Integra DTR-50.1 7.2 A/V Receiver

Jim Clements

Integra is a major electronics manufacturer which markets and sells their products through custom installation supply chains. Their focus goes beyond sheer performance and encompasses upgradability, system integration and multi-zone capabilities. These are qualities that are widely needed and used within the custom installation industry. The Integra DTR-50.1 Receiver is right in the middle of the lineup of Integra's receiver offerings.

Receivers

Home Theater Movie Renter’s Guide – April, 2010

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The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Blu-ray), Walk the Line (Blu-ray), Apollo 13 (Blu-ray), Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (Blu-ray) , Alice in Wonderland (DVD), The Last King of Scotland (Blu-ray), Fantastic Mr. Fox (Blu-ray), Toy Story (Blu-ray), Ninja (Blu-ray), The Fourth Kind (Blu-ray), Toy Story 2 (Blu-ray) , Gone With the Wind (Blu-ray), Avatar (Blu-ray), An Education (Blu-ray)

Movie Reviews

Paradigm Rock Speakers

Secrets

I admit, I've always been a little cynical about outdoor speakers. What better chance for a manufacturer to knick you a little extra for the ability to leave them out in the rain. Just walk into any big box store and you will see models of outdoor speakers from ho-hum manufacturers that command at least twice what their comparable indoor speakers cost. In this case though, Paradigm is the source, and they are definitely not ho-hum. And, making them waterproof does add to the cost. But, it is the sound that matters most, and Paradigm delivers. Read our review to see what I am talking about.

Surround Sound Speaker Systems

MartinLogan 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System

Jared Rachwalski

I remember the first time I saw a pair of MartinLogan electrostatic speakers. It was 1993 and I was still in high-school, shopping for a new car stereo. And then I saw them, a pair of tall ominous black panels. I was immediately intrigued by the strange looking panel. Asking for a demonstration, I was politely refused, who would think a teenager with a scratched rap CD fresh off the car audio demo system could afford (or even appreciate) such a speaker? Here, we review a 5.1 set of MartinLogans, consisting of the Summit X as the front speakers, Vista as the rear surround, Stage as the center channel, and Descent i subwoofer.

Surround Sound Speaker Systems

Optoma HD8600 Single-Chip 1080p DLP Projector

Chris Eberle

My favorite reviews are those of flagship products so I was understandably excited when the opportunity came to test Optoma's new HD8600 DLP projector. The HD8600 includes all of Optoma's latest features and advances. Topping the list is a special set of controls called PureEngine which include enhancements for detail, color and motion. This projector has joined its competitors in offering smoothing technology to eliminate the judder and motion blur inherent in 24 frames-per-second film content. Coupled with Pure Detail and Pure Color, you have at the call of the remote the means to add extra vividness and sharpness to picture if you wish. If accuracy is your goal, as it is mine, the HD8600 offers extensive adjustments for gamma, grayscale and a color management system.

Projectors

Runco LS-5 Single-Chip 1080p DLP Projector

Chris Eberle

When one thinks of home theater, it's difficult not to think of Runco. Since 1987, Runco has been at the forefront of home theater video technology. Founder Sam Runco is even credited with coining the term "home theater. " They are one of a handful of companies that concentrate solely on video products. Their product line includes LCD and plasma displays, DLP projectors and even two new LED projectors. They also market a video processor and an in-wall rear projection system. Runco's current line of front-projectors includes 13 models that cover every kind of installation. The LS-5 reviewed here is designed for small to medium theaters with screens ranging from 72 to 120 inches. It has full 1080p resolution, via a single DLP chip.

Projectors

Kef IQ Series Speakers and HTBSE-W Wireless Subwoofer

Ross Jones

KEF is the venerable British-based loudspeaker company founded in 1961 by former BBC electrical engineer Raymond Cooke. The company first became famous for its monitors and Reference series speakers. In 1988, KEF introduced the revolutionary Uni-Q system, which mounted a neodymium-based tweeter in the center of the woofer voice coil. Since then, KEF has expanded its product line to include the ultra high-end Muon down to the entry level C Series speakers. The subject of this review, KEF's Q Series speakers, is the next step up from the C Series. As the name implies, it offers the Uni-Q technology in each of the five main speakers.

Surround Sound Speaker Systems