VCRs with Video Converters

The solution

For quite some times the inventors on the line were pondering how to overcome this problem of conflict of standards of video tapes. Video tapes from one zone did not play in other using a different standard. Ultimately they came up with the idea of Video converting VCR as the solution to the problem. A video converting VCR could play any tape using any standard and thus it was possible to view a PAL standard tape on an NTSC TV or vice versa.

Multi-system VCR and Converting Multi-system VCR

A Converting Multi-system VCR is an improved version of the traditional Multi-system VCR. An ordinary multi-system VCR can play video tapes from anywhere in the world. But there is one big constraint. The video tape played on it must conform to the standard the VCR uses. This is the point where a converting multi-system VCR scores over the conventional VCR in a way that it does not require the video tapes to be played which conform to its standards. It just converts in the incoming incompatible signals to friendly signals and makes the viewing of the tape possible. The same result can be obtained by using an external converter or such other device attached to a traditional multi-system VCR, but the quality will be poorer compared to a convertible multi-system VCR.

How to make the choice of brands

Experience reveals that branded products normally works well compared to those cheaper editions of the video converting VCR available in the market. Not only that the reliability is far better than the other ones. A number of branded products are however, available in the market. They include companies like the Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, and Hitachi etc. All of them manufacture regular multi- system VCR but not the video converting VCR. The only company that produced video converting VCR was Samsung, the SV-5000W, but they have discontinued the productions. A potential customer often makes the choice basing on the clarity of picture, quality of audio systems and the life span of the products. So today for video converting VCR, you will require a converter. Some standard converters are the TENLABs or a PAL-SECAM-NTSC compatible television set.

Why the video tapes require a video converting VCR to play

The three most widely followed standards of video tapes are NTSC, PAL and SECAM. All variations of these standards followed anywhere in the world is a combination of two or all of these standards. When the first colour TV was discovered, the NTSC system was introduced in United States and Canada way back in the year 1953. Among the eastern countries, Japan with the obvious influence of United States and its nearness to North America also uses the NTSC standard that uses 525 lines frame to play the video tapes. PAL, the short form for Phase Alternating Line, was introduced in the European Countries in 1960 and immediately gained popularity. The bandwidth of PAL and SECAM standard, that is used in France, are the same and their line frames match too. But SECAM standard transmits colour signals sequentially. NTSC standard is not popular outside the North American countries and SECAM is used only in France and its earlier colonies. Rest of the world uses PAL and even the South American countries use some variations of it.

Issues relating to choice of video converting VCR

Compatibility is the main issue involved in the choice of a video converting VCR. Viewers in North America will opt for a video converting VCR that will enable them to play video tapes with PAL or SECAM standards to be watched on their NTSC TV. Similarly and European or Asian viewer will like to play NTSC video tapes on their PAL compatible TV and these can be achieved with video converting VCRs. In case of the multi-system VCRs, the companies will require the buyer to purchase some PAL/NTSC video converter that would replace a multi-system TV, which becomes otherwise a necessity. There are also systems with the feature of a direct converter that converters all incompatible signals into device friendly signals making viewing possible.

About DVD and video converting VCR

Video tapes are quickly loosing grounds in favour of the new and much more compact DVDs. In fact, DVDs have become the new version for home entertainment. But the problems of incompatibility of standards are also present here and thus some video conversion is also required here. In this case the video converting DVD player is region-free. Sometimes a region-free DVD player is also named as a code-free DVD player, that can play DVDs using any standard from any zone. Incidentally, the standard for a DVD is the same as that of a video tape, namely, the PAL, SECAM, and NTSC. Like Video converting VCR and multi-system VCR, there are several types, models and brands of a code-free DVD player. However, the leading companies are the same as in case of multi-system VCRs like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Phillips etc. The code-free DVD players can play any CD or DVD using any standard procured from any zone on a non-convertible device. With a region free or code-free DVD player you can play a SECAM DVD from France or a PAL DVD from Europe on your NTSC TV. However while buying you have to choose between multifarious models with different price tags depending on your requirement and budget. The prices will also be different basing on the brands and specifications.

About the prices for video converting VCR

Now that a direct video converting VCR is out of market, the possible alternative will be a separate video converter converting your multi-system VCR into a video converting VCR. The cost of branded products is on the higher side. For example if you opt for a product from companies like Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, or Phillips, it may cost you on average $350 that would be higher than the non-branded cheaper qualities available. But the warranty and service provided in case of branded items, compensates in the long run. However, fierce competitions in the commercial world have forced companies to come up with cheaper versions, around $100 per item and in multiples of that amount. For example, Samsung provides a Hi-Fi multi-system, with tape conversion facilities and a world-based TV tuner at approximately $400. However branded models ordinarily will cost in the range of $500 to $1,200 depending on product in respect of multi-system VCR converters and also SVHS playback systems.

The affect of visuals

It is a well established fact that a visual is worth hundreds of words. It is quite easy to apprehend the message with a visual rather than words or any other type of interaction. Even the cavemen used to express their messages by means of pictures drawn on the walls of caves, where a single picture could depict a thousand messages. That is why visual expression is always popular. In earlier days it was movies and then gradually with the coming up of home theater and televisions, video took over. But initially, with the difference of standards such videos were confined to a particular zone. To solve this shortfall, the video converting VCR and later with the advent of DVD the region-free DVD player came into existence. Now the restrictions of standards and difference of geographical zones are no more a hindrance to free viewing of video tapes, CDs and DVDs by the viewers with video converting VCR systems and region-free DVD players available.

110-220 Volt Electronics - A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC. You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as http://www.planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984

Cheap Digital Camcorders

It is quite natural for everyone to want to be the proud owner of one of the best camcorders available, but not all of them can afford a top-of-the-line model with all its frills. We have to carefully assess our financial position and buy only the camcorders that do not burn a hole in our pockets.

However, if you have saved up for long and now feel prepared to have a go, there are some top quality camcorders that you can purchase for $1,000 or less!

