Home Theater Forum is inviting members from all over the world to live the Hollywood dream. During the week of October 19th-26th attendees will have the opportunity to visit with various industry manufacturers, replication facilities, movie studios and their backlots. This is the place for attendees and those looking to attend to ask questions and discuss plans for the upcoming event.

This area has been set up for those members that will be attending the HTF Hollywood Meet. This area is password protected. Either check your email or your private message area for the password.

Home Theater Forum is back to cover the CEDIA Expo in Denver, September 3-7. Once again, HTF will be providing insightful video webcast coverage along with editorial from our staff members. Of course, as in past years, we are hoping to make our readers a part of this show as well. Please submit your requests for things you would like to see us cover then come back during the show to read the latest coverage and discussions.

Writer, Producer, Director

Since working as a child actor, Prior has assembled a long and ecclectic list of credits from nearly every corner of the film industry. He's worked extensively in visual effects, art departments and even development. Prior has been one of the leading creators of special edition DVDs including Fight Club, Master and Commander, the 4-disc edition of Pearl Harbor, Big Trouble in Little China, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Panic Room, Die Hard, Planet of the Apes, Ravenous, Zodiac and Transformers.

Film Preservationist

Robert A. Harris is a film historian and preservationist who specializes in restoring the large-format widescreen films of the 1950s. He has restored and reconstructed a number of classic films including Lawrence of Arabia, Spartacus My Fair Lady and Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo and Rear Window. He frequently collaborates with James C. Katz. Their pristine restorations of classic films have earned a great deal of respect from cinephiles and critics. Robert has recently finished restoration on The Godfather Trilogy for DVD and Blu-ray.

Editor "The Digital Bits"

The Digital Bits began as an online newsletter in April of 1997, when site editor Bill Hunt discovered that there was a tremendous un-met need for accurate information about the DVD format among both consumers and individuals within the industry. Demand for the newsletter quickly grew, so The Digital Bits website was officially launched on December 15, 1997. The result has been steady, continued growth ever since. In addition to official studio DVD news and reviews, the site regularly publishes in-depth articles and interviews with industry insiders.

DVD/BD Producer

Charles de Lauzirika created award-winning documentaries and supplemental content for such releases as the 5-disc Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition, 10-disc Twin Peaks Definitive Gold Box Edition, 9-discAlien Quadrilogy, the 4-disc Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut and the 3-disc editions of Gladiator and Black Hawk Down. Although his work has long been associated with the films of Ridley Scott, Lauzirika has also produced DVD content for the works of several other directors, including David Lynch, Sam Raimi, James Cameron, the Coen Brothers, David Fincher, Robert Rodriguez, John Badham, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Mark Romanek and Tony Scott.

DVD/BD producer, Digital Artist

Van Ling is a freelance DVD/Blu-ray producer, visual effects supervisor, consultant and digital artist whose film credits include "The Abyss", "Terminator 2", "Twister", "Starship Troopers","Doctor Dolittle" and "Titanic". A veteran of ground-breaking feature productions with James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment, Ling has brought the same envelope-pushing spirit to the home entertainment arena, producing in-depth special features on titles from "Field of Dreams" to "Titanic" and often creating innovative menu systems, including those for "The Abyss Special Edition", "Independence Day", "Terminator 2" and all six of the "Star Wars" films.

New to home theater? Wondering what terms such as "anamorphic widescreen" and "component video" mean? Confused about cables and interconnects? Then come here to get started in your home-theater adventure. There's no such thing as a "dumb question"--ask anything at all about home-theater essentials and other HTF members will happily assist you.

Whether you're planning an all-out, dedicated home theater that's fancier than the local cineplex or if you simply want to improve an existing family-room entertainment center, visit this section to find helpful information on architecture, design, automation and decor. Please share your experiences with the rest of us--tell other HTF members what worked and didn't work when building your home theater. And please feel free to post pics of your home theater in this section or our HT gallery. We want to hear from you!

High-Def DVD players are certainly here. These new players offer the highest in video/audio playback quality for film enthusiasts, and can substantially increase the viewing experience in one's home theater setup. Come find out the the latest informaton on new and upcoming models, as well as share user feedback among friends. Forget about the previous competition between HD formats: this is the place for all High-Def DVD players discussion, and especially the newest Blu-ray players. Welcome and enjoy the show.

High Definition Media are The Next Big Thing in home theater. Now a fierce competition has ended we're just interested in the results: how good are the discs themselves? Here's where you can discuss all high-definition software, from the older D-VHS format to the newest Blu-ray discs (and DVRs).

Want to talk to and trade tips with other enthusiasts about such video and audio sources as DVD and LaserDisc players, VCRs, analog and digital cable-TV, DBS/Satellite and HDTV desk-top-units. Or do you long to talk with other audiophiles about DVD-Audio and SACD players, as well as HDCD, MP3 machines, remotes, and even turntables, tonearms and cartridges? Well, here's where you want to be.

"Audio" spoken here! Whether you're looking to replace an old receiver, preamplifier, or power amplifier, or if you'd simply like to comment about a specific product, this forum is for you. Want to talk about the nuances of dts and Dolby Digital? Here's where you can talk about all matters audio, from two-channel stereo to the many surround-sound formats.

From speaker placement and setup to crossovers and subwoofer roll-off frequencies, informative discussions about transducer technology are taking place here right now. Whether you own a budget-priced home-theater suite or have the most high-end electrostatic/dynamic hybrids in your system, like-minded individuals are posting in this forum

The monitor or TV is the centerpiece of your home theater. So if you have questions or observations about direct-view TVs, RPTVs, or front-projectors (be they CRT, DLP, LCD, D-ILA--Hi-Def or Standard Def), post them here.

