Logicool Z Cinema USB 3-Piece Surround Sound Speaker System (Black/Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't know what guys from Logitech wanted with this USB connection, but they failed that's for sure. Why? Music doesn't sound well, games don't sound well, movies, well some of them sound well and some not (I don't even want to spend words on so called surround). Only thing that fulfills it's expectations in a first place is the woofer, but as I don't listen hip hop nor other bassy music, hype was not hi only because of that (I prefer jazz, rock and some orchestra music). Everything beside bass sounds shallow, too shallow.
That's via USB, after first disappointment I tried my good ole E-MU 0404 sound card with real audio cable connected to Z's aux input and that's complete different story. Sound is really well balanced, clean and powerful. You can literally pump the volume up to the top and there will be no distortions of any kind, really amazing. Definitely better sound than Z2300, clearer with more mids.
So, am I satisfied with the purchase? Yes, for this money (108E in Germany) this speakers can produce decent sound. My final rate would be 2 stars for USB connection and 4 stars for aux connection with real sound card.
p.s. I haven't heard 5 stars pc speakers yet..

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Featuring SRS TruSurround HD, this Logicool Z Cinema brings explosive surround sound for movies, TV, gaming and music on your PC! This Logicool Z Cinema features a striking front glossy black color with silver trim and delivers a total of 180-watts RMS power output! The satellite speaker is equipped with an headphone for private listeing and an auxiliary input jack for connecting an MP3 player or an external audio source! The subwoofer is capable of delivering up to 110-watt RMS and features rear outputs for the satellites as well as a USB port for connecting to a PC! A remote control is included so you can easily manage your digital media on your computer! With all these amazing features, nothing can beat the quality of sound you get from this Logicool Z Cinema Surround Sound Speaker System! Order today!

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JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS HDTV Digital Video Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS DVR is a great next-generation VCR and high definition media player. Under certain circumstances it's a good archival system for HD broadcasts. Unfortunately, between the recording industry's paranoia and JVC's mistakes those circumstances are rare. But it's now cheap enough so that you're basically paying for a great VCR with a HD option. On that basis, it's worth 4 stars.
While wonderful to watch, HDTV is clearly still in its early adoption stages. One problem with early adoption is that until standards settle down it's very hard to find critical support technology - like storage. Currently, the main option is to buy or rent a cable/satellite-brand specific integrated DVR/HDTV tuner. This also presents severe limitations: the box is useless if you switch providers, there's typically little storage space (typically 8 hours - HD takes about 4x the space of regular broadcasts), you can't burn programs to DVD, and they're wildly expensive. Until Tivo and others finally figure out the technology and come out with standalone HD units sometime in late 2005-2006, your only real alternative is a DVHS recorder.
For neophytes, DVHS is a remarkable update to 30 year old technology - it uses the the same tapes that VHS always did but records digitally. This is wonderful for backwards compatibility as VHS and SVHS tapes play and record perfectly in a DVHS VCR (and if you've got money to burn you can record an outrageously priced DVHS tape with a VHS signal.)

The good news is when it works it's a perfect digital copy of HD content. The bad is that after losing billions on pirated DVDs the recording industry put so many restrictions on digital recording it basically cripples this VCR and the DVHS format. In very simple terms they nerfed things so badly that it's: 1. very hard to record in HD format and 2. even more difficult to copy HD media.
So why bother with the JVC HMDH40000U?
First, you can in fact record HDTV broadcasts, and when it works its spectacular. The problem is that JVC is so paranoid at offending the studios that the only HD input is a Firewire/I-Link digital one - there are NO component video or HDMI inputs. Only a couple manufacturers provide I-Link outputs from HDTV tuners (Hitachi and Mitsubishi, along with a handful of models from others like Samsung and Sharp) which means for many people subscribing to cable or satellite HDTV this is useless. In addition, there are numerous documented cases where an tuner or camcorder has a nominal I-Link connection that's incompatible with this VCR. Even with a compatible I-Link connection, you can still run into periodic crashes with this largely due to poor compatibility with copy protection standards; I have hard reset (unplugged for 30 minutes) this unit more times than I can count to get it working again. But...when it works the results are a perfect copy and while DVHS tapes are outrageously expensive they're still cheap compared to what it would cost for 5 hours of HD stored on a hard drive.
Second, there is a very small (about 100 or so) selection of extremely high resolution (1080i) movies in a format known as D-Theater. Between this and the 25 or so Muse-HiVision laserdiscs that ceased being produced in 2001 and are only playable on obscure Japanese-only equipment which costs 10 times this VCR, this is about the only way you're going to see a movie in more than 480p on your home screen until HD-DVD/Blu-ray comes out in late 2005/early 2006 at initial prices that are 5-10x that of this VCR. Unfortunately it looks like D-Theater is going the way of Muse, but I've seen a couple movies this way and your jaw will simply drop if you find a movie you like in this format. Even when you lose a ton of resolution by letting the JVC downscale a D-Theater movie to 480i to play on your old Trinitron, this brings out details you won't see in a DVD. Most HDTV broadcasts simply don't compare to the detail you'll find on a D-Theater movie.
But the real reason to buy this is that it is what a 2005 VCR should be. It has component video outputs, an optical digital output, multiple SVHS inputs and outputs, and a range of features (like marking chapters on tapes so that you don't have to find scenes by time) that even good VCRs don't. Better yet, playback and recording in regular VHS and SVHS mode (and you can do both) are noticeably better than my 5-year old SVHS model. (And while it doesn't display video except in spurts while fastforwarding in DVHS mode, in VHS and SVHS mode it does it just as well as any standard unit.) As a VCR it's sleek and highly functional.
Unfortunately, there's a good chance that if you're buying this for HDTV recording its not compatible. Check very, very carefully first before buying. But now that JVC appears to be ready to give up on this model as it doesn't have an HDMI output, it's available at prices directly comparable to good SVHS VCRs. As such you get next generation technology for the same price. And if you're lucky, you get a lot more. For laser disc fans I'd compare it to a bargain basement HLD-X9 - the new technology didn't catch on but the upgrades on the old made this well worth it. Just know what you're getting!

