Home Theater

The ZVOX Z-Base 500 was designed to integrate with flat panel televisions on a stand. You can locate the low profile unit directly underneath the television or on a shelf.

The ZVOX Z-Base 550 is self-contained. There are no controls or display on the unit and no external speakers. This means no speaker wires to try to route and hide. It is controlled either from television volume control or its own credit card sized remote control.

The PhaseCue virtual surround circuitry simulates surround effects to provide a larger soundstage.

Available now at www.zvoxaudio.com for $499.99.

Even though the transition from VHS to DVD seems recent to most people, it is time to prepare for the next transition: DVD to Blu-ray. (For people who have not kept up with it, Blu-ray became the winner in the new format war over high-definition movies by beating HD-DVD.)

OPPO is not wasting any time to make the jump, and recently announced their BDP-83 universal disk player. Predictably, the BDP-83 offers excellent sound and quality, including upconversion of regular DVDs. To speak technically, OPPO expects the new player to support BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live), DVD, SACD, DVD-Audio, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio, but right now, only BD Profile 1.1 (BONUSVIEW), DVD-Video, SACD, and bitstreaming of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio has been mastered.

The BDP-83 should be available in early 2009 for around five hundred dollars.

The Cerwin-Vega CLS-215 tower speakers have two 15-inch subwoofers per tower. The tower itself can handle 500 Watts of power to make your neighbors call you to see if you are okay. Then, when you say that you have new speakers, those neighbors will be asking if they can come over to watch the game or latest movie.

The MSRP for the CLS-215 is $499 per speaker ($998/pair). The Cerwin-Vega company web site says these speakers have guaranteed “eviction notice” performance. These are the type of speakers that will hurt your ears – be careful, and enjoy this purchase!

Japanese company Denon Electronics, known for its high-quality and upscale home entertainment products, recently announced the latest upgrade to its flagship line: the 'Universal' Blu-ray Audio/Video player, Model DVD-A1UDCI. This player (available in February 2009 for a retail price of $3800) complements Denon’s already excellent AVP-A1HDCI A/V Preamplifier and the POA-A1HDCI 10-channel Power Amplifier to provide the best home theater experience possible.

In addition to providing first-rate video quality, the Denon DVD-A1UDCI is also the world’s first DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD playback with native digital audio and fully balanced transmission of 2-channel analog sound in a universal Blu-ray player. While this may not mean much to the non-technophile, those who keep up in the market will be salivating.

The VW-100HD features Runco’s SuperOnyx chipset which will have you mesmerized with anything you may be watching. The VideoWall system (model VW-100HD) from Runco is exactly what the name describes – a video wall. The MSRP of the VW-100HD is $39,995 and it is shipping now. If you are buying this, or even considering buying this product, your CEDIA (or other highly reputable custom installer) will make sure you have the right stuff to maximize the effectiveness Runco intended with the VideoWall. Runco dealers are all good people who are selected with care to sell the Runco brand. There are many more in depth reviews than this one (of course), and I can only say, "WOW! Runco, you guys are doing a great job!"

Read the press release for more information.

The Mirage MX home theater system is standing tall with their small 5.1 surround sound speaker system. One speaker will fit in the palm of your hand, and there are five of them plus one subwoofer. The MSRP of these amazing speakers is $1,200, which is in line with high-end competitors to Mirage. The company will also sell individual MX stereo speakers for $150 each so consumers can add more if they choose.

The recognition from consumer electronics aficionados who are part of the International CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Awards program recognize the Mirage MX home theater system as being among the best designed and engineered products for 2009. The Industrial Designers Society of America also gave Mirage a wink and a smile for their design efforts on the MX home theater system.

Read the press release for more information.

The official title for the giveaway is, "JVC The Dark Knight Capture the Joker Sweepstakes" that ends on December 31, 2008. The grand prize JVC home theater package is valued at more than $3,000 USD. There are many other products being given away, including several DVDs of the latest Batman movie. Warner Home Video is also sponsoring this opportunity with JVC. December 9, 2008 is the date the movie, The Dark Knight, is released on DVD and Blu-ray disc. JVC will feature the movie The Dark Knight in its advertising campaign through the Holidays. Are you ready to "Catch the Joker"? Visit www.jvc.com/thedarkknight for your chance to win! The daily prizes will keep you going back for more chances to win this amazing home theater setup. The JVC microsite also has behind the scenes footage and movie trivia.