High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition + Digital Copy + DVD and BD Live) (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The movie is truly amazing! (And it`s an extended edition!) Anyone who liked the first two will literally fall in love with this one! I think that even if you didn't see the first two, you will like this one because of what it talks about. This movie is about something we all go through: saying good-bye to our friends after high school. Addiotionally, it's nice to see ateen movie that doesn't revolve around sex, drugs, violence, and profanity.
The East High Wildcats decide to put on their final show together at their school: a musical about their twelfth grade experience. It'll be a pretty unique musical because, for once, they won't have to play a character - they'll be playing themselves! But due to her incredible intelligence, Gabriella, the female protagonist, is offered to skip her senior year in high school and go to straight onto college right away. Will she accept Standard's offer, leaving her friends, boyfriend, and the musical behind? Will Troy, the male protagonist, chose to continue with basketball or will he chose a career than involves acting? Will Sharpay win a scholarship to New York's Julliard University of Performing Arts or will her brother? Will Ryan and Kelsi find true love? Find out in this exciting conclusion to one of the world's greatest film series! The only good thing recently produced by the screwed-up Disney Channel! Yes I hate Disney Channel, Hannah Montana, Cory in the House, Jonas Brothers, and all of the other inappropriate teen shows they've decided to put on a children's channel. But High School Musical is different. It teaches both kids and teens a valuable lesson and it allows adults to revisit their past. The plot is actually relevant to what many people feel and...it's a teenage musical! You don't see something like that everyday! Just watching Troy and Gabriella perform a beautiful waltz is reason enough to buy this film. Also, the old fashioned music at the end proves that rap, hip hop, and pop isn't always what you'll see in a teenage film.
The songs are as original, catchy, and wonderful as they are visually stunning! During "Scream," the turning walls that represent Troy's confusion are spectacular! The disappearing pictures on the wall in Gabriella's solo "Walk Away" were really quite sad. The Statue of Liberty that shoots fireworks out of its head in "I Want It All" is amazing. The sets in "A Night To Remember" will leave you with your mouth wide open. "Right Here Right Now," "Can I Have This Dance," and "Just Wanna Be With You" are three incredible romance songs. And, of course, Troy and Chad turning into little boys in "The Boys Are Back" was really cute. That reminds, "Right Here Right Now" and "The Boys Are Back" are so of my favorites because of what they talk about: not wanting to grow up. Anyway, n case you forgot or are too lazy to read the customer reviews for the HSM3 soundtrack, here are the songs:
1. "Now Or Never" - Troy and the Wildcats basketball team
2. "Right Here, Right Now" - Troy and Gabriella
3. "I Want It All" - Sharpay and Ryan [A TRUE BROADWAY SONG!]
4. "Can I Have This Dance? (Version I)" - Troy and Gabriella
5. "A Night To Remember" - cast!
6. "Just Wanna Be With You" - Ryan & Kelsi, Troy & Gabriella
7. "The Boys Are Back" - Troy and Chad
8. "Walk Away" - Gasbriella
9. "Scream" - Troy
10. "Can I Have This Dance? (Version II)" - Troy and Gabriella
11. "Senior Year Spring Musical" ***made up of reprises of NOW OR NEVER (Chad, the Wildcats basket team, cheerleaders), I WANT IT ALL (Ryan), JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU (Sharpay & Jimmy, and later Troy and Gabriella), and A Night To Remember (Sharpay vs. Tiara), as well as a new song: Last Chance (Ryan and Kelsi)***
12. "We're All In This Together" - cast!
13. "High School Musical" - cast!
14. "Just Getting Started" - during the end credits, winner of the Get In The Picture ABC7 contest
By the way, during the "I Want It All," you actually see Gabriella The Maid a bit more than you did in the theaters because you see that part of the song in a different camera angle than you did in theaters. That also lets you see an important-looking lady giving Ryan a newspaper with him and Sharpay on the cover. This is not due to the extended edition thing because the song is the same length, but, like I said, the camera angle is different so you see more things.
The special features on this Blu-ray are freakin' cool! Even though it's a single disc release, it has the exact same content found on the Two-Disc release, plus more! These are the Special Features (the last two aren't found on the two-disc release).
-- Extended Version Of The Movie
-- Optional Sing Along Version
-- Bloopers
-- Deleted Scenes
-- "Cast Goodbyes" feature
-- "Night Of Nights" feature
-- "It's All In The Dress" feature
-- "Senior Awards" feature
-- New Cast Profiles
In addition, just like in the Two-Disc release, you can download a digital copy of the movie. And as if that weren't enough, it comes with the first disc of the Two-Disc Edition!!!!! Now you can watch the movie practically anywhere because you have the regular version as well as the Blu-ray version!!!! What do you know, it is a two disc after all. ^_^

Click Here to see more reviews about: High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition + Digital Copy + DVD and BD Live) (2008)

