If you're interested in home theater, you've probably heard several new terms and technologies, especially HDMI and Blu-ray disc. And you know they have something to do with creating memorable home entertainment. But what exactly are they, and how do they work?

The answers to those questions—and a few more—are right here.

How does HDMI simplify home theater? For the first time, it's possible to connect high-def video and premium audio to your home theater system with just a single cable. Eliminate the complexity of running multiple audio and video cables. So you can enjoy all the benefits, without the hassles.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact interface that delivers video and multi- channel audio to a variety of sources, including HDTV, DVD players, set-top boxes and video game consoles. It even supports multiple audio formats.

Because the signal is digital and uncompressed, HDMI automatically provides the highest-quality video, at resolutions up to 1080p. And the technology is even engineered to support future enhancements in audio and video devices. It also allows you to watch high-definition movies and hear premium sound on any computer with an HDMI connection.

Blu-ray Disc high-definition player

As the early HD world evolved, there were two options for high-definition discs: Blu-ray and HD DVD. For several years, consumers faced the dilemma of which format to choose. The competition between the two also affected movie studios as they attempted to predict and align with the eventual winner.

Recently, the marketplace declared Blu-ray the format of choice, and it is now the industry standard. This is a relief to customers waiting to see how the battle would be resolved. It also means that every new high-definition movie disc will be released in just one format.

And don't worry about the conventional DVDs you already own. Blu-ray players can play those as well. They'll even upconvert your current DVDs up to 1080p, so your favorite movies will look even better than before.

Looking for a home theater system that makes it easy to connect your own Blu-ray disc player? Consider Bose® Lifestyle® V-class™ systems »