Tags: avi, hdd, theatre

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.

Wipe your hard drive clean

Get out your virtual scrub brush and let's get busy.

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Reviews

  • Sony Handycam HDR-XR100

    While it's a perfectly serviceable HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR100 should deliver a little more of everything for the money.

  • Panasonic SDR-H80

    The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and offers plenty of storage in a compact body, but the video results aren't nearly as thrilling.

  • Sony Handycam DCR-SR47

    If high storage capacity, long zoom range and easy operation are above video quality on your list of needs, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 is well worth a look.

  • Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theatre

    The Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theatre delivers excellent sound from a single speaker bar, with the lack of built-in Blu-ray being the only real sticking point.

  • JVC Everio GZ-HD40

    JVC's CMOS-based Everio GZ-HD40 finally offers AVCHD recording, but a few shortcomings keep us from giving it a full recommendation.

  • Sony Handycam DCR-SR67

    Headlining Sony's 2009 range of standard-def camcorders, the SR67 features an 80GB hard-disk, 60x optical zoom and 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD.

  • Canon HG21

    Bedecked in black, the HG21 is Canon's top dog, second-gen, high-def, hard-disk camcorder. It features 12x optical zoom, a CMOS sensor, optical image stabilisation and an electronic viewfinder.

  • Canon HG20

    Canon's rapid ascent up the high-def, hard-disk camcorder totem pole continues with the HG20 and HG21 twins. Both share optical image stabilisation, 12x optical zoom and a CMOS sensor. The HG20 comes with a smaller 60GB hard-disk and misses out on a viewfinder.

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Features

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DIYs and How-to

  • Camcorder formats: which one is best?

    Prospective camcorder buyers are faced with a choice of four types of camcorder recording media: hard disk, flash memory, MiniDV/HDV tapes, or mini-DVD. We run through the pros and cons of all four formats to make your purchasing journey a little less like a trip through Dante's nine circles of hell.

  • CNET.com.au's quick guide to buying a home theatre projector

    Our quick guide helps you identify the key features that matter most when shopping for a projector.

  • DIY tips for home theatre projects

    Are you handy? If so, you can follow this advice to backlight your TV, then build your own speaker stands and projection screen.

  • How to set up a subwoofer

    Take our easy-to-follow procedures to integrate your powered subwoofer into a component-level home theatre system.

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Downloads

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The Explain Series

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Videos

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