Electronics

Top 10 Home Theater Gifts For Lovers

By Robert Silva, About.com Guide

Instead of giving your lover jewelry, flowers, candy, or lingerie on Valentine's Day, Christmas, anniversary, or birthday, why not give a gift that will not only last, but provide the perfect catalyst for romance - a home theater-related product? Whether cuddling up on the couch to watch that romantic movie, or providing the perfect romantic music background to set the mood, there are some great products that fill the bill. For some great ideas on what to give, check out my product suggestions.

1. Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray Disc Player

The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 is a very affordable slim and stylish Blu-ray Disc player that features 2D and 3D playback of Blu-ray Discs, 2D to 3D conversion, and 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs via HDMI output - and don't forget that this player will also play back music CDs and audio/video content stored on compatible USB devices. The DMP-BDT220 also features both Ethernet and built-in WiFi for easy connection to the internet for accessing audio/video streaming content, such as CinemaNow, Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, and more.

In addition, you can even use the BDT220 as a Skype video answering machine by recording message onto an SD card and inserting into the player. If someone calls you on video Skype, the message will play back. By the same token, incoming Skype callers can also record their own video message, which you can play back later. So, as you can tell, the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 does a lot more that just play back Blu-ray Discs and DVDs, which makes it a great gift idea.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Blu-ray Disc Players.

2. Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD 3LCD Video Projector

Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD 3LCD Video Projector - Photo 0f Front View with Accessories

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

Here is a video projector that really packs in the features and makes a great gift for that special someone. The Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD is an LCD projector that incorporates 3LCD technology, 1280x800 (approx 720p) native resolution, 2,800 lumens light output, and up to a 5,000 hour lamp life.

As far as connections go, in addition to HDMI and Component video connections, the MG-850HD also features a microphone input, USB input for digital media playback from flash drives, and has built-in speakers. However, the big bonus is that the MG-850HD also has a built-in docking station for direct playback of music, photo, and video from an iPod,iPhone, or iPad.

For more details on this very unusual video projector, read my Review, Photo Profile, and Video Performance Tests.

For more suggestions, check out my current list of LCD Video Projectors.

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3. LG 47LM6700 47-inch LED/LCD 3D Network TV

The LG 47LM6700 makes a great gift for your companion. This set features a 47-inch size screen that is large, but no so large as to dominate your room decor. This set also incorporates LED lighting with local dimming, which allows more even black levels, very thin profile, as well as eco-friendly energy consumption. The screen boasts full 1080p display resolution in 2D, and slightly less in 3D. For 3D viewing the 47LM6700 utilizes LG Cinema 3D technology, which uses more comfortable Passive Polarized Glasses, which do not require any power. Other 3D-related features include real time 3D conversion for 2D sources and even 3D to 2D conversion (if desired).

However, even if you aren't into 3D, the 47LM6700 also offers a host of other great features, including 120Hz screen refresh rate for smoother motion response, network connectivity via ethernet or WiFi connection, and internet streaming.
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For more suggestions, check out my current list of LCD and LED/LCD TVs 40-inches and Larger.

4. Atlantic Technology FS-4000 Front Stage Flat Screen Speaker System

Atlantic Technology FS-4000 Front Stage Flat Screen Speaker System - Front View - Grill On

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

If you are looking for new set of loudspeakers to set a romantic mood that is stylish and saves space, you might want to check out the great sounding Atlantic Technology FS-4000 Front Stage Loudspeaker. This unique speaker combines all three front channel speakers (left, center, and right) into one 40-inch long housing that is attractive and can be either table or wall mounted. The design of FS4000 is intended to complement flat panel LCD and Plasma televisions (home theater receiver or amplifier also required) and can be used alone, or combined with a subwoofer and/or a set of rear surround speakers. However, the most important thing about this loudspeaker design is that it sounds great. For more details, check out my Short and Full Reviews, and my FS-4000 Photo Gallery.

For more suggestions, check out my current list of 3-in-1 Speaker Systems, Digital Sound Projectors and Sound Bars.

