http://51surroundsound.com/ en-us Copyright 2007 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:39:01 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Demystifying Surround Sound Terminology Just in case youfve been reading around and researching the many terms and topics that concern surround sound and the many surround sound systems on the market today, I thought it might be a good idea to explain some of the terminology that is floating around. First of all there are many initials names and numbers floating around when it comes to surround sound technology and equipment, itfs no wonder that many of us mere mortal consumers are more than a little confused by it all. Hopefully the information you find below will prove helpful as you weave through the wired jungles of modern sound technology. The first and probably most common thing you will see in these circles is Dolby Digital. While there are many complicated definitions of this term the one that will matter most to you, as a consumer is that right now it is the leading format on the market when it comes to processing the digital data that your system will need to process. There are better brands such as DTS when it comes to musical sound for this function but the vast majority of television broadcasts and DVDs are optimized for Dolby. Speaking of DTS, at the moment they are Dolbyfs primary competition. While most items you find on the market such as DVDs are viewable in both DTS and Dolby you need to make sure that they system you purchase whether Dolby or DTS can read both formats for those times when your favorite flick just might not be enhanced for both. Now perhaps the most confusing of terms when it comes to surround sound systems would be 5.1. It looks so innocent just sitting there but most people are ready to pull out their hair when they realize that it really stands for a system that includes 6 speakers rather than five. The g.1h in the name refers to the frequency of the subwoofer (or Low Frequency Effects-LFE), which is .1. Despite the existence of ebetterf systems on the market today, most movies are optimized for this particular set up so this will be of the most value to you with the current products on the market rather than spending more for systems that the DVD makes havenft yet caught up with. DTS ES refers to a format commonly referred to as 6.1. In this format there is one additional speaker moved to the center rear of the configuration and the two-rear left and right speakers are moved forward. And THX EX 7.1 is what happens when you add yet another speaker. There arenft too many films at the moment that use this particular format some notable exceptions would be the Star Wars movies. This means that movies havenft really caught up to the technology of either of these systems but they are on the market and some people simply must have them. I recommend going with a superior 5.1 channel surround sound system for the time being and adding speakers when there are more reasons to do so. This list is by no means exhaustive but will give you a basic overview of the information that is relevant to you as you look into the various surround sound systems on the market today. You shouldnft have to weed through volumes of confusing terminology in order to find out that the system you are interested in actually has 6 speakers rather than 5. My hope is that you can go in armed with basic knowledge that will help you make an informed buying decision.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000525.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000525.html 001Surround Sound Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:39:01 -0500 Surround Sound Speakers When you are building a home theater or surround sound system for your home there are many things that must be considered in order to create the best possible system and solution for the space you have in which to create it. We live in a world where floor space and real estate are premiums and we only give them up begrudgingly. It is very true that the best speakers on the market (even today) are generally stand speakers and they occupy a tremendous amount of prime real estate within your media room or home theater. For this reason we are seeing technological emphasis placed on improving speaker design and making them smaller more now than at any other time in the history of speakers. This is good news for you as a consumer since it means that there is both emerging technology in these smaller speakers and that you will see lower price in the race to create the best small speakers on the market. For many consumers this offers a win-win situation that is too tempting to pass when shopping. It is important however that you remember to see, or in this case hear, for yourself the quality of these smaller speakers before you make the rather sizeable investment that a good set of surround sound speakers will require. The good news for those of you are experiencing a little bit of sticker shock over the price tag is that speakers should be the largest investment you make in your total surround sound system by far. They are the most vital components to the overall sound and your entire investment will be wasted in your other equipment if you do not have superior quality speakers in your system. While the number of speakers will increase the quality and depth of the sound and the overall surround experience, good quality is more important than greater numbers, you can always add more speakers to your collection later. I do urge you to purchase the entire set together if possible however, if you can only purchase 6 (remember therefs a subwoofer involved as well) rather than 8 at first, then I recommend that you do that rather than going with inferior quality in order to get two more speakers. If you do not purchase your speakers as a complete set you need to make sure that the speakers you purchase later are compatible with the speakers in your surround sound system. In most cases this isnft a problem if you purchase the same brand and style however if there has been a significant passage of time or shift in technology it could prove problematic. A typical set of speakers for a 5.1 channel surround sound system will include two channel speakers (front left and right), one front center channel speaker, two rear channel speakers (rear left and right) and a subwoofer. A 6.1 channel surround sound system adds one more speaker in the center rear and moves the rear left and right speakers of a 5.1 system to the side left and right respectively. A 7.1 channel surround sound system will add an additional rear speaker and have one on each side rather than one in the center. The sound is the most important feature of any surround sound system and there are many things that go into creating the perfect sound. When it comes to home theaters and surround sound systems the only way to know for sure that you will be getting what you want for your space is to listen to the sound. You may find that what sounded like sound nirvana in the sound room doesnft ring so true in your living room. Make sure that the store or website from which you are purchasing has a liberal return policy on components and speakers?especially speakers as they are the most costly components of your surround sound system and the most expensive to replace.