HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

Podcast #516: Listeners Respond

HT Guys — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:03:00 +0000

There are many times when we ask our listeners for their opinions on topics we discus on the show. On last week’s show we asked you what you thoughts were on two subjects, How you would improve the Harmony Remote and would you pay $25 for day and date VOD titles. Since we received so many responses we thought we’d take a bit more time to share and discuss your emails as our main feature for today’s show.

Dolphin Tale - Blu-ray Review #16

HT Guys — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:22 +0000

A badly maimed juvenile dolphin is given a new tail, and a new life, through the efforts of the humans who save it in this true-life adventure saga. After losing its tail to a crab trap, the dolphin is doomed until a young boy spots its plight. (Buy Now $22.99)

Podcast #515: Pioneer Elite N-30 Networked Audio Player

HT Guys — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:27:00 +0000

The HT Guys love music and when a product comes along that lets us enjoy it, we want to take a look. The Pioneer N-30 is just such a device. It's a networked device that lets you listen to your favorite music whether it's on a computer, iPad, or on one of over a thousand Internet radio stations from around the world. The N-30 will have a MSRP of $499 when it becomes available. At the time of this writing we could not find it available from the usual outlets.

Real Steel - Blu-ray Review #15

HT Guys — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:45 +0000

In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender. (Buy Now $24.99)

Podcast #514: CES 2012: Part 2

HT Guys — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:20:00 +0000

It's never enough to just talk about CES, we have to put eyes on all the goodies for ourselves. This year we did a whirlwind, one day, Vegas and back, Consumer Electronics Show supertrip. We hit the show on the final day and it was awesome. All the technology was the same, the TVs didn't look any different than they did on Monday, but all the crowds had left and there were almost no lines for any of the demos.

Moneyball - Blu-ray Review #14

HT Guys — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:13 +0000

An all-star cast brings to life the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), a former jock turned general manager who uses unconventional methods to bring the best players to the Oakland A's, a major league baseball team struggling against financial hardship. (Buy Now $19.99)

Podcast #513: CES 2012: Part I

HT Guys — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:13:00 +0000

It's that time of the year again, time to pack up and head out to Vegas, baby, Vegas for another Consumer Electronics Show. CES always has something fun and memorable in store for us, and we're sure 2012 won't be any different. We haven't actually left yet, so for this show we're telling you about what we've heard. Next week, on Part II, we'll tell you about what we've seen.

Contagion - Blu-ray Review #13

HT Guys — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:37 +0000

Soon after her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff dies from what is a flu or some other type of infection. Her young son dies later the same day. Her husband Mitch however seems immune. Thus begins the spread of a deadly infection. For doctors and administrators at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, several days pass before anyone realizes the extent or gravity of this new infection. They must first identify the type of virus in question and then find a means of combating it, a process that will likely take several months. As the contagion spreads to millions of people worldwide, societal order begins to break down as people panic. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #512: What's Hot Right Now (2012 Time Capsule)

HT Guys — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:06:00 +0000

We often look back at the technologies and prices of years gone by with shock and amazement. Instead of simply trying to remember what things were like “back then” we thought it might make sense to put together a snapshot of the current HDTV landscape we can refer back to in the future.

Podcast #511: HDTV and Home Theater Predictions for 2012

HT Guys — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:30:00 +0000

2011 was in some ways a wild year for HDTV and home theater, but in many other ways, fairly uneventful. We didn’t fare so well in our 2011 predictions, so we’re back this year with a vengeance. A lot of thought, research and soul searching went into these and we’re really hoping for a better than 50% score this year. Without further ado, the HT Guys HDTV and home theater predictions for 2012.

Podcast #510: HT Guys 2011 Prediction Results

HT Guys — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:23:00 +0000

Every year in late December or early January we look into our crystal ball to see what the coming year will bring in the way of HDTV and Home Theater. Each year we struggle to get a score of 50%, and in many years we fall way short. So let’s take a look at 2011 and see how we did.

Cowboys & Aliens - Blu-ray Review #12

HT Guys — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:00:24 +0000

It’s 1873 when gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) awakens in the Arizona desert with no memory of his past and a mysterious metal shackle encircling his wrist. Stumbling into the nearby town of Absolution, Lonergan discovers a tightly closed community that takes its orders from the iron-fisted Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) — and Dolarhyde has a bone to pick with Lonergan. But the colonel’s influence wanes when the desolate city is attacked by monsters that drop from the sky with blinding force and abduct the helpless townsfolk one by one. As Lonergan’s memory slowly returns, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella (Olivia Wilde), he assembles a posse comprised of former opponents: townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors. United against a common enemy, they prepare for an epic showdown for survival. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #509: Home Theater "In a Box" 2011

HT Guys — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:16:00 +0000

As you know, we typically are not big fans of Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems. In years past we've decided to put our own "box" systems together, complete with TV, Blu-ray player and the audio system as well. Last year we had a $10,000 system and a $5,000 system. This year, with prices going the way they have, we decided to be even tougher on ourselves and try to produce a complete system for $1,500 or less.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Blu-ray Review #11

HT Guys — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:00:49 +0000

James Franco headlines the reboot of the immensely popular Planet of the Apes franchise, a prequel which boasts cutting-edge CGI effects and a gripping story set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates, including Caesar (Andy Serkis), develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats, unleashing a war for dominion over Earth.

Podcast #508: Home Theater Projector Buying Guide

HT Guys — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:09:00 +0000

This is our first time doing it, and we’ll admit, it presents some unique challenges, but we did it anyways. This is our first ever HT Guys Projector Buyer’s Guide. Of course no projector is complete on its own, it still needs a screen, and the screen plays a large role in how the projector will perform, but the same could be said of receivers and speakers as well. Instead of lumping them into cost categories, we just picked our fave 6 (couldn't use that other number due to trademark infringements).

