Top 10 Home Theater Gifts For Dad

By Robert Silva, About.com Guide

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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.

1. OPPO Digital BDP-93 3D/Network Blu-ray Disc Player with SACD/DVD-Audio Playback

OPPO Digital BDP-93 Blu-ray Disc Player - Dual View

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

If Dad is a real "stickler" for great video and an audio quality, consider getting him the OPPO Digital BDP-93 3D/Network Blu-ray Disc Player. This player has it all, including 2D and 3D Blu-ray Disc playback (3D TV Required), a Marvell QDEO Kyoti-G2 88DE2750 for up to 1080p DVD upscaling, and NetStreaming capability from services such as Netflix and Blockbuster. The BDP-93 is also one of the small number of players that provide both SACD and DVD-Audio Disc playback, in addition to CD playback. The BDP-93 can also access media files from connected USB flash drives, eSATA drives, or from a network-connected PC.

For convenience, the BDP-93 provides Dual HDMI outputs that enable the connection of one HDMI output directly to a 3D-TV, while the second HDMI output can connect to another 2D or 3D compatible display, or supply a separate audio feed to a pre-3D HDMI home theater receiver. For an in-depth look and perspective on the OPPO BDP-93, check out my Review, Photo Profile and Video Performance Test Results

For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Blu-ray Disc Players.

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2. Samsung PN51D6500 51-inch 3D Plasma TV

Photo Courtesy of Pricegrabber

The PN51D6500 offers a a new 51-inch screen size, made possible a new thinner bezel design. The PN51D6500 displays a full high definition native resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p), bolstered by an almost unlimited contrast ratio. The images on this set are excellent. In addition, the PN51D6500 includes, ATSC/QAM tuners, 4 HDMI inputs, and two USB ports for still image and video playback. However, the big bonuses are the ability to display both 2D and 3D images, and also stream content from the internet (via built-in WiFi), including Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, and more with Samsung Apps.

If you are looking for a large screen flat panel TV with lots of flexibility and great performance (Since this is a Plasma set, it has better black levels and is priced less than most equivalent-sized LCD TVs), consider the Samsung PN51D6500. NOTE: Also available in a larger 59-inch screen size (PN59D6500 - compare prices).

For additional suggestions, check out my listing of Best 3D Plasma and LCD TVs

3. Vizio XVT553SV 55-inch Net-Enabled LED/LCD TV

Photo Courtesy of Pricegrabber

Vizio is getting quite a reputation with its Net-enabled LCD TVs and its XVT553SV continues with that tradition. The XVT553SV features a large 55-inch screen, 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution, 240Hz smooth motion processing, LED backlighting with local dimming, network/internet connectivity, via Ethernet port or WiFi, and Vizio's Internet Apps. The set also includes 5 HDMI inputs and PC monitor input (it is important to note that the provided USB ports are activated via firmware update). In addition to lots of features, the core video performance of the VXT553SV doesn't disappoint either. The black levels and color consistency are very good. Also, for those that are concerned about energy efficiency in such a large screen set, the XVT553SV is energy efficient with an average power consumption of about 125 watts.

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

4. Onkyo TX-NR709 7.2 Channel 3D/Network Home Theater Receiver

Photo (c) Onkyo USA

The TX-NR709 is a THX Select2 Plus Certified 7.2 channel home theater receiver (7 channels plus 2 subwoofer outs) delivering 110 Watts per channel at .08% THD and features TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and both Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX processing. On the video side, the TX-NR709 has eight 3D-compatible HDMI inputs with up to 4K upscaling (provided you have a 4K display) using Marvell QDEO processing. Extra bonuses include a PC monitor input, iPod/iPhone connectivity, Internet Radio, and two subwoofer outputs. For more details, check out my Onkyo TX-NR709 Product Profile.

For additional suggestions, check out my list of Midrange Home Theater Receivers.

