Home Theater Basics

Home Theater Basics

So you are finally getting around to setting up the home theater system you've always wanted. You've bought the DVD player and the plasma TV and are wondering how to wire it all together. Here is some guidance on setting up and wiring a home theater system, courtesy of Audioholics, an online A/V magazine:

• Always use the manuals that come with your technology: fight the urge to figure it out for yourself, even if you dream of bragging to your friends that you did so. Not following manuals can cause more heartache than it's worth. Take the recommendations in the manuals seriously and utilize home theater wiring diagrams designed to walk you through the process complete with pictures.
• Power: when connecting audio and video cables, get in the habit of powering down components before making the connections. Sudden loads on live amplifiers connected to speakers can be very damaging.
• Cables: don't waste your money on high-priced luxury cables that advertise better performance -- but don't buy the cheapest cables, either. You should look for the following when you buy cables: ends you can grip securely and plugs that have enough room for you to grab onto them with your fingertips so you do not have to tug on the actual wire.
• Space: evaluate what kind of space you have before you hook everything up. Figure out how long your cables need to be so you're not stuck taking everything apart if one cable doesn't reach where you need it to.
• Stacking: don't stack your equipment in a closed cabinet because it could overheat and become damaged due to the weight. Remember that damage to your technology due to overheating is considered abuse and can void your warranty. There are small fans you can buy for your shelves that will help cool down your unit.
• Lighting: have a portable flashlight on hand for when you need to reach behind your system to make connections. Otherwise, reaching back blindly can cause incorrect configurations and possible damage.
• Speaker wire: remember that longer runs of wire require higher gauge wire. Here is a basic minimum outline: 16 gauge for less than 100 feet; 14 gauge from 100 to 200 feet; and 12 gauge for greater than 100 feet.
• Cabling theory: remember that if it seems too complicated, you are probably doing it wrong.