idea in a nutshell: Screen, Receiver, Speakers, Sources (BD/DVD, Games, Live TV). Within each item are many options and expansions.