Introduction DVDO burst onto the home theater scene in the late 1990s with a 480p video processor, shocking manufacturers and consumers alike with a $599 list price point. The surprise was not so much the low price, but the fact that it produced awesome pictures for so little money. Only a few years before that, good 480p video processing, or what we used to call “line doubling,” from Faroudja’s venerable LD-100 carried a list price of $15,000. Since then, the company has continued to put out head-turning video processing products that remain the best bang for the buck in the home theater industry. Enter the VP30 with a list price of $1,999, with a virtual plethora of useful features and near state-of-the-art video performance. Many of you might be wondering why I would need a video processor anyway. There are a number of different reasons you might want a product like the DVDO VP30. One is ...

Introduction When Denon revealed the AVR-2807 7.1 channel receiver at last winter’s Consumer Electronics Show, it caused noticeable ripples of excitement by redefining what a mid-level receiver is capable of doing. With a retail price of $1,099.00, the 2807 remains affordable, while borrowing advanced features and options from its more expensive siblings, features such as analog to HDMI video switching and up-conversion, Denon’s own Audyssey Room EQ and AL 24 Processing Plus. Also available are ports for optional devices offering advanced iPod connectivity and XM Satellite Radio. Right there, the Denon 2807 already has more going for it than most. Don’t forget all of these features are encased in Denon’s trademark black housing, which at first glance is rather barren except for two rather large dials on its face, which control function and volume. Measuring in at 17 inches wide by a little over six-and-a-half inches tall and a manageable 17 inches deep, the Denon 2807 ...

Introduction For almost a year, I have enjoyed having the ability to record and play back high-definition programming from Dish Network on my Dish Player 921 satellite receiver/PVR combination machine. It has been a true workhorse, recording my favorite shows without fail, having virtually no downtime and other than the occasional lock-up that usually just requires a simple re-boot (these PVRs are essentially computers in an AV-like metal box), it has been a nearly flawless performer. It has powered my main home theater and has given me hundreds if not thousands of hours of HDTV viewing bliss, but something was seemingly missing. I recently cooked up the idea of adding a second television to my living room/kitchen area downstairs, but I didn’t want to have to install a second dedicated satellite receiver and PVR to control this TV. Enter the Dish Player 942 dual mode HDTV satellite receiver/PVR. Dish Network last year released an ingenious product ...

Introduction There is a short list of manufacturers that come to mind when you’re considering building a high-end home theater on a budget, and Denon has to be close to the top of the list. With product offerings in just about every price range, the one word that has never been equated with Denon is “average.” While some high-end purists may balk at the idea of a receiver, Denon’s line-up has always performed above and beyond the masses and has done so in a very matter-of-fact sort of way, making many people ponder the need for separate components. The AVR-4806 7.1 THX Ultra2 Certified receiver is the latest offering from Denon to challenge the idea that a receiver-based home theater can’t be state of the art. Retailing for $3,500, the AVR-4806 isn’t Denon’s flagship receiver. That title falls to the massive AVR-5805. However, I’ve seen many “flagship” receivers from other manufacturers that don’t begin to ...

Introduction When most people think of Dell, they picture the dorky blond guy, Stephen, pitching $399 computers on TV with his catchphrase, “Dude, you’re getting a Dell!” Since the media phenomenon, Stephen has been busted for possession of pot and Dell has moved their marketing focus from selling PCs to expanding their product base to include a complete line of flat panel LCD and Plasma TVs. Their entry-level model is the 19-inch W1900 that retails for $599 at Dell.com. This TV has a stylish black finish and measures 23.8 inches wide, 12.2 inches tall, a mere 3.75 inches deep and weighs 22 pounds with the integrated speakers and stand attached. The included stand is for mounting the monitor on a desk. However, if you wish to wall-mount the TV, several types of Chief brand mounts can be purchased directly from Dell’s website. Most universal LCD mounts for 13- to 19-inch TVs should work ...