The Hangover Part II - Blu-ray Review #10

HT Guys — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:00:21 +0000

In this booze and laugh soaked sequel to The Hangover, the buddies from the earlier film's bachelor party reunite for a wedding trip to Thailand where one of them, Stu Price (Ed Helms), is planning to tie the knot. Stu is determined that his own pre-wedding party should be a restrained and dignified affair, but between the habits of his friends and the multiple distractions of Bangkok, fate has other plans in store for him. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #507: HDTV Buying Guide

HT Guys — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:15:00 +0000

If we didn’t spend enough of your money with the Receiver Buying Guide on Episode 505 and you still have some budget left, you’re in luck. Today we’ll give you our choices for what HDTV to buy in several different price categories. Of course screen size goes up as prices go up, just as you’d expect. And similar to the Receiver Buying Guide, this guide isn’t about getting the latest and greatest. Its about getting a good value for your money and something you’ll enjoy for years to come.

3:10 To Yuma - Blu-ray Review #9

HT Guys — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:22:05 +0000

In this remake of the 1957 classic, Dan Evans agrees to transport the captured outlaw Ben Wade to the nearest town with a rail station, where they'll catch a ride to court in Yuma. But all the while, Wade's henchmen are plotting their next move.

Extra Edition #3 - Interview with Jim Carroll of Savant

HT Guys — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:04 +0000

From time to time we will record special editions where we speak with people in the industry. Today we have a discussion with Jim Carroll of Savant. Jim is the Co-Founder and General Manager, Residential Business of Savant Systems LLC. He is responsible for leading sales, marketing, engineering, and operations for Savant.

Podcast #506: Calibration Corner

HT Guys — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:37:05 +0000

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in the US we are taking a little time off. But we won’t leave you hanging, we have a Calibration Corner with Ray Coronado of SoCalHT.com. We’ll be tweeting up deals all weekend long. Follow us on twiiter @HDTVPodcast (Ara) @BradenRussell and @RodWilliams

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Blu-ray Review #8

HT Guys — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:00:34 +0000

Cunningly clumsy Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) meets his match when mysterious beauty Angelica (Penélope Cruz) forces the pirate to join her in search of the Fountain of Youth in the fourth installment of the humorous and action-packed "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. Sparrow tries to determine whether Angelica is friend or foe while the riotous adventure sets him aboard a vessel belonging to the fearsome pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #505: Black Friday 2011 and Receiver Buying Guide

HT Guys — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:17:00 +0000

Its that time of year again where the HT Guys get to spend your money. We start of our buying guides with receivers. BTW, this guide is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. This year there are some fantastic deals to be had! Enjoy!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Blu-ray Review #7

HT Guys — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:07:41 +0000

The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #504: New ways to watch TV

HT Guys — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:20:09 +0000

Going way back in the history of watching TV at home, we all used to have antennas so we could watch over the air broadcasts. Eventually Cable TV service emerged and changed the way we would get our favorite shows at home. Then came Satellite, then IPTV and we were in heaven. Fast forward a few years and prices for TV service have constantly skyrocketed, leading us all to become frustrated at the lack of options. But there may be a way out.

Super 8 - blu-ray Review #6

HT Guys — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:00:54 +0000

During the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #503: Dolby Transform Contest Winners and ZVOX Z-Base 580

HT Guys — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:43:00 +0000

Way back on Podcast #417 we reviewed the ZVOX 575 and at that time we felt it was a great solution for an apartment dweller, den, or a bedroom because its so dead simple to setup. Today we are taking a look at the latest in the ZVOX family, the Z-Base 580 (Buy Now $599). The 580 builds on the solid base of the 575 and adds some great new features.

Captain America - Blu-ray Review #5

HT Guys — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:14:06 +0000

Marvel launches another super franchise with this action-packed origin story, which follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he volunteers for a secret experiment during World War II. Transformed into a superhero named Captain America, Steve goes after the Axis. With his perfect physique and heightened reflexes -- and his sidekick, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) -- Steve battles the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a super soldier created by Italian fascists. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #502: Optoma Neo-i DV20A Projector Review

HT Guys — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:14:39 +0000

You’ve heard us talk about projectors with built-in DVD players before, typically in conjunction with a feature on backyard or outdoor theater. But who uses DVDs anymore? OK, bad joke, but to be fair, more and more people are storing movies and videos right on their smart phones, portable media players and tablets. If that’s you, and your phone happens to be an iPhone, or you happen to use an iPod, Optoma has built the Neo-i DV20A projector just for you.

Green Lantern - Blu-ray Review #4

HT Guys — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:00:44 +0000

Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a brash, talented test pilot, is chosen by an alien force of warriors to become their representative on Earth and use his new powers as the Green Lantern to promote order and justice before conflict destroys his world. Despite being the first human to wear the ring that bestows his abilities, Hal must combat villain Parallax. Fellow pilot Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) aids Hal in his quest to save the galaxy. Buy Now $28.99

Podcast #501: TV Reliability

HT Guys — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:32:00 +0000

We recently read and discussed an article by the HD Guru about disposable TVs (Vizio Disposable HDTV Sellers: Do They Have Your Back?) and thought it might be a good idea to discuss TV reliability. Armed with this information you can decide whether its worth paying a bit more for a TV that will last longer than some of the cheaper “Disposable” brands. This information comes from Consumer Reports. They surveyed 209,000 readers between 2007 and 2011 to determine Brand Reliability.

