The Sound Room

Aperion's Favorite Halloween Movies

by Jason Hicks

With Halloween just around the corner we took a (mad) scientific poll here at Aperion HQ to come up with our favorite scary movies to share with everyone.  Since you might have little ones around we kept it mostly family friendly and left the truly terrifying ones off the list, (The Shining, I'm looking at you!) but there's still enough frightful fun here to shake a skeleton finger at, enjoy!

The Nighmare Before Christmas

No Halloween list would be complete without an entry from the uniquely twisted mind of Tim Burton, and The Nightmare Before Christmas stands tall as one of his most creative works.  Even though he technically didn't direct it, his sensibility pervades this stop motion masterpiece's visuals and off kilter story which imagines different holidays as personified by towns that prepare all year for their big night.  The movie works as either a Halloween or Christmas tale as the residents of "Halloween Town" attempt to usurp Christmas from its rightful owners.  Odd yet light hearted and with some outstanding songs by the brilliant Danny Elfman, it's a treat for kids of all ages.

Young Frankenstein

Ok maybe this one isn't really for the kids, but it is pretty tame by today's standards and most of the "adult" humor will probably sail right over their heads.  Plus most of today's kids when faced with a black and white movie will probably be reaching for a Nintendo DS or iPad in short order, darn whipper snappers!  Anyway, this classic routinely ends up on lists of the funniest movies of all time and rightly so, the combination of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder is pretty much guaranteed comic genius. This scene with Gene Hackman as the worst host ever sticks out as a highlight. 

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

If you are like me, watching this on TV every Halloween is something of a tradition.  That Peanuts was way ahead of its time and provided the prototype for the "lovable loser" that is commonplace in comedy these days is no secret.  That said, it's still fairly amazing that a cartoon that is basically about disappointment aired on network TV in the mid 60s.  From Charlie getting rocks instead of candy to the Great Pumpkin never appearing, the episode is fraught with failure, even Snoopy loses his battle with the Red Baron.  But in the end Linus holds out hope that the Great Pumpkin will show up next year, and it's reslience in the face of defeat that ends up being Charles Schulz's enduring message.

Zombieland

Be warned that it is rated R, but it's mostly just for a few swear words and pretty light gore so it's probably OK for most teenagers.  Plus we had to include at least one zombie movie and this comedic take on the genre is refreshing and fun.  It also has one of the best opening sequences in memory with excellent use of graphics, slow-mo and a spot on music choice in Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls".  Most zombie movies have subtexts about something else, such as George Romero's riffs on Cold War politics, and Zombieland is no exception.  At its heart it's really just the story of an anxious young man trying to find his way in the world, which in this case happens to be filled with flesh eating monsters.  Along with the perfect casting choices of Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, keep your eyes out for a "killer" cameo in the middle of the movie. 

Addams Family Values

The original Addams Family movie had some predictably creepy laughs but this is the rare case of a sequel that actually surpasses the original.  That's in no small part due to the addition of the comically gifted Joan Cusack as the film's villain.  The Addams' also welcome a new baby, Pubert, and the running gag of his siblings' attempts to kill him comes off as more Looney Tunes than Psycho, which is a testament to the movie's ability to walk a fine line between macabre and funny.  The Burton inspired neo-Gothic production design gives you something to look at as the gags fly by and the cast is having so much fun it's down right infectious, pun intended.     

