Denon DVD 2500BTCI Blu Ray DVD CD Player

Go beyond standard processing with the ultimate Blu-Ray/DVD/CD digital transporter for the digital purist. Combining top-of-the line audio/video standards with a rigid, multi

Sony HT SS2300 Blu ray Discand 8482 Matching Component Home Theater System

Upgrade your entertainment room with the HT-SS2300 component home theater system. This slim receiver, designed to look great alongside your Blu-ray Disc player, combines great styling with unparalleled performance and includes a 5.1-channel A/V receiver thrusting 1000 watts of power (RMS). In addition, the A/V receiver’s HDMI interface transmits both audio and video while offering 1080p resolution and full bandwidth sound tracks (LPCM) support through a single cable. You can also integrate your portable music into a traditional home theater system while providing enhanced audio quality with the portable audio enhancer. Designed to sync with Sony Blu-ray Disc components, the HT-SS2300 offers one-touch operation which eliminates the need of multiple remote controls.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars From $30k Home Theater to a “mini-system” surprise!
As an audiophile with a 30′ round room stuffed with $30k of audio visual dazzle, I took a dim view of the health issues that forced me to an apartment adjacent to a hospital that welcomed only audio visual drizzle! The first step was as big a Sony Bravia as would fit… but the lo-fi sound gave me fits. I wanted broader range peripheral “plugability” than most small systems have… without being forced to accept a run of the mill Blu Ray integration. After trying a few dry runs with lesser systems, I took a chance on Amazon’s Sony HT-SS2300 with very low expectations. Sadly, I can’t say that this Sony comes close to my six Klipshorn experience… but I can say that for less than the price of a single speaker in the audiofile system, I get an level of enjoyment far beyond what I foolishly expected.

I added the Amazon linked Atlantic speaker stands which allowed more perfect positioning… with build quality and $ value.

As others have noted, the tangled web of Sony remote sequences and the lack of “on TV screen” prompts is a pain. But, once they become part of your particular pattern the pain eases. As a retired “think tank” CEO, I’d like to give Sony a piece of my mind so that you may have more peace of mind when buying future Sony products.

In short, there’s more bang for the buck in this acceptable system than any other I have reviewed. Enjoy!

PS: The “Chef Ed” comes from my cooking reviews… but that’s before I wrote the eulogy for that incredible audio maverick and friend, Paul W. Klipsch.

4 Stars Better than my Dream System!
I bought this system to replace my 5 year old Sony Dream System that I paid $[...] for. I needed something that could process LPCM so I can watch my Blu-rays with HD sound.

All I can say is WOW! This system is amazing! The sound quality is so much better than the Dream System. The highs and lows are so well produced and clear.

I love the fact that it has 3 HDMI inputs so I can run my VerizonFIOS HD, Playstation 3 and DVD player all through one system with less wires.

At this price range the system is a must have!!!

5 Stars Awesome Surround Sound System!
Very pleased with this product!

Easy to set up, great sound quality, and great bang for your buck! Perfect for that new T.V., Play Station 3 or any Blu-Ray player. Ideal for a smaller room in an apartment or single family house.

Another great product from Sony!!!

4 Stars Good System for the Price
I purchased this to replace an old Sony Dream System that didnt support LPCM and didn’t support HDMI. It also replaces an HDMI and Optical Audio switching system.

I left the old sony speakers in place and it sounds fine. I have connected a Dish Network DVR and a PS3 for Blu-Ray to it.

Im not sure if it’s the dish or this devices but my HD picture on my 720p plasma looks softer. Blu- Ray sound and picture look great though, i now get the HD sound surround, and have been rewatching all of mt Blu-Ray disks.

For the price it was a good swap for my existing system as opposed to the 00’s of dollars more for an Onkyo receiver and the necessary 8 ohm speakers. why do Sony rate their speakers at 3 and 4 ohm ??? I guess it’s a case of you get what you pay for.

