An introduction to Home Cinema
Home cinema adds a brilliant new dimension to
watching movies at home, by integrating hi-fi with TV in a way that replicates
the best commercial cinemas. But all this innovative technology brings a language
and philosophy of its own. Fear not. A little knowledge can go a long way in
the jargon jungle of home cinema. Here are five basic facts that all home cinema
fans should know..
1) CINEMA NOT HI-FI
Home cinema differs greatly from traditional hi-fi.
Yet some manufacturers prefer to blur the edges. Many mini, midi and portable
systems promise 'surround sound', but a dedicated home cinema system, be it
based around separates or a specifically designed cinema-in-a-box solution,
offers immeasurably better results...
2) WHAT IS 5.1?
Early home cinema amps and receivers used a Pro-Logic
decoder to deliver a centre channel and enhanced front-to-back separation. These
have now been superseded by Dolby Digital and DTS amplifiers and receivers able
to deliver 5.1 channels of digital surround sound - the '.1' is the subwoofer
or LFE (low frequency effects) channel. Higher-end models also offer EX and
ES decoding. This involves an additional centre rear-channel, so they are often
called 6.1 systems.
3) THX IS A TECHNICAL STANDARD - NOT A FORMAT
Some high-end home cinema equipment carries the
'THX' logo. So do some VHS tapes and DVDs. Yet it is not an encoding format
as with Dolby Digital. It is the trademark of LucasFilm and signifies that products
meet a quality criteria. It also means that the maker has paid a hefty licensing
fee to use the marque. THX home cinema equipment uses added 'bells and whistles'
to make cinema sound more suitable for a home environment.
'Re-equalisation', 'dynamic decorrelation' and
'timbre matching' are special circuits that refine the sound on THX processors
and integrated amplifiers. Home THX hardware comes in two flavours - Select
(designed to be more affordable, for smaller room sizes) and Ultra (the ultimate
in THX approval).
THX-branded loudspeakers conform to specific characteristics.
The LCR (left, centre, right) drivers control the vertical spread to minimise
reflections off floors and ceilings. They also have a bass cutoff at 80Hz that
works alongside a subwoofer. The surrounds give a diffuse spread by using a
type of speaker known as a 'dipole'. According to LucasFilm, this produces a
more natural sonic effect.
4) LARGE SCREENS ARE SUPER FOR SMALL ROOMS
It's a myth that large TVs look fuzzy in small
rooms. Nor do they damage your eyesight - provided your nose isn't pressed up
against the screen. Choose the size of screen that suits your surroundings to
create a dramatic effect. In a small lounge, a 50in projection TV can emulate
the effect of being in the front row of the cinema.
5) SPEAKERS SHOULD BE SEEN AND HEARD
Don't hide your surround speakers behind the settee.
On a Dolby Digital system, they should be placed at the rear - or side - of
the room, mounted slightly above your audience. If they are not dipoles, try
angling the drivers downwards. Speaker brackets may help simplify installation.
Now you are armed with these few basic facts...
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There are two main
approaches to installing a home cinema:
