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Buying Guides

Buying Guides Home Theater

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #613: HDTV Buying Guide 2013

This 2013 HDTV buying guide covers screens from 24-inch 1080p 60Hz LED sets starting at $178 up to an LG 55-inch OLED at $8,999, with picks organized by size category to match different budgets and use cases. Standout recommendations include a Sony 55-inch 4K Ultra HD model with HDMI 2.0 and TRILUMINOS display at $2,998, and a Sharp 80-inch Quattron 240Hz Smart LED 3D set at $3,688. Readers comparing last year's prices will find modest savings in smaller sizes but premium pricing holding firm at the high end.

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Home Theater Buying Guides HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #612: AV Receiver Buying Guide 2013

A 2013 AV receiver buying guide covers six models across three price tiers, from the Sony STR-DH740 at $275 with 4K pass-through and four HDMI inputs to the Sony STR-DA5800ES at $2100 featuring nine HDMI inputs, a four-port Ethernet switch, and Control4 automation support. Mid-tier standouts include the Yamaha RX-A2020 with YPAO Reflected Sound Control and the Denon AVR-X3000 with Audyssey Gold calibration and seven HDMI inputs. Readers can use the tiered breakdown to match receiver capability to budget and speaker investment, avoiding overspending on processing that outpaces their speaker system.

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Buying Guides HD Audio Home Theater

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #604: Understanding Speaker Specs

Speaker sensitivity, measured in decibels at 1 meter with a standard test signal, is a key efficiency metric where scores above 90 dB are considered excellent and indicate less strain on your receiver or amplifier. Impedance, typically rated at 8 ohms, determines how much load a speaker places on an amplifier, and connecting two speakers in parallel halves that impedance to 4 ohms, which can damage underpowered receivers. Understanding these specs alongside frequency response and power handling helps buyers make more informed decisions without relying solely on listening tests.

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Home Theater Buying Guides Plasma TVs

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #584: Plasma vs LED

Plasma TVs deliver superior black levels, contrast ratios, and color saturation compared to LED LCD displays, with edge-lit LED panels frequently exhibiting backlight uniformity defects such as clouding, halo, and flashlight effects that are absent in plasma panels. Plasma's per-pixel brightness and hue control produces richer, more saturated color that mid-tier plasma sets match against higher-cost LED competitors, while In-Plane Switching (IPS) LEDs improve viewing angles only at the cost of contrast. For buyers prioritizing picture quality in a controlled-light environment under 65 inches, plasma remains the stronger value proposition despite its weight and image retention considerations.

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Home Theater Buying Guides HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #560: Receiver Buying Guide 2012

A curated 2012 receiver buying guide spans three price tiers, from the Pioneer VSX-1122-K with 7 HDMI inputs and AirPlay at $486 to the Yamaha RX-A3020 9.2-channel AVENTAGE at $2000, which features a cross-member anti-vibration frame and a dedicated fifth dampening foot. Mid-range standouts include the Yamaha RX-V673 with 4K upscaling and bi-amp assignable amplifiers at $550, and the Denon AVR-2313CI with DLNA 1.5 and Audyssey processing at $900. Readers shopping across budgets will find concrete performance benchmarks and feature tradeoffs to guide a well-informed purchase.

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Buying Guides Home Theater

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #559: HDTV Buying Guide 2012

The 2012 HDTV Buying Guide organizes current television recommendations by screen size, ranging from a 19-inch 720p Toshiba LED at $129 to a Samsung UN75ES9000 75-inch 240Hz 3D LED at $8,997. Standout value picks include a 48-inch TCL 1080p 240Hz LED for under $500 and a 60-inch VIZIO 1080p 120Hz Smart HDTV with built-in Wi-Fi for $999, while the top picture-quality recommendation goes to the Elite Black Pro-60x5fd at $4,599. Shoppers at nearly every budget will find concrete price-to-performance benchmarks that make choosing between LCD, LED, and plasma technologies more straightforward.

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Buying Guides LCD TVs Plasma TVs

HDTV Expert - Frequently Asked Questions - by Pete Putman

Pete Putman addresses recurring consumer questions about TV purchasing, calibration, and display technology in this late-2012 roundup, noting that 42-inch 1080p plasma TVs had dropped to under $400 while plasma held only 5.5% of global TV shipments in Q2 2012. Plasma's decline is attributed to consumer preference for large, inexpensive LCD panels over superior black levels and viewing angles, while streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are eroding Blu-ray disc sales despite lower picture quality. For practical guidance, Putman recommends enabling a cinema or movie preset and manually setting sharpness to zero and color temperature to warm as a cost-free alternative to professional calibration.

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Home Theater Buying Guides HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #558: Home Theater in a Box Buying Guide

Four home theater in a box (HTIB) systems are evaluated for the 2012 holiday season, ranging from the $365 Onkyo HT-S5400 7.1-channel system at 80 watts per channel to the $700 Yamaha YHT-797 with AirPlay support and 4K passthrough. Supplementary stocking stuffer picks include a NETGEAR powerline kit rated at 200Mbps and a Category 2 certified HDMI cable with Audio Return Channel support. Buyers on a tight budget will find practical guidance on balancing cost against features like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and 3D Blu-ray compatibility.

