It wasn’t that long ago that home theater systems used elaborate cord systems that looked like slithering black snakes on the floor. You wanted surround sound? You had to be ready to trip over cords in the dark because cords were all we had. If you didn’t want cords, you couldn’t get sound. That’s just how things were. Today, however, things are different. Finally, thanks to technology, we have the wireless home theater system. Now you can watch movies in style in a cordless environment without the fear of tripping, and without having to buy rugs and position furniture just right to hide unsightly cords. The future is finally here.

However, if you hope to create the ultimate home theater, you need to know how to set up a wireless system correctly.

TV and Cable/Satellite

Your TV and Cable/Satellite box will have to be plugged in. Can’t get around yet, but that’s probably coming soon, too. However, you can a Bluray, DVD player, X Box, Playstation 3, Wii, or any other console that allows you to play Bluray and DVD movies. Most of these listed come with wireless controllers.

That’s the easiest part when it comes to setting up a wireless home theater system, but the hardest part of a wireless system is the speakers. While some speakers are close to the TV and console where the sound originates, some speakers need to be all the way across the room. Not only that, but they must lead from the center of one wall, straight back through the living room area if you want surround sound.

With wireless speakers, this is no longer a problem. Wireless speakers use receivers that plug into the back of your console or TV and you no longer have to be worried about tripping over cords or about decorating another way.

Your sound will still be smooth and crisp, you’ll hear every twig snap and every floorboard creak, you just won’t have to put up with the pesky cords.

Cost

The only drawback to a wireless home theater system is the cost. It doesn’t take much to set up a system. Most of the wireless systems can be purchased together as a set. You just plug them in and go. But you have to be prepared to pay for this convenience. Unfortunately, as new technology comes out, it’s usually pretty costly. But, as everything, that price will come down.

The best thing you can do is save up and hope that the prices drop now that you know how to set up the perfect wireless home theater system. Then you’ll be able to watch movies in true theater style without having to deal with the high ticket prices and rowdy crowds. That’s the only way to enjoy a good movie.

There is nothing like have a home theater system with all the extensions that literally make you feel like you’re at the concert or in the movie theater whenever you’re listening to music or watching a blockbuster movie. If you want a theater system like this, you are going to have to know what to look for the next time you walk into your local electronics store, or buy online. The following tips should help you get the most out of your shopping experience so that you can build a theater system you can be proud of.

What is a Home Theater System?

A home theater is just what it sounds like: it’s a movie theater inside your home. Why do you go to a movie theater in the first place? You go there for the massive screen, the mind-blowing sound and the feeling that you’re actually in the action. You can literally feel the explosions so much you expect to feel heat on your face. However, at the theater you have to deal with high ticket prices and rude kids that are constantly on their cell phones. A home theater allows you to get the ultimate movie theater experience without having to deal with any of the negatives that come with going to the movie theater.

What You Need

Creating the ultimate home theater system is much more than buying a huge TV and top-of-the-line speakers, although those components are a big part of the setup. You need to make sure you put the theater in a dark room, or a room where the curtains can be drawn and the lights dimmed. Then, once you have the location of the theater picked up, you’ll have a good idea of what components you’ll need.

Components

The most crucial component of your home theater is your TV. The bigger the screen, the better you’ll be able to mimic the theater experience. Just make sure you measure the space you plan to put the theater system so that you know what size TV you can get away with.

When it comes to TVs, you will want to go with 1080p HDTV with 32 or more inches.

Next, you will want to find some high quality speakers. If you can afford it, it’s best to get wireless speakers so that you don’t have to worry about tripping over them. Plus, they’re just unsightly. You will want to encircle the room with the speaker system so that you can get the full surround sound experience.

Extras

Now you have the screen and you have the mind-blowing sound. All you need is a way to play the movies so that you can get the theater experience right at home. You can go with a BluRay player, which has up to 6 times the resolution that DVDs provide, an HD DVD player, or you can use an X Box, Playstation 3 or some other console that plays movies.

