Creating your own home theater or home entertainment system is now easier than ever. Aside from pre-configured kits, which you can install right away, home entertainment gadgets, including an AV receiver, are just as affordable and easy to find as ever. You can even turn the setting up process into an exciting DIY project to tackle on weekends.
At the heart of every good home entertainment system, there’s a capable audio/video or AV receiver. Its main function is to receive inputs from multiple devices and drive the speakers as well as the main display. You will need a good AV receiver for a truly immersive entertainment experience, which is why we are going to take a look at the five things to look for from an AV receiver in this article.
IMAGE: VILLAGE CENTER
Inputs
One of the first things to look into when choosing an AV receiver is the supported input. Most modern AV receivers support HDMI inputs; some will even accept up to 12 inputs from different sources. That said, you must not neglect devices that aren’t using HDMI as their primary output. Make sure the AV receiver also supports optical, component, video, and audio inputs as well.
Outputs
Of course, you also have to consider the outputs offered by the AV receiver. AV receivers are designed to output to speakers and displays. Speakers are much easier to handle. You just have to match the power and impedance of the AV receiver to the speakers you want to use for your home entertainment system.
Display outputs, on the other hand, are a bit trickier. Some AV receivers offer advanced functionalities, as well as support for up to four HDMI outputs. The best receivers will even upscale the input signals and output 4K 4:4:4 signal to your display for an enhanced viewing experience.
Remote, Wi-Fi, And Bluetooth
Among the many features to look for from newer AV receivers are the wireless control options. A remote control that can also be programmed to control other devices in your entertainment system is certainly a huge plus. It is even better if you can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and a native mobile app to control the system.
There are other advantages offered by Wi-Fi enabled receivers. According to Speakerxpert, receivers such as the new Denon AVR X7200WA can now connect to Wi-Fi and stream audio from Spotify directly. It can also stream content from DLNA-compatible devices, including your laptop.
Sound Quality Of Your AV Receiver
Sound is half of your entertainment experience, so it is necessary to ensure maximum sound quality when choosing a receiver. Check the number of channels supported by the receiver and the sound formats used. Be sure to use speakers that can fully take advantage of these features too.
Room Calibration
Last, but certainly not least, always go for an AV receiver that can handle room calibration automatically. This makes the whole task of setting up the entertainment system, including the placement of your speakers, much easier to complete. Automatic room calibration works for stereo and surround-sound systems just as well.
Now that you know what to look for from an AV receiver, you can plan the rest of the entertainment system just as easily. Pick the speakers (you can find tips on standing speakers in this article) and display for the system, and plan your home entertainment system today.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
COMMENTS