BRING THEATRE TO YOUR ROOM

SANJEEV GIRI

KATHMANDU, SEP 06

For those wanting to indulge in a cinematic experience at home comparable to watching movie

s at multiplexes, home theatre systems are available from leading producers like Sony, Philips, Samsung and LG. These home entertainment set-ups reproduce the theatre going experience through video and audio equipment and features. If you're a true movie lover, there's no more lofty aspiration than building a theatre of your own, right in your living room.

With various captivating features, home theatre systems provide an incomparable thrill when watching movies or sports with mesmerizing sound effects that go well beyond your experience of watching shows on television. Among the many brands available in the market, one that will sweep you off your feet with its amazing style is the HTX810 from Samsung, which is priced at Rs. 49, 990.

This sleek two-piece unit simplifies your home theatre experience and lets you enjoy powerful surround sound without the hassle of setting up speakers and running wires. It has captivating features such as 5.1 virtual surround sound and a 5.8 GHz wireless subwoofer that delivers rich, high-quality audio. In addition

, the built-in 1080p up converting DVD player will transform your standard DVDs to beautiful high definition.

Likewise, two models from Sony -- DZ290K and TZ200 -- are also laden with exciting features like USB movie playback, HDMI output, total power output of 500 watt to 850 watt, S-master digital amplifier and subwoofers. With digital cinema auto calibration system, audio performance is automatically calibrated according to the shape, size and construction of your room. The digital amplifier provides superb accuracy, clear separation of signals and balances sound reproduction using a digital-to-digital process but produces minimal heart. These models cost Rs. 32,999 and Rs. 25,999 respectively.

Philips has two models -- Philips Ambisound 8100 and 8140 -- on its shelves. Ambisound technology produces truly embracing multi-channel surround sound from fewer speakers. Another interesting feature HDMI 1080p up scaling delivers images that are true high-definition resolution ensuring

more detail and more true-to-life pictures. You can also hook up the Philips dock to the home theatre for media playback from your iPod. Moreover, the soft dome tweeters produce clear high and mid-range frequencies that enhance the overall clarity and sound from the speakers. Both systems are priced at Rs. 90,000 each.

LG offers three models -- HT-353SD, HT-604SK and HT-924SF -- at its stores packed with features like advanced audio technology called Dolby Pro-Logic II, USB direct recording, compatibility with windows media centre software and virtual sound matrix that enhances the listening experience from a home cinema system by enabling the sound to travel more smoothly around the room. Other features include DivX/XviD playback and HDMI connectivity. These systems are priced at Rs. 17,900, Rs. 26,900 and Rs. 33,900 respectively.