Rating: 
Summary: Harley does a great job to i-n-f-o-r-m !
Review: Included in this great guide is info, both for the beginner and for those audiophiles who need a little reminder of the crucial basics.
Rating: 
Summary: A mixed bag of good information and tommyrot
Review: Much of the information in this book is good, but a couple of issues need to be addressed. Tomlinson Holman, a good engineer, is the man behind both the THX professional cinema house certification and the Home THX certification program for home theater components. I have a substantial issue with, particularly, the latter because it consists of a secret set of parameters, which are divulged only to licensees under nondisclosure. Because the requirements are themselves secret, how can anyone judge their validity, or the comparative value of the certification? Mr. Harley, on the other hand, is no engineer at all, nor even a hands-on amateur, but a promoter. He combines occasionally astute observations with technical nonsense, so that even when his conclusions appear to make sense you have no idea how he got there. Simply put, he often either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he does and is simply writing what equipment vendors and the gullible want said.
Rating: 
Summary: Robert's book is good but not without fault
Review: Robert does have an opinion, and he's entitled to that. He believes VHS tapes should not be THX-approved, and, along that subject, shows strong favoritism for the THX home program, although many excellent home theater brands do not participate in this program that tends to cause great confusion in the industry. I also believe that Mr. Harley should have included set-up diagrams which could at least help clarify some possible confusion and frustration in initial home theater set-up. On the whole, however, Bob's book is informative, easy reading, and the straight dope on home theater. A definite recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Some good stuff here - Some is total nonsense!
Review: Robert Harley is a "high-end audiophile" and you need to keep that in mind when reading thru any of his books. In "Home Theater For Everyone", he provides a lot of useful information. But he also supplies a lot of "hokum" as well. That is, there is much in this books that he states as fact when infact it is nothing more than his own (often erroneous) opinion.
If you are already well-versed in audio/video equipment, you'll know when Mr. Harley goes "off-the-wall" with his crazy statements and conclusions. But if you're new to the world of audio/video, I say "buyer beware". If you follow all of Mr. Harley's advice, you will end up spending thousands of dollars on overpriced equipment and unnecessary frills.
Buy the book for the great general information Mr. Harley provides. But be wary of some of his conclusions and advice. One area where I strongly agree with Mr. Harley is when he advocates to do your own shopping and make your own judgements.
Rating:
Summary: Thumbs Up!
Review: Sick of walking into sticky-floored, over-priced cine-plexes when all you get for your $7.25 is getting to listen to Bob & Muff talk on their cell phones thru-out the picture? Ready to take matters into your own hands? If so... this book is for you! This is an excellent book for the beginner home theater addict. Buy this book before you go out and purchase that DVD, TV, Reviever combo that * Retailer is selling you for $1000. It will save you time, and allow you to meet your expectations more realistically based on your budget.
Rating: 
Summary: Will date quickly
Review: These authors were brave trying to write a lasting hardcover on technology that dates faster than sliced bread. Sure, the information is comprehensive and tries to cover all technologies, but in such a general way that those of us with more than a skerick of knowledge will get bored quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Detailed info, much of it dated, more current books out ther
Review: This author obviously knows what he's talking about, but the book is dated and too detailed on some topics and not enough detailed on other topics to really provide a good broad brush of the topic. There's lots on audio, but not enough on much of what is going on today, like Windows XP Media Center Edition and PVRs and DirecWAY and other things. This is a consumer electronics focus in an increasingly broader industry. I've put a lot more into my home theater than he's talked about. I'm buying Home Theater for Dummies to see what they say -- their outline is broader and their edition is just out.
Rating:
Summary: A comprehenvive yet simple look at home theater
Review: This book gives you a look in on the ABCs of home theater.The glossary page is especially good for those who know nothing about home theater . It is also useful for those starting on building a home theater for themselves . The book can be a reference for home theater lover as well .
Rating:
Summary: nice introduction
Review: This book is nicely written, I read most of it in 3 nights. However, throughout the book the author discusses THX certification. Coincidentally, the forward is written by the "inventor of THX". Conflict of interest? Also, a book revised in 2000 should not include 8 pages on laserdisk. Some details such as distortion and interfaces were not discussed in depth. Otherwise simple and informative.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Necessary for Anybody into A/V!
Review: This book is the best book I have read on Home Theater. It has more information on Audio and Video than most in-depth books on either respective subject. It is well-written, easy to read, and the explanations are detailed, yet easy to understand. He could have left out a little of the THX bias, but it is understandable, everyone lets some personal bias slip a little now and again. Note-he does admit many manufacturers of the best equipment and best values on the market do not participate in the THX program for various reasons. This book cuts through almost all of the misinformation this industry is notorious for being saturated with. I highly recommend this book for any music lover, movie lover, or anybody else for that matter. P.S. Once you get started on this one, you might not be able to stop.
| 
