When it comes to putting together a home entertainment system, there are a handful of basics that are essential. Whether you want a system comprised of the latest technology, or simply want to upgrade what you already have, the building blocks are the same. Here’s what you need to put together a great home system.

Entertainment Furniture

Before you decide on your electrical components, take stock of the space you have for both your gear and for the cabinet that will house your system. You’ll want a well-made, attractive cabinet that complements your décor. Choose furniture that’s designed specifically for home entertainment. This will offer you the convenience of shelves for various components, a system to accommodate wires, and plenty of storage.

An HDTV Television

Even though you probably already have a television, if you’re putting together a new system, it’s not a bad idea to upgrade to a new HDTV model. Televisions have changed in the last few years and many of them have convenient features like built in Wi-Fi and Internet streaming to name just two. You don’t need to get a huge television, but if you do want to go bigger, it’s easier than ever because modern televisions are light in weight. In addition, new televisions are often more energy efficient.

A Receiver

A receiver connects the components of your system. Most of your inputs will be plugged into your receiver. The receiver will send the video signal to your television and the audio signal to your speakers. While you could connect your inputs directly to your television, by using a receiver, you’ll have a system that’s organized because everything is plugged into that one device.

Good Speakers

Having decent audio is one of the main motivations for people who decide to set up a home theater. Even high-end televisions can’t give you the same experience as a properly designed audio system. Speakers come in a huge price range, but you can find affordable ones that sound good.

Power Strips and Cables

If you’re adding new components, there’s a good chance you’ll need new cables and a power strip or surge protector. Cables you might need include HDMI, video, Ethernet, and speaker cables. Labeling your cables is a good idea because it’s easy to lose track of what’s connected to what, and this can quickly become frustrating if you need to address a technical difficulty.

Whether you plan to buy everything new, or just add one or two new components,

setting up a home entertainment system is fairly straightforward and can result in a great home theater experience.