High Definition Home Theatre

Today is an exciting time to be a home cinema fan. With the advent of high-definition home video and audio, it is now possible to view films at home that will look and sound at least as good as they did in the cinema. To achieve this, you will need to make sure your home cinema setup meets the requirements of reading, converting and displaying a high-def source.

To begin with, you will need a hi-def source. Many cable and satellite packages offer hi-def channels, but many channels use large amounts of compression to squeeze multiple high-def channels into a limited amount of bandwidth. This causes images to have compression artefacts, such as macro blocking, mosquito noise or banding. Audio can also be affected, with very low or high frequencies clipped and complex parts of the soundtrack sounding "muddy".

The same problem is present on the new "download" services that allow you to download and watch a film for a fixed price. Although less noticeable, the problems of compression are still visible. Lastly, some DVD players will provide "up-scaling" of standard DVD's, and while this can be an improvement on letting your TV upscale the image, it's not a true high-definition signal, and will appear soft and blurred.

The best source for Hi-Definition content is from a Blu-Ray disc, where there is enough space to store the image without introducing noticeable compression artefacts, and to hold completely lossless sound. Look for a player with an internet connection for easy updates to the firmware, or alternatively consider a Sony Playstation 3 console, which is also a very high-quality Blu-Ray player.

With a hi-def system, only one cable, HDMI, is required to transmit both picture and sound. A HDMI cable is a digital connection, so there are fewer problems from noise or interference. Beware overpriced cables; the digital signal means expensive multi-layered insulation is not necessary. Pay no more than you would for good computer DVI cable, on which the HDMI standard is based.

The hi-def signal will first go into your home-cinema amplifier, which will need a HDMI input. The amplifier needs to be capable of decoding the sound formats used by the Blu-Ray disc. The most common formats are Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD, these are updates of the formats used on DVD's, and all modern home cinema amps should decode them. Look out for Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio support, these are new formats for maximum-quality lossless sound, but only the latest or more expensive amps have support for these right now. Lastly you may see LPCM audio tracks. These are lossless and uncompressed, so no decoding is required and all amps can play them.

Your amp should have a HDMI output that will allow you to connect it to your TV or Projector. With the amp handling the audio, the video signal is fed back out and into your display. To properly function your display will need to be "HDCP compliant", HDCP stands for HD "Copy Protection", and only HDMI inputs with the built in HDCP technology can decode HD video. All newer displays have this, but some early TV's and projectors had HDMI sockets that missed out the HDCP chip.

There are several different resolutions that can be called High Definition. 720p and 1080i are used by some TV channels and also hi-def video games. The highest standard is 1080p, and is used by Blu-Ray movies. Most new displays will handle all three formats, but when buying a TV or projector, check the native resolution, the number of physical lines of picture it can display. TV's that only have a native resolution of 720 will be forced to scale a 1080p signal down, which will reduce the picture detail and may introduce artefacts.

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Getting the Best Sound from Your System with the Right Audio Equipment

Today good sound and picture quality is important to those who like to see and hear things the way that they were intended to be seen and heard. Many of us don't realize how much our sound and picture is being distorted when we use the wrong audio equipment. For this reason, if you want to be sure that you are seeing and hearing things in the very best way, you will want to be sure that you look into Marantz audio equipment as well as all of the high quality cabling that is necessary to bring you the sound and picture that you expect.

Marantz is a name that has been around in the premium home entertainment business since the 1950's. Over the years it has been this name that has been responsible for items such as the Model 7 preamplifier, the Model 9 monoblock, the 2200 receivers, laserdisc players, certified receivers for high quality pictures, and today the Super Audio CD player. Over the years the company has been dedicated to what they refer to as "sonic superiority" and all of their products will offer exactly this to you. Today their receivers can be used to enhance the quality of your most modern technologies such as DLP projection and plasma monitors. Today the company is as dedicated to picture quality as they are to sound quality.