The Panasonic Multicam PV-GS200 is one of the only 3 CCD camcorders in this budget range. Three CCDs, you must have known by now, means top picture quality. The Sony DCR-DVD300 uses DVD media. Normally their prices are sky-high, so you could be picking up a bargain in this case. The Canon Optura 40 has bagged numerous awards for being a great camcorder for under $800. Therefore, it deserves a close look. The Samsung SCD-103 is so user-friendly that even a technophobe will think of buying one. And if you are looking for a big LCD screen, the Sony DCR-H40 mini DV camcorder is there for you. Keep in mind that technology keeps changing all the time, and prices begin to fall, too. The important thing is to keep pace with the times, as many companies like JVC and Canon keep launching new ranges all the time.

If your desire is limited to recording the antics of your new baby, or if you want to purchase a cheap camcorder for your kids, there are many options. You can go for Samsung's SCD103, one of the lowest-priced digital camcorders, for $350.

With the advent of digital camcorders, old analog camcorders are being sold at dirt-cheap prices. Don?t succumb to the temptation. It will be foolhardy to shortchange yourself with an analog camcorder when you can acquire a great digital model for an extra hundred dollars.

Digital Camcorders provides detailed information on Digital Camcorders, Digital Camcorder Reviews, DVD Digital Camcorders, Cheap Digital Camcorders and more. Digital Camcorders is affiliated with Camcorder Batteries.

Stereo Speakers

Stereo speakers are used to enhance the audio system in cars. They are usually described as distinctive in view, since they are used for duplicating audio frequencies. By and large, they are regarded as a very crucial component that constitutes an excellent stereo system.

More often than not, stereo speakers can be classified into two types -- component speakers and full range speakers. Both encompass a number of pluses and minuses. Basically, full range speakers come in different sizes, made up of the tweeter, woofer and super tweeter. However, if you desire the best possible audio quality, then component speakers are the best choice.

You need to think over several factors to get the sound quality that you desire before purchasing stereo speakers. Apart from the type of speaker, other vital factors to consider are the speaker?s efficiency, frequency response and maximum power. These three things are interrelated with each other, and the absence of one may affect the entire sound frequency. The speaker?s frequency response must be superior and broader to achieve improved sound control and simulation. The efficiency of the speaker should also be taken into account. Keep in mind that the greater its efficiency, the better the result. Last but not least, maximum power must also be assessed for a long-lasting quality audio sound.

All in all, you should be careful in choosing a stereo speaker. It is suggested that you test out the speaker before f buying it. Stereo speakers come in a variety of brands and features.

Stereos provides detailed information on Stereos, Car Stereos, Stereo Speakers, Stereo Systems and more. Stereos is affiliated with Digital Video Recorders.

A Look at Today's Innovative LCD TV

LCD, or liquid crystal display, televisions use a unique form of technology to produce their display, and although early models had a number of technological issues, those issues have largely been overcome, and these days there are excellent quality LCD TVs available from virtually every manufacturer of electronics in the world.

The earliest models of LCD televisions often had problems with ?ghosting?, especially when displaying fast action or fast moving imaging, and these early televisions were best viewed straight on or from a slight angle. These early problems have been overcome by advances in technology, and LCD and plasma TVs are making serious inroads on the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) television market.

The prices of LCD televisions have come down quite a bit as well, even as the technology they use has continued to improve. These days the least expensive, small screen LCD TVs can often be purchased for a couple hundred dollars, while the largest displays sell for several thousand dollars. There are even larger LCD displays on the market, as large as 65? and even more, that may sell for $10,000 or more. If price is no object it is possible to find an LCD TV for virtually any taste.

The advent of these large screen LCD TVs is another indication of how much the technology has improved in a short period of time. When LCD technology was first being developed, the conventional wisdom was that it would be suitable only for small size televisions, and that the LCD technology would not be able to compete with plasma screens for larger sets. These days, however, ever larger LCD TVs are being developed and introduced, by the likes of Sony, Sharp, Samsung, Phillips and others.

The modern LCD TV is good for much more than watching TV, and the best sets on the market come with a multisystem tuner, which allows the machine to display not only the NTSC format common throughout North America, but the PAL and SECAM signals that are common in other parts of the world. In addition, many LCD TVs include a step down and step up transformer which can automatically use either 110 or 250 volt AC current, as well as universal grounded adapter plugs for added versatility.

In addition, virtually all modern LCD TVs on the market today are capable of displaying the latest HDTV (high definition television) and DTV (digital television) signals, and most can also be used as a computer monitor, by connecting them to a VGA or DVI signal. Those TV shoppers planning to use their new LCD TV as a monitor should be cautious, however, since the quality of the resolution can vary widely between brands and models.

LCD TV Considerations

Those in the market for an LCD TV to replace a traditional CRT TV should be aware of the differences in the technology, and what those differences mean in terms of viewing pleasure and lasting value. LCD televisions based on the PVA and S-PVA LCD panel are able to deliver a very good viewing angle at up to 140 degrees, and they also can provide a good contract ratio for viewing both light scenes and dark ones. The downside of the PVA and S-PVA technology is that they often have problems with ?ghosting? when the scene moves between different shades of dark.

Traditional CRT televisions to not have this problem with ?ghosting? since the phosphor contained in the CRT is charged by the strike of a beam of electrons, and it emits most of the light in a fast period of time, generally less than 1 millisecond, compared to a refresh period of about 20 milliseconds. For an LCD TV, each pixel emits light of a set intensity for a period of about 20 milliseconds, in addition to the time it takes to switch to the next state, which is typically between 12 and 25 milliseconds.

This response time, also known as the response time, can be shortened by the design of the panel, and by using overdriving technology, but the response time can only be cut down to the length of the refresh period.

Getting the response time equal to the refresh period is generally sufficient for watching films and television programs, but for videos shot at 50 or 60 frames a second there can still be some ghosting issues with some LCD TVs.

