The receiver is the brain of an audio / video. It has AM and FM tuner, amplifiers, surround sound and switching functions. It is also the core of the structure - multiple devices in a home-entertainment system connect to it, Including components like audio speakers, CD player, tape deck, turntables and video sources such as TV, DVD player, VCR, cable and satellite receivers. Even as a receiver to assume a greater role in home entertainmentforgiveness back some audio-related features that were common years, as the tape monitor and phono. The producers say they need to delete these lesser-used functions, create space for others.
What is available
Sony is by far the most popular brand. Other brands are sold Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, RCA, and Yamaha. Most models are now digital, designed for the six channels of surround sound in most DVD formats, and some TV fare, coded asHigh Definition (HD) programming. Here are the types you see are less expensive to:
Stereo. based receivers accept the analog stereo signals from a cassette recorder, a CD player or turntable. They offer two channels, the power of a pair of stereo speakers. For easy set-up music, add a DVD or CD player plays CDs, tapes, tape, or a bridge. For rudimentary home theater, add a TV and a DVD player or VCR. Power is typically 5-10 wattsChannel.
Price range: $ 125 to $ 250
Dolby Pro Logic. standard Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II and Pro Logic IIx, analog home theater surround-sound. the handset so that they have a speaker-channel Dolby Stereo encoded by two sources TV, DVD player or VCR, hi-fi and these are four in front 6-3, and 1-3 in the rear. Power for Dolby Pro Logic models are usually 60-150 watts per channel.
Price range: $ 150 to $ 300 ormore.
Dolby Digital. digital surround-sound rules, in Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver has a decoder to support six-channel audio front left and right in front of the center - back with two discrete signals to broadband and an active subwoofer for low frequency effects or low (this is where the ".1") comes. Dolby Digital is the audio format for most of the DVD, HDTV, digital cable TV and some satellite TV systems. The new versions ofDolby Digital 6.1 and 7.1, add one or two surround back channels for a total of seven eight-channel audio channels or the ability to take advantage of true surround sound, you need speakers to reproduce a good job of making everything sound spectrum. Digital receiver with decoding capabilities to accept a signal is digitized, or sampled, converted to a specific interest rate per second in digital form. Dolby Digital is compatible with and supports the earlierDolby Pro Logic, as. Power for receiver Dolby Digital is usually 75-150 watts per channel.
Price range: $ 200 to $ 500 or more.
DTS. A competitor to Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theater Systems also offers six channels. It 's a less common form of digital surround sound that is used in some film titles. Both DTS and Dolby Digital are often on the same receiver. Power for models DTS is usually 75-150 watts per channel.
Price range: $ 200 to $ 500 ormore.
THX certified. The high-end receivers that meet this standard of quality are full support for Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS. THX Select is the default value for components for the rooms small and medium businesses designed, THX Ultra is for larger rooms. Power for THX models is typically 100-170 watts per channel.
Price range: $ 500 to $ 2,500 and up.
Key Features
Controls should be easy to use. Are you looking for a front panel, clearly marked with displays and controlsand grouped according to function. On-screen display allows control of the receiver on a TV screen, squint-free alternative to the use of the recipient small LED or LCD display. AC power outlets (one or two) you can connect other components and turn one, the whole system on and off with a button.
Remote controls are especially useful when they have clear labels and buttons that light for use in low light environments. And 'better if the buttons have different shapes and colors are coded and grouped byFunction - a goal rarely achieved in remote receiver. A distance learning can receive programming data to other devices on Their infrared signal transmitters', and some remote controls, codes necessary for other equipment manufacturers are already installed.
Input / output jacks on a receiver thing more than any other part of your home theater. Clear labeling, color and logical groupings of many taken on the back can help prevent problems during installation, unlike SpeakersPolarity and mixed-up-and outputs. INPUT on the front panel is to provide connections with camcorders, video games, MP3 players, digital cameras, MiniDisc players, and PDAs.
A stereo receiver will give you a couple of audio and video inputs are not taken. Digital-ready receiver with Dolby Pro Logic, various types of video inputs, including at times the composite video and S-Video and component. S-Video and component video connectors, signals from DVDPlayers and other sources high-quality video through the receiver to your TV. Digital-ready receiver and 5.1 analog audio inputs. These accept input from a DVD player with its own built-in Dolby Digital decoder, an external receiver or other components with multichannel analog signals, such as a DVD-Audio or SACD. This allows the recipient to provide up to six channels of sound and music to the speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS receivers have the mostfull range of audio and video inputs, which are home to a particular type more often with different components.
