It can be difficult to connect speakers, DVD players, Blu-ray players, cable/satellite boxes, HTPCs, game systems and amplifiers to a home theater network. A receiver can help by providing multiple inputs to easily connect all the devices mentioned above. A receiver will also provide a single output source to a HDTV and speakers, and give the ability to switch between the numerous audio/video components in a home theater network. This all–in–one box will also amplify audio signals to a set of surround sound speakers.
What To Look For In a Receiver
- Surround sound capabilities (5.1 or 7.1 channels)
- Power per channel
- Quality of sound processing
- Number of high definition video inputs (HDMI, DVI, or component)
- Check what version of HDMI (1.0, 1.2, 1.3)
- Number of standard definition video inputs (S–video and composite)
- Number of digital audio connections (fiber optic and digital coaxial)
- Number of standard analog audio connections
- Does the receiver have multi-channel line level inputs
- Output to a Zone 2 or Zone 3 and the restrictions of the output
- Independent zone outputs
- Standard definition video upconversion to component, DVI, or HDMI
- Audio upconversion from analog to digital (including HDMI)
- Independent volume trim for each input
- Audio delay for adjusting lip–sync issues
- Ethernet, serial, or USB interconnect used to remotely control receiver
- Satellite radio ready
- THX certification
- Dolby Digital or DTS support
- Dolby TrueHD pr DTS-HD support
- AM/FM tuner
- HD radio capable
- Menu and On Screen Display (OSD) quality
Receiver Tips
- To future proof your receiver, make sure you have as many digital video and digital audio inputs as you can.
- Make sure your receiver will upconvert video signals so you only need one video connection to your HDTV. The single video connection will make life easier when you switch from a S–video source to a HDMI source, and don’t have to change the input on your TV.
- Receiver's Watts Per Channel (WPC) rating should be tested when all speakers are active and in use. Sometimes companies will give their ratings when only one speaker is connected, which will give you an inflated value.
- Another way manufacturers can inflate power ratings is to not give a full–bandwidth power rating. A full–bandwidth power rating is a more reliable rating because it is performed over the entire range of frequencies audible to human ears, which is 20 to 20,000 Hz.
- Some receivers with Zone 2 or even Zone 3 outputs will only allow analog audio signals output to these zones. This could be a problem if you are using HDMI, fiber optic, or coaxial connectors for sound. One option in fixing this problem is to connect both analog sound cables and digital cables from each source. Another workaround is to use the TV as a converter. Most TVs will have analog sound output which you can then attach to the receiver as an analog sound input
- The lower the speaker’s impedance is, the more current (or power) a receiver or amplifier will have to provide.
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is another measurement used by receivers or amplifiers. THD is a measurement used to show how much distortion or noise a receiver or amplifier produces in sounds. Receivers with the cleanest sound will typically have THD ratings below 0.1%.
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