Buying Guide:
Home Theater Receivers -- Providing the Brains and the Brawn
What are home theater receivers? New to home theater? Don't know what a home theater receiver is or does? We'll help you with that and take a deeper look at the features you'll find in today's models, helping you distill what's important versus what's not so important.
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The receiver is the heart of any home theater audio/video system that bonds all components into one integrated environment. The heart is as good of an analogy as any -- directly or indirectly, all things in the human body are connected to the heart (so too are home theater components typically connected to a receiver), and the heart also channels blood to the rest of the body (home theater receivers channel power via electricity to its components). So you see -- the receiver is the processing engine for both picture and sound and makes it all work by providing the power necessary for each component to work properly.
Core Functions
Aside from providing power to each component, a home theater receiver serves several other basic functions. These include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:- Single source to allow system components to work with one another
- Facilitate switching between system components
- Process audio signals and amplify them at the desired level through the system's audio components
- Decode variable sound formats coming from the audio source
- Acquire and transmit radio frequencies (AM/FM tuning)
Basic Elements Any Receiver Should Have
While there is no minumum standard from which you can compare receivers, it's fairly easily identify a few things that any receiver should have. While some manufacturers offer some models that fall under the "no frills" approach, if you're at all serious about home theater you should buy a receiver that supports five channels of surround sound (plus an additional channel for a subwoofer). Additionally, the receiver should also support Dolby Digital and DTS sound formats (most television programming and first generation DVD's take advantage of these formats) which will allow you to enjoy just about any type of programming from your home entertainment system.Pump Out the Watts, Right?
This is a common misconception among buyers in the home theater market. Generally speaking, the answer is 'yes', but you can't always taking that to the bank. The quality of the amplifier providing the power can have an impact on the quality of sound produced at louder listening levels. It could be that the specifications aren't allowing you to compare apples to apples. Some receiver manufacturers will state power in terms of maximum output, which can't be sustained over a long period of time (which is really what will expect your receiver to do, anyways). Look for the RMS rating, which essentially is the amount of power that is continuously produced by the receiver at a static volume level.Size Considerations
Receivers are typically of a similar size and shape, but you will see some variability. It's important to think about how you're going to arrange the components of your home theater system before you buy. Some entertainment centers and audio/video piers offer some flexibility by allowing shelves to be adjusted, but many don't. So write down some measurements before you do your shopping so you know exactly how much room you have to work with. Don't forget to consider the ventilation needs of your receiver, which consumes a lot of energy and can get hot rather easily. 2-3 inches of clearance on all sides of the receiver should provide plenty of space to allow for proper air circulation.Inputs/Outputs
Home theater receivers should come equipped with a variety of inputs and outputs for your home theater components. At a minimum, you want to make sure the receiver has the right quantity and type of inputs/outputs necessary to handle the components of your existing system.Generally speaking, more inputs/outputs leads to a higher level of flexibility with your system. Furthermore, a greater quantity AND variety of inputs/outputs will yield the most flexibility.
Depending on your level of use and seriousness with your home theater, the type of inputs/outputs may be of greater significance to you. If you're looking for something basic, a receiver with composite and S-Video inputs/outputs will do for an entry-level enthusiast.
Integrated Features
For those that wish to get the most out of their home theater receivers, additional integrated functions supported by the unit will be important to you. Many receivers are coming equipped with iPod connectivity, built-in satellite radio tuners, and/or headphone jacks to allow for unobtrusive listening environments including a wireless listening experience.Home Theater Receivers → Buying Guide.
