Home Theatre »

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  Audio Technica ATH-W1000 headphones

  An exceptional pair of reference headphones for the price with sonic accuracy across the board and brutal detail from upper low end to the top of the high end.

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  Altec Lansing PT8051

  Its immense speakers suggest great audio quality, but it's all the little things that the PT8051 lacks that made it lose our favour.

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  Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000

  Unless you desperately need a full-sized keyboard covered in silver to match your decor, we'd suggest you pass on the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, and go for one of the cheaper options.

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  B&W PV1

  While the B&W PV1 could be described as a "style" subwoofer, it doesn't compromise on sound quality. Good for movies, great with music.

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  B&W VM6

  The B&W VM6 are surprisingly capable loudspeakers but the compact dimensions stunt their performance.

More reviews »

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  Best receivers under $1500

  AV receivers are the central hub of any home theatre system, and so we look at the best receivers available for under AU$1500.

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  Best 'home theatre in a box' systems

  You've finally taken the plunge and invested in a large screen TV, but found out pretty much straight away that the sound is thin and not deserving of the term "home theatre". So where to next?

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  2007: The best of home theatre

  We pick our favourite A/V gear released in the past year -- from televisions to disk players and even to a particular high-def games console.

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  Father's Day Gift Guide

  Sure, you can always go the tie or cologne route (again), but if you want to really put a smile on Dad's dial, make sure the present he unwraps has tech inside.

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  Entertainment PCs under $2,000

  Why wait for TiVo when you can buy one of these PCs and not only record TV, but play games and scribble down your memoirs at the same time!

More review round-ups »

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  Mediagate MG-350HD

  The Mediagate MG-350HD is an excellent all-in-one home media solution -- as long as you're not timid about installing a hard drive.

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  Samsung HTX810

  The Samsung HT-X810 is a breeze to set-up and looks great sitting underneath your TV, and while picture quality is great, the sound slightly disappoints.

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  Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200

  The MCE DMA2200 is probably the best media streaming device we've ever tested. It only works with Windows Vista, but for streaming media from a PC to the TV, it's ideal.

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  Sony STRDA5300ES

  With six HDMI inputs, an intuitive graphical user interface and excellent audio and video quality, the Sony STR-DA5300ES raises the bar on what to expect from a high-end AV receiver.

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  Logitech Harmony One

  If you're looking for a sturdy, workhorse remote and don't want to pay through the nose then the Logitech Harmony One is an excellent choice.

More popular reviews »

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  Logitech Harmony One

  If you're looking for a sturdy, workhorse remote and don't want to pay through the nose then the Logitech Harmony One is an excellent choice.

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  Sony STRDA5300ES

  With six HDMI inputs, an intuitive graphical user interface and excellent audio and video quality, the Sony STR-DA5300ES raises the bar on what to expect from a high-end AV receiver.

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  Lindy 3 Port HDMI Switch with Remote

  The Lindy 3 Port HDMI Switch with Remote is an inexpensive and recommended upgrade for anyone looking to add extra sources to their home theatre.

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  Logitech Squeezebox

  You couldn't ask for a much simpler audio/Internet radio streamer than the Logitech Squeezebox, although you do pay a premium for that convenience.

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  Onkyo TX-SR605

  The Onkyo TX-SR605 raises the bar for AV receivers by delivering an amazing number of next-generation audio and video features at an unbeatably low price

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  Logitech Harmony One

  If you're looking for a sturdy, workhorse remote and don't want to pay through the nose then the Logitech Harmony One is an excellent choice.

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  TEAC MCDV10

  TEAC's MCDV10 sounds good on paper, with integrated CD, DVD, Digital TV and MP3 playback. Actually using it, however, reveals a rather more woeful state of affairs.

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  Sony DAV-IS10

  The Sony DAV-IS10 is a likeable system with incredibly tiny speakers but it stops quite short of a hearty recommendation.

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  Sony RHTG800

  The Sony RHTG800 is an unusual take on the HTIB, but it looks good and works well. However, the sound quality isn't the best and the price is high.

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  Logitech Squeezebox

  You couldn't ask for a much simpler audio/Internet radio streamer than the Logitech Squeezebox, although you do pay a premium for that convenience.

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  NHK smashes the 4K image barrier

  Japanese broadcaster NHK has developed display technologies capable of displaying 32-megapixels of information, or 16 times more detail than high-definition consumer panels.

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  Whaddyareckon?: Home theatre vs movie theatre

  Trips to the cinema: laughably old-fashioned or still a good night out? We put the home against the multiplex in this week's episode.

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  Panasonic range focuses on 1080p and plasma

  Panasonic has unveiled its 2008 range of televisions and home theatre in Sydney with HD recorders and plasmas high on its priority list.

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  Super Hi-Vision the next HD standard

  Plans are already afoot for the next version of HD — it's called Super Hi-Vision and it features four times the resolution of 1080p.

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  Green no longer just a fad in consumer tech

  Investors and tech industry leaders say being green is now critical to their bottom line.

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  James Cameron: 3D heading beyond movies

  The filmmaker tells digital advertisers that the kind of 3D experiences just making their way into movies will also reshape television and gaming.

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  New TV services to be shelved

  The federal government has shelved the launch of several new TV channels — including mobile services — amid concerns policy and technical flaws would make them unviable.