If you buy a Marantz system you will want to make sure that you have the cabling that is necessary to deliver the best sound and picture possible. Most would agree that the proper cabling to use with any Marantz system would have to be Monster HDMI cable. You may have seen Monster cable in the stores and felt shocked by the prices. This is the only way to get the true benefit of a Marantz system because you get the speed necessary to bring you true to life pictures and sound. With Monster Cable you are going to be able to accommodate the need for speed from the Marantz system so you do not get any distortion in your audio or video, if applicable, which will allow you to see and hear things the way they would be seen or heard if you were in a theatre or recording studio.

If you will not settle for anything less than the best than you will definitely want to get one of these quality receivers as well as the Monster cable to go along with it. The combination of the two will bring you the superior sound that you have been looking for that will enhance your favorite sounds whether it is music or television.

About the Author
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer.

DVD Players: A theatre in home

The DVD players are source of entertainment for music lovers and regular movie watchers. These advanced players boast of high image quality and excellent voice reception.

Watching movies and listening music on a single device has become easy with the DVD player. These players have become necessary complement to television set. It is an electronic gadget that plays audio and video discs with some technical standards. With different and incompatible standards, it plays music or film with the help of reflected laser beam.

The DVD players are capable to play CD audio, video and even pictures in various popular music formats. These players are being designed to offer sound and visual effects. While watching movie, one can real feel authentic theatre experience. As a matter of fact, the images on screen are sharp and clear. The users enjoy watching movies without feeling any stress on eyes, as it comes with vacuum florescent display. Moreover, the advanced players are backed with the Dolby digital audio output, which provides crystal clear sound quality.

High quality audio and video output simply take the viewers into another real world. Thanks to the digital format used in the technique. The DVD player delivers twice the picture quality when compared with the VHS format. With advancement in the technology, these devices easily compete with other home theaters. The new generation DVD players come with the massive memory storage for storing video, audio and even computer data. There are many companies in the market which manufacture high-quality DVD players. Some of the best known manufacturers in this domain are Sony, Philips, Videocon, Panasonic, Bosch etc. The best selling Philips DVD Players are Philips DVDR3575H/37, Philips DVP5140, Philips DVP5982- to name a few.

The players can read a disc in ISO- UDF version 1.2 format, optionally it can even decrypt the data with either CSS or Macrovision. The DVD players can even read regional lockout codes and display a warning, if the player is not authorised to play the disc. The players can easily decode popular MPEG-2 video stream with a maximum of 10 Mbit/s. The users can enjoy listeing to music on various popular formats such as MP2, AC3 or PCM and produces output on stereo, optical or electric digital connector. The device comes with a functional remote control. A remote with simple layout and visibility labelled functions make the navigation easy for the viewer.

These players can be connected to a television set, quite easily. The high-definition media interface can be used for video scaling. Images and sound tracks can be adjusted accordingly i.e. fast forward, slow motion playback, rewind and frame by frame play back. Moreover, for bright and brilliant picture quality, it can adjusted for contrast, brightness, saturation, gamma correction, blackness, zoom and sharpness. This help in bringing a life like quality to the images on the television sets. With different speed playback, there is time search and repeat functions. The multi subtitle support users to watch foreign films and the dialogues, in an incomprehensible manner. The advanced dialogue enhancer in a DVD Player with surround sound allows excellence voice reception.

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The author is a specialist in retail writing. Her writing skills reflect the outcome of years of exposure to the retail industry. Working with retail giants as a consultant has enriched her knowledge base and her passion for writing got fire. She can be read regularly on RetailsDirect.com. For details please visit: www.retailsdirect.com HCL Laptops

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Home Audio Systems: Bass Makes The Difference

We all know what bass can do to a movie soundtrack. It can create drama, danger, even a feeling of strength depending on the visuals that go along with it. Bass is one of the most important elements of any audio format because it provides balance and contrast to the overall score of a movie, television show, even commercial. Quality bass in a sound system is impressive while not being overpowering.