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Record high-definition television broadcasts with the JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS digital video recorder. Using special D-VHS tapes with a 50 GB of capacity, you can record up to 3.5 hours of high-quality video and Dolby Digital audio. Features include 5.1-channel Digital Dolby audio, FireWire/iLink connectivity, VCR Plus+ instant timer programming, and playback of D-Theater prerecorded movies.
Thanks to its high read/write speed (28.2 Mbps in HS mode), D-VHS produces up to six times better quality than DVDs. And you'll get powerful home theater sound with the 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio output (and support for 2-channel linear PCM output). With the JVC HMDH40000U, you can record any type of broadcast, including HD, SD (standard definition), and analog. You can also play your old VHS and S-VHS tape library, as well as record analog video signal to those older formats.
The JVC HMDH40000U has two FireWire/iLink ports so that you can connect to a digital set-top box. If you have a digital camcorder, you can download video footage to a D-VHS tape (using the MPEG-2 video standard) via the second FireWire/iLink port. The Video Navigation System feature enables you to store title, date, and storage information on up to 2,000 tapes.
Other features include:
Time Base Corrector removes jitter from fluctuating video signals
Digital YNR/CNY improves signal-to-noise ratio by 3 dB
Record up to 24 events, up to 1 year in advance
MTS stereo reception
Remote control featuring multibrand compatibility and glow-in-the-dark buttons

Recording modes include:
HS (28.2 Mbps; 210 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
STD (14.1 Mbps; 420 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
LS3 (4.7 Mbps; 1,260 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
LS5 (2.8 Mbps; 2,100 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
SP (210 minutes max with S-VHS or VHS cassette)
EP (630 minutes max with S-VHS or VHS cassette)

Tech Talk D-VHS: The D-VHS (or Digital VHS) format offers the highest consumer video resolution for recording and playback. It stores digitally encoded video signals and accompanying multichannel audio from high-definition TV (HDTV) to a tape format. You can record up to 3.5 hours of video at either the 1080i or 720p HDTV formats. For audio, D-VHS encodes Dolby Digital at 576 Kbps (compared to DVD's 384 Kbps and 448 Kbps data rates), which can mean higher sound fidelity due to less compression.
HDTV formats: There are two common video formats for HDTV. The 1080i format displays video at 1080 vertical by 1920 horizontal pixels and it is interlaced (which means that a video screen scans the odd-numbered video lines first, then the even-numbered lines). The 720p format displays video at 720 vertical by 1280 horizontal pixels and it is progressive (which means that all video lines are filled at the same time).
What's in the Box JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS player/recorder, remote (LP21036-013), two AA batteries, S-Video cable, RCA audio cable, coaxial cable, head cleaning cassette, and instruction manual.

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New 2010 SAMSUNG 3D BD-C5900 Blu Ray Player Multi Zone Region Code Free DVD 123456 PAL/NTSC Blu Ray Zone A+B+C Player, DivX AVI MKV, NETFLIX, YOUTUBE ....100~240V 50/60Hz World-Wide Voltage. PAL or MULTI-SYSTEM TV is required to watch PAL DVDs (Free HDMi Cable) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With a touch control panel, slim profile, Samsung Apps, and ability to play all current formats of DVDs and CDs, this Samsung player is a great entry level 3D player for consumers who want the latest technology without going high-end. Although it does not have built-in wireless (see the Samsung BD-C6800 3D Blu-ray Player for the least expensive Samsung 3D player that does), it can be connected directly to your system via ethernet/LAN or using the Samsung LinkStick adapter. (More on this later.) The DVDs load fairly quickly, and the output is clean, with little noise from the machine, unlike the early Samsung Blu-ray players. The sensitive touch controls are wonderful, although they can take getting used to since I was used to pushing buttons -- and that only moved this lightweight player out of position.
What this has: connection for LAN; USB port for the Samsung wireless adapter or a flash drive; one HDMI port; two-channel output; Samsung apps/Internet TV (needs to be connected to your home broadband network); and, of course, 3D playback.
What this does not have: 5.1 or 7.1 audio output (I channel mine through a 7.1 receiver, so this doesn't matter to me); an extra HDMI port; internal memory; built-in wireless. For these features, you'll have to go up the Samsung 3D player line. The remote control is unexcusably clunky, but the good news is that the sleek remote for Samsung 3D TVs can operate the BD player, so you can stash it away, never to need it again.
If you want to have Samsung apps and Internet TV on your home theater system (Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Facebook, etc.), you must connect to your home network. Because Samsung has not made its "low end" 3D TVs with built-in Wi-Fi and because this player doesn't come with built-in Wi-Fi, either, you have several choices. If you buy a Samsung LinkStick Wireless Adapter, you can use it on your TV most of the time, then switch it to your 3D Blu-ray player for wireless updates or BD Live since Samsung's 3D TVs come with all the Internet TV apps that the player does. You can also connect this Blu-ray player via LAN cable to a gaming adapter or other wireless network extender. You can connect your player directly using LAN/ethernet cable to your router, if the two are close. Or you can skip this player and instead go up to the next model. which may cost less than the price of a LinkStick.
You will need a 3D player to play 3D Blu-ray disc on your 3D TV, and this player is a great option. It's sometimes offered as part of a promotion, so many people who might have paid the extra for built-in Wi-Fi end up with this instead. Not to worry. It is a great player, and the issues -- such as the Wi-Fi issues and two-channel playback -- can be overcome with minimal effort. Is this the best player Samsung offers? No. Is it worth the price? Absolutely. This works as well as the other players in the 3D line but without the extra features. Even if you don't yet have a 3D television, this player offers enough to make it worth considering.
-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