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5. EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package

EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Package - Front View - Grill Off

Photo(c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

Finding a home theater speaker system that sounds great, looks great with your home decor, and is priced right, is not always easy. If you are looking for new set of loudspeakers for your home theater, you might want to check out the stylish and great sounding EMP Tek Impression 5.1 Home Theater Package. The system consists of an E5Ci center channel speaker, four E5Bi compact bookshelf speakers for left and right main and surrounds, and an ES10i 100 watt powered subwoofer. Check out both my Short and Full Reviews as well as my EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package Photo Gallery.

For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Home Theater Speaker Systems.

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6. Yamaha YHT-895 7.1 Channel Home Theater-in-a-Box System

If you are looking for a great all-in-one home theater system for Dad, check out the Yamaha YHT-895. The YHT-895 features the RX-V571 7.1 channel (85wpc - rated at 1kHz w/2 channels driven) 3D-compatible receiver, 100-watt Subwoofer with 10-inch driver, and a very stylish center/satellite 7 channel speaker system. Some of the innovative features include: 6 HDMI inputs, on board Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, 1080p video upscaling, iPod connection via front mounted USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity via docking station. If you are looking for a home theater system that sounds great and offers a lot of connection flexibility, check out the Yamaha YHT-895. All you need is a Blu-ray Disc player and an HDTV, and you are set to go.

For additional suggestions, check out my list of Home Theater-in-a-Box Systems.

7. Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 3LCD Projector

LCD and Plasma TVs are popular, but nothing can create the home theater experience at home like a good video projector. The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 is a reasonably-priced 3-Chip LCD technology (3LCD) that offers native 1080p resolution as well as 1080p video upscaling of standard resolution source signal. In addition, the 8350 has a contrast ratio of 50,000:1, and a maximum light output of 2000 lumens, allowing the 8350 to project excellent, accurate, color and fine detail. In addition, you don't need a large room as the 8350 and can project an 80-inch widescreen image from a distance of only 8 feet or a 120-inch image at distance of only 12 feet. The Home Cinema 8350 includes all the inputs you need, including 2 HDMI, 1 Component, 1 composite, and 1 VGA. If you are looking for a really special gift for Dad, consider the Epson Home Cinema 8350.

For additional suggestions, check out my list of LCD and DLP Video Projectors.

8. WD TV Live Hub by Western Digital

Photo (c) Barb Gonzalez - Licensed to About.com

It's about time that we have a network media player to rival the picture and sound quality of a Blu-ray Disc. The WD TV Live Hub is a stunning performer that comes close.

The newest media player in Western Digital's WD TV Live line has been named the Live "Hub" because it is more than a network media player. It is also a media server with an internal 1TB hard drive. You can use the WD TV Live Hub as a dumping ground to store media, rather than using network attached storage (NAS) or an external hard drive for your network's central media library. For more details and perspective on this exciting product, check out the review by About.com contributing writer, Barb Gonzalez

For additional suggestions, check out my list of Best Network Media Players.

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9. Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Control

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote Control - Package Contents

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

Home theater has certainly given us more and better options for enjoying home entertainment. However, it has also given us the clutter of remote controls. Many of us have a half-dozen, or more, remotes on the coffee table. 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 Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Control can just about do it all and is not any larger than most single component remotes. For more details, check out my Product Review and supplementary Photo Profile.

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10. ION LP2CD - Vinyl LP to CD Recording System

ION Audio LP2CD - USB Turntable and CD Recorder Combination - Front View with Accessories

Photos (c) Robert Silva Licensed to About.com

Here is a great gift idea for Dad. The LP2CD is a the latest in analog-to-digital conversion products from ION Audio. The LP2CD combines a vinyl record turntable with a CD-Burner in a single device. To make recording to CD easy, the LP2CD includes an onboard 700MB flash drive that allows you to review your recording before doing a final burn to CD. In addition, the LP2CD also has audio inputs that allow recording from external sources, such as a cassette deck, or another CD player, and also has provisions for more editing options on a PC/MAC via its built-in USB port. To find out if the ION Audio LP2CD is right for you, check out my Product Review and Photo Gallery.

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