What you ultimately spend depends on matching your desires with your available cash. There are inexpensive and mid-range options that provide great value and performance, while some very expensive options only deliver a marginal increase in performance and may not always be the best value. The following tips enable you to merge your desires with practical, cost-effective, strategies for assembling your home theater. Here are the basic questions you need to answer:
Do you want the biggest viewing image possible? Will you be spending more time watching TV and movies, listening to music, or playing video games? Do you want to incorporate the internet into your home theater system?
A display device: In order to watch video content, you need a TV or video projector/screen. One or more sources: You need something to provide you with the content you watch or hear. Home Theater source component options include Blu-ray or DVD players, game consoles, network media player/streamers, antenna, cable, or satellite TV box. A sound system: In order to hear your movies, TV shows, or other video content, you need to connect your source to a stereo or home theater receiver and speakers. Equipment rack or cabinet: You need a place to put your TV or source components, and if you own CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, having a place to store them is a good idea. Seating: To complete your home theater setup, a nice, comfortable chair or couch is a great way to add to the enjoyment.
Home-theater-in-a-box systems are affordable packages that contain most of the components needed, including speakers, a surround receiver, and, in some cases, a DVD or Blu-ray player. A soundbar creates a wider surround-like field from a single speaker cabinet, which can be placed above or below a TV. Some soundbars have internal amplifiers and most come with a separate subwoofer. Soundbars save a lot of space and eliminate the need for extra surround speakers in a modest setup. If you dream of the day when you can afford your ultimate home theater system but don’t have the cash, a home-theater-in-a-box or sound bar are definitely affordable options.
Blu-ray players not only play Blu-ray discs but also play DVDs and CDs. Most Blu-ray players can also play audio, video, and still image content from USB flash drives via an onboard USB port. Almost all Blu-ray players include internet streaming capability. These players can be connected to the internet via a router, allowing you to stream online audio and video content directly to the player for viewing on a TV or video projector.
In the electronics world, it is not so obvious what the term “refurbished” actually means for the consumer. Before you embark on your quest to find those great deals, arm yourself with useful shopping tips for buying refurbished products.
Discs: The average price of a DVD movie is about $15, while the average price of a Blu-ray movie is about $25. Always watch for sales. Consider renting DVD/Blu-ray discs if you are not interested in keeping them.Cable and Satellite Fee: The amount you pay depends on the package that you contract for.Pay-Per-View Fees: Prices vary, but can be a little as $2 per view or $20 or more for certain newer film releases or special events.Internet Streaming Fees: Some services require a monthly subscription, while others impose pay-per-view fees. Even though internet streaming is a very attractive alternative to cable or satellite, costs can be just as high depending on how you manage what you watch. However, you only pay for the service or specific content you want.Video Projector Lamp Replacement: If you opt for a video projector, rather than a TV, most projectors incorporate a lamp that needs to be periodically replaced. Although lamp costs have come down in recent years, depending on the projector, it could still be several hundred dollars. Typical video projector lamp life ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 hours.
Don’t buy the cheapest: However, don’t overpay for just a minor increase in performance. Be comfortable with your purchase. You don’t have to buy everything now: If you can’t afford everything right away, start with a good TV and build out from there. Be realistic: Budget for additional expenses such as sales tax, delivery charges, and needed accessories. When looking at the purchase price of the product, add an additional 20 to 25 percent. This will more accurately reflect your final register total. Research before you buy: Check out information on both the internet and print on the products you are considering. There are manufacturer sites, comparative reviews, online price guides, and more that can help with your choices. Don’t tell a salesman you don’t know anything about the item you are considering, especially if he/she is on commission. Read ads carefully: Learn how to interpret the different types of ads that clutter the Sunday ad inserts in your newspaper. Understand return policies: Make sure you know what the store or online seller’s return policy is. Some retailers have restocking fees (usually 15 percent) on some, or all, items (once opened) whether defective or not. Some retailers may be lenient in a specific case, but most are strict on their policy. It’s possible that even if you are one day past the return policy cutoff, the product is yours, even if the product is unopened. A store’s return policy should be posted at the cash register stations, and may also be imprinted on the back of your receipt. If you don’t see it – ask. Extended service plans – Buy or Not? When making a home theater product purchase on a strict budget, you may be highly resistant to buying a service plan or extended warranty. However, if you are buying anything mechanically based, such as a CD/DVD/Blu-ray player, or you are buying a large screen LED/LCD, QLED, or OLED TV, consider buying extended service. Of course, the cost of the plan, the type of coverage offered, and the price of the plan are also important considerations. Make sure you look at the fine print of the contract before buying it. Buy Everything You Need the First Time: Buy EVERYTHING a product needs to make it work. Make sure you buy any needed cables or other accessories so the item can be used when you get it home. If you are buying a DVD or Blu-ray player, buy a couple of DVDs or Blu-ray movies. If buying a DVD Recorder, make sure you buy a package of blank DVDs in the correct format. Know the rules of mail order and online buying: To find the right product at the right price, many consumers are buying more off of the internet, mail order, or from QVC and other shopping channels. However, as attractive as those internet and mail order shopping prices are, there are some pitfalls. Make sure you understand the total costs of shopping online or via mail order.
