Home theater

I am not normally all that interested in fanboy electronics, however, when I saw the new R2D2 projector in the Star Wars Shop, I got interested. Most electronics of the genre fall quite far from the par. This projector, however, actually packs a bit of a punch. Considering that R2D2 uses a projector in the movies, there couldn't be a more appropriate Star Wars electronic creation.

Getting down to business, let's take a look at what everyone's favorite droid has under the hood:

• Picture by DLP from Texas Instruments
• Project to ceilings and walls up to a 260-inch picture
• Resolution: 1024x768
• Contrast Ratio: 1800:1
• Lumens: 1500
• Built-in CD/DVD player. Also plays MP3/MP4 video
• iPod docking station, memory card and USB slots
• Built-in 20 watt stereo speaker system
• FM wireless audio out (channels 1 through 7)
• Full-function: forward, reverse turn 360 degrees and recline
• Millennium Falcon remote control with removable stand
• Head turns using Millennium Falcon remote control
• Plays the most popular R2-D2 sound effects

While this probably won't be getting the approval of the high-end home cinema buff crowd, I have to say that it would be a pretty neat toy to have. Not everyone needs or can afford a full blown home theater, however, better projectors are getting cheaper and cheaper. Sure, prices fall a lot cheaper than this one, but it has good resolution; a reasonable lumen output and contrast ratio and it has so much functionality built into it. Sure, it won't compete with standalone theater equipment, but it looks more than capable of delivering a bit of geeky enjoyment. And it has a Millennium Falcon remote control.

I have a confession to make. I watch movies on an old 70-centimeter NEC CRT. I suffer in silence because it was free and it would pain me to discard a perfectly good LCD when I eventually do return home. My audio-visual stoicism has seen me make do with some old equipment, but it pales in comparison to that which a man who would prefer to be known only as Rick has exhibited. Rick, you see, has built a home theater around a pair of JBL Century L-100 speakers; the same speakers that he has owned since 1972.

Of the favorite part of his system, Rick remarked, "“They will play very loud without distortion and are efficient. Coupled with the SVS 900-watt dual 12-inch subwoofer the system is very dynamic." Rick has balanced price with performance in his home but one should face facts. He makes use of good mid-high end equipment, rather than astronomically expensive audiophile grade technology.

The equipment list is an interesting mélange of technology that has been strapped together to form a system that is overall, very good: