| Good speakers and the components for a | | | | player will do. All the DVD-equipped systems we |
| home-theater system cost less than ever. But | | | | tested have a progressive-scan player. These offer |
| selecting separate components can be | | | | regular DVD picture quality when used with a |
| time-consuming, and connecting them can be a | | | | conventional TV but can deliver a smoother image |
| challenge. You can avoid some hassle by buying an | | | | when paired with a TV capable of displaying |
| all-in-one "home theater in a box" system that | | | | high-definition (HD) or enhanced-definition (ED) signals. |
| combines a receiver with a set of matched speakers, | | | | Some bundled DVD players offer support for |
| wiring, and often a DVD player. Unless you're a serious | | | | multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD music discs, |
| music listener, you're likely to find the sound quality to | | | | although not in their original, high-resolution format. |
| be just fine. | | | | Do you want a separate DVD player or one |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | integrated with the receiver? Systems that integrate |
| Home theater packages include a receiver that can | | | | the DVD player and the receiver in one box tend to |
| decode digital-audio soundtracks and six to eight | | | | offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections |
| compact speakers--two front, one center, two to four | | | | than those that have two separate components. |
| surround speakers for the rear, and a subwoofer--that | | | | Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but |
| have been matched for sound. You get all the cables | | | | they tend to be bulkier and may not allow you to |
| and wiring you need, usually color-coded or labeled for | | | | connect video devices other than a TV to the |
| easy setup. | | | | receiver. Other devices, such as a digital-video |
| Most systems include a progressive-scan DVD player, | | | | recorder, would have to be hooked up directly to the |
| either built into the receiver or a separate component, | | | | TV. |
| and a powered subwoofer. Some bundle in a VCR as | | | | Make sure there are enough inputs. You may want to |
| well. Price range: $200 to $1,000 for typical systems, | | | | route video as well as audio signals through your |
| and $2,000 or more for systems aimed at audiophiles. | | | | home-theater receiver so you can easily switch |
| Panasonic and Sony are among the best-selling | | | | among sources such as a VCR, cable or satellite box, |
| brands in the market. | | | | and digital video recorder. Before buying, consider |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | which devices you'll want to channel through the |
| The receivers in home-theater-in-a-box systems tend | | | | home-theater unit, and which ones you can hook up |
| to be on the simple side. They usually include both | | | | directly to the TV, and make sure you have enough of |
| Dolby Digital and DTS decoders for handling the | | | | the appropriate inputs and outputs. |
| surround sound track when playing a DVD. Controls | | | | Each type of connection is capable of conveying a |
| should be easy to use. Look for a front panel with | | | | different level of video quality. If you'll be connecting a |
| displays and controls grouped by function and labeled | | | | DVD player to your TV through the receiver, look for |
| clearly. An onscreen display lets you control the | | | | a model with S-video, component-video, or HDMI |
| receiver via a television screen. | | | | connections, which should give you better picture |
| Switched AC outlets let you plug in other components | | | | quality than a composite-video hookup. |
| and turn on the whole system with one button. The | | | | With audio inputs, you'll need a digital-audio input for |
| receivers have about 20 or more presets you can use | | | | relaying undecoded digital audio from your DVD player, |
| for AM and FM stations. Most receivers also offer a | | | | digital-cable box, or satellite receiver. Make sure the |
| sleep timer, which turns them on or off at a preset | | | | input on the home-theater system matches the output |
| time. Remote controls are most useful when they | | | | on the other device. Some of these units have an |
| have clear labels and different-shaped and | | | | optical digital-audio output, while others have a coaxial |
| color-coded buttons grouped by function. A universal | | | | digital-audio output. (An HDMI connection carries the |
| remote can control a number of devices. | | | | audio along with video in one cable). |
| A component-video output on the receiver that can | | | | If you want to connect a turntable, see if the one you |
| connect to the TV allows for better picture quality if | | | | have requires a special phono input, which is hard to |
| you choose to switch video signals through your | | | | come by. Look for a front video input on the receiver if |
| receiver; however, not many receivers have such an | | | | you want to make occasional connections, perhaps for |
| output. Instead, most have S-video output, which is a | | | | a camcorder or a game system, and your TV doesn't |
| tad below a component connection but better than a | | | | have accessible front-panel inputs. |
| composite-video or RF (antenna) connection. | | | | Get features that suit your needs. With any system, |
| Look also for an S-video input, which lets you pipe | | | | you can be assured of basics such as AM/FM tunes, |
| signals from an external DVD player, digital camcorder, | | | | Dolby Digital and DTS surround-sound support, and |
| or certain cable or satellite boxes through the system. | | | | enough speakers for at least a 5.1 surround setup. |
| Any player that you might want to connect will need | | | | Some systems now include an integrated XM |
| the same digital-audio connections, either optical or | | | | satellite-radio tuner or a USB port for connecting an |
| coaxial, as those of the included receiver. And if you | | | | iPod or other portable music player so you can listen |
| want to make occasional connections at the | | | | to your music through the sound system. |
| front--perhaps for a camcorder or an MP3 | | | | Extras such as switched AC outlets are less common |
| player--you'll need front-panel inputs. | | | | than on component receivers, so make sure a system |
| DSP (for digital signal processor) modes use digital | | | | has what you want. An onscreen display is handy for |
| circuitry to duplicate the sound measurements of, say, | | | | setting up and adjusting various functions using the TV |
| a concert hall. Each mode represents a different | | | | screen rather than a small display on the console. |
| listening environment. A bass-boost switch amplifies | | | | Among our tested systems, only those with a DVD |
| the deepest sounds. | | | | player integrated with the receiver have an onscreen |
| A subwoofer may be powered or unpowered. Either | | | | display. |
| type will do the job, but a powered subwoofer often | | | | A few models offer newer Dolby and DTS surround |
| provides more control over bass. | | | | formats that process 6.1 or 7.1 channels, which support |
| An integrated DVD player, available with some models, | | | | an additional one or two rear-surround speakers, |
| typically has fewer features than does a stand-alone | | | | respectively. Those formats still aren't widely used in |
| DVD player. Features to expect are track | | | | movies but could become more common in the future. |
| programmability (more useful for playing CDs than | | | | Also consider the warranty. You may get 24-month |
| DVDs), track repeat, and disc repeat. If you want | | | | coverage, rather than 12 months, on some models. |
| more features, a stand-alone DVD player may be the | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., |
| wiser choice. | | | | Inc. |
| HOW TO CHOOSE | | | | For the latest information on this and many other |
| Decide whether you want a DVD player. If not, you | | | | products and services, visit |
| may save money by buying a system without one. If | | | | Find More |
| you want a DVD in the bundle, consider whether you | | | | Home Theater Sys. with Easy Deal |
| need a multidisc model that will provide uninterrupted | | | | ShopNdeal. |
| play of music CDs and DVD movies, or if a single-disc | | | | |