The Basics and What You Really Need to Know

    Home Control

• Why should I consider home control?
• Home control, do you really need it? Homeowners tell how they decided
• Will my home look like a high-tech laboratory? Common misconceptions

    Video and Audio Systems

• What type of video display is best for you?
• DLP, LCD, Plasma, Huh?
• What should I know about HDTV?
• Can you tell me about surround sound?
• Watts the deal?
• What is a multiroom audio/video system?

    Wiring and Cabling

• Can you demystify wiring and cabling?
• Why is my integrator suggesting I prewire my home?

    Choosing and Working With an Integration Professional

• What should I look for when hiring a pro?
• How can your home systems installer help you stay within a particular budget?
• What are the most important pieces of information homeowners can share with their home systems installer?

    Doing Your Part to Think Green

• Thinking green when you plug in?
• Recycle your old electronics

Technology That Makes a Difference in Audio/Video Systems

    High-Definition

• Cutting through the confusion of HDMI
• Why HD DVD?
• Why Blue-ray?
• Another high-def DVD format?!
• SACD, DVD—Ever hear of 'em?

    Seeing the Big Picture

• What is video processing?
• What's anamorphic?
• What is CinemaScope?
• What is timbre?

    Audio

• Bipole, dipole, North Pole: What's the difference and why do you need them?
• What affect will digital music have on my listening experience?

    Powering Your System

• How much power management does my system need?
• What is power conditioning and why do I need it?

Don't Understand the Jargon? Here are Glossaries to Help

• An audio glossary of terms
• A home control glossary of terms
• A quick guide to relevant cables and connection types
• Glossary terms for networking

Planning Your Home Control

• What is the most important feature of a home control system?
• Have I thought of everything I need in home control?
• Can you explain new options available in wireless RF-based communications?
• What's the benefits with having home control with internet access?
• What are some of the key differentiating features between home control systems?
• How can you protect your home control system from becoming technologically obsolete?
• What devices are best for operating my home control?
• Do I really want to automate feeding my fish? Advice from a homeowner
• A guide to remote controls

Planning Your Video System

• To 1080p, or not to 1080p?
• Which display is right for your space?
• How can I wire a DVD player stored in my media center so I can watch it in my bedroom?
• Can I conceal my flat-panel TV?
• What should I consider with media room design?
• Is your A/V system hitting the ceiling?
• How much will my home theater cost?

Planning Your Audio System

    Speakers

• What are my options with speaker types?
• Do I have enough power to my speakers?
• What's all the hubbub about subs?
• What are the parts of a speaker?
• What am I paying for when the price range goes from four to five to six figures?
• Can I pipe my music outside?

    Acoustics

• What can I do to optimize my room's acoustics?
• What is soundstage and imaging with regards to audio?
• To EQ or not to EQ?

Planning Your Lighting

• How can I go green with my lighting?
• Is there more to lighting than a fixture and light bulb?
• What are the major benefits available from a lighting control system?

Planning Your Home Computer Network

• What are the steps to setting up a wireless home network?
• What are the basic costs involved in setting up a home network?
• What are the differences between the 802.11 wireless technologies?

Shop Like a Pro

• 10 budgeting tips
• Where do I shop?
• Can I believe what I see when shopping for TVs?
• What should I look for when purchasing a flat-panel display?
• Whatever happened to plain old contrast? Contrasting specs
• What should I know when shopping for video projectors?
• How do I find the best projection screen for my home entertainment haven?
• What about the other video components?
• Separate or combined components?
• What should I do when comparison shopping speakers?
• Will speaker materials and construction really make a difference?
• Square speakers?
• What do I shop for when looking at speaker wire?

Installation Tips

• Got that fancy new flat panel and ready to hang it on a wall?
• What's the best place for your speakers in a two-channel setup?
• How can make my home theater look like the real thing?
• Tip of the day: Install your own lighting dimmers
• The little details of home theater installation
• What are some ways a homeowner can easily and affordably fine-tune his or her home control system after it's been installed ?

Everything Else You Need to Know About Creating and Enhancing Your Electronic Lifestyle

    Video and Audio Systems

• What seating will work best in my media room?
• Want to feel like your in the action?
• How do I get the most of out my video system?
• How do I listen?
• What is HD Radio?
• Biometric for your home?
• What are my content storage options?

    Home Amenities

• More fine furnishings
• The dirt on central vac
• Video surveillance systems