Blu-ray player? Check. An AV receiver? Check. Loads of cables? Check. Knowledge of how to hook everything up for maximum impact? Uh, not so much. BigPictureBigSound has hosted up a nice how-to guide for making the most of the multi-channel audio that's just waiting to ooze out of your Blu-ray player. The writeup covers both HDMI and analog approaches, and it breaks it down in five easy-to-digest steps so that you don't get all overwhelmed. Go 'head, give it a look -- it's not that difficult, we promise.

You could take the easy way out and just buy a pre-fabricated HTPC, but seriously, where's the joy in that? ArsTechnica has hosted up its refreshed Ultimate Home Theater PC build guide, and in addition to breaking down the pros and cons of investing in such a beast, it details a variety of builds based on your (probable) needs. Do you need a robust all-in-one system? A lightweight front-end to tap into your pre-installed home server system? Or how's about a heavy-duty back-end setup that can be utilized by lightweight clients at the TV? Whatever the case, all the information you need is just down there in the read link.

We'll go ahead and get this out of the way: seasoned HDTV owners won't likely gain much from this one, but those brand new to the world of high-definition are probably wondering what on Earth "calibration" even means. Rather than simply brushing it aside and dealing with those factory settings, we'd suggest tapping the read link for a simplistic guide that explains how to get your new set looking its finest. Be warned -- you'll probably have to spend some dollars if you expect class-A results, but anyone who has calibrated their own TV will likely agree that it's worth it.

If you've stumbled upon the perfect solution for archiving your DVD collection and streaming it via a DLNA server (you know, like the PlayStation 3), this week's Ask Engadget question is just begging for your input. Head on over and give those two pennies a toss!

As far as mods go, it just doesn't much easier than this. Popcorn Hour's heralded A-100 HD media streamer contains a gap just big enough for a PATA HDD, and if you've been too timid to flex your DIY muscle and throw one in there, we've got the video to guide you through. Anxious to store files locally and turn your unit into a mighty useful BitTorrent client? Check out a demonstration of the painless procedure just beyond the break -- and grab your screwdriver while you're at it.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Just uttering the word "calibration" around an HDTV newbie will either elicit a blank stare or a lowered head. Nah, that hasn't been scientifically proven or anything, but we'd surmise that most folks avoid advanced tweaking for fear of screwing something up or just wasting too much time and effort. Thankfully, CNET has started up an HDTV picture settings database, which will show viewers the optimal setup they found on each set taken in for review. Granted, this means that not every single set will be there, and there's still aways to go before it's really fleshed out, but it's not a bad resource for $0.00.

[Image courtesy of Audio-Ideas]

Check it Media Center Extender owners -- a fancy new workaround is reportedly enabling users to stream DVDs via their DVD Library, which isn't enabled by default on any MCE. For starters, Vista SP1 is required for everything to work correctly, and once you've confirmed that you're running said OS, you can hit up the read link for a how-to guide explaining the steps to creating symbolic links; essentially, the hack tricks the device into playing .VOB files. It's noted that symbolic links shouldn't be created on Windows Home Server shares, but if you do as you're told, everything should turn out peachy. Just don't come barking up our tree if it doesn't, alright?

[Thanks, Ryan]

If there's two things we can certainly appreciate, it's projects done right and projects done cheaply (okay, so 103-inch plasmas make three). Thanks to a frugal and crafty individual in need of need speaker stands, he was able to conjure up perfectly functional stands that some may even deem halfway attractive for a mere $13 apiece. Unsurprisingly, the solution begins at none other than Wal-Mart, where you'll need to pick up an inexpensive incandescent torchiere floor lamp for each speaker you plan on mounting. Once acquired, you'll bust out the usual suspects -- a drill, measuring tape, screws, a few spare hours, and the generous hands of a buddy and / or SO to help line things up -- and get to hackin'. Judging by the guide, the actual conversion from lamp to stand doesn't look all that difficult, so be sure and hit the read link right after you cancel that AV order for those ridiculously overpriced pedestals you somehow talked yourself into buying.

[Via HackNMod]

Holy crap, there's finally a way to use the eSATA port on your Series3 to expand your drive space! We've got the full writeup over on Engadget classic, check it out! Go on, 'git!

Our friends at Engadget have a nice how-to up today about building your own component switch. If you're not sold on going digital just yet, still have many devices where component is your best output available or just picked up a new Pioneer Elite plasma, quit crawling behind the TV already. Sure you can buy off the shelf, but where's the fun in that? We already showed you how to build your own component cables, hook them up to a former KVM switch and custom-made component-to-VGA cables (You're not still using your TV speakers are you? We can only help you if you first help yourself.) and you're well on your way to joining the elites of the HD Beat flickr group.