Home theater systems have exploded in popularity over the past five years, mainly because the price of HD (High Definition) televisions has dropped until most people can afford them. However, a good home theater system isn't just about the visual appearance of the television -- it must also produce sound that is comfortable, loud, and capable of displaying the highest quality movies, TV shows, and music in the living room.
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Method 1 of 4: Selecting a TV
Step 1. Choose the right TV size for your room
While it may be tempting to buy a TV with the largest screen, choosing a TV requires more knowledge than the “bigger is better” principle. You should choose a TV based on the size of the room and how far away people will be sitting in front of the screen, to ensure the maximum number of people get the maximum pleasure while watching. As a general rule, you should sit at a distance of 1 - 2 times the size of the TV. This means, if your TV screen is 70 inches, you must sit at least 2.7 - 4.5 m from the TV.
- TV size is measured diagonally, from the top left corner of the screen to the bottom right corner of the screen.
- The projector allows you to adjust the screen size, as long as you have a large, empty wall on which to project the video. Usually, you should leave a distance of 3.6 - 4.5 m between the projector and the wall for best results.
Step 2. Choose the right type of TV for the lighting conditions in your room
One of the biggest considerations when buying a TV is the type of lighting in the surrounding room. If the lighting and TV match, then your eyes won't have to work as hard while watching. The broadcast image quality will also be better.
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A dark or dim room:
use Plasma and OLED screen TVs.
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A bright or very bright room:
use an LED or LCD screen TV so that your picture looks very clear in high light levels.
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Room with normal lighting:
use LED or OLED screen TVs, which are very versatile in a variety of situations.
Step 3. Be aware that a higher resolution will result in a better quality image
Resolution is one of the key factors when you want to improve the picture quality of your TV. The more pixels, the higher the resolution. This is why a 2160 TV, also known as “4K Ultra HD”, is more expensive than a 1080p, “Full HD”, or 720p TV. The letter “p” represents the number of pixels on its vertical border (counted from top to bottom) on the TV screen. The more pixels, the clearer and clearer the color of the image produced by a TV will be.
Some systems are labeled with the letter “i”, for example 1080i. This letter indicates the presence of “interlaced” pixels, which broadcast slightly differently. Although most TV manufacturers no longer produce the 1080i version, you should know that the resulting picture quality is actually similar to the 1080p version, although this version tends to be "more salable" among consumers
Step 4. Purchase a video source tool
Your home theater system is useless if you can't play anything on it. The most common video sources are DVD and Blu-Ray players. “Smart players” like AppleTV, ROku, and Google Chromecast, have also recently made their way into the home theater market, as they can play any kind of internet video, from Youtube and Pandora, to Netflix or HBO Go.
- ''DVD/Blu-Ray:''' if you usually watch movies from discs, buy a DVD or Blu-Ray player. For the best sound and picture quality, choose Blu-Ray.
- ''Smart Players:'' if you only watch movies and TV from the internet, consider a streaming player device like AppleTV or Chromecast. Both players are compatible with various applications, websites and computers. However, all of them cannot play discs.
- ''Smart DVD/Blu-Ray:''' it's the perfect hybrid option for those who want it all, as it can play discs in addition to apps like Netflix and Youtube. This device requires internet access, but almost anything sold in the market can be connected to the internet wirelessly.
Method 2 of 4: Buying a Loudspeaker System
Step 1. Consider whether you prefer to watch movies, listen to music, or want to do both a little at a time
All home theater systems can play both movies and music, but if you want to watch movies exclusively, forget about high-quality quad speakers. Think about whether you spend more time listening to your iPod or watching TV.
- '''Movies and TV:''' most movies are multitrack (meaning the sound comes from many different speakers), In a movie like this, 5 or 7 smaller speakers will make for a more enjoyable TV viewing experience than using 2-3 larger speakers. This setting will produce realistic stereo sound.
- “Music:” the quality of the speakers will be more important than the number. Invest in a good quality receiver and 2 hi-fi speakers to get your home theater sound at its best.
Step 2. Be aware that many companies sell complete home theater packages
The popularity of home theater systems has prompted many companies to bundle their equipment and sell them in one package price. These prices vary, starting from a few million to tens of millions of rupiah. Many major retailers have different sound system packages, depending on your needs. Here are some things you might consider:
Step 3. “Wireless”:
“Even though they are usually more expensive, wireless/wireless systems are easy to set up and customize, as you don't have to deal with any cables.
