Pioneer Egypt

Choose your receiver

The receiver is responsible for taking pieces of a movie soundtrack, such as the sound of a jet plane taking off, and sending it to the speakers in such a way that you can hear the plane coming from behind and passing over you. To get these effects, you have a few choices to consider:

Choose your video source

At the moment, you have three choices for a video source. Although with the speed that new technology is hitting the market, this may change soon.

The first and most basic is a hi-fi VCR. The difference between this and a normal VCR is that the hi-fi provides audio information for the Surround Sound or Pro Logic receiver that an ordinary VCR can't. (The cost, however, is not that much more.) Fancier models will give you more control over how you record something than a cheaper model will. Reproduction of a pre-recorded tape's soundtrack will probably be superior as well. But unless you're an educated listener, you won't notice the difference. For the majority of us, a less expensive unit from a reputable manufacturer will be just fine, as long as it has audio out jacks.
Next is the laserdisc player, which gives you a much sharper picture than you can get with most VCRs, or on cable or broadcast TV. Some of them incorporate a CD player and the best play both sides of an album-sized disc without you having to flip it. If you have a big-screen TV and notice picture imperfections easily, you may really appreciate a laserdisc player.
Finally, the DVD player, which is the latest in video technology and produces a slightly better picture than the laserdisc. Unlike laserdiscs, DVDs are CD-sized, which makes for easier storage. For sound and video quality, you can't get any better than this (at least not yet).
Again, the higher quality sound and picture will usually mean a higher cost, with DVD players running the highest. Other drawbacks for DVDs (and laserdiscs) are selection--you have a far greater number of choices with a VCR--and the ability to record. Still, wait a couple years and these problems may disappear.

Choose your television

How big a TV do you want? And what quality would you like your picture to be? Those are the questions to ask yourself. Just about every TV under 30" (diagonal measurement) will be fine, as long as you stick to renting tapes and watching cable (or broadcast) channels. If you are a critical viewer and own a laserdisc player, DVD or have the new Digital Satellite System, you should definitely consider a better quality TV.

Don't worry about having a stereo TV. Your video source will take care of the sound.

Choose your speakers

Speakers are important. Everything you hear comes out of them, so follow these tips for your listening pleasure:

Buy the best ones you can afford--avoid low-quality speakers, even if they're inexpensive. Five speakers are needed for a Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Digital system: two in front, two behind, and one right at the TV.
If you like, add a subwoofer to produce superb bass sound. It's a luxury, though, not a necessity.
You'll get the best results for home theater if all five speakers are of the same brand.

On the other hand, if you're also using the system as your musical listening center, you'll want your two main (front) speakers to be the best quality and matched.

Subwoofers come both powered and passive. The former is better, if you have the money. If you don't, a passive subwoofer and powerful receiver can still be a very good combination.
When shopping, look for speakers that are heavier than they appear. Grilles should be removable and have at least two drivers underneath: a larger woofer and a smaller tweeter. The speakers nearest the TV have to be magnetically shielded, so they don't make the picture wacky.

Follow the directions (take it slow), pop your popcorn, pop in your video and get as comfortable as you please--remember, it's your house, not the theater.