Fortunately, there are a number of emerging technologies within the world of the LCD TV, and these technologies promise to eliminate some of the ghosting and other issues that have been encountered by owners of these TVs. The first solution on the horizon is to make the backlight of the LCD panel fire during a period of time that is shorter than the refresh period. The goal is to make this period of time as short as possible, and to time it for when the pixel has already settled to its intended level of brightness. This technique, however, also introduces the problem of flicker that is so familiar to users of CRT computer monitors. This flicker problem occurs because the human eye is able to see flicker at the typical 50 or 60Hz refresh rates used in this technology.

Another emerging response to the problem is to double the refresh rate of the LCD TV, and then to reconstruct the intermediate frames using a variety of motion compensation techniques. This second method is being extensively studied on the new high end televisions currently being designed in Europe.

No matter what type of LCD TV technology you decide to buy, however, it is important to shop around for the best possible price. These days even discount retailers often sell some very good LCD TVs, and of course many electronics stores are virtually replacing their existing stock of CRT TVs with the newest in LCD and plasma screen technology. As with any major purchase, it is vital to shop around for the best deal, and to read the reviews of each model carefully. As with any piece of electronic equipment, the quality of an LCD TV can vary quite widely from model to model and brand to brand. For more information see: http://www.planetomni.com

110-220 Volt Electronics - A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC. You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as http://www.planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984

Plasma Television Myths and Facts

Myths about plasma television persist even though these flat panel entertainment wonders have been around for a while and are widely used in home, offices and public areas.

Like all decisions in life, the decision to purchase a plasma television has both pros and cons. But that is not this article. This article is about the debate about what those pros and cons are to help you sort out the raging shouting matches on the technology forums.

Like any good, religious technology debate the debate between plasma televisions and LCD screens is as hot as between PC and Mac fanatics.

Anything I say here will be seen as wrong, even with the numbers to back it up, by one of the camps. Since I have worked at the electronics department of a major department store before, I have seen the ups and downs of both camps. Which is why there is a CRT in my living room. Now that all biases have been aired, let's try to see the debate:

1. Stupid Myths. If it sounds like something your father came up with (like needing to refill or recharge your plasma television) it is probably stupid.

2. Burn In. Remember the original reason for screen savers? Well, it is still alive and well today. While it is true that a plasma television used a certain way will not have burn in, there have been enough examples of toddlers burning the screen. For the price of a plasma television, any example is too many. The manufacturers either need to fix the problem or issue rebates.

3. Fade. Yes, they both do it. The only debate is in how long it takes to do it. Unfortunately, my last CRT was over 30 years old and still had a perfect picture. Again, there is not much excuse for any television wearing out.

4. Picture Quality. The manufacturers would have you believe that it is impossible to get as good a picture quality on a CRT as a plasma television or an LCD screen. They are lying. There are CRT's with comparable picture quality, they are just hard to find.

5. The Myth of the Clean Room. Manufacturers love to advertise the image of a plasma television screen in a picture frame and no other electronics in the room. Yeah, right. First of all, plasma televisions are hard to hang. Then you still have all your other stuff that needs to be connected, like VCR's and cable boxes and game systems.

What they never show on advertisements is the nest of cables, cords and power strips! Plasma televisions do not have anything built into them to help cut down the clutter.

6. Durability. Plasma televisions are fragile. Once you decide where they are going, then they are staying there because you probably had to have them professionally installed. And if you want one over your fireplace, then you will need special carpentry to hold it in place.

Okay, most writers about plasma television myths assume that you are stupid. You probably are not. Therefore, you are not looking for questions on obvious myths, but the real possible problems that you might have with a plasma television. I hope that you feel more confident in your decision now.

New technology is always exciting and mysterious. Plasma televisions are no different. However, if you question closely owners of plasmas to find their experiences, you will have a better idea of their performance and if these new televisions are for you. At the price, you want to be right!

Ready for plasma? Louis Zhang provides jargon-free, relevant information on plasma televison technology, selection and installation. For more on plasma television myths, go to http://www.cool-plasma-television.com/recommends/plasmatv-myths

Free iPod Downloads: Where to Find Them

So you have your brand new iPod just sitting there, waiting to be filled with all kinds of great stuff. Now you're excitedly wondering: Where do I get all the best iPod downloads for free? You are an all-around person, so you are going to want music, videos, games, and all the other wonderful goodies that come with having your very own iPod. So where do you start?

The answer to this question comes in the form of a familiar website I'm sure you have seen many times offering those ever sought-after unlimited free downloads. These sites generally require a small one-time fee before you can join and take advantage of all the available downloads. Now there are so many of these sites in existence that it has become difficult to sort the reality from the hype. To find out which of these sites is actually delivering, we must take into account several factors:

1. Number of Users ? The number of users sharing files within the download network is just as important as the number of files being shared. This not only increases the chances of a particular file being available, it also drastically affects download speeds. It's simple; the more users sharing files, the faster your downloads will be. Get it?

2. Number of Files ? The number of files is of course important as it will bring diversity to the genres and types of media available (i.e. movies, music, games as well as subsets within that like pop music, rock music, etc.). Again, the greater the number of files, the higher the probability that they have what you are looking for.

3. Software used to download files ? The organization of the software will make it easier (or harder) for you to keep track of downloaded files and actually make them accessible to your iPod. Good iPod download sites offer software converters to ensure that all files can be converted to the appropriate format for your iPod.

4. Customer Service/Guarantees ? An often overlooked, but no less important factor is customer service and guarantees. A good service should be able to offer help with any complications that may arise dealing with the software or trying to get files onto your iPod. Also, money-back guarantees are very important as they provide time for you to get a feel for what's available as far as downloads and time for comparison to other sites as far as overall service.

As long as you keep these factors in mind, there should not be much holding you back from getting all the best downloads that your iPod craves for free. You must be willing, however, to first pay a one-time fee to gain access as a member - a very small price to pay when you consider what you would be paying otherwise.

Isaac Phillipson is an iPod enthusiast with years of experience in the computer industry. To learn more about the iPod downloads site personally recommended by Isaac, visit http://www.review-source.com/ipoddownloads

DVDROM Replication

The ROM in DVD-ROM stands for read-only memory. It means that, while the manufacturers of the discs encode them with data, a consumer can only access, not change, the data stored within. The ability to ship computer programs and other data on discs that left the earlier floppy disks far behind has truly revolutionized the computer industry. Now, bulk replication of DVD-ROMs is possible, which helps in the quick and inexpensive transfer of large amounts of information.

