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How to choose an entertainment system

Thanks to major advancements in audio and video technologies, it is now possible to get the full immersive experience of watching movies at the theaters right in the comfort of your living room. The best part is, unlike years ago when home theater systems belonged mainly in the realm of enthusiasts, the product offerings today cater to the mainstream crowd, too. For the average Joe, this means more convenient setups, better ease of use, and lower prices. However, the proliferation of digital media, high-definition content and large flat-panel TVs have made purchase decisions daunting. For those new to home theater systems, here's a quick guide on how you can get started.

The space you have

The size of the room is a key factor in deciding the type of home theater system to buy. A typical living room at about 300sq ft will need an A/V system with about 80-100 of watts per channel in its speakers, while 100-watt and above systems should cater to larger rooms. Basically, the higher the power rating, the louder the speakers can play. The type of surround sound system you choose is usually determined by the shape of the room and the positioning of the speakers. A 5.1-channel system works in almost all situations, while 6.1- and 7.1-channel systems require the placement of speakers behind the primary viewing/listening position. For instance, you may want to consider a 5.1 setup for a small living room with the couch backed up against the wall.

Your audio-video requirements

Know your equipment:
A home A/V setup typically consists of two key components: The receiver and the speakers. The choice of TV used in a home entertainment system is discussed in another section.

Receiver:
The receiver is like the heart of the entire home theater system. It basically connects to all the A/V components, getting the signals from the various sources, and then sending the appropriate signals to the TV and speakers. A typical receiver consists of an amplifier, AM/FM radio tuner, surround sound processor and switcher. Higher-end systems may come with a separate receiver and amplifier units which are often believed to offer better performance and more expansion flexibility.

Speakers:
All the sounds from your home theater system come through the speakers. Generally, most home theater systems today offer 5.1-channel surround sound which consist of five small speakers (often called satellites) and a larger one called the subwoofer, though there are also A/V systems in the market with up to seven speakers and a subwoofer.

HTIB vs. component:
Building a home theater system involves matching the receiver to the right speakers. While this may sound like a simple task, there is actually some technical know-how required to properly ensure the various components work well together. The wiring, connectivity options, surround sound technologies and the type of speakers are but some of the key factors to consider when pairing a receiver to the speakers. And things can get even more complex if the A/V components are further separated into pre-amplifiers, amplifiers and digital tuners.

Fortunately, there is an easier way to go about setting up your home entertainment console. Many electronics manufacturers nowadays offer all-in-one home-theater-in-a-box (or HTIB) systems. As its name suggests, HTIBs come with everything you need for the home theater system, from the receiver and speakers to the wires and player, all in one box (or more), thus taking the guesswork out of having to pair each A/V component. Often, the various parts are also nicely design coordinated and come with color-coded cables for easy installation and setup. So separate components or HTIB? Well, each option has its own pros and cons.

	HTIB Available at affordable prices Simple to set up Harder to upgrade or add more components Have to replace the entire unit Matching colors and designs Solid performance, but not ideal >> Suitable for newbies and budget-conscious buyers
	Separate components Relatively more expensive Extensive setup and matching required More expansion flexibility Replaceable components May not have matching colors and design Customized for more ideal performance >> More suitable for experienced users and enthusiasts

Subwoofers are meant to boost the low frequency playback of the main speakers.

Speaker type:
There are many different types of speakers that can be used for home A/V systems. The standard 5.1-channel surround sound system consists of five small satellite speakers and a large subwoofer speaker. Three speakers are placed in front, one on each side of the screen (equal distance) and the center speaker on top or below the TV. While the other two satellite speakers are considered rear speakers, they are usually placed on the sides, just slightly behind the listening position. The subwoofer is usually hidden in a corner or near the left and right front speakers for better bass response.

Satellite speakers are typically quite small, so they are ideal for small spaces or living rooms with entertainment cabinet to place the speakers. For larger living rooms without a cabinet for the speakers, a set of standing speakers may be worth considering. Remember, for best results, it is usually advisable to position the speakers on the same level as the seated listener's ear. In some cases, you may need to get a stand for the speakers or mount it (especially for the rear speakers).

Each speaker may come with different drivers. For instance, a one-way speaker consists of only a woofer, while a two-way speaker includes a woofer and tweeter. Three-way speakers, with onboard woofer, tweeter and mid-range drivers, usually offer the best sound performance among the three, though that sometimes also depends on the speaker design and tuning. Don't just read the specification of the speaker during purchase. Try it out at the stores to get an idea of which one suits you better.

Some systems are equipped with rear surround speakers that are wireless. This eliminates the need to run unsightly long cables along the sides of the room in a surround sound setup. The rear speakers are not completely wireless, though. They will still need to be plugged into the wall socket for power. The primary listening position is where you will spend most of the time using the home entertainment system. This is usually the sofa in the living room, or any other identified spots.

Universal remote controls can be programmed to operate various brands.

Other features:
Scroll through our list below to find out which ones matter most.

• Connectivity: Make sure your receiver has the necessary inputs for your A/V devices, such as the game console, Blu-ray player, DVD recorder and VCR. Most of them come standard with composite, component and S-video inputs as well as digital optical and coaxial audio connections, though newer models should sport the HDMI input which combines digital HD video and audio in a single cable. Look out for systems with HDMI connectivity to ensure compatibility with future products. A USB port can also be found in some home theater systems for connection to an external music player or portable storage device for multimedia playback. In some cases, an integrated iPod dock lets you play the content on your iPod and charge the player at the same time.
• Playback formats: In addition to CDs and DVDs, most home theater systems nowadays can also handle MP3 and WMA music files, DivX videos, JPEG images as well as DVD-Audio and SACD discs (for some models). Selected higher-end systems now sport Blu-ray disc players which can output at 1,080p full-HD resolution for best image quality.
• Surround sound formats: You'll find a myriad of surround sound technologies on most home theater sets, from the basic 5.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS to the 6.1-channel Dolby Digital EX, THX Surround EX and DTS-ES. 7.1-channel surround formats include Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx and DTS Neo:6 are surround options that can convert stereo or 4-channel audio input into 5.1-channel (or even 6.1-channel) output. Be sure that your receiver has the surround sound format you want and pair it with the appropriate speakers.
• Remote control: A good remote control with buttons that are easy to press and intuitively labeled and positioned is an important, yet often overlooked, feature when testing a home theater system. Look out for remotes with programmable keys as well as those that can be used as universal remotes.
• Others: There are other interesting, and sometimes rather useful, features you can find on home entertainment systems these days such as front inputs (for convenient connection to external devices), satellite radio and onscreen display (for easier configuration of settings). Some systems feature networking capabilities which allows streaming of content from PCs, updating of firmware and Internet radio. Multi-disc handling capability is another feature worth considering if you hate to get up and change the disc during a movie marathon.

Your budget

Home theater systems can cost as little as S$200 for an entry-level HTIB unit, or upward of S$10,000 for a top-of-the-line component system from a reputable audio brand. So before you head down to the store, make sure you have a budget in mind for your home theater purchase. Most sub-S$500 HTIB systems should give you the basic home entertainment experience, though units priced between S$500 and S$1,000 usually cater to consumers who demand better quality and features in their home theater setup. Those looking for the best A/V performance can consider high-end HTIBs or component systems which can easily cost above S$1,000.

In some cases, if you are working with a tight budget, try getting a basic system first. You can always upgrade it with matching higher-end components later. Keep in mind that if you are getting a home theater system, the other devices should match one another not just in terms of compatibility but quality as well. It's really pointless buying a S$2,000 receiver when you are connecting it to a S$200 speaker set.