A new entry in the Home Theater-in-a-box category is the Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70. With its glossy jet-black subwoofer-receiver combination module and extra-small cubic-style speakers, this system is well designed to partner with Flat Panel Televisions and Blu-ray disc players. The HTS-LX70 is very functional for home theater applications with its built-in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders and HDMI 1080p pass through connectivity. However, is it right for you? For more details, check out my Short and Full Reviews and also my HTS-LX70 Photo Gallery.

Looking for a great gift for your favorite Grad? If so, then consider giving a home theater gift. Check out my list of practical and affordable Home Theater Gifts For Grads.

Flat panel televisions are quickly becoming quite commonplace on store shelves and in consumers' homes. Amongst the two types of flat panel televisions, LCD and Plasma, the one that is making the biggest market impact is LCD. On following page, I answer the question: Do LCD TVs Come in Larger Screen Sizes, Like Plasma TVs? Also, be sure to check out my complete LCD Television FAQs

If you own an LCD TV, what size screen does it have? Let the rest of us know by clicking on the "comments link" below.

In order to find out how the analog-to-digital TV transition will affect broadcasters and consumers, the FCC has selected Wilmington, North Carolina to be the official test case. The DTV transition for the residents in Wilmington will occur on September 8, 2008. It is hoped that since Wilmington's conversion will occur months in advance of the national deadline, any logistical problems that might crop will be resolvable in time for the national transition on February 17, 2009. For more details, check out the report from Multi-Channel News. For more on the DTV transition, read my articles: February 17, 2009 - Analog Television Broadcasting Ends and Inside The DTV Converter Box Coupon Program.

Related Stories:

Orlando, Florida To Conduct DTV Conversion Test on June 25th (Broadcasting and Cable)

Feds Could Extend DTV Coupon Expiration Dates - If They Want To (TV Predictions)

A 1080p upscaling DVD player for less than $75? Yep, and 1080p upscaling via HDMI isn't the only practical feature of the Philips DVP5982/37. This player will play just about any commercial or home recorded DVD and CD (sorry, no Blu-ray or HD-DVD). In addition, the DVP5982 is both NTSC and PAL compatible and can be made region code free via a remote control accessible hack. Two additional bonuses include Divx Ultra Certification and playback of still images, music, and video images stored on a USB flash memory drive or external hard drive with USB and FAT32 file compatibility. The Philips DVP5982/37 is definitely worth checking out, whether you are on a budget or not..

The countdown to the end of analog television broadcasts marches on. However, along with analog televisions, your VCR or DVD recorder may also be affected. In fact, even if you have a digital or HDTV with an ATSC tuner and receive HD programing successfully an antenna, you may still need a DTV converter for your analog VCR or DVD recorder, if they do not have their own ATSC tuners, in order to continue recording TV broadcasts on those devices after February 17, 2009. If this describes your home theater or TV setup, check out my Quick Tip: The DTV Transition - What To Do If You Have an HDTV and an Analog VCR and/or DVD Recorder.

Pioneer announces its latest Home Theater Receivers and Blu-ray Disc players designed to complement high definition home theater. Pioneer is offering two new Blu-ray Disc players, the BDP-51FD and the Elite BDP-05FD. Both players have many features in common, such as: Bonus View (Profile 1.1), On-board Decoding and Bitstream output capability for all audio formats (Note: DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and bitstream output to be implemented by Firmware Upgrade), HDMI 1.3a and 7.1 channel analog audio outputs, and a new, easier-to-use GUI (graphic user interface). In addition, the BDP-05FD also features a more solid build with aluminum front panel, gold plated connectors, capacitance touch keys, and a two-year warranty.

However, two functions that are featured on the currently available Pioneer BDP-95FD Blu-ray Disc player will be eliminated on the new players: Home Media Gallery and direct internet download capability for firmware upgrades.

The new Blu-ray Disc players will be priced at $599 (BDP-51FD) and $799 (BDP-05FD), which is substantially lower than the currently available $999 BDP-95FD.

Pioneer is also releasing a new line of Elite Home Theater Receivers: Elite SC-07 ($2,200) and SC-05 ($1,800), VSX-03TXH ($1,000), and VSX-01TXH ($750) that all feature the following: 7.1 Channel configuration, HDMI 1.3a connections, on-board decoding for all Dolby and DTS audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Faroudja video processing, MCACC, XM and Sirius satellite radio connectivity, iPod connectivity and control, and multi-room capability. In addition, the two top-of-the-line receivers in the series: the SC-07 and SC-05 will also feature Pioneer's Home Media Gallery feature, Neural THX Surround Processing, and a new Precision Quartz Locking System (PQLS) that synchronizes CD data more accurately when played back on Pioneer Blu-ray Disc players using the HDMI connection. Also, the SC-07 also features two HDMI outputs.

For more details on Pioneer's new Blu-ray Disc Players and Receivers, including availability, check out the Official Pioneer Blu-ray Disc Player and Home Theater Receiver Announcements. Stay tuned for further info, profiles, and reviews of these products as they reach dealer shelves throughout the Summer. Photo on Top Right: BDP-51FD Blu-ray Disc Player, Photo on Bottom Left: Pioneer Elite SC-07 Receiver - (c) Pioneer Electronics, USA

Tru-Surround is a sound-scheme that has the ability to take multi-channel encoded sources, such as Dolby Digital, and reproduce the multi-channel surround effect by just using two-speakers. The result is not as impressive as true Dolby Digital 5.1 (the front and side surround effects are impressive, but the rear surround effects fall a little short, with the sense they are coming from just to rear of your head rather than from the back of the room). Check out the SRS Tru-Surround Page for more technical details. Also known as Tru-Surround XT.

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

Panasonic is introducing its new 3rd generation Blu-ray Disc Player, the DMP-BD50. What makes this player special is that it includes several new features, including the long awaited BD-Live Profile 2.0 functionality which allows access to interactive web-enabled content associated with some Blu-ray Disc releases. In addition, this new player includes an SD card slot for playing high resolution still images. For those that are energy concious, the BD50 is also Energy Star Certified. The DMP-BD50 is priced at $699 and will be available in May or June. For more, read the Panasonic DMP-BD50 Press Release. Stay tuned for more in-depth details as they become available.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th - Check out some great Gift Ideas. Also, check out About.com's Mother's Day Page for more gift and entertainment ideas for Mom's special day.