Crazy setup including home automation with sensors and audio distribution. Up to 2000W per channel. Also, a lightning truss …cause why not?

More details at Home Theater Design

1. Money. Starting at $499 and up to $830, the iPad is not cheap and the price doesn’t include a $30/month internet service. Getting people to pay for extra internet service with the iPhone was hard enough, but Apple and ATT&T was smart enough to bundle phone service and internet service into one package. The iPad does not have that luxury. Is Apple really expecting millions of people to pay for a $30/month home broadband service, a $20/ month mobile phone internet service, and now an additional $30/month iPad internet service.

2. No background apps. With a tablet like device, people are going to expect to be able to listen to Pandora, check email, and surf the web at the same time. They will be greatly disappointed with the iPad as it can only run one program at once.

3. Typing on the touch screen sucks. We thought the iPad would innovate here, but its keyboard interface is nothing but a bigger version of the iPhone’s keypad.

4. No front side camera, USB ports, memory card slot, or HDMI output. These are basics on the smart phones and net books, so why are they missing from the iPad? The same backlash the HTC xxx got with the 2.5mm headphone size is about to hit Apple. Apple wants its customers to pay for a $30 adaptor so they can plug in an external hard drive. Talk about milking your customers.

5. AT&T. The bogged down network is about get sloooweeeeer.

I’ve always had trouble saying “no” to the crazy discounts on HTPC parts during the Christmas holidays. This past Christmas was no different, but I did try to resist buying high end products. Instead I went for year old hardware, which there was some real good deals at Newegg and Tiger Direct.

Here are the parts I used to update my HTPC:
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300processor
• GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard
• OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR2 1066
• Seagate Barracuda 1.5 TB hard drives (x2)
• Logitech MK700 keyboard and mouse
• SeaSonic S12D 850 Silver 850W power supply
• Galaxy GTS 250 video card
• Windows 7

The only parts I kept from the previous HTPC are the case and blu-ray ROM. I didn’t have any problems installing the hardware. The SeaSonic fan is super quite and the quad core processor makes the computer noticeably faster.

On the software side, I did have problems trying to install Window’s 7 64 bit. After a day and a half, I gave up and went to the professional 32 bit version of Windows 7. The 64 bit version kept getting stuck in the beginning with an unspecified driver issue.

Windows 7 so far has worked out great as an HTPC operating System. I’ve had no HDMI sync issues, blu-rays play great, and streaming media is easier. So far, so good.

I started upgrading my HTPC over the holidays and was unsure if I should change the operating system from XP to Windows 7. I was worried about HDMI sync issues or any other driver issues Microsoft didn’t resolve. However, I’ve been using Windows 7 on my laptop now for the past 3 months and grown to like it. It’s not as revolutionary as some of the reviewers made it out to be when it came out in October, but it’s a solid operating system.

Every time I use an XP machine, I can’t help missing the Windows 7 taskbar at the bottom and how much easier it’s to use. Networking is also easier with the new Homegroup feature. Just add the Homegroup password to any new Windows 7 computer you want to have access, and you’re good to go. Although, I found it annoying that non Windows 7 computers need to have a user account with a non-blank password to share data with Windows 7 PCs. On my HTPC, the blank password was an issue as I don’t want to enter a password to start up my HTPC.

Another new feature I like in Windows 7 is the use of “libraries.” I keep most of my data on the HTPC, so it’s useful to go to the documents library and see my HTPC documents and my local computer’s documents all in one place. The same goes for movies, pictures, and especially music.

In the end, I decided to add Windows 7 to my HTPC. The new taskbar, homegroup feature, and libraries convinced me along with the fact that Windows 7 is better protected against viruses/malware. After a week of use, my HTPC has no issues. Blu-rays still play great with TMT movie player and streaming music is easier with the new version of media player.

So, would I recommend Windows 7 over XP or Vista on a HTPC or a regular PC? I think the fact that I now have Windows 7 on my HTPC, office computer and two laptops answers that question.

Sony PS3 Slim
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 (BD-Live) with firmware update 2.20 and higher Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x1), Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections:Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs Includes a 120GB hard drive Plays PS3 games Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding

Samsung BDP-1600
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video Audio Connections: Optical, Analog Audio Can upscale DVDs to 1080p Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades USB port Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding Stream movies and music with Netflix and Pandora

Panasonic DMP-BD60K
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, Composite Audio Connections: Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p USB port Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding Watch your favorite You Tube videos or view photos from friends and family on Google’s Picasa Web Album

LG Electronics BD390
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections: Coaxial, Optical, Analog Audio Can upscale DVDs to 1080p Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Includes Wi-Fi support Stream movies, TV shows and videos directly to the TV using Netfix and YouTube

Sony BDP-S360
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video Audio Connections: Coaxial, Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding Takes approximately six seconds from the time it is powered on to start.

Samsung BD-P3600
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video Audio Connections: Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p Supports Wi-Fi SD card input to view video from cameras Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding Stream Netflix movies and music from Pandora

LG Electronics BD370
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections: Coaxial, Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Supports Dolby TrueHD Decoding Stream movies, TV shows and videos, to your TV directly using Netfix, and YouTube

Sony BDP-S560
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections: Coaxial, Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p Support Wi-Fi Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding

Panasonic DMP-BD80K
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections: Coaxial, Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p USB port Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding

Pioneer BDP-120
Price Comparison	Blu-ray Profile: 2.0 Video Connections: HDMI 1.3, Component, S-Video, Composite Audio Connections: Optical, Analog Audio Includes Ethernet port for internet connection and Blu-ray profile upgrades Can upscale DVDs to 1080p USB port Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding True24fps technology delivers your favorite movies with film-like fidelity

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Is it Worth it to Switch From DVD to Blu-ray?

