Book Table of Contents

Introduction

Home Theater Confusion
Who This Book Is For… and Not For
What’s Not In This Book
How This Book Is Organized

1: Home Theater Basics

What’s a Home Theater?
Why DVDs are Essential to HT

2. HT Video

Understanding Resolution
Standard and Widescreen Formats
Display Technologies
Analog and Digital TVs
TV Size
Big 4:3 Instead of Smaller 16:9?
TV Inputs and Outputs
Useless TV Features?
Simplified Shopping

3. HT Audio

Principles of Surround Sound
Surround Sound Speakers
Headphones
Audio/Video Receivers
HT-in-a-Box

4. Discs and Their Players

About CDs
High-Performance Audio
About DVDs
Beyond DVDs
About Disc Players

5. Broadcast TV: Over-the-Air, Cable, and Satellite

HDTV
Digital Satellite Service (DSS)
Over-The-Air HDTV
Cable HDTV
Which HDTV Source Should You Choose?
Broadcast Digital Audio

6. Video and Audio Recorders

Video Recorders
Audio Recorders

7. Shopping for Equipment

Step 1: Set Your Budget
Step 2: Prioritize Features
Step 3: Survey the Market
Step 4: Pick Your Store and Salesperson
Step 5: Select the Brands and Models
Components for Modest Budgets
Components for Immodest Budgets
Buying From an Internet Site

8. Setting Up Your HT

Choosing the HT Location
Controlling the Lighting
Arranging the Furniture and Equipment
Connecting the Equipment
Essential Adjustments
Other Setup Tips
Remote Controls

9. Resources

Print Magazines
Web Sites

Index