2001: Pick-Of-The-Picks
From the Home Theater Archives - My Favorites For The Year 2001
The following is list of my favorite home theater-related product picks for 2001. This listing is kept for archival and continued reference purposes.
It's hard to believe I've been sitting at the computer for over two years now, writing articles, chasing links, and answering all your emails, but I must say that this experience has been rewarding and you have all kept me on my toes!
With that in mind, I want to give you my perspective on some of my favorite home theater products of the past year. Needless to say , this is no easy task; with literally thousands of products introduced this past year it is impossible to evaluate and form an opinion on each. However, to narrow down this task, my approach is to base my picks on both performance and affordability for the average consumer. Bear in mind that my favorites may not be your favorites or not be the favorites of other home theater journalists, but it wouldn't be fun if we all had the same list! Your own opinions are certainly welcome!
To start off with, many emerging technologies appeared on the scene this year that are making their way into the consumer market, most notably the introduction of the DVD recorder, increasing presence of Plasma TV, SACD, DVD-Audio, and the appearance of Dolby Pro-Logic II and 6.1 channel AV receivers. In addition, with the amazing success of the DVD player in displacing the VCR as main source of viewing pre-recorded movies, has made this year an exciting one in the bringing affordable home theater to the masses.
As I did last year, 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 for the average consumer. Along with my own "hands-on" experience with many products and accessing reliable resources on others, I feel I have come up with some exciting and affordable picks for the year in ten core categories: DVD players, CD recorders, CD players/changers, TV Combos, Home Theater-In-A-Box, AV Receivers, 16X9 flat tube TVs, 27" flat tube TVs, Budget Projection TVs, and Subwoofers. Also, as more products in emerging categories, such as Plasma TV, DLP projection, Recordable DVD, and SACD/DVD-Audio impact the mainstream consumer market in the coming year, I will be adding picks to these areas as well.
Click Here For: Guide Picks - My Favorite Products For 2001
What are your favorite products of the year? Post your list on my Favorite Home Theater Products of 2001 Forum.
Feel free to email me at hometheater.guide@about.com
with your questions and/or comments.
