A very important part of setting up your home theater explained in this article from Electronic House magazine
via Electronic House Recently Filed on 8/29/11
I thought I’d start an update on industry happenings and interesting articles I’ve read over the past week or so. This first update includes some material older than a week ago but in the future it should just cover the most recent week. I will try to publish the update on a certain day but haven’t figured out which day works the best just yet.
For the most part, the update will include news on anything involving Home Theater Screens and any technology that uses a home theater screen.
I’ve recently been introduced to Netflix and the whole world of streaming video. Yes, I know it’s been around for awhile but I never really felt the need for it. I decided to try the Netflix free trial and catch up on some TV shows I never completed (specifically Prison Break). I watched several episodes in one night and liked the experience. There’s so much to watch that sometimes you miss some good television. Netflix (among other services) allows you to catch up or watch a whole series at a much lower cost than buying the seasons one by one.
Since then, I’ve heard that Netflix is increasing their prices for combining services. I’ve only used the streaming service so far and don’t really plan on trying the DVD service so it doesn’t change how I would use their service.
There will probably be a lot of angry customers who might cancel their Netflix accounts since there are a lot of different service options for online streaming and online DVD/Blu-ray rental. Hulu+, Amazon Instant Video*, Redbox, Blockbuster.com and CinemaNow are just some of the other services you can check out.
*This is an affiliate link so I would make something if you use that link to purchase something from Amazon.com.
Enjoy and comment on what you like and don’t like or if you have any questions or suggestions for future updates.
Robb Dahlen
Pico Projector News
Best Selling Pico Projecto Update (July 2011) – (PicoProjector-Info.com) – 7/7/2011
USPTO Publishes MicroVision Patent Application for Interactive Touch Projection – (PicoPros.com – Paul Marganski) – 7/7/2011
Picopros Gets an Exclusive Look at The NionCom Android Mini-Tablet – (PicoPros.com – Paul Marganski) – 7/11/2011
THINLINE Screens Address the Need for High Performance Portable Projector Screens- (PicoPros.com – Paul Marganski) – 7/12/2011
MicroVision Unveils SHOWWX+ with HDMI Interface – (PicoPros.com – Paul Marganski) – 7/14/2011
Watch & Listen News
RIAA and MPAA Employ a New Tool vs Pirates- (Audioholics.com – Wayde Robson) – 7/11/2011
New Netflix Pricing: No Thanks – (ConsumerReports.org – James K. Wilcox) – 7/13/2011
Nine Netflix Alternatives – (HowTo.CNET.com – Ed Rhee) – 7/13/2011
For Netflix, there’s a way out of this pricing mess – (CNET.com Media Maverick Blog – Greg Sandoval) – 7/13/2011
Netflix Imposes 28% Rate Hike on Existing and New Customers – (Audioholics.com – Clint Deboer) – 7/14/2011
Spotify Has Landed in the U.S. and on Onkyo – (ElectronicHouse.com – Rachel Cericola) – 7/14/2011
Growing Pains Ahead for Netflix – (InvestmentU.com – Justin Dove) – 7/15/2011
Home Theater News
5 Awesome Home Theater Makeovers- (CEPro.com – Maxine Giza) – 7/8/2011
Energy Star Pilots ‘Most Efficient’ Designation – (ElectronicHouse.com – Steven Castle) – 7/15/2011
Is there any more decadent or geekier-than-thou way of expressing your superiority than by constructing your very own themed cinema at home? These ten home theaters are so over the top, they’ve obliterated the top.
And you know you want one.
