From the Home Theater Archives - My Favorites For The Year 1999
The following is list of my favorite home theater-related product picks for 1999. This listing is kept for archival and continued reference purposes.
It's hard to believe I've been sitting at the computer all year writing articles, chasing links, and answering all your emails, but I must say that I have enjoyed it and hope to continue my service to you into the next Millennium.
With that in mind, I want to give you my perspective on some of my favorite (and not-so favorite) Home Electronics Products of the past year. Bear in mind that my favorites may not be your favorites or not be the favorites of other Home Electronic Journalists, but it wouldn't be fun if we all had the same list! Your own opinions are certainly welcome!
Instead of submitting my list to you in the form of "Top Ten", or picking products that my be indeed the best, but most of us couldn't afford, my picks primarily focus on practicality and the best value for the money.
Well, here we go!
Best Buy In A DVD Player
The Pioneer DV-525
This unit is a true "gem", so much so I couldn't resist buying one myself (as if I need more gadgets!). Equipped with twin-lasers, which make this unit equally at home playing music CD's (It can even play CDRW's and most CDR's!) or DVD movies. It also has both S-Video and Component Video outputs, as well as Dolby Digital and DTS RF and Optical Pass-through. This unit is a good match with either a plain-old 27" in TV (with RCA inputs) or as an intregal part of a Projection TV/Home Theater System.
The only real negative to this unit is that the remote control was not as intuitive as I would have liked.
Even though the MSRP on DV-525 is $425, the real price on the street hovers between $249 and $299. An excellent value if you are considering a DVD Player, or adding one to a second room.
For complete specs, check out Pioneer's DVD Player Page.
Best Analog TV
Sony WEGA KV-24FV10
When it comes to TV, SONY has always been in the forefront with its vertically flat Trinitron Picture Tube. Now Sony has raised the bar by delivering a totally flat picture tube TV to the consumer market.
Ranging in size from 20" to 36", these units may be the last major innovation in a picture tube TV. My favorite unit of the lot is the 24" model KV-24VF10. Why 24" you ask?
Contrary to the trend of TV's getting bigger, there is still a consumer need for a good quality small screen set. As I look around the marketplace, most 25" and 27" TV's really don't deliver the goods they could. The SONY 24" WEGA delivers.
With a flat tube surface, room glare is almost non-existent, shape distortion is minimized (I hate curve yard lines when watching a football game), and the viewing angle is increased. When compared side-by-side with a typical 27" TV, this little 24" unit looks much better.
MSRP on the KV-24FV10 is $599, but check for a lower street price of around $549. This may seem a little steep for a smaller set, but when you see the picture, you'll know its worth it.
Best HDTV
Sony KW-34HD1 HDTV
Well, HDTV is the big buzz word these days and there are several excellent projection HDTV's available, but the one that blows them all away in picture quality is the Sony KW-34HD1 Direct View set. Athough not as large as the projection units, the picture this one delivers is truly outstanding, and is also fully equipped with an HDTV Tuner and all the inputs and outputs you need. On top of that, the picture tube is perfectly flat (34" diagonal) which adds the same advantages as the 24" WEGA mentioned in the previous category. It also fits in a much smaller space than a Projection Set, if you don't have enough room for a large TV.
Sure, the MSRP is $8499, but check for street prices as low as $6499. Remember, this unit also includes an HDTV Tuner, which many others don't include as part of the initial price.
Most Bang For The Buck TV
JVC AV-27D200
So, your budget doesn't quite match the TV's I've mentioned so far, Alas, I have another pick that may help.
My pick for the "Best Bang For The Buck TV" is the JVC AV-27D200. What makes this unit a good value, besides an MSRP of $479.95, is that it is packed with great features for a 27" TV.
First of all, it has a great picture supplied by its 2-line Digital Comb Filter (not as good as the SONY WEGA--but good enough). Second, this unit not only has RCA and S-Video Inputs (which would make it a good value right there!), but is the least expensive set I know of that has Component Video Inputs (which makes this unit a great match for the Pioneer DV-525 DVD Player mentioned earlier).
Also, the D200 has variable audio outputs and can be incorporated into a Home Theater System very easily.
The only feature this unit lacks that some find essential, is picture-in-picture (which can be gotten on the step-up model, JVC AV-27D500, for an MSRP of $579.95.
For more info on the AV-27D200, click here.
Next Page Favorites Continued Page 1, 2, 3, 4.
