Back in January, Panasonic was showing off its new plasma line that allowed viewers to pass the time during commercial breaks by surfing the web. Now those models have release dates—or release “seasons.” All four of the models in the PZ850 series feature VIERA CAST, a service that provides access to YouTube, Google’s Picasa Web Album and Bloomberg. OK, it’s limited, but it’s a lot better than another offer to… View this story
Plasma • Web Services • Home Theater • Product News

If you’re shopping around for online music stores, chances are you know iTunes very well, or maybe Amazon.com’s MP3 store caught your eye. Remember Napster, which started this whole MP3 flood almost 10 years ago? You probably remember that it was shut down for a while, and then came back with a subscription music streaming plan. You might not have known that it features a very legit music store as… View this story
AV Components • Digital Media Stores • Portables • Miscellaneous • Movies and Music • Audio • Product News

Sony’s Rolly may make you feel like dancing, but will it make you feel like shelling out $400? If so, the egg-shaped music player is available now online, as well as in Sony Style stores. The hook on Rolly is that it not only plays music, but it rolls around, almost like it’s dancing—even to the worst music in your collection. “Rolly has the ability to attract your attention as… View this story
Wireless Speakers • Gadgets • Audio • Product News

For Sonus faber, it will be tough to top the gorgeous-looking and gorgeous-sounding Elipsa model that was added to its Cremona collection last year—we liked it so much it was one of our Products of the Year. This year, Sonus faber is giving us a beautiful bookshelf speaker with the Elipsa name, called the Cremona Auditor Elipsa. From the looks of it, the Auditor Elipsa is a pared-down version of… View this story
Speakers • Bookshelf Speakers • Home Theater • Audio • Product News

From the why-didn’t-I-think-of-this-stupid-idea category comes FakeTV. FakeTV is just what it sounds like. It’s a glowing device that simulates someone watching TV, to deter burglars. “My wife and I were going out for the evening, and I decided to leave the TV on so that it looked like somebody was still at home,” said inventor Blaine Readler. “I commented that it was a shame to waste all that electricity, when… View this story
Gadgets • Security • Product News

If you can’t wait to get those envelopes in the mail from Netflix, or maybe you have a movie itch that needs immediate scratching and can’t be fulfilled by your cable provider’s on-demand, sit back and relax. Maybe it’s one of the 10,000 movies or TV shows you have access to with the new Netflix Player from Roku. The player is being released today for $99 as a one-time purchase.… View this story
AV Components • Digital Media Servers • Digital Media Stores • Miscellaneous • Movies and Music • Home Theater • Product News

If you plan to spend any amount of time outside this summer, be it at a grill, in a pool, or more likely, behind a mower, listen up… literally. It’s time to ditch the iPod and give your party guests (and neighbors) a lesson in music culture with today’s deal - a pair of Mirage Oasis OMNI 5 outdoor speakers. The entire Oasis line (there are larger versions if you’re… View this story
Outdoor Speakers • Deck and Patio • Exterior • Deals • Audio • Product News

Good things come to those who wait—well, just call me impatient. Over Christmas, I purchased a Slingbox. Today, however, it was leaked that Dish will soon incorporate Sling features into its next DVR box. That’s OK—I didn’t want to have to deal with swapping a box out anyway! Jealousy aside, SatelliteGuys.us says that the new box will combine Dish’s 722 model (shown) with Sling, web access, and technology that will… View this story
Digital Recorders • Set Top Boxes • Home Theater • Product News

Panasonic has been ahead of the game so far when it comes to tru2way technology, and is showcasing its products incorporating the technology at the Cable Show 2008 going on right now. Among the highlights is the company’s PCH2180 tru2way HD-DVR set-top box, which is expected to start shipping in July. The PCH2180 is a set-top receiver that lets you record high-definition and integrates a multi-stream CableCard host interface. It… View this story
AV Components • Digital Recorders • Set Top Boxes • Home Theater • Product News

When it comes to entertainment, we hate to wait. Beamax boasts instant entertainment in 30 seconds or less. The company’s in-ceiling projection screen is geared towards those that love home theater, but don’t have the space to dedicate to a full-blown screen setup. The screen can be controlled by infrared, radio frequency, and a 12-volt trigger. Using a “tubular motor with thermal protection,” the unit can shut down if things… View this story
Video Screen • Home Theater • Product News