The most obvious components of any home theater system are the display unit and the speakers but in reality the most important part of any home theater system is the A/V receiver because it integrates all the individual components and ensures that they work together and are synchronized. The A/V receiver is the heart of the system and is where you control what you want to do. This article will look at home theater A/V receivers - what they do and some of the features you should consider.
An A/V receiver is where all the audio and video components connect. After successfully connecting the display unit and speaker you will be able to select which speakers you want to listen to or which device you want to view on the display, be it a DVD, video, ordinary TV or maybe a digital radio station.
The receiver will have a built in radio tuner that can be used to pick up FM/AM radio stations. You can listen to radio and CD's through your home theater system. These will be controlled through the AV receiver.
The surround sound aspect of a home theater will be controlled via the A/V receiver. The receiver will decode the digital sound formats, be they Dolby or DTS so that the right sound effect goes to the right speaker. This is a key feature of any home theater system and creates the emotional impact when watching a movie.
The receiver will also have an in built amplifier that will mean the control of sound volume will go through he receiver.
Finally, the receiver sets the aesthetic of the home theater. The all important remote control is part of the a/v receiver. There may also be an interface for using the system that is displayed on screen to make it easier to see what you are doing.
If you are buying a complete home theater system then the A/V receiver will be compatible with all the other components but if you are buying it separately you need to check that it is compatible. Primarily this concerns the number of connections at the back of the receiver. Make sure that there are enough speaker connections. Check that there will be compatible connections for all the video devices that you will be using with your home theater system, this might include a VCR and DVD player.
Find reviews on the latest home theater components, including more on [http://www.hometheaterreviewed.com/Home_Theater_Receiver.html]Home theater A/V receivers and big screen entertainment using [http://www.hometheaterreviewed.com/Home_Theater_Projector.html]a home theater projector at http://www.hometheaterreviewed.com Adrian Whittle writes reviews and features on home theater equipment and accessories.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Theater-A-V-Receiver---The-Heart-Of-Your-Home-Theater-System&id=607238] Home Theater A-V Receiver - The Heart Of Your Home Theater System
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