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000524.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000524.html 004Surround Sound Speakers Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:07:49 -0500 Surround Sound for the Little Ones If you have a family that loves movies and music the best gift you can give yourself is a second home theater for the little ones. Seriously, how many times has the Sunday game interfered with or been interrupted to the little onefs needs to watch Disneyfs latest and greatest flick? I know these meltdowns occur far too regularly in my household. This is why a second home theater is an excellent idea. Your children learn important lessons and you get to watch television on occasion without tantrums and meltdowns. There are many benefits to you for building a secondary home theater system not the least of which is spare parts should anything ever happen to yours. I know in our home I was worried that I would never see the kids once we built a system for them but the truth is they each have different tastes as well and sometimes prefer what we are watching over what brother and/or sister are watching. We also have the knowledge that our television is still bigger than theirs and there is always that to draw them back into the land of the living rather than holing up in their basement theater hide away. Getting back to the benefits, the kids are learning to take turns even establishing a schedule and sticking to it. They are learning to make responsible choices and even to work together on occasion and compromise in favor of watching all of favorite programs that are close to ending but not quite over. Itfs great to see them cooperating rather than fighting all the time. It also allows them a place to take their friends when they come over that they are responsible for cleaning up and keeps the mess out of our home theater space (my personal favorite reason for having two home theaters). For even more benefits when it comes to a second home theater in your home is that your children learn very quickly what it means to break something such as the components in their home theater and arenft likely to do so again. It teaches responsibility on a level that most toys that are lost and broken one week after Christmas could never get across. They learn to take care of the equipment, to wipe off the fingerprints, not to throw things at it, and not to pull it off the shelves and leave it on the floor as they do with their other toys. This is something that matters to them and I have been amazed at how well they have taken care of it. Finally, a home theater system is an awesome tool for discipline. The threat of not allowing any one or all of them not to watch their home theater with surround sound or any other television in the household for that matter is a fate worse than death for them most of the time and enough to get them to walk on the straight and narrow. The few times this privilege has been revoked have been quite effective in creating a much more cooperative atmosphere of harmony at home or at school. While there are many who believe that a home theater or surround sound system for the kids is overkill I firmly believe that it is an incredible privilege and responsibility that prepares them to deal with the world outside as they grow older. They are already learning about negotiation, cooperation, and respect.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/home-surround-sound/000523.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/home-surround-sound/000523.html 002Home Surround Sound Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:36:37 -0500 Proper Surround Sound Setup If you are in the market for a brand new surround sound system Ifm pretty sure youfve been a little baffled by all the options, bells, whistles, gadgets, gizmos, and price tags on the market today. Trust me, you are not alone. One of the most baffling things to many potential surround sound system consumers is where on earth should you put all the speakers. I intend to answer that question and a few more over the course of the next few paragraphs and hope that you will read along. The first thing you need to understand is that there are several different types of surround sound systems. The industry standard and most common is the 5.1 channel surround sound system. This set up calls for the use of five speakers plus one subwoofer in addition to the receiver. The five speakers are the front speakers which include a left, right, and center speaker and the left and right surround speakers that are located to the left and right from the rear. You should also have a subwoofer located behind you in order to create the ebass notesf of sound. The next two types of surround sound systems include the 6.1 channel and 7.1 channel system. The primary differences in these are the addition of one additional speaker for each. You will be glad to know that most receivers will accommodate the 8 total speakers of a 7.1 channel surround sound system but you may want to check in order to be certain you can upgrade if you chose to buy a 5.1 channel system for the time being. The addition of speakers when you upgrade change the layout of the speakers in your home. The more speakers you have, the greater sound you will enjoy, however, the better the quality of your speakers, the better quality your sound will have. In other words donft go with lower quality speakers in the beginning in order to have more speakers, as you will be shooting the quality of sound you can experience in the foot. It is better to buy fewer speakers in the beginning and add to your system over time in order to receive better quality. When it comes to the placement of the additional speakers if you upgrade to a 6.1 channel surround sound system you will move the speakers currently in the left and right rear to the left and right side and place the new speaker in the center back. If you then upgrade to the 7.1 channel surround sound system you will move the speaker that is in the center to the rear left and place the new speaker to the rear right. This allows you to be literally surrounded by the sound in order to maximize your listening experience. Of course this is only a recommendation and it is entirely up to you what will work best within your home and according to your tastes and wants in a surround sound system. Not everyone hears music or sound the same and the experience for each will vary greatly from one person to the next. For this reasons it is also a good idea to be sure you have listened to the system in a store before deciding on one and bringing it home. This is a wise decision regardless. I also recommend taking more than one CD or DVD for the listening process in order to make sure the quality is consistent through different mediums. While the setup of your system is very important to the sound experience it is quite difficult provided you follow the directions (you didnft forget to read those did you?). Whether this is your first home theater or surround sound system or one of many upgrades youfve made along the way Ifm sure you will agree that the sound is far superior to the two speaker systems of days not that long ago.