Comments for Best Of Home Theater Systems

Comment on How do you record hdtv programmes from the tv and upload it onto a computer? by Noodles Romanov

Noodles Romanov — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:25:46 +0000

There are a number of HDTV (DVB-T) tuner cards available, and presumably some of them will plug into a Mac (I assume an x86 Mac?). However, you will need to get one that’s compatible with whichever version of MacOS you are running.

Once you have a tuner card and the software that comes with it, you can set it up much like a VCR and have it record programs in mpeg-2 format. These files can then be sent to your friends in the U.S., but be warned that the files will be HUGE – multiple gigabytes.

Comment on do all home theater systems come with DVD players? by ANDRE L

ANDRE L — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:25:44 +0000

Rocket J Squirrel is correct. You can buy a pre packaged HT system that consists of a home theater receiver and a set of speakers, usually 2 fronts, & 2 rears (Often all 4 are the same model), a center, and a subwoofer.
Also, you can find good receivers on their own, and good 5.1 (6 speaker) packages on their own.
Doing some recent research on a similar question led me to amazon.com, who also sells all sorts of audio and video gear.
They also have some very competitive prices, and often, free shipping within the US. There were good 5.1 receivers, by Onkyo, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon and Denon starting at about $160-$200, and some very good speaker seals, such as one from Polk (A very good speaker maker), the 6570 IIRC, that usually lists for $600, going for about $250.
Do some looking around, and raise your options, with a bit of raised budget, for a good set from such choices will give you far better sound, more connectivity, and better built gear than any all in one combo unit at WalMart for $200 ever will.

Comment on do all home theater systems come with DVD players? by ryan u

ryan u — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:25:44 +0000

no, the ones with dvd players are considered "htib" home theater in a box, and are a easy solution to getting a decent sound when watching some tube, normally if you want full awesome sound youll need to purchase a whole lot of stuff

Comment on do all home theater systems come with DVD players? by Rocket J Squirrel

Rocket J Squirrel — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:25:44 +0000

Answer to question 1: no. Answer to question 2: yes. What you want to shop for is a 5.1 channel receiver, 5 speakers, and a subwoofer. You can continue to use your cable and DVD player.

Comment on What do I look for in home theater receivers? by gpd81

gpd81 — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:23 +0000

1. Yamaha is a good brand.
2. Check if you need Wireless speakers?
3. Check for good quality woofer for better / deeper sound
4. Check if you need inbuilt DVD player or just a receiver?

Happy Christmas and happy buying..

Comment on What do I look for in home theater receivers? by zoloboom

zoloboom — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:23 +0000

Comment on What do I look for in home theater receivers? by sirbobx

sirbobx — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:23 +0000

Anything with Denon or Yamaha or Kenwood or Onkyo would be good.

Power used to be ‘king’, but not for HT. A good 70-100 watts per channel is plenty for a 5.1 system.

You would like HDMI inputs and outputs and analog up-conversion so your older equipment can connect, but you just run 1 HDMI cable to your TV.

Automatic speaker calibration has become a popular feature. Look for this.

Someone had a question a few days ago so I looked into the Yamaha RX-V661 receiver for $500. I was shocked at how many features this unit had. or the RX-V861 for about $800.

You should expect to pay between $500-$900 for budget-but-good receiver. $1,000 to $1,500 for solid mid-range.

Comment on What Home Theater Systems have wireless rear speakers and 2 – 3 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output? by Peter D

Peter D — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:53:59 +0000

Here’s the "List Mania" I created on Amazon to answer just such a question.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R1M8CM8FMVSKF5/ref=cm_lm_pthnk_view?ie=UTF8&lm%5Fbb=

Because I can’t run speaker cables to the back of my room I had to find a wireless solution. I found it. It’s called the Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit by Rocketfish (a Best Buy product). It has an independent power source (plugs into wall) and receiver that you plug the back speakers into. The signal is sent by a little box you hook up in place of the surround speakers on the receiver. It works great–no delay, no buzzing and no interference from other household items (i.e. phones, microwave, TV). It’s listed for $95 on their website.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8275528&st=rocketfish&type=product&id=1171058476489

Comment on What Home Theater Systems have wireless rear speakers and 2 – 3 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output? by James E

James E — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:53:59 +0000

none of the wireless solutions are really practical or up to par yet.

Rocketfish makes a device, but it isn’t highly rated.

For a receiver I suggest a Onkyo SR-606

Pair it with and infinity series of speakers all the way around(they auction way under retail on ebay via the company) and you should be set.

Comment on My home theater speakers pick up the radio in the background, are there ways of preventing this? by davant123

davant123 — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:01:09 +0000

Itr sounds like you need sheilding to me. Try using better quality speaker wire..usually the wire that they give you is very poor quality. You can try that but it probably isnt that…Maybe put tin foil around your reciever??