CNET.com

Established in 1994 originally as a series of TV programs about computers, tech, and the Internet, CNET is one of the leading technology websites today. It is an invaluable resource to help guide you through any electronics purchase you hope to make. There are reviews for thousands of products, including cell phones, smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions (LCD / plasma / LED HDTVs), audio components and speaker systems, camcorders, home theater accessories and equipment, MP3 players, digital cameras, and much more. Every product contains a detailed review and rating. It’s easy to learn about any product before buying, and you can quickly compare electronics. Select the products you’re interested in and you can view a side-by-side comparison of their specs and features. CNET also has great information on technology news and lots of how-tos to help you with all your electronic needs.

ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports is a long-standing organization that provides trusted and valuable information concerning many types of consumer products. It was established in 1936 as an American magazine published monthly by the Consumers Union, but has since grown to become today’s leading consumer advocacy organization and website.

Its electronics category is filled with incredibly helpful information that will make it easier for you to make a decision for any purchase you’re considering. You can find the top recommended products from any category of electronics, and read detailed buying guides and shopping tips that will give you the information you need to make an informed and smart purchase. It will also help you shop around and find the best prices of whatever you’re looking for.  The community forums, meanwhile, will give you insight and opinions from other consumers.

PCWorld

PC World is another great tool to help you find electronics of any variety. A computer magazine founded in 1983, PC World has since developed an award-winning website useful for finding info not just on PCs, but also on HDTVs, home theater products, printers, security, software, tablets and smartphones, etc. They even have a dedicated section on the recent CES 2012.

The staff at PC World writes informative and comprehensive reviews on thousands of different products, and you can view ratings, specs, and features. When you’re searching for something in particular, you can browse a specific category and narrow your search results by many different features, such as price range, manufacturer, and other device-specific details, such as hard drive size or processor type. When you find a few you’re interested in, you can view side-by-side comparisons that will help you make a choice. This is a great website to consult before you buy.

PriceGrabber.com

PriceGrabber.com is a price comparison service that is very useful for comparison shopping for any product you’re looking for. It is especially helpful with electronics and provides detailed buying guides that will assist you in making your decision. Its most popular categories include laptops, home appliances, HDTVs, smartphones, and desktop computers.

On PriceGrabber.com, you can perform advanced searches to find an electronic product that meets all your specific wants and needs. Then, you can compare this side by side with a similar product. This website will also let you know where you can find the best prices so you can make sure you’re getting a good deal. It will also let you know how the different merchants rate so you know you’re buying from a reputable company. It will also help you find coupons for online stores and local deals.

About the author: Terry Ford likes long walks on the beach and shiny new gadgets.  She polishes her writing with the web’s best grammar checker.

If you haven’t gotten the chance to follow some of the trends that were set this year, here’s a quick recap of what went down. On this post we’ll focus on TVs, the centerpiece of our home entertainment system.

LG wins CNET Best of CES

At CES 2012 there was great buzz surrounding LG’s booth – and for good reason. The company’s groundbreaking 55-inch OLED HDTV, the LG 55EM9600, caught the eye of everyone, with its (nearly) borderless frame, vibrant colors, astonishingly bright and sharp screen, a virtually infinite contrast ratio, and superb performance of 4-color (red, green, blue, and white) OLED (organic light emitting diodes) panel. LG’s 55-inch OLED HDTV will likely set in motion the future adoption of OLED technology, which is actually designed to perform at a more cost-efficient level than your usual LEDs, LCDs, and plasmas. CNET awarded the LG 55EM9600 with the CES Best of Show 2012 title. The OLED HDTV is expected to be available by third quarter of this year.

Samsung not to be outdone

Actually, it wasn’t just LG who unveiled a 55-inch OLED HDTV. Samsung announced one, too, and it features the company’s so-called Super OLED technology. Samsung’s OLED pixel units consist of red, green, and blue sub-pixels, each emitting its own light and offering up to 40 percent improved color accuracy compared to LED. Samsung’s Super OLED TV also boasts of the company’s Smart Hub feature, the Samsung HDTV apps store, plus two microphones and a built-in camera, the combination of which enables users to leverage the company’s voice and motion control and facial recognition technology.