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/how-to-hook-up-surround-sound/000522.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/how-to-hook-up-surround-sound/000522.html 006How to Hook Up Surround Sound Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:05:25 -0500 Surround Sound Possibilities In case you are wondering why so many people make the investment in surround sound equipment, systems, and speakers there are many reasons for many different people. When it comes to surround sound, just as with many other things in life there is no one size fits all answer though for the most part the answer wouldnft be because Mr. Jones has one (well maybe for some it would but for the most part it has more to do with wanting the system for a specific reason). There are a few common reasons that people decide to invest in surround sound and home theater systems and we will explore a few of them over the course of the next few paragraphs. Perhaps you will find the inspiration to get a surround sound system of your very own. I will start with my very own personal reasons. First, when I was growing up my father was the manager of our local cinema. I spent many nights sleeping in the office and watching movies from the projector room and those are some of the fondest memories of my childhood. I will never forget watching The Return of the Jedi the night before it was released in the projector room with my father and a few members of the theater staff but there was nothing compared to watching the movies inside the auditorium. What was different? The sound. There is not enough that can be said about the quality of sound inside a theater and in days long past it simply couldnft be imitated at home. However technology has been evolving over the course of the last ten years that is allowing us to bring the same quality of sound into our homes for a reasonable price. That is reason enough for me?to relive fond childhood memories. Another excellent reason for bringing a surround sound system into your home is not so much for watching movies or enjoying the big screen as for the enjoyment of video games. Whether you are playing in the World of Warcraft or one of the many other wonderful worlds that have been created for online gaming enjoyment you will find that surround sound is a beneficial tool in keeping your character alive and intact. These games provide important clues that place you in the center of action with knowledge of what is going on around you if you take advantage of the audible clues, hints, and tips that are provided through ambient surround sounds. If the reasons above arenft enough to convince you to take a trip over to the bright side of the entertainment room, then perhaps the enhancements that surround sound provides to music will do the trick. Imagine hearing your favorite music with a fuller and richer sound, with the nuances completely defined and obvious to the ear. There is so much that can be said about the difference that surround sound makes (more with some types of music than others) and yet not enough that can be said about it. If you enjoy live recordings, imagine the ability to become a part of the crowd as the ambient sounds of being there fill your room. Itfs truly an amazing effect for music. As you can see there are many reasons to bring the wonders of surround sound into your home. I hope this article has shed some light on ways that it could improve your multimedia enjoyment and possibly given you some ideas for expanding your current use of your surround sound system.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000521.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000521.html 001Surround Sound Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:34:13 -0500 Common Surround Sound Formats In case you hadnft figured it out by now, surround sound is named as it is because the sound literally surrounds the listener. While there have recently been significant leaps and bounds in this technology there was a huge gap in time between the introduction of this technology and the significant improvements we have seen in recent years. This is especially true when the evolution of sound technology is compared to how fast the world of video has evolved over the last three decades. There are many different formats on the market today. This can be confusing for many consumers though the good news is that most devices that interpret the formats do so automatically. In other words, you wonft need a PhD in terminology in order to enjoy the latest blockbuster hit to come out on DVD with your surround sound system. You will however need a good AV receiver and even better speakers in order to get the maximum enjoyment from your home theater and surround sound system. If you are simply curious or like to know a little about a lot, then you just might find some of the following explanations for common surround sound formats to be useful. Dolby Digital AC-3 is by far the most commonly seen surround sound format. It is a 5.1 channel format (this means five speakers plus one subwoofer). This is what most DVDs will include and some programs that are found on digital cable or satellite channels will have this type of surround sound as well. You can use Dolby Digital for older mediums that do not include surround sound in their format, as surround isnft required in order to use the system. Pro Logic is a system used by Dolby in order to translate or decode the signals from other mediums such as old videocassette tapes or television broadcasts. This is becoming widely known for its ability to take two speaker sounds and turn them into shockingly realistic surround imitations. DTS is the largest competitor for Dolby when it comes to sound. DTS is this companyfs answer to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. This is mostly seen only on DVDs. DTS-ES is the above-mentioned companyfs answer to Dolbyfs 6.1 surround system (this is 6 speakers plus 1 subwoofer). Of course DTS is also going to have their own answer to Pro Logic and that answer would be DTS NEO:6, which is said to produce great imitations of surround sound from existing 2 channel mediums very much like Pro Logic. You may be wondering why we went through all of this information and the primary reason is so that you know there is a difference and you purchase equipment and DVDs that are compatible with one another. Failure to do so could result in a sound that is less than desirable. Most systems will