Most Recent Features...
07/10/06 - Quick Tip - 1080p and You
There is a lot of talk about 1080p being the "Holy Grail" of high definition resolution. 1080p represents 1,080 lines of resolution scanned sequentially. In other words, all lines are scanned in progressively, providing the most detailed high definition video image that is currently available to consumers. As a result of this advance, there are now a growing number of televisions available that are termed "1080p Compatible. However, not all 1080p televisions are created equal. For more details check out my Quick Tip: Quick Tip - 1080p and You
07/03/06 - Home Theater Video Projector Rear Panel Connections
Video projectors are quickly becoming an affordable home theater option for average consumers. However, what are all those connections and what do they do? For a closer, detailed, look at, and explanation of, the rear panel connections of a typical Home Theater Video Projector, check out my illustrated Typical Home Theater Video Projector Connection Page.
06/26/06 - Backyard Home Theater - Enjoy The Home Theater Experience Outdoors
With high gasoline prices, more expensive air-fares, and high theme park ticket prices, getting away for the summer is certainly more difficult these days, especially if you have a family. If you are facing discontent on the homefront because of your inability to take your clan on summer vacation, why not add a little adventure and excitement at home on those warm Summer nights with an outdoor home theater? Read my article for details on how to set-up your own outdoor home theater.
06/19/06 - Accell UltraAV HDMI Connection Solutions - Product Review
If you have components with HDMI connections, you have found that cables and additional accessories are very expensive. Accell UltraAV brand HDMI cables, Adapters, Repeaters, and Switch are excellent performers at prices lower than several other brands. For more information, check out both my Full and Short Reviews.
06/12/06 - Pioneer DV-490V-S DVD Player with HDMI Output - Product Review
The Pioneer DV-490V-S is a great basic DVD player, offering not only CD and DVD playback, but, with its HDMI output, you can take advantage of the increased capabilities of an HDTV. In addition, other useful features, such as its JPEG/MP3 Slideshow function, as well as Divx file playback, make the DV-490V-S a good deal for $99. For additional details, check out myFull and Short Reviews.
06/05/06 - Home Theater Gifts For Dad
Father's Day will be here sooner than you think. This year, consider giving Dad a great home theater gift. Check out some of my gift suggestions, including DVD players and recorders, televisions, home theater systems, and more.
05/29/06 - Onkyo TX-SR504 Home Theater Receiver - Product Profile
With plenty of power, extensive surround processing options, built-in XM Satellite Radio Tuner, and iPOD dock compatibility, Onkyo's new TX-SR504 brings performance and flexibility down to an entry level price. For additional details, check out my product profile of the Onkyo TX-SR504 Entry-Level 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver.
05/22/06 - Home Theater Gifts For Grads
Looking for a great gift for your favorite Grad? If so, then consider giving a home theater gift. Check out my list of affordable Home Theater Gifts For Grads.
05/15/06 - The Ten Essential Elements of a Well-Balanced Home Theater
Home theater is an exciting entertainment option that provides the consumer with an exciting viewing and listening experience. Your home theater can be something as simple as a 27-inch TV and a home theater-in-a-box system, or a sophisticated custom-built system with video projector and in-wall speakers. However, there is a lot to consider in-between. For more details, check out my article: The Ten Essential Elements of a Well-Balanced Home Theater
05/08/06 - Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD Player - Product Rreview
The HD-XA1 is the new flagship HD-DVD format player from Toshiba. The HD-XA1 plays HD-DVDs at full 720p or 1080i resolution via its HDMI output. In addition, the HD- XA1 is fully playback compatible with standard DVDs and most recordable DVD formats, as well as being able to playback standard music CDs and CD-Rs/RWs. Also, standard DVDs are upscaled to 720p or 1080i via the HDMI output. To find out if the Toshiba HD-XA1 delivers the goods on HD-DVD and is worth its $799 price tag, check out my Full and Short Reviews.
05/02/06 - Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD Player - Product Preview
The HD-A1 is the new entry-level HD-DVD format player from Toshiba. The HD-A1 plays HD-DVDs at full 720p or 1080i resolution via its HDMI output. In addition, the HD-A1 is fully playback compatible with standard DVDs and most recordable DVD formats, as well as being able to playback standard music CDs and CD-Rs/RWs. Another bonus is that standard DVDs are upscaled to 720p or 1080i via the HDMI output. To find out more about the HD-A1, check out my product preview.
05/01/06 - Home Theater Gifts For Mom
Mother's Day will be here before you know it. Check out some great home theater gift ideas for Mom in several categories and across all price ranges. Home Theater isn't just for the guys! In addition, be sure to check out About's Mother's Day Special, featuring gift, food, and entertainment ideas for Mom's special day.
04/24/06 - DVD Recorder Connections - Illustration and Explanation
What are all those connections on the back of your new DVD recorder and what do they connect to? For a closer, detailed, look at, and explanation of, the rear panel connections of a typical DVD recorder, check out my illustrated Typical DVD Recorder Rear Panel Connection Page.
04/17/06 - Power Mad! - How Much Amplifier Power Do You Really Need?
POWER! Its seems that power is the name of the game these days, in politics, business, relationships, and in home theater systems. You check out those ADs in the newspaper for a receiver or amplifier for your audio system and the one feature that sticks out is the Watts-Per-Channel rating. One receiver has 50 Watts-Per-Channel (WPC), another one has 75, and still another has 100. The more watts the better, right? Not Necessarily...
To get the facts, check out my article, Power Mad! - How Much Amplifier Power Do You Really Need?
Also, be sure to check out some of my current favorite Home Theater and Stereo Receivers.
