Showing posts with label home theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home theater. Show all posts

Pioneer VSX-519V-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

Pioneer VSX-519V-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)
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The Pioneer VSX-519V is an entry level 5.1 receiver made by Pioneer. Yet, don't let the fact that it is the cheapest 5.1 receiver they carry turn you away. This product has plenty bang for its buck. The receiver has an excellent build and a sleek look to it, but that is not all. The receiver has a plethura of connections ranging from hdmi, optical, digital coaxial, component, analog video, and of course and antenna hookup. The only hookup missing is s-video. The receiver handles video signals well. I cannot discern any degredation of video quality when compared to a direct video hookup to the television. Now moving onto the real reason someone would buy this, surround sound. This receiever can power my Bose Acoustimass Series I speaker system very well. It gets very loud and there are no signs of the speakers being underpowered. For volume control there is a knob on the right front side you can turn. The sound level ranges from 1 to 80. Which does strike me as a bit odd why only to eighty, why not a hundred instead? You can also adjust the volume with the included remote. The remote is very substantial and lets you control any and every setting the receiver has. The remote takes 2 AAA batteries to work; a pair is of course included. Functions, there are many effects and settings you can change on the receiver but most are uneeded and will most likely be overlooked. An example of these includes the settings for different types of music such as rock and classical. You are better off just leaving these options alone. However is you are interested the manual is very thorough and describes this receivers features in much greater detail. All you need to know is this receiver supports Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and Dolby Prologic II for your stereo encoded sources. When you play a DVD that supports say DTS the receiver will automatically detect this and switch to that setting. So for movies, television shows, videogames, and music this projector has it covered. However there are a few downsides. The receiver does not support HDMI passthrough for audio sources. This means you can't hook all your audio souces up and then run them through one HDMI and have it transfer all your audio signals through that one hdmi cable. Only more expensive receivers support this feature. It also has no upscaling feature, which is no surprise for a sub [...]receiver. And finally the reason I give it 4/5 stars instead of 5/5. The receiver is advertised as having 5x110 watts for a total of 550 watts and 110 watts per channel at an excellent .05% distortion level. This is not entirely true. While it may be true in some respects it is a bit deceiving. In the manual it states "continuous average power output of 80 watts* per channel, min., at 8 ohms, from 20Hz to 20 000hz with no more than 0.2%** total harmonic distortion. So it makes you wonder if you one can really trust wattage and distortion levels. It may be able to push a 110 watts a channel, but at continuous average power at 20hz-20,000hz with .05% distortion, it seems not. Anyway if you are looking for an entry-level home theatre receiver for your 5.1 system and are on a budget look no further.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer VSX-519V-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)

Designed specifically as a high definition A/V control center, the VSX-519V-K features HDMI connectivity for sources such as Blu-ray disc players and HD gaming. And with an output of 550 watts (110 watts per channel at 0.05% THD), the VSX-519V-K provides more than enough power for a high impact experience.With portable audio devices now becoming a primary source of music, convenient connections like a front mini input allow you to expand the capabilities of your iPod or other portable music player. And with innovations like Advanced Sound Retriever improving the quality of compressed audio files and auto level control providing consistent sound output from all two-channel sources - the VSX-519V-K will ensure your compressed music files are played at maximum fidelity.

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ViewSonic PJ513DB DLP Projector - 5.7 Lbs Review

ViewSonic PJ513DB DLP Projector - 5.7 Lbs
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We built a small movie theater in our basement and wanted a projector that could provide a good projected picture. After extensive research we elected to go with the ViewSonic PJ513DB DLP Projector, and we wern't dissapointed. It has an outstanding picture and the HD performance is the ultimate. It has a bright picture that is easy to see even when there is light in the room. The only drawback is that there is no HDMI input port. In order to get the HD we had to purchase an adapter cord that converted the HD cables to SVGA (ordered it off Amazon.com, cost us $8.00 and some change shipping included). The projector has many automated features including auto source selection so when you tune anything HD it automatically switches to the SVGA port and back again. It also automatically formats the picture size. I can't say enough about it! We are thoroughly satisfied! This projector does just as good a job as other units that are 4x the price.

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Projector- VIEWSONIC PJ513DB, DLP

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Initial IDM-830 8-Inch Portable DVD Player Review

Initial IDM-830 8-Inch Portable DVD Player
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I've had this unit for about 2 months now and have never experienced the problems I've read on this site. What I like about the player is how light and portable it is..Not only can you use it in your car while traveling but you can move it to your other TVs in your house and hook up to the audio video input on your sets and your're ready to roll!! The picture is amazingly sharp compared to some of the other players I have seen and the screen is designed for widescreen DVDs..in other words the film fits perfectly in the screen!
It comes with a car adaptor and a really nice and thin remote control that works wonderfully! I highly recommend this unit!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Initial IDM-830 8-Inch Portable DVD Player

Initial's IDM-830 portable DVD player lets you decide when the movie starts wherever you are--in the kitchen, on a plane, or in the comfort of your own bed. The IDM-830 has an 8-inch active matrix LCD screen and S-video and composite A/V outputs so you can connect it to your home theater system. In addition to playing DVD movies and CD audio, the IDM-830 is compatible with DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, and Kodak Picture disc formats and MP3 and JPEG digital file formats.
It features two built-in stereo speakers and a headphone jack, and it also provides Dolby Digital and DTS compatibility and an optical digital audio output. The IDM-830 features multi-aspect ratio playback capability (4:3 pan/scan, 4:3 letterbox, and 16:9 widescreen) and multi-angle viewing capability. It has a unique features that can zoom multimedia playback 2x, 3x, or 4x the original size (or shrink it by 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 the size). Other DVD playback features include frame by frame, shuffle/program, and reverse/forward speeds up to 32x. It's powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (with 2-hour video playback or 4-hour audio playback) or the AC adapter.
What's in the Box Initial IDM-830, lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, remote control, 12-volt car adapter, video cable, audio cable and printed operating instructions.

