Onkyo HTS894 5.1 Channel Complete Home Theater System w/ Single Disc DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)I just received my HT-S894 a couple of days ago and have spent quite a bit of time setting it up and reading through the manuals that came with it. The system looks good, sounds great, and comes at a nice price, especially if you shop around (I wish I'd known that refurbished models were available about a week ago... Their price is quite surprising).
Now for the stuff I wish someone had told me... Not that the info would have necessarily stopped me from buying the HT-S894, but I think others will find these details important. If you connect the receiver to your TV with component cables, then anything connected to the receiver through HDMI will not display any picture. This is verified in the manual. Stranger yet, if you hook the receiver to your TV with HDMI, then anything connected through component cables will not show a picture on the TV. On top of that, the receiver's on-screen menu will not display on your TV through the HDMI output. Very irritating, considering HDMI was one of the selling points that convinced me to choose this system. I can't even use it now, because I want to be able to use the setup menu and have more devices that use component outputs than HDMI outputs. It's really a shame that I have to choose between using HDMI or component connections. Some may want to note that the receiver uses HDMI v1.1.
Movies sound great out of the box, and music sounds just as nice with some tweaking. I prefer to turn down most of the channels by about "3" or "4" and crank the LFE (subwoofer) up by "8" to get the punchy sound that I like. With default settings, the sub seemed almost ignored. I've yet to figure out how to save the adjusted channel settings. They keep getting reset when I turn off the unit.
One very pleasant surprise was that the included DVD player handles DivX files. I've tested out quite a few files that all played fine, except for some high-definition movie rips that are over 2GB, meaning they're burned with the UDF file system (if I remember correctly), which is not supported by the player. Otherwise, TV shows and standard-definition rips work nicely.
While it sounds like I'm not extremely happy with this system, I really do like it enough to hold on to it and just ordered two pairs of Sanus EF-SATB speaker stands for the front & rear speakers [...]

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Onkyo 5.1 HDMI HTIB w/ Single Disc Dvd HTS894

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Samsung HT-TX75 DVD Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful home theater system. I have played a few movies since I got this a couple of days ago and have been more than happy. The system came well packaged and there were no signs of wear and tear when I accepted delivery. The player and the speakers are in an attractive matte finish, although the speaker casing seems light and made of plastic (but then it is only $440, so can't expect anything more)- nonetheless it looks good. Unlike my other home theater system, the Sony DAV FX900W, which took a long time to assemble, I was able to assemble all the four speakers in 15 minutes. The speaker unit consists of three parts- the base, middle section and the speaker (the top half). The middle section clicks into the base unit and is secured by three screws. Then the speaker clicks into the middle section (which is affixed to the base unit) and is secured by one screw- simple as that. The speaker wires (not very good quality) are sufficiently long to reach the DVD player from their respective positions. Upon connection, I entered setup and selected 1080i for the picture and increased the level for the center and rear channels. On playing a DVD, the picture quality was very good for a system of this price as was the audio. The radio and the ipod connection work fine, although I think i will stick with using the aux in jack for my ipod and not the USB- the problem arises when the ipod is not fully charged as then one cannot access the ipod library for a bit while the ipod charges via the USB (just like it is when you connect a partially charged ipod to your computer via USB). Sound quality playing the ipod and CDs is great. The remote is not backlit which is a bummer. I don't understand why these companies cannot provide this basic and essential feature on remotes. The remote feels good though and should be liked by most people (I use a logitech universal remote). BTW the system does NOT come with batteries for the remote- so you need to buy them yourself (two AAA batteries).
Now for the icing on the cake. I was able to find a code on the internet to make this player region free. The code was meant for another Samsung player but worked with this one too- so I am now able to watch DVDs I purchased in Hong Kong and the UK- Sweet!!!
To make your player region free (and I think any other Samsung DVD player region free) follow the instructions below (you need to follow the instructions exactly, else it won't work).
1. Remove disc from tray.
2. Switch off player and unplug from mains.
3. Wait 30 seconds, then reconnect mains.
4. Turn on player with remote. Wait for player to finish loading and display 'no disc'.
5. Press enter on remote. (There will be no on-screen response.)
6. Press 8, 4, 2, 6, 9 on the remote. (There will be no on-screen response.)
7. Press enter on the remote. Player will automatically shut off.
8. Turn player on.
9. Turn off.
10. Turn player on then off again.
11. Player is now region-free.
All in all I am really happy with this purchase. Good video and audio quality, HDMI Out/ In, Tallboy speakers, $440 value and Region free capability, make this system a good buy.
I hope this review has been helpful in making your choice. I don't think you can go wrong with this player (for the price)