It's time to celebrate as Disney's phenomenal High School Musical hits new heights in High School Musical 3: Senior Year! Fresh from the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers non-stop entertainment from start to finish! It's almost graduation day for high school seniors Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Chad, Ryan and Taylor - and the thought of heading off in separate directions after leaving East High has these Wildcats thinking they need to do something they ll remember forever. Together with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical reflecting their hopes and fears about the future and their unforgettable experiences growing up together. But with graduation approaching and college plans in question, what will become of the dreams, romances, and friendships of East High's senior Wilcats?Find out what happens to all your favorite characters in the big screen musical sensation, High School Musical 3: Senior Year! It s a fabulous celebration the whole family will love! Disc 1:
Includes extended version of the movie and all of the bonus features from the 2-Disc DVD
Plus, Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features including: Senior Awards, New Cast Profiles, BD Live (includes BD Live Photo Feature)
Disc 2:
DisneyFile Digital Download Copy Disc: Watch your DVD disc in the living room and your DisneyFile digital copy on the go
Disc 3:
DVD copy of the Extended Movie
Special Features: *Extended Version of the Movie *Cast Goodbyes *Bloopers *Deleted Scenese *Night of Nights *It's All in a Dress *Sing-Along Mode *Senior Awards *New Cast Profiles

Get 57% OFF

Click here for more information about High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Deluxe Extended Edition + Digital Copy + DVD and BD Live) (2008)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The impression that "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" gives is that it's a bubbly, bright, and--for all intents and purposes--meaningless sequel to the first film. To my relief, it follows the example set by its predecessor, a surprisingly levelheaded friendship story. Four years after discovering a magically fitting pair of jeans, best friends Tibby Tomko-Rollins (Amber Tamblyn), Carmen Lowell (America Ferrera), Lena Kaligaris (Alexis Bledel), and Bridget Vreeland (Blake Lively) have returned for a second chapter that remains on perfectly equal ground with the first, focusing on coming-of-age issues like maturity, self-discovery, family, and love. Unoriginal ideas? Maybe so, but that doesn't mean they're any less effective. If anything, they make the film's message that much clearer. It helps that many of the girls' problems are based in reality--high school issues, like being pretty and popular, are pushed aside in favor of adult issues, like pregnancy scares and family crises.
If there's anything we learned from the first film, it's that the magic of the titular jeans was symbolic; by in large, the girls worked through their own ups and downs on their own, with no miraculous intervention other than their friendship with one another. We learn pretty much the same thing in this film, which sees each character facing new, more mature challenges. Let's begin with Carmen, who doubles as the film's bookend narrator. She now attends Yale, working as a stagehand for the theatre department. Her mother (Rachel Ticotin) has since remarried and is now pregnant with her second child. When Carmen's hopes of spending the summer with her friends are dashed, she decides to join a Shakespearian theater company in Vermont with a prima donna named Julia (Rachel Nichols). Once there, a British actor named Ian (Tom Wisdom) coaxes Carmen into auditioning for "A Winter's Tale"; to her shock--and to Julia's horror--she's cast as Perdita. As rehearsals continue, she begins to fall in love with Ian.
Next, there's Bridget, who plays Soccer at Brown University. Lately, her interests have shifted to archeology. While on an expedition in Turkey, her instructor, Professor Nasrin Mehani (Shohreh Aghdashloo), opens her eyes to the fact that she's only running away from her past. Bridget, it seems, is still haunted by the suicide of her mother. And her relationship with her father (Ernie Lively) is worse than ever; before leaving for Turkey, she discovered a box full of letters her grandmother had written her, letters her father wanted to keep hidden. Returning to the United States, Bridget takes a bus to Alabama and finally meets her grandmother, Greta (Blythe Danner), an accommodating woman with a matter-of-fact outlook on everything, including her daughter's mental illness.
The next in line is Tibby, who continues to pursue her filmmaking dreams at NYU. Forced to stay in New York for the summer to rewrite her screenplay, she gets a job at a local video store. She's now dating Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam), who was introduced in the first film as the "Dragon's Lair" champion. When their relationship is threatened (for reasons I won't reveal), Tibby begins to wonder if she was meant for happiness. She does put up a wall every time she gets close to someone, and that's because, deep down, she believes that those you love the most will eventually abandon you. Her attempts to get sympathy from Carmen are flatly rejected; she doesn't appreciate how uncommunicative Tibby has been all summer.
Finally, there's Lena, who attends an art college in Rhode Island on a scholarship. Heartbroken after breaking up with her Greek boyfriend, Kostos (Michael Rady), she reverts to her old timid ways. She then meets Leo (Jesse Williams), the male model hired to pose nude in her art classes. It isn't long before they fall in love, although we suspect it's for all the wrong reasons. All she really knows about Leo is that he's a nice guy, and he's incredibly handsome. But does she know what she wants out of life? Does she even know who she is? How can know she when she's torn between two men?
Naturally, the pants themselves have to play a part in this story, and indeed, they're continually FedEx-ed from friend to friend. The question is: Do any of them need the pants anymore? You'd think that, at this point, a pair of old jeans traveling the world would reveal itself as a big metaphor. They may realize that by the time the film ends. I'm not entirely sure, though.
Moments of this movie are perhaps a little too sentimental, and the general plot may be a little too formulaic. At times, the dialogue is a bit contrived. Consider this conversation: When Tibby says drearily, "I suck at relationships. I should have been a guy," Lena calmly responds, "A guy wouldn't care about sucking at relationships." Only best friends in a coming-of-age story could get away with lines like that. Then again, I never expected a reinvention of the wheel. Movies like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2"--and its predecessor--are aimed at a very specific audience, namely teenage girls; if they can get something out of it other than the sight of four young women looking pretty, if they can leave the theater understanding the more complex aspects of the story, then the filmmakers can include all the predictable dialogue they want. I think this movie will get the job done, not merely for teenage girls, but for anyone open to the idea.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 - Blu-Ray Movi

