Home Theater System Reviews

There are two ways to look at compact home theater—a.k.a. in-a-box—systems. The dominant, mass-market HTIBs are a step down in cost and performance for those who are content to pay less and get less. If the system comes with fewer distracting bells and...

2 expert reviews

As consumer electronics technologies continue to morph into ever more complex forms, convergence is key. Elan Home Systems was founded in 1989 in Lexington, Kentucky, and convergence is their raison d'tre. In the past, they have brought together...

2 expert reviews

Definitive Technology enjoys a hard-won reputation for ofering inovative loudspeakers that deliver high performance at modest prices. A good example would be its $1649 ProCinema 1000 5.1-channel speaker system, which in the deluxe configuration we...

2 expert reviews

There are other Linux-based media applications that can produce a similar media experience, and repurpose standard-fare computer equipment as video recording and playback gear. Freevo and GeexBox are two likely examples, but they fail to match the...

2 expert reviews

Discussions are fast and furious at the site. Looks like he's not the only one with an opinion on the matter.

2 expert reviews

Anthony Gallo Acoustics' speakers had me thinking about the old Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. If you'll recall, after Humpty took a nasty fall and was smashed to pieces, all of the king's horses and men could never make him whole again. Following my...

2 expert reviews

The audio industry seems about to leap off a cliff. Permit me to suggest that this may be a rash decision. True, component audio sales have diminished, but that's no excuse for the industry to abandon its principles and give up on sound quality. What...

2 expert reviews

One of the several local electronics stores within throwing distance from our studio is a chain called Fry's Electronics. It is a nerd's heaven, a kind of Best Buy, CompUSA, and a local computer repair shop all thrown in a Cuisinart. Every week, the...

2 expert reviews

My basement audio/video system is so last century. It's a mix-and-match collection of gear that's been retired as I've put together my real home theater system upstairs. The TV, a 30-inch analog CRT, circa 1988, doesn't even have a flat picture tube to...

2 expert reviews

CES 2005. Tired. Wet from the Las Vegas snowstorm. Hungover from the technology discussion the night before. Stuck in a hotel suite for a demo: yet another home theater audio system with no surround-channel speakers? Can't be any good. Wait, there's...

2 expert reviews

Hiper Media Chassis Silver Hi-Fi design is attractive. However, the hardware components available on the market unfortunately cause heating problems

2 expert reviews

The M-Play 202's multi-functional front display panel and large-sized infrared remote control offer a potent one-two punch to enhance your multi-media computing experience. Standard Microsoft Windows MCE 2005 functions are supported, as are those from...

2 expert reviews

The iMOM products from SoundGraph lat you use a remote control to operate any computer or notebook; the only prerequisite is a free USB port. All Windows and multi-media software functions can be accessed with the handy remote control, and you can even...

2 expert reviews

In the XtremeTV PVR-550RC, great hardware is held back by restrictive software, which is intended for nothing more than simple TV viewing. The included program guide is a limited-time, free-trial subscription service. Changing from TV viewing to video...

2 expert reviews

All you need to do is add a set of quality amplified computer speakers to your small form factor PC. The sound cards in available small form factor PCs can accommodate Dolby decoding for movies, and surround-sound outputs are also available. If you're...

2 expert reviews

acts as a multimedia server. Multimedia files are stored on the computer and accessible directly in your living room through an Ethernet or WiFi connection. This lets you avoid the need to have a bothersome, noisy PC in your living space. Connecting...

2 expert reviews

With Americans snatching up both digital still and video cameras by the boat-load, it would be logical to believe that easy and efficient methods of sharing those pictures at home or the office would also take hold in the market. So why haven't they?...

2 expert reviews

WLAN networking is not always the ideal solution. Unforeseeable factors like the materials in your living-room walls can interfere with establishing a stable connection. Alternatively or in addition to Wireless LAN, according to IEEE standard 802.11b's...

2 expert reviews

Function button C on the remote control unit is not described at all in the documentation. The ShowCenter can even surf the internet. However, special functions like HTTPS (PIN/TAN home banking) and Java applets don't work..

2 expert reviews

As a bonus, the MuVo NX even comes with a tiny built-in microphone so it can be used a stand-alone miniature Dictaphone. The quality isn't outstanding, of course, but it's adequate for making verbal notes and playing them back. You can also transfer...

2 expert reviews

Like the proverbial chain, a home-theater-in-a-box is only as strong as its weakest link. What's the point in putting outstanding speakers in your HTIB if you top them off with a weak amplifier that can't exploit the speakers' gifts? Does it matter...

2 expert reviews

First, I must say that if you want a multimedia box in your living room, this is a good solution. For the 'low' price of $1199, you can get an incredible range of functions and features that you can control from your couch. It is a silent, high...

2 expert reviews

This home cinema system derives its dynamic suspense from its massive appearance and the simultaneous creation of empty spaces that fulfil various functions.

2 expert reviews