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Samsung's elegant HT-TX75 Home Theater Audio System offers industry leading power.Imagine 1200 watts of audio power, enhanced by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoders--that's what the HT-TX75 has in store for you.You'll be delighted with the superior non-interlaced images you get from the latest digital television receivers.Smooth progressive scan imaging eliminates even the slightest hint of blur or distortion.Load up the 5-disc DVD tray and Watch your fill of movies and videos without having to change discs.With USB Host Play, you can plug a portable digital device into the USB port for instant entertainment.Additionally, with the ability to go wireless you can expand your system to achieve the ultimate surround sound experience without the need to figure out how to hide those unsightly wires.

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Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock Review

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(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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JVC DD3 Table-Top Network Media Player/HTIB Review

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(More customer reviews)First I must say, I did not pay the price advertised on Amazon.
Having said which I wanted to leave a review because this beauty is amazing.
I bought it because my old Samsung (hardly 2 years old) 2.1 system died. This is a Rolls Royce compared to the Samsung, plus it has a really impressive feature called Cyberlink, which having run the disc on my computer, I am now able to access all my video, music and picture files from my computer, on my TV. This plus a great, contemporary looking system, small but effective speakers, plus a HUGE Sub Woofer all add up to one of the best 3.1 systems I have seen on the market.
It would seem I got one of the last, so seek it out and you won't be disappointed.

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JVC Sophisti systems feature JVC's front surround technology that delivers surround sound without the need for rear speakers. JVC Network Media Player offers USB Host, allowing a wide range of digital devices to be connected directly to the system, including flash audio players, USB drives, digital cameras and card readers.

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JBL 5.1 Channel SCS145.5 Surround Cinema Speaker System Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first home theater system. The speakers work great. Other then the need to switch out the stock speaker wire for something a little more hefty like say, 12 gauge, the sound quality is far more then I expected. The powered subwoofer is Ok, but I wanted something heavier - at least a 10". I got a 12", 400 watt subwoofer, and I think my neighbors don't like me anymore :) I would recommend JBL speakers over BOSE speakers any day!

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JBL Surround Cinema Speaker systems are designed to deliver the high-performance sound that JBL has been known for at a price anyone can afford. Despite its small size, the incredibly affordable SCS145.5 delivers a sound experience equal to systems much larger and much more expensive

