Articles Index
Give Months of Streaming Music or Movies - Perfect Last-Minute Gifts - 2010
Gift subscriptions and gift cards to online media streaming sites--Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Napster, Amazon On Demand, and iTunes--can be bought online and emailed or printed instantly. These make a perfect gift or addition to the gift of a network media player or media streamer. Find out how to get these great last-minute gifts that will be appreciated throughout the year.
Backyard Home Theater
High gasoline prices, expensive air-fares, and high theme park ticket prices, make summer travel more difficult these days, especially for families. If you are facing discontent at home because you can't afford to take your family on Summer vacation, why not add a little adventure and excitement in your own backyard on those warm Summer nights with an outdoor home theater?
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 high-end home theater systems. However, video projectors are becoming more available and affordable for the average consumer. For an overview of this topic, check out the following article.
What Are Digital Media Formats and Why Do You Need to Know About Them?
Media file formats - What do all those file format acronyms mean? Make sure your network media player is compatible with the file formats in your media library.
Vacuum Tube Rebels
In home theater these days, "digital" rules. However, despite the dominance of digital technology, the trusty vacuum tube is not only still with us, but is enjoying a new popularity. Check out the latest.
Best Accessories for Your Network Media Player
Are you looking for the perfect accessory to accompany a network media player, media streamer, network TV or Blu-ray Disc player? Check out some accessories that will make it easier to connect to your home network, easy to save large media libraries, or easy to convert old vinyl LPs, cassettes, VHS, or print photos.
THX Steerable Line Array
The THX Steerable Line Array is an innovative speaker design in which two small speakers are positioned so that their cones face each other and then placed in a "brick". A slot is cut to pass the air generated by the speaker assembly. Now, take one or more of these slot speaker assemblies, line them up, and power them with individual analog amplifiers. The final touch is software control so that the sound coming from the slots can be beamed in any direction. For all the details, read more...
The State of 3D: Interview with Dr. Barry Sandrew, Founder and COO of Legend3D
For a look at state of 3D, and more specifically, 2D/3D conversion, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Barry Sandrew, Founder, COO of Legend3D, a San Diego-based company that specializes in 2D/3D conversion and has converted content for Dreamworks, Disney, and many other large studios. We discussed the current state of 3D, the future of 3D, and his company's role in bringing 3D content to consumers.
Subwoofers - What You Need To Know
Subwoofers have emerged as a critical element of a home theater system. What is a subwoofer and why is it necessary for a full home theater experience? Find out in this informative article.
Zediva Launches Online DVD Rental -- Streaming Video Service
Zediva launches a new online DVD rental streaming video service but was forced to close registration in the first day it was opened to the public, causing delays in its launch. To find out more about Zediva, and why is has attracted so much interest, read my article: Zediva Launches Online DVD Rental Streaming Video Service.
How Zediva Works and How It Compares to Other Video-on-Demand Services
Zediva is a new video streaming service that can be played on media streamers and networked TVs that have a web browser. Learn how this inexpensive video streaming service can offer day-of-release DVD titles and how it compares to Vudu, Amazon on Demand and other online video on demand services.
Turntable Keep On Spinnin' - The Revival of the Turntable and Vinyl Record
Turntable Keep On Spinnin' - The Revival of the Turntable and Vinyl Record. Are your old vinyl records collecting dust? Don't throw them away, play them on a new turntable. Contrary to popular belief audio turntables and vinyl records are still with us, if you know where and how to look. Check out my report.
3D Glasses Overview - Passive Polarized Glasses vs Active Shutter 3D Glasses
There are three parts to the 3D experience: the source, the display device, and the glasses. For details on how 3D glasses work and the difference between active and passive glasses, read my article: 3D Glasses - Passive Polarized and Active Shutter 3D Glasses Overview.
Power Mad! - What You Need To Know About Amplifiers and Amplification
How Much Amplifier Power Do You Really Need? We often base our judgments about amplifier quality on power output, but there is more to an amplifier besides power. This article discusses the additional factors, besides wattage, that contribute to an audio amplifier's performance.
Buying Refurbished Products - What You Need To Know
Buying Refurbished Products - We are always looking for bargains. It is hard to resist those after-holiday and Spring clearance sales. However, another way to save money is to buy refurbished products. This article discusses the nature of refurbished products and some helpful hints on what to ask and look for when purchasing such products.
Connecting Both a DVD Recorder and a VCR to a Television
With the increasing use of DVD recorders, many consumers are facing the dilemma as to how to add a new DVD recorder to their current VCR and Television setup simply. In the following article I explain some options that will make this task easier.
HDTV FAQs: What do I Need to Get to be Able to Watch HDTV?
The impact of Digital TV is making TV buying decisions for consumers more complex. However, what do I need to get to be able to watch HDTV? Find out the answer to this question in the following FAQ entry.
Five Reasons Why Apple TV is the Best Media Player for Mac and iPhone Users
Although Apple TVs only work with iTunes, here are the top five reasons why an Apple TV may be the best network media player if you are a Mac user, own an iPhone, an iPad, or an iPod Touch.
Blu-ray and HD-DVD Basics
When DVD was introduced in 1997, it was considered a major breakthrough. However, even then, engineers and manufacturers had begun work on its eventual replacement, which has resulted in the development of two competing formats - Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Although DVD will be around for some time, the advent of high definition playback for consumers is now available in the U.S. Here is an overview of Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
The RF Modulator - DVD Player Connection Option
The RF Modulator solution. DVD is so common 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 following article shows how you can use an RF modulator to connect your old TV with your new DVD player.
Explanation of the iCloud, iTunes in the Cloud and PhotoStream
Combining Steve Jobs' WWDC 2011 announcement and press releases, we have come up with the truth about the iCloud. Learn more about how iTunes in the Cloud, iMatch, and PhotoStream will work with Apple TV and you iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone.
How Samsung AllShare Simplifies Media Streaming
Samsung's AllShare easily streams photos, music and movies between TVs, home theater, blu-ray disc players, Galaxy Tab and wifi cameras and camcorders and can all be controlled by a Galaxy S phone. Learn how AllShare makes networking home entertainment simple using DLNA certified products. AllShare products are the perfect example of DLNA certifications and the perfect way to understand DLNA.
Is Zediva's Online DVD Rental Service Legal?
Zediva offers day-of-release DVD streaming, calling itself an Online DVD rental service. However, there has been some discussion on whether Zediva adheres to copyright law. Has Zediva found a loophole in copyright law that will allow it to continue be able to offer Online DVD Rentals? Read my article for more details.
Zediva Online DVD Rental Service Review
Zediva is a unique online DVD rental service. Read a review of Zediva and learn how to use the service. Find out if Zediva is the right home theater entertainment choice for you.
What is Vudu?
What is Vudu? Learn about how to get Blu-ray quality streaming movies from the Vudu box and Vudu app for your network media players, media streaming devices, networked TVs and home theater components.