If you are looking to improve the sound on your TV, you may be thinking of getting a receiver. With so many new technologies around us, we can’t stop wondering if they serve real purposes. There is a lot of buzz around television receivers, and you may be wondering what they do, whether you need one, and where to buy one.
A TV receiver is a piece of electronic equipment that receives broadcast television signals from all the transmitting stations in an area and decodes them to watch the broadcast programs. Receivers come in many different styles, including set-top boxes, satellite receivers, and digital converter boxes.
A receiver may be a stand-alone device or built into another device such as a DVD player. These devices typically have inputs that allow users to connect them to other devices such as antennas, cable systems, or satellite feeds.
One of the most common types of TV receivers is a set-top box used by consumers who subscribe to cable or satellite services. Many satellite and cable providers offer their customers several different receivers, ranging from basic units with no built-in features to more advanced units that provide DVR (digital video recording) capabilities.
What does a TV receiver do?
A television receiver has two main functions. The first function is to receive the signals from your antenna or cable connection and translate them into images and sounds that you can enjoy.
The second function of the TV receiver is to process those images to make them brighter, sharper, and more detailed. When the TV was first invented, it was a fairly simple device and did not have any of the processing capabilities that we see today.
The receiver consists of several different stages:
- An antenna stage selects the desired radio frequency from those broadcasted and any other radio frequencies that the antenna picks up.
- An RF stage amplifies the selected radio frequency.
- A mixer stage translates the selected radio frequency to a fixed intermediate frequency (IF).
- The IF stage amplifies the intermediate frequency signal then filters out unwanted frequencies (known as image rejection).
- An FM detector or AM detector decodes the audio signal from the intermediate frequency signal and provides an audio output sent to speakers or headphones.
Do I need an AV Receiver?
AV Receivers are a great way to get the most out of your home theater, but they aren’t right for everyone. If you’re using a few bookshelf speakers and television that doesn’t have audio-video output jacks, then you probably do not need a receiver.
It’s a good idea to use a receiver if you have a subwoofer or numerous speakers in your room (such as a center channel speaker or surround sound speakers). Also, other components like a Blu-ray player, video game console, or cable/satellite box need to get linked to your TV.
The key benefit of an AV receiver over separate components is that it brings everything together into one box. It also offers an easy way to switch between sources (such as watching TV to listening to music) and provides control over other features such as volume and surround sound processing.
These listing features of AV Receiver will assist you in knowing more about it.
Pros of AV Receiver
Better Performance:
The best AVRs can deliver excellent performance for movies and music. They offer many video processing features and good sound reproduction to satisfy enthusiasts.
Versatile Connectivity:
An AV receiver is essentially a single box that gives you multiroom capabilities, including support for different wireless technologies, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, HDMI, USB ports, and many more.
More Customization Options:
Many of today’s top AV receivers come with a smartphone app, so you can easily configure them on the go. Some have a built-in GUI or even an “EQ auto setup” feature that measures the acoustics of your room with a supplied microphone.
Cons of AV Receiver
You Don’t Get True Amplification:
Although an AV receiver amplifies all of your speakers, it doesn’t offer true amplification. Instead, the power is divided between all of the speakers equally. It isn’t necessarily bad in most cases, but if you have speakers that require more power than others, this could affect your listening experience.
Replacement Is Usually All or Nothing:
If one part of the receiver fails (such as the Amplifier or tuner), chances are you won’t be able to replace just that one part. Instead, you will have to get a new AV receiver altogether. It is different from stereo receivers, where each component can get replaced if needed.
Not Portable:
AV receivers aren’t portable devices since they need to be connected to speakers, TV, and other devices. If you desire to move them around, you have to unplug everything first, then reconnect it when you get there (and pray that everything still works). It can be frustrating if you plan a party at home or a friend’s house. And if you’re using an old surround sound system with wires hanging everywhere, you don’t want to bring that along!
AV receiver vs. Amplifier
Amplifiers and receivers are both components that allow you to play music in your home. They sound great, they look great, but what exactly is the difference between these two devices, and which one are you more likely to need?
A receiver is a radio receiver and a radio tuner combined into one unit. An amplifier is meant to amplify or drive audio signals into speakers.
An audio-video receiver combines multiple audio and video functions into one unit. It has a built-in preamplifier and power amplifier and numerous analog inputs and outputs connecting audio and video components.
An amplifier is a device that takes in an audio signal, amplifies it, and sends it out to another device, like a speaker or set of headphones. Some amplifiers are designed for indoor use, while others are designed for outdoor use like on boats or motorcycles.
You must have figured out the difference between these two terms by now, but which one is better for you? Don’t worry. We’ve found an answer to your question.
So, which should you go with for your configuration? If you’re installing your theater system in a place that isn’t too big, doesn’t require big speakers, you’re just a casual film watcher/music user, or you want the most realistic choice, go with a receiver!
An amplifier with splits is usually the ideal choice if you’re an audiophile who desires the highest audio quality feasible, you’re building up a system with fairly large speakers for a bigger place, or you need your setup to be customized precisely for you.
How important is a receiver for sound?
A good receiver, such as Denon or Marantz, can make all the difference to your setup. The more sources you have, the more important a receiver becomes. If you have three components and a simple two-channel stereo setup, a receiver isn’t necessary — you can use a simpler preamplifier or integrated Amplifier instead.
But if you have multiple sources and several speakers in different rooms of your home or office, then a receiver is what makes it all work together.
A good receiver is the heart of your home theater system. It receives audio and video signals from your sources (such as cable, satellite box, DVD, or Blu-ray player) and sends them to your TV and speakers. It’s also where you control everything — from volume to channels to input source selections.
A receiver can do a lot more than just playback sound from your TV or DVD player. It can power multiple speakers for surround sound, it can connect to streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify, an app can control it on your smartphone, and yes, it even has inputs for vinyl records.
Conclusion
A TV receiver is not an essential product but a must-have for those who have complicated setups or have many devices hooked up to their television. However, most modern budget televisions either have this built-in already or a built-in digital tuner which allows the user to connect a digital or satellite box directly to their television.
There are several types of receivers, including satellite ones and terrestrial ones. It’s widely popular for its versatility, as well as its ability to provide high-quality pictures and sound.
Given the sheer number of products out there on the market, it can make your search for a new receiver even more difficult. Be sure to consider all aspects before making a purchase!
