I have always been on the lookout for a decent yet cheap Australian based online store for Music and Movies and at long last I have found my new favourite.  CDWOW.com.au offers CDs, DVDs, Games and even cosmetics at significantly discounted prices. You can find a great range of products sourced from the major media companies worldwide along with the best possible prices.  Chart CD's start from $14.95 and Blu-Rays are the cheapest I have come across - even beating JB HIFI.

Right now there is a big sale on that gives you 15% off all CDs, 10% off all DVDs, Games & Cosmetics.

My first purchase was the new Muse - The resistance release which cost only $22.95 for the CD/DVD combo.  You also get some decent discounts and coupon codes in your inbox just for being a member.

Highly Recommended.

I have been using the fabulous Power DVD 8 for a while on my HTPC mostly due to the ability to hardware decode High Definition content like h264 using only your Graphics card - utilising next to no CPU cycles.  This method works with Xp & Vista Media Centre and Open Source HTPC frontends such as Mediaportal.

PowerDVD has just been launched with the high end "Ultra edition" only US$99 to purchase. I f you Purchase PowerDVD 9 Ultra by 3/31/2009, You will get US$20 Instant Savings from TigerDirect.com.

PowerDVD offers the best HD and Blu-ray playback around! Use TrueTheater to up DVD quality for viewing in an HD display. Navigate easily with Fancy View, flipping through your movie titles and previewing content. There are plenty of other useful interactive features for die-hard movie fans and the casual viewer alike.  PowerDVD 9 is truly the way HD and Blu-ray were meant to be enjoyed!

Specs

Spectacular High-Definition Playback on your PC

• TrueTheater™ Technology for maximizing your DVD Playback: Just when you thought DVD movie quality couldn’t get any better, PowerDVD 9 DVD Playback Software introduces TrueTheater™ technology that radically enhances your viewing pleasure.
• Watch Blu-ray movies like never before: Enjoy the best video quality and an enriched movie experience with interactive features and next-gen movie navigation. Display advanced content such as crew commentaries and access online content and games.
• Play more HD video formats like MPEG-4 AVC (H.264), MPEG-2 HD, WMV-HD, and SMPTE VC-1 files with the world’s no.1 Blu-ray/DVD playback software, PowerDVD; redefining the high-definition landscape in movie experiences.
• PC friendly for enjoying smooth high-definition playback on both powerful or energy-efficient computers or notebooks! PowerDVD ensures the best quality for playing all your favorite movies on any type of home PC: desktop or notebook. This way, you are guaranteed a high-definition experience on a variety of hardware platforms.

Blu-ray Disc Interaction

• The new universe of Blu-ray Discs not only delivers the best video quality ever, but innovative ways of interacting with the movie itself.
• Explore your favourite Blu-ray movies: animated menus, web-enabled features like downloading trailers, instant messaging functions, uploading videos, and lots more with BD-Live and Bonus View.

High-Definition Home Theater Audio

PowerDVD 9 Blu-ray/DVD playback software envelopes you with lossless high-definition audio, bringing movies to life in your living room.

• New support for HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) 1.3 allows simultaneous lossless transference of high-definition audio using one hassle-free cable.
• TrueTheater™ Surround imitates a multichannel surround sound for conventional stereo speakers and headphones while providing audio expansion and effects for up to 8-channel audio systems.
• Check out below the vast array of supported audio formats & audio technologies