Manage updates with the Download App  Digital Home DIY: Step-by-step guides that make home tech projects easy
Your home for high-tech how-to By David Carnoy Executive Editor, Home Welcome to CNET's Digital Home DIY. We know what you're thinking: a flashy virtual house with lots of pricey products, right? Sure, our new home has plenty of curb appeal, and it's stocked with the latest technology and expert picks for flat-panel TVs, home-theater systems, gaming, and much more. But take the tour and you'll find that this digital home is a little different. Our focus is less on the what, and more on why and how. In other words, we don't just tell you what plasma TV to buy, but why you should want high-definition TV and how to go about getting it, with practical, step-by-step animations in CNET's new how-to theater. Equally important, we invite you, the users, to share your top reasons and tips in our new Digital Home forums. You can even pick the next project. Finally, we show you how others have done it, from the real-world setups in Show Us Yours to the dream homes of Hot Houses. As with most real homes, ours is constantly being improved and expanded. Think of it as a high-tech barn raising. We hope you enjoy it and will contribute to it. Our home is your home.   Call it what you want: Wife Acceptance Factor or, for the more politically correct, how to convince your spouse. All Digital Home projects start with making the case. Rather than technology for technology's sake, you should choose solutions that fit your family's lifestyle. That's why every project in CNET's Digital Home begins with the benefits. Find out what the experts think, tell us your top reasons why, and see how others have convinced the wife, er, spouse to renovate.  Back to top The gear you need to get the job done. From flat-panel TVs to digital video recorders to game consoles, our editors handpick the top-rated products. Plus, you'll also find in-depth features and advice on whole-house technologies such as wireless networking and home automation that you may need to build a high-tech home. Back to top The heart of CNET's Digital Home is the how-to theater, which consists of animated tutorials that show you precisely how to complete specific projects. Not sure how to connect your TiVo to your TV using an S-Video cable? Want to learn how to stream music from your PC to the kitchen? Our animations take you through it step by step. Back to top Take a tour of real digital homes that use this technology and see what's possible. You can see how others have done it and even show off your own project in Show Us Yours. Exchange tips with other users who have completed similar projects. Or get a little inspiration from Hot Houses, a photo-and-video showcase of high-end homes that feature the latest in home entertainment and automation. Hey, we can always dream.... Hot HousesBack to topIf do-it-yourself just doesn't do it for you, don't give up on the digital dream. Whether you are looking for help in setting up a home network, designing a home theater, or automating all aspects of your home, CNET's Home Installation Directory will help you find a qualified integrator in your neighborhood. |
