GuideReviews Index
Atlona AT-LINE-EX HDMI Media Center Switcher and Scaler
The Atlona AT-LINE-EX is an affordable video switcher/scaler that can be used to connect up to six video input sources (2 analog, 2 PC, 2 HDMI) and pass through or upscale those sources via HDMI to an HDTV. The AT-LINE-EX features 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p scaling, NTSC/PAL bi-directional conversion, and Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio pass through via HDMI. The AT-LINE-EX can be operated by the provided wireless remote. To find out if the Atlona AT-Line-EX is right for you, read my review.
Resident Evil Extinction - Blu-ray Disc Review
[i]Resident Evil - Extinction[/i], the third film in the popular Resident Evil movie franchise, makes its Blu-ray Disc debut. This installment, which is a mixture of [i]Road Warrior, Damnation Alley, and Dawn of the Dead[/i] doesn't offer anything we haven't seen before in this type of film, but it does offer up both Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter.
Yamaha DVX-S60 Home Theater-In-A-Box
The Yamaha DVX-S60 is a full featured and stylish home theater-in-a-box system that is perfect for entry level consumers as well for those wanting a second system for a smaller room or office. Check out my review for more details.
Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 37-Inch LCD Monitor Featuring 1080p
The Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 is a 37-inch, 16x9, LCD monitor with 1080p native resolution. With most Plasma and LCD televisions offering only (852x480) 480p or (1280x720) 720p native pixel resolution, an LCD television with 1080p capability is a great advance, especially with a street price less than $2,000. In addition to both internal 1080p processing and 1080p input capability, the LVM-37w3 features 6 HD inputs including 1 HDMI, 2 DVI-HDCP, 2 HD Component, and a hi-res VGA input.
Yamaha RX-V640 AV Receiver
New AV receivers are hitting the market almost as fast as new PCs. Even for us "pros" it is hard to keep up with the latest. However, having had a chance to use the Yamaha RX-V640, I must say that it is an excellent value for those getting started in home theater. For more details, check out this short product review.
Dragon Wars - D-War Blu-ray Disc Review
Dragon Wars (aka D-WAR) is sort of a mixed bag. One the one hand, the plot or setting doesn't make all that much sense and the acting is wooden. However, for anyone that likes monsters, there are some really good ones, and the CGI effects, although not cutting edge, still look pretty good. If you have children, this might be a fun movie, especially with the added high-def Blu-ray experience. For additional details, check out my review.
The Legend of Zorro - Blu-ray Disc Review
The Legend of Zorro is now available on Blu-ray Disc, and although it didn't quite live up to expectations at the box office, this film makes a great addition to Sony's increasing high-def release library. The Blu-ray edition features a very good image with excellent detail, especially with the colorful sets and costumes. In addition, the inclusion of multiple language tracks, with surround sound, broadens its appeal for international fans. For more details, read my review.
The Bourne Ultimatum - HD-DVD Disc Review
The "Bourne Ultimatum" literally blasts its way onto HD-DVD with guns blazing and fists flying. Also, with exceptional video and audio quality, this HD-DVD is a must buy for your those of you that own an HD-DVD player. For all the details, check out my Review.
Pansonic PT-AX100U 3LCD Home Theater Projector
Video projectors are making their mark in home theater as prices go down and quality goes up. The Pansonic PT-AX100U LCD video projector offers great performance at an almost entry-level price, and is viable choice for those interested in turning their entertainment environment into a true home theater. For more details, check out my review.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind 30th Anniverary Ultimate Edition on Blu-ray
Close Encounters of the Third Kind 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Disc Review
Optoma H31 16x9 DLP Video Projector
Video projectors are making their mark in home theater as prices go down and quality goes up. The Optoma H31 DLP video projector is an entry-level unit with great performance that can turn your living room into a true home theater. For more details, check out my review.
Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour - Blu-ray Disc Review
Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour - Blu-ray Disc Review
Yamaha DVX-S120 Home Cinema Station
The Yamaha DVX-S120 Home Cinema Station is a full featured and stylish compact home theater-in-a-box system that is great for entry level consumers as well for those wanting a second system for a smaller room or office. Check out my review for more details.
Accell UltraAV HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch
Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch can be a great addition to your home theater, especially if you have more than one HDTV or an HDTV and Video Projector. The Accell UltraAV 4x4 HDMI Switch you connect up to four HDMI sources (Blu-ray Disc Player, DVD Player, HD Cable/Satellite Box, etc...) and either view one source on up to four different HDMI-equipped TVs and/or video projectors, or send up to four separate sources to as many as four different TVs and/or video projectors.