Final minor issue, i wish there was a speaker stand and ceiling mount option like there was on on my old Dreamsystem. Am now having to buy them too

3 Stars Its OK if purchased on sale
I needed to replace my Boston Acoustics DT6000 and after seeing the reviews here and on CNET I thought this would be perfect. It turns out its only OK. I think some reviewers gush too much over this. Its a low end system that sounds OK. The default Sub Woofer setting is too high. I think Sony believes the deep bass will cover the cheapness of the satellite speakers. I was going to send it back but after playing with the settings for an afternoon I got it to be tolerable. The cabling to the back speakers is too short. I’m going to have to splice in some more cable. The major benefit for me was the HDMI connections and how that cleaned up the cabling throughout my entertainment center.

Buy/More Info

Harman Kardon AVR 254 7×50W 7 1 Channel Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1 3a Repeater

Flexible Connectivity and Ultrawide Bandwidth at a Great Value

Driven by a passion for music and cinema, Harman Kardon engineers are fanatical about maintaining a balance between pure technology and a quest for artistic truth. Their devotion to detail and love for all types of music and cinema have produced some of the finest audio/video and stereo receivers available. The AVR-254 reflects Harmon Kardon’s commitment to bringing you high-quality components that are packed with features, all at an affordable price.

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AVR-254 - 7 x 50W 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with HDMI 1.3a Repeater, Audio/Video Processing and Upscaling to 1080p

The Harman Kardon AVR-254 is the most affordable Harman Kardon receiver to feature both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding on the audio side, and Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processing to 1080p on the video side. That’s not all though, the AVR-254 includes three HDMI inputs, connections for external amplifiers, EzSet/EQ technology to fine-tune your system to the acoustics of your room, and an RS-232 port for future firmware upgrades. The AVR-254 also features a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth design that provides maximum fidelity and 50 Watts of power to each of its 7 channels.

The Harman Kardon AVR-254 provides a host of connections and features View Larger

Make Your Movie Library Look And Sound Its Best
You know the latest Blu-ray movie or high definition broadcast is going to look great on your high-definition display, but what about everything else? The Harman Kardon AVR-254 improves the look of standard-definition video with advanced Faroudja processing, automatically upscaling lower resolution sources to the 1080p HD standard. Display settings may also be configured manually, allowing you to specify the optimal picture quality and aspect ratio for various sources such as game consoles or your current DVD collection.

And what the AVR-254 does for video, it also does for audio. In addition to decoding the latest Blu-ray surround formats such as Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, the AVR-254 includes proprietary Logic 7 processing, which is capable of generating discrete 5.1 or 7.1-channel sound from traditional 2-channel sources.

The included microphone and EzSet/EQ system automatically calibrate the AVR-254

Fine Tune Your System Like A Pro
There’s an important difference between your home audio system and the ones you hear in movie theaters and concert halls. Professional systems are precisely calibrated by audio technicians to deliver the best possible surround sound experience. Harman Kardon’s powerful EzSet/EQ system gives you all the tools you need to achieve professional sound calibration at home. Just connect the advanced omni-directional microphone to your Harman Kardon AVR-254 receiver and follow the on-screen instructions. With a few simple steps, it will automatically adjust speaker channel levels, distances and crossover points to suit your exact room parameters.

Listen To What You Want, Where You Want
As any family will tell you, a two-zone entertainment system can be a real crowd pleaser. While the kids watch their favorite movie on the theater system in the den, for example, you can be out listening to your favorite CD on the deck. The AVR-254 makes setting up a basic multi-room system easy. First, build a high-performance 5.1 channel home theater around your video display. Then assign the two remaining channels to a second zone, wire in an extra pair of speakers to a nearby room or outdoors and you’re done. With the AVR-254, you can direct a different source to each zone simultaneously so someone in each zone can choose what they want to listen to.

Spend More Quality Time With Your iPod
The iPod is a great way to take your favorite songs anywhere, but you can also use it along with the Harmon Kardon AVR-254 to fill your home with music. Just connect a stereo mini-cable to your iPod or other MP3 player, and then plug the other end into to the auxiliary jack of the AVR-254. Your music library and playlists will be at your fingertips, as always, but your selections will sound like never before. The AVR-254 makes it easy to turn your iPod library into rich, room filling sound.

