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The world of home theater can be quite complex as it is the convergence of new school and often cutting edge audio and video technology that today is also pulling more and more from the world of IT (information technology) such as wireless Internet, streaming content, computer audio and video files and so much more. Where does one go to find about how to build a proper home theater system? Its not easy but we've built got you some resources that are likely worth your time.

Learn Your Home Theater Vocab:

Looking to learn the vocabulary of home theater? Here is a page at HomeTheaterReview.com that is about as good as they come in teaching you everything from 1080p/24 to HDMI 1.4b to 3:2 pull-down to room acoustics, speaker placement and so much more.

Who Are All of The Home Theater Brands?:

There are hundreds upon hundreds of brands in the home theater world. Here is a complete list of some ranging from ones you likely know like Sony, Bose and Panasonic to the most obscure brands like Son of Ampzilla and Pink Triangle. A good read through this list will help you know the ins and outs of the world of home theater from an AV manufacturer perspective.

Where Do I Find a List of The Best Dealers and Installers?:

Not everyone wants to design and install their own home theater and even those who do like to see how the top design firms and home theater retailers do it. Respectfully, walking into a Best Buy is about as engaging technologically as asking the woman selling "pigs in the blanket" at Cost-co about what plasma you should buy. They just don't know. Here's a list of over 700 of the best CEDIA and custom installation dealers, audiophile salons and home theater stores in all 50 states for you to get to know. Support your local dealer.

If I Need To Ask a Question But Don't Want To Feel StupiD -

Who Should I Ask?:

Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question and we all have the need to ask them sometimes especially when it comes to home theater systems. Dealers often don't know an the trend is to send you to online stores or to warehouse locations where you have no sales support whatsoever. One place you can go for friendly, quick and insightful advice is HomeTheaterEquipment.com accounts are free OR you can post using your Facebook account. This online forum is filled with editorial people (industry writers, editors etc...), video calibrators, audio designers, audiophiles and more. If you have a question - post it there. Unlike some home theater forums, you will get a quick and meaningful response.

What Are The Key Components of a Home Theater System?

Blu-ray Player: This is your main disc player for CD, DVD, Blu-ray, DVD-Audio, SACD and pretty much everything else. Today's 1080p Blu-ray players also can stream content from the Internet assuming your TV can't. It's a nice backup plan for those upgrading one component at a time.

Satellite Receiver or Cable Box: In many ways, this box provided from your television provider is your window to the outside world. Pay-per-view video, hundreds of channels of television and DVR recording capabilities only start to describe this all-important component.

Media Server: This category can include everything from an Apple iPad, AppleTV or a home theater PC and or some other form of computer or streaming device with music, movie, streaming or Internet content on it. Internet radio is often one of the best features that can come from these boxes which also can be wirelessly networked to your system using your home's Internet network.

HDMI Receiver: This black box is the heart and soul of any modern home theater as it switches your HDMI inputs, processes your HD surround sound and powers upwards of 7.1 channels of speakers - and we are only getting started. Some people in higher end home theaters separate the receiver into an AV Preamp and a multi-channel amp but the effect is the same. Separate amps and preamps provide more of an audiophile sound but often cost more money.

Home Theater Speakers: There are all sorts of speakers that one can use in a home theater. One of the most popular categories is Soundbar speakers which are all in one speakers designed to match your HDTV. On-wall speakers also match the form factor of your HDTV but are larger format speakers in most cases. In-wall speakers go actually into your wall and are great for hiding speakers. Most traditional speakers for home theater "front speakers" are in the Floorstanding speaker category smaller speakers which are often matched with Floorstanding speakers fall into the category of Bookshelf speakers. You might include center (or dialog) speakers, side channel speakers and other small speakers into this category. Some argue the most important speaker in a home theater is the "point 1" speaker or the "LFE" also known as the subwoofer as the sub provides the big bass sound that in a home theater is specifically mixed to go into the sub.

What HDTV Should I Buy For My Home Theater?

This is a classic question and it has a lot to do with your room. The biggest screen, lowest cost-per-inch and the best picture comes from a front video projector and a dedicated projector screen. Flat HDTVs are more simple solutions and with prices dropping and quality improving, its now possible for anybody with a Cost-co card and about $1000 in credit to buy something pretty fantastic. Still today the best picture comes from a Plasma HDTV which have the best colors and deepest most "inky" black levels of today's flat HDTVs. But for people who watch a lot of TV during the day and or need an HDTV that is paper thin - there are LCD and LED HDTVs which are impressive for both their light output and their amazingly-thin form factor. There is no blanket "best HDTV" as much as there is a best HDTV for you and your system.

Should I Go Out of My Way To Invest in a 3D HDTV?

No, you shouldn't. The content is only OK at best and 3D has become an add-on to many sets that ultimately won't cost you any more to buy. Many people simply don't want to watch HDTV or movies with glasses on. People who already wear glasses don't want to wear two sets of glasses. Many people with less than perfect vision feel sick from watching 3D. 3D HDTV is best on large format screens so that its most immersive but its not really worth investing in. Read more about 3D and how it effects people physically by a noted eye surgeon with this article.

Here are the basics of 3D HDTVs that can help you learn about the topic.