Did you buy a new TV and the old AV receiver isn’t compatible with it? Have you got the latest games console but you can’t take advantage of all new features because your receiver lacks some capabilities? Do you have teenagers at home who insist on having a better sound system or you’re building up a home theater you always wanted?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, buying a new receiver is probably the next step you’ll take. Before that, we recommend reading this text which will help you to choose the right one.
WHY DO I NEED IT?
Ever wanted to watch a football match while your wife is craving for a new episode of Desperate housewives? We have good news for you – you and your wife can both be happy! And if that isn’t a good enough reason, we will give you more!
Audio-video receivers are no longer meant to be used only in theaters, now you can use them as part of a home entertainment audio system. They enable you to connect various audio and video sources such as blu-ray and DVD players, satellite box, game consoles, CD players and video cameras, content from your mobile device, internet streaming sources and so on.
Once you hooked up your device with an AV receiver, it sends the picture directly to your TV and sound to your speaker system, even to two different TVs in different rooms.
Who doesn’t need AV receivers?
AV receivers offer many possibilities and features that make them user friendly. You can adjust the volume, switch sources or adjust settings using your phone or tablet as a remote by downloading a free app. If you don’t find that convenient enough, you can use voice control to adjust volume, play and pause music, skip tracks or change receivers input selection.
By just talking you can turn your receiver on or off or control music playback in different rooms. Using the remote you can do all this, and you can also use the „scene“ button shortcut which is very convenient for guests who don’t know how to operate the system.
Receivers typically come with a few pre-programmed scenes, but you can easily edit them and add new ones.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Before making a decision, there are some things you need to know about AV receivers and their performances so you could use them to their full potential. Their job is to receive, interpret and process the audio and video signal and then send it to your TV and speakers.
So, the best way to make your own home theater is by buying an AV receiver. They are available in a wide range of prices and are compatible with various models of speakers, so you don’t necessarily have to buy new ones. They come with many types of input connections, so you are able to connect different devices and change them easily.
If your AV receiver has that capability, you can connect it to a Wi-Fi home network and stream from services like Netflix and Deezer. Another useful wireless technology you can use is Bluetooth, although it’s range is limited when compared to Wi-Fi. USB port will allow you to view pictures or play videos from flash drives.
Some AV receivers are designed to work with iPhones and iPods, including AirPlay, Apple’s wireless technology. With a multi-room audio feature, you can connect a second or third set of speakers, even to the area outside of your home, but keep in mind you will need to connect a receiver and speakers by wire.
HOW TO PICK A RIGHT ONE?
With so many different models, brands and cool features on offer, it can be hard to pick a right AV receiver that will fit your needs. To make your choice easier, we will point out some of the major things you should focus on when making a decision.
First of all, think about all the external devices that you currently use and want to connect to your receiver. All the streaming devices, Blu-Ray/DVD/CD players, game consoles, computers and other equipment needs its own input port on the receiver. So look for the number and types of inputs that suit your needs. One of the most important inputs is HDMI.
What about the channels, how many speakers do you want? This is important to know because not all receivers support multiple zones of audio. If you’re happy with only a pair of speakers, get a 3.1 system, but if you’re aiming for a full home theater surround sound, it is better to get a minimum 5.1 system. This way you can use stereo speakers in different parts of the house. Other features your receiver can offer you, and you might want to have, are HDR, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
As you may understand by now, there are many models on the market, and each of them offer different features. The prices of AV receivers also vary from one manufacturer to another.
Ultimately, the most important thing to consider before you make your decision is does the receiver offer all the connection types you need? If you have an answer to that – a good part of your decision is made.
But again, before making a decision, study the AV receivers and their performances so you could use them to their full potential.