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Epson PowerLite Presenter Portable Projector / DVD Player Combo (V11H335120) Review

Epson PowerLite Presenter Portable Projector / DVD Player Combo  (V11H335120)
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.Epson PowerLite Presenter Portable Projector / DVD Player Combo (V11H335120)
I work in an office where 11 of us live and die by our presentations. We train, distribute information, do planning sessions and communally edit documents. We do this with 14-plus offices in four states.
In one of our 100+ people field review sessions early in 2010, lack of projectors at field sites was identified as a weakness. We also find ourselves short a projector or two in the office because we go all directions with various equipment when we travel.
I'm loving Epson products more and more. I'm sold on their printer usefulness, image and other and quality and buy more of them all the time. In my projector search, I began looking for the smallest, lightest projector around. I found the Powerlite Presenter instead. It plays DVD's, has a built in 10 watt sound system, projects almost as bright as the best projectors on the market, and has a microphone. It also has USB A & B connectors, HDMI for HD cable and satellite TV, HD-DVR, Blu-ray or HD camcorder, RCA jacks and composite video and sound. Comprehensive and impressive. Much bigger than the smallest units on the market but not heavy considering its size.
This is where Silly Me comes in. I imagined that since the machine had a USB A connection, we'd be able to bring along a thumb drive with our PowerPoints and run the presentations directly from the USB. Don't even think about this my presenting brothers and sisters, I've already done it for you. The machine will read only jpeg, MP3, WMA, DivX, MPEG 1/2/3/4 from a USB or external drive. Digital cameras connect easiy. I should have tried my camera on the machine before I wrote this review. I'm taking Tech Support and the documentation's word for it.
On our test run, we popped a training DVD into the machine and it ran great. I'm not sure how much of an audience/room the 10 watt sound system will reach, but it was hurting our ears in 12 x 12 foot conference room at a setting of 6. When I connected the laptop, the projector found it immediately and we had the image on the wall and on the laptop, no Alt-Function key tapping. More sophisticated projector settings like keystone, color, etc. are made using the remote control.
The microphone is six inches long on a six foot cable, an on-off switch and a multi-directional ball at the speaking end. A small clip-on with a longer cable would be excellent. We connected it, used it with the video off. It worked great. It was also able to talk over the video presentation as it played, no feedback as feared. We'll be able to do karaoke on those long nights in very small towns and be the life of the gathering.
The unit has a carrying handle, making it easy to move. The carrying case cradling the unit is a padded nylon case, much like a laptop sleeve. It has a flap on top that velcros shut under the handle and three pockets for supporting cables, etc. One large one across the back and two side pockets. I like carrying documentation with my equipment, so when I have the documentation, microphone, remote control, 10 foot power and 6 foot VGA cables and the USB B cable if I choose to buy and carry one, I've got a pretty large, though light, lumpy, bulging Powerlight Presenter package. It's not what I consider ideal carry on luggage. There are parts to lose externally exposed. If you like the idea of this unit, and fly lots, I'd suggest getting a Pelican or similar case, with plenty of foam space to create cable, mike and remote pockets.
I'm not the brightest light on the string. The quick set-up guide is excellent. Finding the documentation CD in the package, I tried using it. It didn't work. There is an executable and cab file for the documents that did not install. The majority of our computers are secure, and no oaf like me is allowed to run an executable file whenever we please. The laptop I used could have done it. Each projector comes with a Service Card with a phone number and PIN. I'd not registered the unit. When I called the mumber on the card and used the PIN, it did not recognize it and sent me to a tech support number manned by a human being. The serial numbers made of alpha and numeric characters for these units have a circular character that may be an O or a 0. No slashed zero, no "O" squished into a 0. Tech support said they are zeros. Tech support also told me to find the documentation on the web. My little human of unease down in my stomach was beginning to get out of its chair and wave its arms around. The people tech support is fine. Don't count on the materials provided in the packaging.
My little human of unease jumped around as I purchased these units because they are a new to market product with lots of moving parts and connections. And honestly, cheap for the features. I've had a lot of cheap, and not-so-cheap stuff give me lots of problems or fail. Globally, we seem to have forgotten the the word quality exists, substituting "profit" instead. So I ordered these items with 2 year "Fast Turn Depot" extended warranties. I don't need somebody in Remoteville Nevada or Utah with a dead projector two months from now.
I had a room full of people very excited when we played a video with good quality in a bright room and loud sound with microphone voice-over. When we got to playing a PowerPoint from the USB drive and failed, considerable air left our balloon, and we had a good projector with a DVD and sound. We can export PowerPoint 2007 slide shows as JPEGs, so there is still lots of hope that these machines and a thumb drive can be all we need to do our work on the road. To run a PowerPoint or Adobe Acrobat, the projector would need an Operating System and software burned into its tiny brains. Lots more than we can hope for with this kind of machine and price point.
We're going to distribute these machines and used them a lot. Features, slightly light; long-term quality, unknown; carrying case, OK; size and weight in relation to features, very good; ease of use, excellent. As we adapt to our new projectors, I know they will find a useful home with us.
If the link below works, you'll be taken to a page with step-by-step detail and another review.
[...]