at the very least support both Dolby Digital and DTS, however, you should make sure that you are aware of the format your system requires from the start in order to make the proper decisions when purchasing. Much like anything in life the proper formats and surround sound system comes down to a matter of choice. The more speakers (such as you would find in the 6.1 or 7.1 surround systems) will present a great quality of sound than fewer, however poor quality speakers can completely ruin the beauty of the sound of your surround sound system. Your speakers should be your single largest investment when it comes to building your ideal surround sound system. There are many things that go into creating not only the perfect surround sound system for your home but also the perfect surround sound set up. Do not get so caught up in researching these systems online that you neglect to walk into your local stores and actually hear the sound systems you are considering for purchase. There is noting like hearing the quality of the sound to help you make your final selection.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000520.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000520.html 001Surround Sound Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:03:01 -0500 Space Saving Surround Sound Solutions Space has become the final frontier when dealing with many things on this planet rather than off. In our homes, space is often a premium, particularly that oh so valuable floor space that is always inviting something to occupy it. The good news is that they surround sound systems of today have gone a long way towards conquering the old dilemma of needing too much prime real estate in your living room, media room, or home theater. While floor speakers still offer a superior sound in many cases over the satellite speakers that have traditionally been on the market technology is evolving and the quality of these smaller systems is rapidly catching up to the quality of their bulkier predecessors. It seems that retailers are growing savvy to a problem that is rapidly becoming a worldwide problem, especially in the age of modern technology. People have more stuff and yet we seem to have less space in which to put all that great stuff. For this reason, there has been a recent trend of making things smaller, slimmer, stream lined, and most importantly when it comes to surround sound systems, portable. The invention of wireless speakers for surround sound systems that can sit on shelves or be hung on the walls is one of the greatest advances wefve seen in sound technology in the last few years. Even better is the fact that competition is fierce in this particular market which actually works to keep prices lower than they would be if there werenft so many companies competing for your business. If space is your biggest limitation when it comes to purchasing a surround sound system for your home, you no longer have to put off enjoying the theater quality sound youfve desired for your movie viewing pleasure. You can now have the best of both worlds: sound and space, and live with the results. The quality of these smaller surround sound systems is quite good if you take the time to know what you are getting before you buy. In addition to the great space saving ability of these smaller systems, you can also find some real bargains if you opt to purchase a ehome theater in a boxf or surround sound systems as a set rather than individual components. Ifve always been one to shy away from the box sets from fear of inferior quality (which has been true in the past). Ifm proud to say that I am now a convert as I have watched even my favorite brands (and quality that I trust) leap into the box system market. I have also noticed the much nicer price tag associated with purchasing systems rather than buying individual components and the savings are significant. In other words, these systems are not only saving space but are also saving money. You canft really argue with that kind of a deal when your limitations may have been limited to money and space in the past. If you happen to be worried about power you really shouldnft. Quality is still important in your speakers, it will always be of monumental importance but you will not need nearly the amplification in a small room that a larger room or theater would require. This means that these smaller systems really are ideal for the space that you have. When space is your limitation we live in a world where creating more space is next to impossible now and really will be impossible in the future as the amount of space we have is finite and the population continues to grow and take up more of that valuable space. Our best bet is to learn to maximize and utilize the space we have. Making speakers smaller, more easily portable (by being wireless), and allowing them to hang on walls or sit on shelves rather than occupying valuable floor space we are making the most of what we have and are still able to enjoy some of the good things in life we desire.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/home-surround-sound/000519.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/home-surround-sound/000519.html 002Home Surround Sound Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:31:49 -0500 Selecting the Right Speakers When it comes to your surround sound or home theater system, the quality of your speakers can really make or break the overall experience. Good quality speakers are one of, if not, the most important components when it comes to your home theater and surround sound system. You need to take action from the very beginning in order to make sure that you are not getting substandard speakers for your entertainment system whether your surround sound system is going to be used for your television viewing, home theater, music enjoyment, or to enhance your gaming experience on your personal computer the quality of the speakers will have a huge impact on how much you enjoy your system. The problem is that most people do not even know where to begin when it comes to selecting and purchasing speakers. There are a few guidelines you can follow when making your decisions about speakers that will help you make better buying decisions in order to get higher quality speakers (budget allowing of course, though I recommend putting off the purchase until you can save up enough rather than purchasing inferior quality because it is within your price range). There are many different types of speaker systems. Speakers that have received THX certification are generally your top of the line speakers. They will have very little distortion and a nice clear sound. If you can get your hands on a set of these and they fit within your budget constraints I highly recommend going with speakers that are THX certified. The sound, however should be the ultimate deciding factor when selecting speakers and quite frankly you will have to hear the sound for yourself in order to decide which sound you prefer. Speakers, like