Gadgets Blog

Sony DAVHDX576WF Home Theater System: $376.75

For a great basic home theater system that won’t break the bank, the Sony DAV-HDX576WF BRAVIA Theatre System is a great choice.  With S-AIR receiver/speaker system, multi-room listening is made easy.  This system includes an iPod Cradle (TDM-iP10) and an integrated 5 disc DVD/CD changer with the capability to upscale your DVDs to a full 1080p output using the HDMI connection when combined with a BRAVIA Theatre Sync-ready TV.

Adjustable standing floor speakers add stylish function and the included S-AIR wireless surround receiver/speaker system eliminates messy wires and provides simple sound capability for the rear surround speakers or multi-room music streaming.  One person can watch a movie in one room, while another listens to music via the additional wireless speaker in another room.  Sony’s auto calibration technology makes it easy to set up and start enjoying your home theater.

More specs: 1000W RMS, surround sound, built in Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, progressive scan, S-master digital amplifier, equalizer has bass boost function (dynamic bass on RM) portable audio enhancer, universal remote control, optical digital input, coaxial digital input, headphone jack, digital tuner technology, AM/FM tuner with 10 AM presets 20 FM station presets.

Buy it at Crutchfield.com get Free Shipping on most orders over $249 (no code required), or take $20 off your order of $100 or more (use code 3A825 - Exp: 05/31/09).

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more cheap home theater systems.

Sources: Crutchfield, Vann’s, Amazon

My friends and I can go back and forth for a good while on the subject of plasma vs. LCD, with the majority of us siding with the LCD for gaming purposes and the lower amount of energy used to power them (typically), however, the prices are comparable and there are advantages to both. If you’ve done your research and decided, like I did, that an LCD with is what you want, here are a couple tips to help you along your way.

Budget
First, figure out how much you want to spend. It can be overwhelming when you walk in to a major retailer and are immersed in rows upon rows of liquid crystal heaven, but keep your wits about you. Especially in these times, if your budget is $1,000, you don’t want to kick yourself after blowing twice that and then having to squeeze your huge 50-inch into a 10×10 studio apartment.

Size
Speaking of size… *queue audience groan*… it does matter. Look at the space you have available, which room it’s going in, how far away the couch or viewing area is, etc. The recommended distances for proper viewing are 3-5 feet away for 20-27 inches, 6-8 feet for 32-37 inches, 10-14 feet for 42-46 inches, and 50-inchers should be about 12-16 away. Again, think about the space you have. If you’re still living in a small room at mom’s & dad’s, you might wanna stay with the 32-37 range.

Mounting/Installation
To save space and maximize the room’s distance, wall mounting is the way to go. There are different methods and this is often an “extra” service with an extra charge, about $200 depeding on who your installer is. Make sure to ask about installation charges and factor that charge into your budget. Also, don’t forget about those HDMI cables. You’ll need a couple to install the LCD and they run about $80 each, again, depending on where you go. I had done a little research beforehand and was fortunate enough to get a price match plus another discount when I said I would go to the competitor down the street and save money on them. What? I have no shame.

Compare
Compare the retailers and the specialty stores. Most of the specialty stores have in-depth knowledge and are really quite helpful, but their prices are usually a bit higher than the retailer as well. You can find deals online and typically save a few hundred bones, but don’t forget to factor in your delivery charges. Personally, I didn’t want to risk opening my brand new TV and seeing a shattered screen and then bursting into tears — not that that would happen, it’s just my own paranoia. Compare the names LG, Samsung, Sony, and such. As with everything else, you can save some money by going with a lesser known brand name that has the same capabilities and comparable quality. This is a personal choice, and everyone has a different opinion on it. For myself, I saved a few hundred on my 47-incher and bought a 32-inch for the bedroom (…that’s what she said? um, nevermind…).

Shop
Ask your friends and see how you like their set-ups. Look through newspaper ads, online, TV commmercials, holiday sales, whatever, and be patient. Nothing worse than a rushed purchase and seeing your TV for $300 less somewhere else. Whatever you choose, make sure you enjoy it. This should be a source of entertainment and relaxation, unless you’re playing Halo 3 in which case it’s a center for ritual butt-kicking… hehehehe. Happy hunting!