Tone controls adjust bass and treble, so you can adjust the acoustics of the room to suit your personal preferences. A graphic equalizer breaks the sound spectrum into three or more sections, which allows you more control over entire audio range. Instead of tone controls, some receivers come with tone presets such as jazz, classical, rock or any stressdifferent frequency patterns, often unable to create their own styles.
DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip how to duplicate the sound characteristics of a concert hall and other listening environments. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds, and how to midnight reduces loud noises and strengthened in quiet music or soundtracks.
Sometimes referred to as touch "one", a memory setting allows you to store settings for each source to minimize differences in volume,Sound, and other settings when switching between sources. A similar function, memory volume, the volume alone is limited.
tape monitor, you can listen to one source, a second on a tape recorder to record or listen to the recording, as it is done. automatic channel selection includes features such as seek (automatic station search Next in series) and 20-40 preset access your favorite stations.
To reach the stations is too weak for the search mode, mostReceivers have also reinforced a manual control knob or buttons, preferably with single channel increments. But most models of creep in half or quarter steps, which means unnecessary touch button you want to find the frequency. Direct tuning of frequencies you can tune a radio station by entering its frequency on a keyboard.
To select
First, not to assume that the expensive brands outperform less expensive. We found good performers at all prices. Points to consider:
How many devices doWant to join? Even low-end receivers usually have enough video and audio inputs for CD or DVD player, VCR and a cable box or satellite receiver. Mid-and high-priced models usually have several entrances, so you can connect additional devices such as a camcorder, a personal video recorder, or a gaming system.
This number is not the only problem, also the questions. Composite-video inputs, the easiest way possible with all that must be used by an old VCR, a newDVD player. S-Video and component video inputs are generally used by the recipients digital devices such as DVD players and satellite. If you are one of these digital devices or to add, have a receiver with some S-video or component-video inputs. Both offer better picture quality than composite video.
All these video inputs require input audio companion. The basic left / right audio inputs can be used to provide stereo sound with almost any device. A turntable requires aPhono input, which is on fewer models than in previous years.
multichannel sound from DVD players, digital decoders and satellite receiver, usually with a digital audio input. With this input, the encoded multichannel sound is transmitted through a cable to the receiver, which decodes it into separate channels. The receiver input must be the same type - either optical or coax the most common type - such as on the output device. You usually need to buyCable, about $ 10 and above, digital audio, S-Video and component video connections.
What kind of sound you like movies? All new digital receiver supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound format used on most films. Both offer 5.1 channels. Most receivers also support Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx and, at times. If you want the last type of surround sound, look for a receiver, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES supported. These have a 6.1 or 7.1 channels,subtle improvement in surround sound. Quite a few movies with these sizes are available, but prices should be increased.
What kind of music do you like? Each recipient can play normal CD stereo. Most models are equipped with digital signal processing (DSP) modes of this process to simulate a CD of the two channels, a healthy environment as a concert hall. simulate DSP modes feed a stereo signal to all speakers, surrounds. Multi-channel music from SACD or DVD-Audio discs,have a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs.
How big is your room? Make sure the receiver has to offer to the appropriate group Oomph: 50 watts per channel in a typical 12-by-20 foot room living, or 85 watts for an area of 15-by-25 feet. A huge room, plush furnishings, or a tumultuous end to all demands for greater power.
The receiver is compatible with the speakers? If you like the music for hours in the blast furnace, having a receiver for controlling impedance of the front speakers'. Most of the beneficiaries aredesigned for 6 ohms and 8 ohms. If you are using 4 ohm speakers are used, such as a receiver to overheat and shut down.
It 'easy to use? Most receivers have a display readable and well-marked buttons. Some add a menu screen, settings will be displayed on the TV screen. A self-calibration feature adjusts the volume and balance to improve the surround effect. The models with the test-tone function for setting the speaker levels to balance the sound itself.
Two tips: When you decideWhere is the receiver, allow 4 inches or so of space behind it for cables and at least 2 inches over her mouth to prevent overheating. When you set up a home theater is more than you want to tackle, consider calling in a professional installer. Dealers often offer a installation service or can refer you to one.
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