Horrible Bosses Blu-ray Review #3

HT Guys — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:22 +0000

Disgruntled buddies Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) can't leave their miserable jobs, so they cook up a creative strategy for eliminating each other's micromanaging and maniacal employers (Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey) instead in this crackpot comedy. Peculiar advice from con artist Motherf**ker Jones (Jamie Foxx) gets the scheme in motion, but the pals can't keep the wheels from flying off. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #500: A Look Back at 500 Episodes of HDTV Talk

HT Guys — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

It is hard to believe we've done 500 episodes of the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast. So much has changed in the almost 7 years we've been doing this, and so much has stayed the same. It's been a great time; we've enjoyed sharing it with our listeners and are looking forward to 500 more.

Fast Five Blu-ray Review #2

HT Guys — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:14 +0000

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker head up an all-star reunion of the explosive Fast franchise set in sultry Rio de Janeiro. Former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and his girlfriend Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) bust Mia’s brother Dom (Vin Diesel) out of prison, blasting across South America to elude the authorities. Finding themselves backed into a corner in Brazil, they assemble an elite team of top racers to help pull off the one last job that could mean freedom for them all. But hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is hot on their trail, and so is a corrupt and powerful businessman who wants them dead. When Hobbs and his strike force launch an all-out assault to capture the Torettos and their team, he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Instead, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first. Buy Now $16.99

Podcast #499: ZyXEL 500 Mbps Powerline Ethernet Adapter

HT Guys — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:24:00 +0000

It seems like every new home theater device wants a network or an Internet connection these days. Your TV wants to be connected, your Blu-ray player, even some receivers want to be online. Not to mention dedicated media players and gaming devices. If you don’t have a hard wired connection to your theater gear, you can usually try WiFi, but even good connections can be unreliable at times. That’s where a good Powerline adapter can make all the difference.

Transformers Blu-ray Review #1

HT Guys — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:00:25 +0000

A mysterious event from Earth’s past threatens to ignite a war so big that the TRANSFORMERS™ alone will not be able to save the planet. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and the AUTOBOTS™ must fight against the darkness to defend our world from the DECEPTICONS’™ all-consuming evil in the smash hit from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #498: Accell UltraCat HD

HT Guys — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:02:00 +0000

Up until now the longest HDMI cable run the HT Guys were able to successfully transmit video across was 50 feet. Those cables were pretty thick and hard to snake through walls and attics. We've tried longer cables but had no luck beyond 50 feet. Thanks to Accell there is a product that will allow you to extend your HDMI up to about 330 feet. The UltraCat HD HDMI extender uses HDBaseT technology to send video over Cat5e/6 Ethernet cables. You can even send IR signals over the same cable. The device has an MSRP of $500 and is available today.

Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector

HT Guys — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:11:00 +0000

One complaint we have about 3D is that it needs to be immersive if you are to appreciate the effect. Since most of us can’t afford 100 inch plasmas, a front projector is pretty much the only choice you have for this type of experience, albeit an expensive one. Enter the Optoma HD33 (Buy Now $1500). Its a 1080p DLP projector that supports 3D.

Netflix Special

HT Guys — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:00:49 +0000

Ara is in India so we weren't able to discuss the Netflix news of the past week. But judging by the volume of the email its something that a lot of you wanted our take on. So from Ara's hotel room in Hyderbad and the HT Guys world headquarters in Southern California we give you our take in an HT Guys Special Podcast.

Podcast #496: ZyXEL AeroBeam Wireless HD Video Kit

HT Guys — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:05:00 +0000

Through the years we’ve had the opportunity to check out several wireless audio, video and wireless HDMI systems. This week we’re adding one more option to your list of choices for wireless HDMI. If you’ve always wanted to use a front projector for huge home theater, but never wanted to cut up the ceiling to run cables, you’ll want to listen to this review. It’s the ZyXEL AeroBeam Wireless HD Video Kit (WHD6215).

Podcast #495: JVC 47-inch BlackCrystal 120Hz LCD HDTV

HT Guys — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:01:00 +0000

The HT Guys have been JVC fans for quite some time, dating back to CRT tube TVs in years gone by. Braden has a JVC rear projection TV still in use in his home and Ara has a JVC projector in his theater. When we got the chance to talk to Tom Paterniti, VP of Sales for JVC BlackCrystal TVs and also check out a brand new 47” BlackCrystal LCD for ourselves, we jumped at the opportunity.

Podcast #494: Reflections, Streaming Movies and IFA

HT Guys — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

IFA is essentially the Consumer Electronics Show of Europe. It is held in Berlin Germany and is attended by most of the same companies that attend CES. Although we couldn’t attend this year. We have been eagerly eyeing press releases coming over from Germany. Here are a few that caught our attention.

Podcast #493: Step by Step DIY Home Automation

HT Guys — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:16:00 +0000

Many of our listeners have lights on timers so that their homes look lived in when they are away or so they don’t come into a dark home. With the end of Summer and day light savings quickly approaching, we thought it would be a good idea to give you some step by step tips for home automation so you never have to reset your timers again!

Podcast #492: Projectors and Mistakes

HT Guys — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:22:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what the biggest mistakes are that people make when buying a new HDTV? Or perhaps you're looking for ideas for projectors to use in your home theater. Forget that, you want to know how to get NFL Sunday Ticket on your PS3. We've got all that and more on an action packed episode of the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast. And for your reference, the answer is 22 minutes.

Podcast #491: Portable Media Streamers

HT Guys — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:11:00 +0000

A trend that we have been following for a while now is portability of your media. In the future many believe that the cloud will house all our media and make it available to us everywhere we go. But until we have universal high speed access at low costs we will remain dependent on physical storage. The current crop of portable devices have at most 64GB of storage so often you have to compromise on what media you take with you.

