Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Choose your receiver
Step 2:
Choose your video source
Step 3:
Choose your television
Step 4:
Choose your speakers

An audio/video receiver

A video source (hi-fi stereo VCR, laserdisc or DVD player)

A television set

A minimum of five speakers

Speaker wire (the amount depends on your particular set-up)

Optional

A universal remote control

An antenna for listening to the radio

Any combination of the following: CD player, tape deck, turntable

Several trips to different stores. Allow 20 to 60 minutes per trip, depending if the stores have components at your price level.

2torial #0580: Learn2 Buy a Home Theater System   Honey, who ARE all these people in our living room? Remember when your stereo and your television were considered two separate items? Well, if you walk into an electronics store these days you'll find things are very different: a home theater system lets you watch video tapes (or laserdiscs, DVDs, broadcast movies and concerts) with audio and video that simulates the movie theater experience. And there are no disturbances from strangers' conversations or commercial interruption. A reminder: if all you want to do is listen to music or watch a small TV in the kitchen while cooking, reconsider buying this equipment. If you're ready to turn an ordinary room into a terrific home theater, take a deep breath and read on! This process is similar to setting up a traditional stereo system (except with more pieces). Just as with a stereo system, you'll plug a "tape player" into a receiver, which will then play the sound through the speakers. The big differences with a home theater system are these: the "tape player" in this case is a hi-fi VCR, laserdisc or DVD player, and the receiver is sending the sound to at least five speakers, not just two. Step 1