Top 10 Home Theater Gifts For Dad

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.

If Dad really likes his TV, he will love the Samsung PN51E7000 Plasma TV. First off, this set is stylish with its thin bezel design. The PN51E7000 has 51-inch screen, displays high contrast full 1080p resolution images in 2D or 3D, includes a 600Hz subfield drive for smooth motion response, ATSC/QAM tuners for reception of over-the-air and non-scrambled HD cable signals, 3 HDMI inputs, and two USB ports for still image and video playback. However, the PN51E7000 delivers even more with the inclusion of a full web browser and internet streaming capability (via built-in WiFi or wired Ethernet connection), including access to Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, and much more via Samsung Apps. Definitely put this TV on your consideration list for Dad.
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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). Of 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.

Here is another great gift idea for Dad. The Panasonic TC-L55ET5 is a large 55-inch LED/LCD TV that includes 3D viewing using more comfortable passive 3D glasses technology (four pairs of glasses are included). In addition, this set incorporates full 2D 1080p display resoluton, wide viewing angle IPS LCD panel, backlight scanning in addition to the screen refresh rate, and Wifi connectivity for convenient access to a host streaming and social media content from the internet, including Netflix and HuluPlus, or network-connected PCs. A free remote control app for Android devices is available, or you can just the remote with backlit buttons provided with the TV.

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If 55-inches is too large for you, also check out the 47-inch TC-L47ET5 (compare prices) and 42-inch TC-L47ET5 (compare prices).

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

If you are looking a great way complement Dad's home theater setup, consider giving him the Pioneer VSX-1022-K 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver. This affordable receiver is rated at 80wpc (measured from 20Hz to 20kHz with 2 channels driven at 8 0hms) and provides Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding and Dolby Pro Logic IIz audio processing. Also, both Audio Return Channel and an HDMI standby pass-through feature (which allows audio and video signals connected via HDMI to pass through the receiver even when the receiver is in standby mode) are included.

For video, the VSX-1022-K provides 3D compatibility and 1080p video upscaling via HDMI connections.

However, in addition to traditional audio and video features, the 1022 also provides access to iTunes and Apple AirPlay functions, as well as the Pioneer Air Jam App for added control and music content management. Also, media files on iPods, iPhones, and iPads can be accessed from the provided USB input. In addition, the VSX-1022 has an Ethernet connection which allows access to both internet radio and DLNA features, such as enabling access to media files stored on your PC and media servers.

The VSX-1022 can even be controlled using Apple and some Android devices via Pioneer's iControlAV2 Apps.

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

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.

If you are looking for a great all-in-one home theater system for Dad, check out the Onkyo HT-S8409. The systems packs in a lot for the money, including the TX-NR609 7.2 channel THX-Select2 Plus Certified home theater receiver, two floor standing front speakers, a center channel speaker, four surround speakers, and one 10-inch 120-watt subwoofer. The HT-S8409 system also features extensive audio decoding and processing, including Dolby Pro Logic IIz. On the video side, also has six 3D compatible HDMI inputs and both 1080p and 4K upscaling. Also, iPod connectivity is provided with an included Docking Station.

However, one added bonus offered in this system is access to internet radio (vTuner) and other music streaming services, such as Napster, Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody, plus more...

This system would make a great gift for Dad that he will really appreciate.

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

Give Dad a really big screen home theater experience. The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 is a reasonably-priced video projector that incorporates 3-Chip LCD technology (3LCD), native 1080p resolution, and 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.

Network media players are becoming an important add-on for home theater sytems, and that might be perfect for Dad is the WD TV Live Hub.

This media player line is labeled a "Hub" because it can also function as 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 our review.

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

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.