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 who have paid that (and more) for a 50-inch flat-panel… View this story
Displays • Front Projection • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

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 shelves at conventional Best Buy stores. The total combined suggested… View this story
Plasma • Blu-ray • Home Theater • Product News

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 will be offered. “Securing high definition content from these studios… View this story
Digital Media Stores • Gaming Systems • Web Services • Product News

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 own 3D home entertainment system, but you can check on… View this story
Sports • Product News

Yesterday’s deal was all about packing a lot of punch into a small display (and small budget). For many, the 26” Samsung LCD Monitor/TV hybrid might have been too small ... but today’s deal will be just right for you.  Dell Home has the 42” Sharp Aquos LC42SB45UT 1080p LCD display for just $539 with free shipping.  With Full HD 1080p resolution, 60Hz refresh and three HDMI inputs, this modestly… View this story
LCD • Deals • Product News

Taking a cue from Pioneer’s recent announcement, Onkyo has just released the specifications of its 2010 entry-level A/V receiver line, all of which include support for HDMI v1.4 (which includes pass-through of 3D video).  The flagship of the entry-level line and, if past models are an indication, likely to be one of the most popular AVRs on the market is Onkyo’s TSX-SR608 7.2 AVR.  Providing 100 watts per channel through… View this story
Receivers • Product News

Pioneer Electronics, following the release of two 5.1 receivers, has introduced three 7.1 receivers. The VSX-920-K ($399), VSX-1020-K ($549) and VSX-1120-K ($749) 7.1 receivers are all 3D ready. The VSX-920-K and VSX-1020-K are expected to ship in March, while the VSX-1120-K will ship in May or June. Each 7.1 receiver features: DSP powered room equalization Wireless Bluetooth audio streaming and iPhone certification Processing of Dolby TrueHD, ProLogic IIz and DTS… View this story
AV Components • Receivers • Home Theater • Product News

Did you watch the Academy Awards last weekend? Or maybe you held off because you hadn’t seen many of the nominated films and performances? This week offers a good chance to catch up on a couple of heavily nominated movies as they make their way onto Blu-ray. (Click here for a slideshow of our Top 10 releases of the week.) Look for Up in the Air and Precious, Based on… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Product News • Slideshows

Magnolia Audio Video is making sure customers know where to go for solar panel installations as part of its new design center located inside the Costa Mesa Best Buy store in Orange County, Calif. The store, which is one of only eight Magnolia A/V design centers, has alternative energy equipment prominently located in the showroom. There is a six-foot vignette containing a large solar panel, along with a video loop… View this story
Green Technology • Retailers • Product News

I love big displays. Whether 100-inch front projection or 50-inch plasma, it takes a big display to make a big impact.  But some applications require a bit more finesse. Could be it’s a bedroom, kitchen, office (where you need a TV that doubles as a computer monitor), bathroom, or tool shed, sometimes a small high-quality display can make a big impact in a small space. Office Depot happens to have… View this story
LCD • Deals • Product News