Get 32% OFF

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Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)I received this HTIB system last week and it's been awesome. Before I go into detail, let me first say that I'm not an audiophile. But I do disdain buzzing of any kind, inaudible dialogue, and low bass. Also, my setup with this system is a Samsung LCD flat panel, cable HD, an Oppo DVD player, and Wii.
First the Cons: Has barely any inputs. Before this system, I had everything connected to my TV. The cable box, DVD player, and Wii were all connected to my TV. Because this system only has a few audio inputs and I wanted to use my superior Oppo DVD player over the Panasonic receiver's, I kept everything the same and used the Digital Optical connection to connect the receiver to my Oppo DVD player. I knew that I only wanted to use the system for DVD's, so it means that I can't listen to my cable shows or Wii games in surround sound. And I haven't tested out the DVD player. If I wasn't lazy, I could change it up a bit, but I'll leave it the way it is for now. So the bad thing about this system is that this unit is lacking a bunch of inputs. It only has audio inputs and no visual inputs. So if you use component cables, you will have to lead the video wire to the TV and two audio wires to the receiver. Perhaps I'll do that later.
The second Con is that the two back "wireless" speakers aren't entirely wireless. Like some other wireless systems, the back speakers are wireless between the speakers and receiver, but the two speakers need to be wired and powered to a wireless receiver that needs to be powered by an outlet. I half expected this since I know other systems have this feature and with my setup, I don't mind the wires.
Third Con: The bass only has four levels of volume: off, and levels 1-3. I live in a NYC apartment and I'm sure my downstairs neighbors aren't appreciating this new purchase.
Pros: This thing comes at an excellent price! Yes, it's extremely bare bones, but man...you can't beat the price with everything you get here. I did months of research and had settled on purchasing the Onkyo 605 with Polk speakers which may have cost over $600. But I saved a ton of money by getting this system. Yes, this system is not future proof with new sound technology coming out every year, but man it was worth it.
It took me less than an hour to put everything together (the stands and wiring). The speakers are relatively thin (the bass is huge, but it doesn't bother me).
Lastly, the system sounds great! It's really powerful and there's no delay in the wireless back speakers. I tested the system by watching Armageddon, Batman Begins, and Transformers. Having asteroids and giant robots fly in from behind was simple bliss. Yes, I'm pretty sure there are much better systems out there. This system has limited options, inputs, and adjustments...but it still is a really good value for your buck. If you're on a low budget for a surround sound system, I really recommend this unit. And the ipod deck is simple. You just pull out the front panel and push in your ipod and you're connected. The bad thing is that you can't control your ipod once it's connected. I think the ipod has to be playing the playlist that you want before you connect it.
I can't stress this enough...it's not the best system out there, but it's cheap and the quality is good stuff.

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Home Theater System with 5 DISC DVD/CD Player, 1000 Watts, 6 Speakers

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Epson Moviemate 25 Projector DVD & Music Player Combo Review

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(More customer reviews)What a great all-in-one projector. We have had this projector for a week and it has been used every night since we received it.
It has a excellent crisp picture in true 16X9 format.
The two ten watt speakers and 40W subwoofer in 5.1 sound is incredible for the size of the unit.
We have not used the 80" included screen, but it does just fine on a bare wall.
The remote is easy to use, the only downside is that it would have been nice if the remote came illuminated.
The projector comes with a video and audio in jack as well as an S input. It has an audio digital optical out as well as a headphone output jack. Again, it would be nice if they would have included RCA audio out jacks to connect to a non-digital amplifier.
I was impressed with the warranty Epson offers, a two-year warranty on the unit, 90 days on the bulb. Most projectors are only one year. Epson will also offer a replacement projector while yours is being serviced, and they pay for shipping. I feel they really stand behind their product.
For these reasons, I would say "Go get one". You'll enjoy it!!

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Achieve a widescreen performance anywhere - in the living room, your neighbor's, or show movies outside on the garage or side of the house for an outdoor cinema. Enjoy watching DVDs, displaying digital images or larger-than-life video games and sporting events, or even listen to your favorite CDs.Just plug in the Epson MovieMate 25 and let the show begin! There are no video or audio cables to connect, so you're up and running in no time. And, with offset lens shift functionality, you get crystal clear images no matter where you set it up. Project an 80" image from just 6.6' away. Epson 3LCD technology ensures true, continuous color and exceptional detail that's sure to wow your audience. Plus, with 1200 ANSI lumens, it's bright enough for inside daylight viewing.The Epson MovieMate 25 comes with a two-year warranty.