Home Theater Week in Review, October 24-28, 2011: More Wireless Tech from Lutron.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Remember the Lutron motorized wireless shades I wrote about in the previous HT blog post? Well that was just the beginning: Check out the RadioRA 2 wireless whole house lighting system featured in Home Theater Magazine this month. What's the big deal, you may ask? Only that the RadioRA 2 system doesn't require any new wiring, so just about any home can be easily retrofited: All that's needed is access to your home's current AC power. Using a proprietary wireless RF technology Lutron calls ClearConnect, the RadioRA 2 system offers lighting control for up to 100 lighting devices, or up to 200 with an additional Main Repeater unit. Options abound for zone lighting and dimming, preset schemes (such as away and vacation modes), and occupancy sensors, and you can even control multiple lighting zones from one keypad/controller. What's more, because this lighting control system allows you to activate only as much lighting as you need/when you need it, using this system will actually save energy and lengthen the lifespan of your bulbs over time. And of course, the RA2 can be used with control apps for both Apple and Android devices, and it even features open integration protocols for use with virtually any device capable of sending and/or receiving RS232 or IP commands to control lights and shades. Yowzers. For all the deets, check out Lutron's informative website here, or Home Theater Mag's review here.

 

Movie Releases for This Week.

DVD: Captain America: The First Avenger; Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy; Winnie the Pooh; Island of Lost Souls; Laurel and Hardy: The Essential Collection; Barney Miller: The Complete Series; Attack the Block.

Blu-ray: Captain America: The First Avenger; Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy; Winnie the Pooh; Island of Lost Souls; Laurel and Hardy: The Essential Collection;Shaolin; Attack the Block; Identification of a Woman; Tosca; Father of Invention.

Home Theater Week in Review, September 19-23, 2011: Lutron Motorized Shades; Panasonic TH-65VX300 3D Plasma

by Oliver Amnuayphol

 

Looking for a simple way to add some wow to your home theater? Check out these new cordless, motorized shades from Lutron. That's right, cordless! Dubbed Sivoia QS Wireless, the battery-powered system works on a proprietary wireless RF technology called Clear Connect which is also utilized in Lutron's next-gen systems, including Maestro Wireless, Radio Powr Savr sensors, GRAFIK Eye QS, and Radio RA 2. What's more, Sivoia QS Wireless lets you choose between cellular shades and venetian blinds, is scalable from one to multiple rooms, and is available in a variety of color and finish options. Like nearly all Lutron products, the QS Wireless system also integrates seamlessly with other Lutron home automation products. Sivoia Wireless products are available now.

Panasonic recently took the wraps off of their new pro line 65" 3D plasma, the TH-65VX300. Word on the street is this one's a show stopper, possessing excellent picture quality and brightness for such a large 3D display. Designed for broadcast monitoring and high-end custom installations, the VX300 features over 12,000 steps of gradation, can reproduce the DCI color gamut, and is also Rec.709, SMPTE-C, and EBU compliant. What's more, its open-architecture design features circuit-board slots to tailor the number and types of inputs to your liking, and its internal scaler can be bypassed in favor of an outboard model as well. At $6250 MSRP, this panel ain't cheap; but if Panny's history of producing quality-focused plasmas is anything to go by, this model should prove to be a stunner as well. Ships mid-October.

Movie Releases for This Week.

DVD: Transformers: Dark of the Moon; Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary; Trigun: Badlands Rumble; Nirvana: Live at the Paramount; Treasure Island; The Ledge; Carlos; The Phantom Carriage.    

Blu-ray: Transformers: Dark of the Moon; Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary; Trigun: Badlands Rumble; Treasure Island; The Ledge; Carlos; The Phantom Carriage.    

Movie Releases for Last Week.

DVD: Thor; The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fourth Season; Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight; The Dog Who Saved Halloween; Wishful Drinking.

Blu-ray: Star Wars: The Complete Saga; Star Wars: The Original Trilogy; Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Trainspotting; The Count of Monte Cristo; Incendies.

Home Theater Week in Review, July 4 - July 8, 2011: Marantz NR1602 A/V Receiver Review

by Oliver Amnuayphol

What makes a great A/V receiver? Could it be its size, heft, or weight? Maybe prodigious power reserves, enough to supply a nuclear reactor? Or perhaps the most bells 'n whistles that can be crammed into a single box? While I'm sure there are a great many folks who need a no-holds barred, top of the line A/V receiver, I suspect there are just as many enthusiasts like myself who love the thrill of the home cinema experience but whose systems, for various reasons, are much more modest in stature. Unfortunately for me, my reasons are such that I own a modestly-sized system because I have a modestly-sized space: I've got a bad case of "S.O.S.," or Short-On-Space syndrome.

