You know, I've really been happy with my Panasonic SA-HT390 but it's time to upgrade. The Home Theater Blog really caught my eye with the mention of the Panasonic SA-XR55K. What's nice about the SA-XR55K is that is comes in at under $250. Here's what the article says:

Alright what does this sub $250.00 surround receiver offer? For starters: 7.1 Channel Surround Sound (at 100 watts per channel) with Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES and Dolby Pro Logic II processing. One Coaxial and two Optical digital inputs, as well as two component video inputs, all housed in a cabinet less than 3" high.

So how does a 100 watt surround receiver come in so cheap? You'll have to read the article for the very acceptable explanation.


More about the Panasonic SA-XR55K at The Home Theater Blog


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Since I'm a Mediacom customer, this Press Release really rocks:

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- May 5, 2005 -- Mediacom Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: MCCC) today announced it plans to increase the maximum download speed of its flagship residential Internet service from 3Mbps to 5Mbps, at no additional charge to customers. Mediacom plans to also introduce a premier Internet service with maximum speeds of 10 Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. Both Mediacom Online services will include a free package of PC security tools, and free access to premium content and other featured programming. Customers can expect to see these upgrades within the next 90 days.

The 10 Mbps service includes a wireless router and I've heard rumors that is will run about $70 a month. If you're in an area with Mediacom and don't have cable internet yet, I don't know what you're waiting for?



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I guess I'm behind the times, but I doubt it I'll ever spend $799 on a remote. That's exactly the MSRP on the Sony RM-NX7000 Touch Screen Remote. CNET has a review that states:

In many ways, the RM-NX7000 is Sony's answer to the more expensive Philips ProntoPro NG TSU7000 ($999), also known as the RU980 in Europe. But while Philips encourages the user to dive right in and customize the Pronto, the RM-NX7000 is designed to be programmed by a trained A/V installer. In other words, don't try this at home unless you have gobs of patience and some experience with complex remotes. And since the RM-NX7000 is a relatively new device, it lacks a user community supplying the homebrew graphics, custom keys, skins, and codes that are staples of the Pronto.

If you're seriuos about your remotes and willing to spend a little cash, you may want to take a peek at the Sony RM-NX7000.

Read the Sony RM-NX7000 Review


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	Sony RM-NX7000 Integrated Remote Commander Universal Remote Control Price:

I found this really interesting. Martin over at Creative Weblogging's Digital TV has an article that mentions a product called Gotuit On Demand which he describes:

Gotuit Media Corp. has developed a product, called "Gotuit On Demand," that combines segment metadata with VOD content. This is a fancy way of saying that viewers can use their remote control to quickly access the specific parts of an on-demand show that interest them.

Martins points out why this technology is newsworthy:

DigitalTV included this little news bit because it shows yet another aspect of video-on-demand (VOD). That is, the television program can be indexed and skipped through just like a DVD (provided Dan succeeds on his mission). Does this mean we might be skipping whole segments of the content as well as skipping the ads? Imaging having each segment on a news program indexed, we could probably get through the program in record time!

Read Ad-skipping? How about content-skipping!


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Looking for a new DLP (Digital Light Processing) HDTV? The Home Theater Blog has a great reccomendation list starting with:

Samsung
Without a doubt Samsung has been a major player in the tabletop/micro-display market for the last few years. I have to admit, that until this years crop of Samsung DLP’s made their way onto the scene, I wouldn’t have called my self a Samsung fan. After seeing the HLP5663W however, and its insanely thin cabinet, I got what all the fuss was about. Models from the previous years had (in my opinion) a softish picture, and the cabinet was still too bulky for my tastes. All of this changed however with the introduction of the HL series in 2005.

Read Summer DLP HDTV recommendations


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There's been quite a few home entertainment systems introduced lately. One of the most promising looks to be the Outlaw Model 990 Amp which is previewed at DesignTechnica.com. The article states:

For audio processing, the Model 990 employs a 24-bit Cirrus Logic CS-49400 Crystal processor, and 192 kHz/24-bit Analog Devices digital-to-analog converters for each individual channel. The unit features decoding and processing of every major surround sound format in existence today, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS-96/24, DTS Neo:6, and even a fully adjustable version of Dolby ProLogic IIx processing. A pair of Analog Devices Asynchronous Sample Rate converters are used to remaster PCM sources to 192 kHz/24-bit audio for improved reproduction of CDs, particularly in the upper frequency range. There are both Pure Analog and Pure Digital modes to prevent deterioration of sound due to unwanted conversion between the analog and digital domains.

The Model 990 is designed to be both firmware and software upgradeable, allowing for inclusion of future surround processing schemes and additional features. There are both USB and RS-232 ports on the unit's rear panel, allowing for a convenient and simple means of connecting a personal computer for future upgrades. The USB port can also be used as an audio source connection, allowing the processor to play PCM audio files streamed from a computer.

No too shabby, huh?


Read Outlaw Model 990 Amp Unveiled


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I guess this is cool in kind of a weird way. On Mother's Day, patients who had a baby at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, received a free TiVo. According to QuickDFW.com:

Women who give birth at Parkland Memorial Hospital over Mother's Day weekend will each get a free TiVo digital video recorder – even if they don't know what it is.

Company representatives were at the hospital Friday morning, chatting up new moms and handing out certificates for the recorders along with free lifetime TiVo service, a $498 value.



While the women seemed grateful and willingly posed with empty TiVo boxes stacked in their hospital rooms, several patients later admitted that they weren't sure at first what the devices were used for.

What do you bet the cost of an epidural went up $498 on Sunday?


Read Have a baby, get a TiVo at Parkland


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Showtime is about to start a new promotion for new subscribers. According to News.com:

Showtime will throughout the summer give away games for Microsoft's Xbox video game console to its new subscribers, the cable movie operator said on Tuesday. Showtime, a unit of Viacom, said people who sign up during the promotional period will get either two free Xbox games or one game and a starter kit with 12-month subscription to the Xbox Live online gaming service.

I haven't found a firm date on when the promotion starts but we'll keep you posted.


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