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Home Theater

Once we only watched and listened to TV movies – now we can feel them

By Joan Tupponce

With movie prices soaring upward and families spending more time at home, the sales of home theater systems are on the rise. Some 22 percent of U.S. residents now have a home theater system, according to Parks Associates, a leading market research and consulting firm that provides information and analysis on emerging technologies,.

But don’t think purchasing a home theater system will be an easy proposition. There are as many variables as there are in choosing a cell phone carrier. And we all know how difficult that can be.

So exactly what is a home theater system? According to Jeff Greentree, store manager for Audio Exchange, it can be defined as a multi-channel system that creates the excitement normally generated by sitting in a movie theater. The system brings the action into your home by surrounding you with sound. You’ll not only hear but feel every blow, boom and blast from that action thriller.

“It really makes a difference when you’re watching a film at home,” says Jim Babb, spokesperson for Circuit City. The system normally includes the following basics: a receiver (to decode digital-audio soundtracks), speakers (anywhere from six to eight) and a sub-woofer (picks up bass frequencies). But that’s just the beginning. Let’s compare the process to buying a car. Which do you prefer: A basic mini-van or a sports car with all the bells and whistles?

Before you answer that question, think about what you really want and need. For example, do you want something simple to install, like a home-theater-in-a-box or do you want to use components to create a system that will blow the roof off the house? See accompanying sidebar for more questions before you head to the store to make a purchase.

Armed with this new self-awareness, you are now ready to talk with a salesperson about a system that will work for you. Before going too far into this process, test drive the system. Go to a retailer where you can sit and experience the sound. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive; a home theater system, which can cost more than most cars, should be treated with the same due diligence.

Lastly, home theater systems range from under $100 to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on your needs (or wants) and financial means. Choose a system that will meet your goals and your budget and, above all else, try not to get too frustrated in the process. We’ve conquered the cell phone maze. We can conquer this. Boomer Life Magazine Logo

READY TO BUY?

NOT TILL YOU ASK YOURSELF THESE

• Why are you buying the system? Do you watch more DVD’s than television shows? Or, do you want to listen to music on your system and incorporate it through your home?
• What size is the room where you will be putting the system?
• What’s your budget?
• Do you want the progressive-scan DVD to stand alone or to be integrated with the receiver? Do you need a VHS component, as well?
• Do you want extra features such as a port for a portable music player or XM radio?
• How loud do you want the system to be?
• Do you want a system that is simple to operate?
• What color system do you want?

FROM BUDGET HOME THEATER TO BUDGET-BUSTER

Here are a few home theater systems, ranging from $200 to – brace yourself – $100,000.

1. Samsung HT-X50 5.1-Channel Home Theater System – around $200 at Circuit City and Wal- Mart. This is a basic home-theater-in-a-box system with a 5-disc changer, multi-media disc playback and compatibility with your iPod.

2. Sony DAV-IS10 Micro Satellite 5.1 Channel Home Theater System – under $800 at Circuit City. The 5.1 channel home-theater-in-a-box system features five golf-ball-sized speakers. Matched with a compact, single disc DVD/CD player/receiver, it includes a unique subwoofer that creates a big-speaker sound.

3. Bose Lifestyle 48 Series IV DVD Home Entertainment System – $3,999 at Circuit City. Also available at Bose stores. This home-theaterin- a-box stores 340 hours of music and includes a progressive scan DVD, single disc player and Jewel Cube speakers.

4. A/V receiver based package from Audio Exchange -- $11,450 (plus: custom system remote, cables, wire, television). Customized package includes a Denon 7.1 channel receiver w/ video processing, Blu Ray/DVD/CD transport, Bowers & Wilkins speakers and subwoofer. Audio Exchange has details.

5. Ultimate A/V system from Audio Exchange - $101,400 (PLUS custom system remote, cables and wire, A/V furniture and video projector and screen). Ultimate package includes Bowers & Wilkins speakers, JL Audio Gotham subwoofer, McIntosh sound and video processors, Denon Blu Ray/DVD/CD player. A.E. has details.