Click Here to see more reviews about: Epson PowerLite Presenter Portable Projector / DVD Player Combo (V11H335120)

The ultimate all-in-one, business presentation tool. Make your business shine bright with the Epson PowerLite Presenter. With a built-in DVD player, two 10 W speakers, USB Plug 'n Play instant setup on your PC, HDMI connectivity, and microphone/headphone support, it's got all the tools you need to perform to your potential. WXGA (16:10) resolution means larger-than-life presentations that dazzle on widescreen notebooks, providing 30 percent more image area than standard projectors provide. Experience ultra bright, true-to-life images with 2500 lumens color light output and 2500 lumens white light output, plus an Auto Color Mode feature that automatically selects the optimum presentation setting based on the lighting within the room. With the all-digital HDMI connection, you can display amazing HD video content. Add exciting aspects to any presentation with multiple inputs for things like your camcorder, digital camera, iPod or gaming console. And with USB Plug 'n Play connectivity, just plug in a standard USB cable and instantly view your images on both the screen and your Windows PC, simultaneously. Or, use a USB memory device for convenient, PC-free presentations. With a carrying handle on the projector and an included carrying case and remote control, you can take the show on the road. This affordable, light weight projector/DVD combo, is your all-in-one solution for instant presentations virtually anywhere.

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Advanced HD Port ready LCD Projector,1080i Resolution HDMI input,Playstation, Xbox, DVD, cable/satellite tv Review

Advanced HD Port ready LCD Projector,1080i Resolution HDMI input,Playstation, Xbox, DVD, cable/satellite tv
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I never recieved the product after countless times emailing them, I got no response. After contacting Amazon, they gave me a # to call the seller directly and the # was disconnected.
Only buy from this account if you want to get ripped off.
And yes they charged my card even though they are not supposed to until the item ships.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Advanced HD Port ready LCD Projector,1080i Resolution HDMI input,Playstation, Xbox, DVD, cable/satellite tv

New HD Projector. Dreamland Digital Galaxy MODEL:DG-737 1.Support 1080i/720P/576P/480P/576i/480i signals, native resolution 800*600,compatible with 1024*768 2.Inputs jack: HDMI, Y/PB/PR,S-VIDEO,VIDEO, VGA,AUDIO,TV(analog),compatible with DVI 3.All in one projector! Can be used with TV, Sky,X-box, X-box 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, PC, Laptop, Statellite/Cable 4.With a function of up/down & left/right picture rotation (horizontal/vertical flip) which could achieve Front/Ceiling projection 5.Lamp life is 6000 hours on average 6.Keystone correction for proportional presentations 7."Green product", no radiation & pollution 8.Portable type, small size & light weight for various applications 9.Power cords for all over the world 10. One Free extra spare lamp. NOT Recommended for use in a large conference/church/class room with bright lights on or during daytime. It is not bright enough for business presentations. Technical Specifications: Projection System RGB LCD Projection System Projection Schemes Front/Suspension LCD Panel 5" TFT LCD Panel Resolution Support 1080i/720i/576P/576i/480i£?800*600£¨support 1024*768) Brightness(PeakValue) 2000Lumens Contrast ratio 800 : 1 Lamp 150W Colors 1.67 million Aspect Ratio 4:3 or 16:9 Optical Lens Manual focus Projection Distance 1.76 ¨C 5.51 meters Image Size 50 ¨C 150 inches (in Diagonal) Interface Video, Y/PB/PR, S-video, VGA, TV, HDMI Video System PAL /NTSC Audio Output 2 built-in speakers, RCA ?á2 TV Signal Input 75|? Radio Frequency Signal Input (RF Input) TV Signal System PAL /NTSC/SECAM Mechanical: Dimension(excluding lens and feet) 320mm(Length) ?á249mm(Width) ?á95mm(Height) Weight 4.3 kg projector color silver / black (normally is black, if you like silver, please inform me) Operating Temperature 5 ¨C 35 ?? Power Supply AC 100V-140V or 200V - 240V at 50 /60HZ Power Consumption 220W

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Denon S-101 DVD Home Entertainment System Review