- '''Number of speakers:''' decide based on room size - small rooms (up to 18.5 sq m) may require only one sound bard type speaker, while large rooms (more than 65 sq m) may require a set 5 to 7 loudspeakers.
- '' Receiver:''' receiver lets you run the entire home theater system, TV and audio, through a box and a controller. Although many complete packages also contain receivers, some smaller and cheaper bundled sets can be directly connected to the TV.
Step 4. Understand packaged sound system notation
You'll usually see a phrase like 5.1-channel surround sound written, although this can mean several things. The first number, 5, tells you how many speakers are sold in the package, and the second number,.1, tells you how many subwoofers are included. So, a speaker system labeled 5.1-channel system has 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer.
5.1-channel and 7.1-channel are the two most popular types of speaker packages, including a subwoofer, two speakers in front of you, two behind you, one in the middle, and one on either side (for 7.1)
Step 5. Purchase a sound bar for installation in a small room
Sound bars are long, thin loudspeakers, which are placed just below the TV, to produce quality sound at a low price. The sound bar plugs directly into the TV without a receiver and can be set up and up and running in minutes.
- The sound bar tries to bounce sound along the walls evenly back into the room, thereby effectively creating the illusion of sound throughout the environment.
- Some sound bars can be paired wirelessly with a subwoofer, producing room-shattering bass on your home theater system, at the cost of only part of a complete speaker system.
Step 6. Place two stereo speakers on either side of the TV for simple but quality sound
This option is best suited for small rooms that want a fuller sound, rather than just using a sound bar with minimum settings. You must use a receiver near the TV. You can then plug in each speaker on the receiver, then connect the receiver to the TV, then start enjoying the high quality sound it produces.
This option is suitable for someone who wants to build their own home theater system. If you already have a pair of quality speakers or receivers, you can quickly turn them into a great home theater system
Step 7. Purchase surround sound system components to produce cinema-like sound
These sound systems are usually sold in sets of 5, 6, to 7 speakers, which are pre-arranged, and are perfect for those who want high-quality sound, but don't understand how the individual speaker parts work. Installation is more intensive than a typical stereo or sound bar system, but the point is to simply connect the cables to each speaker from the “control center” or receiver.
- High-priced systems usually also have the ability to run pre-built music apps, a connection for an iPod, and the ability to add more speakers.
- Certain systems are wireless so they are easier to set up.
Step 8. Set up your own surround sound system with 5 speakers, a receiver and a subwoofer
If you want to really take control of your home theater system and get the best possible sound, consider setting it up yourself. This method is best suited for those who already have some of the components, such as a good TV, speakers, or Blu-Ray player, but still want to develop their entertainment system. To do this, you will need the following parts:
- Two loudspeakers are erected and facing the front.
- Two loudspeakers for the back of the room.
- One subwoofer, which is usually installed in the corner of the room.
- One multichannel receiver, capable of receiving 5-7 audio inputs.
- One small speaker to place in the center of the room (optional)
- Two speakers for the side of the room (optional)
- HD Television
- Media players (DVD, Blu-Ray, Apple TV, cable box, etc.).
Step 9. Recognize that audio is as important (or even more important) than your TV
Recently, a home theater company ran tests on its employees to illustrate the importance of sound. They played the same movie twice on the same TV, the first with mediocre sound equipment, then the second with high-quality sound equipment. Employees are not only aware of the difference in their voices; but 95% of them even think a TV with high-quality sound equipment can broadcast a better picture too. The lesson here is this: don't spend your entire budget buying the best TV and forget about the loudspeakers.
Method 3 of 4: Placing Your Home Theater System
Step 1. Place the TV and sofa first
Decide how you want to enjoy the room before you plug in the cables or place the speakers. Mount the TV on a wall or in a corner of the room, in a place that does not get too much light. Place the sofa or bench in a comfortable viewing position.
Determine the position of your "main" sofa. Where is the place you will most often use to watch TV? Determining this will help determine the location of the speakers at a later date
Step 2. Plan the arrangement of the room to find the center
Once you've purchased your speakers and receiver, you'll need to decide where you're going to put them. Create a simple floor plan of your room and see where you will be sitting and where your TV will be placed. Outline the location of furniture, doors, and windows, so you can plan the placement of the system accurately. Make sure your speakers “meet” at the “main sofa” point for realistic surround sound.