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Wharfedale MovieStar 70 Surround Sound Speaker System (Beech) Review

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(More customer reviews)I wanted a home theater speaker system, that was good with movies and music too! I listened to Polk 6700 speakers (very good) JBL 160 (nice) Energy 5.2 (very nice) Athena (ok+) and Wharfedale Movie Star 70's (awesome)! The biggest difference was the music end of the spectrum! All of the mentioned systems were very good to excellent for movie/tv viewing, but ranged from good, to adequate, to so-so on music! Except the Wharfedales, which were excellent for theater use, and awesome on music, probably due to the fact they are a bit larger than most! No tubby lower midrange, or ear bleeding, thin highs! Bass was rendered very well too! A great value, and they are decor freindly.

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Wharfedale's Moviestar 70 subwoofer-satellite speaker system offers a no-compromise solution for those who seek a small, tidy loudspeaker package, but refuse to tolerate the inadequate sound traditionally found in such systems. The Moviestar 70 combines chic retro styling in a package of loudspeakers with modest dimensions. But despite their diminutive size, these stars of the silver screen pack plenty of punch when it comes to home cinema. Speakers as small as these are made possible by the system's powered subwoofer, which fills in the bass below about 80 Hz. Further, the subwoofer is still effective when hidden from view.
The package includes all the speakers you need. The four satellites are front-ported, single-way units that dispense with crossovers, which can cause phase and frequency problems in two-way and three-way speakers. The frequency-matched subwoofer has all the features you'd expect of any subwoofer, such as phase and crossover adjustment. All fixings are supplied to allow wall or ceiling mounting, and plenty of cable is included for easy installation.
What's in the Box Four satellite speakers, center channel speaker, subwoofer, speaker cable, mounting brackets, user's manual.

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Yamaha DVX-S120P 5.1 Channel CinemaStation System with Progressive Scan DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I just bought this thing from Amazon and all I can say is WOW!!!!
This is probably the best purchase I have ever made. This thing is everything I ever expected and more!! It's easy to use as well - even my wife can operate it!
I have to say, everyone out there who is thinking of buying this, stop thinking. I bought it and I am extremely happy with it the moment I powered this thing on. YOU ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS PURCHASE! I GUARANTEE IT!!!

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The Yamaha DVX-S120P is the Home Theater System that makes it easy to enjoy all your favorite entertainment.Movies, music, sports and games have never sounded so exciting - as if you're right in the middle of the action.CinemaStation DVX-S120P brings you thrilling surround sound with a 55W X 5-channel digital amplifier, built-in progressive scan DVD player and five compact yet power speakers, plus a 140W subwoofer.Simple controls including four quick-selection program icon buttons make this home theater system a delight to use.The DVD Receiver features 19 Surround programs and One-Touch Cinema DSP Selection.It features Silent Cinema, a variation of Cinema DSP technology that allows you to listen to movies and other multi-channel sources using stereo headphones.It also features an On-Screen display for easy operation. The included 5 high performance and stylish speakers and powered subwoofer deliver exceptionally high quality surround sound.The system is completed with 4 included stylish speaker stands for the two main and two rear speakers.

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Bose Lifestyle 28 Home Entertainment System Review

