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A Quick Guide to A complete e-Book on how to research, design and build your own Home Theater.
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Books can help you grasp a structured insight in a way no web-site or home theater magazine can do.
In particular, knowledge gained through home theater books gives you the potential to evaluate magazine reviews, and even challenge the sales talk by a company-rep whose main aim is to make you spend your money on the company products.
Above all, this type of knowledge helps you build the necessary level of confidence in your decisions.
To assist you in your selection, we are presenting our reviews and recommendations on some of the best home theater books presently available from major bookshops and on-line stores.
Home Theater Books - Review Index:
Submit a Book Review: Should you prefer, you may submit a short write-up about your favorite home theater book title, or even share your opinion about the home theater books featured on this page. To submit your opinion, just fill in the submission form at the end of this page. Your submission will appear as a separate page under this same section.
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Home Theater for Dummies - 3rd Edition Well researched. Great for anyone interested in home theater. A good overall primer for newbie's. But it's more than just a primer. |
It all started when a friend of ours asked if we can recommend a 'good home theater book' that covers home theater basics in plain English.
What he wanted was to get enough insight into the subject to be able to choose the right equipment, put it all together, and set up his home theater. It was then that we came across an interesting book with a rather misleading title...
This is a great home theater book that can serve as a quick reference guide to anyone interested in home entertainment - in particular, to those who did not keep up to date with the latest developments.
It covers the subject in simple plain English - possibly this is the reason why it is named ' ...for Dummies'. In this respect, this is somewhat misleading. Why?
Home Theater For Dummies takes a detailed comprehensive approach to the subject - clearly explaining the latest developments in home theater systems.
It starts with budget issues and then goes on to defining home theater basics. It covers important topics like choosing a room, organizing your gear, explaining audio systems, choosing the video display, home theater cables, home theater PCs, remotes, and speaker placement.
It also discuss issues related to hooking up of A/V systems, and home theater room design issues such as light and sound proofing, etc.
The 3rd edition of Home Theater for Dummies also includes information about Blu-ray and HD, satellite radio options, as well as show you how to incorporate a Wii, Xbox, or Playstation 3 into your set-up.
You will also find instructions on how to calibrate your HDTV with a calibration disk or a DVD containing THX Optimizer.
Overall, Home Theater for Dummies is a comprehensive reference book that can serve a valid purpose especially to the new comer, but not only. Highly recommended.
The two home theater books that follow are better defined as generic home theater guides. Mind you, they are written in plain English and can easily serve as a primer to the novice. But they can get somewhat technical. These are not the type of book you read cover to cover at one go, but surely, they will prove a useful complement to any home theater library.
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Home Theater For Everyone:
A Practical Guide to Today's Home Entertainment Systems Contains some detailed information, is fairly technical, and well written with an easy to follow approach; a good reference guide. |
Home Theater For Everyone takes a practical approach and represents a valid reference home theater book with loads of information about Audio and Video systems - possibly with a bit too much emphasis on Home THX.
It starts with a detailed explanation of source components such as DVD, HDTV set-top boxes, etc, and then continues with AV systems, video displays, speaker selection, etc.
AV receivers, controllers, and power amplifiers are dealt with in substantial depth. A good effort has been invested to help the reader understand what to look for when it comes to home theater equipment selection, including budget issues and magazine reviews evaluation.
Other topics include home theater accessories, racks, equipment placement, cables, hook-up tips and equipment set-up and protection.
Home Theater for Everyone is in need for an update now in that it misses out on a few of the latest technical developments. Furthermore, it does not tackle the issue of home theater room design with all that it entails, like room acoustics, lighting, room size, viewing distance, home theater seating, etc.
However, we still say that Home Theater For Everyone is a good practical guide with loads of useful information especially on A/V systems.
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Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems A well written book that will answer most of your home theater questions... |
This home theater book is very similar in content to 'Home Theater for Everyone', except that it is updated yearly in October; the latest edition being that for 2010. It discusses practically the same list of topics - HDTV, digital television and satellite receivers, surround systems, DVD players, digital video recorders, accessories including power line conditioning equipment, equipment installation, connection guide, etc.
A rather unique interesting section worth looking into is the one dealing with problem solving.
You will also find extensive details explaining the differences between Dolby and DTS surround, including the new lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master standards as well as the new height-enhanced listening modes, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX.
And it covers all formats under the sun including the new Blu-ray disc and anything that plays in an iPod.