Seagate FreeAgent Theater HD Media Player
Seagate is a familiar name in the PC world as makers of hard drives that are used in PCs, DVRs, and DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Combos. Now, Seagate is offering its own media playback solution: the FreeAgent Theater. The FreeAgent Theater is a hard-drive based media player that allows you to play back audio, video, and still image files stored on specially designed portable hard drive and also from USB flash drives and many Digital Still cameras. For more details, check out my review.
IOGEAR Wireless USB Audio/Video Kit - GUWAVKIT
The IOGEAR Wireless USB Audio/Video Kit allows the wireless connection of a Desktop or Laptop PC to an HDTV, HD Monitor, or video projector, and home theater theater audio system. The software provided enables a USB port to output both the PC's video monitor and audio output signals. For a closer look at this device, check out my product review.
GE 22730 Digital Converter Box For Analog Televisions
With the end of analog broadcast television having taken effect on June 12, 2009, those consumers that still own analog television and receive their programming over-the-air, via an antenna, need a converter box to continue to view their favorite television shows. For a look at one of these converters, check out my review of the GE 22730 Digital Converter Box for analog televisions.
Atlona AT-HDPIX USB to HDMI Converter
The Atlona AT-HDPIX USB to HDMI Converter allows the connection of a Desktop or Laptop PC or MAC to an HDTV, HD Monitor, or video projector. The software provided enables a USB port to output the PC's video monitor signal. By connecting a USB cable, as well as an audio cable to the AT-HDPIX box, and then connecting an HDMI cable from the box to an HDMI-equipped HDTV, HD-monitor, or Video projector, you can view your Desktop or Laptop on a "big" screen. For more details, read my review.
Verismo VuNow HD1000 Network Media Extender
The Verismo VuNow HD1000 Network Media Extender is a great way to integrate your audio and video entertainment direct from the internet and PC (although a PC is not required) via home netwrok. The VuNow HD1000 is a small set-top box that connects directly to your TV, or through a video-enabled home theater receiver, via HDMI. Using the Verismo VuNow HD1000, you can access a host of internet audio/video content via either by wired or wireless network connection. For more details, read my review.
Optoma HD806 1080p DLP Video Projector
At a price of $2,599, the Optoma HD806 DLP Projector is a good value. With its native 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution and it 2,000 lumen output capability, the video quality is very good. Flesh tones and color saturation produce a natural looking image. Another bonus is that the HD806 has both HDMI and DVI inputs. I found the Optoma HD806 to be a good performing and easy-to-use video projector. To find if it is right for you, check out my review.
Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70 Flat Panel Home Theater System - Product Review
I get asked by readers often how they can get started in home theater without spending a fortune and having to buy lots of components. One popular solution is with a home theater-in-a-box system. A new entry in this exciting product category is the Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70. This system is designed specifically to be a partner with Flat Panel Televisions and Pioneer Blu-ray disc players, with its built-in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders and HDMI 1080p pass through connectivity.
Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-ray Disc Player - Product Review
The Samsung BD-P1500 plays Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p resolution, provides bitstream output for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via HDMI 1.3a output, and is fully playback compatible with standard DVDs, most recordable DVD formats, standard music CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. Another bonus is that standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. The BD-P1500 adheres to Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) specifications, and is firmware upgradable via internet download. To find out more check out my review.
Yamaha BD-S2900 Blu-ray Disc Player - Review
The BD-S2900 is Yamaha's first Blu-ray Disc player. This player features 1080p/60 or 1080p/24 resolution for Blu-ray Discs, provides bitstream output for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via its HDMI 1.3a output, and is compatible with standard DVDs, CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. The BD-S2900 upscales standard DVDs up to 1080p. The BD-S2900 adheres to Profile 1.1 (Bonus View), and is not upgradable to Profile 2.0 (BD Live). To find out if this Blu-ray Disc player is right for you, check out my review.
Sherwood BDP-5003 Blu-ray Disc Player
The BDP-5003 is Sherwood's first venture into Blu-ray Disc player territory. Features include playback of Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p resolution, bitstream output for Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD via HDMI 1.3a output, and compatibility with standard DVDs, most recordable DVD formats, CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. Another bonus is that standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. The BDP-5003 adheres to Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) specifications. For more about the BDP-5003, check out my review.
Yamaha RX-V863 7.2 Channel Home Theater Receiver with HDMI - Product Review
The Yamaha RX-V863 7.2 Channel Home Theater Receiver has power, up-to-date features, and an abundance of connectivity options. This receiver is rated to deliver 105 wpc, and features Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD processing. On the video side, the RX-V863 has three HDMI inputs with 1080p pass-through and analog to HDMI video conversion and upscaling. Extra bonuses include iPOD and Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio access, as well as two subwoofer outputs. To find out more check out my product review.