Want to be enveloped in a cocoon of pleasure -- not only in your media room but throughout your home? Great home entertainment can be both relaxing and exhilarating. And the components to get you there range from DVD players to digital video recorders (DVRs), satellite and HDTV receivers, digital VHS players, amplifiers, audio/video receivers and preamplifiers, media servers, multiroom systems and even all-in-one home-theater-in-a-box systems. Knowing what features to looks for in each of these components can be a daunting task, so here's a primer on each.

DVD Players

All DVD players have similar features. One of the hottest features today is progressive scan, which improves overall picture quality. Many progressive-scan DVD players also employ "a reversed 3:2 pull down" that eliminates artifacts resulting from film transfers. Some models also use Faroudja DCDi processing, and a few use Silicon Optix.

DVD players come in several varieties. There are single-play models that hold one disc at a time, DVD changers that hold up to six discs in either a platter or a magazine, mega-DVD changers that hold up to 400 DVDs, portable players with built-in LCD screens, DVD/VCR combos and DVD recorders.

Like VCRs, DVD recorders can record and play back TV programs. They have built-in, 181-channel TV tuners. Some models have on-screen program guides. Others may also include an integrated hard-disc recorder or VCR. DVD recorders are available in two recordable formats, –R and +R, and three rewritable formats, -RAM, -RW and +RW.

There are also two multichannel audio formats: DVD-Audio (DVD-A) and Super Audio CD (SACD) that play music in surround sound on five or more channels of your home theater. Several companies offer players for one or the other, and many have introduced universal DVD players that can handle a number of disc formats, from DVD-A and SACD to nearly every incarnation of DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW, MP3 CDs and more. Some high-end models also include i.Link (1394) connections to pass all digital audio signals in lieu of coaxial, optical and analog outputs. Other recent innovations include digital visual interface (DVI) for digital video transmissions or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) for uncompressed digital video and audio.

Finally, true high-definition DVD players are coming at the end of 2005 in two flavors: Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)

Also called personal video recorders (PVRs), these hard-disc recorders use standard computerlike hard drives to record TV programs. The market for these products was initially made up of TiVo and ReplayTV.

Today's models can hold up to 320 hours of standard definition programming, depending on the image quality desired. Price is based on the size of the hard drive. In the standard recording mode, image quality is on par with the best VCRs. You can improve the image quality of recorded programs, but at the sacrifice of recording time. If you want recordings at S-VHS quality, it will reduce your recording time to approximately 20 hours on a 40-GB hard drive.

DVRs allow you to "pause" live television by automatically recording whatever you watch. They also provide extensive on-screen electronic program guides and allow you to record programs easily.

All models include standard audio/video jacks, and some include component video out.

Stand-alone DVRs are available from TiVo and ReplayTV, though the same technology can be found in products such as DVD recorders, satellite receivers and cable boxes. Generic DVRs are also available from EchoStar and some cable providers and come with some TVs and other products. These DVRs include the TV Guide On-Screen feature and don't require the monthly subscriptions charged by TiVo and ReplayTV.

Satellite Systems

Not all digital satellite systems are the same, and models are available from the entry level to high-definition receivers with built-in high-definition DVRs. The differences among systems are in their receivers and programming options.

Entry-level digital satellite receivers display standard-definition programming, and the dishes only support one receiver. Step-up models allow the dish to support several standard-definition satellite receivers and only include composite and S-Video connections. Midline receivers support Dolby Digital sound and may include component video for a better picture. Both DirecTV and EchoStar now offer standard-definition receivers with integrated DVRs. Top-of-the-line models are high definition.

HD receivers from both DirecTV and EchoStar also include an ATSC HD tuner for terrestrial (over-the-air) broadcast reception. To receive DirecTV HD, you will need an elliptical dish. DirecTV has partnered with TiVo to offer a twin-tuner HD satellite receiver with an integrated TiVo HD DVR containing a 250-GB hard drive. EchoStar has several HD receivers in its line and offers a twin-tuner HD receiver with a 250-GB DVR. Currently, both companies use MPEG2 compression. However, in late 2005, both will start switching to MPEG4 compression schemes for high-definition signals.

HD Receivers

The whole point of a high-definition receiver is to import HDTV signals to view on your HD-capable television. If you have an HDTV with an integrated tuner that supports how you will receive HDTV signals -- an ATSC receiver for over-the-air antenna reception and QAM receiver for unscrambled cable channels -- you may not need a separate HD receiver, or you can rent one from your cable company. If you have an HDTV monitor or a set labeled HD ready, capable or compatible, you probably need an HDTV tuner.

If you simply want to receive broadcast over-the-air HD signals, there are set-top boxes that only include a tuner and that will attach directly to your HD-compatible TV. Some of these models also include HDTV cable tuners for receiving high-def cable signals. Boxes with over-the-air tuners are available from several companies. Some receivers include DVR capability. Don't forget that getting over-the-air HDTV signals from broadcasting stations requires an antenna with the capability to receive UHF signals.

Most cable operators offer HDTV set-top boxes from Scientific Atlanta and Motorola, with several models containing audio/video receivers, DVD players and DVRs. These boxes will also support all Dolby Digital signals. New boxes also include cable modems for high-speed two-way access, IEEE 1394, or FireWire, connections to provide interactivity and two-way communication, and DVI or HDMI. Check with your local cable company to see which boxes it carries. (For HD satellite receivers, see the "satellite receivers" section of this article.)

D-VHS (Digital VHS)

D-VHS VCRs are a relatively new breed of videocassette recorder. These devices are designed to record high-definition images from sources such as HDTVs and digital satellite systems.

