Debbie Stampfli

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of techy terms that go into the latest speaker systems and A/V receivers. But Onkyo takes the guesswork out of choosing a quality HD-capable system with its HT-S9100THX HTIB ($1,099). The model features a tonally matched 7.1 speaker system and an A/V receiver with 130 watts per channel. Onkyo’s quality A/V receiver boasts THX’s Integrated System Plus certification and claims to be compatible with just about any component you can connect it to. It features four HDMI v1.3a inputs and a number of legacy connectivity options. The HT-S9100THX also has Faroudja DCDi video upscaling along with Audyssey 2EQ and Dynamic EQ, and it provides decoding for the latest audio codecs.

Thiel’s zet distributed system offers something that few others can claim: A truly user-friendly setup and installation process. The company just introduced its latest flavor of the system, which is an HDMI-compatible version that plays host to eight HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs. But the buzz around this one is focused on its setup. Thiel boldly claims that even the most inexperienced user can set up this system in less than an hour.

The newest LCDs in Samsung’s Touch of Color series are looking greener than ever. But that’s not such a bad thing. The Series 6 and 7 models adhere to strict energy efficiency guidelines, known as Energy Star v3.0. This means that you can expect less power consumption from your flat-panel display overall, which is a bonus when it comes to pricey consumer electronics equipment. Although this might seem to downgrade your flat-panel, Samsung says that the quality soars higher than ever with its latest models.

Logic Wireless has unveiled a monster of a cell phone at CES with its new Logic Bolt. Unlike any of its predecessors, this phone can take your home theater experience nearly anywhere. The Logic Bolt incorporates a built-in projector that Logic claims will display razor-sharp images from 36 to 64 inches on a wall or screen. It has the unique capability to increase its screen size to 3,000 percent or more, letting you show off your favorite images and media without squinting at a tiny screen.