The receiver is the brain of an audio / video. It has AM and FM tuner, amplifiers, surround sound and switching functions. It is also the core of the structure - almost all devices in a home entertainment system routes, including audio components such as speakers, CD player, tape deck, turntables and video sources such as TV, DVD player, VCR, cable and satellite receivers. Even as a receiver to assume a greater role at homeEntertainment, forgiveness back some audio-related features that were common years, such as tape monitors and phono inputs. The producers say they need to eliminate these lesser-used functions, create space for others.

What is available

Sony is by far the most popular brand. Other brands are sold Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, RCA, and Yamaha. Most models are now digital, designed for the six channels of surround sound formats encoded in most DVDsand some TV fare, such as high definition (HD) programming. Here are the types you see are less expensive to:

Stereo. based receivers accept the analog stereo signals from a cassette recorder, a CD player or turntable. They offer two channels, the power of a pair of stereo speakers. For the simple music setup, add or play a DVD, CD or tape deck to the tapes. For rudimentary home theater, add a TV and a DVD player or VCR. Power is typically 5-10Watts per channel.

Price range: $ 125 to $ 250

Dolby Pro Logic. Pro Logic, Pro Logic II and Pro Logic IIx is the same home - theater surround sound Dolby standards. to support recipients who have a Dolby stereo source to two TV channels, DVD player or VCR, stereo and output fifty-six takes five speakers - three in front and 1-3 in the rear. Power for Dolby Pro Logic model is usually 60-150 watts per channel.

Price range: $ 150 to $ 300or more.

Dolby Digital. existing legislation digital surround-sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver has a decoder to six channels of audio support center - front left and right, front, back, with two discrete signals to broadband and an active subwoofer for low frequency or bass effects (this is where the ".1") comes. Dolby Digital is the audio format for most of the DVD, HDTV, digital cable TV and some satellite TV systems. The new versions of DolbyDigital 6.1 and 7.1, add one or two surround back channels for a total of seven eight-channel audio channels or the ability to take advantage of true surround sound, you need speakers to reproduce a good job of full-spectrum sound to do. Digital receiver with decoding capabilities to accept a signal is digitized, or sampled, converted to a specific interest rate per second in digital form. Dolby Digital compatible and supports earlier versions ofDolby Pro Logic, as. Power for receiver Dolby Digital is usually 75-150 watts per channel.

Price range: $ 200 to $ 500 or more.

DTS. A competitor to Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theater Systems also offers six channels. It 's a less common form of digital surround sound that is used in some film titles. Both DTS and Dolby Digital are often on the same receiver. Power for models DTS is usually 75-150 watts per channel.

Price range: $ 200 to $ 500 ormore.

THX certified. The high-end receivers that meet this standard of quality are full support for Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS. THX Select is the default value for components for small and medium-designed rooms, THX Ultra is for larger rooms. Power for THX models is typically 100-170 watts per channel.

Price range: $ 500 to $ 2,500 and up.

Key Features

Controls should be easy to use. Are you looking for a front panel, clearly marked with displays and controlsand grouped according to function. On-screen display allows control of the receiver on a TV screen, squint-free alternative to the use of the recipient small LED or LCD display. AC power outlets (one or two) you can connect other components and turn one, the whole system on and off with a button.

Remote controls are especially useful when they have clear labels and buttons that light for use in low light environments. And 'better if the buttons have different shapes and colors are coded and grouped byFunction - a goal rarely achieved in remote receiver. A distance learning can receive programming data to other devices to signal their infrared remote control ', and some remote controls, codes necessary for other equipment manufacturers are already installed.

Input / output jacks on something more receiver than any other component of your home theater. Clear labeling, color and logical groupings of the many jacks on the back can help Prevent problems during setup asspeaker polarity inversion and mixed-up-and outputs. INPUT on the front panel is to provide connections with camcorders, video games, MP3 players, digital cameras, MiniDisc players, and PDAs.

A stereo receiver will give you a couple of audio and video inputs are not taken. Digital-ready receiver with Dolby Pro Logic, various types of video inputs, including sometimes composite video and S-Video and component. S-Video and component video jacks allow signalsDVD players and other sources of high-quality video through the receiver to your TV. Digital-ready receiver and 5.1 analog audio inputs. These accept input from a DVD player with its own Dolby Digital decoder, an external receiver or other components with multi-channel analog signals, such as a DVD-Audio or SACD. This allows the recipient to forward up to six channels of sound and music to the speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS receivers have the most complete range of audio-home and video inputs, often with many components of a particular type.

