Many factors go into choosing the correct home audio receiver, and it can be a difficult task for someone who is not familiar with all of these aspects. This blog post will provide you with everything you need to know about receivers so that when you do buy one, it’s an informed decision.
What is an AV receiver?
An AV receiver is a device that accepts audio and video input from many different sources, processes the signals to improve their quality (called “upconverting”), then outputs them as another signal type. For example, an HDMI connection might be converted into component connections or composite for older televisions. Generally speaking, if you have more than one audio and/or video device in your home, you’ll need an AV receiver.
An AV receiver has many different connections for accepting input from other devices such as Blu-ray players or gaming consoles. In addition, there are HDMI inputs to receive signals from high-definition sources like a DVD player.
How do I connect my AV receiver to my TV?
Connecting an AV receiver to a TV is pretty straightforward. If the HDMI connections on your TV are active, all you need to do is plug one end of an HDMI cable into the back of your TV and then connect it to the matching input port on your AV receiver.
If that doesn’t work, there’s often a dedicated “Video Out” connection on the back of your TV as well. Of course, you’ll still need some kind of audio output from this connection (either RCA or Optical), but if you don’t have either type of connector available for connecting directly with an AV receiver, there’s usually a simple adapter included in any package deal which will let you use those cables instead.
Does the AV receiver need Wi-Fi?
Some AV receivers are equipped to connect to a Wi-Fi signal for streaming purposes, but that’s not always an option. If you want your receiver to be wirelessly capable, make sure it has the “Wi-Fi” logo on its packaging before buying it.
When shopping for an AV receiver, there will also be many different features and specifications available to become confusing very quickly. It all depends on what kind of setup you’re looking for with regards to increased sound quality or video quality in general.
Do I need an AV receiver with a soundbar?
A soundbar is a speaker system that attaches directly to the TV for you to get better audio without having to spend money on multiple speakers. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install, so if your AV receiver doesn’t have enough inputs or wireless capabilities, then it’s an alternative worth considering.
Some other things you might need are surround sound systems (either through a set of external speakers or with built-in ones) and/or even amplifiers that will allow you to connect more than one device, especially helpful when using devices like games consoles as well. The more basic features available with an AV receiver can vary enormously from model to model.
How many channels do I need in my receiver?
The number of channels you need in your AV receiver depends on the kind of setup you want. For example, a home theater will use surround sound and five or more speakers (front left, front right, center channel speaker), while using two to four speakers for stereo audio is usually enough for most people. For example, a nine-channel AV receiver means there are two sets of the front left and right, one center speaker for dialogues or vocals, as well as a subwoofer so you can get those deep bass sounds.
What about second-zone audio?
The “second-zone” in an AV receiver refers to the ability for it to transmit audio from its primary zone (usually your living room) through a speaker or speakers at another location. These locations can be any other part of the same house, such as a bedroom, or even outdoors on your patio if you have wireless receivers placed there.
What does auto calibration do?
Auto calibration is a feature that automatically adjusts settings on the AV receiver to suit your home theater setup. It’s usually found in more expensive models, but it makes configuring your system much more accessible and can even make some minor adjustments for you, like balancing bass levels or adding a little bit of treble boost.
Suppose an auto-calibration system doesn’t work with the kind of speakers you have (i.e., they’re not compatible). In that case, many online tutorials will walk you through how to do this manually as well – all without having to rely on audio professionals coming into your house and doing things for you. You’ll need some basic knowledge about sound equipment, though, before attempting any of these setups yourself, so have at least done.