Home cinema
From ArticleWorld
A home cinema, also known as a home theatre, is a system that produces high quality cinema-like video and audio in the home.
History
Home cinemas gained popularity in 1950s due to a drop in the prices of camera and movie projector equipment and due to the invention of the Kodak 8mm film. However, equipment providing higher quality was still very expensive and was found only in the houses of extremely rich people. In the 1970s, VCRs began to replace films because they were more flexible and easier to use. Multi-channel audio systems and laserdiscs were introduced in the 1980s. The development of DVDs, 5 channel audio systems and high quality video projectors in the 1990s revolutionised the home cinema technology and popularised it even further.
Components
Because they provide cinema-like image quality, home cinemas are much more demanding in higher quality equipment than ordinary televisions. The following are the main components of a typical home cinema:
- Display: Large-screen televisions such as cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions or the more advanced plasma TVs or LCDs are used as displays. Sometimes, a video projector is used instead of a display.
- Audio system: About 5 sets of speakers in addition to a subwoofer are used in order to produce surround sound.
- Audio and video source: Home cinemas have at least one audio/video source. Common sources include DVDs, laserdiscs and cable. VHS VCRs were used in older home theatre setups.
- Seating and organisation: The seating and organisation of the room is specially designed in order to improve the experience of the viewers. This can include comfortable reclining chairs, soft lighting and sound insulation.