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HTIB is the consumer electronics industry's abbreviation for Home Theater In a Box, a matched surround sound audio system complete package deal together inside a single
big box full of fun!
The main purpose of an HTIB system
is to provide digital surround sound audio effects when you
connect it to your own high definition television or home theater projector, as well as your HDTV receiver, Blu-ray Disc
or (HD) DVD player, and video game console for complete A/V immersion when watching movies, sports, and gaming. Most HTIB systems also make it easy to perform switching between audio/video
sources without constantly messing with changing inputs on your TV.
The HTIBs featured on this website
are the top-of-the-line, or what we consider the best system
currently available for purchase from each of the top 16
manufacturers. In some cases, we've chosen to showcase
lower-priced but newer and more full-featured models over more
expensive systems with older technology. High end HTIB systems are priced as much as $3000 (or more with accessories), while cheaper HTIBs can cost as little as $500 -- and everywhere in between. The closer you get to the higher end of that price range, the more you may want to consider shopping for your home theater receiver and surround sound speaker system separately.
73" Mitsubishi DLP HDTV +
Harman Kardon HTIB
for just $2800!
Mitsubishi 73 inch DLP rear projection HDTV
with Harman Kardon CP 55 HTIB PACKAGE!
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If you want a
7.1 channel HTIB surround sound system, you should check out the extremely popular Onkyo HT-SP908 HTIB system with HDMI 1.3a switching pictured above. Be sure to think through where you plan to locate 7 speakers and a subwoofer. If you don't
have a room large enough for 8 speakers and prefer a great sounding 5.1 channel HTIB system instead, we recommend that you
check out the HTIBs from Bose, Boston Acoustics/Denon, Harman Kardon, and Yamaha.
Don't want to mess with running wires to rear surround speakers? Consider a wireless HTIB, or one of the 2.1 or 1.1 speaker virtual surround systems from Denon, KEF, Klipsch, Philips, and Soundmatters.
Before you buy your home theater
system, be sure to plan for all the audio/video source components that you both already own as well as any AV components that you plan on connecting to it in the future. Most
HTIBs have a built-in AM/FM radio tuner and many are XM/SIRIUS
satellite radio ready. Many HTIB systems either include an iPod
connecting dock, or offer one as an optional add-on accessory.
Other equipment that people like to connect to the their home
theater (besides their big screen!) include a Blu-ray Disc
player, (HD) DVD player, cable or satellite HD receiver/DVR,
gaming console, home network, CD player, VCR, camcorder, etc. Be sure that any HTIB that you are considering buying has
enough of the right kinds of audio and video inputs and outputs (HDMI, component video, S-Video, composite, optical/coaxial
digital audio, analog stereo RCA, USB, etc) to connect it all! You should leave enough room in your home theater budget to purchase the right audio, video, and speaker cables, plus a surge protector to make sure you can connect it all properly! |
