Great Home Theater Gifts For Dad

A Blu-ray Disc player is the perfect gift to give Dad, especially if this a real "stickler" for great video and an audio quality. The Panasonic DMP-BDT330 is slim and stylish, featuring a slot loading design. Under the hood, this player can play both 2D and 3D Blu-ray Discs, also has 2D to 3D conversion, and 1080p and 4K upscaling of standard DVDs via HDMI output - and don't forget the ability to play all his music CDs.

However, the features don't stop there, the DMP-BDT330 also provides both Ethernet and built-in WiFi for easy connection to the internet for accessing streaming content from services such as CinemaNow, Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, and more.

For added convenience, the DMP-BDT330 also provides two HDMI outputs, which comes in hand when using a 3D or 4K TV in combination with a non-3D or 4K compatible Home Theater Receiver, and Miracast, which provides wireless streaming directly from compatible smartphones and tablets.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Blu-ray Disc Players.

If you are looking a great way complement Dad's home theater setup, consider giving him the Pioneer VSX-1023-K 7.2 Channel Home Theater Receiver. This affordable receiver is rated at 90wpc (measured from 20Hz to 20kHz with 2 channels driven at 8 0hms) and provides Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding as well as Dolby Pro Logic IIz and DTS Neo:X (7.1 version) audio processing. Also, both Audio Return Channel and an HDMI standby pass-through feature., allowing audio and video signals connected via HDMI to pass through when the receiver is in standby mode).

For video, the VSX-1123-K provides 3D compatibility and both 1080p and 4K video upscaling via HDMI connections. Also, the front panel HDMI connection is MHL-compatible.

Added bonuses include 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.

The VSX-1123 can, via Ethernet connection or Wifi (via optional adapter) access both internet radio and media files stored on your PC and media servers.

The VSX-1123 can even be controlled using Apple and some Android devices via Pioneer's iControlAV2 Apps.
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For additional suggestions, check out my list of Midrange Home Theater Receivers.

If Dad is sprucing up his home theater system, it is time to check of a new set of loudspeakers and the Orb Audio People's Choice 5.1 channel speaker system may be just the right option. This system is composed of five compact center/satellite speakers that feature an innovative spherical design combined with a traditional box designed 8-inch subwoofer. The center/satellite speakers can be mounted on table stands (included) or mounted on the wall using optional wall-mounting hardware. The Orb Audio People's Choice system is priced at $1,098.00.

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

Give Dad a really big screen home theater experience without buying a big TV. BenQ W710ST is a very reasonably-priced video projector that provides big screen entertainment using DLP technology. Features include (1280x720) 720p native pixel resolution, a maximum 2,500 lumens of white light output, and a 10,000:1 stated contrast ratio gives the W710ST the ability to project bright images for use in rooms that cannot be made completely dark, such as classroom or meeting room.

In addition unlike most projectors, the BenQ W710ST can project a large image at a very short distance (80-inches at about 5 1/2 feet). This means that even if your room isn't that large, you can still projector a very large image. Also, you don't have the hassle of finding a spot in the back of room to place the projector, you can just set it on a table close to the screen.

The W710ST even has a built-in speaker. Although the sound qaulity is definitely not the same as you would get from an external audio system, it is adequate for situations when no other audio system is accessible.
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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.
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For additional suggestions, check out my list of Best Network Media Players.

If Dad is like many dads, he probably has a half-dozen, or more, remotes on the coffee table to control all those home theater gadgets. Well, here is a great gift idea that can get rid of all that remote control clutter.

The Harmony Touch features a sleek ergonomic design, with minimal buttons, that incorporates a swipe-and-touch screen (similar to an iOS or Android device, backlighting for the buttons that are included, rechargeable battery with charging station, easy online setup (USB cable provided for connection to PC) and remote code updating (database access for up to 225,000 devices and 5,000 brands), and simultaneous control for up to 15 devices.

You can even use the Harmony Touch to to control the Skype access and control functions of Logitech TV Cam HD.
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Here is a bonus Father's Day gift idea I wanted to share that blends both old and new technologies to bring a very satisfying music listening experience. The Samsung DA-E750 is a very stylish audio dock system tha accommodates iPhones/iPods/iPads and Samsung Galaxy phones, and both wired and wireless network, Airplay, and Bluetooth connectivity. However, what makes this system a little different is that incorporates an amplifier that combines vacuum tube technology with digital amplification that powers a 2.1 channel speaker system. Check out the details.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Compact Audio Systems .