Tone controls bass and treble adjust, so you can adjust the acoustics of the room to suit your personal preferences. A graphic equalizer breaks the sound spectrum into three or more sections, which allows you more control over entire audio range. Instead of tone controls, some receivers come with tone presets such as jazz, classical, rock or accentuation of a pattern of different frequencies;Often, you can craft their own styles.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip how to duplicate the sound characteristics of a concert hall and other listening environments. A bass-boost circuit amplifies the deepest sounds, and how to midnight reduces loud noises and strengthened in quiet music or soundtracks.

Sometimes referred to as touch "one", a memory setting allows you to store settings for each source, the differences in volume, to minimize sound and other settings whenSwitching between sources. A similar function, memory volume, the volume alone is limited.

tape monitor, you can listen to one source, a second on a tape recorder to record or listen to the recording, as it is done. automatic channel selection includes features such as seek (automatic station search Next in series) and 20-40 preset access your favorite stations.

To reach the stations is too weak for the search mode, most receivers have a manualStrengthen controls or buttons, preferably in increments of channel. But most models of creep in half or quarter steps, which means unnecessary touch button you want to find the frequency. Direct tuning of frequencies you can tune a radio station by entering its frequency on a keyboard.

To select

First, not to assume that the expensive brands outperform less expensive. We found good performers at all prices. Points to consider:

How do you connect multiple devices? Even low-endReceivers generally have enough video and audio inputs on a CD or a DVD player, VCR and cable box or satellite receiver. Mid-and high-priced models usually have several entrances, so you can connect additional devices like a camcorder, VCR or a personal gaming system.

This number is not the only problem, also the questions. Composite-video inputs, the easiest way possible with all that can be used by an old VCR, a DVD player again. S-Video andComponent-video inputs are mainly used in digital devices such as DVD players and satellite receivers. If you are one of these digital devices or to add, have a receiver with some S-video or component-video inputs. Both can provide better image quality than composite video.

All these video inputs require input audio companion. The basic left / right audio inputs may be used to provide stereo sound with almost any device. A turntable requires a phono input, which is lessModels that in previous years.

multichannel sound from DVD players, digital decoders and satellite receiver, usually with a digital audio. With this input, the encoded multichannel sound is transmitted via cable to the receiver that decodes into separate channels. The receiver input must be the same type - either optical or coax the most common type - such as the output device. You usually have to buy cable, about $ 10 and above, digital audio, S-Videoand component video connections.

What kind of sound you like movies? All new digital receiver supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound format used on most films. Both offer 5.1 channels. Most receivers also support Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx and, at times. If you want the last type of surround sound, look for a receiver, Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES supported. These have a 6.1 or 7.1 channels, in a subtle way to improve the surroundings. Quite a few filmsThe use of these sizes are available, but prices should be increased.

What kind of music do you like? Each recipient can play normal CD stereo. Most models are equipped with digital signal processing (DSP) modes of this process to simulate a CD of the two channels, a healthy environment as a concert hall. simulate DSP modes feed a stereo signal to all speakers, surrounds. Multi-channel music from SACD or DVD-Audio, have a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs.

How big is yourRoom? Make sure a receiver has to offer the appropriate band Oomph: 50 watts per channel in a typical 12-by-20 foot residence hall, or 85 watts for an area of 15-by-25 feet. A huge room, plush furnishings, or a combination of all the loud demand for more power.

The receiver is compatible with the speakers? If you like the music for hours in the blast furnace, having a receiver for controlling impedance of the front speakers'. Most recipients are 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers designed. If used with 4 ohmSpeaker, such a receiver overheating and shut down.

It 'easy to use? Most receivers have a display readable and well-marked buttons. Some add a menu screen, settings will be displayed on the TV screen. A self-calibration feature adjusts the volume and balance to improve the surround effect. The models with the test-tone function for setting the speaker levels to balance the sound itself.

Two tips: When deciding where to place the receiver, wait for 4 inches or so ofThe space behind it for cables and at least 2 inches over her mouth to prevent overheating. When you set up a home theater is more than you want to tackle, consider calling in a professional installer. Dealers often offer a installation service or can refer you to one.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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