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Buying Home Theater Systems

Do you want to purchase a Home Theater System to improve the sound quality of movies you watch on that brand new HD flat screen television you just added to your home? Home theater systems are popular because a good quality system will provide the same sound experience you get in a movie theater. As you look at all the brands and types there are on the market, the major question is which Home Theater System I should buy? Brands include: Bose, Sony, Samsung, JVC, Phillips, and many more. Types include:

* 2.0 Channels front left and right speakers
* 4.0 Channels front left and right, left and right rear surround speakers
* 5.0 Channels front left and right, center, left and right rear surround speakers
* 5.1 Channels front left and right, center, left and right rear surround, sub-woofer speakers
* 6.1 Channels front left and right, center, rear surround, sub-woofer, 2 side surround speakers
* 7.1 Channels front left and right, center, left and right rear surround, sub-woofer, 2 side surround speakers
* 10.2 Channels left wide right, left right, center, right front, front wide right, 5 rear surround speakers, 2 sub woofers

(".0" = no sub woofer, ".1" = 1 sub woofer, and ".2" = 2 sub woofers)

Consideration should be taken seriously when deciding the features of a Home Theater System you want. Features and considerations include:

* Home Theater System in a Box comes with receiver, speakers, DVD player (sometimes), cables, easy set up
* Remote Control: a universal remote control is helpful
* 5 7 Speakers: provide the best theater sound experience
* Output at least 100 Watts per channel
* Wireless Speakers eliminates the need for all those speaker wires
* THX Certification the standard for movies and quality sound
* Channels 5.1 through 7.1 give the best quality sound for typical home installations
* Sound need at least 6 speakers for optimum Dolby Digital applications

Sound Features to consider include:

* Dolby Digital - 6 discreet sound channels
* Dolby Digital EX 6 discreet sound channels, plus center and rear channels
* DTS multi channel surround sound
* DTS NEO:6 converts stereo sound to 5.1 or 6.1 channels
* Dolby Pro Logic surround received through red and white cables
* Dolby Digital Pro Logic II extracts 5 channels from stereo source

Speaker sizes range from 15-25 watts, 40-50 watts, 70-86 watts, 90-130 watts, 143 watts, and 190 watts.

Range of Prices: Prices range from less than $240 to $3000 and sometimes more.

Buying a Home Theater System: Once you have narrowed your Home Theater System choice(s) visit your local store and check out its features:

* Controls: ease of use
* Set up: easy or hard
* Wireless: easy installation
* Operation: salesperson demonstrate use
* Features: ensure that you get what you want
* Type of remote: if not universal you will to look at a universal to control all components from one control

Learn more about this author, David Wetzel.
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