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Home Theater Technologies Explained

$99.00

Online Course Length: 4 hours | Course Price: $99
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Create the best viewing experience possible

Learn home theater basics including resolution, aspect ratio, signal formats, power conditioning, and more. Differentiate features and benefits of speaker types, display options, amplifiers, and other components.

Understand key concepts of home theater including aspect ratios, resolution, video and audio formats, signal reproduction and power conditioning for components. Realize the features and benefits of different types of speakers, displays, projectors, screens, receivers, amplifiers, power conditioning equipment and other components. With numerous types of sources available; analog, digital, cable, satellite, and stored media, make sense of the options and their advantages. Learn about streaming media and the different delivery possibilities including smart TVs, individual players, and online services. Learn detailed step-by-step system design, installation procedures, along with video and audio calibration to maximize home theater performance.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the typical video display system with a TV and input components such as DVD player and video streamer, and have basic knowledge of audio.

Course Learning Objectives

  • Identify the benefits of Home Theater
  • Describe the fundamental technologies of Home Theater
  • Name Home Theater sources
  • Explain Audio/Video processing
  • List video display types
  • Describe audio reproduction
  • Identify control options for a Home Theater
  • Outline how to design a Home Theater system
  • Explain how to install a Home Theater

Learning Process and Evaluation

Each student receives a user name and password that provides private and monitored access to the online course.
Progression through the course is managed through an LMS (Learning Management System).
Each course is divided into 10 to 14 sections and at the end of each section the student is given a Quiz consisting of 5 to 10 questions randomly selected from a pool of questions. A score of 100% is required to progress to the next section. The student is notified which questions are correct or incorrect. The student can then review the materials and answer the questions again. There are unlimited attempts at each Quiz.
Upon completion of all the course material and section Quizzes, the student is required to take a 25 to 40 question Final Test randomly selected from a pool of questions. A score of 80% or better is considered a passing grade and the student will receive notification of his score. A Certificate of Completion will be available for the student to print when the Final Test is successfully completed.

Course Outline

1. Course Overview

  • Additional Course Information
  • Course Learning Objectives
  • Introducing Home Theater
  • Home Theater Diagram
  • Types of Home Theaters
  • Goals of a Home Theater
  • Benefits of a Home Theater
  • 2. Home Theater Sources

    • Home Theater Block Diagram
    • Signals and Sources
    • Digital Audio/Video Sources
    • Streaming Players
    • Digital Audio-Only Sources

    3. Home Theater Video Displays

    • Video Display Technology
    • Video Elements
    • Video Resolution
    • Display Aspect Ratio
    • Video Scanning
    • Video Display Categories
    • Direct View Displays
    • Projection Display
    • Projection Display Methods
    • Projection Screens
    • Rear Projection Displays

    4. Home Theater Audio/Video Processing

    • Analog vs. Digital
    • Analog Audio Signals
    • Digital Audio and Video Signals
    • Audio Cable and Connectors
    • Video Cable and Connectors
    • Combines Audio/Video Cables
    • Signal Routing/Switching
    • Audio Formats
    • Audio Amplifiers
    • Making the Video Image Fit
    • Video Processing Basics
    • Video Signals

    5. Home Theater Audio

    • Audio Reproduction
    • Speaker Design
    • Surround Sound 5.1, 7.1 and Beyond
    • Speakers to Use for Surround Sound
    • Equalization – Types
    • Speakers and Room Size
    • Amplifiers and Speaker Impedance
    • Speaker Specifications
    • Speaker Efficiency
    • Power and Volume
    • The Impact of Distance
    • Calculating Power Requirements
    • Speaker Efficiency and Power

    6. Home Theater Control and Environment

    • Control Basics
    • Control Options
    • Control Communication Types
    • Remote Controls
    • Acoustics
    • Home Theater Accessories

    7. Designing a Home Theater System

    • Steps to Design a Home Theater
    • Step 1 – Consult with Homeowner
    • Step 2 – Determine Home Theater Type
    • Step 3 – Layout Design to Scale
    • Design Room to Screen
    • Projector Placement
    • Step 4 – Overall Room Design
    • Step 5 – Select Video Display
    • Display Type Considerations
    • Step 6 – Determine Speaker Types
    • Determine Surround Configuration
    • Speaker Placement
    • Step 7 – Specify Sources
    • Step 8 – Specify SS Processor
    • Step 9 – Determine Amplification
    • Options for Amplification
    • Amplifier Considerations
    • Step 10 – Select Control System
    • Step 11 – Room Lighting Control
    • Lighting Types and Integration
    • Step 12 – Specify Room Acoustics
    • Factors Affecting Room Acoustics
    • Step 13 – Document Design

    8. Beginning a Home Theater System Install

    • Preparing for Installation
    • Installation Overview
    • Phase 1 – Review with Architect/Builder
    • Phase 2 – Room Rough-In
    • Phase 3 – Pre-Wire
    • Speaker Wiring
    • Display Wiring

    9. Completing the Home Theater Installation

    • Phase 4 – Trim-Out Installation
    • Trim-Out Overview
    • Phase 5 – Final Installation
    • Speaker Adjustments
    • Install Display Equipment
    • Install Electronics
    • Component Connection Options
    • Phase 6 – Furniture Installation
    • Phase 7 – Start-up and Testing
    • Installation Testing Steps
    • Phase 8 – Programming
    • Phase 9 – Calibration
    • Phase 10 – Documentation & Training
    • Customer Education

    10. Calibrating a Home Theater System

    • Importance of Calibration
    • Owner’s Seat
    • Audio Calibration
    • Speaker Calibration
    • Room Equalization
    • Computerized Calibration
    • THX Calibration
    • Calibrate both Audio and Video
    • Video Calibration
    • Projector Alignment
    • Video Calibration Test Patterns
    • Video Calibration Reference

    11. Troubleshooting a Home Theater System

    • Troubleshooting Operation
    • System-Wide Troubleshooting
    • Checking for Ground Loops
    • Overheating
    • Adequate Power
    • Surges and Noise
    • Source Problems
    • Media Problems
    • Common Audio Problems
    • Common Video Problems
    • Troubleshooting IR Control
    • Troubleshooting Integration
    • Testing Methods and Tools

    12. Course Summary

    • A Home Theater System
    • Sources
    • Video Displays
    • Audio/Video Processing
    • Signal Routing
    • Home Theater Audio
    • Home Theater Control
    • Home Theater Environment
    • Steps to Design a Home Theater
    • Designing a Home Theater
    • Installation Phases
    • Helpful Tools for Testing
    • Troubleshooting a Home Theater
    • Case Study – Family Room HT
    • Case Study – Dedicated HT