AV receiver

An audio/video receiver (AVR) is a consumer electronics component used in a home theater. Its purpose is to receive audio and video signals from a number of sources, and to process them and provide power amplifiers to drive loudspeakers and route the video to displays such as a television, monitor or video projector. Inputs may come from a satellite receiver, radio, DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, VCRs or video game consoles, among others. The AVR source selection and settings such as volume, are typically set by a remote controller. The term "receiver" basically refers to an amplifier, typically at least a two-channel stereo model, that has a built-in radio tuner. With A/V receivers, the basic functionality is to receive an audio signal, amplify the audio signal to drive multiple speakers, and allow pass-through of the corresponding video signal to a display device such as a projector or a television. The receiver performs tasks that would otherwise require numerous separate pieces of equipment, such as preamplifiers, equalizers, multiple power amplifiers, and so on. As home entertainment options expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, so did the role of the receiver. The ability to handle a variety of digital audio signals was added. More amplifiers were added for surround-sound playback. Video switching was added to simplify changing from one device to another, though this role diminished again once TVs began supporting multiples of the same type of input connector. The term audio/video receiver (AVR) or Home Theater Receiver is used to distinguish the multi-channel audio/video receiver (home theater receiver) from the simpler stereo receiver, though the primary function of both is amplification. AV receivers may also be known as digital audio-video receivers or digital media renderers. The AV receiver is classified as an audio frequency electronic amplifier. But with the addition of several features in the 2000s, AV receivers in the 2010s generally have significant additional functionality.