What's Not so Hot...
In the previous pages, I listed several home theater products that are considered "Hot" for this holiday shopping season. Now, here are some products that should be considered for the "Not" list.
DVD Recorders
Have you been looking for a DVD Recorder to give as a gift this year and have found slim-pickins on store shelves? It is not your imagination. While DVD recorders are thriving in other parts of the World and Blu-ray Disc recorders are all the rage in Japan, and are being introduced in several other markets, the number of brands and models of DVD Recorders and DVD Recorder/VCR Combos is being reduced in the U.S.. For more details, check out my article: The Case of the Disappearing DVD Recorder.
On the other hand, if you are considering purchasing a DVD recorder as gift this year, check out my DVD Recorder FAQs as well as my current DVD Recorder and DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Top Picks as to what may still be available.
Upscaling DVD Players
Upscaling DVD Players have been popular. However, as result of the introduction of Blu-ray Disc players, the number of available Upscaling DVD players is beginning to decrease. So, if you are looking for a great gift to complement an HDTV, a Blu-ray Disc player, which also has the ability to play DVDs with upscaling, would be a better option than an Upscaling DVD player at this point. However, if you are on a strict budget, Upscaling DVD players are very inexpensive (typically $99 or less).
An Upscaling DVD player is a standard DVD player that is equipped with an HDMI (High Definition Multi-media Interface) connection. This connection can transfer the video signal from the DVD player in pure digital form. In addition, this type of DVD player also has an what is referred to as "upscaling capability".
Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of the DVD signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280x720/1366X768 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080i or 1080p).
The upscaling process does a good job of matching the upscaled pixel output of a DVD player to the native pixel display resolution of an HDTV capable television, resulting in better detail and color consistency.
Keep in mind that upscaling cannot convert standard DVD images into true high-definition images, but is a close approximation - especially when you consider the much lower cost for an upscaling DVD player as opposed to a Blu-ray Disc Player. Also, just as with any product category, there are variations in the quality of various upscaling DVD players.
For more information on what you need to know before you buy an Upscaling DVD Player read my FAQ What Is Meant By An HD-Compatible DVD Player?.
In addition, check out my suggestions for Best Upscaling DVD Players, as well as my Best DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Players.
Expensive HDMI Cables
When you buy a new component that requires HDMI cable connections, don't fall into the "HDMI cable trap" where you are asked to pay up to $100 for a four or six foot HDMI cable. Regardless of brand, all you need to look for is a cable that is labeled Hi-Speed or has up-to 10.2 Gbps transfer rate. A cable with this labeling regardless of brand or price, will work with any currently available HDMI-equipped TV, Home Theater Receiver, Blu-ray Disc Player, or Cable/Satellite Box for full 1080p resolution, 3D, or other requirement. The only real caution is the length of the cable. You should keep the distance between your HDMI-connected components to 15 feet or less for best video transfer quality.
Go Shopping...
There you have it, an overview of my "Hot" and "Not" product categories for the holiday shopping season. Be sure to check out other resources listed on the bottom of this article. Now, go shopping, don't get too stressed, have fun, and have a happy holiday shopping season!
For some specific product suggestions, check out my Top Home Theater Gifts for Holiday Shoppers - 2011 Edition.