Denon S-101 DVD Home Entertainment System
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Under entirely different circumstances, I would have agreed wholeheartedly with the two other reviews posted for the Denon S101 DVD Home Theater. While the product works, the picture and sound are wonderful, the units are compact and a joy to look at.
But something has happened after a few months of owning my S101 which is making me rethink my opinion of it as a product and of Denon in general.
First, the remote control died. I tried changing the batteries, but to no avail. Then, one fine day, my unit simply stopped turning on. The little red light ring around the "Power" button would shine, but there was no way of powering up the unit, either by pressing the button or by using the remote control.
I called Denon a couple of times to ask about sending the unit in for inspection and warranty service (remember, I had only owned it for less than half a year). Those phone calls involved my spending some very irksome half hours on hold, listening to tinned Haydn and Vivaldi and automated messages. On a third attempt, I managed to get a real human being by hitting "0". I finally got instructions as to what I had to do to get my S101 looked at.
I spent $75 to send the unit to Denon via UPS for warranty service. The unit was repaired and sent back to me before two weeks were up.
My happiness with this first outcome wouldn't last very long. Next thing you know, the S101 is dead once again. I try e-mailing and calling Denon about it. It takes some doing--days of doing, in fact, for me to get another human being on the phone, who arranges for UPS to pick up the system at my home and promises me satisfaction, apologizing profusely for the many phone calls I had to make and e-mails I had to write to get some service.
That was some five weeks ago.
Since last week I've been trying to reach Denon. I've subjected myself to plenty of baroque music and recorded "All of our representatives are busy" messages. I was given some promises of assitance by the one real person to whom I spoke. But five days into the affair, I'm not hearing anything from Denon. They have my on-the-fritz S101. I want it back. Will they return it, ever? Is a month a reasonable time for anyone to have to wait for warranty service? Shouldn't customer service be more available to customers, given that Denon is a company that enjoys a certain prestige?
All these are questions I'm asking myself as I wait to get my S101 back, or at least to get an explanation as to why it's taking so long.
Lest anyone think this has nothing to do with "reviewing" the actual S101, I think warranty service and user satisfaction need to play a huge part in any real assessment of a piece of consumer electronics.
Caveat emptor, etc.
Meanwhile, I wait for Godot.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon S-101 DVD Home Entertainment System

The Denon S-101 is a rock-solid DVD home-theater system that's easy to set up, easy to use, and easy on the eyes. But what really sets it apart from other systems in its class is its ability to bring a very big sound -- and even big pictures -- out of Apple's tiny iPod.
The first thing you'll see upon opening the box is Denon's language-free quick-start guide, which breaks set-up into seven easy, illustrated steps. We were able to get to a DVD menu within about 10 minutes of cracking the tape seal on our box. The system is comprised of two speaker panels (including hardware for table or wall mounting), a desktop PC-sized subwoofer, the player, a remote, and all the connections you'll need for a basic video set-up. The player itself is about the size of a shoebox (15-by-4-by-10 inches) and includes inputs and outputs for composite, S-video, component, and optical connections. Three auxiliary ports allow you to add game systems, disc writers, or other home-theater components.
To finish the set-up, the remote's help button summons an awesome on-screen guide to help with everything from switching between DVD and audio functions to positioning the speakers. The remote is well designed; the most frequently used buttons sit in uncluttered arrangement while specialty buttons and a number pad hide behind an access door underneath. Play, pause, track, search, and volume buttons glow in the dark and are easy to feel--a must-have while watching movies in a darkened home theater.
The most interesting feature of this system, however, is its connectivity to the Apple iPod. More than just playing music, the S-101 can actually control the device through the system's remote and allow you to browse music files or watch iPod photos on your TV -- all while recharging your iPod's battery. The system even includes a stereo miniplug port for connecting other digital music players.
Audio from the unit is outstanding. The system puts out a crisp sound, even at ear-splitting volume, thanks largely to the 100-watt subwoofer. Denon eschewed the myriad cords of satellite speakers in favor of Dolby's Virtual Speaker technology, which was designed to create a virtual sound field using only two front speakers. The effect is quite nice once it's fine-tuned with the on-screen audio set-up, but we found it lacking the fine spatial details of 5.1 surround-sound systems. Note that it also lacks the complicated set-up and wiring of those systems, which makes for a more even trade off.
The S-101 has at its heart a progressive-scan DVD player that loads commercial DVDs in about 19 seconds and recordable DVDs in about 21 seconds. A little bit of DVD spin noise leaks out of the top air vent, but placing the unit in a cabinet or a bookshelf could easily baffle the sound. The unit's ability to tune radio and play Kodak picture CDs makes the S-101 a bit like the Swiss Army knife of digital entertainment.
It's not without some faults, however. We were able to play MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) files from a data CD-R that was burned through Windows Media 9, but another data CD-R burned with Roxio software was unrecognizable to the system--even though the disc had been verified in Windows XP, Macintosh OS X, and an older, low-end KLH disc player. We were pleased to see the system's FM tuner supports Radio Data System (RDS)--a way of sending station identification and other snippets of information over standard FM waves--in its front panel display, but it neglects to use that same display to convey song IDs from digital music files being played. To see song titles, you must turn on the TV. --Porter B. Hall
What's in the Box Player, left and right front speakers, subwoofer, remote control unit, iPod cable, AM and FM radio antennae, speaker stands, speaker wall brackets, instructions, warranty, system cables, RCA-type component video cable.

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iLuv i1277 Slim Desktop Video 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System and DVD Player with iPod Dock (Black) Review

iLuv i1277 Slim Desktop Video 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System and DVD Player with iPod Dock (Black)
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Fool me once...fool me twice...fool me three times...Iluv does it again. Looks good...feels good...doesn't work. I have 3 of the 4 ipods that this thing is suppose to work with, and none work properly.
A couple just freeze up when you skim the menu....The Ipod classic works best, but the menu only shows music playlists...video has to be browsed with no submenus....Worst of all...the speakers don't work, except for the very front left and right....I put in several surround sound DVDs in...switched to 5.1...and nothing except the front speakers...the front speaker port works with all speakers...but the other ports only have a faint sound emanating from them....Until Iluv gets bought by Apple...I'd stay away from their stuff....