Do you buy or rent your DVDs? Who has the best deals on hardware? Post your questions and comments on retailers--electronic and brick-and-mortar--in this informative forum. In addition to providing direct feedback to the vendors, you can also make general comments about the retailers you like to use.

All things DVD are discussed here (with the exception of TV Shows on DVD)--as well as LaserDisc, Video Compact Disc, and even VHS. Reviews, announcements, and questions about home-theater software are also to be posted in this forum. Please include helpful explanations about any links you may include in your post. Also, discussion of software content is fine when considering the pros and cons of the presentation; however, threads that focus primarily on content will be relocated to a more appropriate forum (e.g., "Movies"). Note: Please, no discussions about copying video/audio sources, defeating copy-protection encoding, and obtaining illegal, bootlegged product. Thank you!

The explosive popularity of television on DVD has caught the industry by surprise, and the studios are in a mad rush to cash in on this phenomenon. And you, meanwhile, cannot get enough of TV on DVD, which is why this section of Home Theater Forum was created. Post here to discuss any and all matters related to TV on DVD. (Please note, however, that current television programs are discussed in the TV & HDTV Programming section.)

Ultimately, we are all here because of our love of cinema--from the timeless classics of yesteryear to the blockbusters and independent productions of today. Post all cinema-related comments here, along with film reviews and discussions about awards shows. Here, too, is where you can talk about your favorite directors, cinematographers, and writers. If it's about film, it can be found in this forum. Once again, if you include links in your posts, please explain their relevance. Thank you.

From comments about episodes of your favorite television programs to discussions about the philosophy behind this programming, this is the forum to post your views on the offerings of broadcasters and cable-casters. Discussions about HDTV programming, awards shows, actors and actresses, as well as writers and directors are also encouraged.

If music is your thing, then this is where you can sing your song. Whether you want to talk about popular or serious music, or about specific releases on CD, SACD, DVD-A, MD, cassette, and vinyl, other music lovers want to hear from you. Post all announcements, reviews, and questions about music and recordings in this exciting forum.

Have you come upon any coupons or bargains of interest to other HTF members? Then tell us about them! Post your money-saving goodies and information now. Unless pre-approved by the administration or if advertisers of this site no vendor/dealer or auction sales/links allowed!

Want to sell that old NTSC-only TV and make the plunge for digital? Is that Pro-Logic receiver getting a bit long in tooth? Then come to the official HTF hardware marketplace. (Note: This area is for the sale of Home Theater related items - as defined by this whole forum - only). Please state the asking price clearly in your post. Important: No vendor and/or dealer posts please, nor any auction/sale links allowed. Post a specific price for the item. No BEST OFFERS accepted. This is not an auction site. Also, links to auction sites (such as eBay) are not permitted. .

If you're weeding out unwanted DVD, LaserDisc, CD or video software from your collection, then why not put them up for sale here? Or trade those titles for ones other members are seeking to offload. You're sure to find things of interest in this forum. But please remember to state clearly your asking price(s). (Note: This area is for the sale of Home Theater related items - as defined by this whole forum - only). And a reminder: As with the "Hardware For Sale" forum, no vendor/dealer or auction sales and links allowed! Sales of illegal copies of copyrighted material are prohibited. Post a specific price for the item. No BEST OFFERS accepted. This is not an auction site. Also, links to auction sites (such as eBay) are not permitted.

If you didn't have a computer, you wouldn't be here, so they must be somewhat important to all of us. Post your questions on computer issues here. As PCs become more and more powerful, their capability also grows, one of the side benefits is the development of HTPCs that can provide stunning video output for your HT as well as feed the multi-channel soundtracks to your HT. Discuss how to get the best out of your HTPC setup here as well.

Sub-Forums:

Apple and Macintosh

From film to digital and still to video, this area covers all aspects of photography. Here is where you can research the latest models on the market as well as troubleshoot any questions you may have. Please do not post any images in this area -- use a link instead. Also, we ask that you do not post any "wanted", "for sale" or any other commercial advertisements.

While traveling, now more than ever, we want to keep the tunes flowing, and the movies/shows rolling. This is the spot to discuss the latest in mobile entertainment, ranging from satellite radio, car stereos, portable MP3/video players, car-mounted DVD/LCD systems, Blackberries, Palm, WinMobile devices and much, much, more.

And what drives these video game consoles? Video game software! Become familiar with the most current video games on the market today, and pick up tips to enhance gameplay here in this area.

Kick back, relax, and have fun with other HTF members while discussing topics not related to home theater. From commenting on sports to sharing amusing anecdotes, this is the place to simply gab. One note of caution, however: All the HTF standards of conduct apply here; offensive, tasteless, or pointless messages and images will be immediately deleted or closed without explanation at the discretion of the administrative staff. Play nice!

There's something about HTF that brings out the inner-pollster in everybody! Want to rank films by genre and quality? Interested in finding out what other HTFers think of certain directors? Ask those questions here! Please post all polls in this forum.

Post information about upcoming HTF meets in your area in this forum. Or write up reports about meetings that have recently taken place--and please post links to any pictures taken at the event. This is where you can plan a way to meet your fellow and sister home-theater enthusiasts!

Do you have suggestions and comments that might help Home Theater Forum become even better? Or are you experiencing technical difficulties on the forum or with its software? Please offer your constructive feedback in this forum. Remember, though: This section is not a forum in which to discuss or debate or challenge the HTF rules and guidelines, nor may it be used as a means of complaining about disciplinary actions--to the extent discussion of such issues is appropriate, it should be handled by private email. No venting in public, please!

This area has been set up to post contests for various hardware and software products that we have been given to give away to our membership. Check back to this new area often as new contests will be posted as we get them.

Want to try out a new image for your sig file? Do it here. This is where you may test the script/messages without doing it in the main forums.