There are not many models that come close the Onkyo TX-SR605, when it comes to providing you with an extensive range of features and advanced specifications at a street price. One special feature that particularly sets it apart is the inclusion of integrated high-definition audio decoding. This is then aptly supported by the latest HDMI 1.3a connections, which is also easily compatible with most of the popular new HD audio formats used by Blu-ray players.

Then, each channel is powered by a reasonable 140W of amplification, which pleasantly enough, can be easily coupled with advanced set ups so that the audio performance can be enhanced by bi-amping the front two speakers. You should also love the fact that setting up the Onkyo TX-SR605 is hassle free and is assisted by advanced features like the advanced automatic calibration system, with further assistance coming in the form of the basic Audyssey 2EQ and clearly presented menu screens.

Meanwhile, the latest HDMI 1.3a connections give you the leverage to switch between compatible high-definition sources, consequently making it convenient for you to operate the unit while at the same time removing unwanted cable clutter. The HDMI feature included with the unit is not the ordinary type, as it made with the latest technologies and with the intention to last a long enough time without becoming outdated. It is compatible with a variety of contemporary formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and also accepts Deep Colour picture enhancements.

On the downside, the automatic calibration system tends to be a bit time consuming, and the Audyssey 2EQ system also has the same problem. The good thing with the latter feature is however that it is pretty accurate.

The Cambridge Audio Azur540R (Version 3) is one the most fascinating receivers to have been released by the company, and, at an affordable price, it is also the perfect low-cost alternative that average consumers are really looking for. Actually the device is the third incarnation of the company’s Azur 540R receiver and consequently has undergone a lot of innovations and improvements from its earlier prototypes. The best part of all these is that there is no big difference in its price, despite the fact it offers you a more extensive and explosive range of possibilities.

The unit surprises you with its superior build quality, and comes with a highly responsive set of control options, though the overall design is a bit on the conservative side.

Coming back to recent up-grades, this modern-day gadget comes equipped with a redesigned amplifier stag which is rumoured to eliminate interferences. Digital connectivity is another new addition and comes with two HDMI inputs, which does unfortunately pale in comparison to many other receivers, such as the Onkyo TX-SR 806 with 5 HDMI inputs. Moreover, a single output located on the Azur540R will allow you to reap the benefits of basic video switching between compatible sources like a high-definition player and HDTV receiver.

Another positive of the device is that it has a very simple setup, with an attractive and protruding on-screen menu system ably supported by a rather tame looking but versatile remote unit. The menu apparently unimaginative but it does have a number of advanced adjustment features such as a comprehensive Bass Management system that gives you the discretion to customize the crossovers for a number of the customary surround decoding formats.

Moreover, each channel is provided with a claimed 80W of amplification that provides for a stimulating and resounding sound. The sound quality is further strengthened by the carefully controlled low frequencies, and also ensures that you get to have an undistorted and high-fidelity sound even at high volumes.

People have become so accustomed to associating LCD TVs, which for the record are selling like mad, to Samsung that it sometimes comes as a surprise to know that the company deals with plasma TVs as well! Not that plasma TVs have nothing to offer, but the recent success of the LCD has really overshadowed anything from the plasma format. The time of redemption, however, is upon us, as Samsung is ready with an ultra-new plasma, the Samsung PS50A556.

The design of the deck is rather sleek and is typical of Samsung glossy image. The deck comes with a ‘Full HD‘ 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution, which is real bonus considering its relatively low price, and also have an abundance of connectivity options including three v1.3 HDMIs, a PC port, as well as a USB 2.0 jack that gives you the leverage to playback JPEG photos.

The picture quality of the device is meanwhile optimised by the company’s proprietary DNIE+ processing, so that you can have a high quality image that is replete with fantastic colour combinations, sharpness, contrast and motion. The result is that you experience a commercial cinema like feel with the Samsung PS50A556, as frames are replete with natural hues. The feature is aided in its objective by a Movie Plus mode, which plays is part in improving motion handling.

Moreover, the Filterbright screen adorning the unit is specially crafted to drastically eliminate the majority of onscreen reflections. There are nevertheless issues concerning the operation of the deck, and the image is also a bit of a letdown considering that it is a 1080p screen.

The Samsung HT-X710T is an excellent home theatre-in-a-box that comes integrated with DVD playback, while delivering a stimulating audio output. The device importantly enough has a 2.1-channel system, which means you have two speakers at your disposal; one subwoofer and the other a ‘head unit’ amplifier and disc player.