anything are always a matter of preference. You can hear many different speakers and some people find that they all sound alike while others feel that the amount of distortion in some is simply unbearable and still others simply blame poor quality music on the sounds they hear in the speakers. The fact is that there are different determinations for quality and everyone has their own preferences and things that are important to them when listening to music and things that they feel can be sacrificed. I happen to be a bit of a sound snob so sacrifice isnft a word I like to hear when it comes to sound quality. There are some things you can do in order to insure that you are getting a good quality set of speakers for your surround sound system. First, you should listen and make sure that the high sounds do not seem distorted or as though they were being made inside a tin can. You should also check that the midrange sounds are clear and resonant. You should also make sure that the speakers are not trying to do the job of the subwoofer, it is there for a reason and has a job?other speakers in the set shouldnft be trying to do it (if they are, it typically indicates problems with the subwoofer). Blend is important in a set of speakers. You do not want one speaker overpowering the others. If the music sounds too shrill or the middle range notes are overpowering, this is probably not the system for your needs. It is recommended that you try the sound systems you are considering with different types of music and mediums (particularly if you will be using your surround sound system for a home theater or gaming system in addition to music). I always recommend the first 10 minutes of the movie Top Gun to check out sound when it comes to home theaters. You should also bring a copy of your favorite CD (as that is what you will probably listen to most on your system) and perhaps a few other CDs that show a variety. Listen to how different sounds are made on the system and choose according to the best overall system in order to have the most adaptability within your surround sound system.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000518.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000518.html 004Surround Sound Speakers Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:00:37 -0500 Budget Friendly Surround Sound A good home theater and surround sound system for your movie enjoying pleasure is a rather large investment for the common movie buff?at least if you are purchasing a really high quality system for your home theater or media room. This isnft to say that you cannot find decent surround sound systems for small spaces that come with much lower price tags than you will ordinarily find on the market. In fact, there are many ways in which you can buy a decent surround sound system for a small room even if you are limited by budget constraints. Second Hand Systems Buying second hand from Ebay carries some degree of risk but a reputable seller is often a good place to start. There are some people who simply canft stand to have technology that is 6 months or even 6 days for some matters, old. Their loss is your gain as you can score a really nice surround sound system, speakers included at amazingly low prices if the bidding works in your favor and you know a little about brands and quality. Pawnshops and electronics consignment stores are other good places to find bargains on this particular sort of equipment. Buy Boxed Sets Ifm typically opposed to box sets when it comes to electronics as there have been many instances in the past where these were merely a method of pawning off inferior goods on an unsuspecting public. However, big names such as Bose have gone over to the dark side so to speak and are beginning to offer box sets of surround sound speakers at surprisingly and amazingly reasonable price tags. There are cheaper brands than Bose, donft get me wrong, I use them as an indication of the wide variety and standards you will find in surround sound speaker systems that come in box sets today. The good news is that you can get really good prices on speaker systems such as this if you are willing to shop around. Compare Prices It really does pay in this day and age to do just that. Even if you have a favorite retailer chances are that you could get a better price through them by doing a simple search online and looking for a lower advertised price. If not, it might be worth your while to go with the Internet provider this time and save your money for DVDs and music with which to enjoy your new surround sound system. I also recommend seeing what local competition has to offer; youfll be amazed at some of the wonderful bargains you can find by walking into a store on any given day. I know that stores like Circuit City have great bargains on featured items during the week in order to boost sales. You never know when one of those items might be an outstanding surround sound systems or a phenomenal set of speakers. Wait it out If you have your heart set on one surround sound system and nothing else will do, then it may be in your best interest to wait until the price drops. In electronics terms that often means waiting about 6 months or until the next consumer expo event (this is when all the new technology is introduced, which makes all the existing technology drop its prices in order to seem more appealing). Both of these options may seem unappealing but can mean very real and very significant savings on your part if you are willing to wait in order to get what you really want. Not only does this give you time for the prices to decrease but also for the size of your savings to increase. While shopping on a budget isnft always the preferred method it is very possible to get a decent home theater or surround sound system for your home even if you are working within the limits of a seriously impaired budget.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/cheap-surround-sound/000517.