Three Common Home Theater Errors
As a newcomer to home theater, and especially setting things up for the first time, you're bound to hear plenty of half-truths and non-truths about the set-up and functioning of home theaters. In fact, even many of the experienced home theater owners sometimes fall for, or avidly believe in, these myths. We're here to help you understand the truth behind home theaters, and help you get the most out of your home theater by avoiding unneccesary pain and frustration, and helping you understand the way things really work.
Refresh Rate - Bigger is Better
One might often look at the numbers when searching for a new television to buy, and, often, bigger numbers mean better performance. But, as in the case of refresh rates, that's not always the case. Why? The refresh rate is the frequency at which images are updated on your television screen. Though a higher refresh rate generally means a better, smoother image, it gets to a point (generally at 60Hz) that, even in high definition, any higher refresh rate will not only make very little difference, it can, in some cases, diminish picture quality, making the motion picture seem almost cartoon-like. The problem is, these days, many manufacturers are making televisions of 120Hz, or even 240Hz, and charging consumers a few hundred dollars extra. Remember that, even in high def, you simply don't need the extra refresh rate.
RMS vs. Peak Power
In the number game of sales, it's quite often that consumers are tricked into thinking that bigger means better, when it comes to their numbers. However, in the case of power capacity in subwoofers, this couldn't be further from the truth. The problem is, many subwoofer manufacturers will report their woofer's power capacity in "peak", meaning the absolute maximum a subwoofer can handle in a very short period of time, as opposed to "RMS," or continual power, which is how much the subwoofer can handle over an extended time. It doesn't make much sense to buy a woofer that can handle 1,000 watts max, when its RMS could be 50-100 watts, as opposed to another that has a max capacity of 800, yet its RMS is found closer to 300. The second will always outperform. Remember as you look for a subwoofer to make sure you know what you're getting, and you'll be much happier with it.
Putting the Subwoofer In The Corner
One thing you're sure to hear about when you first grab a subwoofer to install, is where you need to place it. Often, it will be said that, for the best sound and quality, the subwoofer should be put in the corner of the room. This is a false assumption. Although you may notice a difference in volume with such placement, quality will not only probably remain unchanged, it could, in fact, be worsened. It is better, rather than accept such suggestions, seek through trial and error where your subwoofer sounds best in your room, as all rooms have different acoustics, but generally you'll find the maximum quality keeping your sub within equal distance of all speaker output. Just so you know, however, it doesn't matter as much where you put your subwoofer, so much as the fact of having one.
In the end, home theater myths will always exist, and unfortunately perpetuate quite rapidly. We're here, however, to help you make the most of your own home theater, and so, remember as you go along to always investigate as best you can what you're getting yourself into, and remember as well to help others perceive the truth when it comes to home theaters and equipment.
Refresh Rate - Bigger is Better
One might often look at the numbers when searching for a new television to buy, and, often, bigger numbers mean better performance. But, as in the case of refresh rates, that's not always the case. Why? The refresh rate is the frequency at which images are updated on your television screen. Though a higher refresh rate generally means a better, smoother image, it gets to a point (generally at 60Hz) that, even in high definition, any higher refresh rate will not only make very little difference, it can, in some cases, diminish picture quality, making the motion picture seem almost cartoon-like. The problem is, these days, many manufacturers are making televisions of 120Hz, or even 240Hz, and charging consumers a few hundred dollars extra. Remember that, even in high def, you simply don't need the extra refresh rate.
RMS vs. Peak Power
In the number game of sales, it's quite often that consumers are tricked into thinking that bigger means better, when it comes to their numbers. However, in the case of power capacity in subwoofers, this couldn't be further from the truth. The problem is, many subwoofer manufacturers will report their woofer's power capacity in "peak", meaning the absolute maximum a subwoofer can handle in a very short period of time, as opposed to "RMS," or continual power, which is how much the subwoofer can handle over an extended time. It doesn't make much sense to buy a woofer that can handle 1,000 watts max, when its RMS could be 50-100 watts, as opposed to another that has a max capacity of 800, yet its RMS is found closer to 300. The second will always outperform. Remember as you look for a subwoofer to make sure you know what you're getting, and you'll be much happier with it.
Putting the Subwoofer In The Corner
One thing you're sure to hear about when you first grab a subwoofer to install, is where you need to place it. Often, it will be said that, for the best sound and quality, the subwoofer should be put in the corner of the room. This is a false assumption. Although you may notice a difference in volume with such placement, quality will not only probably remain unchanged, it could, in fact, be worsened. It is better, rather than accept such suggestions, seek through trial and error where your subwoofer sounds best in your room, as all rooms have different acoustics, but generally you'll find the maximum quality keeping your sub within equal distance of all speaker output. Just so you know, however, it doesn't matter as much where you put your subwoofer, so much as the fact of having one.
In the end, home theater myths will always exist, and unfortunately perpetuate quite rapidly. We're here, however, to help you make the most of your own home theater, and so, remember as you go along to always investigate as best you can what you're getting yourself into, and remember as well to help others perceive the truth when it comes to home theaters and equipment.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about Lava Subs, then visit Amazon to choose the best Lava Subwoofer for your needs.