Podcast #490: PlayLater by MediaMall Technologies

HT Guys — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Have you ever sat down to watch a TV Show or Movie at your favorite streaming site, only to find that what you wanted to watch is no longer available? Sure, maybe you saw it just yesterday, but for some reason it has disappeared now. If so, you’ll want to check out a new application called PlayLater by MediaMall Technologies, the makers of PlayOn.

Podcast #489: MOHU Paper Thin HDTV Antenna

HT Guys — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:28:00 +0000

We’ve been talking about cutting the cord quite a bit lately. One of the primary components required is a TV antenna so you can pick up all the free digital goodness flying through the airways. If you are those lucky enough to live within 30 miles of your TV Transmitters then we have discovered probably the best thing you’ll ever plug into your HDTV. Its the paper thin HDTV antenna made by MOHU and it goes for $44 (Buy Now) and its made in the USA.

Podcast #488: Painting Your Home Theater

HT Guys — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:01:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago on Episode 485 we talked about how to paint your own home theater projector screen. That might not be something you plan to take on, but you might have to paint the walls in your home theater or main TV room. If you get that item on your todo list, we’ve got a few pointers to help maximize your effort for an optimal HDTV experience.

Podcast #487: Next Generation Audio

HT Guys — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:00:00 +0000

We received a few emails of late asking why there are more Blu-ray titles being released with DTS-HD Master Audio vs Dolby True HD. So we thought we’d take a look at the formats and see if we could determine why.

Podcast #486: Smell-o-Vision and Streaming Movies

HT Guys — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:00:55 +0000

For TV manufacturers, the HDTV transition was a huge success. We all went out and bought new televisions, some of us even bought more than one. So far, the push for 3D televisions hasn't been quite as successful. Most of us have decided to sit this one out. So what would it take to get us all to run out and buy a new TV? What if your TV could actually produce the smells you see on screen? That might be a more immersive experience than 3D. Of course, that's a power you don't want falling into the wrong hands...

Podcast #485: Painting Your Projector Screen

HT Guys — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:01:00 +0000

For many, a true home theater is one that has a projector and screen. This type of setup can range in cost from a few thousand to tens of thousands or dollars. Most of the cost goes into the projector but a good percentage is also taken up by the screen. Ara’s Black Diamond II screen goes for about $2700 online. Today we are going to discuss a way to save as much as 95% on the cost of screen and still have a high quality experience. All you need is some specialized paint, elbow grease, and a weekend. We’re talking about painting your screen onto a wall.

Podcast #484: The Next Next Big Thing

HT Guys — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

It seems the Home Theater industry has a new “next big thing” every few months. We read articles and blog posts from authors who claim anything Apple releases will be the next big thing that will revolutionize something somewhere. Others think anything that comes out of Google will reshape the modern technology world. We’re going to go out on a limb and talk about something that doesn’t come from either company. We know, we know …crazy.

Podcast #483: Over the Air TV Signals - Are They Still Needed?

HT Guys — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:27:00 +0000

On the last two shows we discussed comments made by CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro stating that, "using huge swaths of wireless spectrum to deliver TV to homes no longer makes economic sense. Congress should pass legislation to allow for incentive auctions so free market dynamics can find the best purposes for underused broadcast spectrum, such as wireless broadband." In the CEAs findings they stated that only 8% of the US population EXCLUSIVELY receives their TV signals through the air. We feel that this number is artificially stated as low. The survey polled 1,256 adults but it did not say where the respondents were located. If the survey was done in rural communities that number may be as high as 25%.

Podcast #482: The Best HDTV Widgets

HT Guys — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:01:00 +0000

An HDTV Widget is an application that runs on an Internet-connected HDTV, sometimes called a “Smart TV” or other home-theater device, like many Blu-ray players, a Roku, the Boxee Box or a Google TV, that offers functionality beyond the traditional TV watching experience. There are a plethora of these widgets, some useful, some not so useful. We’ve assembled our list of the best, or most useful, HDTV Widgets available right now.

Podcast #481: 720p vs 1080p or More Compression vs Less Compression

HT Guys — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Last September Apple released the AppleTV 2 and one of the things people complained about was that it was only 720p. We have talked on this program many times that resolution is not the most important specification of a good display or projector. Especially when you talk screen sizes less than 50 inches. There is study after study that says MOST people need to sit six feet away from a 50 inch TV to see the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Podcast #480: What is RVU?

HT Guys — Fri, 27 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

DirecTV recently began testing what they’re calling a new “media center” that will allow customers to watch live and DVR recorded programming on any TV in the house without the need for a set-top box in each room. This new media center is built on a technology called RVU. But what exactly is RVU? There’s an RVU Alliance, but what do they do? What does “RVU” even mean?

Podcast #479: HDMI 1.5 Wish List

HT Guys — Fri, 20 May 2011 20:20:00 +0000

When we bought our first devices that supported HDMI way back in 2006 the hot devices could handle the HDMI 1.1 specification. At that time the big deal was an AV receiver that would take next generation audio formats decoded on Blu-ray players and sent to a receiver that could accept PCM audio via HDMI. HDMI is still the only way to get next generation audio into a receiver.

Podcast #478: Optoma 3D Projector Package

HT Guys — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:11:00 +0000

It’s hard to get the full effect of a 3D movie on a standard TV screen. There’s something about being in a movie theater, where the screen takes up the entire wall, that allows the 3D to really come to life. Trying to get that big screen, IMAX feel on a home TV can be challenging. But what if you could watch 3D at home on a giant projection screen? Would that make it worth making the jump into 3D?