For most of us, having "S.O.S" spells doom: We usually end up having to sacrifice ultimate performance in favor of compact gear. My own media center, for example, simply won't fit an A/V receiver of standard height and depth. And figuring out a new storage solution for my gear is out of the question: I like my media center. I wanna keep my media center. But I don't wanna give up any performance for the sake of size, either--which meant that, for the longest time, finding a suitable receiver proved difficult. Thank goodness then we started carrying Marantz gear last year: Their receivers have been a huge hit with our customers, perfectly matching our speakers in terms of performance and value.

This fortuitous turn of events also gave me the chance to audition the Marantz NR1601, a sleek 'n slimline, HDMI 1.4a A/V receiver whose rather inconspicuous dimensions of 17-3/8 x 4-3/16 x 14-1/2 inches meant it would fit perfectly inside the space afforded by my entertainment center. Its clean, un-cluttered and curved fascia is much to my liking, and the NR1601 is packed with enough of the latest features home theater aficionados would consider important--including on board Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio processing, Audyssey MultiEQ/calibration, and 3D capability. And lest you think small size also means small sound, think again: The Marantz NR1601 has HUGE performance chops, producing a warm yet detailed, gutsy yet refined sound with power to spare (its 50 x 7 wpc rating really seems quite conservative; I never found myself needing any more wattage). Of course, no entry level receiver is without flaw (for example, its archaic, MS-DOS-inspired on-screen menu can't be used over HDMI), but with a retail price of only $599, the NR1601 is a great value; I liked it so much I decided to buy one for myself.

Fast-forward a year after the NR1601's debut to the present, and Marantz has released an updated version of this svelte receiver, the NR1602. Priced at $649 (only $50 higher than the 1601), its upgrades include built in Ethernet, networking, and Airplay capabilities for streaming media; DLNA compliance; internet and HD radio; and praise be to the A/V receiver gods, a much improved and modern-looking on-screen menu that's usable over HDMI. And while these improvements may seem relatively minor, they've made interacting with the NR1602 an absolute pleasure, firmly placing this receiver at the top of its price class. The only minor quibble I have with the 1602 concerns its remote control: While its functionality is a nice improvement over the 1601, it curiously lacks the previous version's backlighting feature. Not a dealbreaker once you know where the buttons are, but a strange omission nonetheless.

All of which begs the question: Have Marantz sacrificed anything in the way of performance for more features? Thankfully, the answer is not at all: The NR1602 simply builds upon the strengths of the 1601 while retaining its supremely musical and highly involving sound. It was devoid of any major timbral or tonal response errors, and its frequency spectrum was very well balanced from top to bottom. In absolute terms, the NR1602 tilts ever so slightly to the warm side of things, but by no means was this ever cloying; in fact, harsh-sounding recordings were much more enjoyable because of it. A perfect example is "Interstate Love Song" from Stone Temple Pilots' second release, Purple: Here the NR1602 seemed to add a bit more body to the DeLeo brothers' bass and lead guitars than I'm used to, but it delivered the heavily distorted cymbal crashes completely intact and without masking any detail. Turning next to "I am the Walrus" from the recent CD remaster of the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour, I was impressed to hear how all of the studio effects came through unscathed: This svelte receiver could rock out with the best of them when called for, all the while maintaining perfect control and composure. Also impressive was the way the NR1602 handled music of a more refined nature, such as Hilary Hahn's wonderful SACD of the Elgar violin concerto; listen to how NR1602 communicates all the richness, texture and lyricism Hahn pulls from her violin while never making it sound the least bit strident.

