Today is the day to get together with loved ones and friends, give thanks for all we have, and to remember those that are in faraway places serving our country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Eat well and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is Black Friday. For an interesting perspective on what consumers are planning to purchase this year, take a look at an interesting study conducted by Retrevo. Also, be sure to check out a sampling of this year's home theater-related Black Friday deals from my two posts: Black Friday 2009 - What's On Ad, Part I and Part II.

As an added bonus, here are my personal favorite 2009 Black Friday Deals being offered:

Best Buy:
Insignia NS-BRDVD3 Blu-ray Player - $99
Klipsch Icon VF-35 2-Way Floorstanding Speakers - $186.99 each
Klipsch Icon VF-36 2-Way Floorstanding Speakers - $236.99 each
Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray Home Theater System - $399
Panasonic 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV w/Blu-ray Player - $999

HH Greg:
Toshiba Blu-Ray Disc Player - $79.97

Sears:
Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System - $397.99
Samsung UB46B6000 40-inch LED/LCD HDTV - $1,399.99
Panasonic TC-P42S1 42-inch Plasma HDTV - $649
Panasonic TC-P54G10 54-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV - $1,499

Target:
Westinghouse 32-inch LCD HDTV - $246

Ultimate Electronics:
Free Blu-ray Disc player with any Sony V5100 series LCD TV
Toshiba BDX2000 Blu-ray Disc Player - $89.93 (Door Buster)
Yamaha RX-V365 Home Theater Receiver/Mirage NANOSAT 5.1 Speaker Package for $599.98
Definitive Technology BP6BLK 2-way Tower Loudspeakers - $199 each
Mitsubishi WD60C9 60-Inch DLP Rear Projection TV - $797.92 (Door Buster)
Mitsubishi WD73737 73-Inch DLP Rear Projection TV - $1,699.99

Walmart:
Magnavox NB500 Blu-ray Disc Player $78
Sony Bravia KDL40S504 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV - $598.00
Sony Bravia KDL465504 46-inch 1080P LCD HDTV - $798.00

However, before you head out for those, or other bargains, check out my Holiday Shopping Survival Guide.

Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of a standard or non-hi-def signal (such as standard DVD) to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280x720 (720p), 1920x1080 (1080i), or 1920x1080 (1080p).

720p represents 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.

1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately (interlaced). In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.

1080p represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. However, each row of pixels is scanned sequentially. In other words, all lines are scanned progressively, providing the most detailed high definition video image that is currently available to consumers.

For additional terms and definitions, check out my Home Theater Glossary

If you are intimidated by the traditional home theater receiver with its inputs, outputs, and extensive setup and operating options, the Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 Media Controller/Home Theater Receiver may be the answer.

The YMC-700 is designed to be as simple to use as possible, while still providing the necessary audio/video flexibility for today's user. The YMC-700 offers 5.1 channel audio processing (including Dolby TrueHD decoding), three HDMI inputs, analog to HDMI video conversion, and USB, and a docking station port for iPods and Bluetooth devices. In addition, the YMC-700 is also WiFi enabled, allowing the user to connect to a home network for accessing media content stored on a PC or from Rhapsody, and Internet Radio content.

However, the key to the YMC-700 isn't so much the inputs, outputs, and audio/video features, but its unique onscreen menu-driven navigation system. To find out if the Yamaha YMC-700 is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews as well as my supplementary Photo Gallery and Video Performance Test Results. Photos (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com

Thanksgiving is supposed to be the day we give thanks for all we have, and for the blessings of family and friends. However, in this age of consumerism, for many, Thanksgiving is actually a way to fuel up that body with enough calorie energy for coping with the next day's intense holiday shopping.

The question is, which store to go to first? Who has the best deals? Check out a sampling of possibilities below in Part II of my Black Friday Special:

SEARS - Doors Open 4AM: Early Bird Deals - 4:00AM to Noon
Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-ray Disc Player - $149.99
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc Player - $149.99
Sony DVP-SR200P DVD Player - $34.99
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Panasonic SC-BT200 Blu-ray Home Theater System - $549.99 (early bird)
Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System - $397.99
Samsung DVD Home Theater System - $197.99 (early bird)
Sony SAV-HDX589 Home Theater System with Wireless Rear Speakers - $329.99
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LG 55LH40 55-inch LCD HDTV - $1,499
Proscan 40LC45Q 40-Inch LCD HDTV - $539
Samsung LN22B350 22-inch LCD HDTV -- $249
Samsung LN46B500 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV - $899
Read more...