04/10/06 - Pioneer DVR-233-S Entry Level DVD Recorder - Product Review
DVD recorders have come down in price and matured in performance. One DVD Recorder leader is Pioneer. Starting with a foundation in Laserdisc, and jumping into both DVD playback/recording technology early, Pioneer has had extensive experience with optical disc video formats. The DVR-233-S, Pioneer's entry-level DVD Recorder, carries on this tradition as a reasonably priced unit that provides performance and flexibility for those entering the world of DVD recording. For more details, read both my Full and Short reviews.
04/03/06 - Mitsubishi HC3000U Home Theater Projector- Product Review
Video projectors are making their mark in home theater as prices go down and quality goes up. The Mitsubishi HC3000U DLP video projector offers great performance at an almost entry-level price, making it a viable choice for those interested in turning their entertainment environment into a true home theater. For more details, check out both my Full and Short reviews.
03/28/06 - Use Your PC As Part Of A Home Theater System
Did you know that you can use your PC as part of a home theater system? For more details, check out some useful Tips.
03/20/06 - Video Resolution - An Overview
When you shop for a television, DVD player, or camcorder, your discussion with the salesperson always seems to touch a lot on factors revolving around resolution. It's lines this and pixels that and so forth... After a while, none of it seems to make sense. For an explanation of what video resolution is, and how it affects what you actually see on the screen, check out my article on video resolution basics.
03/13/06 - The Presidian PDR-3222 Budget DVD Recorder - Product Review
The Presidian PDR-3222 is a DVD Recorder, sold primarily through Radio Shack, that offers multi-format DVD recording at an extremely low price point. Although the PDR-3222 doesn't offer many of the more advanced features and conveniences of higher-end, name-brand, units - it still offers some benefits for someone looking for a very basic DVD recorder. For more details, check out my Full and Short reviews.
03/06/06 - Buying Refurbished Products - What You Need To Know
Spring is great time to buy home theater and consumer electronics products. This is the time of year when manufacturers begin to flood store shelves with new models.
However, while this is great for the consumer who is looking for the latest and greatest, the introduction of new products creates a dilemma for retailers - How do you get rid of the remaining stock of old models, previous customer product returns, and newly-repaired serviced items taking up value space in their warehouses and store shelves?
This is where the annual Spring clearance sales come in. One category of clearance item that pops up this time of year is the "Refurbished" product.
02/27/06 - SLS Q-Line Silver 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 for a minimum of hassle and cost is with a home theater-in-a-box system. The SLS Q-line Silver is a home theater-in-a-box system with compact satellite speakers utilizing ribbon-based drivers, AV receiver, and subwoofer, that is great for entry level consumers. Just hookup your own DVD player and your Television, and you are set to go. For additional details, check out both my Short and Full Reviews.
02/20/06 - Set up and Use an RF Modulator with a DVD Player and a Television
DVD is becoming so popular that many consumers are either putting units in kids rooms and offices or otherwise connecting them to older or second TVs that do not have the proper audio/video inputs. However, there is a solution to this dilemma - the RF Modulator. The above step-by-step visually illustrates how you can use an RF modulator to connect your old TV with your new DVD player.
02/13/06 - Philips RC9800i Touchscreen Remote Control - Review
Home theater has certainly given us more and better options for enjoying television viewing, as well as other home entertainment options. However, it has also given us the clutter of remote controls. The quest for a remote control that can do it all is the true "Holy Grail" of home theater. There are many "universal remotes" that can than replace some of the functions of your remote control collection, but the Philips RC9800i can just about do it all. For more details, read both my Short and Full reviews.
02/06/06 - The Difference Between S-VHS and S-Video
A common question I get is: "How Come Standard VHS VCRs Don't Have S-Video Connections?". Find out the answer to this question and more about what S-Video actually is, and why it is also sometimes confused with S-VHS, in my Quick Tip: The Difference Between S-VHS and S-Video.
01/28/06 - Home Theater Gifts For Lovers
Instead of giving your lover jewelry, flowers, candy, or lingerie on Valentine's Day, why not give a gift that will not only last, but provide the perfect catalyst for romance - a home theater-related product. Whether cuddling up on the couch to watch that romantic movie, or providing the perfect romantic musical background to set the mood, here are some great gifts that fill the bill. Check out my suggestions for Home Theater Gifts For Lovers.
01/23/06 - Before You Buy a Home Theater Receiver
The Home Theater Receiver, also referred to as an AV Receiver or Surround Sound Receiver, is the heart of a home theater system and provides most, if not all, the inputs and outputs that you connect everything, including your television, into. A Home Theater Receiver provides an easy and cost-effective way of centralizing your your home theater system. To find out more, check out my article: Before You Buy a Home Theater Receiver.
01/17/06 - Common Home Theater Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
You spent a ton of money and time setting up your new home theater system, but something just doesn't seem right. Did you make any mistakes? To find out, check out my list of common mistakes many of us make when trying to put together a home theater environment.
01/12/06 - CES Wrap-Up Special
This past week's International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) turned out to be the biggest ever, with over 150,000 attendees, plus thousands of Press and Exhibitor staff, not to mention the hundreds of new product innovations that were featured. If you missed any of my daily CES blogs, check out the entire list of news reports in my CES Wrap-Up Special.
01/02/06 - Quick Tip - Take Your Own CDs and DVDs With You When Home Theater Shopping
When going to a dealer to check out home theater components, make sure you take some of your own favorite CDs and DVDs with you. This way you can see and hear how your own CDs and DVDs look and sound on the products you are considering. For additional details and examples of CDs and DVDs to use when shopping, check out my Quick Tip.
