FILM FARE

Watching a movie in a theatre is an unparalleled experience: quality picture, convincing story, stunning sound and great popcorn. These days, it8217;s easy to replicate most things: microwave popcorn, cheap, branded DVD players LG, Samsung, Sony, Philips start at Rs 3,500, low DVD prices Moser Baer, T-series, and low rentals Moviemart.in and seventymm.com. The one thing that8217;s not easy to reproduce is sound.
Chances are that you have a DVD player and a good TV, but don8217;t want to buy a sound system that costs the earth or has prohibitive decibel levels. The first thing that comes to mind is to buy the Bose audio equipment. But, as I said, most people don8217;t want to spend a bomb on the sound system. Yet, they are looking to create a good movie experience at home. Here are three easy and not so easy ways to do it.

Amplified PC speakers
PC speakers now come in 5.1 configurations 5 speakers1 woofer, left and right front, left and right surround, and a central speaker. Your options range from cheap Chinese imports that will do the trick but not sound good, to speakers from companies like Logitech and Creative. The price varies from Rs 3,500 for Logitech M50 to Rs 25,000 for the 280 Watt Logitech Z5300e or the Creative Gigaworks G500. The speakers will not rock your world and putting them up may be difficult as they come with small wires, but hook-up cable can solve the problem. Besides, there8217;s no optical interface and single source connectivity is a bit of an inconvenience. Some models have remote controls; try not to buy a model without one. The audio quality may not be the best in the world, but if you pick up one that8217;s THX certified look for the logo on the box, you will enjoy them.
Pros: Limited cost range, good sound quality.
Cons: Short run of cables, will only connect to one source DVD, DTH or CD player.
Companies: LG, Philips, Logitech, Creative.

Home theatre kit, DVD with home theatre speakers
Though the speakers work only with one source, the speakers are tuned for movie experience, not just for PCs. This ensures longer runs of cable and an easier way to connect your home theatre. Some models also offer Dolby Digital Decoding, Virtual Sound Matrix, wireless options and much higher power rating. The price ranges from Rs 8,000 LG-HT202SF to Rs 30,000 LG-HT902B/Samsung-HTX250. Though the price bracket is the same, you will get a DVD player as part of this set-up. There are options from Sony and Philips which go up to Rs 40,000, and of course, from Bose.
Pros: Wide cost range, good sound quality, high power outputs, wireless options.
Cons: Not the best accoustics, these too connect to a single source.
Companies: All major electronic players.

Buy DVD player, amplifier, speakers and woofers separately
It8217;s probably the best option. Buy a good DVD player even the cheapest from major electronic firms will do, buy an amplifier Denon, Bose, Sony, Onkyo, hook the two systems using an optical cable and buy the speakers and woofers as per your room requirement JBL, Bose, Denon, Sony, Philips. This will deliver sound close to what you get in a theatre, but isn8217;t cheap and will take up a lot of space amplifiers are big, speakers are big and the cable runs. The basic set-up costs Rs 35,000 and goes up endlessly.
Pros: Great sound, high power outputs, multiple source connects.
Cons: Cost, space.
Companies: Major electronic players.
The best experience may still be in a cinema hall, but if you don8217;t have the time or inclination to go to a theatre, try these options.

Gagandeep S. Sapra is the Chairman and CEO of System3 group of companies. gagandeepsystem3group.com