Plasma Televisions and The Home Theater Experience
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Plasma televisions were meant to bring as close an experience as possible to that of going to the movie house. You've finally decided to buy a plasma screen, and it's finally in your living room. But to make full use of your plasma television, you probably have in mind purchasing extra stuff to set up a mini-theater in your own home.
Here are some important components you must look out for when setting up your home theater.
Step One: Sources of Audio and Video for your Plasma TV
Television connections (via antenna, cable, or satellite) will be your primary source, of course, since you'll be using a Plasma TV. In addition, you'll need video players to playback those special movies — choose among CD, VCD, DVD, Blu-ray, or any other type of player. Yes, even your VHS player, which can support Hi-Fi Stereo.
Step Two: Video for your Plasma TV
Most likely you've signed up for High Definition TV (HDTV) for this plasma screen. In order to achieve this, you'll have to connect your plasma display to the HDTV source, depending on what type you have (satellite, cable boxes, D-VHS, etc.). Here, a component video connection is needed. You can use S-Video as an alternative, but never the F coaxial cable.
Step Three: Audio for your Plasma TV
There is nothing like watching movies in surround sound in formats such as Digital Theater System (DTS) or Dolby Digital Surround Sound System. You'll need an Audio/Video receiver for this, to which cables for incoming audio and video are hooked up. This completes the essential home theater experience as this AV receiver processes the incoming sound (preamplifying and/or amplifying) and sends it out to the different components in the room. Aside from a receiver, you'll need speakers and a subwoofer that's properly set-up around your room.
Step Four: Other Stuff to Remember
Not all cables used to connect the different components together are included with your Plasma Television, so you'll have to check which cables you have or you don't have. Color-coded connections found in the cables and the home theater devices help make connecting them a lot easier. Also, you'll want to check out other Plasma Television accessories that'll help enhance your viewing. Also, surge protectors should top the list of your must-haves. Custom lighting and its controls may be unnecessary to some, but to others, they complete the look-and-feel of the theater.
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