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(More customer reviews)While the sound quality is good, this $3k system is definitely not up to the hype due to poor UI and Usability designs by Bose. I would not have bothered if I was buying even $1500 system but for 3k it is not really worth. While everyone talks about how great this system is, let me talk about some major drawbacks of this system that no one talks about:
1) It does not display Track/album info for CDs (for e.g. the ones you ripped off from online music stores) and MP3 CDs! Yes, thats true! How can anyone browse through 100+ songs from an MP3 CD and select the song that they want without seeing any track/album display on the TV Screen? I am extreamly upset with Bose lacking "common sense" here! Come on Bose, even my old $100 cheap DVD system can display this info on the screen! If you let the users play mp3 CDs didn't it occur to you that they would perhaps would like to choose the song they want to listen to?
2) It does not let you store MP3 CDs.
3) It does not let you transfer music from your PC.
4) It does not import the Title/Album info for the custom CDs that you burn with music that you have downloaded. It just names all the tracks and album info for the this type of CD with '-No Label-' title! You have to spend days to Edit (BTW editing is horrible too) all this info to make it right (if you have patience at all). If you end up storing more then one custom CDs, they all look the same when you browse through music library! So, there is no way to distinguish between them and hence you are really screwed! If you were to edit the title of a song/album, there is no way to listen to the song (to make sure it is the right song) while editing it! While listening, you can't edit the title! How stupid!
5) Browsing through music library is a pain. If you have 200 CDs, there is no way to skip to a particular CD in a second. for e.g if you want to go to 100th CD, you have to cick 100 times to get to it in the list! Same thing goes for Artist, Album and track selection.
6) The playlist feature is not really good. You are stuck with UMusic and a very basic playlist option.
7) Editing feature is not really intutive. There is no way you can key in letters using the Remote controls number pad (such as the ones you have with Cellphones. Each number will have 3 letters assigned to it etc...) There is no way to play and doublecheck the song while editing the title for a song/album. So, imagine yourself editing a bunch of songs with no preview!
Well the bottomline is that this pricy system is lacking so many basic features showing how Bose did not do a good job of focussing on usability. It is not just about the sound, the system should be functional too! I hope Bose realizes this soon! In any case Bose just lost their image as far as I am concerned!


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The exciting new Bose® Lifestyle® 38 features a unique uMusic™ intelligent playback system. Hundreds of your favorite CDs can be stored in the elegant music center. As you listen, the uMusic system "learns" which songs you like and which you don't, then intuitively selects what music you may want to hear next.

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Paradigm Cinema 90 CT 5.1 Home Theater Surround Sound System (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)This system is far better than any big-box brand name system I've listened to.
Before purchasing this system I auditioned a Sony Bravia system and one of Paradigm's upper end systems. The Sony system sounded small and tinny and the subwoofer shook the floor but didn't provide good sound. I couldn't tell if the Sony system really provided better sound than my television speakers. The Paradigm $3000 monitor system I listened to was excellent but I got cold feet at the last minute about the price tag and the additional space requirements of having big speakers in a small living room.
The Cinema speakers are small but they do not sound small and they don't take up much space in your living room or bedroom. If you have a huge room or a dedicated theater then you might want to invest more money in your speakers. However, if you want a terrific entry level system, this is a really good one that won't make you feel like you're missing out on something.
I'm very pleased with my purchase.

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6-Pc. Paradigm Cinema 90 CT 5.1 Compact Theater Surround Sound System. From the #1 Brand in Loudspeakers comes Cinema 90 CT 5.1 Compact Theater Surround Sound System for music, home theater and computer gaming. 2 Cinema satellite speakers, a center channel, 2 Cinema ADP surrounds boasting Paradigm\'s ADP (Adapted Dipole) technology for extraordinary surround performance (visit www.paradigm.com for more info on ADP technology) and a powerful subwoofer with 10˝ driver. Paradigm CT systems deliver Performance and Value like no conventional Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) system can! Buyer beware: Typical HTiB systems are all about price, not sound. Or even worse, expensive marketing hype and still not sound. When it comes to sound quality, those other systems simply cannot deliver. Paradigm Cinema CT\'s are all about performance. They deliver 5.1 audiophile-quality sound without sacrificing lifestyle size, good looks or a great price. They\'re every bit affordable as those other HTiB systems, but when it comes to performance, they leave conventional HTiB stuck in the box! Cinema CT systems integrate beautifully, delivering a seamless soundstage that brings movies and gaming to life and makes music sound \'live."Price/Value in Inside Track Annual Dealer Survey, an annual independent nationwide survey of consumer electronics specialist retailers and custom installers. Complete your home theater with Paradigm LS Stands for your Cinema 90\'s.About Paradigm. The Ultimate in Sound for Music and Home Theater. For over twenty-five years, Paradigm has set the standard for sonic excellence in every product category we offer. Our focus on providing the best in performance and value pushes the boundaries in speaker design. Stunning accuracy, a spacious soundstage with pinpoint localization, powerful, well-defined bass and thrilling dynamics are hallmarks of our advanced speaker designs. For more info on Paradigm products visit www.paradigm.com or contact us: +1 905 696 2842.