A DVD-ROM can hold a minimum of 4.7GB, sufficient for a full-length movie. Its specification supports disks with capacities of from 4.7GB to 17GB and access rates of 600 KBps to 1.3 MBps. A special characteristic of the DVD-ROM drives is that they are backward-compatible with CD-ROMs. This implies that DVD-ROM players can play old CD-ROMs, CD-I disks, and video CDs, as well as new DVD-ROMs. New versions of DVD players can also read CD-R disks. DVD-ROMs use MPEG-2 to compress video data.

Replication, mastering included, involves pressing discs in production lines that spit out a new disc every few seconds. Replication equipment, costing millions of dollars, comprises a variety of machines that are used to create a glass master and metal stamping masters, stamp substrates in hydraulic molds, apply reflective layers, bond substrates together, print labels, and insert discs in packages. Most replication plants test some discs before mass duplication. Unlike DVD-ROM mastering, DVD-Video mastering may include one more step for CSS encryption, Macrovision, and regionalization.

One can develop DVD-ROMs with multimedia software tools like Macromedia Director, Quark mTropolis, and C++. DVD-ROMs that utilize DVD-Video's MPEG-2 video and multi-channel Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio need audio/video encoding.

Replicated DVD products might be supplied to the customer in bulk packets of 100, or finished and inserted into jewel cases with the paper parts. If you yourself do the insertion and source your own printing, the cost for DVD replication can be lower.

DVD Replication provides detailed information on DVD Replication, DVD Replication Services, DVD-ROM Replication, Cheap DVD Replication and more. DVD Replication is affiliated with DVD Copy Software.

The Pro's and Con's of Ceiling Speakers

Office buildings, airports and restaurants were the first homes of ceiling speakers. They can be easily recognized by the dense grilles that pour decibels right into your head.

But why would someone want ceiling or in wall speakers, instead of a pair of normal, efficient and highly affordable speaker cabinets. There could be a few reasons:

• Saving some space in the room;
• Maintaining the aesthetics of the room;
• Hiding the wires;
• Getting rid of the holes in the walls.

In the past, there weren't many fans of wall or ceiling-mounted speakers. While there are still people that think plenum-mount technology is just a whim, on the other side it is this technology in particular that gains more and more advocates. This is probably due to a change in life styles. People want the environment adapted to their needs, not the other way around.

There's one sure thing with in-wall and ceiling speakers: they are not for those who are into high-end audio. You could hardly find an audiophile willing to trade the deep bass that he or she loves so much for a bit of extra shelf space.

But even if not an audiophile, you'll need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• Frequency response - gives you the range of the audible spectrum that the speakers can reproduce; the human ear can hear 20 Hz to 20 MHz, thus the more a speaker approaches this interval, the better.
• Power handling - specifies the ranges of power the speakers can safely receive from the amplifier (e.g. 20-100 watts);
• Efficiency - also called sensitivity, this rating indicates how effectively the speaker uses the power sent to it by the amplifier.

A key aspect in having in-wall or in-ceiling speakers is how you capture the back wave. You can't always know what happens behind that wall, how big the hole really is, or if it's sealed. The answer is to use sealed speakers, no matter their location. Otherwise you'll have a lot of rear acoustic energy wasted into the back-wall and a distorted, uneven sound.

Mounting the speakers

Usually it is a lot easier to mount ceiling speakers than in-wall speakers, at least where there is a fake ceiling. Mounting in-wall speakers is more of an architectural problem. That's probably why these are also called architectural speakers. People don't like to have small rooms, thin walls, and wires bursting from one room to another.

The easiest alternative is to project the audio system before even having the walls built up. The advantage is freedom to plan things (speakers among others) exactly how you want them. Figuring out the wires is the part you should do before building the walls. Some planning is needed ahead: talking to an electrician, finding out how much wire you need, seeing what kind of wire you can actually use (UL-rated wire is approved for use in walls in all 50 states). Also, seeing the layout of your lighting system, and how it would interfere with that of the speakers.

Inserting the speakers can be done on the run, as the wall is being raised. Some people successfully use the drywall as a speaker's enclosure. The key is to have the speakers in the right place from the start. This would save you time, money and nerves.

Installing the speakers in an existing wall or ceiling is a bit more difficult and pricey. But it can be done. At first, find out what's behind the walls you want the speakers mounted in and see if you can drill. You need to make some holes into the desired spots, and build the speaker-enclosures.

Ceiling speakers have a drawback: the location. we're not used to having the sound come down at us from the ceiling, but from our side. The sensation of the sound-waves reaching the head and then the ears, is a bit strange. Some ceiling speakers are flexible within a given degree, so they can be pointed towards the listener. They are round-shaped in order to match the bulbs and lamps that also found their site on the ceiling.

Niles, SpeakerCraft, and others use directional tweeters and woofers that can be separately adjusted to compensate for imaging problems arising from the positioning drawbacks.

Most in wall speakers have paintable grilles, so you can perfectly black them out.

Above all, my biggest dilemma is what to do if my trendy, camouflage speaker, be it in-wall or in-ceiling, breaks down? Most users say I don't need to worry as they can be taken out, repaired or even replaced. There's also absolutely no need to worry if I want to add some speakers to my system, they say. One solution would be to think ahead and stuff the wall with more wire for later add-ons. Still, I find this unnecessary hassle. But for the sake of interior design logic, it may be worth it.

Learn how wireless speakers and headphones work, read product reviews and find out shopping tips and tricks at http://www.Wireless-Speakers.org.

Everthing You Wanted To Learn About HDTV And DVD Technology

There has been an upsurge in a lot of HDTV and DVD technology to match it. Because of this HDTV-DVD just got more accessible and easier to find. This means that you will have more choices to choose from as well. But also because HDTV-DVD just got more accessible you may be confused with all the choices. A closer look at the different DVD options and technologies can help you choose from among them. Because HDTV-DVD just got more accessible, knowing what you have to choose from can make the accessibility less confusing.