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Samsung BD-C5900 3D MULTIZONE BD / CODEFREE DVDBlu-ray Player brings your home theater captivating 3D entertainment. The Samsung BD-C5900 lets you immerse yourself in the world of cinema-quality 3D entertainment with crisp image detail, via innovative Blu-ray 3D DiscTM technology. Get the best of the web right on your TV, with the Internet@TV Content Service feature - the BD-C5900 is automatically set up for wireless LAN access. And speaking of connections, you can even sync and share media files from your computer, digital camera and more, with Samsung's AllShare feature, watch and listen to your music photos and videos from CD/DVD/BD or USB DVD, CD, DivX, XviD, AVI, DivX-HD, MKV, MP3 and more all supported and displayed. Multi Zone Blu Ray & Code Free DVD World-Wide dual voltage 100~240V 50/60Hz this means that you can use it in any country on the planet 100% Guaranteed, included is a plug attachement for your country.

Click here for more information about New 2010 SAMSUNG 3D BD-C5900 Blu Ray Player Multi Zone Region Code Free DVD 123456 PAL/NTSC Blu Ray Zone A+B+C Player, DivX AVI MKV, NETFLIX, YOUTUBE ....100~240V 50/60Hz World-Wide Voltage. PAL or MULTI-SYSTEM TV is required to watch PAL DVDs (Free HDMi Cable)

Toshiba SD-590 All region Multi-Zone Hi-Resolution Progressive Scan DVD/CD Player for worldwide use. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I felt I needed to comment on the Toshiba SD-590KA all region DVD player, after I had read one very negative review. I've had this region free DVD player for about two weeks now, and everything has been working fine. I've tested this player using DVDs from region 1, region 2, and region 4. I've also used a region free DVD. It's a very easy to operate region free DVD player, and all you need to do is put your disc into the tray and hit play. The DVD player knows what region the disc is from, and it will play it. The only negative things I can say about this DVD player seem rather petty, and they have to do with the design of the tray. It's a very shallow tray and it's a bit difficult to see if I've put the DVD into the circular holding area. Also, it's necessary to remove the discs carefully from the tray when finished playing them, because the tray doesn't extend out as far as other players I've had. This makes it possible to bang the discs into the player while removing them. I will just have to pay attention on removing the discs carefully, and like I said these negative comments are rather petty. The price for this DVD player was fantastic! I would have bought a region free DVD player years ago if I had known everything was going to be so simple! I got excellent service from New Era Products, and the player arrived in good time via FedEx. If you are a big movie fan like I am, then it would be very beneficial to get a region free DVD player. You can then choose movies and other programs from all over the world! I would recommend this region free DVD player, and I would also recommend New Era Products.

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Digital Cinema progressive scan (PAL/NTSC) Multi formats:DVD-video, DVD-R/RW,DVD+R/RW,CD,CD-R/RW,VCD,SVCD MP3/JPEG viewer compatible Dolby Digital & DTS compatible It's compatible with NTSC and PAL systems, and can play back DVD Video, DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W, SVCD, VCD, CD, CD-R/W, MP3, and JPEG. To help re-create the thrill and realism of today's movies soundtracks at home, it offers 24-bit/192KHz processing, and a coaxial digital audio output for Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound processing. Don't worry about playback limitations with this player, it can playback a slew of formats: DVD Video, DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W, SVCD, VCD, CD, CD-R/W, MP3, and JPEG. Home Theater Friendly Use the coaxial digital audio output to connect the DVD player to your home theater receiver and enjoy your favorite DVDs in surround sound. Multi-Language System You have the ability to select language or subtitle preferences. Full-Feature Remote Control 360x43x209