Photo Source.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Sharing earphones is not a healthy choice - Gizmodo
• Wiimote turned into a deadly coil gun turret - Engadget
• Mattel’s Mind Flex Game - OhGizmo!
• Man accused of stealing Sony Ericcson prototypes - Ubergizmo
• Rock-Paper-Scissors: The Best Shirt Ever - Technabob

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Crutchfield Coupons: New Crutchfield January Deals
• Let the Force Be With You: Now You Too Can Become A Jedi
• Bose Headphone Deal: Save 10% on Bose QuietComfort 3
• Get Some Street Cred With These Hand USB Flash Drives
  

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• CES G4 Best of the Best - Ubergizmo
  
• Verizon and Alltel merge - Gizmodo
• New iPhone speakers - Engadget
• Cell-Mate straps your cell phone to your head - OhGizmo!
• Tiny backlit wireless keyboard - Technabob
  

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Sony Coupons: Sony VAIO Coupon Deal
• Video Game Review: Call of Duty World at War Review
• Lenovo Deals: Expiring Lenovo Coupons
• Neckphone Headphones: S1 Audio’s NxSet Neckphones
  

Start off the new year with a great discount.

A buddy of mine just got a new laptop and he didn’t bother even looking for coupons or anything for the opportunity to save on it. He simply said he was too lazy. Well, if you’re like him, then let me help you exert some energy and find a discount online.

We have this Sony coupon that will allow you to save $200 on Sony VAIO Z, SR, CS, FW quick ship model notebooks.

Just enter in this Sony coupon code during checkout: VAIODEAL200

This coupon EXPIRES tomorrow, January 6th.

To check out more deals and coupons for Sony, click here.

To go to Sony, click here.

Let this be the last deal you take advantage of during 2008.

If you’re still one of those who is lugging around that bulky CD player case, then you should make getting an mp3 player one of your New Year’s resolutions.

Expiring December 31st, 2008, this Sony deal will allow you to save 50% off an 8 GB Walkman Video mp3 player from Sony Style.com. Store up to 1,850 songs or over 40 hours of video on this mp3 player.

Enter in this Sony Coupon Code for the deal during checkout: WLKMN50

To check out more Sony deals and coupons, click here.

To go to Sony Style, click here.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Sony S-AIRPLAY plays the iPhone - Engadget
• Apple to crank out 45 million iPhone 3Gs in the next 12 months - Gizmodo
• Compose an instant score! - Machines that Go Bing!
• PSP Dock Cradle - GadgetMadness
• Nike feel free headset. Run with it! - GadgetHeat
• Mac Mini Mods - OhGizmo!
• USB Fan Hub - Ubergizmo

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• PCRush.com Coupon: Save 6% off Any Ink Cartridges and Toner
  
• Look Stylish in a JABRA Wireless Headset for Hello Direct
• Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bags
• Buy Laptop: Save 20% on Dell XPS Laptops Over $1249
• Microsoft Hires Jerry Seinfeld and Gates to Challenge Apple Ads

Best Buy and Circuit City aren’t the only places to shop for electronics. If you haven’t checked out Abes of Maine, you should. Especially since we have a great coupon code to help you save when you shop at their online store.

We’re offering an exclusive Abes of Maine coupon that allows you to save $10 off of purchases that are of $75 or more. Digital cameras, televisions, car electronics and even DJ equipment. You name it they’ve got it. And their not selling the cheap stuff either. They’ve got great brand names such as Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Apple and more.

Just enter in this Abes of Maine coupon code during checkout: LOYALTY10

And the other great thing about this coupon is that it doesn’t expire until December 31st of this year. So you have a lot of time to use it and use it over and over again.

To check out more coupons and deals and to go to Abes of Maine, click here.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Clone Trooper Voice Helmet - Technabob
• The 106 MPG “Air Car” - CNN
• Homes of the future are made of…Styrofoam - Gizmodo
• Ways for a More Productive Vista Desktop - Lifehacker
• Sony launches Cybershot DSC-T700 and DSC-T77 - Machines that Go Bing
• EA Sports won’t change the Madden 09 Cover with Favre in Packers Green - Kotaku
• Illuminating drum sticks for Rock Band - OhGizmo!

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Delta to Add Wi-Fi to Domestic Flights in 2009
• SkyMall Coupon: Save 10% on Your Purchases
• Knock Yourself Out with the USB i-Knock IM Notifier
  

A quick recap of gadget blogs and news around the Net:

• Behind the Scenes: The story behind Batman’s Bat-Pod - Popular Mechanics
• iPod Speaker hangs from your key chain - Technabob
• AT&T’s free Wi-Fi spots at Starbucks now available for iPhone users - AT&T
• USB-powered, Heat Me stirrer - Coolest-Gadgets
• FOOTLOOSE! Power generating dance floor hits the UK - Engadget
• Seattle tries to get rid of toilets via eBay - Gizmodo
• Prototype Back to the Future shoe, up for auction - OhGizmo!

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• GPS Deal & Coupon: Pioneer In-Dash Satellite Radio/GPS
• Nintendo Wii MotionPlus To Make the Wiimote More Accurate
• Buy Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S300 Tabletop Blu-Ray for $287.95
• Shouting Vase to Drown Out Your Temper Tantrums