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5. Samsung UN26EH4000 26-Inch LED/LCD HDTV

Here is a great smaller screen TV that makes a great gift for your significant other. The Samsung UN26EH4000 is thinly styled TV that sports a 26-inch screen, only weighs about 10 pounds, and is very energy efficient. Some of the features of this set include LED backlighting ("Direct lit LED"), 1366x768 native pixel resolution, and 60-Hz refresh rate. Also, 2 HDMI inputs and ATSC tuner are provided for content access. An included USB port also provides access to music, still photo, and video files stored on USB flash drives or other compatible devices. This is a great compact TV with great picture quality and flexibility, then check out the Samsung UN26EH4000.
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For more suggestions, check out my current list of Best 26-Inch LCD TVs

6. Premiere Home Theater Surroundings - Home Theater Lounger

Image (c) Premiere Home Theater Seating

Don't settle for that dusty old couch or recliner to view your home theater presentations, step up to first class movie viewing with a specially designed home theater lounge chair. Check out some great, comfortable, home theater seating options from Premiere Home Theater Surroundings. This is also great gift idea for that special someone.

For more suggestions, check out my current listing of Best Home Theater Seating Options.

Manufacturer's Site

7. ZVOX IncrediBase 580 Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System

ZVOX Audio IncrediBase 580 Single Cabinet Surround Sound System - Front View

Photo (c) Robert Silva Licensed to About.com

Here is a great gift for that special someone. The ZVOX Audio IncrediBase 580 is single cabinet home theater system that provides great sound for viewing movies, or listening to music, without having to hook-up a bunch of speakers, but also doubles as a platform to set your LCD or Plasma TV on. The sound quality of the ZVOX 580 is very good, with a wide sound image utilizing virtual surround processing. The ZVOX also has analog and digital optical (Toslink) and coaxial digital audio inputs so you can connect a CD player, DVD player, and even VCR. Check out more about the ZVOX Audio IncrediBase 580 in my Review and Photos.

For more suggestions, check out my current list of Digital Sound Projectors and Sound Bars.

8. Hammacher Schlemmer iPad Classic Cabinet Music Center

Photo provided by Hammacher Schlemmer

Here is a great gift for that special someone. The iPad Classic Cabinet Music Center from Hammacher Schlemmer is stylish retro-designed compact audio system that combines an iPod/iPhone/iPad docking station with a CD player, FM radio with 20 presets, and two-channel speaker system. You can watch video and still images on your compatible docked device and pipe the sound and music through the system for a more full-bodied listening experience. The dock also serves as a convenient charging station for your iOS devices.
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For additional suggestions, check out my current list of Compact Audio Systems .

9. Sony NAS-SV20i Network Audio System/Server

Sony NAS-SV20i Network Audio System/Server - Photo of Front View with Included Accessories

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

If you are looking for a cutting edge gift that is a lot of fun to use, check out the Sony NAS-SV20i. This "gadget" combines a digital media player, renderer, and server in one compact unit. The NAS-SV20i features an iPod docking station, internet radio tuner with access to music streaming from Qriocity, Slacker, vTuner. In addition, via wired or wireless network whole house music distribution is possible by utilizing Sony's HomeShare system. For more details, read my review of the Sony NAS-SV20i Network Audio System/Server.

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

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10. Samsung HT-E6730W Home Theater System Featuring Vacuum Tube Technology

Here is a great way to experience home theater and audio without having to buy a lot of individual components. The Samsung HT-E6730W really packs it in with a 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc player and 7.1 channel audio system with thin profile front tower speakers, wireless surround speakers and subwoofer, and extensive audio decoding and processing. However, that isn't all, HT-E6730W also has built-in WiFi for access to great online content from (via Samsung Apps), including Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, and more.

However, what really makes this system unique is that it includes a vacuum tube pre-amp stage for the front left and right channels, which not only adds warmth to home theater surround sound audio listening, but is great for two-channel audio CD listening. Definitely give this system a listen.

For more details, read my Review, and check out Photos, and Video Performance Tests.
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For additional suggestions, check out my list of Home Theater-in-a-Box Systems.