LATEST ADDITIONS

Audio Video News
All Ears - and Eyes - on the I-Sonic
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Apr 25, 2005
Evidently, Polk has a thing for XM Satellite Radio. About six months after they introduced a stand-alone, home-component XM tuner (the XRt12), the speaker company is pulling the wraps off of a new XM-ready tabletop entertainment system called the I-Sonic. Sure, you might think it's just a new compact stereo system designed to sonically kick the you know what out of you know which (heavily advertised) tabletop system from you know who. (And who am I to say that you're wrong?) But a quick look at all of the I-Sonic's features and capabilities makes it appear to be something more - you know, the kind of thing your grandmother could use but will still impress the heck out of your more techno-sophisticated friends.
Continue Reading »
Audio Separates Buying TipsAV Receiver Buying Tips
Shopping for Gear: Receivers vs. Separates
Wes Phillips  |  Apr 24, 2005  |  First Published: Apr 25, 2005
Ask the average guy in the street what makes a home theater a home theater and you're likely to hear one of two answers: "A honkin' big screen" or "Five (or six or seven) speakers." It would be hard to argue with either answer, because a great picture and sound coming from all around you are essential elements of the home theater experience.
Continue Reading »
Power Amplifier Reviews
Bryston Powerpack 300 Power Amplifier
Steven Stone  |  Apr 24, 2005

Once upon a time, audiophiles used to get very excited about power amplifiers. They would obsess about the minutiae of an amp's sonic character and its ability to successfully drive 2ohm loads. Times change. Now amplifiers are among the least sexy components in a home theater. Most videophiles would concur with the concept that amplifiers should be heard, but not seen. Within the new world order of home theaters, amplifiers have been relegated to a supporting role.

Continue Reading »
Tower Speaker Reviews
Take 2 System Report
Thomas J. Norton  |  Apr 24, 2005

<I>TJN takes a look (and listen) at a system consisting of four recently reviewed products: the Revel Performa F32 speaker system, the Sony STR-DA9000ES A/V receiver, the Marantz DV8400 DVD player, and the Sony VPL-HS51 video projector.</I>

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Dynamic Duo
Chris Chiarella  |  Apr 24, 2005
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Coming Attractions
HT Staff  |  Apr 24, 2005
SkipJam

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Latest Software Reviews
HT Staff  |  Apr 24, 2005
DVD: Vanity Fair—Universal
In Mira Nair's (Monsoon Wedding) adaptation 19th-century Europe meets the cultural vibrancy of India. Reese Witherspoon stars as the ambitious heroine, Becky Sharp, one of literature's most intriguing and complex female characters. With nothing but wit, beauty, and sensuality at her disposal, Sharp travels on her scheme-filled journey to the height of society, only to find that the destination is as morally low as the gutter from which she came. Gabriel Bryne joins the cast as the devious Marquess of Steyne, along with James Purefoy as Rawdon Crawley. Witherspoon's performance is short of convincing, lacking a smooth transition from coyish girl to brazen coquette.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
VOOM Doom Brings DIRECTV Boom
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Apr 23, 2005
Those of us still mourning the imminent and unstoppable demise of VOOM, the ill-fated HD-centric satellite service, are being offered a reduced price on a second chance at HD nirvana from DIRECTV. Although it's small consolation to the thirty-some thousand VOOM devotees who are at this moment longingly stroking their VOOM remote controls and asking, "Why? Why me?", at least it's something.
Continue Reading »
Other Tech
Get the BIG Picture
David Katzmaier  |  Apr 22, 2005

If you're shopping for an HDTV, you've probably noticed that the news stories and Sunday circulars all seem to focus either on expensive flat-panel plasma and LCD sets or on more affordable LCD or DLP rear-projection TVs.

Continue Reading »
Other Tech
Blue Men Exposed!
Michael Gaughn  |  Apr 22, 2005

Some musicians think it's neat to hear their music remixed for surround. Others don't give a damn and let their labels do a remix so they can sell a few more albums. But for performance artists turned media stars Blue Man Group, multichannel sound is a matter of musical survival. Blue Man Group founders Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, and Chris Wink.

Continue Reading »

Pages

X