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Axion AXN6070A 7-Inch Portable DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)At the same time that I purchased the Axion AXN6070A 7" Portable DVD Player for my kids, I also purchased the Phillips PET824 8.5" portable DVD player for myself. The Phillips is in a different league than the Axion, and if you're a traveler that will rely on the battery life of the portable DVD player, then you definitely don't want the Axion. The Phillips is a bit more expensive, but it has everything and more than you could want out of a portable DVD player.
Both the Phillips and the Axion LCD screens are crystal clear. You lose a little definition as you move side to side (as with most LCD type screens), but nothing too drastic that would warrant a complaint. The Phillips PET824 has an 8.5" screen and the Axion a 7" screen. The 1.5" difference is not dramatically different, but the larger Phillips screen does enhance the viewing experience.
The sound is fair on both the Phillips and the Axion without headphones, but I don't think that the idea was to use the units without them. Sound is fabulous on the Phillips with a good pair of headphones, and just okay on the Axion; your iPod headphones will do just fine for either unit (and if you don't have a pair you'll need to buy one because the players don't come with any). Both have two audio output jacks, and a 3-way splitter (not included) worked fine on both so that 4 people could watch and listen at the same time with headphones.
Here's the big difference between the two units: Battery Life.
I've gotten almost 7 hours out of the Phillips' battery, and the Axion's battery gives you less than 2 hours. Therefore, if you're an airline traveler or just want to bring your player somewhere that you can't use either the car adapter or the DC adapter, then you absolutely don't want the Axion; you want the Phillips.
On a recent airline trip the Axion--after a full charge--conked out after less than two hours...that's not even a full movie in most cases.
The Phillips' battery is a bit bulky. You'd think that with today's technology they'd be able to slim it down, but you can't complain about the 6+ hours of life you get with it after a full charge. The Axion's battery is smaller and more lightweight than the Phillips, but what can you do other than watch a few SpongeBob episodes with less than two hours of battery life. The Phillips PET824 is good for at least 2 full-length features before charging and that's awesome for long trips where you can't use the DC adapter or car adapter.
The car adapter on both the Axion and the Phillips work great and they both have long cords. So no need for the battery on car trips. The Axion at best might be a nice, less expensive alternative if you won't be taking your portable DVD player to places that require battery use.
Both the Phillips and the Axion fit in my small briefcase, and they're both relatively light. The Axion is a feather compared to the Phillips. Amazon sells cases for the units that can mount on the back of the driver or passenger seats. The case I got also mounts in between the driver and passenger seats. I'd highly recommend a case for your player. I went with the Case Logic Koskin DVD Player Case.
All in all....The Phillips PET824 was a much more satisfying purchase for me. For my purposes, the Axion just won't do for airline trips, and that's a major requirement; hence, the Axion is a major disappointment. But as I said earlier, the Axion is certainly a viable alternative if you don't mind sacrificing screen size and you don't plan on the need for battery power.
Choose your view.


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The Axion AXN6070 portable DVD player has a 7’’ Wide-Screen TFT LCD monitor with hi-resolution and hi-brightness. It features a top-loading DVD/CD/MP3 player with anti-shock and anti-vibration features to avoid skipping and stalling when used in a moving vehicle. It has an audio/video output jack for a camcorder’s input and for supporting external TV/monitor. It comes with a card-style remote control. It comes with small built-in stereo speakers on the front of the monitor, or two people can listen at a time via the dual Hi-Fi stereo headphone output. In addition to the typical volume adjustment, this player also lets you adjust screen brightness.The AXN6070 operates on 9V DC, with AC/DC adapter for indoor use, cigarette lighter adapter for in-car use, or rechargeable battery pack at bottom for portable use. It has a flip up screen, with the viewing angle adjustable up to 180 degrees (vertical). The DVD menu includes up, down, left, right, ok pause, stop, wide, previous, play, and next buttons.

What’s in the box: Axion AXN-6070 portable DVD player, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, cigarette lighter adapter, Remote control, Instruction Manual.

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Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive - MB189LL/A Review

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(More customer reviews)Disclaimer: I am a huge (but no longer kool-aid-drinking) Apple fan.
It's good enough, and the rest of the reviews here attest to that, but now having my own, I have to touch on a couple of things that nobody has mentioned yet.
1) There is no way to shut it off. It sucks 18-22 watts down at all times. 22 watts when playing a movie, 18 watts in "hibernate" mode (which is obviously not the laptop-style hibernate mode one would think... I think it merely turns off the video output). You literally have to unplug it to get it to stop. There is no "shutdown" option or power switch. This I find a little ridiculous. Especially because they bothered to put in a neat startup movie- Did they expect you to watch it only once?
2) It runs very hot (no fan), even when it is "hibernated", and thus cannot be covered by anything or you will affect heat dissipation.
3) It is laggy sometimes. The worst offense an interface can have is to be laggy. If it's busy syncing, fine... just prioritize the user interface, please. (Edit: Even after syncing, it gets laggy sometimes.) A few times I'd hit a few buttons, wait 20 seconds, and then the audio feedback kicks in and does what I had commanded a half minute ago. This is pretty unforgivable. (Perhaps it's because it only has a half gig of RAM.)
4) No 1080p. Just to let you know. 1080i, yes. 1080p, no.
5) If you intend to hook this up to any sort of computer display via a HDMI>DVI cable, be aware that you will be unable to watch rented movies because your computer display will not support HDCP and you will get an error. Why it is still quite feasible to rent the very same movie on a computer via the iTunes Store and watch it on a non-HDCP computer display is left as an exercise to the armchair IP lawyers out there.
If you can get past those things, it's a nice little device.

