Top Home Theater Gifts for Holiday Shoppers - 2012 Edition

If you are looking for a great Blu-ray Disc player to add to your own home theater system, or give as a gift this holiday season, this is the player to seriously consider. The Sony BDP-S790 Blu-ray Disc player is stylish, compact, and has an abundance of content access options.

On the disc side of things, the BDP-S790 players 2D and 3D Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, SACDs, and CD. This play also provides 1080p and 4K upscaling for standard DVDs and internet streamed content, and offers dual HDMI outputs for added connection conveience with non-3D compatible HDMI-equipped home theater receivers.

However, the fun doesn't stop there, the BDP-S790 is also network-enabled, with the ability to access digital media content stored on USB flash drives, iPods, and PCs, as well as stream audio/video content from the internet. With the purchase of an optional compatible webcam, you can even make Skype video phone calls.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Blu-ray Disc Players.

If the Sony BDP-S790, listed above, is a little out of your holiday shopping Blu-ray disc player budget, check out the more affordable Panasonic LG BP620.

This player has an attractive space saving slim body style that will make it easy to find space for in your setup. The LG BP620 provides both 2D and 3D Blu-ray disc playback, and will also pay yours DVDs and CDs. You can also play back still images, video, and music from USB flash drives or other compatible devices via the front mounted USB port. The BP620 also features both Ethernet and WiFi access to internet streaming content, including HuluPlus, Netflix), YouTube and Vudu. LG's Smart Share (DLNA) provides access to media content stored on other network connected devices, such as PCs and media servers. Even if 3D is not a consideration at this time, for less that $150, this player is a great value for all its other included features.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Blu-ray Disc Players.

Here is a great TV to put on your holiday shopping list. The Panasonic TC-L42ET5 is a 42-inch LED/LCD TVs displays great images whether you are watching in 2D or 3D. This set futures full 1080p display resolution in 2D, wide viewing angle IPS LCD panel, backlight scanning in addition to the screen refresh rate. For 3D viewing this TV uses passive 3D glasses technology (four pairs of glasses are included).

In addition to 3D capability (in fact, even if 3D is not a consideration), the TC-L42ET5 has plenty to offer, including both Ethernet and Wifi connectivity for convenient access to a host streaming and social media content from the internet or network-connected PCs. Panasonic also offers a free remote control app for Android devices, or you can just the remote provided with the TV.
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If 42-inches is too small for you, also check out the 47-inch TC-L47ET5 (compare prices) and 55-inch TC-L55ET5 (compare prices).

For more suggestions, check out my current list of LCD and LED/LCD TVs 40-inches and Larger.

Although LCD TVs are the most popular type of TV now in use, Plasma TVs provide excellent picture quality and also provide better motion response and deeper black levels than most LCD TVs. One example is the Samsung PN51E7000.

This set features a stylish, thin bezel, design with a 51-inch screen. The PN51E7000 displays high contrast full 1080p resolution images in 2D or 3D, which is supported by a 600Hz subfield drive.

Getting into the included operational featues, ATSC/QAM tuners are provided for non-scrambled HD cable and over-the-air TV signals, as well as 3 HDMI inputs and two USB ports for still image and video playback. However, there is more. The PN51E7000 also includes internet internet streaming via built-in WiFi or wired Ethernet connection, including access to Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, and much more via Samsung Apps. You can even surf the web via fully functional web browser and also make Skype video phone calls with the additional of an optional compatible webcam.
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NOTE: Also available in two larger screen sizes, the 60-inch PN60E7000 - (Compare Prices) and the 64-inch PN64E7000 (Compare Prices). If 3D is an important factor, consider the larger screen sizes for a more immersive 3D viewing experience.

For more suggestions, check out my current list of Plasma TVs.

If you are looking for really special gift this holiday season, consider a video projector. As it turns out, you don't have to spend a fortune to own one and the Optoma HD33 is a very affordable projector that is definitely one to consider. The HD33 provides both 2D and 3D viewing (3D content required) utilizing DLP technology. The basic specification of this projector include: 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,800 lumen output capability. The HD33 also comes with an easy-to-use plug-in RF 3D synch transmitter (each pair of 3D glasses requires a separate purchase). Both the 2D and 3D image quality is great, especially when projected on a large screen. Also, even if you are not ready for the 3D part, the HD33 projects great 2D images as well.

The HD33 makes a great replacement for an older video projector, but is priced low enough to consider as a first video projector. However, if you have never owned a video projector, don't forget to consider a screen.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of DLP and LCD Video Projectors.

If you are looking for a home theater receiver for yourself or to give as a gift this 2012 holiday season, definitely consider the Sony STR-DN1030.

First off, the STR-DN1030 features a 7.2 channel speaker configuration, with Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding, Dolby Pro Logic IIz audio processing.

This receiver also provides five 3D compatible HDMI inputs, and 1080i video upscaling.

However, that isn't all to consider. A USB port is provided for accessing audio and video content from iPod/iPhone or USB flash drives, and both built-in Ethernet and WiFi options, all access to DLNA functions and Internet Radio for services such as vTuner, Slacker, and Pandora.

Wait! There is even more. The STR-DN1030 also includes both Airplay and Bluetooth, which provide access to streaming audio content from both iOS and Android devices. You can also use an iOS or Android device to control the STR-DN1030 via Sony's free downloadable iOS and Android Media Remote apps.