Get 47% OFF

Click here for more information about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas - A New Day (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)That Celine Dion is one of the most generous and sincere artists in music today is pretty well-known. While she has taken a beating from the media and from detractors for being over-the-top in some of her vocals, a bit too dorky in her performances and in interviews, she has remained (sans the chest-beating) true to herself and to the music and fans that made her famous.
This DVD set is not only for those who saw the show and want a copy of it to remember, or for those who didn't get to see it and wanted to, but it really feels first and foremost like a gift to her die-hard fans. Most others wouldn't care for the extended amount of footage (over 3 hours worth) dedicated to the trivia about the show, its creation, execution and evolution over the past four years.
I did see the show twice in 2003, and feel that the DVD does a wonderful job of recreating the experience, but if you didn't get to Vegas and sit in the theater that was specifically built for this show, it's not the same.
A couple of other differences for those who saw the show: Nature Boy was omitted as the opening and swapped out for the more appropriate "A New Day Has Come" .. I always thought it was odd that the title song from the show was not sung back in 2003. Also removed is the tacky and ill-fitting cover of "Fever", but added in are "Love Can Move Mountains" (one of my favorites of hers of all time) and "River Deep, Mountain High" in full Tina Turner Tribute mode.
I do regret the omission of two of my personal favorite songs from the shows I saw in 2003 - Je'taime Encore (I Love You Still), one of her most haunting French-language songs she's ever recorded, and the show-ending "What a Wonderful World" that, as she sang it, had black and white photos of people from the audience on the giant LCD screen behind her. It was a touching and intimate way to end a very theatrical production. You CAN, however, get both of the audio recordings of these two songs on the live CD of the show that was released a few years back.
The fan tribute on here, while often cheesy, is also an endearing look at some of her biggest fans. That Celine was gracious and kind as she met personally with them all, moved to tears by some of their personal 'thank you's to her, underscores the grace and humility that accompanies the great gift of song she received.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas - A New Day (2008)

An unprecedented 5 year run! More than 700 sold out shows! 3 million spectators! Everything about the record -breaking show that changed the history of entertainment scene in Las Vegas! This 2 setBlu-ray Disc includes Celine Dion's show in the colosseum at Caesars Palace and three exclusive documentaries: Travel to Las Vegas with the fans- join Celine at home, in her car, in her dressing room and even backstage - find out all the secrets of "A New Day" More Than 5 hours of Never Before Seen Footage Blu-ray Disc Trackslisting: 1.A New Day Has Come 2.The Power Of Love 3.It's All Coming Back To Me Now 4.Because You Loved Me 5.To Love You More 6.I'm Alive 7.I Drove All Night 8.Seduces Me 9.If I Could 10.Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore 11.I Surrender 12.Ammore Annascunnuto 13.All The Way 14.I've Got The World On A String 15.I Wish 16.Love Can Move Mountains 17.River Deep, Mountain High 18.My Heart Will Go On Disc 1 The Concert (93 minutes)Because You Loved Me - A Tribute to The Fans (41 minutes) Disc 2 A New Day: All Access (120 minutes) A New Day: The Secrets (53 minutes) Video/Audio:Mastered in High Definition PCM (uncompressed) Stereo (48kHz/24bit) Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound (96 kHz/24bit) Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (448kbps)

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas - A New Day (2008)

Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Im an dedicated reader of "Home Theater" magazine and they wrote an article for this BD. So being the enthusiast I am, I purchased this BD with in minutes of reading the article. I'm glad it did! Spears & Munsil have definitely set the standard for HDTV calibration. I have used other cal BD's and they were great, but none come close to this one. The BD offers a array of test patterns to calibrate/adjust your TV. It even prove that my TV "Cine-motion" feature was better turn "off". They are also video in 7.1 Dolby HD and DSP HD to test your surround speakers. They dont offer test tones, thats my only complaint. But don't let that stop you from getting this BD. I'm still a fan of ISF calibrations, but if you don't have $400.00 to invest in a full "ISF" cal, then I would highly suggest you buy this BD.
Sony XBR6 52" is perfect after Spears & Munsil.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition

Stacey Spears and Don Munsil, who created the highly-regarded DVD Player BenchmarkTM and Progressive Scan Shootout at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity®, have applied all their technical wizardry to this Blu-ray test and evaluation disc. "The static test patterns represent the current state-of-the-art. They are more accurate than the test patterns found on previous discs. There are a lot of subtle details that go into making them as mathematically accurate as possible, especially since you are dealing with lossy encoding. We have built propriety tools to generate the synthetic patterns. We use a custom encoder that will preserve as much detail as possible. Even the simple color bars have unique traits that make them cleaner. - Stacey Spears, author of the disc" [Picture Quality Calibration and Evaluation Tool for Displays, Blu-ray Players and Video Processors] (IMPORTANT NOTICE: This disc is a high-definition disc and is compatible only with Blu-ray players. It will not play on a standard DVD player.)

