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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 57: Bob Williams
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 16, 2011
Runco's Chief Product Architect Bob Williams talks about the company's new D-73d dual-engine 3D projector, the three main types of stereoscopic imaging, the difference between linear and circular polarization, LEDs versus lamps as illumination sources, screen issues for 3D projection, the challenges of dual-projector 3D, commercial-cinema 3D, plasma and LCD flat-panel 3D, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 59:36

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The Switch (Blu-ray)
David Vaughn  |  Mar 16, 2011
With her biological clock running out, Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides to take matters into her own hands and have a baby via artificial insemination. Her neurotic best friend, Wally (Jason Bateman), tries to talk her out of it but she ignores him and enlists the help of a sperm donor (Patrick Wilson) to complete the process. On the night of the "event," Wally has one too many drinks and may have tampered with the donation and when he meets Kassie's son seven years later his suspicions start to grow when the two have way too many similarities.

Jennifer Aniston's venture into feature films hasn't been a resounding success thus far, but this may be her best project. The chemistry she and Bateman share is outstanding and there are some serious laugh-out-loud moments starting with the crazy homeless man in the first scene of the movie. When the kid (Thomas Robinson) enters the picture it can get a tad sappy, but that's OK because he's adorable and the relationship he develops with Bateman's character is very touching.

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Audio Video News
TV Energy Labels Make Their Debut
Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 16, 2011
The yellow energy efficiency label already decorating store displays of air conditioners and refrigerators will also be required for TVs and cable/satellite boxes starting this year.

The familiar EnergyGuide label includes model, estimated yearly cost compared to similar models, and estimated energy usage for the particular model on display.

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Audio Video News
"Source Code," "Super," "Win Win" at SXSW
Ken Richardson  |  Mar 15, 2011

Why does Jake Gyllenhaal suddenly find himself on a commuter train headed to Chicago? And why is Michelle Monaghan so interested in him?

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Custom Installation Equipment ReviewsCustom Installation How-ToHome Movie Theaters
High-End Flat Panel Speakers
Kim Wilson  |  Mar 15, 2011
Once you add grilles no one will suspect that you have attached high-end loudspeakers to your flat panel TV, until you turn on the sound. There is no reason to have large speakers cluttering the front of your room, when you can integrates these state-of- the-art speakers that create your entire LCR (left, center, right) array with only two speakers that are just as thin as your TV.
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Streaming Device Reviews
Roku XDS Streaming Media Player
Kim Wilson  |  Mar 15, 2011

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $100

At A Glance: Instant streaming • Easy installation and operation • Simple, user-friendly interface • Access to multiple services, paid and free • 1080p/24 compatible

Roku’s players have come a long way since I reviewed the first Roku device in our November 2008 issue. All that player did was stream Netflix movies. You had to go to Netflix.com to queue up your movies before you could stream them from your Roku box to your TV via your wireless network. Since every major Blu-ray player now offers Netflix streaming, Roku had to make its box more competitive, and it did. There are three Roku products; for this review, I’ll focus on the XDS, Roku’s high-end unit at a whopping $100.

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Headphone Amp/DAC ReviewsAccessory Reviews
Review: Bottlehead Quickie tube preamp
Brent Butterworth  |  Mar 15, 2011
A product that functions imperfectly yet possesses a singular character can be as enjoyable to own as one that delivers unassailable performance. Before you argue the point, know that millions of Harley owners stand ready to back me up.
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The Big Picture
Rango Fandango
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 15, 2011
I just saw Rango, the new animated western populated by anthropomorphic animals and starring the inimitable Johnny Depp voicing the title character, and I thought it was a real hoot. Not only were the voice characterizations superb, but it has some of the best animation I've seen to date—and it's not even 3D!
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Premiere Design
Audio Physic Cardeas Speaker
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 15, 2011
Named after Cardea, Roman goddess of health, thresholds, and door hinges and handles, the Cardeas floorstanding speaker from German high-end maker Audio Physic befits what the poet Ovid said of its namesake—"Her power is to open what is shut; to shut what is open." In this case, the goal is to open the door to recorded sound's finest details and shut out any compromises.
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Audio Video News
Japan Tragedy May Disrupt Manufacturing
Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 15, 2011
While human misery is the most horrifying outcome of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the natural disaster also has implications for the manufacturing of consumer electronics.

Japan makes finished CE products like TVs as well as components such as LCD panels and chips, which it supplies to manufacturers all over the world. The disruption may result in shortages and higher pricing for these products and parts.

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