 | from Robert Silva
Welcome to my Weekly Home Theater Newsletter! I hope all had a great Thanksgiving. Also, for those of you that braved Black Friday, I hope you snared some bargains. However, if you didn't, don't worry, there are still a lot of great buys out there, especially for LCD and Plasma TVs. Also, if you are looking for something a little different to add to your home theater system, check out my reviews of the Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 Media Controller and the ZVOX Z-Base 575 Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System.
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In the Spotlight | Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 Media Controller/Home Theater Receiver
 If you are intimidated by the traditional home theater receiver with its inputs, outputs, and extensive setup and operating options, the Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 Media Controller/Home Theater Receiver may be the answer. The YMC-700 is designed to be as simple to use as possible, while still providing the necessary audio/video flexibility for today's user. The YMC-700 offers 5.1 channel audio processing (including Dolby TrueHD decoding), three HDMI inputs, analog to HDMI video conversion, and USB, and a docking station port for iPods and Bluetooth devices. In addition, the MC700 is also WiFi enabled, allowing the user to connect to a home network for accessing media content stored on a PC or from Rhapsody, and Internet Radio content. However, the key to the YMC-700 isn't so much the inputs, outputs, and audio/video features, but its unique onscreen menu-driven navigation system. To find out if the Yamaha YMC-700 is right for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews as well as my supplementary Photo Gallery and Video Performance Test Results. Photo (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com
| | ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 Single-Cabinet System - Review
 The ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 surround sound system is one of the latest in a growing trend towards one-box surround sound solutions that are targeted to those consumers that want more than just listening to sound from cheap built-in Television speakers, but don't want the hassle, of setting up and using a multi-speaker home theater system. The Z-Base 575 is an easy-to-use system that delivers great sound for both movies and music.  Also, this speaker system can also double as a platform for many televisions up weighing up to 140 pounds, and with a stand 35-inches wide or less. For look at the ZVOX Audio Z-Base 575 Low Profile Single Cabinet Surround Sound System, check out my Review and Photo Gallery. Photos (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
| Holiday Special - Best Blu-ray Disc Players
Blu-ray disc players are popping up everywhere. With prices of an increasing number of Blu-ray disc players now coming in below $199 (some basic units as low as $99!), this year may bring a "blu christmas" for many. Watch for additional promotions that may include free Blu-ray disc movies with a purchase of select Blu-ray Disc players and also "buy an HDTV and get a free Blu-ray Disc Player" offers. Also, there are a lot of $9.99 and $12.99 Blu-ray movie promotions abundant this holiday season. Check out my current favorite picks for Best Blu-ray Disc Players.
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Top Picks - LCD Flat Panel TV - 40-inches and Larger from your Home Theater Guide | ![]() | | Flat panel televisions are definitely hot this holiday season. With lower prices and more variety in screen sizes, there is a flat panel television out there for just about everybody. Today, I am putting the spotlight on LCD flat panel televisions by featuring some suggestions for sets 40-inches and Larger. Also, for more LCD TV suggestions, check out About.com's site for TV/Video. | | 1) Sony Bravia XBR KDL55XBR8 55-inch LCD TV with LED Backlight
The Sony KDL-55XBR8 is a large 55-inch 16x9 LCD television with a native pixel resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) and an almost unlimited contrast ratio bolstered by its innovative LED backlight technology. This set also includes four HDMI 1.3a inputs, 120Hz screen refresh rate (Motion Flow), 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 compatibility, both ATSC and QAM tuners, which allow reception of over-the-air HDTV signals and Digital/HD-cable (non-premium channels), and an excellent easy-to-use onscreen user interface. This set displays exceptional detail, color consistency, and contrast for a such a large sreen size. If you are looking for the "latest and greatest" in LCD televisions and have "deep pockets", then check out the Sony Bravia XBR KDL55XBR8. 2) Vizio VF551XVT 55-inch LCD TV with LED Backlight
Vizio is an aggressive competitor that offers good performing products at low price points. The VF551XVT LCD TV offers consumers a large 55-inch screen, full 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution, 240Hz smooth motion processing, and LED backlighting with local dimming at a suggested price of $2,199. I had the opportunity to see an extensive demonstration of this set at CEDIA 2009 and it looks great. The black levels and color consistency are very good, and the set also has more than enough connections, including 5 HDMI inputs. In addition, for those that are concerned about energy consumption in such a large screen set, the VF551XVT only draws an average of 154 Watts, which is excellent for an LCD TV of this size. 3) Toshiba Regza 46SV670U LCD TV with LED Backlight
The Toshiba 46SV670U is one the new breed of LCD TVs that incorporate LED backlight technology. The type of LED backkight system used here is referred to as the Full Array system. This allows for Local Dimming, which enables a wider ontrast ratio, even within small areas of the sceen (such as bright stars against the darkness of space). In addition, the 46-inch 46SV670U also features both a 120Hz Screen Refresh Rate and selectable 240Hz backlight scanning system, 4 HDMI inputs, and a side mounted USB port for accessing audio, video, and still image files stored on flash drives. To find out if the Toshiba 46SV670U is the right HDTV for you, check out my Short and Full Reviews, as well as my Photo Gallery and Video Peformance Tests. |
Product of the Week | ![]() | Onkyo HT-S7200 7.1 Channel Home Theater System
Give that special someone the gift of home theater this year! The Onkyo HT-S7200 home theater system combines the HT-RC160 Home Theater receiver featuring Dolby Pro Logic IIz with the... Read more |
Feeling Under the Weather? | ![]() | Evaluating Your Cold Symptoms
How to tell when a runny nose is just a cold, and when it might be turning into something more serious and require a visit to the doctor. More>
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