Building a Home Theater?

We can help. A home theater is a great way to spend time with the family. Enjoying movies together is the modern day equivalent of story time around a camp fire. Equipment-wise, you will need:

> HDTV: high definition TV

> Blu-ray Disc player

> surround sound system, consisting of a home theater receiver and a set of loudspeakers

> calibrate your HDTV and surround sound system for the best possible picture

Then, you will need movies:

> DVD & Blu-ray movies newly released, and

> Netflix streaming to enjoy movies instantly

HDTV Tutorial

The state-of-the-art in display technology is HDTV?  Did you know there are a total of 18 Digital TV formats, of which 6 are high definition - HDTV?  Learn more about what this HDTV revolution has to offer.

tell me more >>  

Blu-ray Disc Tutorial

Move over DVD-Video. See what the new
Blu-ray Disc format
has to offer...
better picture in high definition, and better sound that is a bit-for-bit replication of the studio master sound track, more interactivity than ever before, levering internet content, and 3D!

tell me more >>    

Blu-ray Player Guides

Interested in upgrading to the Blu-ray Disc format?  Read our Blu-ray Disc Player Buying Guide and Shopping Guide.  The Buying Guide shows you want to look for, while the Shopping Guide shows you what Blu-ray Disc players are current available and what great deals can be had.

tell me more >>

Blu-ray Disc Player Reviews

Shopping for a new
Blu-ray Disc player?  Read our full in-depth reviews and make an informed decision.

> Samsung BD-C5500 - NEW
   a solid entry-level player, $131

> Sony BDP-S370
   entry-level player, SACD playback, $135

> Sony BDP-S470
   3D ready, SACD playback, about $144

> Sony BDP-S570
   3D ready, Wi-Fi, 1 GB memory, about $200

> Vizio VBR231 - NEW
   dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11n, $180

> Vizio VBR220 - NEW
   Wi-Fi 802.11n, $158

Hi Def Surround Sound

Blu-ray Disc brings forth two awesome high definition surround sound formats to match the pristine picture quality of its HDTV visual experience.
Dolby TrueHD | DTS-HD Master Audio

tell me more >>   

Complete Home Theater

Receiver Buying Guide

To truly experience home theater, you need to have surround sound system. Do you know what to look for when buying a new home theater receiver?  Our complete home theater receiver buying guide tells you what you must know and consider before choosing a home theater receiver of any price range.  Also available is our shorter, essential A/V receiver buying guide for budgets less than $750.

tell me what I should know >>   

Hardware Reviews

No home theater system would be complete without loudspeakers.  Check out our full reviews of loudspeaker systems and other home theater gear before you buy anything.

check them out >>   

Calibration Blu-ray Disc

Be sure you are getting the most out of your home theater system.  This DIY DVE HD Basics calibration disc shows you how to make picture and sound system adjustment that ensures that you are enjoying movies the way the director intended.

tell me more >>   

Tutorials

New to home theater?  You've come to the right place:

> THX Overview:
   what does it do for me?

> Frequently Asked Questions:
   answers to your questions

> Glossary & Acronyms:
   home theater terms defined

more tutorials >>   

DVD & Blu-Ray Rentals Online

You must try online DVD & Blu-ray Disc rentals from NetFlix.  They have virtually every DVD title in print - that's over 100,000 titles. They also rent a large selection of Blu-ray Disc titles. And you also get Netflix instant streaming of movies and TV shows. Right now, NetFlix is offering our readers one month of Blu-ray Disc & DVD rentals absolutely FREE. There's no obligation for you to continue past the free period. What do you have to lose? Read more or sign up here.