How can an average person navigate the maze of audio/video technologies in a home theater system? Turn to Mark Fleischmann's Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems. The 20th edition has been thoroughly revised and updated for 2021. The ultimate answer book for beginners and intermediate-level readers, it tells you everything you need to know when shopping for video and surround sound gear including how to read a spec sheet, how to separate fact from hype, and how to get good value for your money. This year's edition provides expanded detail on 8K Ultra HDTV and streaming set top boxes. It also weighs the pros and cons of other video display technologies such as LED-backlit LCD, quantum-dot, OLED, and projection systems. Other video topics include 4K Ultra HDTV, HDR picture-quality improvements, the HDR format war, refresh rates, smart TV, and the new HDMI 2.1 interface. The book dispels the confusion surrounding audio technologies from the new height-enhanced Dolby Atmos and DTS: X to older Dolby, DTS, THX, and Audyssey surround technologies. The book covers all formats under the sun including Blu-ray and DVD, DVRs, streaming from a multitude of devices, and wireless connectivity. And it explores often ignored topics such as buying a DTV antenna, power-line accessories, and cables. A richly detailed connections chapter tells how to hook up every component. By knowledgably guiding readers through the briar patch of video and audio, Practical Home Theater has become the standard reference work for home theater buffs. This edition is dated 2021 and will be sold between October 2020 and October 2021. Readers are warned to buy only the latest edition. Future annual editions will continue to track changes in home theater technology.