So now there are two brands competing for the world’s thinnest, lightest, and biggest OLED TVs. Certainly the technology promises to be the next big thing in home theater.

The rise of 4K

Manufacturers like LG and Sony also showed models of 4K TV sets, which offer four times the resolution of today’s HDTVs. By this, we mean that the displays have 4,000 lines of resolution (counting on the horizontal side of the screen) and about 8 million pixels. This represents a move beyond 1080p, and possibly the introduction soon of 4K Blu-ray disc players, gaming consoles, and, maybe, 4K broadcasting. Sharp even showed off an 85-inch 8K prototype TV (Ultra HDTV, or UHDTV), with over 33 million pixels and roughly the same resolution as IMAX.

Google TV is back

Google TV, the smart TV platform from the search engine giant, made a sort of comeback this year at CES, after its first-generation digital media system (launched in 2010) flopped in the market. This time, it’s gaining foothold thanks to a new partner: Samsung. (LG, Sony, and Vizio are also set to introduce Google TV sets later this year.) Google TV also has an enhanced set of features, including a new recommendation engine; integration with Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, and other VOD services; enhanced integration with DISH Network; streaming videos and audio via YouTube, Redux, Vimeo, Daily Motion, Pandora, Slacker Radio, Napster, and more; built-in Google Chrome browser; and smart TV apps from the Android Market.

CES 2012 Will See a New Motorola Droid

Expect to see the Motorola Droid 4 come to light during the days of CES 2012. This is the same event that Motorola chose to reveal their first tablet, the Xoom, to the world. The Droid 4 is not a “Google phone” per se, but is likely to get the update to Android Ice Cream Sandwich since Google is now the owner of Motorola mobile. The Droid 4 has a large screen and something that many people still want: a slide-out keyboard. It is going to be close in specifications to the already released Razr that Motorola hopes will help them get out of some sales doldrums.

Nokia Seeks To Renew Their US Market

Nokia is expected to have some units at CES 2012. The Lumia “Ace” 900 is expected to be launched in the USA at this event with some smiling AT&T representatives. Nokia seeks to spring back from a drastic fall in sales and popularity in Europe. They have not been that popular in the United States in recent memory. The Ace 900 will sport the Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” version and come with a large screen. It is considered to be a flagship smartphone from Nokia.

LG Has Some Bigger Firepower than Last Year

LG has gotten their hands on some processor goodness, thanks to Intel. They are going to unveil their first Intel “medfield”-powered smartphone at the CES event this year. It is a fast chip with specifications that so far beat Qualcomm and Tegra chips. The medfield effort is one of Intel’s first “system-on-a-chip” computers and LG will be debuting it inside one of their own. It will be running Android.

Samsung Is the Big Dog on the Lot

What will Samsung be bringing to the table? They have a huge Android smartphone they have called the “Galaxy Note“. This is an upper-crust smartphone with the size of a small tablet. If you prefer, it is a small tablet that also makes calls. The screen is absolutely terrific on the Note. It is 5.3 inches of bright Super AMOLED beauty. It has top notch wireless connectivity and a price to match. Their “next generation” 7.7 inch Galaxy Tab may also be at the CES 2012 event, but if not, look for it on the Verizon network.

About the author: This article has been written by Trevor Bishop who is a contributor to www.wish.co.uk, a leading site when it comes to choosing your favorite gifts.

1. Inception

Aside from the fact that Inception might be the greatest cerebral thriller of all-time, it also has its fair share of digital visual and sound effects that will make your seat shake. The director Christopher Nolan created a masterpiece with this film and main actor Leo DiCaprio is great as always.

2. Avatar

If you’re solely looking for that “wow” factor but don’t really care about the storyline of the film, then this is a great choice. In Blu-ray, this film is flat-out a visual stunner and is what I consider to be one of the best videos for showcasing (or showing off) a home theater. It even makes average home theater setups look good.

3. The Dark Knight

Much like Inception this movie has both an entertaining storyline and a set of visual/sound effects that will knock your socks off.  Batman: The Dark Knight is such a popular home theater watch; many people have created Batman-themed home theaters. Don’t believe me? Just Google search “Batman Themed Home Theater” and see what comes up!

4. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

I know it’s a trilogy, so if you’re having some company over, then this likely won’t do the job; in which case, just pop in the first (Fellowship of the Ring) or third one (The Return of the King) to get the best visual effects. Everybody loves Lord of the Rings so you really can do no wrong here. I watched The Return of the King recently in a home theater that had Home Theater Screen Paint and I will tell you, Smeagol/ Gollum looked frightening!

5. Transformers Trilogy

Many people choose the first Transformers movie as the one they most like out of the three released so far. Honestly, though, all three are pretty incredible to watch in a home theater, especially one with a high-end projector, screen, and 7.1 surround sound setup. If you have a decent setup, Transformers will convince you that staying home for a movie is just as good, if not better than, actually going out to the movies.

Of course there are many other solid movies missing from this list. Both Iron Man movies, both Star Wars trilogies, Back to the Future, the Mission Impossible series of movies would also serve as great additions to the list. For more titles, check out Hooked Up Installs’ “Best Movies for Testing and Calibrating Your Home Theater”.

About the Author: Chase is the main author for the blog at ScreenPaintHD.com where he does content marketing and social media for projector screen paint. He loves watching the NBA and Christopher Nolan movies in his home theater.

Use the menu. Your 5.1 or 7.1 channel speaker system likely comes with some sort of calibration menu that you can access to improve the sound of your speakers. Options usually include: listening to test tones, balancing channel volume, enhancing the lower-frequency or bass effects of your subwoofer, and even measuring speaker sizes and distances. Make full use of this menu, adjust each speaker accordingly, and test the system until the sound is as good as you can get it to be.

Optimize placement. Where you install your speakers is critical in determining how your home theater will sound like. Is audio performance not quite up to par? Don’t buy a new speaker or subwoofer just yet. Instead of spending your way out of your problem, place the speakers right where they should be: center directly in front, and – 45 degrees from it – the left and right speakers, with the left and right surround channels at the back of where you would sit.

Use brackets or speaker stands. Those speakers in between the books on your shelf or under the coffee table aren’t exactly in the best position to provide you quality sound. Get them out of there and install them in the most ideal locations using a stand or a set of brackets. (Of course, it’s best to contact a team of home theater installation professionals to do the job.)

Go digital. Digital decoding technology is widely available today, and it’s made to complement that new flat panel set you just bought. So unless you’re still using a CRT TV, it’s best to integrate digital decoding in your system and enjoy the best today’s audio technologies have to offer.

Leverage Blu-ray. Your Blu-ray player likely comes with its own built-in decoding feature for high-definition audio (like Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio). This represents some of the latest surround sound enhancement technologies today, so go ahead and connect your system using an HDMI or audio cable.

Test using high-quality recordings. We’ve actually come up with a list of awesome movies for calibrating your home theater. But if you’re testing audio, look out specifically for excellently engineered files (albums or soundtracks) with low compression levels.

Tame the sound crashers. The windows and mirrors that wall your home theater are likely to adversely affect the acoustics in the room. Tame these sound crashers by covering the windows with thick drapes or curtains, and the tiled floors with a carpet. Fluffy or foamy items like throw pillows, cushions, mattress pads, and thickly upholstered sofas also act as tools for enhancing the quality of your home theater sound system.

Use a sound level meter. Sound level meters are originally designed for industrial purposes (for measuring sound levels in, say, construction sites, aircraft facilities, etc.). That doesn’t mean you can’t use them at home. By having your own digital sound level meter, you can conduct high-precision sound measurement, adjust the sensitivity range of your home audio system, and tweak and tweak until you get your home theater sound as perfect as possible.

Upgrade your speaker wires. You may think that a bunch of cables won’t have anything to do with how your system sounds like. But they do. By using sturdier, higher-quality, commercial-grade speaker cables / wires, you’re optimizing the delivery of sound across your home theater system. (For recommendations on thickness, length, material, and connector types, please don’t hesitate to give our friendly team a call.)

Keep your speakers clean and well-maintained. Even the most sophisticated speaker systems in the world will need a bit of proper care and maintenance. So avoid installing them in places where they might be affected by moisture, dust, or sunlight, and spend some time every month or so to clean this and other components of your home theater system.