Podcast #477: Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Blu-ray Player

HT Guys — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:02:00 +0000

We have been doing this show for the past six years and have had an opportunity to review a lot of Blu-ray players. So when the Panasonic DMP-BDT110 (Buy Now $135) showed up on our doorstep we were pretty sure we knew what to expect from a sub $150 Blu-ray player. We were wrong! Panasonic has raised the bar for every player out there regardless of price.

Podcast #476: Costco Round-up 2011

HT Guys — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:23:00 +0000

The HT Guys and the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast celebrated a 6 year anniversary just a few weeks ago. Hitting a mark like that got us to reminisce about the good old days of HDTV. The days when CRT and rear projection sets dominated store shelves. The days before 3D, Blu-ray and 1080p. Back in those days, we used to occasionally visit our local Costco to see what deals we could find.

Podcast #475: Zediva and the Blu-ray Process

HT Guys — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:04:00 +0000

Recently we were talking with an old friend of ours who works for a movie studio in the Blu-ray production facility. This got us thinking about what it takes to create a disc filled with all that high definition goodness. Today we are going to take a high level look at what is entailed in producing a Blu-ray disc.

Podcast #474: Mobile DTV

HT Guys — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:35:00 +0000

According to the Open Mobile Video Coalition, Mobile Digital Television, or Mobile DTV, will be available in 71 million homes in the US in the next 12 months. That equates to roughly two-thirds of all US households by this time next year. With that almost instant market penetration, we’re bound to see some shifts in HDTV, home theater and certainly consumer electronics.

Amazon Prime: Stream movies and save on shipping; you're bi-winning.

Podcast #473: Microvision ShowWX Plus Pico Projector

HT Guys — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:20:00 +0000

Last year Braden and Ara added projectors to our respective media rooms. We have been absolutely thrilled with the experience. There really is nothing like watching a movie on a 100 inch plus screen. Lately we have been reading about smaller scale projectors - so small that they will fit in your pocket. They are commonly referred to as Pico Projectors. Pico Projectors are a class of projectors that can be held in your hand. About the size of a smart phone, they are ideal for travelers and college students.

Podcast #472: Crossover Frequency

HT Guys — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:16:00 +0000

We got a Twitter question from a listener about how to set the Crossover Frequency for his speakers and subwoofer, so we thought it might be worth while to explain the concept for everyone. For some this may be review, but if you’ve struggled with crossover, or have just left it set at the default because you didn’t know what to do with it, this is for you.

Podcast #471: Hannspree 42 inch 120Hz LCD HDTV

HT Guys — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:12:00 +0000

Back when we started this podcast (six years ago on Thursday) we never dreamt of being able to purchase a 42 inch LCD for around $460. And if you could would it be any good? Today that dream has come true with the Hannspree ST42DMSB 42 inch 120Hz LCD HDTV. As you would expect with a 42 inch TV at this price point there aren’t a ton of bells and whistles. What you get is a solid basic HDTV that can be used in your main or secondary room without breaking the bank.

Podcast #470: Samsung BD-D6500 Blu-ray player

HT Guys — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:20:00 +0000

There’s a lot of talk about streaming movies eventually taking over for conventional disc based media like DVD and Blu-ray. But we all know the quality just isn’t quite there yet to eliminate Blu-ray entirely. So what are you to do? Why not buy a Blu-ray player that also streams movies so you’re covered for both cases? If it also supports 3D, you’re triple covered. That’s what you get with the Samsung BD-D6500.

Podcast #469: B&W P5 Headphones

HT Guys — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Portable music players have been around since the 80’s. Back then it was the Walkman, today its an iPod or a cellphone. Regardless of what you use to listen to your music on the go you need headphones. And depending on the quality of how your music is encoded, headphones can have a major impact on what your hear. Today we are reviewing headphones that are designed with those who demand the highest quality sound in mind, the B&W P5 (Street Price $300)

Podcast #468: Easy Home Theater Audio Tweaks

HT Guys — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:23:00 +0000

It seems like there was a lot going on in the news this week, so we have a bunch of current events to cover - everything from iPad 2 to AllRovi.com. Then we go over some tips from an article at Electronic House called Acoustics Matter: Easy Home Theater Audio Tweaks. The article has some good ideas for how to get the most out of your home theater audio equipment and configuration.

Podcast #467: SRS iWow 3D and Amazon Instant Streaming

HT Guys — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:12:48 +0000

This week Amazon announced that Amazon Prime members will get instant streaming of 5,000 movies and TV shows. We are big fans of Amazon Prime. You get free two day shipping on almost anything Amazon sells. But with free unlimited streaming of 5,000 movies its a no brainer...or is it?

Podcast #466: HSU Research Speakers

HT Guys — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:21:00 +0000

Recently Braden started looking for some new speakers for his house. Recommendations came flooding in, but one that really intrigued us came from good friend Ray. He suggested we check out what HSU Research has to offer. We know they make great subs, but were unfamiliar with their speakers, so we decided to check them out.

Podcast #465: McTiVia Review

HT Guys — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:00:00 +0000

In the traditional sense a computer connected to your TV is commonly referred to as a Home Theater PC or HTPC. This requires you to dedicate a computer connected to the TV or at least use a Media Extender device like an Xbox 360. On today’s show we look at a device that is part Media Extender and part HDMI extension cord. We are talking about the McTiVia ($230 with shipping) and it works with both Windows and Macs.

Podcast #464: Pioneer VSX-1120-K Audio/Video Receiver

HT Guys — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:28:00 +0000

We recently switched our go-to value receiver to the Pioneer VSX-820-K. For under $300, it packs in a great deal of features. But it also makes some sacrifices to get the cost down that low. So for those who want to step up to a 7.1 receiver, we decided to check out the Pioneer VSX-1120-K. Right now it’s just over $200 more at a street price of $535.