Plan your speaker placement before you start setting up the cables to make the process as easy as possible
Step 3. Place the two front speakers at ear level, pointing at your seat location
Place one on each side of the TV and point it inward. If you're looking at the speakers from the sofa, they're at a roughly 45 degree angle toward you.
If you draw a line from the speaker, it will meet ear level when you sit in the middle of the room
Step 4. Place your center speaker above or below the TV
These loudspeakers are usually smaller and designed to deliver sharp dialogue right into the audience's ears. These loudspeakers must face forward and centered, in order to be able to broadcast their sound throughout the room.
Many people install it right above the TV if the room allows
Step 5. Place the side speakers parallel to and above the audience
Side-facing speakers must be parallel to the audience, thus broadcasting sound from both the left and right sides. If you can't align it with the sofa, place it slightly behind the audience and angle it so that it faces the sofa. Side speakers must always be 60 cm or more higher than the audience, pointing downwards.
Step 6. Place the rear speakers side-by-side with the center of the wall
This way, the resulting sound will work together to grab your attention. You can also use some alternative mounting ideas, for example by separating the rear speakers and pointing them inward, so that the surround sound feel is still created if you don't have side speakers.
If you only use 5 speakers, prioritize the side speakers before installing the rear speakers
Step 7. Install the subwoofer along the front wall, preferably in the middle
The subwoofer produces thick, booming bass, and is best placed against a wall. Try mounting it near the center of a wall if you prefer, but you can also mount it on the side of a wall if the TV is in the way.
Step 8. Add extra speakers at the front and at an elevated position
Very complex systems, such as 9.1 surround sound, have extra speakers to add sound from above, just like in a movie theater. Mount these speakers over the two front speakers and point them in and down, at the audience.
Step 9. Make sure the sound path is not blocked
If you can't see the speakers from where you're sitting, it means the sound is being blocked. Reposition your furniture and speakers for the best possible sound.
Empty walls and floors cause sound to bounce, so you can improve the acoustics with rugs or furniture along the walls
Step 10. Alternatively, install speakers on the ceiling
Use four, two in front of the viewing area and two in the back, to produce high-quality (but expensive) surround sound. Usually, speakers like this also have an auto-calibration feature, which means they can adjust the volume themselves to produce the best possible surround sound.
Dolby Atmos loudspeakers are available in both floor and ceiling designs, so you can customize them yourself to produce good quality surround sound from top to bottom instead of side to side
Step 11. Once you have determined the location of the speakers, install them following the manufacturer's instructions
Most home theater sets include the proper mounts, cases, and stands, making installation easy. Once the speakers are in the location you want, you can tweak them a bit to get the sound quality you want. Every room is different, so each room also has its own angle and optimal placement of speakers.
Method 4 of 4: Putting All the Systems Together
Step 1. Understand how signal currents work
Signal is a movie on Blu-Ray, a TV show from Netflix, or music you play from Pandora. Following the signal flow will help you determine the correct inputs and outputs for your equipment. It all starts at your media source (Blu-Ray player, Apple TV, etc.), because this is where your movies are located. On some TV types, these are referred to as “source components”. Think of your film as a physical object: it "moves" from the media player to the receiver, which then sends half the film to loudspeakers (to produce sound), and the other half to the TV (to produce sound). In general, your signal flow is a simple one:
- The media player (source output) is connected to the receiver (source input).
- The receiver (audio output) is connected to loudspeakers (audio input).
- The receiver (signal output/source) is connected to the TV (signal input/source).
- If you are not using a receiver, connect it directly to the TV. You will then send the TV audio (audio output) to the speakers (audio input) if you have a sound bar or speakers.
Step 2. Turn everything off
Reduce the risk of short circuits by turning everything off and unplugging the TV and receiver. Make sure your loudspeaker is off.
Step 3. Use an HDMI cable to connect the receiver, TV, and media player
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the industry standard cable for home theater, and it can be so for a reason: it is capable of transmitting audio and video signals over just one cable. That way, you'll not only save time, but you won't have to worry about it. Every modern TV and sound system has an HDMI input. The shape of this cable is the same at both ends, namely flat with two-tier USB ports.
- All HDMI cables are made identically, so don't be fooled into buying a $500 cable, when a $50,000 HDMI cable will work just as well.