The NR1602 was equally adept at reproducing cinematic soundtracks, often times suprising me with its abilty to deliver a brawny sound when called for. For example, watching the opening car chase scene from Quantum of Solace on Blu-ray for the umpteenth time, I relished in the Marantz' pleasingly rich tonal character and its ability to track dynamic changes with relative ease. What's more, this little Marantz also delivered a consistently clear and reasonably detailed sonic picture regardless of volume, and its absence of any harshness or glare is rare among receivers at this price. Also noteworthy was an unexpected little bonus with the NR1602: For whatever reason, it seems to have a bit more available power, or at the very least a bit more gain, than the 1601: Used with my full Aperion Verus Forte SD 5.1 speaker system (which possess fairly average sensitivity ratings), I can keep the volume control a smidge lower than before (around -30 dB for normal listening levels and -20 dB if I really wanna tear down the walls) and get the same measured SPLs. Indeed, there's plenty of headroom on tap, and there should be more than enough usable power for most average size rooms.

If you're an iPhone/iPad owner and looking to pipe music to your A/V system, the Marantz NR1602 makes streaming music easy via its Airplay feature: I was able to wirelessly stream tunes from my iPhone to the receiver in a matter of minutes; I could also use my iPhone's remote app to control music stored on my computer's iTunes library. As for its video switching/processing capabilities, the Marantz NR1602 was excellent: I found no visible shortcomings with HD over Blu-ray or digital cable, and there were only minor processing artifacts (such as mild jaggies and contouring) when viewing SD cable. Overall I would say the video converter is on par with those in other quality receivers at this price point: It won't do anything magical to your video signals, but it won't harm them, either.

No doubt about it, I'm completely smitten by the Marantz NR1602: It's a heck of a fine receiver, perfect for today's multi-use, networked and integrated home entertainment systems. No other reasonably-priced home theater receiver that I'm aware of offers this combination of sound quality, features, ergonomics, and honestly rated power in such a decor-friendly package for such a low price. And sure, if pressed I'll tell you there are some slight sins of omission with this receiver (as there are with all budget receivers), but the NR1602's shortcomings are so minor that I couldn't imagine anyone shopping for a receiver in this price range not being perfectly happy with it. If you need an A/V receiver that's small in size but big on performance, look no further: The Marantz NR1602 is sure to please.

Home Theater Week in Review, May 23 - 27, 2011: Star Wars Saga coming to Blu-ray; Vizio 'n Vudu.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Star Wars fans rejoice: The epic saga from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, will make its Blu-ray debut in the not too distant future at a store near you. Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray will consist of all six titles (including the 1997 theatrical versions of episodes IV-VI), countless extras and special features, and DTS 6.1 surround sound--though it should be noted no further details have been provided as to whether that's standard DTS or DTS-HD Master Audio. While the movies will be available as separate, I-III and IV-VI trilogies, hardcore fans and completists will surely be salivating over the nine-disc set with the special features--said features including all of the Star Wars documentaries, deleted/extended and alternate scenes, supplementary interviews and more. MSRPs so far have been given as $139.99 for the nine-disc set and $69.99 for each trilogy. Look for The Complete Saga to be released on September 16 of this year.

 

Who do Vudu? Maybe you do. Or maybe you will if you're thinking of buying some Vizio hardware anytime  soon: Vizio's been busy outfitting their remote controls with a direct Vudu button, just like the Netflix button that's been sprouting up on remotes included with many of the newest TVs and Blu-ray spinners. In case you weren't already aware, Vudu is a streaming video service with a large selection of 1080p video, Dolby Digital Plus, 5.1 titles--all for $2 a title for two nights. What's more, Vudu's new releases are usually available the same day as their purchasable DVD counterparts--unlike Netflix, who sometimes have to wait 28 days after a new DVD sell-through release before offering the rental version. So if you luvs your HD movies and are looking a great HD streaming option at the touch of a button, now may be the time to get yourself a Vizio and work that Vudu magic.

Movie Releases for This Week.
 

DVD: Gnomeo and Juliet; I am Number Four; The Royal Wedding: William and Katherine; The Big Bang; Transformers: The Complete Series; The Great Dictator: The Criterion Collection; Phish: Live in Utica 2010; Burning Palms; Le Mans.

