Home Theater

Home Theater, Now here is a scary subject. So many options, so many brands, so many decisions. Well, let Chicagoland Wiring take the worry out of the process.

We have several years of experience building $2000 systems to $60,000 systems. We will design the right system for you, your budget and your environment.

Our wide variety of equipment and resources allows us to guarantee your satisfaction. You will love your new Home Theater, Guaranteed.

Audio: Surround Sound

Video: Types of Display

HDTV or EDTV or SDTV? What is what? What should I get? Click Here to find out!

Audio

5.1 Surround

5.1 uses:

  • Five full-range audio channels:
    • Three for speakers at the front (stereo left and right, plus centre mono)
    • Two for surround speakers at the side or rear (stereo left and right)
  • A sixth, low-frequency effects (LFE) channel carries supporting deep bass sound effects, ranging from 10Hz to 120 Hz, which can for example be used by a subwoofer.

This notation, e.g. '5.1', reflects the number of full range, discrete channels; including a ".1" to reflect the limited range of the LFE channel.

e.g. 5 full-range channels + 1 LFE channel = 5.1

It can also be expressed as the number of full-range channels in front of the listener, separated by a slash from the number of full-range channels beside or behind the listener, separated by a decimal point from the number of limited-range LFE channels.

e.g. 3 front channels + 2 side channels + an LFE channel = 3/2.1

This notation can then be expanded to include the notation of Matrix Decoders. Dolby Digital EX, for example, has a sixth full-range channel incorporated into the two rear channels with a matrix. This would be expressed:

3 front channels + 2 rear channels + 3 channels reproduced in the rear in total + 1 LFE channel = 3/2:3.1

Note: The term stereo, although popularised in reference to two channel audio, can also be properly used to refer to surround sound.

6.1 Surround

5.1 EX includes a third surround channel that can be decoded at the listener's option for playback over additional surround speakers placed behind the viewers (rear speakers). The additional center rear information is split between the left and right back surround channels.

A 5.1 EX signal, for example, contains 5.1 discrete channels of information. Parts of the signal are then passed through a matrix decoder to create a 6.1 channel playback signal. The 6.1 channels are then properly played over 7.1 channels (i.e. 7 speakers and a subwoofer).

7.1 Surround

A 5.1 EX signal, for example, contains 5.1 discrete channels of information. Parts of the signal are then passed through a matrix decoder to create a 6.1 channel playback signal. The 6.1 channels are then properly played over 7.1 channels (i.e. 7 speakers and a subwoofer).

7.1 would use two additional speakers, although no consumer home cinema applications currently exist for it. Some computers are capable of outputting a discrete 7.1 signal.

 

Note: A distinction is made between the number of discrete channels encoded in the original signal, and the number of channels that are reproduced for playback; these can be added using matrix decoding. A distinction is also made between the number of channels reproduced for playback, and the number of speakers over which these channels are played.

 

Video

Projector: Using a projector is a great cost effective way to get a widescreen High Definition format for an affordable price. There are a few things to consider first.

  1. Do you have a low light place to install the projector home theater?
  2. Are you going to use a wall or screen to project your image?
  3. How much do you have in your budget for a screen?
  4. How big of a screen do you need or can you use?
  5. Do you want the screen to be automatic or manual?
  6. Where will your speakers be placed?

Projection: Rear Projection Televisions are coming back. Forget the worries your father had about his projection television. No more multilple bulbs and out of focus images. No more narrow field of view. This is the new affordable HDTV way to go. Light weight and Affordable. Remember these telelvisions are not wall mounted units.

LCD: See comparison chart

Plasma: See comparison chart

HDTV or EDTV or SDTV? What is what? What should I get? Click Here to find out!

 

            


           

 

                 

 

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