Yes, we perfectly understand that some homeowners don’t need to have separate rooms for sleeping and for movie-watching. Or that some – and we’re talking here of the bachelors and apartment city dwellers – may not have enough real estate to have separate rooms in the first place. Whatever the case may be, we do advise you to take a good look at your bedroom: a place, after all, that’s just perfect for creating an excellent home theater environment.

Need some ideas and inspirations? Check out this list of seven awesome bedroom home theaters.

Why get out of bed if you have a bedroom similar to that of this Houston home? The cozy fireplace should be enough to keep you warm, while the wall-mounted plasma should keep you always entertained. (Source)

This Filipino bachelor didn’t have another room to house a home theater. So he renovated and turned his own bedroom studio into a sleek entertainment destination. The system includes speakers that feature floorstanders and a center channel. (Source)

A bedroom theater doesn’t have to look too geeky, offbeat, or control-room-of-a-space-ship-crazy. Check out this elegant setup, which features a flat-panel installation, ceiling-mounted speakers, a surround sound processor, and a (hidden) multimedia player. (Source)

This vacation rental in Gatlinburg, Tennessee features an awesome bedroom home theater, with a setup that includes an impressive 102-inch screen, a PS3, an Xbox 360, and a Nintendo Wii. (Source)

At first sight this home theater doesn’t look like it’s housed in a bedroom. But it is. This multifunctional space also serves as a library and a guest suite (complete with a sleeper couch and full bath). As a bedroom theater, it has a ceiling-mounted projector, a 103-inch screen, a set of built-in wall speakers, and theater-style seating for two. (Source)

Here’s another elegant bedroom theater setup found in a Laguna Beach, California home. If lounging in those recliner love seats doesn’t sound romantic enough, just hop onto the bed! A custom soffit holds the 123-inch screen and speakers, while a portable touch panel enables easy access to AV components and multimedia. The setup also includes a video projector, seven speakers, three subwoofers, and a TiVo receiver. (Source)

One minute, you see it; the next minute, you don’t. That’s because the home theater (which includes a 43-inch plasma) of this master bedroom has been built into the wooden cabinet that you’ll see at the foot of the bed. One press of a remote control button and the TV rises into view. (Source)

This is why we came up with this list of excellent HDTVs under $700. In case you do decide to buy any of them, you can thank Hooked Up Installs by having our professional installation team set up your (or your kid’s) home theater.

Panasonic Viera Class X3 Series (50” Plasma)

If you’re looking for a high-quality and affordable plasma, this Viera HDTV is a great choice. It features 600 Hz Sub Field Driving technology (for full-HD motion and stills), Panasonic’s own image analysis technology, IPTV (Internet Protocol television) capability, and DLNA and Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s environment-friendly, too, with a mercury- and lead-free plasma display panel. The Viera Class X3 retails for about $650, and delivers great value not commonly expected from HDTVs in the same price range and with the same screen size.

LG 42PW350 (42” 3D-capable Plasma)

If you think the sleek and slim frame of this LG plasma HDTV is an eye-catcher, wait until you turn the set on. Like the Viera, the LG 42PW350 boasts of a fast 600 Hz refresh rate designed to eliminate motion blurs and deliver crisp, clear visuals. It’s also 3D-capable (with 2D to 3D conversion), self-calibrating, and energy-saving.

Samsung LN46D550 (46” LCD)

With a budget of $700, you might think it’s impossible to find a stylish, feature-rich LCD HDTV with advanced connectivity. Think again. Part of the Samsung LCD TV Series 5, the entry-level LN46D550 should be able to meet most of your home entertainment needs: a 46” widescreen display, full HD 1080p images, Samsung’s HyperReal Engine, DLNA technology, a Wide Color Enhancer feature, and ENERGY STAR certification.

Sony Bravia KDL46BX420 (46” LCD)

Another excellent choice for an entry-level LCD HDTV is the 46” Sony Bravia BX420. Aside from full 1080p picture quality, this baby also features Scene Select settings (for sports, photos, games, movies, and music), CCFL backlighting, Light Sensor technology (which automatically adjusts the picture based on your room lighting), ENERGY STAR certification, and five HD inputs (2 HDMI inputs, 2 component inputs, and a PC input).

