Features From 2003
12/29/03 - Home Theater - My Favorite Products Of 2003
It's that time of year where every electronics journalist picks the best products of the year. Check out my personal favorite, yet affordable, home theater products for 2003.
12/22/03 - After-Christmas Sales - What You Need To Know
After-Christmas and Year-End sales are a great time get some good deals, but you can also end up with a purchase disaster. This is where the consumer needs to shop smart. Don't just grab the newspaper AD and run down to your local Consumer electronics retailer without arming yourself with useful knowledge and tools to get the most from your After-Christmas dollar.
12/15/03 - Holiday Special - Budget Mini/Micro Audio Systems
The end of the holiday shopping season is approaching fast, but you still haven't finished your gift buying and you are starting to "max" out your budget. If this applies to you, a modestly priced budget mini/micro audio system makes a great holiday gift. These units can provide great entertainment value and can be used in a variety of settings, such as a bedroom, kitchen, office, or college dorm. Check out some of my favorites.
12/08/03 - Home Theater Gifts For Mom
The holiday shopping season is now in full swing, but you are having trouble finding that "perfect" gift for Mom. For some great gift ideas that Mom might really enjoy, check out my list of favorite Home Theater Gifts for Mom.
12/08/03 - Home Theater Gifts For Dad
Don't worry, I am not trying to leave out the Dads out there. If you are still undecided as to what to get Dad for the holidays, then check out a variety of home theater gifts for Dad in several price ranges.
12/01/03 - Budget Projection Television
Your shopping for a big screen TV for the holidays, but those Plasma Televisions are just not in your budget. Why not consider a rear projection TV? OK, so you can't hang it on the wall, and the cabinet takes up more space, but for about one-half to one-third the price of a 42-50 inch Plasma TV, you can get a rear projection TV with the same screen size, and with the same features (many with HDTV upgradability) and, in many cases, better overall picture quality. With the money you save you can get a DVD player and modest home theater audio system to go with it! Check out some of my Budget Projection Television favorites updated for the Holidays.
11/24/03 - Philips DVDR75 DVD Recorder - Product Review - User Submission
DVD recorders are fast becoming one of the hottest products in consumer electronics this year, especially as prices keep coming down. Recently, a reader recently purchased a Philips DVDR75 DVD Recorder and wanted to share his experience with the other users of the About.com Home Theater site.
11/17/03 - Home Theater - Easy and Inexpensive - Home Theater-In-A-Box
Looking for the perfect gift to get that special someone started in home theater without all the hassle of buying everything and figuring out how to install it? Then a home theater-in-a-box system may be just the perfect gift to give this holiday season. There are several types of configurations, but, basically, the majority of systems come packaged with everything you need to get a basic home theater started including a DVD player/AV receiver (combination or separate components), all the speakers, including the subwoofer, a remote control, and, the best of all, all the wire is included to connect it all together, including standard AV cables to connect to an existing TV.
11/10/03 - Holiday Shopping Resource Index
Halloween is over, the Thanksgiving turkey is slow cooking in the oven. Dad's in the basement getting that old furnance started back up, and its time to get those winter clothes out of the closest. The winter holiday shopping crunch is now upon us. Buying decisions need to be made. Where do you start? Before heading out the door with newspapter AD in hand, check out my Holiday Shopping Resource Index. The index includes several important resources for a successful holiday shopping experience, includng: Shopping Survival Guide, What's Hot and Not, Before You
Buy information for a variety of products, and Home Theater Top Product Picks. This resource in the perfect jumping off point for every Home Theater or Gadget Holiday Shopper!
11/03/03 - Plasma Television - Top Picks
Looking for something "hot" this holiday season? Although still very expensive at any size, flat panel TVs (either LCD or Plasma) are selling like hotcakes in the consumer market. The driving forces behind the growing sales numbers are not all clear at this point, as many mainstream consumers, unexpectedly, have dug deep into their pockets to purchase these units, but let us say that the idea hanging the TV on the wall and regaining all that wasted floor space definitely offers more pleasing asthetics over staring at a "box". Even if you can't afford one of these "babies", definitely check them out as you cruise the store for that latest DVD title.