First of all, originally DVD formats have been around for ten years. The original kind also gave a lot more storage, up to 4.7 GB than most CD's, which are around 700MB. Not too long after this original technology, there came some more technology that made space increase. This was the advent of double-sided DVD's. Some general information regarding some double-layered discs is as follows: single-sided and layered ones with 4.7 GB and 120 minutes of space, single-sided and dual-layered ones with 8.5GB with 4 hours of space, double-sided and single-layered ones with 9.4GB and 4 hours of space and double-sided and dual-layered ones with 17GB and 8 hours of space.

Most DVD's are read-write mediums although there are some that are read-only. There are three different kinds. They are known as DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. All of these can be used to record with. Understanding these basics can give you a lot towards understanding the wide variety of accessibility that is out there in DVD options. Especially when you are trying to understand that HDTV-DVD just got more accessible.

The first option is DVD-RAM and can actually be the most expensive kind. Yet this type can be re-written over and over again. Usually up to 100,000 times over a number of years even. This type is the one that would be more desired for video or film editing. The reason for this is because the disc stores data in no particular order. You must make extra careful however that the type of player you are getting or have will work with this type. This is because not all players are compatible with this type of DVD.

Another kind of DVD is the DVD-R type of disc. This is actually the cheaper option when it comes to recordable DVD's. This type can only be recorded on once though. This is why this type tends to be cheaper however. This type of DVD is also compatible with most DVD players that are available out there on the market.

The main difference between the last type, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM is how many times it can be recorded on. The DVD-RW can be recorded on more than once. But it can only be recorded on about a thousand times. Which is a lot less than the DVD-RAM, but this type is cheaper than the DVD-RAM. This is best for those who want multiple recording capabilities but don't need too much and want to save money.

The reason that HDTV-DVD just got more accessible is because there are two new types that have become available recently. The two new types or formats are HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Toshiba and the second kind by Sony develop the first one. They are very common but cannot play each other's players. HD-DVD can store 15GB on single-layer and 30GB on dual-layer, while Blu-Ray stores 25GB on single-layer and 50GB on dual-layer. HD-DVD can hold 8 hours of space and Blu-Ray 9 hours.

As you can see with so many options now available you see how HDTV-DVD just got more accessible. Hopefully this information will make it easier to understand, even if HDTV-DVD just got more accessible. With the different types more clearly explained your decision should be easier now.

Check out http://www.hdtvland.org/ for articles on hdtv dvd player and dlp versus lcd.

In Wall Speaker Installation

In-wall speakers are mostly designed in such a way that it is easy to install in both new and existing buildings. It is better to hire a professional installer, as the installer is well versed in the various tricks and shortcuts involved in the process. The tools used for in-wall speaker installation include electric saber saw, electric drill, drill bits, a sharp utility knife, and a standard wire snake.

There are mainly seven steps involved in in-wall speaker installation. The first step is to decide the location where the speaker is to be installed. If an obstruction (such as a wall stud) is found, the speaker should be mounted several inches above the obstruction. Usually, professional installers tap horizontally across the wall surface and check for reverberation of supporting wall. Once these processes are over, the point of installation is marked.

The second step is to drill an exploration hole of half inch in the bay center. This hole pierces through the wall and reaches the back side. The third step is to recheck measurements of speaker and make hole for speaker accordingly. Then place the paper template of the speaker (obtained along with speaker model) on the wall surface very close to the point where the speaker is about to be mounted. Cut out pattern is drawn and using a key-hole saw, cut out section from the wall is removed.

The next step is to drill a hole up into the stud bay, which is the portion between two wall studs of specific measurement. After this, the speaker wires are snaked through to the cut-out from the audio equipment location. Next is to insert its end into the drilled hole in order to make the wire reach the wall portion. The sixth step is to push the snaked wire to the cut out and the final step is to place the speaker in the cut-out wall portion and the wires are attached to the speaker.

In general, in-wall speaker installation in new buildings is done during the construction phase. Otherwise, more time is required. In case of older buildings, time is needed to drill holes and it also depends on the materials used in the construction of the walls.

In Wall Speakers provides detailed information on In Wall Speakers, In Wall Speaker Review, In Wall Speaker Wire, In Wall Speaker Systems and more. In Wall Speakers is affiliated with Portable DVD Player Cases.

Review: Panasonic TH42PX50U Plasma TV

The Panasonic TH-42PX50U is a 42 plasma TV and one of Panasonics newest additions to its plasma range. The realism of a TV pictures has never been better with the technology of plasma TVs getting better and this plasma TV is one that is leading the way. It has a contrast ratio of 3000:1? which means whites are whiter and blacks are blacker and a display of 8.58 billion colors, giving you better quality of viewing.

Aesthetics

Let's start with the border of the screen. Around the outside of the plasma screen Panasonic have made the border color a sleek black, along with the excellent contrast ratio the black border enhances the picture quality making the picture more defined and legit. The plasma sits on a simple silver stand with the speakers of the plasma mounted at the bottom under the screen. This plasma is of a smooth elegant design that would go well in any room.

Picture Quality

Before we talk about how good the Panasonic TH-42PX50U's picture quality is, there are a few settings that need to be changed before watching something on it. First off the contrast needs to be set a -10, the sharpness at -5, the brightness at +5 and the tint and colors at 0. These setting will give you a natural cinema like picture which really is the optimal setting for viewing. Now let's talk about how good the picture quality is.

Mostly all plasma TVs of today have great bright and dark colors; however the ultimate test to see if a plasma TV has great picture quality is to how bright colors show up when there is a dark background in the background. To see how good the Panasonic TH-42PX50U performed we tested out The Matrix and Aerosmith live in concert DVDs. Both these DVDs contain lots of scenes where there is a dark or black background and blight sharp colors in the foreground. An average plasma would have trouble displaying these picture where by a glow on the screen would be visible around the edges of the bright objects. In the Panasonic's TH-42PX50U case it has no trouble dealing with dark backgrounds and blight foregrounds, I was amazed at how well it performed - the picture was nice and crisp with a great natural look.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of this plasma was also very impressive. The 16 watt speakers mounted at the bottom drive out a clean full sound with no anomalies or static. You will find that even when you turn the volume right up the quality and cleanliness of the sound still remains the same. Adding more bass will give you a fuller sound and in contrast adding more treble will give you a crisper sound, again without taking away sound quality.

