Thursday, August 15, 2013

Don’T Forget the Cables: Audio Video Quality for Your HiFi or Home Cinema

Cables are one of the most important elements of a HiFi or home cinema system, and yet are often forgotten about. It’s important to remember cables have a dramatic effect on audio and video quality. Buying the best quality cables and looking after them can pay dividends.
If you’re putting together a HiFi or home cinema system, cables may not be your main concern. After all, your HDTV, games console, CD player, iPod dock and speakers are the things you actually want to use - how you link them up is irrelevant. Right? Actually, it is very important indeed, both for the look of your room, and the quality of audio and video you get.
Quality
Although the quality of your TV and HiFi equipment has a big impact on the sound and picture, you need cables to transfer signals between your various pieces of kit. If the cables aren’t up to the task, the signals will be weaker and prone to interference. Gold plated connectors are useful as gold is unreactive and will give a good connection every time. The best quality cables also have oxygen-free copper cores for conductivity and are shielded against interference.
With digital cables, the situation is a little different. A digital signal is made up of ones and zeroes, so it’s either there or it isn’t. There aren’t the shades of grey you get with an analogue signal. Because of this, digital cables give a more faithful transfer of information. HDMI cables are now the standard for connecting TVs, set top boxes and games consoles, and their digital signal means better quality.
Aesthetics
The look of your cables is another important factor and keeping them tidy is a must. Branded cables often have more snazzy designs than cheaper versions, but whichever you choose, having the right length is essential; too short and they won’t reach your equipment, too long and you’ll end up with a tangled mess. Speaker leads can be cut to length, but with phono, jack and HDMI cables, it’s important to measure before you buy.
A wall plate can be an even better way of tidying up. A plate with connectors is mounted on the wall and cables plug into it, allowing most of the wires to be hidden. This stops them affecting the look of your home, gathering dust and becoming a trip hazard. If you have a wall mounted HDTV, you certainly don’t want to see the cables.
Long lasting
Good quality cables are likely to last longer, as well. Exposed leads often get twisted and pulled, which can cause cable fracture in lower quality products. The best cables have a flexible outer jacket so they can cope with this kind of stress.
Wall plates make damage to audio video cables much less likely as they are hidden out of sight. Whereas exposed cables can be crushed, cut and tripped on, those in the walls are protected from harm.
Whether you need phono and speaker leads for your HiFi, or HDMI for your home cinema, good quality cables are your best bet.

Set Up Your Home Cinema With a Little Help From Ebuyer

When asked which electrical gadget they'd most like to have in their own home, many would respond by stating they'd want a home cinema - one that would allow them to revel in the full cinema experience, but in the comfort of their own living room.

Recent advances in technology have even made it possible for 3D to be enjoyed in the home too.

A top-of-the-range home cinema system usually comprises a projector or a plasma screen TV, a Blu-ray player and a home cinema system. All of these items can be purchased from stores specialising in electrical goods, such as Comet and Ebuyer.

Ebuyer offers a huge range of projectors, TVs, home cinema systems and Blu-ray players.

But which are the best for those looking to set-up their own home cinema?

Projector - Optoma DS3-XL 3D Projector Bundle: Although Ebuyer features many projectors on its website, the Optoma DS3-XL 3D Projector Bundle is unique in that the pack also contains a set of 3D glasses.

Projecting bright colours and a fantastically clear picture, this projector is capable of producing impressive results even when ambient light is present. Delivering 2600L, the Optoma DS3-XL 3D Projector will ensure that everyone can enjoy the film - regardless of how close they are to the screen.

It’s also an ideal option for those that don't have access to an external speaker system, as its built-in speaker system produces a good standard of sound.

TV - Samsung UE55ES6800 55-inch LED TV: In many cases a projector isn't going to be practical, purely because of the amount of space needed to set it up. In these instances, a TV such as the Samsung UE55ES6800 is a wonderful alternative.

Featuring full HD 1080p visuals - enhanced by Micro Dimming and Clear Motion Ratio - this sleek Samsung model also boasts a range of additional features. Its Dual Core processor enables users to browse the Internet via the new and improved Smart Hub.

One of many TVs which boasts 3D capabilities, the Samsung UE55ES6800 ensures that this feature can be enjoyed from the off - with two pairs of glasses included.

Blu-ray Player - Toshiba BDX3200 3D Blu-ray Player: Whilst it's possible to enjoy movies in high-definition on a standard Blu-ray player, you'll need to purchase a model with 3D capabilities to enjoy them in their richest form - regardless of whether you've purchased one of the 3D TVs or projectors offered by Ebuyer.

The BDX3200 3D Blu-ray Player from Toshiba is one of the many products manufactured by the Japanese company available from Ebuyer. As well as playing Blu-ray discs in 1080p, this Blu-ray player will also upscale DVDs in standard definition - ensuring that the overall viewing experience is at a high standard whatever the disc format.

With its 3D capabilities, the Toshiba BDX3200 is a fantastic option for those looking to take in the benchmarks in 3D cinema - such as Avatar and TRON: Legacy - as they were intended to be enjoyed.

Home Cinema System - LG HT806PH 5.1Ch DVD Home Cinema System: Once you have a 3D TV or projector and 3D Blu-ray player, all that is needed to complete that home cinema set-up is a home cinema system.

Available from Ebuyer, the LG HT806PH 5.1Ch DVD Home Cinema System is absolutely incredible. Capable of providing the kind of sound quality usually experienced in a concert hall or an opera house, it fully immerses those lucky enough to experience it in the film - thanks to its two large speakers, three smaller speakers and a subwoofer.

Also featuring a DVD player - an item that can also be found on the website - this home cinema system is great for those who want an additional player to use elsewhere in the home.