The device have an avant-garde design and gives the impression of a space-age look as each component of the device is complemented by a similar “Touch of Colour” shading which is normally found on high-end Samsung TVs. Almost the entire of the exterior is covered in a shiny plastic, which has its own downside as it makes the deck prone to fingerprints. Thankfully though, you are provided with a cloth shammy to remove any prints.

The feature list of the device is pretty solid as well and has a built-in slot-loading DVD player capable of upscaling video to 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions via the HDMI output. The feature is rather helpful when it comes to upscaling video contents to 720p, but what is rather disappointing is that it becomes pretty irrelevant for anything above 720p. In clear terms the image quality is nowhere near as comprehensive and vivid as those delivered by Blu-ray players.

Connectivity of the unit is elementary, and consists of the bare minimum features that you will frequently need. Apart from the standard composite feature, you can get the services of component and HDMI video outputs; however there is no provision of an S-video. The real panel includes two audio-only inputs that effectively make up for the unit’s stereo connection and optical audio input connectivity. Users should also take delight by the fact that the Samsung HT-X710T comes adorned with a USB port and headphone jacks as well which adds to the flexibility and ease with which they can manipulate the device.

Despite Onkyo’s decision to take the plunge into the untested waters, by manufacturing Blu-ray players, the company still continues to deliver one quality upscaling DVD player after another. The DV-SP406 DVD Player is a true reflection of that and encompasses almost all the important criteria that you desire from a quality player. Moreover, the price tag of the product is kept at a reasonable level, making it all the more alluring.

The one feature that has made a difference is the1080p upscaling feature, which will especially come in handy for those movie buffs that are not yet ready to make the transformation to Blu-ray, but otherwise have hi-def TVs and projectors. Apart from the upscaling feature, the Onkyo DV-SP406 DVD player has many other contemporary features that will keep you interested. You will especially take heart at the multimedia playback capability of the unit as it supports almost all the popular formats including (DVD+RW/+R, DVD-RW/-R, CD, CD-R/-RW and Video CDs). The icing on the cake appears to be the ability of the player to spin DVD-RW discs recorded in the Video Recording (VR) format. It is not all though as you can enjoy various formats like MP3, WMA, DivX and JPEG files.

The aesthetically build unit, displays a USB port on the front panel making it easy on you part to play the above mentioned media formats. The operation of the device is also ridiculously simple. Important connectivity of the player includes an HDMI, component and composite outputs, plus a SCART socket that offers RGB output.

The LG LDA-731 Upconverting HDMI DVD Player is one particular model that I believe you should not regret buying. The player brings to the table a range of high-end features that are skilfully coordinated to give you an amazing movie experience. The one particular feature that will immediately attract your attention is the Up-Conversion feature, The Up-Conversion ability comprehensively upscales average DVD content to a Progressive source at the selected resolution of 480p, 720p or all the way back to an interlaced signal at 1080i. You can get the benefits of upconversion both via the Component cables as well as the HDMI connector.

The DVD player has been incorporated with the much in-demand Zoran’s Vaddis 8 chipset technology which plays a huge role in improving its performance. The technology, which in essence is a multimedia processor, is integrated with a state-of-the-art 8 channel Class D modulator that facilitates connectivity to HDTVs, like the LG 47LG6000, via HDMI and analog component HD-video with six 14-bit 165Mhz video DACs. The feature assists in the upconversion of SD-to-HD as well so that you can experience HD content from standard DVD discs. The display of high definition is further complemented by the HD-JPEG.

The Vaddis 8 apart from the above specialities offers support to DVD-Audio including decryption, decoding, and audio post processing functions. Moreover, playback of HD-JPEG content, backward compatibility with SACD1.3 or lower is possible only because of this feature.

The player also has on-board the Single Pixel Processing (SPP) Progressive Scan feature which ensures unparallel video quality for viewing on a progressive scan television. The SPP feature carries out pixel-by-pixel processing of the video, while the intuitive Vaddis 8 supplies it with superior quality deinterlacing to all areas of the scene, including areas with limited or fast motion.

The latest projector from Dell, the M209X, is an extra dependable model. The projector is also rather inexpensive, and has a decent design that should appeal to you. The miniature dimensions of the device grant it a good deal of portability, which also adds to the product’s versatility.

The projector uses the contemporary digital light processing (DLP) technology to reflect light to each screen pixel, while high-fidelity colour reproduction is achieved by projecting light through a rotating colour wheel. This innovative arrangement achieves a contrast ratio that is higher than other contemporary 3LCD technology. The downside of the technology however lies in that it has slower refresh rates.

