GetItNext Blog

Home Theater Receivers

Onkyo's lineup of network enabled Home Theater Receivers are absolutely incredible. They allow you to stream music, pictures and video from your Windows based PC or any DNLA compatible device (e.g. Sony PS3).

On top of that they also allow you to stream content from your Rhapsody, Napster, or MediaFly account.

That's just the "gadget" part of the receiver. Where this technology really shines in absolutely stunning clarity of both Home Theater applications (Satellite, Cable Box and Blu-Ray movies) and pure audio sources (MP3s and CDs). If you are looking for a killer setup with a great bang for the buck look no further than Onkyo. I'm a proud owner of a Onkyo TX-NR3008 and I absolutely love this system

Todays Top 5 Blu-Ray Players

After winning the war against HD DVD format in February of 2008, Blu-Ray started to come out with HD movie discs along with DVD players. Blu-Ray offers the best and highest resolution picture on the market and is changing the way we watch movies today. Here we have today’s top ranked Blu-Ray players available. Find great deals on all of them through GetItNext!

1. Samsung BD-P2500

2. Sony BDP-S550

3. LG BD300

4. Sony BDP-S350

5. Sony Playstation 3

The Clone Wars - Star Wars for the Next Generation

When the first Star Wars movie, now officially titled “A New Hope”, was released in theaters in 1977, I was seven years old. “The Empire Strikes Back” followed in 1980, and the original trilogy wrapped up in 1983 with “Return of the Jedi”. I would have given anything for a real lightsaber…come to think of it, I still would! The point is, I grew up with the world George Lucas created at impressionable times in my life.

The Star Wars universe then produced book after book from imaginative writers such as Timothy Zhan and Kevin J Anderson at a time in my life when I really enjoyed reading. The books I felt, did, and continue to do a fantastic job in furthering the Star Wars tale for those wanting a future-look into the lives of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and company.

My son is now seven years old, and Star Wars means as much or more to him now, as it did to me all those years ago. That is what I think is one of the most unique characteristics of the Star Wars saga – it spans generations, and in some cases brings generations together. Essentially, the motion picture versions of the original trilogy, in addition to the prequel trilogy, tell the life story of Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi heroism, and his fall from grace to the Dark Side as Darth Vader - albeit a little backward in presentation.

And now, the spin-off story set between the motion pictures “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith”, is the story of the Clone Wars as the latest chapter. Thanks to the two animated dvd’s; “Star Wars Clone Wars – Volumes One and Two”, and the theater-released computer animated “Star Wars - The Clone Wars” prefacing the television series of the same name, my son now wants to either be a Clone Trooper, or a Jedi when he grows up. Well, who am I to stand in his way…provided he can score me that real lightsaber.

Star Wars Video Games & Accessories - Wii                Nintendo Wii

Star Wars Video Games & Accesories - Nintendo DS    Nintendo DS

Star Wars Video Games - Playstation                          Sony PS3

Star Wars Video Games - Xbox                                   Xbox 360

Star Wars Video Games - PC

Blu-ray Disc Deals Are Plentiful - Make Great Stocking Stuffers

This holiday season is truly the tipping point for Blu-ray as consumers are purchasing blu-ray players, playstation 3 consoles, and loading up on Blu-ray discs with no fear of picking a losing format.  Luckily for all of us, the winner of the high definition disc format was declared earlier in the year.  If you're one of the many consumers switching over to Blu-ray there are several ways to jump start your Blu-ray disc collection on the cheap.

Look for 2 for 1 deals, often times stores offer these to get shoppers into the store and even offer these at a loss.  This is a good one to pick up several titles at once.

Another way that is very effective is eBay, believe it or not eBay offers outstanding savings on Blu-ray discs, both new and used blu-ray discs.  If you find eBay overwhelming try some of the searches I've linked to via GetItNext.  The searches will save you lots of time and help you find Blu-ray disc bargains.