10/27/03 - Home Theater - What's Hot and Not For The Holidays (2003)
Shopping for electronic gadgets isn't as easy as it used to be. A TV was a TV, a radio was a radio, and stereo was a stereo, but now there are flat screen TVs, projection TVs, plasma TVs, 5 channel and 6 channel surround sound receivers, speakers and subwoofers, and the choices go on and on and on. Sometimes a simple list of "What's Hot and What's Not" may be just the ticket to finalize that purchasing decision...
10/20/03 - Holiday Shopping: Don't Forget The Necessories!
When giving a home theater component, such as a DVD player, or other high-tech gadget gift, make sure you include the accessories that make it work. A followup to last week's Holiday Shopping Survival Guide.
10/13/03 - Holiday Shopping Survival Guide
It's that time of year to gear up for the coming holiday shopping frenzy, but before you actually go out and buy that home theater or other gadget gift, you need to know how to buy. Here are some tips.
10/06/03 - HDTV FAQs
HDTV is making progress with more affordable products and accessible programming, making it an increasing viable choice for the consumer. Programming providers, such as Showtime, HBO, Discovery, ESPN, HDnet, and all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and WB) are dedicating more broadcast hours to HDTV. For answers to some common questions about HDTV, check out my FAQs.
09/29/03 - Subwoofers: What You Need To Know
The subwoofer has emerged as a critical component of the home theater system. What is it and why is it necessary for a full home theater experience? Here is an overview of the Subwoofer basics and options.
09/15/03 - Video Projectors: What You Need To Know
The video projector has long been used as a presentation tool in business and commercial entertainment, as well as in some very wealthy homes, but now with advances in technology, several types of compact, portable video projectors are available and affordable for the average consumer. For an overview of common types of video projectors, check out my report.
08/25/03 - Widescreen TV -- The 16x9 Factor
Big screen and widescreen TVs are getting more and more popular, but what is the difference between a Big Screen and a Wide Screen TV? Check out my latest update on this topic.
08/18/03 - Yamaha RX-V640 AV Receiver: Product Review
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 product review.
07/28/03 - 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. In the above article, I shed some light on this topic, hopefully making the nature of video resolution more understandable.
07/07/03 - Marantz SR7300ose: Product Review
Today's AV receivers pack in a lot of features and functionality for the home theater enthusiast, and, at a very reasonable price. The Marantz SR-7300ose is one such receiver that includes all the functionality you would expect, but adds a few features not seen in most receivers in its price range.
06/30/03 - HDTV Update: FOX Finally Joins In
In a previous 2002 article, "Fox Turns Chicken On HDTV", I commented on the FOX television network's lack of commitment to HDTV broadcasting, although its major competitors, ABC, CBS, and NBC were moving ahead. Now, it seems that FOX, faced with a decided technical disadvantage, has finally had a change of heart. Check out my update and perspective on this issue...
06/23/03 - Who's Your PAL?
A relative living in the U.K. sends you a copy of a favorite BBC TV Show but the tape doesn't play correctly on your VCR. You are traveling in Eastern Europe and you can't view your Camcorder footage on the Hotel TV. You are a victim of differing video standards in use throughout the world. Why is this? Just read the above article for all the details. Newly updated for 2003.
06/16/03 - Product Review: Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofer
Is your home theater or audio system coming up a little short on the bass end? Then consider the addition of the Yamaha YST-SW205. This is one compact powered subwoofer that may just fill the bill. Check out my review.
06/09/03 - Throwaway DVDs
Your DVD Will Become Unplayable In 48 Hours... Disney is heading up a new strategy to market disposable DVDs. Check out details and my perspective on this issue.
06/03/03 - Top Picks: DVD/VCR Combos
The rise of DVD and the necessity of still needing a traditional VCR, has given birth to the DVD/VCR combo. Check out some of my picks in this alternative to the home theater mix. Newly updated for Summer 2003. These units also make great Father's Day gifts!
05/26/03 - Home Theater Gifts For Dad
Any time of year is a great time to buy a gift for Dad, especially when it comes to adding to his home theater system. Check out some of my suggestions.