Click Here to see more reviews about: iLuv i1277 Slim Desktop Video 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System and DVD Player with iPod Dock (Black)

The iLuv i1277 gives you an iPod dock with video output, a full-featured DVD player, and a 5.1 channel speaker system, all in a slim desktop format that looks great in any room. Watch your favorite iPod clips and DVD movies, share your family photos from picture CDs, listen to your CD collection, and more.

Your Center for iPod Entertainment The i1277 boasts an integrated dock for your iPod, which charges any docked iPod, so you have a full charge when you're ready to hit the road.
Even better, you can use the i1277 to watch your favorite iPod videos on your TV. Just connect the device to your TV using the S-Video or AV output. Control everything from across the room with the included remote, and navigate your iPod video or music on your TV screen with a convenient On-Screen Display (OSD) specially designed for your iPod.
Full-Featured DVD Player Watch your favorite DVD videos on your TV through component video output and coaxial digital audio output. Enjoy 5.1 surround sound audio; multiple subtitle, angle, and audio functions; Slow- and fast-motion playback and zoom operation; and a convenient OSD for navigating disc contents. The i1277 will play several disc formats: DVD, MP3 CD, Audio CD, JPEG CD, and Kodak Picture CD.
5.1-Channel Speaker System The 5.1-channel speaker system (five satellite speakers and one subwoofer) delivers true surround sound for music and movies, and with plenty of overhead thanks to the powerful 175WRMS / 350WPEAK output. The sleek design compliments any interior.
What's in the Box iLuv i1277, Remote control (battery included), AV cable, Quick start guide, 5 Satellite speakers and 1 Subwoofer, Instruction manual, Warranty card

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Harman Kardon DMC 1000 250GB Four-Steam Digital Media Center with Progressive-Scan D-Video Playback (Black) Review

Harman Kardon DMC 1000 250GB Four-Steam Digital Media Center with Progressive-Scan D-Video Playback (Black)
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I really,really like this unit! It is connected to HK3490 and two JBL 890 speakers. The sound this thing produces is to be heard to be believed. The quality of convertors make a magic: the sound is warm, nice, easy and pleasant to an ear. I listen mostly to jazz and it is one nice worthy machine. The library I have on it is about 80 CDs with plenty of room to go and it is all instantly there. The menus are very well conceived, unit is super-quiet, acquires CDs very well (I set it to wav, but you can do it in mp3, if you pleased). The searching, browsing, art all are great.
Be sure that you upgrade the system to its latest version. With version it has arrived it didn't do on Internet very well, but you just download or request the update and it is perfect since. In my HK3490 remote this DMC 1000 is pre-coded on VD1 so it is very very convenient to use.
First and foremost it sound really well, the convertors are really great! I wouldn't keep it if the sound quality wouldn't be on a par, but it sounds nicer than my Denon dedicated CD player. Great unit, strikingly beautiful and logical and simple to use. I'm very happy to have it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Harman Kardon DMC 1000 250GB Four-Steam Digital Media Center with Progressive-Scan D-Video Playback (Black)

The Harman Kardon DMC 1000 is a four-stream digital music server. It can store and play back more than 60,000 songs, will let you send up to four different audio selections to other rooms of your house at once, and has an HDMI output with upscaling to 1080p.

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Cambridge Audio Sonata AR 30 Compact Stereo Receiver with iPod Dock, Black Review

Cambridge Audio Sonata AR 30 Compact Stereo Receiver with iPod Dock, Black
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I have had the AR30 now for about 2 weeks, and i really like it. The only draw-back is if you hook up your dvd player to the dvd input you wont get the base, only L & R audio. But you can hook it up 2 your Cd or AUX, and it works great. The DVD input is set up to be used with the Cambridge Audio Sonata dvd player. I'll be getting it soon anyways, but i wanted to let others know about this small problem. Buy the way, I live in Phoenix AZ. and got it from DEDICATED AUDIO, who were as good as all there reviews say. The let me just come over, and pick it up, and took the time to show me everything about how it works. So i'll be getting the DVD player from them also.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cambridge Audio Sonata AR 30 Compact Stereo Receiver with iPod Dock, Black

The AR30 FM/AM integrated 2.1 receiver proves Sonata's beauty is way more than skin deep. Using a substantial toroidal transformer and fully discrete amplification, this svelte receiver offers genuine hi-fi performance and an impressive 40 Watts per channel (8 Ohms) of controlled, refined power.Complete iPod integrationSonata's custom-designed iPod dock can vastly improve your digital music thanks to Cambridge Audio's quasi-differential noise cancelling technology.Drawing every last drop of detail from your music collection, the neat yet sturdy dock accommodates any iPod and the supplied Navigator remote offers armchair control of your iPod, CDs, radio and amp controls. Other MP3 players can also be connected via the front connection and accessed using a dedicated 'MP3' source selector.The on-board high sensitivity FM/AM tuners include twenty presets for instant access radio to stations. In addition, the North American version of Sonata is SIRIUS Ready. Simply purchase a SIRIUS tuner device in order to activate this amazing service. For more information on SIRIUS, click hereNot only does Sonata perform superbly, it looks absolutely fantastic thanks to a stunning high-end brushed aluminium finish and isavailable in either black or silver. And under the hood, micro surface-mount circuit technology further improves performance by reducing signal paths to the absolute minimum. This produces a highly detailed and rich soundstage - ideal for any room in the home and is perfectly developed to handle music and movies with aplomb.