Blu-ray Disc Hot Auctions Deal search

Blu-ray Disc Buy It Now searches only buy it now auctions
Blu-ray Find a Deal (searches eBay for Uggs with 0 bids and less than 4 hours left)
Blu-ray Bulk Bargain this is a great way to jumpstart your Blu-ray collection on the cheap (searches for lots and multiples)

Blu-ray Player

Sony Playstation 3

Popular Kids DVD Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Looking for some terrific stocking stuffers for the kids this Holiday season?  Here is a list of some top children’s dvd’s that are perfect stocking stuffers and also make great gifts:

Disney Enchanted DVD (my daughter’s favorite)
Wall-E DVD
Alvin and The Chipmunks DVD
Alvin and The Chipmunks Holiday DVD
Dr. Seuss Horton DVD
The Original Christmas Classics DVD (my personal favorite)
Nim’s Island DVD
Transformers DVD(for young teens)

Netflix Gouges Blu-ray Customers With Monthly Surcharge

Well my love affair with Netflix is now over.  Today I received a message that they will now be charging  more per month for Blu-ray discs. 

If they did this from the beginning I would've understood and sucked it up but now that the HD dvd war is over it just seems like its another way to gouge customers that are hooked on the format.  I guess they don't realize whats going on with the economy right now.  I plan on responding the only way I know how, with my check book.  As of next week I will be canceling my subscription and saying so long to Netflix. 

Here is the money hungry message:

Dear Matt,

As you may know, Blu-ray movies are more expensive than standard definition movies. As a result, we're going to start charging $1 a month (plus applicable taxes), in addition to your monthly membership charge, for unlimited access to Blu-ray movies.

The additional charge for unlimited Blu-ray access will be automatically added to your next billing statement on or after November 5th, 2008 and will be referenced in your Membership Terms and Details. If you wish to continue getting Blu-ray movies for $1 a month more, you don't need to do anything. If not, you can remove Blu-ray access anytime by visiting Your Account at the Netflix website.

If you have questions about this change or need any assistance, please call us anytime at 1-888-638-3549.

-The Netflix Team

War is Over Sony Blu-ray Defeats HD-DVD

It's officially over folks.  Sony Blu-ray has won the war.  First Netflix canned HD-DVD last month, then came Best Buy and now today the biggest US retailer has decided to discontinue HD-DVD movies and HD-DVD players and only carry Blu-ray discs and Blu-ray players.  Walmart said its customers have spoken and they are discontinuing all HD-DVD products.

For all you fence sitters its time to step up and enter the beautiful world of 1080p.  I highly suggest you forgo the regular Blu-ray players and get more bang for your buck and pickup the awesome PS3 which offers loads of features above and beyond gaming and Blu-ray movie watching.  While you're at it match the PS3 with a Sony XBR4 LCD and you'll be in HD nirvana.

For all you HD-DVD early adapters, I feel for you.  Better dump them on eBay while you can still get some return for your investment.  Gotta run I'm planning on watching Spiderman 3 via Blu-ray tonight.

Two Trilogies worth checking out...

Hey Everyone,

One of my current favorite actors is Matt Damon. For those of you who haven't heard of him, and I'm not sure what planet those people have been living on the last 10yrs, he first came to Hollywood's attention by writing a screenplay with his pal Ben Affleck called "Good Will Hunting" . This movie was directed by Gus Van Sant and went on to become not only a blockbuster hit, but also an Oscar winner, including Best Screenplay for its two young writers. Now, after that , Matt went full-guns into the acting world, scripts were being offered all around, and to his credit, he has picked some really choice roles. Two of my favorites are the characters he portrays in these series of movies : The Oceans Trilogy and The Bourne Trilogy. Each role required Matt to act in very different ways: The Oceans requiring a comedic bent with some insecurity thrown in for good measure and the Bourne trilogy requiring Matt to bring his cold, ruthless and hard-hitting aspects to the fore. For my money he carried both of these diametrically opposed characters off with equal skill and likability. And it's just not his characters that are great, the movies themselves are really enjoyable to watch as well; good direction, great production values, lots of laughs and never a dull moment. What I've also heard about him personally is that he's a really nice guy and despite much success, he's still manages to remain a non-diva, always a plus. Matt has definitely grown into an actor to be reckoned with in Hollywood, I'm sure we'll be seeing alot more of him, and that's okay by me.