Overall this is a great plasma TV that not only has great picture and sound quality but great features too, like a tuner that gracefully degrades - meaning when a signal is weak or interfered with the tuner can still display the picture and not just drop out like some other plasmas do. This plasma also features a simple user friendly menu which is easy to navigate through and the ability to have 6 inputs connected to it.

Set backs

-Inputs only on the back, no inputs on front or side for easy access

-Does not support picture in picture display

-No computer input or camera card reader

Specs

-31 inches tall
-About 42 inches wide
-4 inches deep
-76 lbs
-Stand 13 inches deep
- Power consumption listed at 399 watts

To find out more about Pioneer plasma televisions and 50'' plasma television visit our website http://www.plasmatvarena.com/ OR our articles page

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Digital Cameras Explained

Over the last few years, the picture quality in digital cameras has becoming amazing. As recently as the year 2000, even the very best digital cameras you could buy produced grainy, poor-quality images that could never compare to what film had to offer. Today, though, digital cameras can easily rival and even exceed the quality of film, capturing pin-sharp digital images and never needing to be refilled with anything except power.

When you buy a digital camera, the most important thing you should look for is how many mega pixels (million pixels in the image) the photos it takes are. Cameras available today range from about 3MP at the low end to 10MP or more at the high end, with the price increasing steadily with each extra mega pixel.

However, how many mega pixels the camera has is not the only thing you should consider. Battery life is very important, as cameras with a short battery life can be frustratingly unusable, and the presence of various features in the camera?s software like auto focus and digital zoom should also be a consideration, as well as the camera?s ability to record non-photographic material like sound and video.

Ultimately, the best thing to do with digital cameras is to either buy the cheapest one you can find or a very high-end one ? if you go for something mediocre, you will just be frustrated at having paid a lot of money for a camera that isn?t really all that great. If you are choosing between two cameras at a certain price point, it is almost always better to buy the one made by a known brand, as they will tend to have much better build quality, software and battery life, as well as being generally better-designed and easier to use.

As a final note, if you just want a cheap digital camera to take around with you and take occasional snaps of your friends and places you go, it?s well worth considering getting a mobile phone with a digital camera built in. As you take your phone around with you anyway, it?s no extra hassle to carry a camera phone, and the pictures they can take are rapidly increasing in quality, to the point where they are now where digital cameras were only a few years ago. As technology gets even better, a camera phone is increasingly becoming a very smart alternative to a digital camera for the casual user.

John Gibb is the owner of digital camera sources, For more information on digital cameras please check out http://www.digital-camera-sources4u.info

Mini DV Player Sony

From the Manufacturer The HDR-HC3 is everything you've come to expect from the industry's smallest and lightest camcorder as of February 1, 2006, plus a few extras. Instantly switch back and forth between HD and SD recording modes, capture 4.0-megapixel still images, and enjoy unprecedented detail and color reproduction with the ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The HC3's 1/3 ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity for both video and still images.

2.1-Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid CMOS Sensor

1/3 ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still-image performance (4.0 megapixels). Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

HDV Recording Format

From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony's HDR-HC3 camcorder is the industry's smallest and lightest HDV1080i consumer-level camcorder and player (as of February 1, 2006). Now you can conveniently record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording

The HDR-HC3 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine

Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

10x Optical/80x Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens reduces glare and flare and increases color saturation.

Professional-Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

A 2.7-inch vari-angle touch-panel LCD makes framing and filming a snap.

2.7-Inch Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD plus Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7-inch wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with imporoved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media

Capture still images up to 2304 x 1728 resolution directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Dual Record

While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.

Assignable Dial

Built into the lens body of the camera, the assignable dial can be used not only for focus or exposure, but may also be customized by the user to control Auto Exposure (AE) Shift, Exposure, Focus, and White Balance (WB) Shift. In playback mode it allows you to control the volume.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System

Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera shake without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic Mode

Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC3 Cinematic mode lends 24-frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK Interface (IEEE1394)

A high speed bi-directional digital video-audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

Tele Macro Function

Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Active Interface Shoe

Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

Built-In Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

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Selecting Your HD TV

What is HDTV? It is a short term abbreviation used for high definition TV. It is considered as the latest fashioned and most premier type of digital TV ever made. The high definition television has features similar to that of a movie screen found in movie houses.

HD TV is the latest system especially designed to favor fast dissemination of programs, and it offers a maximum aspect of transmission for a more enjoyable watching. The HD TV transmission is delivered by means of a satellite otherwise digital wire links that are simply known as Cable TV. This transmission is not just the simple one that you find on regular televisions found everywhere. HD Television are five times more superior in terms of resolution with a standard television.

Just like the cable company, HD content is brought to you by a particular provider. You need to subscribe before experiencing its benefits. For some obvious reasons, it would also require a high definition unit of TV for you to be able to connect for this service.

This fact does not hinder you to subscribe for HDTV when you only have an analog type of unit. An external tuner that is always available in hardware stores and cable companies can be attached to your television as well. The only problem would be that you will have the opportunity to catch the programs of an HDTV provider, but surely you?ll not be able to view it in a large screen with resolutions like that of a theater.

There are a lot of high class definition TVs offered nowadays. From your household brand names, to new players on the market, the high definition television is moving to be an industry standard soon and no one is missing out on the action.

What to Consider In Buying HDTV?

Any movie can be very exciting and thrilling when watched in a well-defined television. Explicitly, our favorite films are preferably seen on theaters due the cinema-surround system they provide.

However, you can also enjoy watching movies with the whole family at home. The only problem is you won?t be able to experience the thrill of viewing, as if you?re watching your favorite characters face to face. On the contrary, technology has already designed a TV that will best suit your watching needs. A high definition television is already available for more pleasurable watching preferences.

