theater

Poll: Where are your speakers?

Even if it's just an inexpensive iPod or Bluetooth speaker, careful placement can really make a difference in the sound. Specific placement requirements vary with the type of speaker, but it's usually wise to have speakers at least 36 inches off the floor, close to the height of a seated listener's head. If the speakers have to be placed lower or higher, angle them toward the main listening position. Try to place speakers at least a few feet away from corners and large pieces of furniture that reflect sound.

Placing speakers close to boundaries -- walls, corners, … Read more

Can I use an 'indoor' TV outside?

CNET reader Jason asks:

We have a covered porch that's screaming for a television. I'm not worried about the "elements" as much as I am about the extreme heat and cold. Here in North Texas, we can see summer temps as high as 110 degrees and winter temps in the teens.

I know there are "weatherproof" televisions out there, but they are expensive. Is that my only route, or are there certain TVs that do better in the heat or cold of outside?

Good question.… Read more

Don't buy a jumbo LCD TV, buy a projector

With all the hype and hoopla about Sharp's 80-, and now 90-inch LCDs, I think it's important to point out that these are neither a good value, nor a good idea if your goal is a big TV for the home.

Yes, I'm talking about projection, and it's easier, cheaper, and better looking than a big LCD.… Read more

Get a refurbished Logitech Harmony 700 universal remote for $59.99

Regular Cheapskate readers know of my fondness for Logitech's Harmony series of universal remotes. One of the better models, the 700, has a list price of $119.99. Ouch.

For a limited time, Logitech has the refurbished Harmony 700 universal remote for $59.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code logi_h700_61212 at checkout.

What's so great about the Harmony series? Thanks to Logitech's wizard-driven software, they're significantly easier to program than most universal remotes. Just choose your gear from a mammoth database and presto: you're good to go. They're also blissfully user-friendly, with … Read more

TiVo and PayPal pair up for purchases through TV

Forget picking up your laptop or tablet to make purchases while watching TV, TiVo users can do it with their remotes.

A new partnership with PayPal will give TiVo users the ability to explore interactive ads and buy products directly through the interface using their PayPal account.

How it seems to work is you'll pop into an ad, buy a product using your PayPal account through a secure transaction, and the item will be shipped to the address registered with PayPal. The products will come either directly from the advertiser or a merchant that takes PayPal.

TiVo is currently working with advertisers to create PayPal-enabled TiVo ads and Showcase campaigns beginning with the fall 2012 TV season.… Read more

Get a Denon 5.1-channel home theater receiver for $139

When it comes to home audio, do you like it old-school? By which I mean tower, surround, or bookshelf speakers paired with an actual stereo receiver? Then you've come to the right cheap-show.

While supplies last, Amazon has the Denon AVR-1312 5.1-channel home theater receiver for $139 shipped. It sells elsewhere in the $180 range, and had a list price of $250 when it debuted about a year ago.

This is not the receiver for hard-core audiophiles, but rather an affordable entry-level option for folks who want to vastly improve the sound quality of their TV audio -- … Read more

Active 3D vs. passive 3D: What's better?

CNET reader Taher asks:

I'm trying to decide between two 3D TVs: a Panasonic that's active 3D and LG that's passive 3D. LG has all these international certificates for the best 3D picture and claims it's full resolution, but you and others claim Passive 3D is half the resolution of a real 1080p. Is there is a way for me to really tell the difference between an active and a passive 3D?

There sure is.… Read more

How are you streaming? (Poll)

Streaming video, with its instant access and wide selection, has exploded over the past few years. Whether it's Netflix, which despite some recent fumbles still remains hugely popular, or other services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and so on, more services and content have become available. Even better, the number of devices capable of streaming that content continues to grow.

With so many options available to stream Internet content, what's your pick?… Read more

TiVo focusing on whole-home viewing with IP, streaming boxes

At the 2012 NCTA Cable Show, TiVo announced the eventual availability (again) of a TiVo IP set-top box for viewing content on secondary TVs and a new streaming box for use with mobile devices.

The TiVo IP set-top box (yes, that's what it's being called for now) works as an extender for a TiVo Premiere Q DVR. Connect the box to a secondary TV and to your home network, and you'll have access to live and recorded TV, video-on-demand services, or other broadband-delivered content through the main DVR.

Presumably it'll tie up one of the Q's tuners to access live TV, but with four tuners in the Q, you should be able to hook up multiple IP set-top boxes throughout your home. … Read more