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GPX 3.1-Channel Home Music System with Dock for iPod Review

GPX 3.1-Channel Home Music System with Dock for iPod
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This sound bar is a great product and the second one that I've purchased thru AMAZON.COM. I use one of the units with a TV and the other connected to my computer. Internet radio is awesome.

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The GPX IT319 is a 3.1 Channel Speaker System with Dock for iPod, and it features an Integrated Subwoofer, HDMI DVD Player Upconverts to 1080p, AM/FM Radio with Digital Tuning and SRS TruSurround XT, a Dock that Plays and Charges iPod, Plays DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW and JPEG Picture Discs, HDMI Output, Anti Skip Function, Slot Load DVD Player and more.

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Archos TV+ 250 GB (Silver) Review

Archos TV+ 250 GB (Silver)
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OK, first here's what the Archos TV+ will NOT do (as there is a lot of confusion out there)
1. It will not surf the Internet. This requires an additional $30 plug-in.
2. It will not play surround sound encoded movies. It's not that you just don't get the surround sound, it won't play the movie period. This requires another $20 plug-in.
3. It will not play H.264 (.mov or .mv4) movies. This will run you yet another $20 for the plug-in.
4. It will not record TV shows. It does not have a built in tuner, so you need to attempt a Rube Goldberg type setup where the Archos TV+ controls a real recording device (VCR, DVD Recorder) to turn it on, change the channel, etc... (Didn't work with my 2 year old DVD recorder.)
So, it will cost you another $70 to realize the potential of the Archos TV+. (Plus the as yet defined cost of the 'TV Program Guide' that is only free for one year.)
Without the additional money, any attempt to play a movie other than a MPEG-4 .AVI with (only) Stero sound will bring up message that you cannot play the file and need to purchase one of the various plug-ins, with a convenient button that lets you 'buy it now'. There is little doubt about their strategy to make more money here.
The Archos TV+ also has this weird Bright White top to it (check out my photo in the product images). All of the Archos photos for the TV+ show a distinctly silver top, and in multiple calls to Archos they were even confused about the color. I got stories that a few had white tops, that there were many different colors of tops out there, then finally as I went up the chain (I really wanted the silver), that ALL of them had a white top despite what the Archos photos show. The white top really sticks out like a sore thumb amid the rest of the A/V equipment.
Now that the random, things you wouldn't expect are out of the way, the reason I got the Archos TV+ was to get beyond the piles of DVD's that my kids watch. The DVD's get misplaced, or left out and scratched, etc... and the TV+ does a great job in storing them! It is also easy for my kids (Hi Kat and Maddy; ages 5 and 8) to browse the videos and select what they want to watch. Let me be clear, it is worth the price just for that. It is also fanless, so no extra noise.
Connecting through a home WiFi network was fairly painless (just set up a home network workgroup and share out a folder on your PC), although even with a strong signal from my router (about 20 ft away), it will still drop the connection about 20% of the time, and I will need to re-start the transfer.
So, I really like the TV+ to keep the kids shows on, and once I got my conversion workflow set up to avoid all of the annoying 'can't play this file buy the plug-in' messages, using it has really smoothed out.
You don't get HD quality, the Archos customer service is totally lacking (policy appears to be to tell you anything just to get you off the phone vs. get you a real answer), but if you can control your video file conversion to align to it's strict spec's, it's a nice little addition to your home entertainment system. (Except that white top!)

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Consider yourself warned: Buy the Archos TV+, and you might never leave your sofa again. And really, why would you need to? This small box packs a punch, converting your TV into a gateway to movies, music, and information.
Record TV Love your DVR, but hate the monthly fee? The TV+ puts you in charge of what you watch and when--and it's yours forever. Using the included TV Program Guide, you have the convenience of one-touch activation or the reliability of scheduled recording. Programming is stored directly on the Archos TV+ or transferred to an external hard drive or computer.
Capable of recording from most any video source--including a satellite or cable box, VCRs, and DVD players--the Archos TV+ records in MPEG-4 and plays back in DVD (640x480) quality.
Wi-Fi Connectivity The TV+ transforms your television into a Wi-Fi entertainment center, combining your favorite movies with access to your favorite Web sites and online videos. You can stream movies, TV shows, and music stored on your computer, and with an optional plug-in, you can enjoy clips from your favorite online video sites.
The included wireless QWERTY keyboard puts you in control, so you can surf to your heart's content--and download content directly to your TV+ using the new Archos Content Portal (ACP). ACP makes it possible to save your favorite media without a computer. Access Movies, Video In addition to storing and replaying your videos and recorded TV shows, you can use the built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet for on-demand video downloads through CinemaNow.
The TV+ can play the most popular video formats: MPEG-4 and WMV. It plays protected WMV, MPEG-2, VOB, and H. 264 with optional plug-ins).
Music and Photos Couple your best shots with your favorite tunes, then display them using transition effects. Not into sharing? Then put your 250 GB TV+ to work as an external hard drive: storing and organization up to 145,000 songs or a whopping 2.5 million images. Transferring files from a PC or most mass storage devices is a breeze with the USB 2.0 high speed interface.
Able to play all of the most popular music files (MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA, as well as AAC and AC3, with optional plug-ins), the TV+ also organizes your media. You can view by artist, album, type of music, and title, and you can create your own playlists.
What's in the Box Remote control, power supply, two audio RCA/RCA cables, two S-Video cables, user guide, connection sheet, legal and safety notice, and warranty sheet.