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Sony DAV-C900 DVD Dream System Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this machine for a little over six months. The sound is excellent, looks great. Great feature set for the money.
Lately, however, most dvds stop playing part way into the movie (CDs work fine). Only brand new discs play. I cleaned the player using a special dvd cleaner disc and this did not help.
Now I'm back to a $99 combination dvd/vhs player I bought last year which seems to play any dvd no matter how scratched or beat up.

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Sony's DAV-C900 DVD Dream System consists of six speakers and a 5-disc DVD/CD/SACD changer with 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter for a host of entertainment at your fingertips. It comes with a 2-way center speaker with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, 3-way surround speakers with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, and a subwoofer with an 8-inch driver. Listen to the difference our Digital Cinema Sound System makes as you immerse yourself in the magic of Sony DVD.
The DAV-C900 has 450 watts total system power, and offers built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic decoding. The Digital Cinema Sound system recreates the acoustics of Hollywood dubbing stages, and you'll be amazed by the Headphone Theater mode. The DAV-C900 also offers an AM/FM receiver with 30 presets (20 FM, 10 AM).
Tech Talk
Dolby Digital: This sound format for movie theaters is more advanced than Dolby Pro Logic Surround. In this format, the rear speakers output stereo sound with an expanded frequency range, and a subwoofer channel for deep bass is independently provided. This format is also called "5.1" because the subwoofer channel is counted as 0.1 channel (since it functions only when a deep bass effect is needed). All six channels in this format are recorded separately to realize superior channel separation. Furthermore, since all the signals are processed digitally, less signal degradation occurs.
Dolby Pro Logic Surround: As one method of decoding Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic Surround produces four channels from two-channel sound. Compared with the former Dolby Surround system, Dolby Pro Logic Surround reproduces left-to-right panning more naturally and localizes sounds more precisely. To take full advantage of Dolby Pro Logic, you should have one pair of rear speakers and a center speaker. The rear speakers' put out monaural sound.
DTS: Digital audio compression technology that Digital Theater Systems developed. This technology conforms to 5.1-channel surround. The rear channel is stereo and there is discrete subwoofer channel in this format. DTS provides the same 5.1 discrete channels on high quality digital audio. The good channel separation is realized because the all-channel data is recorded discrete and processed in digital.
SACD: Super Audio CD (SACD) is a high-resolution digital audio format that promises vast sonic improvements over the current audio CD format. Super Audio CD discs can be played back on dedicated Super Audio CD players or combination SACD/DVD-Video players. Certain SACD discs feature a conventional audio CD layer (hybrid SACDs) which can be played back by any CD player or computer with a CD-ROM drive.
What's in the Box DAV-C900 home theater receiver/DVD player, 5 speakers (2 front, 2 rear, and 1 center), 1 subwoofer, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, speaker cords, video cord, remote control (RM-SS900), 2 AA batteries, and printed installation instructions.

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Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System Review

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(More customer reviews)It's a crying shame that many people who plunk down their hard earned cash on a flat panel HDTV never bother to add a high quality sound system, or even attach a true high definition 1080i or 1080p source. Some are put off by the added expense, some by the complexity of setting it all up. Panasonic's SC-BT200 Blu-ray Home Theater system addresses all of these issues: it's inexpensive, easy to set up and offers full 1080p high definition Blu-ray playback with matching high definition surround sound. And I didn't even mention the integrated iPod dock or IPTV features! (OK, I did now).
This year's crop of Blu-ray HTiB (home theater in a box) systems from Panasonic, the SC-BT200 and its big brother the SC-BT300 have made big improvements over last year's more basic models, while lowering the cost of admission. The SC-BT200 under review here supports BD-Live (BD-ROM Profile 2.0), and offers excellent DVD upconversion as well as sweet sweet 1080p Blu-ray playback. If you like to get your content online, the built-in VIERA Cast feature allows you to view streaming videos from YouTube or Amazon, online photo albums from Picasa, stock quotes and local weather info. Also, almost unheard of at this price point, the BT200 and BT300 include on-board decoding of all the latest "HD" surround sound codecs, including multi-channel PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio.