In a 5.1 surround sound system, one of the most common for home theater installations, the '.1' is the bass. The speaker for the bass sounds on a soundtrack is called a subwoofer. Lower frequency sound waves use a larger diaphragm to move the amount of air it takes to make these sounds. While smaller speakers can produce these lower frequency waves, they typically cannot produce the kind of quality that one would expect from a quality theater. Smaller speakers can often sound tinny when trying to produce these lower sounds. Large home theatre speaker towers are capable of handling this part of the soundtrack though it may require the reduction of sound quality from the mid and high range frequency speakers.

Choosing a good sound system with a quality bass speaker is not impossible, even for people who do not have a lot of experience. First, start with the subwoofer. Homeowners will need to consider whether they require a passive sub or an active woofer. A passive subwoofer does not need a separate power supply. Rather it uses power from the same amp that is driving the other home theatre speakers. Volume from the amplifier can usually be controlled, there is less control overall with a passive sub. An active sub has a separate power supply. This means that the signal received from the amplifier/receiver is enhanced by the subwoofer itself, without taking any of the power from the other speakers.

Once you have your home theater subwoofer and other speakers picked out, lay them out to get the best sound from each. Bass sound is omni-directional, meaning that it goes out from the speaker in all direction. To decide where to place the subwoofer, put it in the same position that you will be sitting in, whether it is on the couch facing the television screen or in a home theater chair. Turn on a favorite film then move around your room and listen. Find the spot that the bass sounds best and move your subwoofer to that location. It can be set on the ground, on a shelf or off of a wall depending on where you feel the best low tone sound is heard. Since the sounds are going out and bouncing around the room in roughly the same direction, the sound should be great when you get it into place.

We've all heard the laments of mothers and fathers forced to deal with the incessant thumping and pounding of boom box bass lines from their adolescent's car or room. There is something to say for the potential for this phenomenon to occur in a home theater as well. While walls, ceiling and floor will generally block high sound frequencies from leaving the room, they can actually increase the volume of the lower range sounds. While laying out your speakers, try to also find the right volume balance for all frequencies that your family can enjoy the sound quality a bass can provide without driving your neighbors crazy.

~Ben Anton, 2008
About the Author
Ben Anton lives in the Northwest and writes for Ronny's 5th St. Audio Vision.Oregon Home Theater Audio: Find the best in PSB, Dali and Quad speakers and receivers at RonnysAudioVision.com, the Northwest's complete home theatre audio and video web site.

Alpine Amplifiers Rock

Anytime a discussion about car audio comes up, brand-name Alpine amplifiers naturally come up too. They've established themselves as specialists in mobile multimedia -- which means they offer a comprehensive product line designed to incorporate sound security and navigation products for your car. Alpine is just one of those internationally known brand names -- famous for providing some of the best sound quality in some of the smallest packages available.They are even stackable but just as powerful as larger amplifiers typically used in vehicles, which is pretty cool considering the smaller amount of space you have in your car.

Some of them even come with any remote control which is also a kick and helps to show off to your buddies of course. It's no wonder that Alpine amplifiers are some of the most popular audio amplifiers in the industry combining both power and precision for exceptional sound output.
The PDX series remains one of the most popular amplifiers in demand all over the world today. It offers six different amps, with the top of the line PDX-1.1000 model pumping an amazing 1000 W. The prices for the PDX series currently range from $450 to about $900.

Dave MacKinnon, audio expert of osmlabs.com is quoted as saying
" The PDX-1.1000 and its bretheren make a bold statement in terms of step forward for amplifier technology and design. The effiency is stunning and an issue that every car audio enthusiast needs to sit up and pay attention to. The cool styling, compact chassis and industry-leading technology make this amp one well worth auditioning the next time you are in the market to provide some slam to your subwoofers."

The V- Power Alpine amplifier line offers a dozen different choices to crank up your audio system.