Connectivity of the unit is quite good, as it has a wide variety of input options at its disposal including VGA, HDMI, composite and S-video, which allows you the leverage to connect the projector to devices like computers, DVD players and other AV devices. You also get to have other important features like- audio in- and out-jacks in addition to a built-in, one-Watt speaker with the Dell M209X projector. The solitary Watt speakers however, cannot be taken as a remarkable addition considering that they make a lot of noise. The projector, then also comes equipped with a USB port that can be connected to a mouse to act its remote.

The image resolution capability of the projector stands at a not so impressive 1024×768 pixels. Moreover, the menu systems of the unit are another low point as they look messy and unimaginative.

Home theatre aficionados are having a field day with Fujitsu’s latest offering, the LPF-D711 3LCD Projector. This projector is carefully designed to fire up home cinema system with a seamless blend of high-definition images. The picture quality of the this all new LCD projector has already been rumoured to be among the best and is helped in its cause by three 1920 x 1080 true high-definition LCD panels coupled with 1,200 ANSI lumens, which actually unfortunately falls behind other Fujitsu projectors like the Fujitsu LPF-B211. All these factors combine together to produce an image that is sharp, bright and clear giving you the impression of watching movies in a commercial set up.

The device is equipped with the breakthrough AVM-II digital video processor technology and with its 12-bit processing is capable of generating an awe inspiring 68.7 billion colors. Moreover, LPF-D711 is provided with the institution to conveniently elevate both SD and HD contents to superior levels for a more fulfilling movie experience. The projector is also one of its kinds in that it is one of the few projectors that accept a true 1080p signal.

The Fujitsu projector has a well designated unit, the LPF-QSD1, which houses the system’s multiple audio and video inputs including component, HDMI, and S-video, so as to ensure that the projector remains compact and lightweight making for a seamless installation. What’s even more impressive is the realization that the device is designed keeping in mind the aesthetic appeal of your home décor, and is all set to intensify it even further. After all, the device bears a contemporary outlook and is sleekly designed.

Despite the fact that the HD-DVD format is completely dead in the water and has been discontinued by Toshiba, some HD-DVD players continue to be sold. And, again, despite being rather obsolete, many of these players, like the Toshiba HD-EP30, are still quality products with a lot to offer.

Going by its price tag you may be inclined to believe that it is a toned down product, which is actually not the case. The device comes with a sufficient array of features that will please the average customer. A decisive example of its capability can be derived when you compare with the HD-E1 released last year, which was capable of outputting only 720p or 1080i pictures. The Toshiba HD-EP30 in comparison is capable of producing full HD images at 1080p so that you can derive the optimum quality audio-visual output from your HD DVD discs. The device in addition supports 24fps playback that gives you the leverage to view movies at heir original frame rates, provided your TV supports it.

The device does have its limitations and drawbacks as it misses on 7.1 bitstream audio output and HDMI 1.3 Deep Color support. These features however require matching high-end equipments to deliver what they are capable of, and consequently come as a consolation for this budget device.

Panasonic has recently reveled one of the company’s most eagerly awaited home cinema system the SC-PT460EB- iPod Dock Home Cinema System – Black. The system has many impressive features inscribed in it, and it is fitting that each feature complements the other almost seamlessly making for an excellent home cinema experience.

High on the product list is the innovative Bamboo Diaphragm Speaker technology which makes use of a rigid, low density bamboo in the woofer and tweeter cones of the centre and front speakers that facilitates the system to deliver of a more comprehensive and responsive sound. The Panasonic SC-PT460EB’s centre speaker, in particular, deserves special mention for its pure and clear vocals, while the dialogue is also crisp and easy to follow. The whisper surround sound technology is another value addition and ensures that you can enjoy the experience of surround sound even at low volumes. It effectively for the surround pressure level of the low frequency component, so that you are enveloped in a rich surround sound irrespective of the volume.

The system which comes with an HDMI cable has also been inscribed with the novel 1080p Up-Conversion functionality which competently upscales average DVD contents to high-definition levels. An integrated Universal Dock is there as well and helps you to connect your iPod to the system via it. Moreover, iPod Video playback capability of the system is another of its versatile features.

Home cinema buffs will also feel excited by the fact that the system has been incorporated with an all new seamless GUI system. This innovative technology makes operating the unit a real delight, and adds convenience for the user. Take for e.g. you can display a menu with a list of the music stored on your iPod, and make use of the technology to avail the same with the minimum of fuss.