subject: How to Create the Perfect Home Cinema Experience [print this page] How to Create the Perfect Home Cinema Experience
With so much focus these days on the visuals of your entertainment systemthe ultra high definition, dazzling contrast ratio, and immense colour spectrumthe spectacular world of audio and all the wonderful possibilities a surround sound system can offer, has been pushed slightly and unjustly into the background.
But just as wonderful as all the hues and blacks of deep space, is hearing that giant spaceship zoom out of the blackness somewhere to your far right, whirl across the screen, and crash off in the distance somewhere behind youpinpointed exactly and correctly by your delicate ears. Who doesn't love hearing that explosion with every part of his being, each flame licking at the heroes' feetand captured for posterity on a surround sound capable Digital TV Recorder?
Who doesn't love flinching as the hideous monster creeps up somewhere behind the girlwhile we actually hear his whispered footfalls behind us and getting closer? Who doesn't love laser dogfighting on his Playstation 3a hundred enemy ships outnumbering ours 10 to 1, their colourfully murderous energy beams pummelling us from every direction?
My friend, you need surround sound.
Surround sound is becoming practically the standard these days for not only movies but many other forms of multimedia entertainmentwidely used in many Xbox 360 Accessories, Playstation 3 games, and even some satellite TV. It is becoming commonplace to spend a little less on the size of your screen in order to include even a modest surround sound system. After all, the fullest enjoyment is in the complete experienceand for that, you need surround sound.
The good news is that it's not that difficult to install.
The easiest way to install a surround sound system in your home is by making use of a simple AV receiver/amplifier. This device receives a simple audio signal from your DVD, TV, or gaming console, and splits it up, sending it in many directions to the monitors (speakers) you have strategically set up around the room. Make sure to put the monitors in their correct relative locations, as marked, to create the beautiful effect of true surround sound.
See if you can split your audio signal from your video signal. Most DVD players and gaming consoles have separate outputs for video and audio. If this is the case, route just the audio signal to your AV receiver or other amplifier, preferably via a digital connection to ensure playback of the proper 5.1 soundtrack as included on your DVD or video game. Most cable boxes or satellite receiver units also have separate audio outputs, which makes it easy to connect to a separate amplifier in order to benefit from the surround sound.
You may connect the video output directly to your TV, or, if using an AV receiver, route it through that using one HDMI cable. Make sure to then connect the video output on your AV receiver to your TV.
See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Now sit back and enjoy your complete entertainment experience.