The D-VHS tape format is totally different from analog S-VHS and VHS. D-VHS can record all HDTV broadcasting formats and HD sources (with copyright protection). The players feature digital-to-digital connections via twin i.Link (IEEE 1394) terminals. Improved video image quality comes from built-in MPEG2 decoders.

Most D-VHS VCRs also support D-Theater, another copy-protection scheme. Some prerecorded movies utilize the D-Theater platform. Artisan, Fox and Universal have already released more than 100 titles in HD. A blank D-VHS tape (DF-300) with a 50-GB storage capacity will accommodate an entire HD feature film.

Amplifiers

Amplification is the amount of power in watts that the amplifier sends to each channel (or speaker).

An integrated amplifier is a single component with two channels of amplification. The integrated amp has source selection and volume control. It may be a stand-alone component or included as part of a stereo or audio/video receiver.

A power amplifier is the driving half of the integrated amplifier. This is the part of the amplifier that drives the loudspeakers.

A monoblock is a single-channel amplifier. It is used in high-end systems to drive individual speakers.

The basic power amplification for every amplifier is the amount of continuous power (designated RMS) it can deliver. Another important measure is its dynamic power, the amount by which the amplifier can exceed its continuous power rating in the specific bursts characteristic of most music. Dynamic power is measured in decibels (dB).

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures the amount of internally generated noise. To ensure the clarity of sound and to preserve the life of your speakers, look for a THD rating below 0.05 percent. A THD rating of 0.01 percent indicates excellent sound quality.

Audio/Video Receivers and Preamplifiers

The main difference between an audio/video receiver and an audio/video preamplifier is amplification. Both components handle audio/video switching and surround-sound processing. The audio/video receiver contains amplifiers for each channel it powers, while the preamplifier prepares the audio signal for a separate amplifier.

A stereo receiver is comprised of an amplifier, preamplifier, radio tuner and switcher. An audio/video receiver, on the other hand, can feature up to 10 built-in amplifiers. Virtually all manufacturers now offer equal amplification to all channels. Audio/video receivers include Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx to provide a full surround experience from any analog source. Virtually all receivers include Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround-sound processing. It generally makes sense to purchase an audio/video receiver based on the amount of power it can produce, the number of components it can control -- look at the number of analog/digital inputs/outputs on its back panel -- and the types of audio and surround signals it can process.

There are newer surround-sound schemes available that provide even greater realism. Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, for example, generate 6.1 extended surround sound from 5.1-encoded software. And 7.1 surround adds two rear channels.

Audio/video receivers also include next-generation digital-to-analog converters that decode 24-bit/192-kHz signals for new multichannel audio formats DVD-A and SACD.

Other features found on step-up models include multichannel audio inputs (analog and IEEE1394). Today, component video switching and upconversion are commonplace and offer easy connectivity to your HDTV. High-end audio/video receivers include HDMI switching and upconversion, transporting both digital audio and video signals via a single connector.

Media Servers

Digital media servers allow you to store, organize and instantly access your personal music collections. The internal hard drive stores CDs and digital music files. Virtually all media servers feature built-in hard drives ranging in size from 10 to 240 GB. Most models also include a CD drive that can "save" the recordings directly to the hard drive at speeds up to 50x. They also play back CD-R and CD-RW discs. Some models even play and store DVDs. Many allow you to access music from the Internet directly, including tuning in Internet radio.

Many models feature CD/Input Signal Start Recording, so as soon as you press play on your CD, it also "saves" directly to the hard drive. It will catalog and classify it as well. In most cases, your CDs are identified and then recorded onto the hard drive along with song titles. Artists and album covers can be downloaded from the Internet through music service providers. This makes it easy to search for songs and albums and to create customized playlists. Depending on the software utilized, some service providers allow you to purchase music online and download it directly into the server.

Most models support a smart compression mode that ranges in audio quality from linear PCM (highest) to ACC background encoding (lowest). For higher-quality audio, the recording bit rate is adjustable; the higher the bit rate, the fewer songs or CDs that can be stored on the hard drive.

An RS-232 port is normally included for connections with CD changers, touchpanel displays and multiroom audio systems. Audio connections include both analog audio digital (coaxial or optical) inputs and outputs. Other connections may include composite video, S-Video jacks and component video outputs. For direct Internet connections, some models come with a modem. Many also include connections for cable modems, DSL, Ethernet and multiple ISP.

Multiroom Entertainment Systems

These systems allow you to enjoy your music and video in more than one room. It may sound complicated, but it's really just one or several components that sit in your central entertainment rack and route audio and video from your entertainment system to various locations in your home. It can cover two zones to six zones or more. The most complicated part is wiring your house with audio and video cabling to accomplish this -- and that's a job for an electrician or a custom electronics professional.

Be sure the system can handle all of your music sources, such as CD players, DVD players and media servers. It should also have additional inputs for future components. Look at how the system is controlled, especially from other rooms. Keypads about the size of light switches are usually the best way to operate sources from afar. Some keypads also have small LCD panels so you can scroll through selections more intelligently, which is quite useful if you have a digital media server. More expensive systems use wired and wireless LCD touchscreens. Last year, companies like Philips and Sonos introduced multiroom entertainment systems that work wirelessly or via Ethernet connectivity, making it possible to have multiroom music without the hassle and expense of completely rewiring your home.

Many systems distribute audio only, and there are a few that feed video to various rooms. While those signals may only come in standard definition today, there are schemes in development that will also pass high-definition signals to multiple areas of the home. Both DirecTV and EchoStar hope to deliver whole-house video systems by the end 2005, passing both standard and high-definition images to locations throughout the home.

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