Choosing the quality and fine features of your future HD TV is not so easy, the competition is fierce and the price ranges from reasonable to outrageous, designs and colors are used very freely and you will see that some companies have truly spectacular designs to their television sets, some of them are like a piece of modern art in your living room.

The new age of television is here, the high definision television is becoming more and more popular. HDTV?s are the new television craze, you can see so much better and enjoy a high quality picture quality on many channels, learn about High Definition Televisions and how to choose the one for you.

Understanding Native Resolution For Your Home Theater Projector

What is Native Resolution for your Home Theater Projector?

To understand what is native resolution, lets start with an understanding of the concept of 'resolution'. Resolution is concerned with the mapping of the information within a picture or image by the dot area.

The smaller the dots, and the more densely packed it is, the greater the resolution, since the mapping of dots as measured in pixels constitutes the data for reproducing the images in video outputs of home theater and other viewing systems. This data processing capability of the projector, as measured in pixels, is what constitutes native resolution.

For high definition home theater projector pictures with good resolution, both the native resolution of the projector should match the resolution of the video signal or video input, failing which, distortion of the images is likely. Native resolution of home theater projectors is measured in two dimension figures with current capabilities ranging from (640?480, 800?600, 1024?768, 1600?1200) for 4:3 image aspect ratios and the occasional odd resolutions like 1280?1024.

Thus, if projectors of 1280X 1024 native resolution were to map a video signal of resolution 1024 X 768, there would errors and likely distortion in the image. To effectively combat or otherwise provide for different standards, most home theater video projectors come with capabilities of multiple resolution standards, though it is most likely to be multiples of the lower resolution values.

Advice on Home Theater Projectors
Advice on Home Theater Projector Displays
Advice on Home Theater Projector Mounts

How to Select a Video Display for Your Home Theater

First of all, don?t assume you need a huge video screen in your media room. If your screen is too large, visual fatigue will detract from your theater experience. A good, but general rule for screen size is to select a screen width that is half to one third the distance from the screen to the primary viewing location. You should keep the viewing cone, formed by a line going from your eyes to each side of the screen, to about thirty degrees.

You can use any display device and there advantages and disadvantages to each type. DLP units tend to have better black levels than LCD units. LCOS units and variations have the tightest pixel structure.

Front Projection:

Advantages

?A front projection set will produce the largest, most dynamic image. With a good projector and screen combination the image will be quite stunning, especially when watching native HDTV content. If you have never seen the picture produced by a good, front projection set up, you really should see one before you make any decisions.

Disadvantages:

?Needs ambient light control. You need to control ambient light to get a really good picture because a front projection system cannot produce black. It must rely on the absence of light being reflected from the screen to show black or dark colors.

?You have to have a physical projector mounted somewhere. This problem has improved tremendously in the last few years as CRT projectors have basically gone away and digital projectors have improved and shrunk to miniscule proportions.

?Video projectors are noisy. They require cooling fans and these are loud. Some recent units however, are much quieter.

?The larger picture and better detail reproduction will allow you to really see problems so you need to have quality video sources or the picture will suffer.

?Many of the projectors on the market are either business presentation units or adapted from them. Business presentation projectors have much different requirements than home theater projectors. The most important requirement for business units is brightness. They sacrifice other performance parameters to achieve this. Home theater projectors need extremely accurate color rendition, accurate grey scale tracking, deep blacks, and freedom from motion artifacts.

Plasma:

Advantages

?They?re thin! Only 3 to 4 inches thick.

?They look great when displaying HDTV. (most of them)

Disadvantages

?They can suffer image burn-in when displaying static images. Many retailers and manufactures downplay the dangers, but the phenomenon occurs with many different units. Do not leave the cable or DSS menu screen up for an hour or two. Be careful when displaying HTPC or computer game video with static images.

?Many of them look really bad when displaying non HD TV. This problem has lessened with improved internal video processing and scaling technology. Some plasmas actually look pretty good with a better quality DVD feed.

?Many plasmas suffer from rather severe image artifacts although this is also improving greatly due to the better internal processing.

?Some plasma displays have high power consumption. (Can be three times that of a standard tube TV)

LCD flat panel:

Advantages

?They?re thin! Some are only three inches thick.

?They have no image burn problems like plasmas do.

?Good picture on most newer sets.

?Long life (50,000 ? 60,000 hours)

?You can get a true, 1080P native resolution display.

Disadvantages

?Sizes over 30 inches are priced above equivalent sized plasma displays.

?The older units don?t have picture quality as good as plasma displays.

?Black and dark reproduction is not as good as plasma yet.

Rear Projection TV can be either digital or CRT based. The CRT units are going away fast as consumers move to thinner, lighter digital rear projection TVs. At this point, the better CRT rear projection sets offer fantastic performance for the money. You can get a 50+? HDTV ready CRT set from good companies such as Panasonic and Sony for under $1,500. These bargains will be gone soon as production of CRT rear projection sets stops. Panasonic has indicated the 2005 model year will be their last for CRT RPTVs.

The disadvantage to CRT rear projection TVs is size and weight. They too will suffer image burn problems if left with a static image for too long. They require accurate convergence to look their best. Most newer units offer multi-point convergence adjustments to facilitate this.

There are some new types of flat panel displays that will be released for consumer use soon including Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) and SED. These promise even better image quality than either LCD or plasma when fully developed, in addition to lower cost, thinner profiles and much lower power consumption.

In a nutshell:

Front Projection ? Large image, can have spectacular picture quality even on a huge screen ? More difficult to set up, need to place the projector in the center of the room somewhere, noisy(some), must use better quality sources to get the most benefit.

Plasma ? cool factor, thin, look good for HDTV ? Image burn problems, can sometimes have a mediocre picture for all but HDTV sources

LCD - cool factor, thin, look good for HDTV, no Image burn problems, - Expensive for larger sizes, can sometimes have a mediocre picture for all but HDTV sources.

There are many display technologies available today. No one display is best for all situations. Select the one that best fits your select your specific requirements.

