Home Theater Sources

Home theater sources feed audio and video content through the A/V receiver to the display and speakers. There are a number of sources that you can add to your home theater.

Media Players

A media player is a media playback device that does not stream content over the air or through a cable line but instead lets you play prerecorded content at will.

DVD Players

The DVD player, which plays digital video discs, or DVDs, is the standard media player in today’s home theater—having dethroned the VCR (videocasette recorder), the once-ubiquitous media player that used VHS cassette tapes. You can buy a DVD player separately or as part of an HTiB system (in which case it’s usually integrated into the A/V receiver).

Cost of a DVD Player

The price of a traditional DVD player is much lower today than it was when the technology first became mainstream in mid-1990s. DVD players have dropped to prices ranging from $20 to $200.

DVD Combo Players

Even though the VHS format has since gone by the wayside, many home movies and other personal items still exist only on VHS. A DVD combo player integrates a DVD player and VCR into one convenient package. DVD combo players usually sell for about $100.

DVR

The digital video recorder (DVR) is a device that records cable TV content so you can play it back at a later time. Many digital cable and satellite TV providers build DVRs into their digital tuner boxes. DVR-enabled boxes are available for an additional monthly service and rental fee. There are also third-party DVR devices—the most popular is TiVo®. TiVo is a DVR that is not affiliated with a specific cable or satellite provider, but it can record programming from those sources when you tether it to the chain of devices.

Newer TiVo models include CableCard slots so that you can plug digital cable CableCards into the TiVo and then connect to the television. Third-party DVR devices range from $400–700 and require a monthly fee.

Next-Generation Media Players

Next-generation media players support the next generation of media formats: HD DVD and Blu-ray. High-definition discs hold more data than traditional DVDs and deliver true high- definition content.

HD DVD™: The HD DVD was developed by Toshiba. This format has a big film-industry backing (its supporters include Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures) and was first to the marketplace. HD DVDs contain 40% less storage capacity than Blu-ray discs, so their players tend to be less expensive.
Blu-ray™: The Blu-ray format was developed by Sony. It has higher-capacity discs, more powerful players, the backing of major computer manufacturers, such as Dell and Apple, and more film-industry backers, including Fox, Lionsgate, Disney, and MGM. Because Blu-ray players are slightly superior to HD DVD players, they’re pricier too.

Both of the next-generation players can connect to a home wireless network and play files from personal computers.

Upscaling DVD Players

An upscaling DVD player takes a standard, non–high-definition DVD and upscales, or enhances, it to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution through the HDMI input (see How to Connect Your Home Theater). Rather than replace your entire DVD collection with high-definition discs (such as HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs, below), you can use an upscaling DVD player to play your old DVDs as well as your new, high-definition discs.

HD DVD vs. Blu-ray

As the competition between HD DVD and Blu-ray continues, it’s hard to tell which format will ultimately win—and which to invest your money in. This format war is different from the late-1970s battle between VHS and Betamax because the standard DVD is still a very capable media format. If you buy an upscaling DVD player, you can remain in neutral territory until either HD DVD or Blu-ray emerges as the winner. But if you absolutely have to own a next-generation media player right away, you may want to opt for a dual-format player, such as the LG BH100, that supports both HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Gaming Consoles

The latest gaming consoles can do much more than play video games.

Microsoft Xbox 360®: In addition to gaming, this system can play audio CDs, DVDs, and more. Microsoft’s Xbox Live® service also lets you use the console to connect to the internet and download content. Also, you can buy an external HD DVD player and hook it up to the console.
Sony PlayStation 3® (PS3®): This system doubles as a standard media player in addition to its main role as a gaming console. The PS3 also comes with a Blu-ray player integrated into the machine.
Nintendo Wii®: This system is the third of the latest generation of gaming consoles. The Wii has practically no media capabilities, but it does stand out because it’s interactive—it uses a motion-sensing bar mounted on top of the TV and motion-sensitive controllers that capture the motion of the gamer standing in front of the TV.

Home Theater PC

A home theater PC, also called a multimedia PC or a media center PC, is a computer that is dedicated to your home theater. Home theater PCs can be completely customized to take all of the optional sources—MP3 players, gaming consoles, and so on—and house them into one convenient package. They often have DVD drives and built-in DVR and offer the ability to surf the web on your television and stream media from different computers on your home network. Home theater PCs are usually more expensive than other components, but they’re good all-in-one devices for a home theater system. Prices start at about $1,000.