This baby is the first 1080p lcd at the size of 46″. Someone just try to tell me bigger ain’t better. You go Samsung.

Pros:
Yes, it’s big.
Good brightness in well-lit room.
Looks good even when turned off. (can your woman do that?)

Cons:
Green shift on dark scenes/areas.
Some color banding.

Verdict:
Not the best choice for a light-controlled viewing room, but when you need brightness or have no control over light, give this unit a good look.

Full Review

I came across this tutorial for tweaking your DVD output via your Home Theater PC. I really like the before and after photos, especially Yoda - “With home theater strong, that one is.” I could just hear him say.

The way they set the photos up is a little weird, but very effective. Let the page load and then mouse over an image, wait a moment (or 20 if you’re on dialup) and the after picture will load. You can see the difference easily by mousing over and away from the image.

You can really see the difference a tweaked HTPC can make. Get your clarity on!

Beginners Guide to DVD Enhancement on a HDTV via Home Theater PC

Get yer game on! Need to know if the game’s going to be in HD? This site lists most major sporting events broadcast in HD on the major networks, for the current 14 day window.

Have your plan at the ready, no need to leave these spots open on the calendar. The boys will thank you, and you might save yourself from that wonderful trip to the mall/wedding/apple-picking/whatever that could be stealing your prime HDTV lovin affair time.

HD Sports Guide - HDTV Sports Listings & News

Audioholics (gotta love that name) has a review of this inwall set. It is affordable and looks to be a good choice for a first in-wall set of 5.1s.

The Phase Tech CI-20VII speakers show clearly that you don’t have to spend a bundle of money to get good performance from a home theater speaker system. The sound quality of the CI-20VII speakers make them a solid value, and their two-piece installation system makes it simple to upgrade to a better model in the future. They also have a small footprint, so they don’t take a lot of space on the wall. I would highly recommend the CI-20VII speakers if good performance is your goal without breaking the bank.

Overall, the CI-20VII in-walls are a great value, and when you can get performance like this for $1,000 for a five-piece entire system, it’s definitely worth your consideration.

The only thing missing from this 5.1 setup is the optional .1 part. The (not included) in-wall sub uses two 8″ drivers, which is not htdude approved. To get that rump-shakin rumble from explosions or just the bumpin beat from your tunes, I recommend two 10s or one 12″ driver, bare minimum. To get your audio right, don’t skimp on the bass.

Full Review

I came across a recent powerbuy at Audio Video Science for killer home theater seating from Coaster. These seats are designed with HT in mind.

I checked a couple of these models out at local dealers earlier this year, and they seemed well fit for the task. My wife-unit didn’t approve, since there would be a divider between us. For some reason of which I have no clue, she’d like to be closer.

However, you single guys or those of you who, ahem, might not want to be that close to that “special” someone, this could be the ticket.

Powerbuy Link

When activated the speakers automatically drop out of the ceiling at angles 15, 30 and 45 degrees. They then rotate to any position to create the appropriate soundstage for the individual theater application. Time has multiple presets and is infinitely adjustable across the sound stage.

Now that’s the cool factor that’ll draw the WOW out of your HTgoers.

And it wouldn’t be a great addition to your lazy.. I mean home theater without some remote control:

A dedicated remote, the TCR, will be included to adjust the speaker angles and rotation and establish multiple presets. These presets will allow the end-user to address multiple seating locations and party modes as well as different music and theater preferences.

Prices don’t look too bad either:

The TIME speakers are sold individually and not in pairs so as to allow dealers to order them for 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 systems as needed. The TIME models One, Three and Five have an MSRP of $350 and $550 and $750 each respectively

The TIME Command Unit and remote control, which will control up to eight speakers, will be bundled together and have an MSRP of $250.

I look forward to hearing what these puppies can do.

From SpeakerCraft

News Article

Authorities in Texas say a teenager has been arrested after calling police to complain about the theft of his marijuana.

Stephen Knight, 17, said three men had broken into his apartment, hog-tied him with Christmas lights and stole some marijuana, along with a plasma screen television, police said.

They arrested Knight after finding several marijuana plants growing under heat lamps in the apartment, four grams of harvested marijuana and a tablet of ecstasy, Officer Chad Ripley said.

Ok, let me get this straight. This guy loses some of his weed, and his plasma tv. He calls the cops, and complains about the dope?

Priorities brother, priorities!

Also, I think there may a side moral to this story regarding leaving your xmas lights out through July.

Source

Many of us are anxiously anticipating the first HD console for the masses.
Now we know what we’ll get in the box, and for what we’ll have to scrounge to complete our rig.

Included accessories:
One Wireless Controller
Xbox Live Headset
Ethernet Cable - gee thanks!
Hard Drive (20 gig)

Optional accessories:
Additional controllers/headsets
AV Cables - svideo, VGA or component. No DVI?!?
Console Faceplates
USB Wireless adapter
Additional harddrive
Wired controllers
Various charging systems for wireless controllers:
- rechargeable batt pack
- play & charge kit
- quick charge kit
Memory unit with case
Remote control for multimedia functions

I like the fact you have options for wireless or wired for both Live connectivity and controllers. Choosey HTDudes choose choice. Sometimes we like wires, sometimes we don’t.

Accessories Article

Also noticed this lucky dog got to play with the new console first hand. I would have gone to test the system myself, but I was busy running my world.

Anyways, he has lots to say about it, one thing I noted: Jaw-dropping Ghost Recon 3 graphics. There just is nothing quite like being in the bush, hunting down terrorists and commanding your troops. Yes, I love my alternate reality.

Sony Electronics today announced that new 32- and 26-inch flat panel LCD HDTVs are now shipping. The KLV-S32A10 and KLV-S26A10 models round out Sony’s “S” series, which also includes models ranging in size from 15 to 23 inches already on the market.

“Our new models provide outstanding picture quality and are a great value for those consumers yet to embrace HDTV,” said Greg Gudorf, vice president of television marketing for Sony Electronics.

Cool, these products may be a good way to entice new people to jump on the HDTV train. But at 32 inches, I can’t help but think BIGGER is better.

Press Release

I came across this Do-It-Yourself Projector Mount quick tutorial with photos today. It looks like a nice clean install, using a DIY mount plate and standard pipe.

The author describes two ways to make the mount, adjustable or fixed. I’m a little worried about the adjustable design, having a setscrew may not be enough to hold the smaller pipe with pj weight. I might be a bit upset to come home to my projector hanging by its umbilical co…I mean cables. (”My BABY!!”)

This design is easily modified, however. For example, one solution would be to drill another small hole through both pipes to make a more solid mount, once the height is properly set.

Still, a great way to make a mount.