With more and more audio and video content available via the internet, the BRAVAS Atlanta team is having more clients in the Atlanta area want to integrate their large screen TV or Home Theater with the internet or to PC-stored content. This allows the users to have a virtually unlimited source of entertainment options at their disposal and not just watch purchased DVD content. There are several ways that this can be done.

 

 

Connect a PC to Your Home Theater System

The most basic way to integrate the internet and stored content are by simply connecting your PC or laptop to your home theater system. You can then use your PC's internet access capability to view your Web browser or store images and video on your TV and listen to the audio through either your TV speakers or home theater speakers. The downside to a PC to TV setup is that you need to have the PC, TV, and home theater system all in the same room, in close proximity. You also are depending on the capabilities of your PC's video card to send good-quality images to your HDTV, and this does not always deliver the best result, especially on a large screen.

Connect a Standalone Network Media Player to Your Home Theater System

A second option that would enable you to better integrate either the internet or content stored on home computers with your TV or home theater system is a standalone set-top box, usually referred to as a network media player or media streamer. These devices take advantage of your home network. In order words, if you have a wired or a wireless router, a network media player or streamer will connect to your router via Ethernet or WiFi connection. Network media players and media streamers can access audio/video content streamed directly from the internet, and network media players can also access the audio, video, or image files stored on your PC if it is also connected to the network.

Use a Blu-ray Disc Player with Network Connectivity

Another increasingly popular method of integrating online media content with your TV and home theater system is with a network-enabled Blu-ray disc player. A lot of consumers are not aware that many Blu-ray disc players, besides being able to play Blu-ray/DVD and CD discs, also have built-in Ethernet or WiFi connections that allow direct access to a home network. The biggest disadvantage to this setup however is that you are tied into only the services the Blu-ray player is associated with and do not have access to web browsing or content stored on other home computers. BRAVAS Atlanta has the expertise to work with you to plan and install the best solution for your internet-connected TV or home theater experience in your Atlanta home. Contact us today for a consultation at 770-844-5800 or use the contact form on our website.