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from Robert Silva
Welcome to my Weekly Home Theater Newsletter! This week I have two great product reviews of very affordable home theater products. However, the main news story is the continuing battle as to whether to postpone the DTV Transition, currently slated for February 17th, until June 12th. Also, check out an interesting perspective on how the economic downturn is affecting home theater installation businesses.
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In the Spotlight
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ZVOX Audio Z-base 550 Surround Sound Speaker System
The ZVOX Audio Z-base 550 surround sound system is one of the latest in a growing trend towards one-box surround sound solutions that are targeted to those consumers that want more than just listening to sound from cheap built-in Television speakers, but don't want the hassle, of setting up and using a multi-speaker home theater system. Although not perfect, the Z-base 550 is an easy-to-use system that does delivers great sound. Also, this speaker system can also double as a platform for many televisions up weighing less than 90 pounds, and with a stand less than 28-inches wide. For look at the ZVOX Audio Z-base 550 Low Profile Single Cabinet Surround Sound System, check out my Review and Photo Gallery. Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com.
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Insignia NS-2BRDVD Blu-ray Disc Player - Product Review
The Insignia NS-2BRDVD is a second generation player that is available only through Best Buy Stores. The NS-2BRDVD 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 NS-2BRDVD adheres to Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) specifications. To find out if this player is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as a Photo Profile and Video Performance Test Results. Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com.
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DTV Transition Survival Guide
Are you ready for DTV Transition Day on February 17th? To find out how the DTV Transition will affect you, check out my DTV Transition Survival Guide for details.
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Top Picks
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CD Players - Changers
from your
Home Theater
Guide
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Almost twenty-five years ago the CD came to the market as the "ultimate" means of music reproduction. The CD displaced the Vinyl record and the Audio Cassette as the dominant form of listening to recorded music. However, the CD is now undergoing its own revolution in both hardware and software. Below are several of my current favorite picks for moderately-priced CD players and changers.
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1) Denon DCM-390 5-Disc CD Changer
While dedicated CD-only players has given way to DVD/CD players, Denon still makes an impressive line of CD-Only Players. The DCM-390 a full-featured 5 disc CD carousel-style changer. While most CD players have 16-Bit Digital to Analog audio converters, the Denon has twin 20-Bit converters; This means is that the sound from standard CDs has more depth than from a standard CD player. Also, the DCM-390 has the ability to decode the full 20-bit audio resolution signal from HDCD format CDs. You can also play MP3-encoded CDs as well. If you want a high-end CD changer for a moderate price, this unit is worth the listen.
2) SONY SCD-CE595 CD Changer with SACD
Enter the world of Super Audio CD with this outstanding entry level changer from Sony. The five-disc CD - SACD changer sports features such as, SACD/CD/CDR/CDRW playback, SACD/CD Text compatibility, remote control, optical output for CD, and 5.1 channel analog output for multi-channel SACD (your AV receiver must have direct 5.1 channel analog inputs).
3) JVC XL-FZ258BK CD Changer
Here is an excellent, but moderately priced, 5-Disc Carousel CD changer from JVC. Utilizing its unique 1-bit error correction technology, this CD changer not only sounds great, but overcomes scratches and minor CD defects that can plague other players. You can also change four CDs while one is still playing. Lastly, this unit has both analog and digital optical output connections.
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Product of the Week
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Panasonic PT-AX200U 3LCD 720p Home Theater Projector
At an MSRP of $1,999, the Panasonic PT-AX200U 3LCD projector is an upgrade of its popular PT-AX100U, which I reviewed previously. Two improvements include better detail performance with dark scenes...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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