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Naxa NX-831 High Resolution 2 Channel Progressive Scan DVD Player Review

Naxa NX-831 High Resolution 2 Channel Progressive Scan DVD Player
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The 5 yo COBY finally broke down. Went to Fry's and replaced it with a NAXA 831....it was the cheapest player. I figured that these players are mature now and should just work. I put in a factory Disney DVD and it played through OK. Put in a DVD+RW and it would freeze during FF. This same disk played fine in the COBY and my other Pioneer. If you just play factory DVDs, it will probably work OK, but your burned ones may not. Who knows what the problem is....the disk....the player....the moon phase....I packed it up and took it back. Probably get another COBY 224.

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Naxa ND-831* Progressive Scan DVD Player* Digital Audio Output* Audio/Video Jacks* Audio/Video Cable* Full Function Remote Control* UL or ETL Listed

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Samsung HT-TQ85 XM-Ready Five-Disc DVD Changer Home Theater System (5.1 Channel) Review

Samsung HT-TQ85 XM-Ready Five-Disc DVD Changer Home Theater System (5.1 Channel)
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I shopped extensively for inexpensive home theater audio trying to delay my purchase until equipment using HDMI 1.3 comes out to use in conjunction with the new Blue ray or High Def DVD players. Currently if you want home theater done right you have to spend about $4k or more. If you spend that now you'll get equipment that can only play back the current compressed soundtrack formats for the current crop of DVD movies. Evidently Blue ray and HD DVD is supposed to be putting out movies in the new lossless format which means no compression of the signal so we will finally get great sound to satisfy an audiophile taste if you have the right home theater equipment to play it. So the trick is now to get home theater audio for your current tv or HD tv setup. This samsung system has a couple of unique things going for it. Namely HDMI input and output. Only a handful of HTIB (Home theater in a box) setups have a HDMI plug at all for the new HDTV sets and almost none of them have an HDMI input for any other HDMI friendly devices such as a DVR (digital Video recorder). Only the Onkyo does and not all of the onkyos only a couple of their systems do but to get the onkyo you have to spend 700.00 plus stands for the speakers so you are going to be out at least 850-900.00. I found this samsung with the unique HDMI in and HDMI out so I bought it from Brandsmart for 428.00 and after finally connecting it was amazed at the excitement it brought to my viewing experience on my 60 inch Sony SXRD rear projection 1080i HDTV. Bear in mind this HTIB system on FM radio or music cds sounds atrocious (horrible). It comes with FM radio tuner, plays all kinds of music formats such as DIVX, MP3, etc but again it sounds AWFUL. But for movies on DVD it sounds balanced, proper, clean, exciting and very satisfying. I dont know how it can sound so amazing for such crappy electronics and such a low price but it does. The dynamic range is there, the power is there, it conveys a lot of emotion and makes any movie more engaging. I am using this setup in a room that is approximately 14 by 20 feet. The remote has the basic keys that glow in the dark and one lighted key up top when you push the button. Assembly was easy, electronics inside are suprisingly advanced. Unit is well lit, plenty of speaker cable included but no component or HDMI cables. Dont get suckered into spending big dollars on an HDMI cable. Avoid the Sony's HTIB systems as they sound surprisingly distorted. Look at the onkyos with the HDMI inputs as they are good units. Also pay attention to having a digital optical input too as this unit has one. Also be careful with wireless rear speakers as they add to the cost and may be hissy or fussy to keep working. I highly recommend this Samsung system.

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Imagine the allure of 1000 watts of audio power. Samsung's elegant HT-TQ85 Home Theater Audio System offers industry-leading power through four sleek tower speakers and a center speaker, enhanced by Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS decoders. The HT-TQ85 offers the convenience of a 5 disc changer, as well as improved USB host play which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software.

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ViewSonic PJD5122 SVGA DLP Projector -120Hz/3D Ready, 2700 Lumens, 3000:1 DCR Review