Click here for more information about Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc Edition

X Rocker Pro Series Pedestal, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This gaming chair is one of the more comfortable ones I have tried over the years. Setup took a few minutes to insert all the bolts in the frame and arms, but it was simple enough. I hooked up the wireless transmitter to my LCD TV's Audio Output through a stereo splitter also used for my external speakers. Plugged in the chair, flipped the chair's wireless receiver switch to pick up the transmitter, turned it all on, and sat down. The sound is great, when you hear someone talk it's like they're right there with you. The vibration is a nice added feature, although you have to have the chair at a high volume to feel it. Long exposure to sound levels that activate the vibration can be a bit deafening, but honestly i'ts fun to rock out listening to a few tracks. Added ports are for headphones and a mp3 hookup which is nice; no delay was detected with wireless transmitter as well. I would recommend it to a friend.
-Pros-
Awesome Sound & Vibration
Comfortable, Keeps Good Posture
Easy Setup
-Cons-
Leaning back is very limited
No power charger included for transmitter
Arms are of lesser quality

Click Here to see more reviews about: X Rocker Pro Series Pedestal, Black

You'll love the comfort and sound immersion of the the X Rocker Series Pro Pedestal. This form-fitting chair is great for gaming, reading and watching TV.X Rocker Pro Series Pedestal, Black:

Get 44% OFF

Click here for more information about X Rocker Pro Series Pedestal, Black

Optoma BG-ZD101 DLP Link 3D Glasses with 3 Interchangeable Nose Pieces (Red) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was skeptical at first to get this, but it worked out great. These glasses are best to use with the 3D ready DLP HDTVs. They don't require a separate ER emitter. The glasses sync up to the TV, using the TV's DLP-Link function, without an IR emitter. I have a Samsung HL67A750 TV with a Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Blu-Ray DVD player. Panasonic is the only one that you can set up to play in a checkerboard format. Samsung players do not work in this format.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Optoma BG-ZD101 DLP Link 3D Glasses with 3 Interchangeable Nose Pieces (Red)

Turn your PC experience into a stunning stereoscopic 3D experience with Optoma ZD101 DLP Link 3D Glasses. These glasse are compatible with the following Optoma 3D enabled projectors: Pro350, HD66, GT360, GT700

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Optoma BG-ZD101 DLP Link 3D Glasses with 3 Interchangeable Nose Pieces (Red)

ADVANCED HDMI Standard 1.3a Cable (15ft) HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL INTERCONNECT VIDEO CABLE Supports: 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, HDMI Category 2 Certified. X.V. Color Sony PlayStation 3, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blue-Ray HD DVD, and HD-DVD Certified, Shipped via Monster-Cable-N-More Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Good cable, Fast shipping. Don't pay 30+ dollars for an hdmi cable that says made for PS3 or gold plated or made by aliens in space, does not matter. This gets the job done on the cheap and gives me perfect picture. good buy. And like I said fast shipping i live in South Korea and it took a little over a week.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ADVANCED HDMI Standard 1.3a Cable (15ft) HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL INTERCONNECT VIDEO CABLE Supports: 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, HDMI Category 2 Certified. X.V. Color Sony PlayStation 3, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blue-Ray HD DVD, and HD-DVD Certified, Shipped via Monster-Cable-N-More

This HDMI cable is your link to pulse-pounding HD gaming on your high definition home theater. Whether you're in the center of the action or watching a 1080p DVD on your gaming console, our cable boosts the bandwidth for ultra-accurate digital signal transfer. That means you're not just playing, you're in the game. Graphics are sharper and more detailed, colors are richer and more lifelike, and sounds are bigger and bolder. Bring the experience to life with our highest quality HDMI Cable! Comparable to the Monster Cable brand MC800hd. This cable meets their exact requirements for data and digital sound/video but does not have the fancy coloring or cable end it also have Ferrite Cores to Better protect against High Frequencys. Performance is performance and we don't like to overcharge $100 or more for "looks." This cable comes sealed in the manufacturer's sealed plastic bag, no fancy packaging necessary to charge you more for. Also available in a 3ft, 6ft & 10ft edition.

Get 89% OFF

Click here for more information about ADVANCED HDMI Standard 1.3a Cable (15ft) HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL INTERCONNECT VIDEO CABLE Supports: 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, HDMI Category 2 Certified. X.V. Color Sony PlayStation 3, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blue-Ray HD DVD, and HD-DVD Certified, Shipped via Monster-Cable-N-More

Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not bad. No subwoofer but I don't even like subs that much. When 1st plugged into sound card (creative SB AUD2 NX) the sound was muddled. But if you tweak with the graphic equilizer on the sound card and the tone control utility. you could make it sound clear. Im doing that now as I write, haven't found the perfect combination yet, so that's one of the hassle for it (ie. it doesn't have a tone adjustment knob on the headset, you need to tweak the equilizer). Another bad thing is it doesn't have a volume control knob either, but you could solve that easily by tweaking the master volume on sound card. That's why I'm giving it a 4, the hassles of finding the perfect combination of tone and volume, detracts from its enjoyment (but once you get it right, its awesome).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones

5.1 Channel Equivalent 6 speaker real surround sound headphones.Electro Dynamic Round Type Micro Speaker. Frequency Response - 50Hz 20KHz (Extension Effective).

