Websites for home theater component reviews?

[jackwanders]

Ok. I've been trying to do the research, and I'm making some headway, but when I actually start looking at home theater components, they all blend together. I'd love to find a site with accurate and trustworthy reviews of TVs, receivers, speakers, DVD players, cables, etc.

If you have a site you trust when it comes to reviewing home theater goodies, post it here. Thanks a bunch.

Also, any websites that sell a wide variety of home theater products would be great.

P.S. - Based on my room size and budget, I'm going to be looking for a flat-tube HDTV in the 30-36" range. any recommendations?

P.P.S. - HDTV w/ built-in tuner vs. HD-Ready TV + standalone HD receiver...any difference? Is one preferable over the other?

[goji]

First things first, what are you looking for?

Secondly, what is your budget?

Ill get some links posted before to long to some sites that can assist you, and the manufactures sites to some great gear.

Your budget will be the deciding factor for everything.

GK

[jackwanders]

Ok. All my questions could easily be answered without regard to specific budget.

1) What are some websites that give thorough and accurate reviews of home theater equipment, such as TVs, receivers, speakers, etc.?

2) Do you have any recommendations for a flat-tube CRT HDTV in the 30" to 36" range?

3) Is there any real difference between an HDTV and an HD-Ready TV + HD tuner, performance-wise?

I'm not asking for broad recommendations on anything where budget would be a factor in your reply.

I say this because as of right now, I'm really just getting my bearings. Finding out what brands I should keep an eye on, what technologies are out now and what's coming down the pipe in the near future. I just recently moved into a new apartment, and Christmas is coming up, so it'll be early 2006 before I even think of purchasing anything, so I'm not getting too deep into specifics yet.

[jakeschneider]

cnet.com has great reviews on everything. check there.

[bangbang023 Veteran]

1. ecoustics.com

2. Sony KD34XBR960 is a beautiful 34" set though it's a behemoth and then some. The Samsung TXR3079WH Slim fit is a much mroe manageable size (slim tube tech) but is 4 inches smaller in terms of screen size.

3. You won't notice much difference, though it's still best to go with cable or satellite for your HD since the feed will always be stronger.

[goji]

Ok.  All my questions could easily be answered without regard to specific budget.

Ask and you shall receive... eventually:

1) http://www.hometheatermag.com/ -- Sporting a brand new layout, it has indepth reviews dating back so you can find quite a bit there.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/ -- Another popular publication with a great reviews for many different price ranges.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/main.html -- Reviews and a great forum on the ever evolving HT tech market. (read up on HDMI, its a great format still coming into its own!)

http://htguide.com/forum/ -- Not really a review website, but a forum where there are "specialty clubs" listed half way down where users post impressions of current models against other brands on market. Good reads.

http://avsforum.com/ -- 1/3 review site, 2/3 forum. Great combo with a great user base like Neowin, cept dedicated to HT.

2) Whatever BB said, Im more into audio. FYI, if you look into the Samsung line of Slimfits, there have been reports of image bending at the bottom of the screen.

3) Once again what BB said.

I'm not asking for broad recommendations on anything where budget would be a factor in your reply.

I say this because as of right now, I'm really just getting my bearings.  Finding out what brands I should keep an eye on, what technologies are out now and what's coming down the pipe in the near future.

586815922[/snapback]

Are you familiar with the current technologies? If not, I highly suggest you read the following:

http://cinemasource.com/articles.html -- Superb articles that will help you familiarize yourself with the multiple sound modes, technologies, terms etc. to ensure a complete HT experience.

http://www.klipsch.com/customerservice/faqs.aspx?id=282 -- A "Home Audio" faq that address common issues per speaker/sub placement, bi-wiring/amping (its definitions) and much more. Its a pretty neutral faq that can be used across the entire HT/home audio market. A definte read for anyone building a system.

Thats quite a bit right there. Any more questions, holla!

GK

"have fun"