Blu-ray: Gnomeo and Juliet; I am Number Four; The Royal Wedding: William and Katherine; The Big Bang; The Great Dictator: The Criterion Collection; Platoon; Gettysburg: Director's Cut.

Home Theater Week in Review, March 14-18, 2011: New Panasonic Blu-ray Lineup; Denon AVR Upgrades

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Panasonic recently debuted an all-new, four-model lineup of Blu-ray players that are sure to please. Three of the models are native 3D and 2D-3D conversion capable--the DMP-BDT310 ($229), DMP-BDT210($179), and the DMP-BDT110 ($149)--while the entry level DMP-BD75 ($99) should suit folks not interested in 3D. And yes, those prices are correct, meaning this year's crop of quality Blu-ray players is more affordable than ever before. What's more, all of Panasonic's new models sport super quick load times, and the top two feature built-in Wi-Fi while the 110 includes a wireless network adaptor. Other features include Viera Cast on all models, HDMI jitter purifier, and a cool new sensor feature on the player that opens the drawer when you waive your hand over it. Sweet! The DMP-BDT310 will be available in May; the rest are available now.

If you have a Denon 5308CI or an AVP-A1HDCI in your home theater rig, there may be a nice  little upgrade available to you: TWICE is reporting Denon will soon be offering Audyssey MultiEQ XT32 and DSX for these models, as well as a Dolby Pro Logic IIz upgrade. Unfortunately, these will not be firmware upgrades, but instead options added at the Denon factory, which means you'll have to ship your units back and forth--so hang on to those boxes just a little bit longer! Upgrades should be available by October of this year; pricing has yet to be determined.

Movie Releases for Last Week.

DVD: The Fighter; Hereafter; The Switch; Fernando Di Leo Crime Collection; Yi Yi: The Criterion Collection; The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest; au revior les enfants: Criterion Collection; Gunslinger Girl; The Complete Collection.

Blu-ray: The Fighter; Hereafter; The Switch; Fernando Di Leo Crime Collection; Yi Yi: The Criterion Collection; The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest; au revior les enfants: Criterion Collection; BMC Bandits.

Home Theater Week in Review, December 20-24, 2010: Redbox Streaming, Netflix Streaming Upgrades.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Streaming movies are all the rage these days, and the major video rental outfits are upgrading their services accordingly: Netflix recently announced several key upgrades, including a streaming only (no physical media) plan, support for Android streaming, and Dolby Digital Plus audio. Of course, if you're a regular HTWR reader, it's probably that last one that's most enticing for you: this will be Netflix' first ever use of a streaming surround codec, and even though DD+ is a lossy codec, it does have the potential to sound mighty, mighty fine. Look for DD+ Netflix hardware support in your PS3 only for now; other devices are sure to follow suit shortly.

 

Other VOD news comes courtesy rental kiosk giant Redbox, who recently announced they'll be looking to
offer streaming rentals sometime in 2011. Though firm details are still thin on the ground, word is Redbox is currently in talks with several potential online partners and are debating whether to offer a monthly plan with several free kiosk rentals, or an a la carte option similar to iTunes. Watch this space for news as it becomes available.

 

Movie Releases for Last Week.

DVD: Salt; Family Guy: It's a Trap!; Laugh it Up, Fuzzball: The Family Guy Trilogy; Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps; Easy A; Step Up 3; Devil; Angel; WWE: Survivor Series 2010; Bob Ross: Joy of Painting - Barnes Collection; Ages of Man; Let it Rain; Skirt Day; Tchaicovsky: Enchantress;

Blu-ray: Salt; Family Guy: It's a Trap!; Laugh it Up, Fuzzball: The Family Guy Trilogy; Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps; Easy A; Step Up 3; Devil; The Matador; Orlando;.