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 surround sound headphones

Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 THX Home Theater Entertainment System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this product about 3 weeks ago, and have now come to fully experience what it can do. It is a wonderful piece of equipment that is worth the money.
Pros:
The system is cost effective. For the money, you get a very good system. Sure, it's not as good as one that costs several thousand dollars, but it's much better than the standard HTIB you can find at a retail store. Remember, you always get what you pay for. If you want a cheap system that will need to be replaced often, this system is not for you. However, if you are like me and are just looking for a good system that's not going to break the bank, consider this as one of your options.
The system is also easy to set up. It comes with color coded wires and connections. The back of the receiver has all speaker connections color coded, and the colors match the wires and speaker terminals. Also, unlike most HTIB systems, the surround wires are long enough to support the room size this system was designed for. Remember, this is not a THX Select or Ultra system. It's not designed to play in large spaces (Select is for 2000 cubic feet, a 250 square foot room with an 8 foot ceiling; Ultra is for 3000+ cubic feet, about a 375 square foot room with an 8 foot ceiling). This system is designed for a smaller room (such as an apartment or small home). My living room is about 170 square feet (I live in an apartment).
The system is also easy to use. Just a glance at the user's manual will let you navigate through the configuration menu with no problems. Unlike other HTIB systems I have seen, the speaker distance is fully configurable, in standard or metric units. Other systems I have seen do not understand that your front speakers might be closer than your rear speakers. Instead, they would assume that this could not be possible, so if your application called for a front speaker distance of 7 feet, and a rear speaker distance of 10 feet, the receiver could not configure it. Therefore, the system did not sound correct unless you rearranged the room, or knock down walls. This system allows you to input any variation of measurements, but it's always in feet or meters. For once, I would like to see a system that had precise control of the delay, to the inch. 6 inches difference is about 0.5 milliseconds. Even though it's a small number, it seems as if the front soundstage is drastically different with differences as small as an inch between the FL/FR and center channels.
Cons:
Receiver does not support HDMI. This is both a pro and a con. First, I priced a Monster HDMI cable. There was one cable at Best Buy for $80. The good stuff started at $120. I didn't even look for anything THX certified. On the other hand, you can get a THX certified Component Video set for about $40, and a THX certified optical audio cable for about $38. From other reviews I have read, there is no noticeable difference between using HDMI and component connections.
Another con is that THX specifications call for a dipole side surround speaker, where as this system comes with a monopole side surround speaker. The side surrounds appear to be the exact same as the back surrounds. THX calls for monopole back surrounds and dipole side surrounds. This can make a difference in how enveloping the surround information is. Even though this system has monopole side surrounds, the surround effect is enveloping, but I've seen $10,000 setups that sounded much better. And this system doesn't cost $10,000 does it?
Yet another con has to do with the crossover point of the system. Ideally, you want all frequencies to blend together properly. In my setup, when using the THX demo disk, I notice a slight dip in bass output when transitioning from the main speakers to the subwoofer, then the subwoofer picks up the volume to normal as the frequency decreases. Now I'm sure I could compensate for this by spending thousands of dollars treating my room structures, purchasing equalizers, and moving the subwoofer around...but I don't want to do that...and probably neither do you. The system does not give perfectly flat response, but is withing 6 dB all the way through the transition. Also, the subwoofer is not the best suited for music. I cannot tell what class box is used (I don't want to take it apart), but it lacks the impact of a sealed box, and acts more like a vented or bandpass box. It delivers a rumbling impact when watching movies, but lacks accuracy for music reproduction. It seems as if there is a very sharp curve as the frequency gets lower, similar to a bandpass box. Listen for yourself and see what you think. Be sure to use music that has various bass frequencies.
Overall, I say this is a 4 out of 5. For those of you that want a dedicated movie theater in your house, this system is probably too small for you. For the rest of us, this is a great solution. It's an entry level high end home theater system, and the best HTIB on the market today. If you are considering going with something cheaper, consider this: This system comes with everything you need to play every audio format widely used today. It does both Dolby Digital and DTS, and adds THX to both standards (you can also listen in the native format being broadcast, with no THX). You can play this system in 2.1, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 configurations, and comes with everything necessary to matrix stereo signals into all configurations, as well as matrix 5.1 signals into 6.1 or 7.1. Basically, it's a one-stop-shop. It's one system, in one box, that plays everything. I think that's why it was designed. Maybe more consumers buy HTIB systems rather than seperate components. As far as value, I'm sure if you shop around, you might find a better seperate component system for the same money, or close to it. But what does the average consumer want? Simplicity. This one word best describes this system. Given proper speaker and seating arangements, the system does exactly what it was designed to do, yet it's simple. And what was it designed to do? Bring the movie theater experience to your living room. It does that, without any problems.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 THX Home Theater Entertainment System

