expertise

What's New

Yamaha CDR-HD1000 CD/Hard-Disk Recorder
- By Ken C. Pohlmann
- Posted November 12, 2001
When José, the Fed Ex guy, rings my doorbell, the transaction is well scripted. He gives me the box containing the Next Thing to Review, and I give him the box containing the Last Thing I Reviewed. One glance at the Next Thing box tells me which link in the audio/video chain I'll be scrutinizing for the next few weeks. Like I said, it's highly choreographed.

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Choosing an Installer

A step-by-step guide to finding the right man for the job
- By John Sciacca
- Posted November 12, 2001
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DVD's Most Wanted

Aim for the right features and ride home with a big reward.
- By Ken C. Pohlmann
- Posted October 29, 2001
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Make Your Own DVD!

Two hardware/software packages that let you create DVDs with menus, links, still galleries, and more
- By Al Griffin
- Posted October 17, 2001
About eight years ago, as a recent college graduate working a low-stress job, I made my own short movie. I had a couple grand in the bank and a handful of friends willing to help out.

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Shopping Made Simple: Digital Recorders

Looking to record your favorite music and videos? Get ready to go digital
- By Michael Riggs
- Posted October 17, 2001
Despite all the huffing and puffing over copy protection, making your own audio and video recordings is easier than ever. And for audio in particular, recording quality is also better than ever. The tough part is sorting through all the alternatives - a task we'll strive to simplify here.

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Burning Choices

Should you go with a computer burner or a stand-alone deck when making your own CDs?
- By Rich Warren
- Posted October 3, 2001
I'm burning with desire. I'm burning Perlman and Pearl Jam, Miles, Little Feat, Nine-Inch Nails, and Collins - both Judy and Phil. I'm also burning with TDK, Harman Kardon, Roxio, Sound Forge, and Nero.

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The Setup

How to get the most out of your Satellite-TV system
- By Frank Doris
- Posted September 6, 2001
More and more people are mak ing the switch from cable to satellite TV, and why not? A satellite system can deliver hundreds of TV and music channels digitally with amazingly clear picture and sound quality. And depending on your system and programming package, you can get Dolby Digital surround sound, HDTV movies, blazingly fast Internet access, and more.

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Home Theater: Digits Triumphant
- By David Ranada
- Posted August 6, 2001
The annual convention of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) doesn't often generate a notable quote. Then again, last April's conclave in Las Vegas was the occasion for a notable event - the surprise appearance of the legendarily reclusive filmmaker George Lucas at a Sony press conference.

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Bose Wave/PC Interactive Music System

CD to MP3 to ABC
- By Michael Antonoff
- Posted August 6, 2001
When Dr. Amar Bose visited the magazine where I worked in the early 1990s, he teased staffers by hiding under a cloth the source of the luxurious-sounding music filling the room. Moments later he revealed that it was actually emanating from an unassuming clock radio. Since then, the Bose Wave radio has landed on countless tabletops and nightstands.

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Behind The Numbers

How to read our lab tests for DVD players
- By David Ranada
- Posted August 6, 2001
Some readers shy away from the "in the lab" boxes in our test reports, probably because it's hard to judge what represents desirable performance if you don't have a lot of experience with the kinds of figures we publish.

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Sony SCD-CE775 SACD Changer
- By Ken C. Pohlmann
- Posted July 26, 2001
When I reviewed the first Super Audio CD (SACD) player, Sony's ultra-expensive SCD-1, in these pages almost two years ago, I envisioned the format as designed for audiophile "purists" who turned up their noses at CD and even (for reasons still very debatable) DVD playback.

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15 Minutes with Chris Martin of Coldplay
- By Mike Mettler
- Posted July 19, 2001
It's always nice when the good ones cut through the dross. Case in point: the admirable ascension of London's Coldplay, which has built an appreciative following with its Gold-selling debut album, Parachutes (Nettwerk/Capitol). This disc has all the makings of a future classic as its songs swing from light balladry to intense jamming in the turn of a friendly chord.

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