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With the Apple TV, you'll have instant access to a whole world of entertainment. Whether you want to rent HD movies, buy HD TV show, listen to your iTunes music collection, or show off your photos, Apple TV will bring all of it into your living room and onto your television without any computer required.
Put more HD on your HDTV. HD movies. HD TV shows. HD podcasts. With Apple TV, they\'re all on demand. You get instant access to newly released Hollywood hits and popular classic and library titles, including the largest selection of on-demand HD movies. And now you can also purchase and watch your favorite TV shows in brilliant HD one day after they air.
The largest selection of on-demand HD movies. Apple TV gives you instant access to the largest selection of on-demand HD movies. Choose a movie, and in minutes, you\'re watching the opening credits with theater-like Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. HD rentals start at $3.99, and you have 30 days to start watching. Hit Play, and it\'s yours to watch as many times as you want in 24 hours.
Rent or buy standard-definitionmovies. Choose from the most popular Hollywood titles, from comedy to drama, romance to classics, independents to thrillers. Standard-definition movie rentals are $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases. Short films — including popular Pixar animated shorts — are only $1.99. And if you like the movie you just rented, you can make it a permanent part of your digital collection. Movie purchases start at $9.99, and most titles are available the day they\'re released on DVD.
Play your music through your hometheatersystem. With Apple TV, iTunes syncs wirelessly to your TV, so all the music you\'ve collected can now be played on the best speakers in your house. The new Genius feature studies your iTunes library to automatically create a playlist of songs that go great together. You can also browse and buy music videos on the iTunes Store. And sync songs and videos purchased on Apple TV to your computer and iPod oriPhone.
Now appearing on HDTV: Your photos. YouTubevideos.And podcasts, too. Your photos deserve a bigger stage. And Apple TV puts them on your widescreen TV, where everybody can see them in stunning high definition. Select My Photos to browse photos that are on your Mac or PC. You can also access your Flickr or MobileMe galleries. And you no longer have to gather around a computer screen to see YouTube videos and podcasts — Apple TV plays them big and bold on your TV\'s spectacularscreen.
Lots of Features in a Small Package The Apple TV features a 160GB hard drive for storing content locally, and has an HDMI port, component video, optical audio, analog RCA stereo audio, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, USB 2.0, and 802.11n wireless networking. All this in an elegant box that measures just 7.7 by 7.7 x 1.1 inches (WxDxH). A remote control is included so you can navigate all your choices from the comfort of your couch.
System Requirements Apple TV requires a Mac (running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.9 or later) or PC (running Windows XP Home or Professional (SP2) or Vista), iTunes 7.6 or later (iTunes 8.0.1 recommended), and either an Airport Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n wireless network (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n) or 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network.
Apple TV is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's on the Box Apple TV, remote, power cord, documentation.

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Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I work from home and listen to an iPod quite a lot. Recently, I purchased a Sony Home Theater System (model DAV-HDX 500). Initially, I connected my iPod to the Sony via the ubiquitous Apple iPod cradle; however, controlling the iPod manually got old in a hurry.
The unit came equipped with an attached digital media port cable, which connected directly to the Sony receiver's DMPort. A separate video cable was supplied, which I connected directly to the TV's video-in RCA connector. The unit can also be used with a separately purchased video cable connected between the receiver and TV.
Setup was very simple and after I configured my Sony receiver to "DMPort1" and the TV to "AV1", a facsimile of the iPod's screen appeared on the TV and I was able to control the iPod by way of the Sony remote.
Visually, the menu is a little on the chunky side, but highly legible. Screen color may be set to Red, Green, Blue, and a couple variants of Gray. There are also modest on-screen controls for a screensaver, song shuffle, and song repeat.
The only moving part on the TDM-iP1 is a button, which allows users to switch between the iPod's own controls and control by way of a remote control.
The TDM-iP1 does charge the cradled iPod. This, however, may be the unit's major weekness, since the AV system must be powered for charging to occur. A separate power input would have been a nice touch.
At present, the Sony TDM-iP1 is selling for just under $100. In time, I would think the cost might drop to about $50, which is what I believe it's worth, despite its functionality and appearance. The unit's high price is why I've given it four stars; otherwise, the Sony TDM-iP1 functions as advertised.
As an aside, the Logitech Harmony 520 remote control can be configured quite nicely to control a TDM-iP1 by way of the Sony DAV-HDX 500. Nothing like one remote for all your audio and video components.


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Display your iPod® on the smooth and modern Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock and unleash the power of your music. Take full advantage of your DMP compatible BRAVIA® home theater system or audio receiver's sound when you connect an iPod® to the DMP. It lets you search through your music or view video from your iPod right on your television. For added convenience, the dock also charges your iPod's battery.

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Coby TFDVD7052 7-Inch Portable Tablet DVD/CD/MP3 Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have owned quite a few portable DVD players. Normally, we use them on trips for the children. On this last trip, we decided to splurge on these Coby tablet DVD players.
The DVD players fit into sleeves, which have cutouts for the screen and controls. Buckle straps attach the sleeves to the headrests. This is an easier process than attaching standard DVD cases to headrests. The sleeve design makes it more difficult for the children to access the DVD's in the player -- a positive, if your children are very young but a negative, if you have slightly older children who would normally be able to change the DVD on their own. It's not impossible to do, just inconvenient.
The player can be controlled from buttons on the front, but it's easier to do with the included remote (which comes with batteries). Volume must be controlled via a wheel on on the side of the player.
Picture quality is very good, rich and vibrant, even when viewing from different angles.
Sound is fine at home. In the car, the sound can sometimes be drowned out by the white noise of the road and other background noise. Headphone jacks and earphones are included. Sound quality through headphones is excellent.
The back of the DVD player has a pull-out stand, in case you want to set it on the table for viewing. We tried that and it worked very well.
The DVD player has a battery so it can be played without the need for an outlet. It also comes with plugs for the wall and car outlets.
So far, so good. We are very happy with our choice and would buy these players all over again.
PROS:
+ case straps easily to headrest
+ includes remote with batteries
+ includes earphones
+ picture quality is very good
+ includes stand
+ comes with AC and DC power cords
CONS:
- inconvenient to change DVD's when mounted on headrest
- sound can be drowned out by the noise in the car

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coby TFDVD7052 7-Inch Portable Tablet DVD/CD/MP3 Player (Black)