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  What's next for Apple? We think it's the remote

  After looking at what Apple has done in the past, there are some clues going forward. A good place to look is some of its older products, both software and hardware.

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  JVC, Kenwood officially hook up

  The two Japanese audio equipment makers will combine to form JVC Kenwood Holdings, which will focus on car electronics, home electronics, and professional wireless systems.

More news »

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  Sony announces 1080p Bravia range

  Sony has unveiled its 2008 range of Bravia LCDs which include new processing capabilities and better compatibility with other devices.

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  What a waste! Australian tech recycling options limited

  The overwhelming majority of councils in the Sydney metropolitan region fail to provide any direct e-waste recycling services for their residents.

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  Plasma vs. LCD: Six things you need to know

  You know you want a flat TV, but you may not know whether a plasma or an LCD is best for you. Executive editor David Carnoy tells you what to consider before buying.

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  Microsoft TechFest 2008: A glimpse into the future

  Each year Microsoft holds its Techfest show, an exhibition of some of the research projects it's working on. CNET.com.au went to check out where the future lies.

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  Web TV Top 10

  Here's a list of 10 must-have Web TV bookmarks that are guaranteed to help you find something online worth seeing.

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  Memory cards: All your questions answered

  With all the different types and variations available, it's easy to get confused about memory cards. But as they now fit into everything from digital cameras to printers, phones and televisions, it's important to know your way around the memory card maze.

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  Valentine's Day Gift Guide

  Face it -- roses, chocolates, and yes, diamond rings, have been done before. If you really want to impress your sweetheart, surprise him or her with a tech present that will have them remembering you the whole year through.

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  Ditch the disc: A guide to online music and videos in Australia

  CDs and DVDs are like so 1990s, man. If you're ready to ditch the disc and want to disco over to digital, then check out CNET.com.au's list of the major online media stores in Australia.

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  CES 2008 wrap: tech's crystal ball

  CES 2008 has wrapped for another year, and so CNET.com.au looks over the tech and the products we will be using in the years to come.

More features »

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  Oi!: Look professional with AKG's high-def headphones

  High-end audio manufacturer AKG has introduced a range of high-def headphones designed to please the pickiest of music appreciators.

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  Oi!: Poll: Will Top Gear Australia meet its great expectations?

  Last night SBS announced its choice of hosts for the Australian version of Top Gear: Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati. Take our poll and let us know how you think they'll fare.

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  Oi!: Brand Tags' clouds cut through marketing hype

  CEOs and marketing types talk about improving or maintaining "brand values" all the time. But what do we really think of the companies that deliver us our modern existence? The site Brand Tags is attempting to find out.

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  Oi!: Bowers & Wilkins makes Diamonds from marble

  Bowers & Wilkins has come up with a design for their Signature Diamond speakers that encases the tweeter in a marble housing.

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  Oi!: Pinnacle's itty bitty video box

  Allo allo, what have we got here? A little black box that records TV shows and transfers them straight to your iPod, that's what.

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  Oi!: Yamaha releases schmick hi-fi gear; receiver

  Yamaha is attempting to re-enter the field of hi-fi -- a phrase the company itself created -- with the release of three new flagship products.

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  Oi!: New ASUS Eee TV, desktop PC and monitor

  ASUS has gone Eee crazy, and we're trembling with anticipation.

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  Oi!: DViCO's digital jukeboxes

  Korean company DViCO (that's pronounced duh-vee-co) has released two high-definition media players that do double duty as PVRs.

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  Oi!: Get ready for digital radio with DAB+

  The widespread introduction of digital radio in Australia has inched closer with the world's first test of the new digital radio standard, DAB+, in Sydney today.

More oi! »

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  Plasma vs LCD: Which is right for you?

  Update: Which type of flat panel display, plasma or LCD, is right for you? And which will give you more bang for your buck?

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  Sony announces 1080p Bravia range

  Sony has unveiled its 2008 range of Bravia LCDs which include new processing capabilities and better compatibility with other devices.

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  Why HDMI? What you need to know before going digital

  Tired of all those messy home theatre cables ruining your living room's feng shui? Wondering why analog cables are still connecting your all-digital gear? There is a solution — HDMI.

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  Plasma vs. LCD: Six things you need to know

  You know you want a flat TV, but you may not know whether a plasma or an LCD is best for you. Executive editor David Carnoy tells you what to consider before buying.

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  Freeview versus TiVo is just a smoke-screen

  If you were confused about digital TV then there's a new word to think about — Freeview — but is this supposed rivalry with TiVo a diversion from the real issue?

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  Memory cards: All your questions answered

  With all the different types and variations available, it's easy to get confused about memory cards. But as they now fit into everything from digital cameras to printers, phones and televisions, it's important to know your way around the memory card maze.

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  Panasonic range focuses on 1080p and plasma

  Panasonic has unveiled its 2008 range of televisions and home theatre in Sydney with HD recorders and plasmas high on its priority list.

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  How to connect your HDTV

  In this guide, we help make connecting your TV to the rest of your system less intimidating, and explain all the relevant technologies.

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  Digital TV in Australia

  The formats are confusing and the standards don't seem to be standard. Our simple guide unravels the mysteries of Australian digital TV.

• Surround sound buying guide

• Digital radio in Australia

• Home theatre: kits or components?

• Surround sound formats

• Calibrating surround sound

• What is HDMI?