And unlike similar systems from Samsung and others, the BT200 and BT300 come with 7.1 channels right out of the box for the most immersive surround experience. We were surprised how good these little speakers and their matching subwoofer sounded, considering how small they are. And in case set-up and calibration seems like too daunting a task, both systems come with color-coded speaker wires of varying length (10 feet for the fronts, 26 feet for the sides, 40 feet for the rears) to make it as easy as possible to connect all the speakers. and once they are all plugged in, you can use the included microphone and auto-calibration software to set all the speaker levels and delays automatically (it's like having a geeky friend come over with his sound meter, but without having to share your beer and pizza with him as payment).
As far as connections go, this really isn't an "A/V receiver," in fact the unit's receiver doesn't have any video inputs other than the integrated iPod dock. But if you have a Wii, PS3, XBox or HD cable or satellite box you can connect the video outputs of these to your TV directly and use one of the BT200's two analog or digital inputs for the sound. This means you can get true 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound from your cable, satellite or over the air HD tuners, in addition to the built in CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc player.
If you like to carry your music and iTunes videos around with you on an iPod, you'll love the integrated iPod dock which pops right out of the center of the BT200 or BT300's faceplate. While you're listening to your iTunes or watching iTunes videos on your big screen (and controlling all the action with the BT200's remote), your iPod is replenishing its internal battery with the built-in charger. As far as iPod compatibility, the BT200 will work with pretty much any iPod other than the shuffle with its non-standard pin outs. The iPhone is not officially certified, but if you put it in "airplane" mode, it will work fine with the BT200.
The system does have some limitations: there's only so loud and so deep you can get with a sub-$500 system, and some of the video processing (including noise reduction) is weaker than in Panasonic's standalone Blu-ray players. But for its price, the BT200 offers an impressive mix of performance, features and convenience. Highly recommended!
BTW, if you want something with a little more power, the SC-BT300 offers slightly higher power output, and larger, more powerful speakers for the front left, right and center channels.
A complete review of the SC-BT200 is available on Big Picture Big Sound (dot com).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 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-BT200 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-BT200 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-BT200 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.

Click here for more information about Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System

Monster THX Select Certified Tower Speaker- Cherry (THX SL200-TWR) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You'll note that the manufacturer devotes a bit of space to bragging on how good looking these things are. O.K. How about a photo depicting a little more than just one of the woofers then? Just curious.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Monster THX Select Certified Tower Speaker- Cherry (THX SL200-TWR)

Bring the Movie Theater Experience Home. Tower speakers surround you with high-resolution sound. Nothing brings friends and family together like home theater. And theres no better way to share your favorite movies than in the comfort of your own home with intense, powerful sound that brings it all to life. Working within Monsters innovative line of high-performance THX Select home theater speakers, Monster Towers operate as left and right, front and rear full-range channels to deliver intense, 5.1 surround sound audio while complementing your existing dcor. Advanced engineering delivers full-range audio in one sleek unit.From the detailed highs of phaser fire to the thunderous lows of a dinosaurs roar, Monster Towers reproduce mid-range, high, and low frequencies for incredibly realistic sound with a wider soundstage and deeper bass extension. Monster spent countless hours of critical listening to ensure designs met stringent Monster standards for audio quality and could surpass requirements for THX Select certification. A Neodymium silk dome tweeter draws you in, while three 7 Kevlar drivers seduce you with sound so staggering you my never leave the couch. Classic visual details complement your existing dcor.Say goodbye to the aesthetically-offensive black box. Monster Towers look as stunning as they sound. Streamlined designs feature curved lines, black accents and a high-gloss deep cherry or piano black finish to complement your dcor. Designed to coordinate beautifully with THX Select Monster Monitors, Bass Modules, Dipoles and Subwoofers, as well as MDesign Cinerama Component Centers, they create a stylish, integrated home theater ensemble your family will love. Powerful performance. Beautiful presentation. Innovative design.