Experience the ultimate in portability with the Coby TFDVD7052 7-Inch Portable Tablet DVD Player. Its compact, portable tablet design allows you to take it anywhere. Available digital and analog AV outputs allow for use with home theater systems.Display Resolution: 480 x 234, Video System Standard:NTSC/PAL,Audio Input: 3.5mm Stereo Audio, Audio Output: 3.5mm Optical/Stereo; 3.5mm Headphone (x2); Integrated Stereo Speakers, Video Input 3.5mm Composite Video, Video Output: 3.5mm Composite Video,Media Support:DVD, DVD±R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, Audio Format Support: MP3, Video Format Support:MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (DVD), Photo Format Support:JPG,Battery Type: Rechargeable Li-Polymer Battery; Remote: 2 x 1.5V "AAA"

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Initial IDM-1731 Portable DVD Player with 7-Inch LCD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this product only 1 week ago, with some hesitation based upon reviews. However, all reviews of this type of produce were luke-warm at best, no matter what the price of the product. It seemed that approximately 30% of people who purchased any portable DVD had some problem, requiring return/replacement. Also, most factory warranties are similarly anemic. I normally purchase online for the discount, but chose to purchase this product locally (same as online price), so that I could have more personilzed service if necessary. Also, I normally do not purchase the extended warranty through the store, but for this product, I did because of the potential for problems (and the poor manufacturer warranty of 1yr parts / 3 mos labor). The first thing that I noticed is that everything I needed was in the box - including DC adapter, video cables (unlike some more expensive models - and these things are expensive to buy separately). The unit had a good feel to it, and the screen hinge felt solid, not flimsy like some. My biggest complaint so far, is that the screen does not fold all the way flat (almost), which is pretty important if you will be hanging it off the back of a seat in the mini-van. The battery is a bit awckward, being a rather bulky separate piece that attaches to the back of the unit (limiting screen opening angle), with a wire plugging into the same port as the AC adapter, but you get used to it. With the battery pack attached, the screen only opens up a bit beyond 90 degrees. The picture is sharp, and the colors very good, with an excellent wide viewing angle - even in the sun. In the store, the difference between the model several hundred dollars more expensive was negligible (and the sound better). Unlike other reviews, I found sound quality to be good (for portable), and was clearly able to hear it in the car over the background noise (if you are looking for theater sound without headphones, don't buy portable). With headphones, the sound is outstanding. The battery has lasted longer than the advertised 2.5 hours even after mutliple charges, and I have been able to watch 2 movies before recharge. It attaches very easily to my home TV, and works nicely in that capacity. (unfortunately, my 2 year old thinks that it is now his - "MINE!" - ugh ) I have been using the unit constantly since it's purchase to find any problems while still in the 30-day return period. Overall, I am pleasantly surprised, but did not give 5 stars due to inability of screen to fold flat, and unit's features which are only available with using included remote (both which are acceptable IMHO). Most problems I have seen in reviews have occurred immediately, a few more approximately 6 months out - hence the extended warranty purchase. I have recorded a few MPEGs from the internet onto VCD, and it has played them without any trouble whatsoever. Good luck.
UPDATE: 11/27/2003
Still using the player nearly daily. Working great! Very pleased with investment.

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Watch movies, listen to MP3 CDs, or review camcorder footage--all from one portable device. Initial Technology's IDM-1731 puts a world of entertainment at your fingertips. The built-in seven-inch widescreen TFT (thin-film-transistor) LCD displays favorite movies in their native aspect ratios, and the player's onboard antiskip protection--a surprisingly rare feature in portable DVD players--paves the way for media enjoyment during more active uses. What's in the Box DVD player, full-function remote control, AC adapter, high-capacity rechargeable lithium battery, composite-video interconnect, analog audio interconect, and a user's manual. Spare batteries are available by contacting Initial's customer service; headphones are not included.

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Samsung SSG-2100AB Battery 3D Glasses, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)technology innovations are going to cost more at the leading edge ... i have seven children at home, several grand children and grand parents who have all come over and watched the 3d movie (only one so far) ... we even watch some regular blue-ray movies in the simulated 3d mode, which is not as great, but it does add depth ... and no one has damaged the glasses, from age 2 (with parental supervision) to age 78 ... with lots of young hands turning the glasses on and off ... we have four of them, kid tested for over four months and all working and intact ... yes, they are not indestructable, they could be easily broken with carelessness, but you would think if something cost a hundred dollars, you would take care of them and not leave them to be sat on ... and for those who care, not one of us have had headaches or anything else after several hours at a time and over fifty hours over the four months ... and 3d is great ... the whole picture just has so much more realism (if one can have that in an animation film) ... just the individual hairs on the moth ... the many times you just put your hand out there cause you believe you can almost touch the picture ... just fabulous ... maybe not for everyone, but out of the sixty or so people who have watched at our house, not one of them was not impressed and everyone wants to know when we are getting our next 3d movie (more than likey meatballs this month) ... there has always been those who put technology down or believe everything should be indestructable and a cheap price ... well, the car, television, computer and many other advances have overcome those that are negative, (of course some advances have failed miserably) ... but my advice is to judge for yourself, i know a couple of box and department stores that have the tv and glasses for demonstrations ... take the time and see for yourself ...

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Battery charged 3-D glasses, no cable connection needed. Comfortable eyewear design with optimized size, design and light weight.