- If you can't use an HDMI cable for some reason, consider buying a converter. Take your old cable to the nearest electronics store and ask if the staff at the store can help change your connection system.
Step 4. Plug the HDMI cable from the output of your media player to the input of the receiver
If you don't have an HDMI cable, you can also use an RCA cable, which consists of red, yellow, and white inputs. Plug one end of the cable into the media player output and the other into the appropriate “source input” port.
If your receiver can't play video (i.e. it's just an audio receiver, not a home theater receiver), you'll need to plug the media player cable directly into the TV's “input” port
Step 5. Connect the receiver to the television
This is usually done with an HDMI cable, but some more advanced systems may be able to connect wirelessly. Just plug your receiver's “source output” or “video output” into one of the inputs on the TV. Remember the input you selected - this will help you choose the right input on the controller so you can watch movies.
If your receiver is unable to receive video, reverse the connection. Think about the source current again. If information is coming from the Blu-Ray player to the TV, and you want sound to come out of the speakers, send sound from the TV's “audio output” to the receiver's “audio input”
Step 6. Test and troubleshoot your video connection (if any) before you switch to speakers
At this point, you should have everything you need to test the video ready. Turn on the TV, receiver, and video player, then switch to the correct input number on your TV (this number corresponds to the input you connected, usually labeled on the back of the TV as HDMI 1, Component 2, etc.). You will start viewing the image from the DVD player or smart device. To work around a possible problem:
- Check all the inputs. Is there a loose cable?
- Plug the media player (output) directly into the TV input and through the receiver to make sure the media player is working properly.
- Check if your signal current is correct. The stream must “out” from the media player and “in” into the TV.
Step 7. Connect the speakers to the receiver with the speaker cable
This section is usually the most complex when you are installing a home theater system, as each room has its own needs and challenges. While basic wiring is easy, hiding cables professionally takes time and careful planning. There are actually two speaker wires, red and black. This cable exits the back of the speaker and into the “Audio Output” port on the receiver. Connect one wire to the red “input” on your speaker and the red “output” on the receiver, then do the same with the black end to connect your speakers.
- Some modern loudspeakers have plugs instead of cables. If your speakers are like this, the wires are usually colored for easy access.
- Most speaker wires are waxed to protect them. You'll need to use scissors or a cord cutter to trim this layer and pull it off, so that the light-colored copper wire inside is exposed. It's the wire that makes the connection, not the wax, so make sure you trim off the wax layer for the speakers to work.
Step 8. First connect your two front speakers, then test their performance by playing a movie
Once you've confirmed that the speakers are working, continue to check the other speakers.
Step 9. Connect loudspeakers to their proper inputs on the receiver
Surround sound is created because the disc tells the receiver where to send information. If there's a stalker in the movie you're watching, the speakers in the back (not the front) will make the sound of rustling leaves. Make sure you plug each speaker into the correct channel, which is usually labeled individually ("rear audio", "front speaker", etc.).
- Some packaged systems have labeled ports, while more sophisticated systems can automatically detect which speaker should play what sound, so you can enter it at random. If there is no label on the back of the receiver, plug all the cables into the “audio output” section.
- Subwoofers are usually labeled “sub out” or “sub pre-out”, and may require a specific subwoofer cable.
Step 10. Hide your cables
This not only creates a professional look, but also prevents people from tripping over and disconnecting cables or accidentally dropping the speakers. Hide wires under carpet, attach them to walls, or even tuck them in if you can work with a carpenter.
There are several services out there, including a team of technicians from Best Buy, who will install and tidy up the cables for you for a fee
Step 11. Troubleshoot the speaker if you can't hear anything
Loudspeakers are usually easy to install, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're problem-free.
- Check the channels on your receiver. When you plug speakers into the receiver, you will usually see them categorized as “audio output, channel 1”. This means that your receiver can handle multiple speaker formats. Make sure the channel on the front of the receiver matches the channel you plug the speakers into.
- Check the input sections. The cables in these sections must be firmly attached. Make sure a cable connects the red end of the speaker to the red end of the receiver. Otherwise, your speakers will not work.
- Check the speakers by plugging in your iPod or music player and try them out before you play the DVD.
Tips
- Make sure the location you choose for your equipment is well ventilated, as the danger of overheating is common with powerful amplifiers and A/V receivers.
- Consider buying a universal controller to unify your entire home theater system into a single controller.