One of the most popular mono power amplifiers in this line is the MRP-M2000. This is the most powerful amplifier that Alpine has ever produced. You'll get some performance you've only dreamed of with this stylish, sleek and aggressive Alpine amplifier.
It gives you continuous power to your speakers and delivers cleaner ground shaking bass that would overload other inferior car amps. Prices in the V Power series currently range from $230 to about $650. Something for pretty much anyone on a budget and looking to squeeze the best sound quality out of their system.

About the Author
Declan writes for http://alpineamplifiers.blogspot.com/ to help you sort out Alpine amplifiers and gets you the best deals and bragging rights. Get over to http://alpineamplifiers.blogspot.com/ for the best prices and don't miss out.

Types of Amplifiers

Amplifiers are designed both for homes and vehicles, each with differing features suitable to the required space, need and specification. There are the stereo channels and the DVD audio support systems. For cars and other vehicles with the space constraint in mind, smaller and more compact amplifiers have been designed. They come even as small as 5.4cm high and 30.6 wide and there are others which measure 10+cms high and about 43cm wide. Car amplifiers have a class A/B MOSFET Circuitry which heightens the audio quality and the epoxy circuit board that ensures longer life because it comes with semi double glass. There is the variable high and low pass crossover of 50 to 120Hz and the bass boost buttons that can be switched on and off as required.

There are various brands offered in the market and most of them come at affordable prices. There are the RCA throughput connections which can be utilised effectively by the listener.

There is a three way protection circuitry which offers additional security in the car. Keeping the noise levels on the road in mind a special device has been added to help to keep the signal to noise ratio less than 100B.

The cooling fans guard against over heating. The block terminals of the amplifiers are made out of nickel plated coatings. The high gloss chrome plated finish gives a very sleek look to the device and enhances the ambience of the interior of the car. The special indications show up with cobalt blue illumination.

There are more complex amplifiers which come with more fine tuning features and tone adjustments. For better stereo effect there is a switch to balance the tone. There are five inputs found within the unit along with the tape unit. For outstanding amplification effects about 50RMS power is required.

For home needs where there is more space and the music system can be enhanced by better amplification the specifications may be slightly different. Some amplifiers measure 420mm width, 113mm height and 369mm depth. The quick response power supply circuit ensures that there is immediate response.

There are two phone pre - amplifiers and can function as AV receivers. Some offer a firm under base construction and stabilizing plate. There are aluminum side panels and metal insulators, a honey comb chassis and twin mono symmetrical construction. The equivalent serial resistance is a useful feature for high speed responses. Some also offer continuous power output up to 20 to 20,0000Hz at four Ohms and eight Ohms. The sound retriever analogue and the large speaker terminal for that extra amplification effect are quite out of ordinary. There is also the System remote control unit and LCD dimmer. Many of these are power saving machines because they run on low power.

Read unbiased reviews on Alpine, Cambridge, Sony amplifiers and much more at amplifiers reviews site.

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Why A Complete Car Audio System Is Necessary

In a complete car audio system, four aspects come up. The source, sound, bass and the power make up the intricate system of any car audio. The stereo is the source and you can have varieties of stereos and sources, while the sound and bass are taken care of by amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers. The system needs all these aspects to be powered in the right way. Why is a car audio system so necessary? this age old question has confirmed the love of music and entertainment by people from all walks of life. A car cannot be complete without a complete car audio system because there is a lot of boredom to withstand. Your favorite tunes always inspire you to go extra miles and a car audio system is crucial. Other shows you love also keep you keen and glued to your system they feed your imagination and inform you on what you need to know.

However, very few people have the complete system. Some of the components may be broken while others simply not replaced. Some people have thought that a complete car audio system is too expensive while others have no idea about the car audio systems and how they work. Others may be stuck with their systems for years not knowing about the new and cutting edge products that have been produced. Ignorance will play a major role in ensuring that current trends pass you. If you are not satisfied with your source search for good options in your local store and get inspired. You can get the stereos with the latest features or any other kind. They may include CD players, MP3 players and others. look at the new options available and make your decision.
The next thing you shop for are amplifiers and subwoofers. Find out the various kinds available and have some information on their description and functions. Going through their specifications will enlighten you on the great features they come with. Know if they can fit in your space and the subwoofers are specially designed to fit under your seat or in the cargo area. Know the kind of music and sound frequencies you like to enjoy in your car. Bass subwoofers give you a deep beat and transform your whole reception of music. Get to learn the characteristics of various brands and know the most popular. Popular brands are associated with quality but do not dismiss the others.

