Home-Theater-in-a-Box systems (HTIB)

Upgrading from your TV’s speakers to a multichannel home theater can make a world of difference in how you experience entertainment. And with so much content now available in surround sound — on DVD and Blu-ray™, streaming platforms, and in live sporting events — a 5.1- or even 7.1-channel home theater will take your audio to the next level.

But the cost and product knowledge required to assemble a home theater piece-by-piece can be intimidating. This is why component manufacturers offer a simplified solution: the Home-Theater-in-a-Box (HTIB).

An HTIB system usually includes the following audio essentials:

• Subwoofer

• Five or more speakers

• A/V receiver

• Cables

• Blu-ray™ or DVD player (optional)

Connect these to your TV to create your own home theater.

With an HTIB, you know that the individual components will work together seamlessly. You also save on the bottom line, since these systems tend to be priced lower than the combined cost of separate components. Features like wireless speakers — essential if you want the flexibility to position speakers anywhere in a room — and built-in Wi-Fi® are common in HTIB systems, too.

Another important feature: Dolby Audio™. The foundation of Dolby Audio is a set of technologies that use advanced audio formatting and signal processing to deliver enhanced sound. The following features enhance the capabilities built into an HTIB and ensure that you receive a clear, vivid audio performance from any type of programming. 

• Dolby Digital — the established standard for digital TV and DVD surround sound
• Dolby Digital Plus— the next-generation audio technology selected by leading online services for premium content
• Dolby TrueHD — lossless audio for top-tier movies on Blu-ray Disc™
• Dolby Pro Logic II — transforms stereo (two-channel) audio into surround sound
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx — expands stereo or 5.1-channel audio into 6.1- or 7.1-channel surround sound

The best HTIB systems include a suite of Dolby technologies to make sure you hear the most realistic surround sound possible from your equipment. Look for systems from these manufacturers when shopping for your home theater in a box.