Feature News Stories (662 Posts)

New Home Theater Trend - 2.1 Speaker Surround Sound

The latest trend in home theater technology is 2.1 speaker surround sound. This allows audio and video enthusiasts to bring investment grade audiophile gear to an audio video system. Previously, the equipment was practically considered disposable. Continue Reading

Is 3D Laying Down On The Job? Why 3D Is Only One Reason To Buy an HDTV Today

In this HTR exclusive, Dr. Ken Taraszka talks about what can be expected from these new sets, both benefits and demerits, including how the glasses work, the best and worst physical positions for viewing, and what type of monitors best display this format. Continue Reading

Whale Hunting In The Desert - $20,000 Plus AV Components Are Everywhere At CES

Many of the products at the January 2011 Consumer Electronics Show indicate that despite the poor state of the economy, companies are still looking to make sales of big ticket items. The market for these products is getting smaller and smaller due to the economy, but that doesn't appear to be stopping companies from trying to sell these high priced items. Continue Reading

Deflowering the Myth and Mystery of the CES Trade Show

The Consumer Electronics Show that happens every year in Las Vegas doesn't get quite the media blitz that occurs every July at Comic-Con in San Diego, but there is still a lot of hype surrounding CES. HomeTheaterReview.com is here to help you decode the buzz. Continue Reading

Big Box Stores Finally Figured Out How To Make Money Selling Video - Can Mom & Pop Keep Up?

As flat-screen televisions become ever more affordable for the consumer, they become ever less profitable for the retail chains that sell them. However, Vizio has found a way to put together stores and home video distributors, helping both without hurting us. Continue Reading

CES 2011 Trade Show Coverage

Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is where all the top-flight electronics manufacturers display and demonstrate their new products and projects. The staff of HomeTheaterReview.com was on hand to report on everything there worth knowing about. Continue Reading

Is Blu-ray Better Than Streaming or Pay-Per-View For Your Hard Earned Home Video Budget?

Depressingly enough for those of us who value artistry in both our hardware and our software, market forces are often dictated by those who want things that come quickly and easily, even if these things are not as good as products that may call for a little more time and effort. Continue Reading

Movie Studios Are Thinking Of Asking Consumers What Blu-ray To Put Out Next

Rather than mass-producing Blu-ray discs for every theatrical film title released, whether the film hits, gets a cult following or outright bombs, there is now some thought being given to trying to gauge how a disc will sell via presales or early commitments before copies are made. Continue Reading

Cheap Is The New Trendy When It Comes To Today's Specialty Audio Video

Jerry del Colliano recounts the story of a friend's recent home theater upgrade and questions the state of specialty A/V retail. Has the commoditization of A/V products made it impossible to convince shoppers to step up to the next level of performance? Continue Reading

Today's Headphones Are The Key To Ultimately Wooing Kids To Love Audio

With so many people, especially younger generations, listening to music from their iPods, the secret to welcoming in the new wave of audiophiles may lie inside the speakers of a good set of headphones. Continue Reading

Form Factor Woos Consumers To Today's Ultra-Thin HDTVs

When the time comes to upgrade your TV, what will most influence your decision? Price? Performance? Web features? For many consumers, a TV's form factor (most importantly, its depth) plays a larger role than ever before. Jerry del Colliano describes his recent TV upgrade. Continue Reading

Building a Reference Grade Media Room on a Budget - Part 2

Andrew Robinson continues his guide to building a home theater on a budget. In this installment, he covers the process of building the room from planning the design to hanging the acoustic panels to sliding the speakers in place. Continue Reading

Can The Adult Industry Continue To Call The Shots For Consumer Electronics Going Forward?

Is it a coincidence that the Consumer Electronics Show and the AVN Show occur at the same time, in the same city, each year? There has long been an interesting link between these two industries, but it looks like the ties that bind may be loosening. Continue Reading

Eight Reasons To Buy an HDTV Today That Doesn't Include 3D

Even if you don't want to go 3D at home, HomeTheaterReview.com publisher Jerry Del Colliano gives you eight good reasons why now may be the best time ever to purchase a new HDTV - and why, even if you don't care about 3D, you may want an HDTV that has it after all. Continue Reading

Why People's Eyes Don't Always React Well To 3D HDTV

Are you one of those viewers who get a headache from 3D? Here's why our experts say you may be having that problem, and what they recommend so that you can better enjoy this feature that is becoming all the rage in home theatre set-ups. Continue Reading

The Top 10 Home Theater Applications For Your HDTV, Blu-ray and Other Components

Adrienne Maxwell takes a look at 10 interesting content apps, in both the video and audio realms. Whether you're looking to stream movies and music, watch live TV, remotely access DVR recordings, or just find out the name of that song on the radio, this list has something for everyone. Continue Reading

The Tweak Party Movement Offers Five Sonic Solutions That You've Probably Never Heard Of

With the economy still hurting, many consumers are trying to find ways to improve the sound of their AV system without spending much if any money. After all, desperate times call for desperate action. Here is a list of system tweaks that range from truly stupid to things you may have simply never dreamed of before. Continue Reading

Disney World of Wonder Calibration Blu-ray Disc Makes Calibration Simple

Disney has gone a long way to help the consumer with calibration with the Disney World of Wonder Calibration Blu-ray Disc. HomeTheaterReview.com writer Tracy Rainwater takes an in-depth look at the disc. Continue Reading

Old School Audiophile Companies Resisting The Hybrid AV Business Model

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. If that's true then there should be a second part to the adage which should go, you also can't teach a dusty old audiophile manufacturer how to sell new technologies for no other link in the chain is more resistant to going with the flow than a manufacturer still clinging to their audiophile heritage. Continue Reading

Everybody Loves Applications

Apps aren't just for your mobile devices - they are increasingly prevalent and even necessary in home technology, including home theater systems. This article examines some of the more popular home tech apps and talks about which ones may be best suited to your needs. Continue Reading