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Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, this system can get L-O-U-D! It will be perfect in a standard household/apt and I would even say it could fill up a large living room with ease. I don't even have the sub turned all the way up in fear of getting a noise complaint. That's a good thing.
The system offers a lot of dynamic sound settings. Here are some of a few:
HEAVY - added bass/good clarity
CLEAR - More Treble/less bass
FLAT - All levels straight across
SOFT - More subdued/less treble/a little bit of added bass
The system also has a couple of Easter eggs that I was not expecting. There is a nice feature of being able to "re-master" the sound of any Blu-Ray/DVD to give it the user more control over the specific sound they want to hear. Additionally, one can manipulate the visual aspect to create a more refined picture.
The down side is that the system offers a limited amount of inputs, but in its defense, it is not a standalone receiver. The good thing is that it offers two optical inputs which can easily accommodate your XBOX/PS3/Wii and you Cable/Satellite TV receiver.
There is a nice smart setup feature which calibrates your sound from a specific device. In my opinion it worked quite well and the levels were automatically adjusted.

Extra features include the IPOD adaptor which has been done well and easily allows the user to access the IPODs songs/playlists etc. There is also a SD card which can play pictures/video files. The speakers are wireless capable.
Ultimately, I am a stickler for being able to manipulate every aspect of the sound/video to make my experience the best it can be. This system does not offer every little nuance, but for the money it comes pretty darn close with a lot of extra features. Most importantly, I have been quite impressed with the sound and visual clarity of the system and have been quite pleased with the purchase. Give it a look!!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System

HDTV is easy. Home-Theater sound systems used to be hard but Panasonic has made it easier than pie (ready-made pie). Blu-ray extends beyond HDTV in sound. HDTV has 5.1 channel ability but Blu-Ray offers 7.1 channels. The SC-BT300 boasts seven speakers to envelop viewers in a remarkably true-to-life surround sound experience. The front and center channel speakers are made with a bamboo diaphragm which provides a tightly intertwined fiber to deliver greater rigidity and accuracy, resulting in clear reproduction of sounds over a wide frequency range, from massive explosions to metallic clangs. The subwoofer features a Kelton system with a dual diameter structure to deliver a deep powerful bass. The Smart Set-up guide uses the help of GUI navigation to allow users to set up their SC-BT300 home-theater system for optimum performance. The result is being able to stay at home while enjoying a thrilling, incredibly lifelike audio performance that rivals a movie theater. The appeal of Panasonic Blu-ray products goes beyond the breathtaking pictures and sound; the networking functions open the door to new kinds of entertainment fun. The SC-BT300 can connect to the Internet for downloading bonus content available with Blu-ray Discs and for playing Internet games via BD-Live. This connectivity is further enhanced with the addition of VIERA-Cast. VIERA-Cast integrates the Amazon Video-on-Demand (VOD) online movie rental service. The Amazon VOD service joins other content options already available on VIERA-Cast, including videos from You Tube, access to online photos via Picasa Web Albums, financial information from Bloomberg News, as well as local weather updates. The possibilities are virtually endless. It comes with a Universal Dock for iPod, making it easy for iPod users to play their favorite music or video downloads. This system is also Green-friendly. It has a power-save mode to protect the green in your

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Logitech THX-Certified Speaker System Z623 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love listening to music and watching movies on my computer, but I have always relied on relatively cheap speakers (or even my built-in laptop speakers) to provide my sound. I decided to order these speakers and take my music and videos to "the next level" and see if these speakers could deliver the loud, clear, and rich sound I expect from more expensive stereo systems and speakers.
Below are my positive and negative evaluations of the Logitech Z623 speaker system.
Positive:
- The subwoofer is huge, and provides a nice, rich, bass sound. I am amazed at the loudness and clarity of the bass.
- The speakers may seem little, but they produce a big and rich sound, with very little vibration or feedback.
- The overall sound quality and clarity is impressive. When I listened to my favorite songs, I heard sounds and instruments I had never heard before. Watching videos with these speakers has opened up an entirely new (and great) listening experience!
- To test the unit's power, I turned the volume on full blast (with the computer volume turned on full as well) and the sound was pretty much flawless. I didn't hear any rattling or feedback. These speakers are pretty loud, and definitely loud enough for what I need.
Negative:
- The cords are a little short, but not too short as to be annoying.
- The unit is large (the entire set weighs about 22 lbs). This means that moving the speakers and subwoofer is a little inconvenient. I am used to moving speakers around with my laptop. I really can't do this with these speakers.
Overall, this is a great speaker system, and I am glad I upgraded from the cheap speakers. Until now, I didn't know what I was missing using cheaper speakers. I plan on using these speakers any time I watch a video, listen to music, or play games. Their loud and rich sound has turned my computer into a powerful stereo system (I want to throw a party just to show them off!). If you want to take your listening to the next level, these speakers are for you.

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Logitech speaker system z623 with thx-certified 2.1 system delivers big, bold sound with 200 watts (rms) of power-from your music, movies, and games.

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Sherwood RD-8601 6.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS Decoding Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just set this unit up there are a few things that are different than the description, one being that there are 2 optical digital inputs and 1 Coaxial digital input and there is 1 digital optical output and 1 Coaxial digital output. That's fine with me as I would rather have more digital optical inputs if you actually could read the back of the unit in the picture you would see that I am correct. Setting the surround sound feature with the mic is awesome, I love this gadget. The only real issue that I have is that the unit I received does not have the Sherwood name anywhere on the product/ box or manual what it does say is QG-500AVR SLS I did find that the QG stood for quick gold but not sure about the rest as of yet I am still researching it. The remote was made for someone who works for Nasa but I was able to figure out the things that I needed to use, I still have a ton to learn about the remote. I did hook up the unit and it was very easy and has great sound, but I only use the optical inputs so I don't know the sound of the rest of the inputs. I only have 5 speakers and one sub set up so I can only use the 5.1 speakers but I have another speaker on the way so that I can hook it up to use the 6.1, when I do I will update my review again.
*********UPDATE*********
Here is the responce that I got from the company on the Name not being Sherwood:
Thank you for your Amazon order.
This SLS branded receiver is a Sherwood RD-8601 receiver, it is rebranded with an SLS name. It is exactly the same as Sherwood RD-8601 except for the logo.
SLS is a high end audio company who contracted Sherwood to build these receivers for them to sell as a home theater package. You can see this home theater package here : [...] LineHomeTheater
We have no control over the pic on Amazon, it is just a listing, our listing does state that this is a rebranded receiver. We have sold hundreds and all our customers are very happy with the quality, especially seeing the low price they paid.
Let us know if you need additional assistance, we will be happy to help.
Best regards,
The Av Express Sales Team
[...]
I am still very happy with this product it has great sound and does a great job with Blueray and digital TV.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sherwood RD-8601 6.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS Decoding