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/cheap-surround-sound/000517.html 005Cheap Surround Sound Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:29:25 -0500 Why Surround Sound? If you are one of the many people around the world who hasnft yet switched to surround sound or a home theater system of some sort you may be wondering what the big fuss is all about. Can it really make that much of a difference to watching the television? The answer to that is that unless you have difficulties with your hearing, surround sound can make a marked impact on your overall movie viewing, computer gaming, and music listening experience. There is nothing like being in the center of the action and surround sound puts you in just that spot. You can hear the sounds the victim hears in your favorite crime drama from the same direction from which she hears those same sounds. You are literally in the middle of the action right along with her. Your heart will beat right along with subwoofer as anticipation builds (courtesy once again of the surround sound system) in your favorite suspense thriller. Itfs almost indescribably the way in which surround sound enriches the movie watching experience for even the most casual of movie watchers. I will be the first to admit that Ifm notorious for knitting or reading while watching television or movies and only looking up when something captures my attention?generally something I heard or a flash on the screen. This means that sound actually makes me pay attention to what is going on in the movies that I am listening to. I have noticed a marked difference in my interest in movies and television shows since adding surround sound to our home theater system. More and more often I am noticing that scarves and such take twice as long to accomplish and I blame it entirely on the superior sound that is part and parcel to our surround sound system. You may not be someone who watches all that much television or even that goes to the movies all that often. If computer games happen to be your thing then you are going to love what surround sound can do for you. In case youfve forgotten that little bit about it placing you in the center of the action, this works wonders in game and provides important hints to you as to what is going on around you. You can hear the bad guys (or merely the other side) as they attempt to sneak up on you and know where they are coming from. You can hear the hoof beats in the distance or hear the fires burning in barrels off to your left. You can hear the starships flying by as if you were right next to them in the middle of it all. Itfs truly an amazing boost to game reality and to the fun of gaming. For music lovers, you can feel as though you were sitting right in front of the orchestra or on the front row at a concert for your favorite band. If you are playing music that is recorded live you will really enjoy the feeling of being in the middle of the crowd without the smoke and other fumes that might otherwise detract from your good time. Whether your first love is video, movies, games, or music surround sound has a way to make each of those experiences even more enjoyable in the comfort of your home.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000516.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000516.html 001Surround Sound Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:58:13 -0500 The AV Receiver The surround sound receiver is an important piece of equipment that is more commonly referred to as the AV receiver. AV in this particular instance refers to audio and video. In other words, the receiver receives all this information and then plays traffic cop directing it where it should go. If you purchase an all in one sort of AV receiver you will notice that in addition to conducting traffic this particular tool wears many hats when it comes to effectively running your home theater or surround sound system. The receiver functions in the capacity of a switch for all audio and visual information that comes into your home theater system. This device takes all the source information and data and literally switches (or translates if you will) that data into pictures and sound. Without something to operate in this capacity it would be impossible to have a home theater system as the information couldnft be properly filtered and translated into the areas in which it needs to go. Surround decoding is yet another task that the AV receiver performs with grace. Surround sound is encoded onto the discs that we play in our theater or sound equipment. The most common type of encoding is designed for 5.1 channel surround sound systems such as Dolby Digital or DTS receivers. There are others that exist but the vast majority of DVDs are designed and encoded for the above mentioned 5.1 channel systems. As if these werenft enough the AV receiver also works in the capacity of a signal processor. Common signals that are processed by the receiver are the following: THX post-processing, bass management, digital audio decoding, and simulated soundfields. If at all possible and budget friendly to do so you should really take the effort to find an AV receiver that is THX certified. The requirements to meet the minimal certification standards make a system that meets those standards an excellent investment for your home theater or surround sound needs. Amplification is yet another of the many tasks performed regularly by your AV receiver. This is an important task to your surround sound and the overall etheatricalf experience of viewing movies on your home theater. You will probably be wise to check with your retailer about how much amplification you actually need in your home theater, as there are many mitigating factors that affect that number. Among some of the mitigating factors are: ceiling height, square footage of the room, flooring material and other things as well). While more power is good in most situations there are times when it is simply too much for your system to handle. This is one reason that many people opt to buy ready-made box kits for their surround sound and home theater needs. Last but certainly not least, the AV receiver actually works as a tuner for AM/FM radio. Donft be too shocked and awed by all the jobs that this one little device does, just remember this when you see the sticker price and think to yourself how much more you would pay if you were buying a separate device for each of these functions. We should all be grateful to the person who invented this particular contraption and be glad to pay the price we are paying for the amazing sound that is produced.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-receiver/000515.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-receiver/000515.html 003Surround Sound Receiver Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:27:01 -0500 Upgradeable Surround Sound There are many great and not so great surround sound and home theater systems on the market today. With so many from which to choose how on earth do you know what to look for in order to get your moneyfs worth? The answer to that just might be easier than you have imagined. The thing to remember when it comes to technology is that it is constantly evolving. This means that it is in your best interest to find a surround sound or home theater system that is upgradeable. In fact, I would say that this alone would be my number one requirement when purchasing a home theater or surround sound system in todayfs market. If you purchase an AV receiver that has room to expand as technology for sound advances then you have the foundation for building an even better system over time. If you can find a good deal on an AV receiver that is also THX certified then you are setting the stage for an outstanding system once you have everything in place. While speakers are extremely important you can buy the 5 speakers plus subwoofer that you will need for a 5.1 channel surround sound system at a reasonable price and make plans to purchase better speakers in time. You want to make