Smaller brands may be more affordable and as you consider price, put in mind the fact that you want to get fair deals. Go for offers and discounts because they will go a long way in cutting your overall cost. Absorb every information about the products and if need be, print out some information from sites. The information may be on their policies or terms and conditions. You can also print out information on installation if you plan to install your complete car audio system. It is wise not to buy the products at once, each item needs to have special thought and you will have a flexible plan to acquire every system. If you are still not convinced about the price, search for cheap audio systems and lay your fears to rest.

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Muna Wa Wanjiru is a web administrator, For more information on Car Audio System, visit his site at Car Audio SystemI Will Highly Appreciate Your Views About Car Audio System On My Blog Here Car Audio System

Car Audio and Video Systems - Entertainment for Your Journeys

The car audio and video systems are fitted inside the automobiles for getting wonderful entertainment. These equipments are really advanced and give great performance.

A considerable amount of time of our day is spent in travelling from one place to another. Most of us either drive cars or travel in them. The journey can be boring and lack luster if there is no provision for entertainment in the cars, specially when the journey is long and we spend more time in travelling. Listening to entertaining music tracks is the best way to make our journeys exciting and interesting. An efficient car audio system can give us great music while we are in the vehicle.

The car audio and video systems are the efficient music and video players that give great music and video playback. Generally the cars come with the stock car audio systems which are already installed in the automobile by the manufacturer, however most people prefer the custom systems which are configured as per the owner's choice. The most general car audio systems include an audio player with advanced speakers and with the provision of radio reception. Most of the people listen to music tracks and FM radio while driving.

Earlier tape decks were used in the cars, however now people prefer the advanced CD players that can play MP3, AAC, WMA and other music formats. Users can buy car audio and video systems from various outlets or online shops. More recently the trend of installing video players and screens in the cars has become popular. People prefer to watch movies and music videos while they are travelling long distances. The car video players along with LCD screens are used in the automobile to get the perfect entertainment. These screens can be fitted either above the rear view mirror or any other suitable location in the automobile.

It can either be integrated into the console of the equipment or as a separate unit such that can come out and can be folded up as well. The most important part of the car audio and video systems is the speakers. Powerful speakers with stereo phonic sounds and woofers are a must have for the people who want to enjoy reverberating music while driving. These days cheap car audio and video systems are present for sale on various online shopping portals.

These are fitted in the real shelves, doors and along the seats in the cars. They offer great sound quality and efficient volume control with enhanced effects like Bass, treble etc. The latest car audio and video equipments promise great fun and entertainment to the users.

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There are a lot of latest gadgets are available in our consumer electronics shop like Car CD Changers & Equalizers, car monitors to make your journey interesting & enjoyable.

Choosing A Car Audio System

Car audio system, in modern world, has become more of a symbol of status than of entertainment and utility. Selection of an audio system for your car can be as tough as buying clothes from a sales counter. In this case, at least a working knowledge on basic components of car system shall stand in good stead for the customer.

Deck, amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers are the essential ingredients of a car stereo system. A deck can range from simple cassette deck and CD player to hi-fi MP3 and mini disc gizmo. An amplifier, usually the symbol of power in the audio system, precisely, the power to blast, can have 1 to 7 channels. Fancy speakers will give the user enough mileage to hear and be heard. Subwoofers complement the low frequencies and bring forth the vibrations in a car that sets the rhythm in motion for the user.