Item #: G66750. With most audio brands, you'd expect to pay a lot of money for a "flagship", top-of-the-line receiver. In fact, it's possible to spend upwards of $5, 000 to get the best receiver some brands have to offer.Sherwood is not playing that game. For less than one-tenth that amount it offer the Sherwood RD-8601. It decodes all of Hollywood's latest movie formats including DTS-ES (both Discrete and Matrix) and Dolby Digital EX. It has fully adjustable Dolby Pro Logic IIx to turn broadcast TV, VHS tapes and even 2-channel CD's into 6 channel magic; Dolby Headphone for amazing private surround listening and Dolby Virtual Speaker to reproduce full surround effects from only 2 speakers.With six 100 watt per channel, high current, discrete amplifiers on board, sound quality for the 8601 is superb. So is ease of use. The RD-8601 not only has switching for 3 audio/video source units, 3 for audio only and 2 for high-def signals, it is one of the few receivers in the world with Universal Video to change all video signals to a single component video output. It even offers automatic speaker set-up, complete with supplied microphone, to minimize the hassle normally required for initial operation. Control is possible using the built-in On-Screen Display, from the front panel or via the 8-unit preprogrammed remote control.Additional conveniences include the capability for 3 Macro remote command sequences, one-touch operation of Sherwood DigiLink III components, display dimmer, sleep timer and more. Product Description: Sherwood RD 8601 - AV receiver - 6.1 channelProduct Type: AV receiverBuilt-in Decoders: DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS Neo:6, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, Dolby Pro Logic IIxSurround Sound Effects: Virtual Dolby SurroundSurround System Class: 6.1 channelRadio: Radio tuner - AM/FM - 30 preset stationsRemote Control: Universal remote control - infrared

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New 5.1 Multimedia Powered Home Theater Surround Sound Speaker System TS511 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These speakers are something incredible. They re much better than many more expensive speakers in the market.
Pros:
* Clear sound, powerful, with good definition.
* You can set the speaker volume independently.
* Remote Control.
* 5.1 + RCA inputs + Auxiliar input (Left and Right)
* The speakers do not distort.
* A powerful subwoofer with very good low.
Cons:
* Short cord (the cable from the speakers left, right and center are not more than 5 feet and the back of no more than 7').
* Does not have Coaxial or Optical input for receiving a digital signal.
This is an excellent speakers systems. I have it installed on a 28 mts2 family room and the sound is really big. The subwoofer make vibrate the glass accessories of the room. It has more quality than many of the most expensive equipment on the market. Now, I have to buy a signal converter stereo to 5.1 surround to get you maximum advantage of this set of speakers
Anyone would think that a set of speakers with 18lbs (small speakers, small magnets) can not be so much quality but is the opposite. I recommend this product for its sound quality, power and clear sound.

Click Here to see more reviews about: New 5.1 Multimedia Powered Home Theater Surround Sound Speaker System TS511

SpecificationsNew 5.1 / 2.1 Switchable Home Theater Multimedia Speaker SystemPower Rating: 500 Watts RMS System PowerFrequency Response: 40Hz - 20KHzDistinctive Design: Features high tech design to dampen distortion and deliver crisp clear responseAdditional Features: Pro Logic function for incredible Surround Sound, Stand By function, Infa-red remote sensor lampRemote Control: At your fingertips separate volume controls for Sub, Center, Rear and FrontEasy Set-upMagnetically shielded systemSubwoofer Speaker: 1pcSub Unit is 6.5" x 12.5" x 11.5"Satellite Speakers: 5pcsEach Satellite Speaker is 3.75" x 3.75" x 5.75"Two Front and Center Speaker have 6' Single RCA CableTwo Rear Speakers have 12' Single RCA Cables25' Extension Single RCA Cables Available 2RCA1 (2 Cable Pack) and 5RCA1 (5 Cable Pack)Audio Cable: 1 pc 3.5mm (headphone) jack to RCA jackAudio Cable: 3 pcs RCA jack to RCA jackRemote ControlUser ManualThis Listing and Price is for 1 Complete SystemTheater Solutions TS511 5.1 Home Theater Speaker Systemis a compact, high-definition 5.1 home theater system that's simple to set up and use. The TS511 features a Pro Logic channel switch to integrate all your Dolby Surround formatted movies, music and games and deliver a true surround experience. The Speaker system consists of five speakers - left, center and right front channels with two rear surrounds - and one powered subwoofer. All five speakers in this home theater are identical, creating a seamless blend of sound and style.Inside each modern, high-gloss black enclosure, you'll find durable, high-quality components that will provide superior performances for years to come. Each speaker is magnetically shielded - so it won't interfere with your TV picture - and can be positioned vertically or horizontally next to your HDTV or other type of flat-panel.

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