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from Robert Silva
Welcome to my Weekly Home Theater Newsletter! The end of the Christmas and Holiday Shopping Season is approaching fast. Have you done your shopping yet? If not, check out some of my latest suggestions, including a review of a new DVD Recorder/VCR combo from LG. Also, on the news front, Japan is turning "Blu", while OPPO is poised to enter the U.S. Blu-ray Disc player market.
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In the Spotlight
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Holiday Special - Digital Sound Projectors and More...
Here is a great gift idea for the holidays. A single component home theater sytem produces a surround sound listening environment using one speaker box, or one speaker box paired with a separate subwoofer. For some examples of some one and two-piece home theater systems that make great gifts, check out my Digital Sound Projectors, Surround Bars, and 3-in-1 Speaker Systems - Top Picks.
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LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination - Product Review
If you are looking a DVD Recorder/VCR Combination to replace that old VCR, check out the LG RC897T. This DVD recorder/VCR combo has the ability to record most DVD formats and play back most DVD and CD formats. The VCR section allows recording directly to VHS or dubbing of non-copyprotected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. The incorporation of an HDMI output and video upscaling function makes the RC897T a good match for an HDTV. The RC897T has both analog and DV video inputs, as well as a USB input for digital image and music file playback. This unit also complies with the upcoming DTV transition requirements, with its built-in ATSC tuner. For a closer look at the features, functions, and peformance of the LG RC897T, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a Photo Gallery and Video Performance Test Results. Photo (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com
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What the .1 Means in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 Channel Surround Sound
If you are shopping for a home theater receiver this holiday season, there are many terms that can be confusing. One thing that confuses consumers is what the terms 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 mean with regards to surround sound and home theater receiver specifications. To find out what the .1 actually refers to in surround sound, read my Quick Tip: What the .1 Means in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 Channel Surround Sound.
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Top Picks
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Home Theater Gifts for Holiday Shoppers
from your
Home Theater
Guide
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It is that time of year where the stores begin to fill with eager Christmas and Holiday Shoppers looking for great deals on consumer electronics products, such as televisions, DVD players, Audio systems, and more... For those that haven't been able to keep up with latest, check out my Top Home Theater Gifts for Holiday Shoppers. These products are examples of good value in both price and performance that will enable you to put together a great home theater system for yourself, your family, or a special friend.
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1) Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U 46-inch Plasma Television
The TH-46PZ85U features a new 46-inch screen size for Plasma sets. This screen size provides a 20-percent increase over a traditional 42-inch set, but doesn't take up too much more space. Size isn't the only great feature of this set. The TH-46PZ85U offers 1920x1080p (1080p) native pixel resolution, and a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, resulting in very good black level and color performance. Practical conveniences include ATSC and QAM tuners (for accessing over-the-air or basic HD cable programs), 3 HDMI inputs, SD Card Slot (for viewing digital still images), and PC monitor input. If you are looking for a Plasma television this winter shopping season, consider watching all those great holiday movies on the Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U.
2) Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-ray Disc Player
The Samsung BD-P1500 would make a great holiday gift, and a great excuse to get the most out of your HDTV's capabilities. This unit plays Blu-ray Discs at full 1080p/60 or 1080p/24 resolution, provides bitstream output for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD via its HDMI 1.3a output, and is fully playback compatible with standard DVDs, most recordable DVD formats, standard music CDs, and CD-Rs/RWs. Another bonus is that standard DVDs are upscaled up to 1080p via the HDMI output. The BD-P1500 adheres to Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) specifications, and is firmware upgradable (including a forthcoming Profile 2.0 upgrade) via internet download. For more details, check out both my Short and Full Reviews, as well as my Photo Profile.
3) Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Control
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. The Harmony One is a great gift idea for the holidays. For more details, check out my Product Review and supplementary Photo Profile.
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Product of the Week
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Panasonic SC-PT760 Home Theater System
If you are on a tight budget this holiday season but really want a home theater system, here is an affordable suggestion. The Panasonic SC-PT760 home theater system incorporates a...read more
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Best Moves in a Bad Economy
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Save & Invest the Right Way
Find out how to beat a bear market, make smart choices, and keep your cool even when the economy is unpredictable.
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