Differences Between Blu-ray 1.0, 1.1 and BD-Live

Sony STR-DN1000 Receiver
Price Comparison	110W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x3) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x1), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x5) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding HDMI video upconversion 24p True Cinema technology

Denon AVR-2310CI Receiver
Price Comparison	105W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI (x5), Component (x3), Composite (x4) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x4) HDMI to HDMI upconversion, outputting at up to full 1080p HD (24p/60p) Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders

Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K Receiver
Price Comparison	120W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x4) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x4) x.v.Color. Deep Color and 1080/24p signal capability 1080p video upconversion Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders XM radio ready

Onkyo HT-RC160 7.2 Receiver
Price Comparison	80W x 7.2 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3a (x5), Component (x3), Composite (x4) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x4) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video passthrough Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders

Yamaha RX-V465 Receiver
Price Comparison	105W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI (x4), Component (x2), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x7) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video passthrough

Sony STR-DH800 Receiver
Price Comparison	110W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x2), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x1), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x5) Supports Dolby TrueHD Decoding 1080p video passthrough Calibration microphone included iPod and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready

Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH Receiver
Price Comparison	110W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x5) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video upconversion iPod and Satellite radio ready Multi-channel input

Denon AVR-1910 Receiver
Price Comparison	90W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x2), Composite (x4) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x4) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video passthrough Includes Audyssey MultEQ room acoustic measurement and correction system Multi-channel input

Sony STR-DA2400ES Home Theater Receiver
Price Comparison	100W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x6) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x3), Optical (x4), Analog Audio (x6) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video upconversion Sirius and XM ready Multi-channel input

Yamaha RX-V665 Receiver
Price Comparison	90W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x2), Composite (x4) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x4) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding HDMI video upconversion iPod and Satellite radio ready Multi-channel input

Find more Receivers

What To Look For In a Receiver

After three days with a Droid (actually two of them), I’m glad to say my expectations have been reached. The Droid is the best gadget/phone I have ever owned by far. I should note that I’m coming from a Window’s 6.0 Mobile phone which now feels light-years behind Android.

This is my first Android phone so it did take me about an hour to get comfortable with how everything works. For the most part, everything is user intuitive, especially the stuff you would use daily such as calling someone, SMS, or browsing the web. It could be difficult finding a particular setting to change, but I was able to find them all eventually. Droid is the first phone with Android 2.0 and I particularly like how it handles notifications, widgets, apps, and multitasking.

All notifications including SMS messages, new e-mails, app updates, missed phone calls, and anything else requiring your non-immediate attention are grouped together in a status bar at the top of the screen. The status bar can be pulled down at anytime listing all the notifications. The pull-down notifications is really convient as I wasn’t bombarded by messages constantly when I was browsing the web or using another app.

Widgets are also really useful as now I can get quick updates just by looking at my home screen. Facebook status is now right on my home screen along with calendar appointments. Speaking of Facebook, the integration with my contacts was a neat feature I wasn’t expecting. The pictures next to the contacts are now updated with the latest Facebook picture, and that picture shows up when he/she calls.

The screen of the Droid is gorgeous. It’s listed as 3.7″ at 854 x 480 pixels. My eyes used to hurt if I stared at my old Samsung i760 screen long enough, but not with the Droid. The network is also great as I’m averaging around 1.3 Mbps when I do a speed test. Battery life is good and should last a full day with more than average usage. The slide-out keyboard is Ok. I found myself using the touch screen keyboard in landscape mode more than the slide-out version. Apparently multitasking is a big deal since the iPhone can’t do it, but I can’t imaging not being able to listen to music and type an email at the same time.

The killer app on the Droid is Goggle Nav. There is a reason why Garmin and TomTom’s stock dropped 20% the day Google Nav was announced. I’ve used it over the past couple days and it has huge potential, but there is a reason it’s still in beta. The 3-D street view used as directions is hard to beat, but I found it wasn’t accurate enough to trust. The most useful part was the real-time traffic data.

The biggest problem I had with the Droid was that the first one I received was defective. The phone crashed liked crazy with reboots around 20 to 30 times a day. After coming from Window’s Mobile, I didn’t think it could get any worse, but it did. I thought it was an incompatible app for a awhile, but found out through the Motorola support forums that it was something internal to the phone. Verizon replaced it without a hassle and said I was the only one to come back with any problems. The store I was at sold over 150 Droid phones so that strangely made me feel more comfortable as it looks like the phone has some good quality control.

After three days with the Droid, I can’t really think of any major negatives… and that was with a broken phone for a day and a half. I wouldn’t mind more apps, but I think that’s coming now with the Avalanche of new Android phones. The camera and slide out keyboard could be better, but they are manageable. If your thinking about getting a Droid …than go get one. I highly recommend it and I would even recommend it to non-techie types.

Fall season is here, so my DVR is filling up quickly. It stood at 96% with all the PBS National Park episodes and new shows such as Glee and Flash Forward taking up space. Been busy so I haven’t had time to watch any of the episodes so the DVR keeps filling up. On top of that is all the football on the weekend which I’m not able to record. I finally was fed up and looked for a solution which led me to Western Digital’s My DVR Expander. I bought the 1TB version which works with Tivo DVRs and my Scientific Atlantic 8300HD cable box. Setup was easy as I just plugged in the included SATA cable into the eSATA port on my DVR while it was powered off. When powered back on, it asked if I wanted to format the hard drive which  I selected “yes.” After that, my DVR space went from 96% full to 12%!

I haven’t tried it, but external hard drives designed for computers probably won’t work. Most of them automatically turn off when not in use which a DVR would not be happy about. The WD My DVR Expander doesn’t even have an on/off switch in the back.