Steve Faber has almost 15 years in the custom installation industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer and Installer 2 with certifications from both the ISF and THX. His experience spans many facets of the industry, from the trenches as an installer and control systems programmer, and system designer, to a business unit director for a specialty importer of high end audio video equipment, a sales rep for a large, regional consumer electronics distributor, and principal of a $1.5M+ custom installation firm. Steve is currently is senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design, a CEDIA member firm in Redmond, WA. See more great information about choosing the video display for your home theater and more at: Home Theater Video

Bose Home Theater Speakers

About Bose Corporation

Based in Framingham, Massachusetts, Bose was founded by Dr Amar G Bose in 1964. Bose Corporation is an American specialist in high-end audio systems. Bose is world?s leading manufacturer in home theater speakers and professional audio market. It manufactures variety of model for home theater system including its own patented Wave radio system. The founder of Bose Dr Amar G Bose was an electrical engineering professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

The brand name Bose has strong marketplace. In US alone Bose is the highest regarded brand name amongst US population than any other brand name. Top-notch product lines of Bose are Speakers, amplifiers, and just recently acoustic headphones and last but not the least high-end digital technology speakers. For musician Bose offers amplifiers and loudspeakers.

Bose Lifestyle 48 home theater system

Bose Lifestyle 48 home theater system comprises five satellite speakers, one subwoofer or Acoustimass, one disk player and a remote control. Disk player can play compact disk, DVD, MP3, Writable CD, Rewritable CD etc with full DTS, Dolby digital compatibility. Bose acoustimass has power amplifier plus subwoofer for enhancing deep bass. Lifestyle home system has ability to adjust itself according to living room acoustics. The Bose lifestyle 48 system has many other input outputs, which can create composite output from all the inputs to create lively experience from all corner of the home.

Positioning of Bose home theater speakers system

The positioning of speakers is most important in creating home theater system. First look at the front speakers. Ideally all front speakers should be in horizontally line throughout in the middle of the image. But this is not possible in most of today?s home theater speakers system. To get most realistic sound experience speakers should be arrange in such a manner that they create the sound at par with source on the image. Placement should be above the ear level. In modern patented systems like Dolby Prologic or Dolby digital there are many other things, which needs to be done including software installation, tuning of the entire component. For better results manual should be referred to avoid any trouble and bad experience.

Buying Bose home theater speakers

Buying Bose home theater speakers are more than just normal home theater speakers. It is buying the most admired in quality entertainment system. Before buying it is always advisable to check out the latest price at directly on Bose site and if possible buy directly from Bose. But if it?s not possible even then make sure that it is from Bose authorized outlet and if there is no Bose outlet it needs to be imported by Bose authorized entity.

Hyun Kim is a freelance writeer who writes about loudspeakers, home audio and home theater related topics. He loves to visit Stereo411 to discuss Home Theater topics and he loves to talk about Bose Speakers.

Home Theater Accessories Include More Then A Fancy DVD Player And Some Speakers

When it comes to installing a home theater system, it's easy to think that all you need is a DVD player and a couple of speakers and you're done. But there are plenty of home theater accessories available, many of which do a great deal to enhance the home theater experience. So it's worthwhile thinking about home theater accessories at the design stage of your home theater, so that you can allow some room. Spend some time looking through the large range of home theater accessories, so that you can choose the right ones to make your home theater experience the best it can be. Having your own home theater is a great investment, so it's worth making sure it's exactly what you want.

Firstly, there are functional home theater accessories. If you choose a home theater package, it's possible that you may want to upgrade it with some extra speakers or receivers, depending on your requirements. The manufacturer of your home theater system is sure to have a range of accessories available, so check them out to see what else you might want. There are also home theater accessories that add to the overall range of experiences available to you. For example, you could look at adding a DVR burning device, so that you can burn a video of your favorite TV show to watch at leisure in your home theater. There's also a huge range of software available to help you with managing your media.

But home theater accessories aren't just limited to the technical side of things. There are other accessories geared towards making the home theater experience as comfortable as possible - such as theater chairs and sofas. You can go in two directions - aim for a real theater experience by purchasing theater style chairs, or focus more on comfort and consider everything from comfortable sofas through to massaging recliners. Considering the huge range of home theater accessories you can choose from, convenience is key - and the best part is that you can find most of them right here on the web.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Shopping For Home Theater Systems. He provides more money saving information on buying the best home theater systems at http://www.shoppingforhometheatersystems.com that you can research in your pajamas.

Home Theater Lighting

Home theater lighting is something you should consider once you've got the basics of your home theater set-up, and want to go a bit further and create an atmosphere in your theater.

One of the best ways to create the right atmosphere in any room is by using lighting, and home theater lighting has the added advantage that it actually improves the quality of the image on a screen.

Most of us are used to watching movies in darkness, and its generally agreed that all displays are at their best when the room is dark. So you just switch all the lights off, right? Well, yes and no. You need the lights on to get yourself set-up and operate the remote control before the movie starts, the last thing you want is to have to get up and cross the room to switch the lights off. The answer is to have a remote control home theater lighting system with which you can dim or switch-off the lights from the comfort of your sofa. This can either be bult-in if you're starting from scratch, or retro-fitted to an existing setup.

Going a stage further, you could install motorized drapes which are also controlled via the remote.

Some of the more sophisticated systems allow you to create pre-sets, so at the touch of a button on the remote you can create, say a pre-show atmosphere, which draws the drapes and has low lights highlighting the seating area only. Then you can switch to the show setting where all the lights are switched off.

Using an X10 system, you can even integrate controlloing the lights and drapes with the other components of your home theater. So for example, in Pre-show, some music plays and when you hit the Show, as well as the lights going off, the DVD player starts the movie and the receiver flips to movie mode.

The level of sophistication you're able to introduce to your home theater lighting will depend on your budget. Five dollars will get you a dimmer switch froma hardware store, a few hundred dollars will be a you a remote controlled lighting system. But for the full works with total integration, you can expect to pay several thousand dollars.

Robert Armstrong is a contributor to Master Home Theater Design - an essential guide to designing and setting up your own home theater.