On-screen graphical menus make setup easy

A Quick and Easy Setup
There’s no denying that a typical home theater system can be challenging to set up and use, but Harman Kardon receivers are far from typical. The AVR-254 comes with a Quick-Start Guide that walks you through the color-coded connections that you’ll need for even the most elaborate multi-channel systems. Once connected, you’ll discover your Harman Kardon AVR-254 makes navigation easier with intuitive high-resolution, graphical on-screen menus. To access the menus at any time from any source, simply press the AVR button on the remote.

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Technical Specifications and Features

• Surround Sound Channels: 7.1
• Power: 50 Watts per channel, 350 Watts total
• HDMI Inputs: 3 with 1 output
• Component Video Inputs: 2 with 1 output
• S-Video Inputs: 4 with 1 output
• Composite Video Inputs: 4 with 1 output
• Digital Audio Inputs: 3 optical, 3 coaxial
• Faroudja DCDi Cinema Video Processing
• EzSet/EQ Automatic Room Equalization
• Dual-Zone Audio
• XM Tuner Ready
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Pro Logic II
• Dolby TrueHD
• DTS 5.1
• DTS-HD Master Audio
• DTS 96/24
• Logic 7
• Auxiliary Input Port
• RS-232 Port
• Full-Color Graphical On-Screen Interface
• Seven-Device Programmable Remote Control
• Dimensions: 17-5/16″ W x 6-1/2″ H x 15″ D
• Weight: 27.1 pounds

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Harmon kardon AVR 254
Hi just recieved the other day, replacing the 235 only to upgrade no problems. One of the many reasons I went back to an HK is the power to run the unit. I like the fact it uses 350 watts of power when every body else needs 800 to 900 watts for the same sound. I have a 7.1 speaker set up for an 18 by 35 room and blow the the room out at 2/3 the volume. I Manually set up the speakers for I have high ceilings of 10 foot. Is there better recievers out there? I would say so, but this one meets my needs at half the watts. Hope this helps GO HK

4 Stars Excellent so far despite quirks.
Pros:

- Easy setup, especially with the included surround mic.

- Simple to use

- Excellent sound quality, the best I’ve heard

Cons:

- can run hot, needs lots of ventilation

- Noisy switching

- Slow Switching

- Needs to be upgraded out of box

Not too complete a review but early feedback.

4 Stars Good sound. Good looks. Great user interface. No multiband EQ
Received early this week. Great shipping/service as usual from Amazon. It took me awhile to understand the ‘default’ settings for the sources. I thought it would ‘auto-poll’ the audio sources based on table 2 showing digital then analog input-source mappings, but I had to manually configure my analog sources for any given input. If you are all-digital, you have an easier setup. That said, once you understand this you have full control over your source-input mapping and it does not take long at all to reconfigure.

Firmware update worked just fine. I used a laptop with an old com1 RS232 port and a standard RS232 cable.

Biggest gripe: This ‘mid-range’ AVR does not have a multiband equalizer. There is tone control (bass/treble) for any given source input, but there is no way to adjust specific frequencies as I just every half-way decent receiver could do, so I never bothered to look for this ahead of time. In some ways, technology is going backward!!! However, it sounds really good and I’m keeping it, for what that’s worth.

2 Stars Beautiful, but flawed
Let’s start out with the good. The HK AVR 254 is gorgeous. It looks fantastic; it sounds exquisite; and it’s even a non-issue to get set up and running (the user interface is extremely easy and pleasing to the eye). There are plenty of inputs. It has pre-outs (for sending to a separate, more powerful amplifier). It’s also powerful. The humble power ratings don’t tell it all, the amp in this thing has something special (as most HK amps do I believe). It could effortlessly drive most speakers to louder-than-needs-to-be levels (a generalization), and they would sound phenomenal doing so.

