Setting up a new home theater system can be complicated. The main setup components include video and audio. With the know-how, time and money, you can visit your local electronics store and choose different products, speakers, woofers, DVD and Blue-ray players; the possibilities and accessories are endless. If you are looking for an option that is a complete home theater system in a simple convenient package – the Home Theater in a Box System.
Home Theaters in a Box have all the parts and components you need to bring rich sound and amazing picture to your home theater. The advantages of home theaters in a box include the convenience of having all the parts in one package and the certainty that each component of your home theater is compatible with its counterparts.
The companies that manufacturer these packages do so with one purpose in mind – to make the home theater experience as easy as possible. From compatibility and installation to the quality of the sound and picture, home theaters in a box packages give you a high-quality, easy-to-use solution that dramatically improves your home-viewing experience.
When you purchase a home theater in a box, consider video, audio, connectivity, extra features, and technical support options.
Video
Does the home theater in a box package you are considering contain an integrated Blu-ray player? Just make sure that the system is compatible with the Blu-ray or DVD player you have at home. In the event that you still use only DVD, make sure the home theater in a box system you buy properly scales the standard-definition images and sound on DVD to the appropriate size and richness with 1080p up conversion and progressive-scan technologies.
Audio
When considering audio options, think about how rich and dense the audio experience the speakers included can produce. Rating criteria in this category include number of satellite speakers, the inclusion of a sound decoder and what format of Dolby Digital sound each package supports.
Connectivity
Your home theater in a box will be useless if you can’t connect it to that new HDTV. Make sure the product you buy has the correct connectivity options to hook up the audio and sound to the equipment you already have in your home.
Additional Features
Every home theater in a box has perks that are unique to it and not other systems. However, there are some extra features that every good system simply must have, such as a remote control and digital tuner.
Help & Support
Every manufacturer does its best to make sure that your home theater in a box is simple and easy. Unfortunately, there are times when you must contact customer support. The best home theater in a box systems are made by companies with reputations for excellent customer service and technical support options.
Choosing the right home theater in a box package is an investment because you’re buying multiple products. You’re purchasing multiple speakers with many complicated parts.
When designing your new home theater, there are many accessories that will give you that cinema feel. You can add acoustic panels that increase sound quality, and reduce how the sound affects the rest of your home. You can also add theater curtains to make it feel authentic.
Home theater seat risers give your seating a staggered effect, much like your local cinema, ensuring everyone has a good view of the screen. There are many options to home theater seating, including traditional recliners, to theater style seating with drink holders and multiple positions.
If you really want to go all out and make people forget they didn’t pay ten dollars for a ticket, and almost as much for popcorn, you can add accessories like signage. There are the traditional marquis signs, with removable letters and lights. There are also digital programmable signs. These do not look as authentic, but you don’t have to change the letters for each movie.
You can also add a movie poster frame. Some frames come with lights, and really add to the experience.
We hope this gives you some direction and some ideas for your new home theater. Remember, it’s the details that will really give you and your guests that neighborhood cinema experience! 
By Dan Hunt
