Latest in Home Theater, Cool Homes and Home Electronics

Waiting to see how the whole 3D thing pans out, but don’t want to wait any longer for Blu-ray? You might want to invest in a budget Blu-ray player to hold you over. And you don’t have to skip great features like Internet streaming. Circuit City has the Samsung BD-P1590 Blu-ray player for just $89.99. Add another item(s) for $10.01… View this story

Thanks to a recent Best Buy-Panasonic partnership, the first 3D bundles are starting to trickle out. Our friends at HDGuru.com were lucky enough to spend some time with Best Buy and Magnolia’s flagship 3D package. (Read entire review) The package consists of the Panasonic TCP-50VT20 50-inch plasma, DMP-BT300 Blu-ray player, and one pair of active shutter 3D glasses (with additional… View this story

I’ve recently come across a few energy-saving devices you’ll be seeing in the not-too-distant future. Here are three. ThinkEco Modlet Plug your computer or an appliance into this two-outlet smart plug, and it sends energy usage data to a computer with a wireless receiver. It can also cut power to appliances when they’re not being used, cutting down on vampire… View this story

If only this project were as simple as cleaning up the wiring and the enclosure. This entire project is a good lesson in what not to do as an integrator. Much like a relief pitcher coming out of the bullpen, Toronto-based custom electronics professional Zedware got the call from a friend of the homeowner, whose builder had partnered with an… View this story

Optoma has upped the bar with its release of the HD20 DLP Projector. This $999 projector is full 1080p, has more than enough inputs for most applications, and gets you into a front projection system for an unbeatable price. Value shop for a power retractable screen and a mount and you’re only out around $1700. I know lots of people… View this story

As expected, Panasonic’s Full HD 3D home entertainment system, which it says is certified under the new Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) 3D standard, hit Best Buy stores this week. Somewhat surprising is Panasonic’s announcement that the system will be sold exclusively at select Best Buy stores via its specialty Magnolia Home Theater vignettes — in other words, not off the… View this story

Do-it-yourself security is all the rage. For best results, however, consider a comprehensive, professionally monitored alarm system that ensures emergency crews will reach your residence fast. This will also help you save on your homeowner’s insurance. Here’s a look at the key elements of a security system, and what each entails (information courtesy of home systems security provider Sequel Technologies):… View this story

TiVo is serving up some might tasty new features on its forthcoming Series 4 Premiere DVRs. So it’s no surprise that consumers and resellers alike will be pawning off their Series 3 products leading up to the April release of the newer models. Today, Woot! is offering refurbished TiVo Series 3 TCD648250 250GB THX-certified DVRs for $170 plus the usual… View this story

Venture capitalists at the GoingGreen East conference in Boston this week are high on energy efficiency companies, as also reported in a recent survey. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a ton of money will flow into companies producing energy efficient technologies in the home. “There are massive opportunities for technologies to drive efficiency,” said Joe Dews, director and head of… View this story

Like most people, I was shocked “Avatar” did not win the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It has everything: grand scale, great story, action, sentiment and, of course, 3D. Maybe it just means “The Hurt Locker” is a super movie (haven’t seen it). But does the Oscar result signal something deeper regarding the future of 3D? Is… View this story

Subscribers of the Sony PlayStation Network video delivery service now have more options when it comes to entertainment. Six major movie studios, including 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will offer high-def movies for purchase and rental. Everything from comedies and kids films, to horror flicks and dramas… View this story

Are you ready for 3D Madness? Following the footsteps of previous championships and whetting our appetites for the kickoff of ESPN’s 3D channel, LG Electronics, CBS Sports and Cinedigm Digital Theaters have teamed up to bring us this year’s NCAA Men’s Final Four and championship games in 3D. No, you can’t watch it like that in the comforts of your… View this story