The HT-S990THX is the first system to meet the parameters set by THX for overall system performance as opposed to separate loudspeaker and amplifier performance. In effect, the HT-S990THX represents a high-performance, powerful multichannel solution that combines the convenience of all-in-one systems with the performance of much higher priced separate components. With full THX processing capabilities-- THX ASA-derived playback modes (THX Cinema2, THX Music Mode, THX Games Mode)--you can be assured that this system brings out the full potential of surround sound for all entertainment options. Equally as important, Onkyo's Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT) gives the system a perfect base for stellar amplifier performance. Also, the HT-S990THX's compatibility with XM Satellite Radio and the iPod offers a completeness to this home entertainment system that has rarely been seen before.

Click here for more information about Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 THX Home Theater Entertainment System

Infocus Play Big IN72 480p DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Holy cow this was a great purchase. I use a digital projector in my living room as my "tv". When I went to replace my existing Infocus projector, I considered stepping up to the IN76. After all, the IN72 is just the current version of the model I already had, right? Well, ok, technically, that is true. But, wow is there a difference.
This model has really wonderful brightness and color. The difference between it and earlier models is truly striking. Since light pollution from the surrounding environment (windows, etc.) has been my only real complaint with digital projectors, the added brightness of this model has really made me fall in love with them all over again.
Additionally, the fans are so quiet that I did not even build a hush box for it. I couldn't find any fans that were more quiet.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Infocus Play Big IN72 480p DLP Home Theater Projector

The IN72 uses Pixelworks DNX video-processing technology to dramatically improve the quality of video by combining multiple enhancement techniques to deliver clear, natural-looking standard and high-definition images. DNX technology utilizes sophisticated digital video processing to deliver a lifelike picture every time. Enjoy setup in a snap with a simple keypad and a new, full-featured home entertainment remote control with patent-pending flashlight feature, direct source access, programmable presets and more. An icon-based menu allows you to quickly scroll and select your settings in your choice of 12 languages without interrupting the show. Five user-selectable video inputs enable impressive connectivity with a full range of devices, including VCRs, DVDs, component and RGB HDTVs and your game console of choice. The unique swivel base lets you set your IN72 conveniently on your coffee table or easily mount it on your ceiling.

Click here for more information about Infocus Play Big IN72 480p DLP Home Theater Projector

Monster MC 1000HD-4M Ultra-High Speed HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought three 1000HD cables in various lengths and they are very well made, and work as advertised.
Much of the commentary on these reviews leaves out an important factor in the "digital is digital" critiques. The specifications for HDMI include many levels of bandwidth that are required for various digital formats. HDMI is unique in that if a given cable (or any component) cannot deliver the full bandwidth for a given format (i.e. there are too many errors received) it automatically steps down to the next lower standard, until it gets to one where it gets error-free data. As a result, some users observe that they get a picture with a cheap cable. Most HDMI cable is adequate for what Cable TV boxes and up-sampled DVD's output, so this expensive wire may not add any value there.
The claims Monster makes on their website for what bandwidth is needed each format, however, are all correct and true to the standards documentation. For HDMI 1.3a, for example, to get Dolby TrueHD uncompressed audio, DTS Master Audio, and deep color video at 1080p, you need substantially more bandwidth than for a cable box with only Dolby Digital and 1080i. If you purchased new equipment that offers these highest resolution formats, I believe the guarantee that this cable exceeds the specified requirements is worth paying more to have.
I did not rate the product a "5" because it is ridiculously stiff, however, something that could well be improved at this price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Monster MC 1000HD-4M Ultra-High Speed HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters)

HDMI places incredible performance demands on your digital A/V connections. It requires a truly high-bandwidth cable that can deliver enormous amounts of digital data without bit-error and signal degradation. Monster has created the Advanced HDMI 1000HD Ultra-High Speed Cable for those who demand the best in high definition home theater--both now and in the future. This cable is ideal for larger HDTVs, advanced projectors, and high definition AV sources. Monster designs the most advanced HDMI cables and certifies their performance for future generations of products. If the performance capabilities of this cable are ever exceeded by future generations of HDMI, Monster will replace this cable at no charge--see product packaging for further details.

Click here for more information about Monster MC 1000HD-4M Ultra-High Speed HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters)