Be sure to catch Matt in these other great films: The Good Shepperd : The Departed : Syriana : Rounders : Stuck On You : The Talented Mr.Ripley : Dogma : Saving Private Ryan

I hope everyone has a great 2008!

P.S. Tonight I'm going to a special screening of "Cloverfield" and I'm quite stoked about that!

Transformers Movie GM Swings at ET and Misses

I finally broke down and Netflix'd Transformers the movie.  I've been holding out due to the Michael Bay / Paramount agreement to only produce Paramount movies on HD-DVD for the first 18 months.  I caved and upon receiving the Transformers DVD tossed it into the ole PS3 last night and was mildly surprised.  One of the advantages of the PS3 is that it upscales regular DVD's and makes them look pretty close to HD.  With transformers it made it look really good, almost to the point that I forgot it wasn't high def.  It also made me want to see it even more via Blu-ray.  If the action looks good from a regular DVD I can't imagine how awesome it would look on Blu-ray inputted into my 1080p Sony.  Sound quality was ehh, it didn't really sound that great but could be the result of my subwoofer being down.

I won't go into a whole rehash of the movie since thats been done over and over.  There is one thing I wanted to mention.  General Motors obviously spent a ton of dough featuring, Chevy Camaros, Pontiac Solstices, GMC Yukons, Hummer H2 and various other GM offerings.  I really think GM missed the boat however, they had the opportunity to have the greatest product placements since Reeses Pieces was promoted in ET.  The whole Bumblebee Camaro upgrade was brilliant, it flowed perfectly within the movie plot lines and I didn't think wow that was a blatant promotion.  The concept Camaro looks awesome and has built a tremendous amount of buzz however YOU CAN'T BUY IT.  GM reportedly will be selling a similar version in early 2009 but by then the buzz and demand will have dwindled due to 2 years of waiting.  If GM had planned this better and had a slick car lined up rolling off the lines it would have hit a homerun with the placement.  Maybe by 2009 Transformers II will be out and they can pay millions more to rekindle the Bumblebee magic.

50 Hottest 2007 Technology Products and Trends for 2008

Listing of the top 50 coolest and hottest technology gadgets / gizmos for 2007.  Most of these are going to be the hottest sellers and biggest trend setters in 2008:

1. Apple iPhone
2. Intel Core 2 Duo
3. Nintendo Wii
4. Sony XBR5
5. RIM Blackberry 8800
6. Parallels Desktop
   
7. Pioneer Elite 1080p PRO-FHD1
8. Apple Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
9. Adobe Premiere Elements 3
10. Apple TV 
11. Nikon D80
12. Samsung SyncMaster 244T
    
13. HP DV9000T
14. Apple MacBook Pro
15. Direct HR-21
16. Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite
    
17. Motorola Razr2 
18. Nikon D40X
19. Samsung BlackJack
20. Apple iPod 80GB
21. TomTom One
22. Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP 
23. Slingbox
24. Guitar Hero 2 
25. Shure E500PTH
26. Apple iPod Nano (8GB)
27. Nikon Coolpix S51c
28. Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP
29. Archos 704 Wi-Fi
30. Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet 
31. Canon EOS 30D
32. Shure SE210
33. Asus Crosshair
34. Dell XPS M1210
35. Creative Zen V Plus (8GB)
36. Fuji FinePix F40fd
37. Sony Playstation 3
38. Canon MP600
39. LG Electronics BH100
40. Samsung i760 Smartphone
41. Nokia N800
    
42. Adobe CS3
43. Aliph Jawbone
44. Logitech Harmony 880
45. Dell XPS 410
46. TiVo Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder
47. SanDisk Sansa Connect
48. nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX
49. Panasonic HDC-SD1
    
50. Canon Pixma iP4300