certain that the speakers you buy are some that you can definitely live with as you save for even better speakers in the future but buying a set for now that has a decent quality of sound rather than stretching your budget for those that are better means that you can save your money and in time buy an even better set of speakers for your surround sound system or home theater. The really good news is the speakers you like today that are just out of your price range will be priced lower this time next year. Of course, there will be even better speakers on the market by that time. If you save your money over the course of the next year in a year you can upgrade to a far superior system even while youfve been enjoying the system you currently own the entire time. Imagine how much more pleasure you will receive from your investment once youfve made an upgrade? Another great thing to think about when it comes to upgrades is that they are not an all or nothing proposition. You can upgrade one piece at a time and never have to go without in order to achieve excellent sound quality that simply keeps getting better. While I know on one hand that sacrifice is good for the soul Ifm never too thrilled about giving up things that bring me pleasure in order to get better things later. Doing things this way I get to have great sound while Ifm saving for even better sound in the future. Itfs like having your caking and your neighbors cake too! As you wander through the aisles of your local electronics store and check out all the options that are available be sure to take the time to look at things you will wish to make plans for in the future. Be sure that the components you buy today are in line with the things youfd like to add to your surround sound system in the future and donft lose sight of the ultimate goal by overspending on a starter set.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000514.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound/000514.html 001Surround Sound Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:55:49 -0500 Professional Installation or Sweat Equity? One of the biggest debates that arises when purchasing a decent surround sound system or home theater is whether or not to handle the installation yourself. For that question the answer is completely relative to the level of complexity of your system and your understanding of physics and electronics. Many of the box kits on the market today are simple to install and could be done fairly quickly (in the course of a couple of hours or an afternoon) even by rank amateurs such as myself. If you are purchasing a massive home theater or surround sound system that has very rigorous requirements in order to guarantee the type of sound you paid good money to receive it might be in your best interest to make the investment of a professional installation. It is important to remember that home theater kits come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. The fact that you could easily install a $500-$2,000 kit doesnft mean that a home theater that costs in excess of $20,000 is as simple of a matter to install (though at that price I firmly believe it should be self installing). The point is if youfve paid that kind of money for a home theater or surround sound system you want to make sure that you are absolutely getting your moneyfs worth on the listening end. A professional installation is one way to make sure of that. Installation is expensive in some cases as everything that has the word professional in front of it. One thing you can do in order to curtail that cost to some degree is shop around and compare prices, you might find one retailer that is willing to throw in free installation in order to make the sale. If the cost of professional installation makes up the difference between the lowest offer elsewhere go for it, you will have saved money and still managed the professional installation that truly is in your best interest. Another thing you will want to do is find out whether or not self-installation might nullify any warranties. There are occasions where this is the case and you do not want to risk your warranty on a $20,000 surround sound speaker system in order to save a couple of hundred dollars on installation up front. There is a lot that can be said over the power of saving money, however, there are some risks that simply arenft worth it. For me, this is one of those risks. There is simply too much that could go wrong to operate without a warranty. While there is some degree of satisfaction that goes along with doing things for yourself there are times when the process is nothing more than an exercise in futility. If you must install yourself (and some of us simply canft resist the urge) then you should take care from the very beginning to closely follow all instructions for installation and operation in order to get the best possible results. The problem is that too many of us never bother reading the instructions until we are stuck and at that point it is sometimes way along in the process to have to start completely over?trust me, Ifve been there on this one. If you are one of many people around the world who has purchased a box set of surround sound speakers or a home theater kit you should find that the installation process is simple and straightforward and shouldnft require professional expertise in order to accomplish. Consider yourselves lucky in this and get to work. Pretty soon you will be enjoying theater quality sound from your surround sound system whether you are listening to music, movies, or the latest game. Whether you choose professional installation or not I wish you the best of luck building your new surround sound system and many hours of happy listening to whatever is on the deck for today.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/how-to-hook-up-surround-sound/000513.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/how-to-hook-up-surround-sound/000513.html 006How to Hook Up Surround Sound Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:24:37 -0500 Speaker Quality Speaks Volumes There are many pieces, parts, and components to a home theater system. One of the most important when it comes to achieving the overall emovie goingf experience is surround sound. While there are many pieces of equipment for the average home theater that can be purchased over time, surround sound is typically one component that needs to be purchased together if possible, at the very least it is wise to purchase the speakers as a set rather than mixing and matching quality and sounds. Just as the surround sound system is one of, if not the most important components in a good home theater system, the speakers are the most integral and important component of any decent surround sound system. You can skimp on some aspects of quality in amplifiers, receivers, and even tuners but if you skimp on the quality of your speakers it will not matter how much of an investment youfve made in everything else because the sound