Best Home theater systems

Number of audio signal channels supplied by the system. An HTIB system usually has 5.1 channels (front left and right, center, surround left and right, and subwoofer--that's the .1) or 7.1 channels (same as 5.1 but adds rear surround left and right). Note that some systems will require additional amplifiers to drive some speakers (i.e. subwoofers and/or rear surround channels).

This Home theater system which tested best for Number of channels has the following features: .

DVD picture quality represents trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of a Standard definition (480i) signal, from the HTIB system's DVD player playing DVD content on a CRT TV. All signals were sent via a S-video connection if available, or a composite video connection.

This Home theater system which tested best for 480i DVD picture quality has the following features: Center speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Front speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Receiver dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Maximum video resolution, Video player disc capacity, Sleep timer function, Speaker set-up test tone function, Station presets, Up-converts standard DVDs to pseudo HD, Universal remote, DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding, DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding, DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing, Dolby True HD digital audio decoding, Other DSP modes, Other features, BD-Live, BonusView, Receiver OSD, Plays 3D Blu-ray discs, Video player, FM tuner, Internet streaming access, Updatable software/firmware, USB ports, S-Video (in/out), Other connections, AC outlets (switched/unswitched), Composite video (in/out), Stereo analog audio (in/out), HDMI (in/out), Coaxial digital audio (in/out), Optical digital audio (in/out), Component-video (in/out), iPod dock, Ethernet connection and WiFi connection.

DVD picture quality represents trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of an upconverted HD (1080p) signal, from the HTIB system's Blu-ray or DVD player playing DVD content on a HD TV. All signals were sent through an HDMI connection.

This Home theater system which tested best for Upconverted DVD picture quality has the following features: .

Sound quality represents tonal accuracy and ability to reproduce fine sonic detail of the front speakers, subwoofer, center-channel speaker, and surround speakers. Sound quality judgments are made with the system optimized using its own auto speaker set-up function (if so equipped), and with its own tone controls and/or pre-set tone settings (if any) adjusted for most balanced sound.

This Home theater system which tested best for Sound quality has the following features: .

Versatility score is based on the presence or absence of useful features. The inputs and outputs shown are on the receiver. (Does not include outputs on the video player, if that is separate.)

This Home theater system which tested best for Versatility has the following features: Center speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Front speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Receiver dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Sleep timer function, Speaker set-up test tone function, Station presets, Universal remote, Dolby Pro Logic IIx analog audio processing, Amplified rear surround channels, Bass and treble tone controls, DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding, DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding, DTS-HD Master Audio digital audio decoding, Direct frequency tuning, Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing, Dolby True HD digital audio decoding, Other DSP modes, Other features, Active subwoofer, Receiver OSD, Auto speaker calibration, Analog to HDMI video conversion, 3D capable HDMI switching, FM tuner, AM tuner, Internet streaming access, Updatable software/firmware, USB ports, Headphone jack, S-Video (in/out), Other connections, AC outlets (switched/unswitched), Active subwoofer pre-amp out, Composite video (in/out), Front A/V inputs, Stereo analog audio (in/out), HDMI (in/out), Coaxial digital audio (in/out), Optical digital audio (in/out), Component-video (in/out), iPod dock and Ethernet connection.

Number of speakers that come with the system. An HTIB system usually comes with 5.1 speakers (front pair, center, surround pair, and subwoofer--that's the .1), and some systems come with extra rear surround speaker pair for a 7.1 setup.

This Home theater system which tested best for Number of speakers supplied has the following features: Center speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Front speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Receiver dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Maximum video resolution, Video player disc capacity, Sleep timer function, Speaker set-up test tone function, Station presets, Up-converts standard DVDs to pseudo HD, Universal remote, DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding, DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding, DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing, Dolby True HD digital audio decoding, Other DSP modes, Other features, BD-Live, BonusView, Receiver OSD, Plays 3D Blu-ray discs, Video player, FM tuner, Internet streaming access, Updatable software/firmware, USB ports, S-Video (in/out), Other connections, AC outlets (switched/unswitched), Composite video (in/out), Stereo analog audio (in/out), HDMI (in/out), Coaxial digital audio (in/out), Optical digital audio (in/out), Component-video (in/out), iPod dock, Ethernet connection and WiFi connection.

Ease of use indicates how easy it is to set up the system and use controls on front panel and remote.

This Home theater system which tested best for Ease of use has the following features: .

HD picture quality indicates trained panelists' evaluation of clarity and color accuracy of a high-definition progessive-scan (1080p) signal, from the HTIB system¿s Blu-ray player playing Blu-ray content on a HD TV. All signals were routed through an HDMI connection.

This Home theater system which tested best for HD picture quality has the following features: Center speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Front speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Receiver dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD, in.), Maximum video resolution, Video player disc capacity, Sleep timer function, Speaker set-up test tone function, Station presets, Up-converts standard DVDs to pseudo HD, Universal remote, DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding, DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding, DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding, Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing, Dolby True HD digital audio decoding, Other DSP modes, Other features, BD-Live, BonusView, Receiver OSD, Plays 3D Blu-ray discs, Video player, FM tuner, Internet streaming access, Updatable software/firmware, USB ports, S-Video (in/out), Other connections, AC outlets (switched/unswitched), Composite video (in/out), Stereo analog audio (in/out), HDMI (in/out), Coaxial digital audio (in/out), Optical digital audio (in/out), Component-video (in/out), iPod dock, Ethernet connection and WiFi connection.