In previous posts I have addressed what I consider to be the two most important components of a home theater. For video, we have the display, and for audio we have the speakers. Today, I will go back to video and discuss The Source. The Source, in additon to being an excellent book by James Michener, is an often overlooked component of home theater, but one I put very high on the list. There are two parts to The Source: hardware and software. Let's start with hardware.
Another "Source": Read it
Source hardware, like most things in this hobby, has evolved rapidly over the years. In the 1980's, things really took off with widespread consumer adoption of the VCR (Video Cassette Recorder). However, for home theater, the VCR didn't really do much; it's resolution was poor, and the quality of the transfer (the process by which the studio's engineers move film to video) was universally bad. Hobbyists needed something better, and the electronic companies responded with one of the biggest failures in the history of the electronics industry; Laserdisc. Laserdisc, while a vast improvement over the VCR, was never accepted by the public because it was not a recordable format and was very expensive. In many ways, Laserdisc was simply ahead of it's time, and it was quickly relegated to a niche product for hobbyists.
1980's: RCA VCR
Every hobby has a watershed moment; a time where the hobby either explodes or fizzles. For home theater, that moment was 1997, and the event was the introduction of the DVD player. DVD players did more than anything to spread the concept of home theater to the masses. At first, the players were somewhat expensive (though no more than a VCR in early 1980's), and like Laserdisc, the players could not record anything. In time, though, both of these issues were fixed. A good DVD player could be had for about $200.00 by the early 2000's, and the move to DVR's (Digital Video Recorders) by the cable and satellite industry suddenly did away with the need for recordable hardware in the consumers audio/video system.
1998: Pioneer DV-414 DVD Player
Now, we have moved through the looking glass with the Blu-Ray disc player. Everyone in the hobby wanted a high-definition version of the DVD, and after a bitter format war which almost killed the idea Sony's Blu-Ray won widespread consumer adoption as the HD format to rule them all. Players are finally down into that magical $200 price bracket, and with options like streaming movies via Netflix as de rigueur on most new players Blu-Ray is here to stay.
2009: Oppo BDP-83 Blu Ray Disc Player
Each one of these players would be useless without software, and this area, too, has seen vast changes over the years. VHS (Video Home System) tapes, the media for the VCR, were a godsend for the masses as they could now record their favorite shows and movies. As I mentioned before, though, the home theater hobbyist was left pretty much dissappointed by VHS. VHS did make a last stand offering high definition video before anyone else with JVC's D-VHS format, but it was never accepted by anyone outside of hardcore enthusiasts.
Laserdisc media was the main upgrade available to most hobbyists who wanted something better than VHS, and it did have some appeal. Laserdiscs were actual discs (like a CD; only as large as an old record), and as such could store a lot more information than a typical VHS tape. The video and audio were much improved over VHS, but again, problems with price and marketing pretty much killed the format.
Laserdisc (left) vs. DVD (right)
DVD media, was simply a revelation. For the first time, hobbyists had a format that needed very little apologies in price or performance. Many DVD's were mastered to amazing standards (the film The Fifth Element was a standard setter here), and one could really believe they were in a movie theater with the quality presented on the best discs. Still, DVD was limited to a resolution of 480i (720 x 480 interlaced) which for really big screens was just not resolved enough.
Enter the high definition media world of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs. In 2008, Toshiba and Sony entered an epic war for the replacement of DVD. Since the advent of VHS, Toshiba had held the crown as King of Media as Toshiba was the purveyor of both VHS and DVD. Consequently, every manufacturer paid a small royalty to Toshiba in order to make their machines. Sony was determined not to let Toshiba win the HD war, and squared off with Toshiba's HD-DVD with the it's competing Blu-Ray disc. A war ensued with HD-DVD coming to market first, and for a time it appeared Sony would lose again. However, Sony had an ace in the hole this time around. All of the big film studios were firmly behind Blu-Ray (over concerns about copyright protection), and once media started hitting the market in large numbers HD-DVD was doomed.
Blu-Ray is now the de facto standard for home theater media. At a resolution of 1080p (1980 x 1080 progressive) Blu Ray media allows the viewer to see a film in the home pretty much the same way as it was presented in the theater. Blu-Ray is simply a marvel of modern technology, and unlike Laserdiscs, has not been relegated to niche status. Blu-Ray movies cost between $10 and $25.00, and are worth every penny for the performance you will receive in return.
The only other source worth discussing from a home theater standpoint is the HD-DVR. Recently, cable and satellite companies have both gone full bore with HD programming. This development is both good and bad; while I love the number of new HD channels the tradeoff is a reduction in resolution. Can't have your cake, and eat it, too. Still, I love being able to record football games in high definition and fast forwarding through commercials.
Scientific Atlantic HD8300 HD-DVR
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the company Netflix. In the past, one had to go to your local Blockbuster (or equivalent) if you wanted to rent a movie. Not anymore. Netflix is an awesome alternative way for you to get your discs in the mail, and return them at your convienence (no late fees). Instead of having to buy Blu Ray discs of movies I will watch only once I can now watch these one-timers for a very reasonable cost per month. Even entire television series in HD are available through Netflix. I'm not sure they have every movie and television program ever made, but it's pretty darn close.
Recommended Player:
Panasonic DMP-BD85K (available at Best Buy for $230)
Panasonic made the best mass market DVD players for years, and their Blu Ray players have followed in that tradition. This Internet-capable player can also stream Netflix movies; a huge plus. A no-brainer at this price.
Next, I will discuss the heart of the audio system: The Receiver.
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