Usually, most systems come with the facility of access to FM and AM radio. Different models of stereo can have multi channel mobile sound processors, digital media, navigation, steering wheel audio control adapter, etc. Acoustics must be adopted in the vehicle for maximum output from minimum input of the system. Also, it must be installed in the best possible manner for maximum audibility of the passengers and yet must not impinge on the guidelines set by motor vehicles authority.

Before zeroing in on one option, a user can easily shop via Internet from various service providers and settle for the best price. Here, quality and pricing will be complementary as it is a luxury item.

Also, the music system must be easy to handle and operate. As the user will mostly concentrate on driving while operating the system, cumbersome operations can create confusion and even disaster. Features of the audio system must also be compatible with the vehicle itself. A sleek car can do without a very big gadget, while larger vehicles can have added features in the stereo system.

Fitting the audio system into the car is an important consideration before you buy. Some service providers offer free services. Also, a user has to learn whether his motor insurance covers the audio system as well.

If you are a new user, it is best to go for simple audio system, instead of the advanced and highly customized ones. Also, it is better to use cheaper audio systems in the car used especially for children, as they are prone to damage it by their persistent experimentation. Most importantly, it is always advisable for the user to stick to his budget while choosing an audio system. One must remember that with the frenetic pace of technology and digitalization even the most advanced system can fall by the wayside within a span of as little as six months.

Hence a user must look for a quality, cheap and effective audio system for his recreation while he takes a ride out in this fast changing world.

About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos. You can find the best marketplace for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos at these sites for used DVDs, used movies, and

Car Woofers For Your Car Stereo

Woofers are the vital part of audio system. The term woofer is the modernized expression for speakers. Infact the term is used for the loudspeaker. Basically, woofers are the drivers that produce low frequency sound, ranges from 40 hertz to a kilohertz higher. Car woofers usually reproduce low bass frequency sound, such as audio frequencies below 35 Hz.

Audio systems used in cars most of the time are of standard quality. They mainly include a radio, compact disc player and a number of loudspeakers like tweeters, speakers and woofers. Actually, the sound quality obtained from the audio system depends on the loudspeakers used in the system. But the car speakers produce low frequency output and high power signal that generates acoustic energy, which tends to affect the output of the sensor. These acoustic problems that generally happen in the car interiors is that it becomes too reflective and noisy at ample frequencies. Therefore, for reinforcing lower band sounds in the car audio system, car woofers are additionally installed on the trunk of the car.

One more reason for installing the car woofers additionally in the back seat space or trunk of the car is the limited space. And it is just next to impossible to fit those drivers into doors or dashboard.

Sometimes people in a hope to produce very high sound pressure levels in the confines of their cars, add woofers in the cabin. It can be said that this sound pressure level competition has increased the demand for the car woofers. But if minutely considered, in the sound quality level, they have not gained much popularity.

There are normal consumer grade woofers that are capable of generating extremely high levels in cars due to the small volume of the typical car interior. But high sound levels are not actually recommended as they can cause hearing loss, if someone is exposed to them for longer period of time.

The most common car woofers used are the electrodynamic driver. They use a cone that is driven by a voice coil, surrounded by a magnetic field. The voice coil and the magnet form a linear electric motor. When current flows through the voice coil, it moves in relation to the frame, causing the coil to push or pull on the driver cone in a piston like way. However, the voice coil is attached by adhesives to the back of the speaker cone. And finally, the motion of the cone creates sound waves as it moves in and out.

However, there are various types of car woofers that produce different level of sound. Component woofers give powerful and accurate bass. It only needs to be connected to the amplifier and fit the woofer into an enclosure.

Enclosed woofer is a woofer that is matched to the enclosure of the car, at the factory.
Custom-fit woofer, is designed to fit into unused spaces of the cars. There are many models of this kind of woofer that come in well-built amplifiers for an all in one bass solution.

Powered woofer is a combination of a woofer and amplifier in a compatible enclosure. They come in variety of sizes like compact, small and large.

About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos. You can find the best marketplace for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos at these sites for used DVDs, used movies, and