Panasonic Viera TC-PST30 Series (3D-capable Plasma)

Available in six sizes (from 42 to 65), the Panasonic Viera ST30 Series is loaded with a rich set of value-driven features. These include: full HD 3D capability (with 2D to 3D conversion), 600 Hz Sub Field Drive, wide viewing angles, Infinite Black technology (for deep, rich blacks even when viewed in bright surroundings), DLNA and Wi-Fi connectivity, and Panasonic’s own Viera Connect IPTV service. And, if you know where to look, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that a number of retailers are gearing up for the holidays and selling this series’ models for less than $700.

Of course, buying, installing, and maintaining an outdoor speaker system will present challenges that are different from the ones you’re normally used to. It will also mean setting up a listening environment that can withstand natural elements (like water / moisture, dirt, heat, and background noise) and perform despite the lack of your usual sound-reinforcing walls.

To help you set up, install, and take care of your outdoor speaker system, we here at Hooked Up Installs have come up with this quick guide on outdoor speakers.

Buying Outdoor Speakers

• Choose outdoor speakers that feature a low-frequency response of 60 Hz or below. This should help your system produce a richer, deeper sound, and enable you to hear the bass of your favorite house tracks or blockbusters despite the background noises of the outdoors.
• If you are willing to shell out extra cash, get a subwoofer, which will help you reproduce low-pitched audio frequencies for a better and more consistent listening experience.
• If you’re setting up your system in a wide open space, look for speakers that are specifically designed to withstand elements like rain, snow, dirt, extreme temperatures, moisture, etc. Good audio systems are not only great-sounding; they’re also durable.
• If the speakers come with mounting brackets, be sure to follow the manufacturers’ manual or consult professional installation help.

Installation

• Mount the outdoor speakers high enough so that the sound can be projected at greater distances. On the other hand, we recommend that you don’t go higher than ten feet; otherwise, the sound from the speakers will likely thin out.
• Think carefully about the locations where you’ll be doing most of your listening. This will help you decide how to carefully place your speakers in such a way that they alternate between the left and right channels.
• To improve the bass output of your outdoor audio, place the outdoor speakers near a solid surface or a wall.
• Unless your speakers are specifically designed for poolside use, avoid placing them near water features (like your swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or koi garden).
• Add a volume control box to your outdoor audio system, so that you won’t have to go inside your house to adjust the volume of your outdoor speakers.

Maintenance

• If you’re mounting your speakers with a bracket, go for a protected location (such as under a roof) that allows your system to last longer while performing at an optimum level.
• If you’re running the speakers underground (a common feature of outdoor rock speakers), we recommend that you use “direct burial” wires, which are designed to handle extreme temperatures and moisture conditions. For added protection, run the wire through a PVC conduit, so that the gardener doesn’t cut through it one random weekend. Also, make sure (with silicon or some other protective sealant) that you seal the holes through which your wiring runs. This will protect your system from insects and moisture and dirt buildup.
• Save a few feet of wire and coil them up under your outdoor speakers. Why? So that you will not have to do the underground wiring all over again in case you need to transfer the speakers to another, more optimal location.
• If you run underground cable to a “planter” or “rock” speaker, you may want to coil up a few extra feet of wire and place it directly under the speaker. This way, you’ll have some extra wire if you decide to move the speaker later on, and won’t need to redo the entire underground run.

Smarter Smartphones and Tablets for your Home Theater

Smartphones are only getting smarter, and their evolution isn’t just changing the way we communicate; it’s also changing the way we consume multimedia content – movies, music, Internet videos, etc. On this post, we’ll highlight the kind of impact that present (and future) smartphones – as well as tablets – can have on your home theater.

