Budget Blu-ray Disc players often seem to offer capable BD playback and a multitude of ancillary features, yet skimp on playback of the bulk of most enthusiasts’ media library: the standard-definition DVD. JVC’s first foray into the Blu-ray Disc player market, on the other hand, takes the road less traveled. Instead of playing the buzz-word feature set game, JVC’s XV-BP1 player is all about performance of core features like disc… View this story
Blu-ray • Reviews • Product News

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 or more (like an HDMI cable or universal remote) and… View this story
Blu-ray • Deals • Product News

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 pairs available for $149 each). These are derivative models exclusive… View this story
Displays • Flat Panel • Plasma • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

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 loads. The computer software recommends savings programs, and you can… View this story
Power Management • Green Technology • Product News

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