Monster Cable Connections: Affordable Home Theater

Being in the cable business for over twenty years has given me the opportunity to see the ultimate in audio and video systems. It took me a long time to gain this experience, so what does a person do who is just starting out? Did you know that the world of home theater might already be in your home? Virtually every recent movie you rent and most satellite, cable TV or network broadcast programs you watch are ready and waiting to fill your living room with surround sound - that is, if you have the means to take advantage of it. So what does it take to build a home theater? Read on and I'll show you how to dip your toe into the waters of home theater before you get completely wet.

Taking the Plunge

So you've gone to your local audio/video store and seen a mind blowing home theater demo. You know the one. The salesperson puts on a DVD of "Terminator 2" and pummels your senses while both he and Arnold say, "I'll be back." You're intrigued by the experience, but want to test the waters before diving into your savings. What you don't know is that you may be closer to an affordable home theater than you think.

Do you have a stereo receiver hooked up to your CD player, cassette player or, heaven help you, a turntable for phonograph records? Did you ever think of hooking up your TV to your receiver and listening to audio through your stereo speakers instead of the tinny, built-in 3" speakers typically found in TVs? As simple as this sounds, there are millions of people across America who have the equipment already, but only recently have had the inclination to marry their audio and video components. By making this simple connection (and minimal investment), you can take the first step towards experiencing and building a home theater system.

Now, let's say you've graduated to listening to TV audio on your stereo system by visiting a local audio/video specialist and purchasing the appropriate length pair of quality audio interconnect cables with RCA connectors. While you were at it, you spent a few bucks to upgrade and replace the speaker wire to get the most out of your new audio/video system. People constantly tell me how amazed they are that something as simple as replacing their old zip cord with a good speaker cable can make such a big difference in the sound of their home theater system. After a few movie rentals ("Armageddon" is great!), everyone in the house is getting pretty excited about this home theater stuff. So what's next?

Swimming Freestyle

If you are now really serious about getting into home theater, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have good video sources that put out stereo sound, beginning with a HiFi VCR. Next comes a new audio/video receiver. This essential home theater component replaces your old two-channel stereo receiver and integrates all the other components of your audio and video system. At the very least, you'll want a receiver that includes a Dolby ProLogic surround sound decoder to simulate the same kind of multi-channel sound you hear in a modern movie theater.

But DVD players, direct broadcast satellite services like DirecTV and the DISH Network and the new Digital and High Definition TVs (DTV/HDTV) all offer, or plan to offer, programming in the same 5.1 channel digital surround sound systems from Dolby and DTS that you hear in commercial theaters. Entry level A/V receivers equipped with both Dolby Digital and DTS decoders are available for under $500. Receivers with Dolby Digital, but not DTS start at under $400.

To do home theater right, you need the A/V receiver, five speakers (Right Front, Center Front, Left Front, Right Surround, Left Surround), a subwoofer for low frequency sounds and a movie source like a HiFi VCR, DVD player and/or satellite receiver. As you build your system, be sure to use only quality cables and connectors. Investing in the right cables will pay you back with improved picture and audio quality and let you enjoy all the potential of your audio and video components.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Home Theatreous

Now that you're a true home theaterphile, why stop there? If maximizing the enjoyment of your equipment has been your goal, connect your kid's video game console to the A/V receiver. You'll have tons of fun and the neighbor kids will talk about what cool parents you are.

Most importantly, as with most things in life, building a home theater can be quick and easy (and cost a lot of money), or slow and deliberate (you add one component at a time). If you can afford to jump in with both feet, great! But don't be afraid to take the longer road of building your system one component at a time. The journey may seem more arduous, but you'll learn a lot about how systems work, what you like and what you don't. You'll also become a cable expert in the process.

Here are a few tips to guide you along the way:

Home Theater Cable Tips

• For TV to VCR hookup, use one video and two audio cables, all with RCA connectors, for the best picture and sound. Do NOT use the coaxial cable that uses the screw-on or slip-on "F" connector that came with your VCR
• To reduce him and buzz that can leak into all the audio components in a system, use shielded, twisted cable construction cables, not coaxial, to connect the audio outputs from your various components to your receiver.
• Replace small gauge speaker wire (like zip cord) with the best quality, highest technology speaker cable you can afford. It will make a substantial and audible difference in your system, especially as you upgrade audio components.
• Put a combination surge suppressor/power conditioner like Monster's HTS 2000 PowerCenter between your AC outlet and your components. The HTS 2000 filters out a tremendous amount of the sound and picture-robbing electronic noise that routinely comes through AC outlets. It also protects delicate electronic components from damage by power surges.

• Choose color-coded home theater-specific speaker cables to simplify the hook-up of all your speakers.
• Use lengths of video cable six feet or shorter for maximum picture quality. If you need more distance between video components and your receiver, make sure you're using high quality double shielded cable like the Monster Video 3 cable.
• Choose cables with 24k gold-plated connectors for maximum signal transfer, corrosion resistance and reliability.

Just about anyone can begin a home theatre system using components that are already in the home. This affordable home theatre can then blossom into a home theaterphile's dream. So jump right in, the water's fine. And it doesn't have to cost you your life's savings either. Happy viewing!