Smartphones / tablets as universal remote controls: Smartphones and tablets, with their multi-touch screens and built-in wireless connectivity technologies, are also being used increasingly as universal remote controls. There are many ways of doing this: via an external infrared blaster/ receiver / transmitter (usually in dongle form), a Bluetooth-enabled media box, or dedicated apps for specific components (like the Xfinity app for Comcast-based DVRs). Some of our favorite universal remote apps for smartphones and tablets include: Thinkflood’s RedEye, NewKinetix Re, iRule, VLC Remote Free, Boxee Remote, and TiVo app for the iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch, RedEye for Android, Remote App for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Roku Remote for Android, Gmote, the Harmony Link and the Peel and VLC Remote Control app for multiple platforms.

Use of Language Processing and Voice Recognition Technology: Apple recently brought Siri – a voice-activated mobile assistant application – to the newly launched iPhone 4S. The app features natural language processing technology to let users send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, find all sorts of information, and more. After Siri, you can well expect that Android and other platforms will have their own voice recognition and mobile assistant apps soon – and that developers will find new ways to change the way we operate our home systems. Who knows? It’s not unlikely that soon we’ll be able to lower the shades or turn off the lights in the bedroom using just voice commands given to smartphones and tablets.

Wireless Sharing and Streaming: Do you have a home network of different media devices (phone, home theater, Internet TV, media servers and streamers, tablet, PC, etc.)? Well, there’s no longer any need for wires to connect all of them. With wireless sharing and streaming technologies like Apple’s AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring, XBMC for Linux / OSX / Windows, or TVersity for DLNA-compliant devices, you can now put together a wireless streaming setup in your home theater and play your entertainment media (movies, music, games, pictures, etc.) wherever you want. It’s a trend poised to become even more mainstream as more DLNA-enabled smartphones and tablets and enhanced encoding technologies are introduced in the market.

3D Everywhere

One of the trends that we noticed in the International CES was the abundance of products and technologies designed to bring 3D to your home theater. That’s right: very soon there will come a time when we won’t have to spend on gas, go to the theaters, wait in line, put on silly-looking 3D glasses, and pay more money for popcorn – just to experience a 3D movie. Very soon 3D movies will come straight to our living room.

3D glasses: Manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba are already making 3D glasses for 3D TVs. Not only do these 3D active glasses not look silly; they’re also easy-to-wear, adjustable, rechargeable, and conveniently designed for use at home (some are even fit to wear over your prescription glasses).

3D TVs: Don’t like 3D glasses? Well, how about a 3D-glasses-free 3D TV? Sure, 3D TVs have certainly been happening at CES over the last few years, but this year, the prototypes are taking on a wider variety, such as those that feature passive technology: the industry calls them the “autostereoscopic TVs”.

3D Projectors: New home theater projectors with 3D compatibility are also being introduced. This year’s batch included: the Sharp XV-Z17000 3D HD Front Projector, the Mitsubishi Diamond HD9000, the Vivitek 3D-Ready Projectors, and the Samsung SP-A8000 3D Home Theater Projector; other manufacturers are also creating projectors that can transform existing 2D content into 3D. Next year, these projectors are poised to deliver even greater resolutions, come at more affordable price points, and gain more mainstream attention.

3D Cameras: In 2009, a USB webcam called the Minoru 3D – the world’s first stereoscopic 3D consumer stereo webcam – won the CES “Fans Favorite” Award. Two years later, more cameras with 3D shooting capabilities and modes are appearing on the horizon, enabling consumers (and not just James Cameron) to record content in 3D. (And more 3D content means greater 3D technology adoption, right?) Standouts include the Sony Bloggie 3D, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10, Sony Handycam HDR-TD10, and the Panasonic HDC-TM900 , HDC-HS900 and HDC-SD800 HD 3D cameras.

3D Audio: Surround sound systems are also getting a 3D upgrade. At the 2011 CES, DTS announced their new Neo:X 11.1 surround sound technology, the world’s  first 11.1 surround system, designed to deliver processor-enhanced 3D audio. It won’t be the last, and you can certainly expect home theater audio technologies to soon move beyond 5.1 and 7.1 setups.

3D Content / 3D VOD / 3D Channels: Content providers are also working to provide 3D content to your living room. There’s 3Net, a new 3D channel by Discovery, Sony, and IMAX. Video-on-demand companies like Vudu are offering more 3D movies. And media players and streamers like the Boxee Box are partnering with developers to bring 3D apps and menus.