Mitsubishi HC5500 1080p LCD Home Theater Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this projector to replace a 6 year old Sharp 720p DLP projector. The primary reasons were the price, the $[...] rebate, and the excelent video processing chip (Reon-VX). The final straw that broke the camel's back was the fact the newer Blu-ray movies output 480P through the component video output (the Sharp didn't have HDMI).
Mine is hooked up using HDMI with Blu-ray and HD DVD players, projected to a 150" gray screen.
What can I say - the picture is excellent. The Sharp was incredible, and I would never have any complaints until I see in person what the 1080p projectors can do nowadays. It was immediately obvious this Mitsubishi has a sharper, more detailed, and better contrasted image. It has a slightly higher lumens output than the Sharp, and also better contrast.
Although the Sharp came very close to an average movie theater picture quality, this projector at the very least matches, and in many cases, exceed what one can see in an average theater. No complaints about the picture, but I am not some super-nitpicky videophile like some.
This projector has an electronic zoom/focus lens, so setting it up initially can be difficult. I made the mistake of hanging it up on the ceiling before making adjustments. The default zoom/focus levels made the picture extremely blurry, so I could not read the menu at all. It was also upside down for me, making things doubly difficult. I had to use the pictures of the menu in the manual in order to navigate around. Speaking of the manual -- it could use a lot of improvement (the section about the extra filter was buried in the back instead of the front, where there should be a series of steps detailing the initial setup). I just feel if it had a manual focus option, it would've cut my setup time by 75%.
To summarize, some things I wish this projector had:
- Manual zoom/focus option
- More brightness (lumens output). I have to to set the brightness to around 75% to see something to my liking.
- More intuitive menu structure
- Have more frequently used functions be on the remote vs. buried somewhere in the menus
- Better manual
I would've given this projector 4 stars, but given the incredible value (esp. with the rebate included), I think it deserves 5 stars.
Addendum: After poking around a little bit, it turns out there is another available rebate; this other one is $[...], but with a free lamp, which is most likely worth quite a bit more than $[...]. I chose the $[...]+lamp rebate instead...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mitsubishi HC5500 1080p LCD Home Theater Projector

Black reproduction is the key to stunning home theater and the HC5500 LCD projector brings more life to your screen with faster transitions between light and dark scenes and sharper overall details in dark areas. This portable home theater projector projects at a full HD(1920 x 1080) 1080p resolution. Digital video output gives you seamless performance with the Blu-ray 24P next generation optical disk. And a 1.2x powered zoom and focus lens lets you enjoy the big screen even in smaller spaces. Better Blacks Make A Better HD Projector:The HC5500 projector combines new features for faster sharper blacks the brightest whites and all the colors in between with amazing 15000:1 contrast. New LCD Projector Technology:The HC5500 HD projector is built with an advanced inorganic LCD panel and improved liquid crystal panel cooling efficiency. The result is an LCD panel that not only projects the sharpest images but is rated to last ten times as long as conventional organic LCD panels.

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Mitsubishi HC5500 1080p LCD Home Theater Projector

25 Foot Gold HDMI Male/Male Digital Audio/Video HDTV/Home Theater Cable Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Picture quality was great and the cost was most reasonable (under $20.00.) It was used to play movies from the computer to a plazma TV.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 25 Foot Gold HDMI Male/Male Digital Audio/Video HDTV/Home Theater Cable

Golden-Plated. Certified version 1.3b category 2. This is the newest and best digital video connection on the market. This cable will allow the transfer of digital audio and video in a single cable, permitting a less confusing mess of wires and a cleaner entertainment center. The HDMI connector is small, which makes it is ideal for installers and in-wall use. HDMI cables can be used with your HDTV's, DVD players, game consoles, cable and satellite set top boxes and DVRs.

Click here for more information about 25 Foot Gold HDMI Male/Male Digital Audio/Video HDTV/Home Theater Cable

Monster MCHDMIB-2M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (2 meters) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was really, really tired of wading through all the This one is good, this one sucks B.S. about HDMI cables. So when amazon sent me a message that these were on sale I went for it and bought a couple. I got them at a price I can live with and I don't have to worry about them falling apart on me. I would recommend them to anyone who was in my same boat (just got a high def tv and wanted to hook my ps3 up to it for blu-ray) and wanted something I would only have to buy once and not pay $50 at a local store.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Monster MCHDMIB-2M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (2 meters)

Monster quality for HDTV buyers on a budget! Monster Basic for HDMI is your affordable connection to thrilling high definition picture and sound. Ideal for today's entry-level HDTVs, upconverting DVD players, and HD cable/satellite receivers, it delivers lasting Monster quality and durability at a price that fits virtually any HD entertainment budget. Advanced connector and cable construction optimizes digital signal transfer for the sharp picture and rich, accurate color you expect from all your high definition components. Monster Basic for HDMI also delivers pure digital surround sound that completely envelops you in crystal clear audio for an incredible movie, music, and game experience. Even better, it's UL listed, certified to meet stringent quality standards. Monster Basic for HDMI is also CL-3 rated so it can be installed in-wall and completely hidden from view for clean, neat looking flatscreen TV installations.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Monster MCHDMIB-2M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (2 meters)

Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Processor Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are traveling, and you need something that can handle optical 7.1 channel audio, this is a fine item to bring along. It's a little smaller than a pack of smokes and can be run off of a usb to ac adapter. I live in a small apartment in Japan, so I don't have space for a huge sound system. Also, I suffer from insomnia, and sometimes I want to play a game or watch a movie late at night. This gadget allows me to hook up some good headphones and enjoy my movies and games without being a pain to my roommates or neighbors.
It's also worth noting that the surround sound, even on standard headphones, is remarkably well-done. I have been testing it with Metal Gear Solid 4 on my ps3, which I connected to the unit with an optical cable. I'm hearing things I never noticed before in the game, and I really can sense the location of enemies and other things by sound alone with this device.
I think audiophiles would prefer other DACs for listening to cds or lossless music, but if you want a surround sound system that can fit in your pocket or go with you on a trip, or want to be able to listen to surround sound without disturbing your neighbors or flatmates, this is what you've been waiting for.
My only other suggestion is to use good headphones with this unit. It'll work with whatever you hook into it, but better headphones will reveal the high-quality bass, mid, and treble sound that this unit produces.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Processor

