LATEST ADDITIONS

Pioneer Elite PRO-110FD Plasma TV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 17, 2008

Pioneer has single-handedly revitalized the entire plasma market with its Kuro line. Named with the Japanese word for "black," all Kuro models exhibit astonishing black levels that are far lower than all other plasmas and just about all LCD TVs (except those that use LED backlighting, which can reach black levels that are literally 0fL).

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Audio Video News
By 2012, Your LCD Will Be Nothing Special
SV Staff  |  Mar 17, 2008
In four years, worldwide shipments of LCD TVs will nearly double to 194 million, according to research firm iSuppli. About 54% of those TVs will be capable of displaying high-definition programming, compared with fewer than 15% of LCDs sold in...
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Audio Video News
Americans to Stimulate Economy with TV Purchases
SV Staff  |  Mar 17, 2008
Whether you're for or against the Bush administration's decision to mail out economic stimulus checks to American taxpayers, the check is in the mail. Or, it will be at some point this summer in the amount of $600 per adult per household, and $300...
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AV Receiver Reviews
Denon AVR-888 A/V Receiver
Kim Wilson  |  Mar 17, 2008
Never has the field been so full of top-quality A/V Receivers and the competition is fierce among the top manufacturers for these types of components. It used to be that low-end models kept costs down by eliminating features and seriously compromising sound quality. However, consumers have come to expect the most bang for the buck, at any price, significantly raising the bar on less expensive models such as the $749 Denon AVR-888.
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Audio Video News
NIN Sees Ghosts, Bucks
Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 17, 2008
The marketing of Ghosts I-V, the new Nine Inch Nails album, puts Radiohead and R.E.M. in the shade.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Enchanted—Walt Disney Pictures (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Mar 16, 2008  |  First Published: Mar 17, 2008
Video: 5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 3/5
Ever wonder what it would be like to recreate a Disney Princess animated film into live action? Now if you really thought about it you'd probably realize it would be a bit cheesy. Well that is what Enchanted is. But instead of trying to do it seriously Disney has done a pretty good job of poking fun at itself with this one. I will admit some of the ideas here work pretty well and there is no doubt that this is a Disney production. But I also thought it felt more like a Disney channel type of film rather than a feature production. The story was a bit too whimsical and even the animation seemed a bit short of Disney's signature film style. The story does have a nice heart to it, but overall I thought it was a bit much at times.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Independence Day—20th Century Fox (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Mar 16, 2008  |  First Published: Mar 17, 2008
Video: 4/5
Audio: 4.5/5
Extras: 2/5
I remember when this film was originally launched on DVD. Talk about hype! Independence Day is one of the bigger Fox catalog titles and I'm sure there are a lot of people excited to see this one in HD. While it is still a solid action popcorn film, I think it has lost a bit of its lure over the years since its DVD release. I've seen this film several times now and I know it has lost a bit of luster for me. The comedy doesn't hold up well and I actually find myself surprised that I found it as entertaining as I did during its theatrical run. The action still holds up pretty well and even the special effects aren't half bad compared to today's standards. I'm glad Fox has decided to release this one early and I hope to see more great catalog releases over the next year.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Ice Age—20th Century Fox (Blu-ray)
Kris Deering  |  Mar 16, 2008  |  First Published: Mar 17, 2008
Video: 3.5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 3/5
Fox has had this one on the back burner for quite some time now. Ice Age was originally announced for release last year and was held back during the prolonged "time out" that Fox took from the format. Judging from the packaging on this one I'd say it has been waiting around patiently for a new date. This has always been a fun film and it literally saved the animation side of Fox from extinction. Fans of the film will probably be happy to hear that the third film in the franchise was just announced for next summer in 3-D.
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The Big Picture
Burn, Baby, Burn!
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 16, 2008

Merrill Bauer of St. Louis, MO, sent me a question that echoes some thoughts I've often had myself:

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Audio Video News
SXSW, Day 4: Saturday, 3/15
SV Staff  |  Mar 16, 2008
Welcome to International Night! No, that's not an official SXSW designation for the last night of the festival. But even though I've already taken you to places as far flung as Australia and the Faroe Islands, tonight I'll take you to Brazil,...
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