How to Buy a Home Theater In a Box (HTIB)

In order to make a proper decision about how to buy a home theater in a box (HTIB) system, you must consider several factors. Which HTIB system is right for your home theater needs will be determined by the types of movies you enjoy, your budget, your TV or projector and the characteristics of the home theater room. Consider these factors carefully before you buy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Home theater in a box
• Television or projector

1. Conduct research. Take your time reading product reviews from Web sites and consumer magazines.

2. Think about the room. The size of your viewing room has a significant impact on the type of system you need. If the room is small, you won’t need a powerful amplifier and speakers.

3. Plan a budget. Determine what you can comfortably afford without overspending.

4. Shop around. There are lots of electronics stores out there and they rotate specials and features to keep their advertisements attractive.

5. Test your system. Nearly all the big-box electronics stores have home theater rooms where you can test drive the systems. Be sure to listen to a DVD through the speakers and not music so you can determine the quality of dialogue and sound effects.

6. Talk to professionals. They may have insights on different brands that you have not considered.

7. Narrow your choices to three systems. There are so many HTIB systems out there that the sheer number of them can easily overwhelm you. Limiting the number of choices allows you to focus on which one best serves your needs.

8. Make your final decision. After evaluating the pluses and minuses of each system, select one, set it up, pop in a favorite DVD and enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing different audio options, know that 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 refer to the number of speakers included in the system. The .1 refers to the subwoofer.
• If you prefer older movies, you won’t need a surround sound system, as these will not have soundtracks without multi-channel recording.
• Consider the other furnishings in your room. If you’re choosy about the “theme” of a room, select a finish on the speakers and components that will compliment the rest of the furnishings.
• Select an HTIB with a solid warranty and read the fine print. An established brand will likely cost more, but you will get what you pay for.