An audio receiver has the basic function of processing and amplifying sound signals. In doing so, it enhances a home theatre system. Back then, they were called stereo receivers and consisted only of a tuner, pre-amplifier and power amplifier. As years went by, the stereo receiver underwent many developments as to function and features, and is now known as an audio receiver, but this term usually means an audio video receiver (AV) which is capable of processing both audio and video signals.
The audio receiver of today boasts of a number of features.
Access to Radio Stations
Most home theater receivers have a tuner for both AM and FM frequencies built into their system. Some of the latest models even have satellite radio tuners. This makes use of an external antenna to access particular frequencies, and sometimes a subscription to satellite radio stations would be necessary to avail of this feature. Some receivers come with high-density radio tuners, while others yet are capable of streaming audio and video files through a computer through an Ethernet, or access radio stations peculiar to the Internet.
Built-in Decoders
An audio receiver provides decoders of different types. There are the decoders that cater to audio data from multiple channels. The pioneer decoder format for movie formats was Dolby Pro Logic, that integrated surround and center channels into left and right channels through the process of matrixing. The separation into these formats was enabled by receivers that had the Dolby Pro Logic format.
Upon the introduction of DVD, the Dolby digital format was introduced. It became so popular that it became the standard format, which means that until now, most receivers have a decoder for this format. They also come with various inputs and amplifiers that can support the additional DVD channels. New models have an S/PDIF input that you can hook up to a source to get the Dolby Digital output.
New AV receivers also have a DTS sound decoder. This is because DTS and the Dolby group introduced the rear center surround channel, and the AV receivers in turn, accommodated these new developments by integrating decoders in their systems. One way to tell if the audio receiver has technologies for both is if it has six amplifiers.
The good thing about the audio receiver market is that they continually undergo developments each time a new player becomes popular. They are then equipped with the appropriate decoders for them.
Digital Signal Processors
DSP stands for digital signal processor, which is responsible for balance and equalization of sound in a receiver, as well as audio effects. There is no more need to transfer to a specific location to achieve the acoustics of a particular recorded sound. Field simulations featured in a DSP make it possible for the user to choose and control his type of sound through echo and surround sound.
Amplification Channels
An audio receiver would typically have more than two amplification channels. The standard is five.
Audiovisual Connectors
Digital or analog audio, component, composite, SCART or S-video, and HDMI are all different options for an audio receiver's connector.
These are the basic features of an audio receiver. More advanced AV receivers may include upscaling and conversion options, on top of the necessary ones.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Knowing-Your-Audio-Receiver-Feature-by-Feature&id=3536232] Knowing Your Audio Receiver Feature by Feature
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