Check out our sponsor TheaterInvite.com

Podcast #463: Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray Player

HT Guys — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:00:59 +0000

Oppo has been around since 2004, about a year longer than the HT Guys. We’ve watched them go from a company that built high performance upconverting DVD players to one that builds high performance Blu Ray Players. Today we take a look at the latest in the Oppo lineage, the BDP-93. The player is all black with a brushed aluminum face. The fit and finish is first rate and looks great in our equipment stack. The BDP-93 has a MSRP of $499.99.

Check out our sponsor TheaterInvite.com

Podcast #462: Where are they now?

HT Guys — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:02:24 +0000

Being at CES this year made us think back to the many booths we’ve visited and exhibits we’ve seen in prior years. There have been major highlights in years past that seem to have faded into the sunset. Some of the things we were excited about just a couple years ago were nowhere to be seen this year. Where did they go?

Check out our sponsor TheaterInvite.com

Podcast #461: Panasonic TC-P58VT25 3D Plasma

HT Guys — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:00:34 +0000

Ara has been watching his Panasonic TC-P58VT25 58-inch 3D 1080p VIERA Plasma HDTV (Street Price $2500) for about a month and thought it would be a good time for a review. When Ara purchased the TV it was going for about $2700, now you can buy it for about $2500.

Dolby Volume Contest

Podcast #460: CES 2011

HT Guys — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:00:42 +0000

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by and we're back on our annual trek to Las Vegas to pay homage to the consumer electronics industry. The Consumer Electronics Show is always a fun adventure, showcasing some of both the best and the most peculiar devices imaginable. Last year we were bombarded with 3D; this year it was all about connected TVs and tablets.

Podcast #459: Predictions for 2011

HT Guys — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 09:03:00 +0000

It’s that time of year where we try to look into the future and predict the state of the industry. Last year we improved our accuracy a small fraction but we’re still hanging in around 30%. So let’s take another shot for 2011.

Dolby Volume Contest

Podcast #458: 2010 Prediction Results

HT Guys — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:07:12 +0000

Each year we try to look into the future and predict the state of the industry. The last few years we have been about 30% accurate but that doesn't stop us from trying. Let’s take a look back at what we thought 2010 would bring to see how we did.

Dolby Volume Contest

Podcast #457: Home Theater "In a Box"

HT Guys — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:01:00 +0000

Typically the HT Guys are not big fans of Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems but for today's show we are making an exception. But these are not your typical HTIB systems. We decided to create two "Special" (Air Quotes required) HTIB systems. Actually, these systems come in many boxes and the components don't even come from the same manufacturer.

Dolby Volume Contest

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

HT Guys — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Our HDTV buying guide comes back by popular demand, just in time for Christmas. We’ll break them down by size again, which gets pretty close to breaking them down by price as well. The 2010 edition shows that same falling price trend as years past, so you don’t have to feel guilty when you drop hints on what you “deserve” to see under the tree this year.

Check out our sponsor TheaterInvite.com

Podcast #455 Interview with Ray Coronado THX Certified Calibrator

HT Guys — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:00:27 +0000

We often talk about professional calibration on our show and when Ray reached out to both of us to offer his assistance in calibrating our newly purchased projectors we thought it would be good to have Ray on our show.

Podcast #454: Receiver Buying Guide

HT Guys — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:00:38 +0000

The HT Guys buying guides have become an annual tradition, and something that we really look forward to putting together. We hope you enjoy this year’s edition!

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Podcast #453: Audioengine N22 Desktop Audio Amplifier & Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8700UB Projector

HT Guys — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:00:04 +0000

Just after Braden installed his front projection theater, we recorded Episode 441 to go over the finer details of the installation and strategy behind it. Braden has an Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 (Street Price $1650) in his home theater and he dreamed of it growing up to be an 8500UB. For the last few days, it actually grew up to be the newer 8700UB just released by Epson.

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Podcast #452: Logitech Revue and Google TV

HT Guys — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:05:00 +0000

We have talked in the past about the various options for streaming content to your TV and Google TV always emerges as one of those options. In fact, we’re on record as saying that Google TV may even revolutionize the consumer electronics industry by becoming the base operating system TVs and Blu-ray players are built on. When we got the opportunity to review the Logitech Revue, we jumped at the chance.

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Podcast #451: Nixeus Fusion HD Review

HT Guys — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 07:23:00 +0000

We love Media players! So when we we given the opportunity to review yet another player we took it. By the way, with so many players on the market it can become difficult to know all the players. Thanks to a cool spreadsheet that Veronica Belmont got started its a bit easier. Check out the Networked & Set Top Boxes Google spreadsheet. Its like a program for set top boxes!

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Podcast #450: Networked & Set Top Box Master List

HT Guys — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:00:20 +0000

Today we have a short interview with Veronica Belmont of Tekzilla. We talk about a Google Document she created, and handed over to everyone, that compiles a list of everything you want to know about almost every set top box out there.

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Podcast #449: Epson MovieMate 85HD

HT Guys — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:10:00 +0000

We typically have some sort of backyard or outdoor theater discussion every summer when the weather is nice and we’d all like to take our movie watching to the great outdoors. We didn’t do one this year, but maybe that’s a good thing. Epson recently released the MovieMate 85HD, a perfect backyard theater projector. But it’s good for much more than just outside, so you can even use it during the rainy season.

Dolby Ultimate Home Entertainment Contest

Episode #6: AV After Dark

HT Guys — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:37:24 +0000

Its been a while but now that Tom has settled in down under we thought it would be fun to bring you another installment of AV After Dark. You can find AV Rant at their website (AVRant.com). We really enjoy these collaborations and hope you do too. Thanks to listener Ted for both the Intro and Outro music. Check out more of his work at www.thesysmusic.com. You can find both the HT Guys and AV Rant iPhone app in the iTunes music store.