Like 'Home Theater for Everyone', Practical Home Theater is not the type of book that would help you in your home theater room design issues. But then this home theater book will surely answer most of your audio and video questions.
In view of the yearly updates, Practical Home Theater is one of those few home theater books that manages to cover some of the latest AV developments. Thanks to its clear presentation of the topics under discussion, it will help you find your way in the complex world of today's audio and video technologies. Another highly recommended title
The next home theater book review deals again with one of those books that despite not being one of the latest publications, yet it can still serve as a good reference to those in the process of designing, planning, or possibly upgrading their home theater.
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Home Theater Hacks:
100 Industrial-strength Tips
and Tools Not among the latest but it is very well written and easy to understand...
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This should serve as a great reference source for those in the process of planning or building their home theater - covering everything selecting the right system components and equipment configuration, to cabling and all that is necessary to come up with a great home theater.
It includes an extensive and interesting section that deals with equipment configuration - covering topics as varied as how to install and configure a terrestrial television antenna to how to match your subwoofer to your room.
It is not the perfect book in that it does seem to cater more for the high-end user; for example, there is nothing about home-theater-in-a-box solutions. IN addition, in some areas, Home Theater Hacks is turning out to be outdated - six years since publication is a long time in this fast changing world of home theater.
However, we still say that Home Theater Hacks represents a good choice to anyone who want to learn about home theater, with numerous great ideas to help you get started.
Generic guides can do a great job in helping the reader get a better overall understanding of home theater. Yet, when it comes to specialized issues, their role has to stop at just triggering the reader's awareness - they simply cannot deliver the necessary detail and the only way forward is a book that deals specifically with the subject.
The two specialized yet relatively inexpensive home theater books that follow in this short review are surely among the best within their sphere of discussion.
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Home Theater Design (New Ed.):
Planning and Decorating Media-Savvy Interiors A great resource to anyone interested in creating a beautiful and comfortable home theater that is just right for YOU. |
This home theater book is written by an authority in the field of home entertainment interiors design.
It guides the reader through the necessary steps to create the home theater of her or his dreams - within the limitations of available space and budget - while taking advantage of emerging technologies in the rapidly changing world of home theater.
It starts with an insider's approach to home entertainment. Step-by-step, it examines current technology, space planning, acoustics, functionality, lifestyle, and overall aesthetics. The book offers information on a variety of design considerations - furnishings, comfort, setting up entertainment spaces, hosting get-togethers, accommodating guests - while factoring in style, functionality, new technology, acoustic planning, soundproofing, lighting, and environmental and personal health considerations.
In the process, it addresses the important issue of available space - from small urban apartments to spacious, multipurpose living areas, to full-blown dedicated theater spaces. The goal is to help you plan and design an entertainment system that's right for you. It provides important technical tips on how to achieve a 'movie theater' experience in your own home; how to choose and place acoustic and audio/visual systems to the best advantage; how to plan a home theater or music room; and how to display, store, and care for all types of media formats.
Overall, Home Theater Design covers both the theory and the practical aspects of decorating of home theaters; all is complemented by great pictures of mid to upper end theaters which can help trigger design ideas. Highly recommended.
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Audio/Video Cable Installer's Pocket Guide The definite guide to audio and video cables. Great for anyone in the sphere of home theater - from hobbyist to professional. |
This is the pocket guide that you will surely refer to it again and again. It covers the subject in exceptional detail, with illustrations that clarify the methods, procedures, and tools required for the job.
It starts with the very basics - through an in-depth discussion on cable anatomy. It then goes on to discuss the different types of audio and video cables - both analog and digital - pointing out important wire specifications. It is designed to help the reader get a better understanding of which type of cables are most appropriate for the different applications.
A whole section is also devoted to project planning and handling.
More than a home theater book, this is a wiring guide, but it will surely find its way in the home theater. Though very technical in nature, the author has done a great job in rendering complex topics interesting and readable.
Audio/Video Cable Installer's is must have book for anyone interested in A/V cable installation and entertainment systems hook-up.
Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com Choice:
Do not be tempted to pick a never-ending list of home theater books, but investing in a couple of well written and up-to-date books is surely worth considering. In this respect, the selection listed below represents a good starting point.
In order of preference...
Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems
Home Theater Design (New Ed.): Planning and Decorating Media-Savvy Interiors
Home Theater for Dummies is also worth considering especially for the new comer to the world of home entertainment.
Complement the above selection of home theater books with a good magazine and you are on your way to home theater success. For our reviews and recommendations on some of the best home theater magazines, check our Home Theater Magazines review page.
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