This one’s just a concept for now, but it’s available made-to-order. [by Elite Home Theater Seating]
[by Definitive Audio]
Click on the image to zoom in and get the full effect. [by Gary Reighn]
I suppose it’s only natural that there would be so many Star Trek home theaters. The bridge of the Enterprise is shaped like a theater, after all. [by Electronics Systems Consultants]
Probably best captures the look and feel of the Next Gen‘s flagship. [by Acoustic Innovations]
I’m not sure I see the resemblance, though it’s said to include lots of design elements “inspired by” The Matrix. Personally, I would have gone with the bridge of the Nebuchadnezzar, but that’s just me. [by RPG Diffusor Systems]
[by Dillon Works]
[by Elite Home Theater Seating]
Sorry Stargate fans, but I had no idea anybody loved the show that much. [by Visual Concepts]
[by Cinema at Home]
A home theater is a wonderful thing. A big, bright HDTV screen, five or more channels of clean, clear dynamic surround sound and remote control to drive it all. Completing the package, ideally, all the wires are hidden within the walls. This is what people want, but few have the product knowledge or carpentry skills to get the job done right. Enter the custom installers to bring it all together.
Many custom installers and A/V dealers do fabulous work. However, you should not forget it is a business and in the “free market” the goal is always to maximize profits.
Unfortunately, the best interest of the consumer may conflict with the dealer’s business goals. A number of companies simply want to get consumers to pay the most money possible for the job and get out as quickly as possible maximizing profits.
To learn the tricks of the trade we interviewed Bruce Clark, president of Long Island based Audio Breakthroughs. They’ve been in business for over thirty five years and have installed thousands of home theaters. Occasionally Clark receives calls from other company’s dissatisfied customers requesting fixes for a botched installation.
Here are a number of “tricks” he’s seen used in these bad jobs, so you know what to look out for.
In-Ceiling Speakers in Lieu of Enclosure Type
The most important speakers in any home theater are the front speakers (left, right and center). These produce the vast majority of the sound plus all the dialog. Rear speakers are generally only used for occasional sound effects. While placing speakers in the ceiling is fine for background music, you want the dialog to be clear and seem to be emanating from the display. Ceiling mounting moves the sound above the screen, creating a disconnect by making the actor’s voice appear to come from above rather than from the screen. So why do custom installers recommend ceiling speakers? Clark explains that in-wall and in-ceiling speakers have the highest gross profit margins, ranging from 60% to 90%. In other words, if the pair of speakers costs you $500, that could be $450 in gross profit for the installer. The in-wall speaker manufacturers have very controlled sales distribution; it is highly unlikely to find the product at a good discount on-line.
Clark added, their use of in-wall or in ceiling speakers in a home theater is done only as a last resort to satisfy customer’s demands.
Enclosed speakers have better dynamics and a much more even frequency response. This is because the drivers and enclosure are tuned as a complete system.
Component Video Cables Instead of HDMI
Component video cables are analog connections using three RCA-type cables. They have red blue and green ends. This system was adopted for home use with the introduction of DVD players back in 1997. Analog component cables over long runs can lose high frequency information, seen as fine picture detail. Long component cables always produce an image, but it can be soft. HDMI is digital and therefore maintains all fine picture detail (Tweet
Vutec’s ArtScreen helps your big TV blend into your home. Video demonstration from EHX.
| Upgrade your rig with the best home theater accessories, from the ultimate universal remote and HD DVR, to boxes that will rumble your seats and curtains to keep your neighbors happy. You agonized on the LCD versus plasma issue, dropped four digits on … See all stories on this topic » |
 Digitaltrends.com |
It makes sense to want more options for your home theater so you can do more in it and more with it.
A good friend of mine who is an admitted audiophile and the former owner of Evett and Shaw loudspeakers from Utah, always talked about how “anti-social” home theater systems were. He noted that you and your wife have two other couples over for dinner and a movie; by the time that you all are in the theater – the lights are basically off, everyone is pointed towards the screen and laser-focused on the screen. You are not really interacting with each other (other than the occasional laugh out loud joke or whiz-bang effect), you are just sharing a dark moment in a room. His argument was that those same people could sit in a living room with a top-level audiophile system and enjoy music, a cocktail or two as well as meaningful, thoughtful conversation. To Craig, this was much more social and much more valuable.
Dedicated theaters may be going the wayside of the multi-use entertainment room.
Earth Hour on Saturday dimmed lights in cities and at landmarks around the world, but let’s try to find out how much energy can be saved.
Disclamer: This is an affiliate link so I will make money if you purchase something through this link!