05/19/03 - Top Picks: CD Players/Changers
Is your current CD player getting a little old and tired? If so, check my top picks for current moderately-priced CD players/changers. A CD player can also make a great graduation, wedding, or Father's Day gift.
05/12/03 - Top Picks: Budget Mini-Micro Audio Systems
Mother's Day is past but soon school graduations and June weddings will be upon us. If you are looking for an inexpensive, practical gift that will bring years of enjoyment, then consider a mini/micro audio system.
05/05/03 - Product Review: Cobalt Interconnect Cables
Your home theater components are useless without good interconnect cables. Check out my review of some excellent heavy-duty audio and video cables from Cobalt Cable.
04/28/03 - Top Picks: Universal DVD Players
A new type of DVD player configuration is creating quite a stir in the marketplace. Known as the Universal DVD player, these units will play just about any type of DVD, VCD, and CD disk available, including the new DVD-Audio and SACD (Super Audio CD) disks.
04/21/03 - 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!
04/14/03 - DVD Rot: Fact Or Fiction?
DVD is the most successful home entertainment technology for watching movies to date and has also proven to be an excellent storage medium for computer data. However, it isn't without some faults.
04/07/03 - Product Review: Optoma H56 DLP Video Projector
Video projectors are making their mark in home theater as prices go down and quality goes up. The Optoma H56 DLP video projector is an excellent, affordable unit that can turn your living room into a true home theater. For more details, check out my review.
03/31/03 - Product Review: 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.
03/24/03 - Region Codes: DVD's Dirty Secret
The DVD world is divided into six regions. According to some, this is a means of providing copyright protection and preserve international film distribution arrangements, as well as prevent "illegal" copying. However, is it also a plot by movie companies to command higher prices for DVDs overseas? (Revised for 2003)
03/10/03 - Product Review: JVC AV-20F703 20-inch Flat Tube Television
The JVC AV-20F703 is not only feature-packed but delivers the goods in terms of picture quality. And excellent television/monitor in the 20-inch screen size class. Check out my review.
03/03/03 - Turntable Keep On Spinnin'
Your old vinyl records collecting dust? Don't throw them away, play them on a new turntable. Check out this overview of the current state of the Vinyl record culture. Updated for 2003.
02/24/03 - DVD Recorder FAQs
As DVD recorders become more popular and affordable, my email box is filled with many questions on what they are, how they work, and what they can be used for. In order to address the most common questions regarding DVD recorders, here are some general FAQs that should make your DVD recorder buying decision easier.
02/17/03 - Product Review: Outlaw Model 950 7.1 Channel Preamp/Processor
If you are a home theater enthusiast that prefers a separate preamp/power amplifier setup, rather than an all-inclusive AV receiver, then you have to check out the Outlaw Audio Model 950 7.1 Channel Preamp/Processor. For more details, check out my review.
02/10/03 - Product Review: Shure E2c Stereo Earphones
Shure has been making excellent professional earphones, microphones, and phono cartridges for years. Now Shure has introduced its E-series line of high-performance mini-sized stereo earphones that perform as well as many larger home and studio-type headphones. For more, check out my product review of the Shure E2c entry-level pro-quality earphones.
02/03/03 - Full Product Review: Butler Audio 5150 5-Channel Power Amplifier
If you are looking for an audiophile quality multi-channel power amplifer, check out the innnovative Butler Audio Model 5150 5-channel vacuum tube/hybrid power amplifier.
01/13/03 - Home Theater: CES Roundup
Your intrepid guide attended the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas (Jan 9-12) to check out all the latest technology coming your way later this year. For a peek of new products and technologies on display at the show, check out my photo gallery roundup. Watch for more specific articles in the coming weeks.
01/06/03 - Home Theater 2002: A Look Back
2002 was a soft year for CE retailing, but that didn't stop manufacturers from introducing new products for the consumer. Despite rumors of war and economic gloom forcast for 2003, technology and product innovation in home theater continues unabated. Check out some of the newsworthy highlights from 2002 and preview of what may be ahead in 2003.