will be inferior. People define their movie going experiences differently. For some, it is the smell of freshly popped popcorn that defines the experience and others find that the dark colors and the sweet smell of the syrup from the soda fountains is part of the experience (some things simply canft be imitated easily at home). There are many however, who find that sound is what sets the theater apart from home movie viewing and the one thing that keeps them coming back despite the interruptions provided by other patrons with cell phones, hungry children, or frequent trips to the restrooms. The one thing that sets a theater apart for many people is one thing that we now have the technology to bring into our homes. Even better is the fact that the price tag on this particular technology is decreasing as competition, supply, demand, and technological advances increase. There is never too much to be said about how quickly the newness of electronics expires in order to be replaced by something newer and better next year. I remember a time when DVD players were priced well over $300 for the most basic of models. You can purchase them now for a mere $30 if you can find a decent sale and those models have more features than the originals. Can you imagine how little surround sound systems will be selling for an a few short years? We are already seeing significant price drops in the box systems that are being sold on the market today. Gone are the days when these systems were merely the off brands trying to generate some sells by offering a low price and questionable quality. The boxed surround sound systems of today are carrying well-known names as their brands and providing some pretty stiff competition to those who arenft willing to offer the box sets when it comes to price. That being said, you will want to take the effort to listen to any system you are considering before you buy it. It takes no small investment of time and energy in order to set up a surround sound system and while there are no guarantees that a system will sound the same in your home or apartment as it sounds in the store having a clue as to any problems before getting it home and setting it up will save both time and money in the long run. If the speakers you buy arenft adequate quality for the system you have purchased the sound will disappointing to say the least. My favorite scene for testing the sound quality of surround sound systems is the first 10 minutes of the movie Top Gun. Buy the DVD and take it with you whenever you try out systems for your home. If you find one set or system that blows you away with the quality of sound you should seriously consider that for your home theater and surround sound system.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000512.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/surround-sound-speakers/000512.html 004Surround Sound Speakers Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:53:25 -0500 Surround Sound for Meager Budgets Buying a surround sound system or home theater on a budget doesnft have to be mission impossible. In fact, it is quite easy to work with almost any budget when purchasing these systems in todayfs marketplace. The thing you have to remember is that you do most often get what you pay for and the higher quality systems are going to cost more money. It is often difficult once youfve experienced the difference in sound quality of the higher end surround sound systems to make the decision to purchase one that fits within lower budget requirements but you can get sound quality for a lower price and stay on budget if you shop very carefully. The first thing you need to do is set priorities. If you are looking for a surround system, then focus on that rather than flitting back and forth between home theaters and surround sound systems. You will do much better economically and quality wise to go with a surround sound system rather than a home theater in a box sort of kit in the same price range and the only major difference is that a home theater kit in a box often comes with a DVD player. The sacrifice usually lies in the speaker when you purchase a kit such as this for your home. You can not only save money by purchasing the surround sound system as a stand alone system you can get better quality in both the sound system and the DVD/DVR if you purchase them separately rather than together. You can find speakers and components for surround systems in all kinds of price ranges. You want to make sure that if you are purchasing a box set for your surround sound system that it has all the parts and components you will need in order to get theater quality sound. These sets and systems can be found at amazing prices in large retail chains around the country. If you are willing to wait for sales you can even get better prices on them. Set a budget before you begin shopping however and do not allow yourself to be talked into something that is outside your budget. There will always be temptations to spend more when it comes to electronics. That bigger screen, the larger subwoofer, the better amplifier?therefs always one more temptation to get your dollars. The thing you must be prepared for is not only to try to get the best quality and greatest functionality for the least amount of money but also to stay within a certain budget limit in order to accomplish your goal. If you overspend now, it will result in delays for upgrades or additions later on. Another thing you can do in order to stay within budget is to purchase a 5.1 surround sound system with 6 speakers (5 plus the subwoofer) that can expand to a 7.1 speakers with the addition of speakers over time. This allows you to expand and improve your system in time but gives you a good starting point, provided that you have good quality speakers. There really isnft enough that can be said about the budget friendliness of a system that can be upgraded and expanded over time. If you get a nice base system it is possible that you will be able to change the speakers over time as your budget becomes more flexible and electronics friendly (you will need to check and make sure as to matters of compatibility however). Despite the high price of many surround sound and home theater systems, it is quite possible to own a system of your very own and greatly enhance your home television viewing and sound experience greatly without going to debtorfs prison on the process. Take the time to compare prices, learn what you absolutely need and what you can live without, and start small, then build up to a better system rather than going into the buying process with an all or nothing attitude. You just might find that you have a far superior system over time with half the investment others have made in theirs.]]> http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/cheap-surround-sound/000511.html http://51surroundsound.com/surround-sound/cheap-surround-sound/000511.html 005Cheap Surround Sound Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:22:13 -0500