Podcast #448: Apple's Airplay

HT Guys — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:02:00 +0000

Its no secret that we both love our whole house audio systems. Judging from the email we get its pretty clear our listeners like whole house audio as well. Braden uses the Logitech Squeezebox setup and I use Apple’s Airport Express. We tested and really like Sonos as well. So when Apple introduced their latest sharing technology called Airplay, we were intrigued to see what it offers over existing technologies.

Podcast #447: Google TV and CEDIA Themes

HT Guys — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0000

We talked a few weeks back on Episode 444 about the new product announcements from the 2010 CEDIA show in Atlanta. CEPro magazine recently posted an article about the 10 things they learned from the show. Their themes point out what could be some interesting trends for home theater over the coming months and years.

Podcast #446: Home Theater of the Future

HT Guys — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:21:00 +0000

We’ve been doing this show for going on six years. During that period we’ve seen the Home Theater world go through a lot of changes. Technologies have been announced and have either completely failed or never lived up to their potential. We’re looking at you SED, HD DVD, and MoCA. To be fair MoCA is the closest to being a reality but its taking a long time.

Podcast #445: brite-View Air SyncHD and Bye bye Blu-ray

HT Guys — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Netflix just launched their service in Canada, but they aren't planning to ship a single disc. The entire service is what we refer to as "Watch it Now" or their streaming video service. They're also on record as saying that if they were starting in the US right now, they'd do the same thing: skip discs entirely and go straight to streaming. Microsoft has recently also predicted that Blu-ray will go the way of the HD-DVD very soon (article). So what do these companies know that we don't?

Podcast #444: CEDIA 2010

HT Guys — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:05:00 +0000

Each year CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) holds an event where the industry gathers to show off their wares. We’ve been to a few of these and actually enjoy the show more than CES. It takes the parts of CES that we are interested in and compresses it down to a more manageable show. We didn’t go this year but that won’t stop us from talking about some of the products we think are interesting.

Podcast #443: Cutting the cord with ivi.tv

HT Guys — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:19:00 +0000

Although neither of us have actually taken the plunge, we’ve talked quite often about canceling the cable or satellite bill in favor of Internet video and over the air TV. We know several of you have given it a shot, but there’s always been one big hangup. What about live TV? A new website called ivi.tv wants to fill that gap.

Check out our HT Guys Gear at our Cafe Press Store!

Podcast #442: Home Automation for Beginners

HT Guys — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:10:00 +0000

Over the last few months we highlighted Home Automation companies that were on the high end side. While these system are what we all dream of, almost all of us can’t afford them. However, there is no reason that we can’t have a fully functional home automation system without breaking the bank. When we read an article at Electronic House entitled Home Automation FAQs for Beginners we thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about Home Automation for beginners.

Podcast #441: We can go bigger

HT Guys — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000

The term “Home Theater” has become pretty subjective. Years ago it meant exactly what it sounds like: an actual theater in your home. Typically reserved for only the super rich, it slowly grew more mainstream as prices fell and DIY solutions came to market. Eventually, the term has come to describe any home audio-visual setup that has surround sound and perhaps a larger than normal television.

Podcast #440: Vizio XVT553SV LCD HDTV Review

HT Guys — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:01:00 +0000

With football season just around the corner you may be in the market for a new HDTV to watch your favorite team try and make it to the Superbowl. We’ve seen a few technologies come and go and each of them try to produce a picture that’s as good as plasma. The latest is LED. The Vizio XVT553SV will run you about $1900 for the 55 inch version and its loaded with all kinds of goodies that we can finally say that Plasma may have finally met its match.

Podcast #439: Fall 2010 TV Schedule

HT Guys — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Pat yourself on the back, we did it again. We all made it through another Summer with nothing to watch on TV. Whether you had stored up a bunch of shows on your DVR to get you through the dry season, or relied heavily on Netflix and Hulu, you made it. And now it’s time to reap the reward. Football is back, and in just a few short weeks all your favorite shows will be back on, and perhaps a few new ones will make it to your favorites list.

Podcast #438: Crestron

HT Guys — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:01:00 +0000

In the continuation of our ongoing series on home automation we discuss Crestron. Perhaps the biggest name in home automation, Crestron is the standard by which other automation products are measured. Crestron solutions are found in the home, corporations, hospitals, education and more. Like other solutions, Crestron home automation packages give you control over your lighting, climate, and entertainment. Here is a little of what Crestron supports.

Podcast #437: Onkyo TX-SR608 Review

HT Guys — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:00:29 +0000

Ever since we talked about Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX in Episode 425, we've had a strong desire to experience them for ourselves. And what better excuse is there to buy a new receiver than the new "9.1" surround options? That brought us to the Onkyo TX-SR608 home theater receiver. It's a 7.1 receiver that will do just about everything you want, and a little more.

Podcast #436: Are High End Audio/Video Retailers a Dying Breed?

HT Guys — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:05:00 +0000

We all know someone who has to own the absolute best gear on the market. They don't care how much it costs. Whether its a receiver that "reproduces sounds that only dogs can hear" or its the guy who buys the most expensive video processor for his equally expensive projector, we all have stories of friends or acquaintances that match that description.

Podcast #435: Can Blu-ray pull it off?

HT Guys — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Blu-ray would like to supplant DVD and take over as the dominant video format in households all around the world. We see the advantage from a pure quality perspective, but believe that costs have to line up for it to actually happen. With so many forces pulling against it, can Blu-ray really become the successor to DVD?

