LATEST ADDITIONS

Scott Wilkinson  |  Aug 11, 2011

Buying a new TV ain't what it used to be—there are a lot more choices and features to think about than yesteryear, when the only decision you needed to make was screen size. Among the most common questions I'm asked these days is, "Should I get an LCD or plasma flat-panel TV?" If you want the quick answer, jump to the end of this article. But if you want to understand the answer, read on.

Michael Berk  |  Aug 11, 2011

Big news from Taoyuan last night, elaborated on in a call this morning: Major mobile device maker HTC has picked up a majority share of

David Vaughn  |  Aug 11, 2011
The Dude (Jeff Bridges) gets involved in a case of mistaken identity when some thugs show up at his place to collect a debt owed by another man who shares his last name—Lebowski. To add insult to injury, the goons pee on his favorite rug and he seeks out compensation from the other Lebowski, a well-healed wheelchair-bound millionaire who's willing to help The Due as long as he does one little favor.

The Coen Brother's have a unique perspective on the world and they definitely don't "go with the flow." While I don't consider this to be one of their best films, it does contain their most interesting character—The Dude. At the time of its release in 1998, it wasn't as critically acclaimed as Fargo or O Brother, Where Art Thou? but over the years it has obtained cult-like status with its fans and Bridge's portrayal of the iconic character set his career on an upward path.

Michael Berk  |  Aug 10, 2011

There's a lot of action on the AVR front this week, with new models and upgrades from major manufacturers.

Scott Wilkinson  |  Aug 10, 2011
I just got the new Onkyo TX-NR809 receiver, and I'm wondering how inadequate my speaker setup is. I have a pair of DCM KX-12 Series Twos for the front left and right, DCM KX Center, DCM SW10 sub, and a pair of DCM KX-6 Series Two for the surround channels. I know these speakers were primarily built for loud "party" music, and they are about 12 years old. Am I going to miss out on the quality and features of the Onkyo with this setup? If I were to upgrade the speakers, what do you recommend in the $2000-ish range?

Jason

Michael Berk  |  Aug 10, 2011

VUDU debuts on the iPad today, though not quite in the way you'd expect. You won't find a VUDU app in the App Store - and for good reason.

Mike Mettler  |  Aug 10, 2011

We talked to Steven Wilson a couple of weeks ago about his forthcoming - and groundbreaking - new Blu-ray release, Grace for Drowning. Fittingly, we offer you, the Sound + Vision and Steven Wilson faithful, an EXCLUSIVE look at the aptly titled "Track One," the third song on Disc 2.

Kristopher Nelson  |  Aug 10, 2011
Since purchasing our home over five years ago, we wanted to put a home theater in the basement. I was faced with the challenge of dealing with the space I had (a uniquely shaped 32-by-12-foot room with a fireplace) or create a dedicated home theater by adding a room. Ultimately, my wife and I decided to take advantage of the existing space and create a multipurpose room. With two girls and frequent visits from family and friends, this seemed the most appropriate.
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 10, 2011

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $550 At A Glance: iControlAV2 app for iPod/iPhone/iPad • AirPlay, Bluetooth, DLNA • Internet radio, browser control

I’d like to begin this review with drugs, guns, and money.

I have a recurring dream about sitting on the New York City subway late at night with two shady-looking guys who have a gym bag sitting between them. They get off the train without the bag. Panic-stricken, they try to get back on, but the doors close in their faces. Alone on the train, I open the bag to find packets of white powder, gleaming gunmetal, and wads and wads and wads of good old American green. I get to my stop and carry the bag home. Donning latex gloves, I carefully remove the drugs and flush them down the toilet. The guns I leave on the doorstep of the local police precinct while wearing a Donald Trump mask to evade detection by security cameras. With the cash, I proceed to live the good life, buying iPods for every member of my family, touring the capitals of Europe, writing the Great American Novel, and pinching goddesses from Charlie Sheen.

David Vaughn  |  Aug 10, 2011

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $599 At A Glance: THX Select2 Plus certified • Audyssey and THX loudness modes • iDevice Onkyo Remote app

With gas approaching $5 a gallon in some parts of the country, most consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending in order to make ends meet. If you have to drive an SUV (like I do), then a trip to the local gas station could set you back $100 to fill the tank. In times like these, your quest to find the greatest bang for your buck might even extend all the way to your equipment rack. If you’re in the market for a new AVR, you won’t have to look far thanks to Onkyo. What if I told you you could have seven channels of amplification, first-rate video processing, and many of the features found on the flagship products for less than $600? If I’ve piqued your interest, then keep on reading, because the TX-NR609 is one of the best values that’s come down the pike in a long time.

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