Home Theater Week in Review, September 13 - 17, 2010: Anthem A/V Receivers; Panasonic Goes Netflix.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Specialty A/V separates manufacturer Anthem A/V is making its first foray into  A/V receivers with a new line dubbed the MRX series. Anthem will initially debut three different models, the  MRX300 ($999), MRX500 ($1499), and MRX700 ($1999), while the flagship MRX900 ($3999) is expected to debut by summer of next year. Power output is a continuous 80, 100, 120, and 140 WPC for the 300, 500, 700, and 900 respectively, all channels driven. All four receivers feature Anthem's proprietary room correction calibration program (ARC), HDMI 1.4 and 3D compatibility, robust power supplies, and dual USB inputs. Of course, all of Anthem's new receivers feature the latest in surround decoding including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA for the best hi-res sound possible. If Anthem's snazzy new receivers are anything like their separates, then you can expect stellar audio/video performance for sure. Look for the 500 and 700 to hit stores by the end of October; the 300 should street by December.

Got yourself some shiny-new Panasonic gear with Viera Cast? Then you also now have Netflix streaming in addition to the other included goodies (like YouTube and Amazon Video on Demand). Any $8.99 and up Netflix plan will stream content straight to your Panasonic Viera Cast Blu-ray or TV, and there's even a USB port for a wi-fi adapter and playback of AVCHD video or JPG pics to boot. All of the VT20 (Full HD 3D), VT25 (Full HD 3D), GT25 (Full HD 3D), G25, and G20 series of Panasonic plasmas are Netflix capable, as well as the following Blu-ray players: 

• DMP-BDT350 (Full HD 3D)                                         
• DMP-BDT300 (Full HD 3D)
• DMP-BDT100 (Full HD 3D)
• DMP-BD85
• DMP-BD65
• DMP-B500 (portable Blu-ray disc player)

According to Panasonic's press release,“Panasonic is constantly looking to provide the best possible entertainment experience for our customers,” said Panasonic Corporation of North America Vice President Merwan Mereby. “The addition of Netflix to our 2010 VIERA CAST™ offerings now gives consumers access to the leading online movie subscription service right from their 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled VIERA^® HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players.  The features now available on VIERA CAST provide consumers with access to a wide range of the leading entertainment and interactive sites which allow them to enjoy high definition movies and connect directly with family and friends right from their HDTV in the comfort of their own living room.”

Movie Releases for This Week.

DVD: Robin Hood; Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season; Charade - The Criterion Collection; Ondine; The Peacemaker; Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue; How I Met Your Mother: Season Five; Modern Family: The Complete First Season. 

Blu-ray: Robin Hood; Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season; Charade - The Criterion Collection; Ondine; The Peacemaker; American Beauty; Vigilante; Calvin Marshall; Ride the Divide.

Home Theater Week in Review, August 16-20, 2010: New Marantz AV7005, MM7055 MM7025 Pre/Pro and Amps; New Marantz 3D HDMI 1.4 Receivers.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Marantz recently announced a bevy of new gear including a new separates combo, the AV7005 pre/pro ($1499) and MM7055 ($1199)/MM7025 ($799) amps. The AV7005 sports 6 HDMI 1.4, 3D-compatible inputs/dual outputs, networking capabilities, toroidal transformer, and full support for HD audio formats including Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Pro-Logic IIz. What's more, the AV7005 also features Audyssey MultiEQ XT and Audyssey DSX room EQ processing for impeccable sonics and easy system setup. Full DNLA 1.5 compliance allows for smooth integration into home networks, and the AV7005 even incorporates a built in Internet radio with streaming for popular music sources such as Napster, Rhapsody, and Pandora; photo playback and streaming via Flickr are also on tap. On the power side of things, Marantz' new amps feature 140 wpc x 5 or 2 (7055 and 7025, respectively), Discrete Current Feedback Amplifier circuitry, robust power supplies, and complimentary styling. We use Marantz' current top of the line separates combo in our showroom here (the AV8003/MM8003) and buh-leeve you me, our speakers have never sounded better--they're that good. And if these new separates sound even half as good as the flagship combo, they should prove to be the hot tickets in their price class. The AV7005 drops October, while the power amps should be available by September.

