Episode 17 - Home Theater Part III

In this episode Charlie and Stephen wrap up their three part arc on home theaters. This week they discuss cool extras and add-ons you should probably have as part of your home theater. They touch on remotes, DVD players, amplifiers, seating, and movie lightboxes. Charlie talks NBC on iPod, while Stephen brings you the latest woes for the Xbox 360. The duo answer email, give away free prizes and run through the Rapid Fire Roundup of Cool Products of the week.

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Articles You Need to Read
Logitech Harmony 880 Universal Remote
World's best remote
by Charlie White

In our ongoing search for the perfect universal remote control, Logitech Harmony has come the closest to that esteemed goal. Its previous models were able to eliminate all those remote controls strewn all over your coffee table, and let you switch between watching TV, watching DVDs and many other activities by pushing just one button. Let’s take a look at the top of the Harmony line, the Logitech Harmony 880 ($249), a rechargeable and programmable remote control that sports a small cellphone-like LCD screen.
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The Greatest Show Ever on DVD
The Rockford Files Season One
by Stephen Schleicher

The Rockford Files is one of the greatest television shows of all time.  With a touch of humor, a few fisticuffs, and a likeable supporting cast all rolled into a well told story, one would think this show would have been out on DVD eons ago.  Now, twenty five years after its last regular episode, The Rockford Files comes to DVD and I couldn’t be happier.
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Rapid-Fire Roundup® of Cool Products

World's Best Hot Chocolate
MarieBelle New York creates the closest thing you can get to heaven on earth in a cup. This Aztec Original Hot Chocolate tastes so good that it's just downright startling. It's like drinking molten chocolate icing. Thick as a milkshake, tasty as a liquid brownie-at  $22 for a 20-ounce tin, it ain't cheap, but then neither is Dom Perignon. Drinking this stuff is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.


Carrera Open-Wheel Race Set
Remember slot cars? Gentlemen, start your engines! Here's the best racecar set you can get and it only costs $80. Made by Carrera of Germany, these one-to-43 scale Formula One cars even have a boost button just like the real thing, giving you an extra 25% of power to fly through the straightaways on its 35 feet of track. Light 'em up, but don't get squirrely around those sharp curves - available only from Hammacher Schlemmer.


3M Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth
If you're a photographer or if you wear glasses, this microfiber lens-cleaning cloth from 3M can remove fingerprints and smudges without scratching, and it only costs three bucks. Its ability to remove goop is nearly miraculous. It's especially good for quickly cleaning up all of those smudges that so easily appear on your iPod. Best of all, you can wash it hundreds of times in an ordinary washing machine and use it again and again.


Leap WorkLounge, Coach Edition by Steelcase
It's going to be hard to convince the boss that you're not lying down on the job when you take a seat in your new Coach Edition Leap WorkLounge by Steelcase. Equipped with an optional cushioned ottoman, this leather throne will set you back around $2800. This is not just any chair, though. Its "Live Back" changes shape as you move to mimic your unique spinal motion, and its "Natural Glide System" lets you lean way back while keeping you oriented to your work. Available in a variety of gorgeous butter-soft leather colors by Coach, it has a special headrest with a flip-up pillow, and its heavily-cushioned seat will keep you comfy while working -- or not working. With a chair like this, you're the boss.


M-Audio MobilePre USB
If you're a podcaster or are thinking of getting into it (and who isn't?), you need a quick and easy way to connect a high-quality microphone to your computer. This M-Audio MobilePre USB ($150) is the perfect piece of equipment for the job, a preamp/audio interface that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. We've been using it for our Coolness Roundup podcast, I'm using it right now -- and I think it's a remarkable value.

Icuiti Eyewear
Icuiti Corporation has made the home theater experience both personal and portable with their Video Eyewear. High resolution, LCD quality, in an eyewear format that can be used anywhere, anytime. Connect to your portable media player, and wear them like sunglasses creates a floating display that looks like a huge screen - $499

Mimoco Mimobots
Who says USB Storage Devices have to be boring? Certainly not mimoco creators of mimobots. These USB storage devices look like little monsters and creatures from a distant universe, but pop off their heads and you’ll discover USB storage ranging from 256MB to 2GB, they are sure to be big seller for the chic geek set.

Sound Lounger
Sound Lounger lets players get into the action with its rumbling backrest and personal surround sound system. Designed with comfort and mobility in mind, these gaming chairs allow you feel the action thanks to a built in speaker system. Best of all you can connect up to eight units when playing with your friends.

The Automatic Quarterback
This is a fun and powerful football passer that throws perfect spirals up to 30 yards. With a soft foam football, it is a perfect way for those prepping to be the next star receiver on the team.

ISB USB Turntable
If you have a stack of vinyl records you want to convert to CD but don’t want to mess with all the connections, check out the USB Turntable from ISB. Lets you instantly convert your vinyl to CD or MP3 with included recording software. No other hardware needed.

Building Your Home Theater
Top 12 User Rated Flat Screen HDTVs
LCD or DLP Projection? Decisions, Decisions
Design and Build Your Own Home Theater

A movie poster lightbox like this one is a nice addition to your home theater.

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