Tags: audio, ces2006, mp3

Home cinema systems: Are kits or components right for you?

Whether you want to buy a home theatre in a box or go the components route, you'll need to decide which way is best for you right from the start.

Digital radio is finally here, but what equipment do you need to receive it? We look at eight different receivers to find the best.

Philips GoGear Mix (4GB)

The GoGear Mix is exactly what people are looking for in an MP3 player. It's easy to load with music, simple to operate and a pleasure to listen to.
Philips GoGear Aria (8GB)

The GoGear Aria may be cheaper than a comparable iPod Nano, but it's leagues behind in terms of quality.
Philips DC350 iPod Dock

The DC350 features a wide-range of connectivity options, but is far too expensive for the low quality sound it produces.
Philips GoGear Opus

The slow interface probably kills what would have been an excellent player with decent format support and great sound quality.
Altec Lansing Orbit iM237

We like the new and improved version of Altec Lansing's portable single speaker, the Orbit MP3, better than the previous model, but it costs a bit more.
Virgin VMX

The VMX is a phone with many shortcomings, but most of these are outweighed by the AU$99 price tag. For most people who just need the basics, the VMX will do the trick.
Tivoli Audio NetWorks

Despite a couple of shortcomings, the sound and look of the Tivoli Audio NetWorks Internet/FM radio makes up for a lot of its niggles.
Meridian Sooloos Music Server

The Meridian Sooloos is a modular music server with an easy-to-use interface and one of the best Random modes we've seen. The downside? It's expensive.

Best high-capacity MP3 players

Music hoarders rejoice! Here are a few picks of the top players for those large collections.
Four touchscreen MP3 players

The iPod Touch may get all the glory, but a few other touchscreen MP3 players have recently crept into the mix. Here are a few available now.
Best tiny MP3 players

When it comes to tiny MP3 players, flash chip-based players are where it's at. We choose some of the tiniest, cutest models on the market.
Best portable mobile phone speakers

People love sharing their music when they are out and about. We check out the best portable speakers to use with your music-playing mobile phone.

No Beatles on iTunes tomorrow

An EMI executive has come out and said there'll be no Liverpudlian love on iTunes for Beatles Day.
Will your next camera be an iPod?

If you're to believe the rumours, there's a good chance that the next generation of iPods will be outfitted with basic cameras.
Zune-Xbox gaming device in the works?

The latest Zune rumour gathering steam sees Microsoft developing a portable digital entertainment device that bridges the gap between the Zune and the Xbox 360.
Back to school tech

New pencils and a few spiral notebooks aren't all you'll need to start off the new school year. CNET rounds up the laptops, printers and MP3 voice recorders that get top marks for students.

mp3HD: New lossless MP3 format explained

The lossless "hybrid" MP3 format not only offers the sound detail lost in a normal MP3, but remains compatible with your existing MP3 player or iPod.
Mac Starter Kit: Must-have apps

Out of the box, a new Mac is loaded with cool apps to get you started, but it doesn't come with everything you'll need. Check out our round-up of apps that Mac users count on every day and aren't included in the initial set-up.
Make MP3s from iTunes downloads: A guide to file conversion

Any MP3 player or audio device can play music bought from the iTunes Store, even if it doesn't support the format Apple sells it in. Here's our three-step guide to show you how to convert iTunes Plus downloads to MP3 format.
Windows Starter Kit: Must-have PC apps

Bought a new PC but hate the bloatware it comes with? We've sourced the best free Windows apps to increase your productivity.

QuickScore Elite

Write your own music and edit it with a set of pre-defined tools.
GSA AV Guard

Monitor your place via video or audio and send alert messages to your mobile computer.
Beginner Mandarin

Did you know that in MandarinThe word for a horse is spelled the same as a mother as well as hemp.If you want to buy something from a store, you...
Xplorer2

Manage your files using dual pane tabbed explorer.

Get (laptop) smart before you buy

Win the numbers game and get the laptop that's perfect your needs as well as your budget!
Microsoft Windows® 7. Your PC, simplified.

Windows® 7 has been designed to be more reliable, more responsive, and to make the things you do every day easier.
Whereis® maps

If you’d like to get to know more of Australia, and do it safely, then check out Whereis® maps.