The Ear Force DSS 7.1 channel Dolby surround sound processor transforms any stereo headset into full, immersive surround sound for playing Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or PC games and watching movies with Blu-ray or DVD players. It works with any set of stereo headphones and is the perfect complement to the Turtle Beach Ear Force series of stereo gaming headsets (X31, X11, XLC, Z1, Z2 and PX21). The optical digital input easily connects to a game console or media player for Dolby 7.1 channel surround sound and the analog input can also be used to upgrade analog stereo audio sources to Dolby Pro Logic IIx for virtual surround sound. A bass boost control adds sub-woofer effects for enhanced realism to any audio source.With the Ear Force DSS, video game and movie fans will be able to hear distinct audio events happening all around them, greatly enhancing the overall experience and rewarding gamers with a newfound competitive edge. DSS users playing games and watching movies on their game consoles will actually hear the 7.1 surround sound from certain 5.1 channel audio tracks via additional "hidden" channels called Dolby EX.

Get 19% OFF

Click here for more information about Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Processor

Monster MCHDMIB-4M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was really, really tired of wading through all the This one is good, this one sucks B.S. about HDMI cables. So when amazon sent me a message that these were on sale I went for it and bought a couple. I got them at a price I can live with and I don't have to worry about them falling apart on me. I would recommend them to anyone who was in my same boat (just got a high def tv and wanted to hook my ps3 up to it for blu-ray) and wanted something I would only have to buy once and not pay $50 at a local store.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Monster MCHDMIB-4M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters)

Monster quality for HDTV buyers on a budget! Monster Basic for HDMI is your affordable connection to thrilling high definition picture and sound. Ideal for today's entry-level HDTVs, upconverting DVD players, and HD cable/satellite receivers, it delivers lasting Monster quality and durability at a price that fits virtually any HD entertainment budget. Advanced connector and cable construction optimizes digital signal transfer for the sharp picture and rich, accurate color you expect from all your high definition components. Monster Basic for HDMI also delivers pure digital surround sound that completely envelops you in crystal clear audio for an incredible movie, music, and game experience. Even better, it's UL listed, certified to meet stringent quality standards. Monster Basic for HDMI is also CL-3 rated so it can be installed in-wall and completely hidden from view for clean, neat looking flatscreen TV installations.

Get 38% OFF

Click here for more information about Monster MCHDMIB-4M Basic HDTV HDMI Cable (4 meters)

Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own a new 40" Sony Bravia LCD that I hooked this system up to. I was very impressed with its sound and its wide range of features for the price! However, there were a couple areas that I feel need to be addressed.
PROS:
- Excellent sound, especially the Movie DCS mode which adds a ton of depth to any movie
- Easy setup
- Excellent integration with a Sony TV. I can fully control my LCD from the receiver remote after hooking up the HDMI cables.
- Full HDMI switching makes initial connection and switching between sources a snap. I can switch between cable and my PS3 with 1 button.
- Wide range of format handling, including Linear PCM.
- Wide range of sound modes.
- No color distortion issues when switching between HDMI sources. This seemed to be a problem in older models.
CONS:
- I found the bass to be a little lacking due to the fact that the subwoofer is passive. I swapped the included one out with this: Yamaha YST-SW216BL Advanced YST II Front-Firing Active Subwoofer and it brought the sound to a whole new level!
- Uses proprietary speaker wire connections. Sony makes it very hard to swap the subwoofer like I described previously because the receiver uses proprietary plugs for the speakers instead of generic speaker wire attachments. The system comes with 4 thin speaker wires with plugs to the receiver on one end, and bare wire on the other to hook up to the satellite speakers. However, the subwoofer's is HARD WIRED, so it can't be detached at all. What's worse is that Sony only sells their speaker wires in packs of 5, for a whopping $55.
To use my new subwoofer, I simply found an aftermarket plug with a small length of wire on eBay, spliced it with some standard 18 gauge wire of my own and hooked it up to my new sub. Voila, it worked like a charm.
OVERALL:
Out of the box, the system is a solid 4/5. With a powered subwoofer and a little bit of handiwork to get around Sony's greed, it can be improved to 5/5.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black)

Take advantage of the advanced audio capabilities of Blu-ray Disc movies with this dynamic surround sound system. The HT-SS360 features a sleek, slim receiver with all you need to enjoy the dramatic sound quality you crave. A perfect complement to your Blu-ray player and advanced gaming platforms, this you'll appreciate this system's simplicity in set-up and connectivity. Three HDMI inputs are included for connecting HD sources with a single cable and directly accessing them through the remote control. One-button control is also available with BRAVIA Sync technology, maintaining the proper settings for each component and allowing you to focus on the entertainment.

Get 6% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony HTSS360 5.1 channel Home Theater System (Black)