ViewSonic PJD5122 SVGA DLP Projector -120Hz/3D Ready, 2700 Lumens, 3000:1 DCR
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Folks, I have never written a review on Amazon before, but felt I really owed it to you all for this particular item. In a word, the ViewSonic PJD5122 is awesome! I've always been a fan of ViewSonic, since the early days when they made what were considered to be the best value CRT monitors for the price. This unit is no different.
Most importantly, the thing that had me waffling about buying this projector, over a truly HD model for twice the price, was whether or not it would project the Xbox 360 output in 16:9. This is important as we are also using the Xbox as a DVD movie player. Well, the projector DOES output in 16:9! This is the way we watch movies at my sisters house and I barely miss going to the theater. That was my sticking point and I wasn't sure about this until we got it and powered it up. Now, because I am a nice guy, all of you know this. Special Note: YOU WILL NEED THE XBOX 360 (S)VGA OUTPUT CABLES... they run about $40 and I would spring for the official Microsoft ones as people were having trouble with off brands, according to my research.
Now, a caveat: Some of you want 1080p. If you have a blue-ray player, or you expect to see the texture in Halo Master Chief's gloves, well, this isn't for you. I didn't care about 1080p. I am not going to start buying Blue-Ray just yet, so I am not really unhappy using anything more than 720p HD. This is not only good enough for me, it is BETTER than good enough. If you want a big screen gaming experience on a tight budget... then HOLY COW does this thing deliver. It is bright, crisp and the colors are gorgeous, even in a well lit room! I game during the day sometimes and it is nice not to have to blacken out the windows with spray paint. :)
I bought one of these about six months ago as a gift that I also would use when staying at a relatives house. They use it for movies, I use it to game when everyone goes to sleep. We even built our own screen using "Parkland Plastics Polywall". We love that set up. Anyway, I am SO HAPPY with the output of the Xbox 360 on this projector that I am going to now purchase ANOTHER ONE for my own home theater / gaming room.
Buy with confidence, people. This is among the best purchases I have ever made for home entertainment and I saved a TON.

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The PJD5122 delivers 2700 lumens with an 800 x 600 SVGA native resolution. It offers a variety of features including manual zoom/focus and auto vertical keystone correction as well as multiple computer and video inputs, yet it is very easy to set up and use. There are 8 default picture modes including Daylight, Cinema, ViewMatch, Blackboard, Whiteboard and Greenboard. The ECO mode function reduces the fan noise output for less distraction during important presentations and even extends the lamp life up to 6,000 hours. The PJD5122 offers both security bar and Kensington lock port for increased theft deterrence.

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Samsung HT-X40 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System Review

Samsung HT-X40 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System
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The system worked out perfectly for my bedroom. I use it maily for music and xbox with the occasional movie. The bass could be a bit louder in my opinion but it still has full sound just not heart pounding bass. My only complaint is that most of the setting are only accessible by the remote control, so take good care of it.
Overall i like this set and it is perfect for those seeking surround sound in a bedroom or small room. I would go bigger if you want it as a main home theater set up.

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Single Disc Home Theatre surround sound system w/ 800 watts total output power. USB Host play w/ MP3, JPEG, WMA, DIvX, and photo file support. HDMI Output with up-conversion and CEC. Auxiliary front panel input. Progressive Scan, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS decoding. Wireless rear channel ready. Multi Media Disc playback.

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Epson MovieMate 55 480p 3LCD Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player Review

Epson MovieMate 55 480p 3LCD Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player
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I wrote a scathing review of my experience in purchasing this product, at first, when Electronics Expo, the Amazon-vendor, would not accept a return on this product. My decision to return it was based immediately on observing the "screen door" appearance (resolution)compared to another DLP model a friend let me borrow and try. Also, the zoom feature wasn't as good. Having said that, though, the convenience of this design, with the DVD player and sound built in, is a very nice thing, and in the end, I decided to keep it and make use of it for that reason alone. I also got an email and phone number from Electronics Expo trying to make good on the deal. The rep was reachable by phone, and tried to make me happy. I recommended they find a way to say "you may not return this item if you purchase it" show up somewhere on the cart check-out page before you click "complete purchase." So, let the buyer beware.Epson MovieMate 55 Portable 3LCD Home Theater Projector with Built In DVD Player

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The ultimate portable projector, DVD and music player combo, Epson MovieMate 55 delivers all the big-screen drama, sound and excitement you desire — just plug, load and play. Get larger-than-life entertainment with this portable, combo product that includes a built-in progressive scan DVD/CD player and dual Dolby 5.1 Digital DTS 8 W stereo speakers.MovieMate 55 works with any blank wall or screen and projects DVD movies up to eight times larger than they would appear on a 40-inch, widescreen TV. In fact, it displays an 80-inch, widescreen image from just 7.8 feet away, or a 120-inch image from just 11.8 feet away. MovieMate 55 sets up easily — all you need is an electrical outlet. There are no additional cables or equipment required. And, it features a convenient handle and soft, cushioned carrying case so you can take the show on the road.Wherever you entertain, MovieMate 55 is sure to amaze any audience with bright, vibrant images, made possible by its 3-chip, 3LCD technology. MovieMate 55 is incredibly versatile for video games, movies and more.It also works with your Apple iPod Nintendo Wii,? Sony PS3? and Microsoft Xbox 360? video game systems for even more entertainment options.

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Vuzix iWear AV920 - Head mounted display - portable - headphone Review

Vuzix iWear AV920 - Head mounted display - portable - headphone
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These appear to be the Vuzix AV920s. If so, you can easily get them to work with the Cowon A2 player (and Zen Vision M, and Archos players) with the "Creative Labs Zen-M Video Cable for AV230, AV920 or DV920" sold on Vuzix's website.
I've been using them for a couple of weeks with a Cowon A2 and I am impressed. The screen resolution is considerably better than comparably priced competing products. Also, you can use your own headphones if you want, quite easily. That said, glasses like these aren't a substitute for a big plasma display - they're a way to watch tv on your back, or on a train, or wherever you can't take the plasma display with you. ;)


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VIDEO AV920 VIRTUAL 62" EYEWEAR

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