Theater Receivers

Receivers are the pulse of the home cinema system. They receive signals from input devices such as your DVD player, Blu-ray player or satellite dish, interpret and amplify those signals and then send out the interpreted and amplified signals to your television or projector and sound system.

The video signals are sent to your television or projector and the audio signals are sent to the decoder, where the audio is sorted into different sound channels before being amplified and connected to the speakers.

Home theater receivers themselves offer multiple components built into them. These may include DVD and other media players. Buying home cinema receivers that have built-in DVD and media players often present a more cost effective solution to buying video sources and receivers separately. In fact, many receivers can be purchased alongside fully equipped home theater systems that include the speakers as well.

The argument against buying receivers with built-in video sources and in full home theater system packages is that the video sources may not be of as high quality as those that stand alone. Making the decision between the two will demand good research and deciphering your priorities so that you can get the maximum level of satisfaction with your purchases.

Here is a breakdown of home theater receiver components:

• Surround-sound decoder
• Preamplifier
• Audio/video inputs
• Power amplifiers
• Outputs

The audio video inputs are essential for compatibility with video sources such as DVD and Blu-ray players and DVRs. To be compatible with most televisions and DVDs, the home theater receivers should have component or HDMI inputs and should allow for switching. For optimal component flexibility, the receivers should also have optical and coaxial digital inputs.

The receiver has outputs for audio output through the speakers and television. It also offers a power amplifier for each sound channel.

The amplifiers on your receiver should offer these benefits:

1. Decoders that can handle a wide array of sound options, which include Seven Channel Dolby ES or DTS EX, Dolby 5.1, DTS, Dolby Surround, Dolby Prologic, Studio, Club and Hall and Simulated Surround Sound.
2. Good control over sound quality so that you could adjust the sound field for the room acoustics, cut off frequency for the subwoofer and control treble, bass and mid-range sounds.
3. Clearer, more powerful sound.
4. Full connection capacity and compatibility with your radio tuner, turntable if you listen to records, DVD player and CD player.
5. Full connection capacity and compatibility with your output devices, your speakers and television.

As demands in sound channels evolve, receivers are adapting to add more than six sound channels for

6.1 set ups that need seven audio channels and 7.1 set ups that need eight.

Keep in mind however, that DVD technology has not caught up to this technology yet and most only play through 6 channels. The best receivers are those that are adaptable and can be upgraded to evolve with changing technologies. A receiver that can be upgraded with a new decoder for changing surround sound formats is a good one to go with.

It is important that you match your sound between external components so that the volume stays steady between different media playing. The sound levels for DVDs and CDs can be lower than for the television, so without matching, using the television after watching a DVD could result in a major volume jolt that may damage your speakers.
With all of the circulation through, to and from the receivers, you could see why receivers are considered at the core of any home theater system.

Make sure that you buy a receiver that supports your favorite surround-sound format.

Good brands in home cinema receivers include:

• Yamaha
• Sony