Home Theater Image Gallery You need several components to make a truly spectacular home theater. See more pictures of home theaters.
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Introduction to Home Theater
If you're looking to build your own home theater, or you're just into audio and video technology, you're in for a treat. Our home theater articles are chock full of amazing graphics and easy-to-grasp explanations. We've got everything from speakers to projection television, so go ahead -- dive in!
On the next pages, learn about the basics of setting up a Home Theater by purchasing a display that is right for you and your home.
Choosing a home theater system can seem intimidating, but if you know what to look for, it won't be.
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How Home Theater Works
When you're watching a movie at home, surround sound and proper visual alignment can make all the difference. But how do you set up a professional system without hiring a professional? Learn about the components of a home theater and how to put it all together to create the system that's right for you.
Find out what's going on inside your TV.
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How Television Works
Television has been around long enough to seem entirely ordinary, but the box that brings TV shows into your home is an amazing device. What kinds of signals are being transmitted? How is the picture formed? Where does the color come from? Find out what's going on inside a TV set.
See How Television Works.
Get the television that fits your needs and budget.
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TV Buying Guide
Not so long ago, the only major decision you had to make when buying a TV was black-and-white or color. Now you have to choose broadcast format, compare half a dozen different TV technologies and comprehend a growing list of extra features. Cut through the confusing jargon with our buying guide.
See the TV Buying Guide.
3-D television could be jumping into your living room in the near future.
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How 3D-TV Works
When you think of watching a movie in 3-D, you may think of those goofy glasses with multicolor lenses. But that's the old way to do 3-D. Now, you might not need glasses at all. Learn about the technology behind 3-D TV.
See How 3D-TV Works.
Learn about the advantages of LCoS televisions.
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How LCoS Works
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) sets are still what a lot of people think of when they think of TVs, and they can provide a great picture. But if you want a big screen, a flat panel TV or a widescreen model, LCoS (Liquid Crystal over Silicon) may be the right option for you. Learn about the technology behind LCoS.
See How LCoS Works.
DLP TV sets are cheaper than flat-panel plasma and LCD TVs.
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How DLP Sets Work
You no longer have to buy a bulky rear-projection TV to get a big screen, but which technology should you choose? DLP (digital light processing) sets are cheaper and have a better picture than some of the other big-screen options. Learn more about this great way to get maximum screen size for your buck.
See How DLP Sets Work.
Flat-panel plasma displays are quickly surpassing bulky CRTs in terms of sales.
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How Plasma Displays Work
Think your living room isn't big enough to squeeze in a large-screen TV? The days of needing a mammoth room to suit your video needs are over. Plasma displays fit the components for a huge screen into a unit that's less than 6 inches deep. Learn what "plasma" is and see what's going on inside these amazingly flat displays.
If you're going for bigger-than-life video, a projection television is your best bet.
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How Projection Television Works
Wonder why you don’t see too many standard TV sets in auditoriums? When the picture has to be BIG, the traditional CRT monitor isn't practical. For an oversized image, projection television is called in. Learn how these video systems produce a high-resolution image for a huge screen.
See How Projection Television Works.
For more information about home theater components, check out these links:
