The 6 Best AV Receiver

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AV receivers are multi-channel Hi-Fi amplifiers that are technically capable of connecting video and audio signals from different sources to their digital and analog outputs. Video projectors, additional amplifier output stages, TV sets and loudspeakers can be connected to the outputs of AV receivers, for example. The device’s inputs allow the user to connect a variety of digital video and audio devices, such as memory cards and storage media storing video or audio files, digital photo and video cameras, Bluray players, DVD and CD players to the AV receiver. Some models are also equipped with a network connection that allows multimedia files to be played back from the Internet or from the private network. Each AV receiver is equipped with at least one subwoofer channel and 5 sound channels. These AV receivers are identified by the additional designation 5.1. Receivers that have 2 subwoofer channels and 11 sound channels can be identified by the additional designation 11.2. Some models are also equipped with a network connection that allows multimedia files to be played back from the Internet or from the private network. Each AV receiver is equipped with at least one subwoofer channel and 5 sound channels. These products are identified by the additional designation 5.1. AV receivers that have 2 subwoofer channels and 11 sound channels are identified by the additional designation 11.2. AV receivers are technically capable of decoding various surround sound sound formats and converting them into surround sound. Some devices are still equipped with image processors which process the video signals for high-resolution output devices (Full-HD). Due to their versatility and the ability to create surround sound, receivers are the central components of home theater systems. As the control centre of the home cinema system, the receiver connects the connected audio and video players in such a way that no additional amplifiers or loudspeakers are required for simultaneous viewing and listening. This makes it possible for a video projector integrated into the home theater system with a cable to play back images from Blu-ray Disc players, DVD recorders, VHS recorders and other devices while the speakers connected to the receiver play back the sound associated with the images. To enable the device to perform its functions, it is equipped with a different number of different interfaces, such as TOSLink, S-Video and HDMI. The more extensive the supported formats and the integrated interfaces are, the more versatile the device can be used.

Our Top AV Receiver Pick

Audio & Hifi: AV Receiver Video Guide

More and more people are no longer simply sitting in front of the television to be entertained, but are putting together a home cinema system and enjoying films and television programmes with surround sound. In the home cinema, numerous loudspeakers are distributed around the seating group so that the spectator hears the train passing behind, while the detective puts the robber in his place. However, it is not enough to just set up many loudspeakers so that the train passing behind can be heard. An AV receiver must be purchased which processes the audio and video signals correctly, controls them centrally and distributes the sound correctly to the individual loudspeakers.

The receiver takes over the function of the control centre. If the device is inferior and does its job poorly, even the best TV sets and loudspeakers are useless. In this case, first-class screens reproduce an inferior image and first-class loudspeakers reproduce only a poor sound.

Therefore, those interested in purchasing an AV receiver should not buy the first special offer. Before a purchase decision is made, exact information should be obtained about what the particular device can do at all. Furthermore, the room in which the home cinema system is to be installed must also be taken into account when selecting the AV receiver. Because perfect surround sound can only be created if all components of the system are optimally matched to each other and to the home cinema room.

Surround sound is intended to make sounds audible where the sounds are produced. It therefore makes sense that more than just two speakers need to be placed in the home theater room to realistically reproduce a scene in your own living room. Various home cinema systems are offered on the market. These systems are Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic II and Virtual Surround.

Virtual Surround is not a realistic, but a fake surround sound. Often, however, only poor results are achieved. It is not uncommon for the audio signal to be processed in such a way that the sound quality even deteriorates. The Virtual Surround 3.0 technology works best, but the results are still unsatisfactory. Despite the use of an additional centre loudspeaker, people who are not sitting precisely in the centre in front of the loudspeaker hear only stereo sound instead of surround sound. For the realization of satisfying virtual room sound solutions, a niche-free, rectangular or square room is the most important basic requirement. The walls should be similar and have the same distance to the left and right speakers. The walls of this system are needed to reflect the sound to the ears. If only one wall is free or there is an obstacle in the way, the sound quality deteriorates noticeably.

Dolby Pro Logic II is a powerful technology that turns stereo sound into fascinating surround sound. The sound quality can be further increased by an appropriately prepared sound signal. In order to integrate additional sounds into the stereo sound, a decoder integrated into the receiver filters them out and transmits them to the rear speakers. Dolby Pro Logic II recognizes movies and music and also plays music in surround sound. If the music signal is played through more than two speakers, the sound quality will suffer. The DTS Neo:6 technology also works on an analog basis. The mode of operation is basically similar to that of Dolby Pro Logic II. The difference between the two systems is the additional channel. This allows a third speaker to be placed above or behind the two rear speakers. DTS Neo:6 also has the ability to distinguish between film and music. Dolby Digital 5.1 is also available under the name AC-3 g. The digital system supports a total of 6 channels. Since Dolby Digital 5.1 was used on most DVDs, support is mandatory for every AV receiver. TV stations also use Dolby Digital 5.1 when transmitting surround sound. Unlike the methods described above, this technology does not store stereo sound, but six separate audio tracks, which significantly improves sound quality.

DTS 5.1 (Digital Theatre Systems) is similar to Dolby Digital 5.1 in most respects, but since more audio signals are processed, this technology can be used to further improve sound quality. Dolby Digital Surround EX is a further development of Dolby Digital, which supports seven channels. The additional signal controls the rear center speaker. However, this only produces mono sounds. With the DTS-ES discrete 6.1 method, all audio tracks are stored individually on a DVD. This significantly increases the dynamics, but also the consumption of storage space.

The THX procedure is out of the ordinary. This technology places particularly high demands on sound quality. However, the quality of music reproduction suffers from the optimization to Kinoton quality. Since additional high license fees are incurred, THX-certified devices are more expensive than conventional AV receivers.

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