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Home Theater HD Audio HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #509: Home Theater "In a Box" 2011

Two complete home theater systems are assembled for under $1,500, each built around a 42-inch 1080p LCD display paired with a 7.1-channel receiver supporting HDMI 1.4a and HD audio decoding. One build centers on the Onkyo TX-NR609 THX Select 2 certified receiver at $390 alongside KEF KHT1005.2GB 5.1 satellite speakers, while the other pairs a Yamaha RX-V671 with the Energy Take Classic 5.1 system at $400. Both configurations demonstrate that a capable network-connected Blu-ray and surround sound setup is achievable near the $1,500 price point, though cables and accessories push real-world costs closer to $2,000.

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Home Theater Buying Guides Projection HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #508: Home Theater Projector Buying Guide

Six home theater projectors spanning $1,085 to $5,005 are evaluated across LCD, DLP, D-ILA, and SXRD display technologies, with picks ranging from the Mitsubishi HC4000's DLP DarkChip3 at 4,000:1 contrast to the JVC DLA-X3's 50,000:1 native contrast ratio using 0.7-inch D-ILA devices. The Epson Home Cinema 8700 UB earns praise for its 200,000:1 contrast and Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX processing, while the Sony VPL-HW30ES delivers 240Hz panel drive for 3D performance at 70,000:1 dynamic contrast. Buyers weighing value against picture quality will find concrete trade-offs between placement flexibility, black levels, and 3D capability across each recommendation.

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Home Theater Buying Guides Deals

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #505: Black Friday 2011 and Receiver Buying Guide

This podcast episode covers Black Friday 2011 HDTV and home theater deals alongside a receiver buying guide spanning four price tiers. Highlighted deals include a Sharp 42-inch 1080p LCD at $199.99 and a Panasonic 55-inch 600Hz 3D Plasma Smart HDTV at $1,099.99, while receiver picks range from the Denon AVR-1612 with HDMI 1.4a at $349 to the Integra DTR 80.2 9.2-channel network receiver at $2,800 with HQV Reon-VX upscaling. Shoppers gain a practical framework for matching receiver features like THX certification, Audyssey room correction, and AirPlay support to specific budgets.

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Home Theater Buying Guides Projection HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #492: Projectors and Mistakes

Podcast episode 492 of the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast covers five home theater projectors ranging from the $800 Optoma GT750 to the $32,500 SIM2 Lumis Solo, which supports 144 fps playback well above the standard 24-30 fps of typical content. The episode also addresses the top 10 HDTV buying mistakes compiled from reader feedback and testing since 1998, plus guidance on accessing NFL Sunday Ticket via PS3. Viewers shopping for display hardware will find both budget and premium options evaluated alongside practical purchasing pitfalls to avoid.

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Buying Guides Home Theater LCD TVs

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #456: HDTV Buying Guide 2010 and Dolby Contest Winner Announced

A 2010 HDTV buying guide organizes flat panel recommendations by screen size, ranging from a $199 Vizio 19-inch 720p LED LCD to a $4,500 Panasonic TC-P65VT25 65-inch 3D-ready 1080p VIERA plasma. Key picks highlight advancing specs such as 240Hz refresh rates, dynamic contrast ratios up to 3,000,000:1, wireless HDMI, and integrated streaming services like VUDU, Pandora, and Internet widgets. Buyers at every budget level will find actionable options, with plasma technology entering the 42-inch category at $499 and LED backlighting narrowing the gap with plasma picture quality.

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Buying Guides Home Theater HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #454 Receiver Buying Guide

The HT Guys annual receiver buying guide covers seven home theater receivers spanning three price tiers, from the slim 4-inch Marantz NR1501 at $400 to the Pioneer Elite SC-37 at $1999 with HDMI 1.4a and THX Ultra2 Plus certification. Key differentiators across the lineup include HDMI input counts (ranging from 4 to 6), 3D readiness, next-generation audio support, and room correction systems such as Audyssey MultEQ. Buyers can use this tiered breakdown to match features like Dolby Volume, DLNA 1.5 streaming, or dual HDMI outputs to their specific budget and setup requirements.

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Home Theater Buying Guides

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #413: HT Guys HDTV Recommendations

Three HDTVs are evaluated across LCD, plasma, and budget categories for typical family room use in the low-to-medium price range. The Samsung LN46C650 offers 1080p 120Hz performance with Wide Color Enhancer 3, built-in wireless, DLNA certification, and Yahoo widget support for $1300, while the Panasonic TC-P50G10 plasma delivers superior viewing angles and H.264 AVCHD playback via external drive for $1270, and the Vizio VA370M provides a 1080p 37-inch entry point at $478. Buyers weighing smart features, motion handling, and budget constraints will find concrete tradeoffs outlined for each set.

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