The Brain

Sometimes I create a post, and it strikes me that the topic I'm about to address really should have been resolved three to five years ago. Nonetheless, there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not questioned by someone about what looks like an old subject.

The most important component (besides speakers) of any system is by a clear head the receiver/processor. The receiver is literally the hub that everything funnels into, from audio/video signals, camcorders plugged into front panel jacks, iPod docks; the list goes on. Folks ask me all the time, "what do I need on these things, and how inexpensive can I go?" And while the answer to that involves more than a simple list of features, there are some quick, significant things to examine to make sure you aren't putting yourself behind the curve as you walk out the door. Notice that power ratings aren't on the list.

HDMI and HDMI upconversion: At least three inputs, one output. HDMI is already the de facto digital standard for modern components. Ensure they're 1.3 compliant (most will be). I see new devices everyday that only have HDMI and composite. HDMI upconversion allows one HDMI cable to be run to the television; the receiver takes any signal S-video and up, and converts it to something than can be sent via that single wire. Simplifies connections, makes holes in the wall smaller, and helps to counter remote juggling.

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding: At some point, you will probably replace your older DVD player with a BluRay player. Although you may not dive in immediately into BluRay as a format, if you do, it makes a ton of sense to ensure that lossless audio formats can be decoded in the receiver, thus retaining all the settings and bass management that are applied to everything else. This is important to ensure all of the parameters of your system are handled correctly, since the processing options in most players are heavily watered-down, and can possibly conflict with the settings already programmed in the receiver.

Second/third zone output: It's nice to be able to have music in the house, and the ballgame on the patio, all amplified and switched from one receiver.

Room correction: This is the least important of all of these, but for people maybe a little technophobic, auto-calibration routines can be incredibly helpful to handle the distance, level, and speaker size settings automatically. This can be useful also to help counter the fact that more than likely, main speakers will be a different size (and certainly shape) than the center, which will also be different than the surrounds. Auto-calibration can help mitigate these physical differences to place the listener in a more-believable "bubble" of sound.

Today, many of the things we used to refer to as "future formats" are here. Therefore, having a receiver that is truly plug-and-play is easier than ever, since there's less of a mystery as to what's coming down the road. The good news is, no matter what those formats may be, there is a 99% chance that HDMI will be the connection of choice. Don't paint yourself into a corner; you can get a receiver that will truly last you 10-15 years without any trouble if you pay attention to some basic issues.