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For additional suggestions, check out my listings of Midrange , Budget, and High-End Home Theater Receivers.

Buying speakers for yourself is hard enough, so what should you buy if you are looking for a speaker system as a holiday gift? Here is one suggestion to check out, Cerwin Vega is well-known for its big speakers that also deliver big sound, but they also offer a compact speaker system that is more suited for smaller spaces. The Cerwin Vega CMX 5.1 is a compact speaker system that features a very compact 2-way center channel and four satellite speakers that are combined with a downfiring subwoofer that also has two ports for extra bass extension. The system sounds great for movies and more than adequate for music listening. The entire package is priced at about $600 and fits well into small spaces.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Home Theater Speaker Systems.

Also, if you are looking for a subwoofer to add to a current home theater speaker system, check out my Subwoofer suggestion list.

One great holiday gift option is a compact all-in-one home theater system that includes a home theater receiver, speakers, and subwoofer, but a lot of these systems are made cheaply and sound cheap. However, there are good quality options, such as the Onkyo HT-S7500.

This system features a 7.2 channel home theater receiver (HT-R791) with a home theater speaker system made up of two floor standing front speakers, a center channel speaker, four surround speakers, and one 10-inch 120-watt subwoofer (an optional, second subwoofer can be added). The HT-S7500 system also incorporates Dolby Pro Logic IIz audio processing in addition to Dolby Digital/TrueHD and DTS/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. For video, there are also seven 3D compatible HDMI inputs with InstaPrevue switching, and both 1080p and 4K upscaling. iPod and flash drive connectivity is provided via a front accessible USB port.

This would be pretty good system as is, but the HT-S7500 offers even more. Access to music streaming services is provided, including vTuner, Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody. In fact, the HTS-7500 can also stream music from a network-connected PC.

The Onkyo HT-S7500 is definitely worth a spot of your holiday shopping list.
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For additional suggestions, check out my list of Home Theater-in-a-Box Systems.

Network Media players and Media Sreamers are very popular home theater add-ons, especially if you don't have an internet-enabled TV, Blu-ray Disc player, or home theater receiver. One great holiday gift choice to consider is the WD TV Live Streaming Media Player by Western Digital.

The WD TV Live can stream both online and network-based digital media files to a TV and/or home theater system. Using its built-in Ethernet or WiFi connection options, the WD TV Live and access HuluPlus, Netflix, Spotify, Blockbuster On Demand, CinemaNow, and Pandora from the internet, as well as digital media content stored on PCs and media servers. The WD TV Live outputs 1080p video resolution via its HDMI connection.
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For additional suggestions, check out my list of Network Media Players and Media Streamers.

If you looking for a unique, but very practical home theater-type gift this year, put the Panasonic SC-HTB350 on your list. The SC-HTB350 is a compact home theater system that features two speaker sections that be combined into a sound bar or used separately. The provides a lot of setup flexibility as in either configuration the speaker(s) can be either shelf, table, or wall mounted. For additional flexibility, the SC-HTB350 eliminates some cable clutter by providing a wireless subwoofer.

To tie it all together, the system comes with a central amplifier/control unit that also features one stereo analog and two digital optical inputs.

In addition the system can also access content wireless from compatible Bluetooth-enabled source devices, such smartphones.
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Also available, the Panasonic SC-HTB550, which adds HDMI connectivity, 3D pass-through, and Audio Return Channel capability.
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For additional suggestions, check out my Home Theater-in-a-Box Systems and Sound Bars product listings.

If you are looking a great holiday gift idea, but aren't interested in getting a home theater gift with a lot speakers to connect, consider something a little different that can still fill the bill.

The Yamaha YSP-2200 is a all-in-home system that is referred to as a Digital Sound Projector. The YSP-2200 incorporates 16 individual speakers (2 watts x16) built into a single thin-profile cabinet in combination with an external 100 watt powered subwoofer. The YSP-2200 provides Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-Master Audiosurround sound decoding. Additional features include 3D and Audio Return Channel compatible HDMI inputs, as well as digital optical/coaxial and analog audio inputs. You can even connect your iPod or iPhone. The Yamaha YSP-2200 is a no-hassle way to get surround sound with minimal hassles, especially for a small room.
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For more suggestions, check out my current list of Digital Sound Projectors and Sound Bars.

Another great gift to consider this holiday season is a TV that also has a built-in DVD player. With its 24-inch screen size, combined with a slot loading progressive scan DVD player, the Toshiba 24V4210U is great for small apartments, dorm rooms, or offices.

The LCD TV section features LED Edge-lighting that provides slimmer profile and energy efficiency. This set features 1080p native display resolution (which means that the DVDs are upscaled to 1080p for screen display) and has two HDMI inputs, as well as a USB port for access music and photos from USB flash drives or other compatible USB devices. You can even view your PC or Laptop by taking advantage of the built-in VGA PC monitor input.

However, it is important to note that the composite and component video inputs are combined, which means you cannot use both connection options at the same time. If you are looking for a space-saving TV solution, check out the Toshiba 24V4210U LCD TV/DVD combination.
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For more suggestions, check out my current list of TV Combos.