How do you choose a home cinema set?
Choosing a home cinema set
At first glance, home cinema sets seem very similar. To make a good choice, ask yourself the following questions:
- How many speakers do you want?
- What do you want to play?
- Do you want a set without wires?
- Do you want to stream music?
- Do you want to watch videos on demand?
- Do you only want one remote?
- Do you have the right HDMI cables?
How many speakers do you want?
A 2.1 home cinema set has 2 front speakers and a separate subwoofer. A 5.1 set has an extra center speaker for speech and 2 rear speakers for a surround sound. A 2.1 system is easier to hide, but a 5.1 system is best for a real movie theater experience.
What do you want to play?
Most home cinema sets have an integrated Blu-ray player. This saves room compared to a separate one. On top of that, it's easy to use since you don't have to switch between devices. A Blu-ray player plays all types of discs.
*Plays Blu-ray, DVD, and CD
- Also suitable for 3D movies
Don't want wires?
To limit the number of cables at home, you can choose a wireless home cinema set. Wireless rear speakers are best, so you don't see any speaker cables. A wireless subwoofer also give you more placement options.
Do you want to stream music?
Smarphones and tablets have Bluetooth. This allows you to stream music to your home cinema wirelessly. The range is about 10m. With an iPhone or iPad, you can also use AirPlay. This uses your WiFi network, so the range is larger. With DLNA, you can stream music from a network drive, PC, or laptop.
Do you want to watch videos on demand?
Smart TV isn't just for TVs. It's also included with some Blu-ray players. Via apps, you can watch on-demand programs, movies, and series. You have to connect your home cinema set to the internet, either with a cable or via WiFi.
- Watch Uitzending Gemist
- Rent on-demand movies
- Unlimited movies and series with Netflix
Do you only want one remote?
You can operate your home cinema set and TV with the same remote if the devices are by the same brand and if they both support the functions HDMI-CEC and ARC. Each brand has its own name for HDMI-CEC, such as AnyNet (Samsung), EasyLink (Philips), SimpLink (LG), VieraLink (Panasonic), BraviaLink (Sony), and AquosLink (Sharp). If HDMI-CEC isn't an option, a universal remote is just as convenient.
7. Do you have the right HDMI cables?
Connect your new home cinema set to your TV with the latest High Speed HDMI cable. That way, you can be sure all functions work properly.
- Suitable for TV audio (ARC)
- Suitable for 3D images
- Suitable for 4K Ultra HD images
