Does your currrent stereo or home theater audio system look and sound a little "worn" these days? The Summer is a perfect time get behind those components, clean out the dust, and apply some practical upgrades that can spruce up both the appearance and performance of your current setup without having to buy a whole new system. For all the details, check out some great tips from Gary Altunian, About.com Guide For Stereos: Ten Stereo System Upgrades.

The Atlona AT-LINE-EX is an affordable standalone video switcher and scaler can be used to connect up to six video input sources (2 analog, 2 PC, and 2 HDMI) and pass through or upscale those sources via HDMI to your HDTV. The Atlona AT-LINE-EX features 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p scaling, NTSC/PAL bi-directional conversion, and Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio pass though via the HDMI inputs.The functions of the AT-LINE-EX can be controlled by the provided wireless remote control. For more on the features, functions, and performance of of the AT-LINE-EX, and whether it is a product that is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as my Photo Gallery and Video Performance Test Results. Photos (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com. Click on photos for larger view.

Plasma television has been adopted by many consumers as an alternative to those bulky tube and projection sets. Prices continue to come down and a wider variety of screen sizes are available. It may be that the idea hanging the television on the wall and regaining all that wasted floor space definitely offers more pleasing asthetics over staring at a "box". To find out more about Plasma TVs, check out my latest "Question of the Week Series" - This week: Can Plasma Televisions Work at High Altitude? Also, be sure to check out my complete Plasma TV FAQs.

The impact of DVRs in the consumer market has certainly not been overlooked by Best Buy it has entered into a partnership with TIVO. The agreement will allow Best Buy to employ TIVO's DVR and user interface technologies in future products, which may include LCD TV/DVR combos, as well as promotion of current and future TIVO DVR products. Also, the advantage for TIVO is potentially gaining more market stability in the face of increased competition from cable/satellite DVRs. For more specifics on this partnership, check out the Official Announcement from TIVO and Best Buy.

Related Story: Netflix Partners With Sony To Provide Content For Internet-Enabled Bravia LCD TVs (Audioholics).