Podcast #434: Life|ware

HT Guys — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:10:00 +0000

Today as part of our ongoing series on home automation we discuss Life|ware. Life|ware™ is software developed by Exceptional Innovation that allows you to seamlessly merge control of your home along with your world of digital entertainment.

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 07-12-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:00:42 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday June 18th

Podcast #433: Bye bye HDMI; Hello HDBaseT

HT Guys — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:01:00 +0000

There’s been a lot of activity on the Internet recently around the new HDBaseT Alliance. Bottom line, they want to replace HDMI with standard Cat5e or Cat6 cables. The group was launched in December 2009, but recently announced that LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony have thrown in their support. This, along with a finalized spec, have moved the HDBaseT idea to the forefront of home theater news.

Podcast #432: Home Theater Acoustic Treatments

HT Guys — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0000

We all want great sounding home theaters. We spend our hard earned cash on receivers, speakers, subwoofers and TV/Projectors but one area many of us overlook is the actual room acoustics. Bare floors and walls can ruin an experience by allowing sound waves to bounce off these surfaces and create audio distortions. The net result is the most expensive systems will not live up to their potential. Acoustic treatments can absorb the sound waves and prevent echoes, reverberation, and audio distortion that reduce the enjoyment of your home theater.

Podcast #431: Quartics, Insteon, X10, ZigBee and Z-Wave

HT Guys — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:05:00 +0000

We've started to talk quite a bit lately about home automation. Granted it isn't exactly an HDTV or Home Theater topic, but we think it fits quite well. After all, most home theater installers also offer some form lighting control. If you can add your own lighting, window covering and screen control to your home theater, it makes perfect sense.

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 06-21-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:00:00 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday June 18th

Podcast #430: Pioneer VSX-820-K Audio/Video Receiver

HT Guys — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:36:00 +0000

Every Fall, just before Christmas, we do a receiver buying guide to help our audience decide on what to buy. Last Fall our value receiver was an Onkyo SR607 which sold for $320. After spending time with the Pioneer VSX-820-K ($280) we have a new king! The VSX-820-K is a 5.1 system that has 4 HDMI inputs and does next generation audio.

Podcast #429: TV Specs and Settings - Are they for real?

HT Guys — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:07:00 +0000

There is a great article at Maximim PC by Dr. Raymond Soneira called "Display Myths Shattered: How Monitor & HDTV Companies Cook Their Specs." We're going to distill it down to a few soundbites and add a little bit of HT Guys color commentary along the way. But if you find the information interesting or useful, we would encourage you to read the full article.

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 06-07-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:00:22 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday June 4th

Podcast #428: Aperion Audio SLIMstage30 by Soundmatters

HT Guys — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:02:55 +0000

The HT Guys love simplicity and sound bars are exactly that, simple to setup and use. Today we take a look at a new entrant into the field, the Aperion Audio SLIMstage 30 (Street Price $799). Sound bars are great solutions for small rooms, bedrooms, or dens. The SLIMstage 30 is sleek, compact, and when using the Bravus 8A subwoofer, a powerful sound system. If you already have a subwoofer you can save $200 by ordering the same system without the 8A. Each version comes with mounting brackets in case you want to attach the sound bar to the wall just below or above your flat panel TV.

Episode #5: AV After Dark

HT Guys — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:00:57 +0000

No technical difficulties this time so you have all three of us for the entire show! We talk a bit about TV past, present, and future. We have some ideas for what to get your home theater lovin father. Can you game Pandora? We talk about our voting strategies. Ara asks, "Is it OK to record the Pandora One Stream"? Best Buy and Tivo team up. Is that a good thing? Finally, we talk low cost receivers. Thanks for listening.

Podcast #427: brite-View Air HD Review

HT Guys — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:01:00 +0000

A few weeks ago water damage in Braden's home forced him to remove the ceiling in his family room. He took advantage of this "opportunity" to run some new cables to allow for the installation of a front projector. Of course, one of the necessary cables in that endeavor was HDMI. But not everyone wants to rip out their ceiling to run HDMI.

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 05-24-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:00:35 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday May 7th

Podcast #426: 2009 - 2010 TV Season Ratings Recap

HT Guys — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Each year in the middle of May the TV season wraps up here in the US. High Definition TV is a big part of our HD experience and from time to time we like to take the pulse of what Americans are watching. On today's show we want to recap the top 20 shows based on Nielson's rating system.

Podcast #425: Surround Sound - The New Formats

HT Guys — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:05:00 +0000

We came across an article at Home Theater Magazine about the various 7.1 speaker configurations available today. It got us thinking. Do we take the standard 7.1 configuration: 3 in the front, 2 on the sides, 2 in the back, for granted? If we could put the speakers anywhere we wanted to, where would they go?

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 05-10-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 10 May 2010 09:00:45 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday May 7th

Podcast #424: Home Automation - Control4

HT Guys — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Lately we have become big fans of home automation. While not exactly home theater, home automation is like a first cousin. Home automation is routinely used to control home theaters. After all who wouldn't want to press one button on a controller and have the lights dim, audio system turn on, and have the projector playing the latest movie off your video server?

Podcast #423: Home Theater Market Trends

HT Guys — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:17:00 +0000

Every so often we like to take a look at the top sellers at Amazon.com in various Home Theater categories. We use this information as a thermometer to roughly gauge the market as a whole. At least that's what our crack market research team tells us we can do. There are always some interesting tidbits of information that emerge.

Blu Ray Top Ten Countdown 04-26-2010

HT Guys — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:00:42 +0000

Our Semi Monthly countdown of the top ten Blu Ray titles as measured by Amazon.com. Today's show is based on sales as of Friday April 23rd