Marantz' also debuted four new A/V receivers for your listening and viewing pleasure: The slimline NR1601 ($599); SR5005 ($799); SR6005 ($999); and their top of the line AVR, the SR7005 ($1599). All of the new receivers sport HDMI 1.4, 3D connectivity with Audio Return Channel support and processing for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, 7 channels of amplification, direct iPod USB input, and Analog Devices SHARC processors. What's more, Marantz has also rolled in Bluetooth capability in all of their new models, while the top of the line 7005 features DLNA 1.5 certification for their most network-friendly receiver to date. But these latest Marantz goodies ain't all bells n' whistles: Marantz requires all of their multichannel receivers to maintain at least 70% of their rated 2-channel power with 5 channels driven under full load--a spec only a few other manufacturers dare claim. And lest you think Marantz forgot about their 2-channel heritage, they've also updated their stereo components, including replacements for the Stereophile-recommended PM5003 (PM5004, $449) and the SA8003 SACD player (SA8004, $999). With everything Marantz has on offer, you'd be hard pressed to find a better blend of performance goodness and features from other A/V manufacturers--this new lineup is the bee's knees for sure. Look for these A/V receivers and hi-fi components to drop by September.    

Movie Releases for Last Week.

DVD: Date Night; Max Headroom: The Complete Series; Letters to God; Death at a Funeral; In the Shadow of the Moon; The Joneses; Helen; Triage; The Lottery; Twilight Girls; Last Adam.

Blu-ray: Date Night; Letters to God; Death at a Funeral; In the Shadow of the Moon; The Joneses; Helen; Tai Chi Master. 

Home Theater Week in Review, June 7-11, 2010: New Onkyo 3D HDMI 1.4 receivers; Redbox goes Blu-ray.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Onkyo has always been an A/V company ahead of the technological curve, so it's no surprise they've just introduced three more HDMI 1.4 equipped and 3D ready receivers: the TX-NR708, TX-NR808, and TX-NR1008. Featuring the now standard arsenal of new-tech features, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing, 1080p upconversion (via Faroudja DCD1 Cinema processing), and 7 (!) HDMI inputs, these latest Onkyos guarantee compatibility with burgeoning 3D technology and are sure to please. Moreover, all three receivers also have an ethernet connection for direct playback of MP3, WMA or AAC files, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX processing, and 7.2 channels of amplification (9.2 in the 1008). On the multi-room front, the 708 features a powered/line-out capable zone 2 function; the 808 adds zone 3 line outs; and the 1008 adds powered zone 3 capability. What's more, Onkyo's also packed the 1008 with maximum sonic goodness courtesy an additional 192 kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DAC and features ISF calibration the video side of things. Retail prices are $899, $1099, and $1399 for the 708, 808, and 1008 respectively. Look for the 708 and 808 now; the 1008 drops late July.

If you're an HT enthusiast and find yourself in front of a Redbox machine in the near future, be sure to look for new releases in glorious, hi-def Blu-ray. That's right--the Redbox folks have gone Blu and will be offering select Blu-ray titles at only $1.50 per night. Redbox reports that nearly 17 percent of their customer base already have Blu-ray players at home, so this should be welcome news to current Redbox users and should have more customers going red now that there's a convenient and inexpensive way to get their hi-res fix. Moreover, Redbox will soon be offering catalog titles for sell-through at 9 bucks a pop, making owning your favorite titles much more appealing. Look for Blu-ray titles to appear in your local Redbox within the next few months.   

Movie Releases for This Week.

DVD: Shutter Island; From Paris with Love; WWE: The Undertaker's Deadliest Matches; The Suicide Tourist; Creek; Neil Young Archives Volume 1. 

Blu-ray: Shutter Island; From Paris with Love; The Illusionist; Caddyshack; Not the Messiah; Happy Together; The Red Violin; Power Kids; Neil Young Archives Volume 1.