Then, pop some popcorn, pop in your favorite movie and get ready to be blown away with the ultimate home theater system.

Most people would love to own a top of the line home theater system. The obvious impediment to owning a much vaunted system would be the cost. Or, is cost really as much of an impediment as some believe? Contrary to popular opinion, it may be possible to purchase a decent home theater system without spending an enormous amount of money. Those with a little insight into home theater system acquisition will note you can put together and excellent system without spending excessively to do so.

Here is the bottom line: with the right approach an inexpensive home theater can be yours. You simply need to follow a few basic steps in your consumer approach.

The first step would be to look online for available systems, accessories, and components. Frequently, online sellers can deliver deals that would never be possible in most stores. One reason for this is that online sellers may have access to a wide array of overstocked items. What is overstock? It is those items that are slightly older and have not been sold. Now, space must be made for new items that must take their place on store shelves. There is certainly nothing wrong with the older models other than the fact that there is not enough space for them. In order to make space, the older models are sold at a discount. In some cases, the discounts can be well over half off. That opens the door to acquiring a home theater system at a very low price.

Another way to acquire inexpensive home theater items would be to purchase reconditioned equipment. Reconditioned is really another word for repaired items. Essentially, when an item is returned and replaced due to manufacturer defects or damage that occurred while it is under warranty, it will be repaired and then offered for sale once again. Since it has been repaired (reconditioned), it will be sold at a discount. Those looking for a great deal on consumer electronics items may wish to purchase reconditioned home theater systems. In most instances, the reconditioned items will work just as good as new ones.

Others may opt to purchase used equipment but caveats are needed when doing this. When you purchase privately owned used consumer electronics equipment, you really have no idea what shape the equipment is in or how long it will last. So, you may save some money but you will soon discover that the home theater system may need to be replaced a lot quicker than you had initially hoped.

And, of course, there are also major name brand consumer electronics manufacturers that offer economy priced home theaters. Often, these economy systems perform well but their lifespan is exceedingly short. They may even become prone to malfunction within a short period of time depending on how often you use the equipment. This is neither a good thing nor a bad one. Rather, it is an honest evaluation of the value of the equipment.

When you go shopping for a home theater system, you can quickly become confused as to which components would make for the perfect experience. After all, home theater equipment is expensive, so you want to make sure you make the right decisions. For this reason, many people are attracted to the idea of buying the ‘home theater in a box’ system. But is that the best choice? Sure, it’s convenient and it promises to sound great, but will it be better than a system you build yourself?

Shopping for a System

If you were going to build your own home theater system, you would have to buy the big screen HD TV, the Bluray player and/or DVD player, and a top-of-the-line speaker system that would give you the best theater experience in the comfort of home. However, if you were to add all this equipment up, you would quickly be looking at thousands of dollars. That’s not cheap.

If you can afford it, a home theater system that you build yourself is a much better way to go than a theater in a box. Here’s why: a home theater in a box is all made by one company, and that company may not specialize in certain parts of that system. What that means is that the company may make a great TV, but they may be lacking in the speaker area.

When you build your own system, you get to pick the best of the best across a spectrum of companies so that you can build the ultimate system that will blow away even the most seasoned theatergoer.

On the other hand, if you can’t afford an elaborate system like that, a system in a box is not a horrible way to go. In fact, it can give you just what you want.

Theater in a Box

Just because it’s a theater in a box, with all the components in that box made by the same company, doesn’t mean it’s a bad system. It may look and sound great. In fact, it’s a good bet it does. You can increase your odds of getting a good system by checking user reviews and by asking the clerks at your local electronics stores which one you should buy.

Once you set up your home theater in a box, you’ll still feel as though you are in a movie theater without having to pay the outrageous ticket price. It’s just that if you were to build your own system, with the components that are the best of the best, you’ll find that it’s an even better system.

Both will do if all you’re looking for is great picture, great sound, and an experience that literally makes you feel as though you’re in the movie.