| BRING THE MOVIE THEATER HOME AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE |
 |
WHAT IS HOME THEATER?
Ah yes, the most basic question of all in man's quest for knowledge. Home Theater can be
many things and come in many forms. But, generally, a Home Theater is regarded to be an
audio/video system with a 32-inch display screen or larger and a surround-sound system.
many things and come in many forms. But, generally, a Home Theater is regarded to be an
audio/video system with a 32-inch display screen or larger and a surround-sound system.
WHAT'S A SURROUND-SOUND SYSTEM?
A surround-sound system is an audio setup designed to envelop you in sounds from movies,
TV shows, games and music. A typical surround-sound system has five main speakers, or
channels, plus a subwoofer. The five main speakers consist of the three front ones placed near
the screen and facing the audience -- these are called the front left, center and right channels --
plus two surround speakers positioned along the sides or in the back (to the sides is
recommended). A subwoofer plays only low bass for the thundering booms, explosions (cool
stuff) and deep tones in music.
TV shows, games and music. A typical surround-sound system has five main speakers, or
channels, plus a subwoofer. The five main speakers consist of the three front ones placed near
the screen and facing the audience -- these are called the front left, center and right channels --
plus two surround speakers positioned along the sides or in the back (to the sides is
recommended). A subwoofer plays only low bass for the thundering booms, explosions (cool
stuff) and deep tones in music.
WHAT'S A CENTER CHANNEL? DOES IT GO IN THE
CENTER OF THE ROOM?
CENTER OF THE ROOM?
The center channel is located closest to the video screen. Often you'll find it beneath the screen
and positioned horizontally. It carries all the dialogue in a movie or TV show, thus it needs to be
near the screen so you hear the words as if they are coming from the actors' mouths. This
makes the center channel the most important speaker in a surround-sound system.
and positioned horizontally. It carries all the dialogue in a movie or TV show, thus it needs to be
near the screen so you hear the words as if they are coming from the actors' mouths. This
makes the center channel the most important speaker in a surround-sound system.
WHAT DOES 5.1, 6.1 AND 7.1 MEAN?
These numbers denote how many speakers your system uses. For example, 5.1 means five
full-range speakers plus a subwoofer (the .1), as described earlier. A 6.1 system adds a third
surround speaker in the back so you can better hear a car or plane approaching and passing
by. A 7.1 system has four surround-sound speakers.
full-range speakers plus a subwoofer (the .1), as described earlier. A 6.1 system adds a third
surround speaker in the back so you can better hear a car or plane approaching and passing
by. A 7.1 system has four surround-sound speakers.
WHAT'S A DLP PROJECTOR?
Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a technology used in projectors and video projectors. At the
heart of every DLP® projection system is an optical semiconductor known as the DLP® chip,
which was invented by Dr. Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instruments in 1987. The DLP® chip is
probably the world's most sophisticated light switch. It contains a rectangular array of up to 2
million hinge-mounted microscopic mirrors; each of these micromirrors measures less than
one-fifth the width of a human hair. When a DLP® chip is coordinated with a digital video or
graphic signal, a light source, and a projection lens, its mirrors can reflect a digital image onto a
screen or other surface. The DLP® chip and the sophisticated electronics that surround it are
what is referred to as DLP® technology.
heart of every DLP® projection system is an optical semiconductor known as the DLP® chip,
which was invented by Dr. Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instruments in 1987. The DLP® chip is
probably the world's most sophisticated light switch. It contains a rectangular array of up to 2
million hinge-mounted microscopic mirrors; each of these micromirrors measures less than
one-fifth the width of a human hair. When a DLP® chip is coordinated with a digital video or
graphic signal, a light source, and a projection lens, its mirrors can reflect a digital image onto a
screen or other surface. The DLP® chip and the sophisticated electronics that surround it are
what is referred to as DLP® technology.
WHAT'S ALL THE RESOLUTION TALK - 480, 720,
1080?
1080?
Resolution or "display resolution" refers to the fixed-pixel-array of the displayed video image.
This is simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display. Standard
television and DVD movies are 720 pixel-columns across and 480 pixel-rows down (720x480),
this is referred to as 480 resolution. An image is considered to be High Definition when it is
composed of 1280 pixel-columns across and 720 pixel-rows down (1280x720), this is referred
to as 720 resolution. Top end High Definition is 1920 pixel-columns across and 1080
pixel-rows down (1920x1080), this is referred to as 1080 resolution. Long-story short -- more
pixels = better picture.
This is simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display. Standard
television and DVD movies are 720 pixel-columns across and 480 pixel-rows down (720x480),
this is referred to as 480 resolution. An image is considered to be High Definition when it is
composed of 1280 pixel-columns across and 720 pixel-rows down (1280x720), this is referred
to as 720 resolution. Top end High Definition is 1920 pixel-columns across and 1080
pixel-rows down (1920x1080), this is referred to as 1080 resolution. Long-story short -- more
pixels = better picture.
WHAT'S THE i AND p AFTER THE RESOLUTION MEAN?
Interlaced ("i") and Progressive ("p"). This refers to how the image is assembled on the screen.
Interlaced images are produced by first displaying even numbered pixel rows, then odd
numbered pixel rows. This happens so fast that your eyes (really your brain) assembles a
complete image. Progressive scan produces the pixel rows in sequence again, so quickly that
your brain assembles a complete image. Progressive scan provides a smoother image.