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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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Samsung HT-TZ522 - Home theater system - 5.1 channel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am very pleased with this product. I have had several home theater systems and I have to say that the sound from this one is beyond compare! The auto sound adjust is awesome and makes the sound perfect no matter where you are sitting. It has a microphone you place beside you wherever you are sitting and it automatically adjusts the speaker volumes. It just blows me away every time I sit down to watch TV. The sound is amazing, the sub really kicks out deep bass, its looks great and the picture is crystal clear from the TV and the DVD. The rear wireless has been flawless, microwave, cordles phone does not interfere with it at all. I have this system in a medium room and it sounds wonderful. It has a 5 dvd/cd changer, am/fm tuner, ipod cradle included, input in front for headphones and mp3 player, hdmi, component, composite video out and coaxil and optical input also. You just can't beat this for the price!!!!!!! Enjoy it when you purchase your's!!

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Take your TV and movie viewing experience to the next level with the HT-TZ522. This high output 1000 watts, 5.1 channel surround system includes 2 powerful tall-standing front speakers and 1080p DVD up-conversion for an impressive home theatre experience. The HT-TZ322 also supports CD's, FM radio, DivX, MP3 and includes an iPod / iPhone docking cradle providing a full multimedia solution for all your audio and video needs. * Wireless Rear included * iPod connectivity compatible * Anynet Plus (HDMI-CEC): allows peripheral AV devices such as a Home Theater to be controlled by a Samsung TV remote control * Energy Star Compliant reduces energy consumption * NTSC * Video Up-Scale * Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) * DSP: 8 * Power Bass * Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic-II and DTS Decoders * FM tuner * USB Host Play: you don't need to burn CDsor DVDs to enjoy music, video clips or photos on your home theater systemjust plug a portable digital device into the USB port for instant entertainment * Total power output: 1200W * KELP cone center speaker * KELP cone front * Tallboy * Component video out: 1 * Composite video out: 1 * HDMI-CEC out: 1 * Audio in: aux1/aux2 * Headphone * Wireless Module * Dimensions: 23.46" x 22.68" x 18.43" * Weight: 55.11 lbs.

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Philips HTS3544 Home Theater System with iPod Connectivity (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Philips HTS3555 is a great system. I have the HTS3544 which is basically the same system. It gets great sound and I've had this for a few months and I just discovered the best feature about it : It can be an all region dvd player. Here is what to do : 1. Turn on system and go to DVD mode 2. Open dvd tray 3. using remote, press Stop, 7, 3, 4, 4, 6, and 6. At bottom left of screen, you'll see "region : 1" press 0. Now you've got an all region dvd player. My Model Number is HTS3544, and this one is HTS3555 and even though they are the same system, they still contain different model numbers. So, I went to my Local store, who has HTS3555 (this one I am writing a review on) on display with a remote. I tried this code out and it works on HTS3555 as well. HTS3555 and HTS3544 are basically the exact same system just with 2 different model numbers. Anyways, this is a great home theater system.

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The ultimate in both style and performance, the Philips HTS3544 Home Theater System pumps out 1000 total watts of Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II, and DTS surround-sound to deliver a truly theater-like audio/video experience.The progressive-scan DVD player upconverts to 1080i HD resolution and also plays DivX encoded media files on a variety of media formats.It also features a docking cradle that both plays and charges iPod and GoGear media players, as well as USB Direct connectivity that displays photos and plays music directly from USB flash drives.

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