The earliest practical home theater systems used LaserDisc or VHS video projectors and a large screen, either rear projection for more-affordable setups or LCD front-projection in more elaborate systems. In the 1990s, DVD-Video and Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround audio were introduced, creating new interest in home cinema. Many home entertainment hardware vendors added video inputs to their stereo receivers, turning them into audio/video (A/V) receivers that could play both music and movies.
In the 2000s, a new wave of home theater interest was sparked by the introduction of HDTV and Blu-ray players that could play both standard definition and high-resolution movies, as well as streaming media like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu. More advanced AV receivers could support multiple surround-sound formats, including Dolby Atmos, which adds height channels to the traditional 5.1-channel configuration. Some home cinema enthusiasts even built dedicated rooms, with large, expensive digital projectors and screens, custom-built or rented screening chairs, and audiophile-grade equipment that can rival the performance of Hollywood’s El Capitan theater.
Regardless of the components you choose, almost all home theater systems include at least two main speakers, a subwoofer and a multichannel power amplifier. Most include a center, left and right speaker for dialogue and ambient sounds, as well as one or more surround sound speakers for movie soundtracks, music and games. Some even include a soundbar, which replaces the center and left-right speakers, or a soundbase, which has one speaker on top of a flat-screen TV and includes built-in subwoofers.
While you can purchase separate components for your home theater, the easiest route is to purchase a prepackaged system called a “home-theater-in-a-box.” These packages typically include a wireless AV receiver with built-in surround sound decoding, a set of matching speakers and a cable to connect everything together. Some of these systems also feature a Smart TV, which can access apps and services on your home network.
The biggest benefit of a wireless home theater system is the fact that it avoids drilling holes in walls and running wires through attics, making installation easier and less expensive. It also means you can move components around at any time and can easily upgrade to more sophisticated or powerful AV equipment in the future without having to rewire your home.
Depending on your needs, you may also want to consider adding Dolby Atmos-enabled ceiling speakers, or “height” speakers, which are installed in the ceiling and reflect sound down into your listening position. You can buy a pair of these speakers separately, or go with a Dolby Atmos-enabled receiver that has ceiling speakers built in.