Interlaced images are produced by first displaying even numbered pixel rows, then odd
numbered pixel rows. This happens so fast that your eyes (really your brain) assembles a
complete image. Progressive scan produces the pixel rows in sequence again, so quickly that
your brain assembles a complete image. Progressive scan provides a smoother image.
WHAT'S A LUMEN?
The light output of projectors is typically measured in lumens. A standardized procedure for
testing projectors has been established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
which involves averaging together several measurements taken at different positions. Theater
projectors which emit 1500 - 2000 ANSI Lumens work well in environments which have subtle
amounts of ambient light during use (i.e. your living room).
testing projectors has been established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
which involves averaging together several measurements taken at different positions. Theater
projectors which emit 1500 - 2000 ANSI Lumens work well in environments which have subtle
amounts of ambient light during use (i.e. your living room).
WHAT'S THE CONTRAST RATIO?
Contrast is the ratio between the white and black parts in an image. The larger the contrast ratio
of a display device, the greater is the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest
blacks a video display or projector can show. A contrast rating of say 300:1 would imply that the
black level is 300 times darker than the white. In general, contrast ratios above 2000:1 will
provide a satisfying visual experience with good black levels.
of a display device, the greater is the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest
blacks a video display or projector can show. A contrast rating of say 300:1 would imply that the
black level is 300 times darker than the white. In general, contrast ratios above 2000:1 will
provide a satisfying visual experience with good black levels.
WHAT ABOUT THE THEATER SCREEN?
The screen is what projects the image to the viewer’s eye; it’s what in reality we “look at” when
watching a film or other types or media. One very apparent difference in screen types is color:
white or gray. White screens are typically used where ambient light can be controlled. Gray
screens are used in situations where you may not be able to control the lighting situation. A gray
screen can help achieve deep black levels, improve contrast and make colors appear more
vibrant—even in a bright room.
watching a film or other types or media. One very apparent difference in screen types is color:
white or gray. White screens are typically used where ambient light can be controlled. Gray
screens are used in situations where you may not be able to control the lighting situation. A gray
screen can help achieve deep black levels, improve contrast and make colors appear more
vibrant—even in a bright room.
WHAT'S AN UPCONVERTING DVD PLAYER?
"Upscaling" or "upconverting", refers to taking Standard Definition video and increasing the
resolution to high resolution (High Definition) video. Upscaling DVD Players are a reasonably
inexpensive way of upscaling standard DVD-Video discs using a video scaler to match the pixel
count of the signal to the physical pixel count on a high-definition video output device resulting in
better detail and color consistency. Basically, upscaling means taking a 480 resolution image
and increasing its pixelization to 720 or 1080 (see Resolution discussion above).
resolution to high resolution (High Definition) video. Upscaling DVD Players are a reasonably
inexpensive way of upscaling standard DVD-Video discs using a video scaler to match the pixel
count of the signal to the physical pixel count on a high-definition video output device resulting in
better detail and color consistency. Basically, upscaling means taking a 480 resolution image
and increasing its pixelization to 720 or 1080 (see Resolution discussion above).
HOW CAN I HAVE A HOME THEATER IF I DON'T HAVE
A ROOM IN MY HOUSE BIG ENOUGH TO HOUSE A
THEATER?
A ROOM IN MY HOUSE BIG ENOUGH TO HOUSE A
THEATER?
You don't need that much space. A Home Theater can be a separate room set up like a theater,
or can be a much more modest surround-sound system in your family room, living room, den,
recreation room, bedroom, patio -- wherever you want.
or can be a much more modest surround-sound system in your family room, living room, den,
recreation room, bedroom, patio -- wherever you want.
WHY ALL THIS JUST TO WATCH A FEW MOVIES AND
TV WITH SOME EXTRA THUMP?
TV WITH SOME EXTRA THUMP?
You could look at it that way. But, you'll appreciate your favorite movies, television and sports
much more on a good audio/video system. And chances are, so will your spouse, friends and
kids.
much more on a good audio/video system. And chances are, so will your spouse, friends and
kids.
HOW MUCH DOES ALL THIS COST?
Custom designed, full-install Home Theater rooms can cost $10,000 to $20,000. The average
consumer is more interested in a satisfying system that can be easily installed and easily
operated. Components should be chosen that have compatible output and adapt to the
environment where they'll be installed. The cost question is difficult to answer. You need to
decide what form you want your Home Theater to take. Do you want it focused around a large
screen Plasma or LCD television? Do you want to assemble a front-projection drop screen
theater? Many users purchase their basic components and then build their Theater environment
over time. The Theater becomes as much a hobby as it is an appliance. "What will it cost?" is a
question for you to answer.
consumer is more interested in a satisfying system that can be easily installed and easily
operated. Components should be chosen that have compatible output and adapt to the
environment where they'll be installed. The cost question is difficult to answer. You need to
decide what form you want your Home Theater to take. Do you want it focused around a large
screen Plasma or LCD television? Do you want to assemble a front-projection drop screen
theater? Many users purchase their basic components and then build their Theater environment
over time. The Theater becomes as much a hobby as it is an appliance. "What will it cost?" is a
question for you to answer.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
