Tags: buy, hd dvd, lcd

Five years of home theatre: The highs and lows

CNET Australia has turned five years old, and so we look at some of the big events and technologies in this time, and what's on the horizon.

Pioneer and NEC have exited the plasma market, leaving the mantle of responsibility on Panasonic's shoulders. But can the best technology survive?

Pioneer BDP-LX71

The Pioneer LX71 is a great Blu-ray player, despite a slow loading speed for interactive discs and the high price.
Sony Handycam HDR-SR10

The SR10 offers a good balance between value and quality in the emerging consumer HD video space.
Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD700A

The Panasonic TX-32LXD700 currently stands as Panasonic's flagship LCD TV — so we're happy to say it has the features and performance quality to do its position proud.
Philips Aurea 42PFL9900D

The Philips Aurea 42PFL9900D may be very expensive, but its picture performance nothing short of stunning, and the Ambilight Spectra system stands out from the crowd.
Beyonwiz DP-P1

The Beyonwiz DP-P1 is a twin-HD tuner digital video recorder with network capabilities allowing you to stream content such as photos and DivX movies from your PC.
Sharp Aquos LC-52PD7X

Sharp has ticked all the boxes for launching a seriously tantalising LCD offering, including larger size options, HD tuners, 1080p resolution and a stylish design.
Yamaha RX-V1700

The Yamaha RX-V1700 is a mostly solid AV receiver with an attractive feature package and excellent sound, but you might be able to find a better overall value.
Panasonic HDC-DX1

Panasonic's high-def DVD camcorder impresses, but its lack of storage capacity is a worry.

Is it time to go HD?

Want to know whether HD is worth it yet? Here is our look at what's changed in the world of high-def lately — and what's on the horizon.
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.
CES 2008: world's biggest tech show preview

The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest, and in the leadup to our exclusive CNET.com.au coverage here's what to expect from CES 2008.
Format wars: the tech that should have won

Did you love Laserdisc? Were you bonkers over Betamax? Do you cry yourself to sleep because BeOS never hit the big time? Fret no more -- superdork Captain Tech is here to travel back in time and save the format losers that should have triumphed.

Pioneer to halt plasma production?

Pioneer Electronics is to cease all production of plasma panels and instead source panels from competitor Matsushita, according to Reuters.
High-def buyers face upgrade headaches

Australians may be snapping up high definition (HD) capable equipment, but movie studios and technology vendors face a potential public relations disaster if they can't help consumers avoid compatibility problems that could potentially force consumers to repurchase equipment down the road.
Sony's brave Sir Howard

Sony has been in the news a lot in the last year, but mostly for the wrong reasons.
High-cost gear hobbled by high-def ignorance, survey finds

A new survey has found that two-thirds of high-definition-capable TV owners lack an HDTV set-top box and half of consumers mistakenly believe that DVDs already offer HD video.

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.
Top 10 FAQs for Notebooks

Buying a laptop can be a daunting experience -- lucky CNET is here to help you through!
DIY: Desktop buying guide

What you need to know -- from finding the type of PC that fits your lifestyle to catching up on all of the latest trends.
Big Screen Buyers' Guide: UPDATE

Taking the plunge with a big screen television? Here's 10 questions you should be asking yourself before you hit the shops.

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.