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DMZ Team

The Digital Media Zone (The DMZ) was born out of a need and desire to share information about the digital media we used on a daily basis. As technology and the market has evolved, so has our site. Our initial focus on home theater PCs and home A/V has expanded into broader media interests, gaming, and even connected home technology.

Between technology news, podcasts, and real-life reviews, we strive to share the best of our knowledge on the media and products that you’re interested in. And this is the team that’s bringing it to you:

Josh Pollard

Josh has been writing software since his parents brought home their first computer. His love for gadgets and technology eventually spurred a passion for home theater technology. After starting the DMZ, he received Microsoft’s MVP award for Windows Media Center. Even though the beloved home theater PC platform is all but dead he continues to tinker with consumer entertainment technology. He’s a life-long gamer and DIY smart home enthusiast. He co-hosts the Entertainment 2.0 podcast with Richard Gunther and the DMZ’s gaming podcast, Story Players, with Joe DeStazio.


Richard Gunther

Richard is a product experience consultant with a life-long interest in consumer electronics. He has been immersed in smart home tech for decades now and hosts The DMZ's home automation podcast, Home: On and co-hosts Entertainment 2.0 with Josh Pollard. Richard looks at products through an experience lens, always seeking the right mix of utility and delight.


Jimmy Hawkins

Jimmy is a lifelong tinkerer that loves deep-diving into his hobbies. After moving into a new home that came with two smart home devices, he quickly became immersed in everything smart home. Jimmy loves helping others come up with ideas and solutions for automating their homes.


Doug Krug

Doug has been an electronics and gadgets enthusiast his entire life. He's the son of an engineer who helped build Voyager 1, the first Mars Lander, and an Altair 8800 from scratch—before the home PC even existed. It’s fair to say his future path was inevitable. Today, Doug is an IT consultant and a passionate early-adopter of connected home technology. He writes about smart home technology, device security and privacy for The Digital Media Zone, Solo Traveller, Smart Home Primer and his own blog.


Joe DeStazio

Joe spent his formative years playing classic games like Super Mario Bros, Mega Man, and Tetris. Since then he has learned to enjoy and appreciate all forms of interactive entertainment. He co-hosts Story Players, the DMZ's podcast about narrative-driven games.


Tonia Wallace


Adam Thursby is the founder and creator of The Digital Media Zone.