Now for the bad. The receiver is not bug-proof. Numerous times, it incorrectly assigned “Logic 7 Surround” when it was being fed Dolby Digital information. And for those that haven’t experienced it yet, “Logic 7″ sounds terrible. Somehow it makes the vocals completely lost, dynamics are totally screwed up, and nothing sounds “right”. ProLogic (the original, as I remember) is much better. The only option when this would occur would be to switch to stereo, even though it should have been 5.1 surround.

Another, more important issue, was that converting component video to HDMI looked terrible. Colors were off all over the place (watching the end battle in Harry Potter:OoTP made the fire-dragon-spell-thing look like a neon yellow-green instead of the flame-orange it’s supposed to be), and scenes with black were impossible to make out. I tried playing the Xbox 360, Fallout 3, and going into the subway tunnels was impossible, because the blacks were over-emphasized and you couldn’t see a thing. I never found a way to correct this.

The last bit of bad news is that the HDMI connections would fairly frequently just “go out”. I don’t know how else to explain it. The TV would go all snowy, and I’d have to switch to another input on the 254 and then back to the one I wanted to use, and this would correct it.

So, I unfortunately cannot recommend this product. And that hurts, because it looks and sounds good enough that I really, really wanted to get it to work as it should. But even after the latest firmware, I couldn’t. I’m now using an uglier, not-quite-as-good-sounding, and MUCH more frustrating to set-up AVR from a competing company, and I am happier with it.

4 Stars Good Value Receiver
This receiver gives you all the latest features, at a reasonable price. You get all the latest formats DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD etc in 7.1, all the inputs can be upscaled to 1080p through a single HDMI output to your TV, Audio is passed directly through HDMI, you get a mic device for automatically setting your levels and EQ etc. I would recommend it for anyone looking for the cutting edge tech without paying top dollar.

Buy/More Info

Onkyo TX SR304S 5 1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Silver

You’ll find very little differentiation between most entry-level home theater receivers: passable performance, negligible processing capabilities and little (if any) versatility. The TX-SR304 5.1-channel home theater receiver doesn’t follow that well-trodden path. By giving you the connections to the A/V components on everyone’s lips today—HDTVs, digital video recorders, gaming consoles, etc—the TX-SR304 wants to broaden your entertainment possibilities, not limit them to basic DVD and CD playback. Naturally, you’ll want the audio quality associated with the Onkyo name. That’s why we’ve included the circuitry and quality parts found in other Onkyo home theater receivers: Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry, 192 kHz/24-bit DACs, a 32-bit DSP chip, and an H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) transformer. Finally, keeping in line with what’s really important, the TX-SR304 provides a user-friendly, accessible solution to home entertainment.

Key technology Features:
192 kHz/24bit AD Converters: Costly, extremely powerful digital-to-analog converters , that not only boast a dynamic range of 120 dB, they process information faster and are virtually resistant to clock jitter, to ensure the best possible performance from DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and audio CD.

CinemaFILTER: The tonal balance of a film soundtrack can be edgy and bright when played back over audio equipment in your home—this is because film soundtracks are designed to be played back in large theaters, using commercial equipment. Onkyo has developed its own solution that restores the correct tonal balance of a movie soundtrack in the smaller environs of your home theater.

Dolby Digital EX / Pro-Logic II: Home theater realism reaches new heights with the creation of Dolby Digital EX. By adding a matrix-encoded surround back channel derived from the existing discrete left and right surround channels, the lack of rear surround in 5.1 channel is eliminated. The result - a fuller 360

Sony HTDDWG700 Component Home Theater System Black

The Sony HT-DDW700 home theater system offers a great value in an optimum Home Theater. This 5.1 A/V receiver with 900 watts (RMS) and comes with an included iPod DMP dock. This system is complemented with high quality 2-way front speakers and 8″ active subwoofer. Also, rest assured that you are getting the best system for your money. This system is equipped with DIGITAL MEDIA PORT interface offers an access point and provides control for one of Sony

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