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Home cinema,
also called Home theater, seeks to
reproduce cinema quality video and audio in the home.
The video aspect usually
involves a large-screen and/or high definition
television or a projection system. Quality audio
reproduction is usually achieved with a high fidelity
surround sound system.
"Home cinema" has
become something of a buzzword. Technically, a home
cinema could be as basic as a simple arrangement of a
Television, VCR, and a set of speakers. It is
therefore difficult to specify exactly what
distinguishes a "home cinema" from a "television and
stereo".
However, "home
cinema" implies a real "cinema experience" and
therefore a higher quality set of components. A
typical home theater would include the following:
- A large,
prominent, display--generally a big-screen
television or possibly a projector, often HDTV
capable.
- One or more video
sources. High quality formats such as DVD or
Laserdisc are preferred, though many home cinema
setups use VHS.
- An audio system
that is capable of surround sound. This usually
consists of several speakers and a subwoofer.
Sometimes a specialized decoder is used to allow the
playback of newer surround-sound formats.
- Comfortable
seating and organization to improve the cinema feel.
This might include several comfortable recliners and
curtains or subdued room lighting to enhance the
experience.
Some home cinema enthusiasts will go so far as to
build a dedicated room in the home for the theater.
Such a room is often decorated to resemble an actual
cinema, with specialized furniture, movie posters, or
a
popcorn or snack machine.
These days it is
possible to purchase "home theater in a box" kits from
various prominent electronics companies. These kits
include a set of speakers for surround sound, an
amplifier/tuner for adjusting volume and selecting
video sources, and sometimes a DVD player or VCR.
Though these kits
pale in comparison to a true custom built home cinema,
these kits are attractively priced. One needs only to
add a television and some movies in order to create a
simple home theater.
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