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6/25/10

[What’s Your Homes’ IQ?]

         With home automation & “smart-home” technology, many of us sit in the “Allegory of the Cave” scenario. Some are here because of the obvious cost & others are simply unfamiliar with technology.

         Crestron, the most trusted name (and notoriously expensive) home automation manufacturer recently released a new system called Prodigy.  As the name may imply, this is a great way to dip yourself into that pool of smartness without spending all your savings.

         The starting system might get you rolling with some lighting control, music, thermostat control, and even your home theater control. This all wrapped into a nice simple package that’s intuitive, reliable, and a whole lot of “bang for your buck”.

         If you want more, this system can easily be expanded virtually limitless, one step at a time or whenever you’re ready.

         I didn’t have home automation growing up, we didn’t even have cable TV. Now, my home automation is a convenience, time saver, money saver, and yes a luxury (& a tax deduction).

         Each night I press one button on my nightstand that simultaneously turns all the lights (and music) off, sets the temperature, & arms the security; Conveniently saving time. Our gas and electric bills have diminished because of smart lighting and thermostat usage, and as modest as I like to think I am, it is fun to show off…

        

         Another new product is the “Redeye” by “ThinkFlood” This product is designed to give your iPad (or iPhone) control of any IR controlled device (TV/stereo/Cable box, etc.). Essentially this can make your iPad your universal remote control. This product is a great idea but for the first run has many shortcomings for a professional installation.

         Their next product, the “RedEye-Pro” is projected for release next month and will have what we need to make things more bulletproof. The iPad is and will be great however, there is still a definite need for a true universal remote: The iPad controls these devices via a network connection which requires a couple second delay to initially connect each time, universal remotes are much quicker. iPad is still a great addition to any home theater AND another item to “show-off” with friends.

5/20/10

[Internet, Now.]

          Ever since 2007 when I wrote about Google bidding on the 700MHz air-wave auction (see past article below), I’ve had a notion that Google would be expanding their image and getting into the house-hold TV market.

           Today, in San Francisco, with supported backing from Sony, Intel, Logitech, Best Buy, Adobe, & Dish Network, Google announced its “TV Project” in underway.

            Logitech should be releasing their Google companion box later this year and I’ll be looking forward to seeing what doors this opens for the future of TV.

           Check out this link to watch a short U-Tube video on the new Google release – Click HERE to link.

        

In other similar news:

          Best Buy recently released its new “CinemaNow” on-demand internet video service.

5/4/10

[Raising the Bar]

         There have been many movies out with spectacular effects and beautiful animation. Now, in 2010, I believe the newly released film “Avatar”, has raised the bar on what we will be seeing to come.

         We watched this movie at home the other night. Although much of the hype has been on the 3-D version, we didn’t have the luxury of this. However, we did have the Blu-ray, 110” screen, 7.1, and seat shakers to keep us on our feet.  Even without the 3D, the film, the effects, & most importantly the story, all were something to speak of.

         The animation and effects were very impressive, yet trivial. When I say trivial, I mean they weren’t there just to awe people and showcase what technology can do, they were simply part of the story. From what I’ve read on the 3-D; Roger Ebert, a film historian and arguably the country's preeminent movie critic, wrote that the use of 3-D is the "best I've seen -- and more importantly, one of the most carefully-employed. The film never uses 3-D simply because it has it."

         Besides the film effects and story, it was a trip to see all the “future technology” being employed within the movie. My attention was focused on scenes at the doctor’s office and central command stations. Maybe not the “soul-transporter”, but all the other technology: touch-panels, 3-D map gridding, etc. seemed to be there or here, or not too far off.  Maybe the same could be said for the guns and robots, but who cares about that stuff (haha).

         Anyhow, 3-D or not it was a good movie.

    On a side note: Certain Blu-ray players will not play this Blu-Ray disc without updated firmware, if not already, get that player connected to the internet! Ask us how.

3/14/10

[3-D Progress Report]

         The 3-dimensional hype has hit the market and TV manufacturers are producing options for this new found niche. Below are five hard-hitting players on the scene:

 

Samsung –

       This month is releasing their 3D capable C7000, C8000, and C9000 series LED. They will be available in 46” and 55”. Their larger 65” models are expected to arrive in July.

         “March 21st^” they project to be releasing their 3D bundle consisting of a 3D disc and two pairs of 3D shutter glasses, included with their 3D Blu-ray player.

         And… Six of Samsungs’ eight plasma models are 3D enabled.

Panasonic -
       Aiming to sell the first 3D home theater system at BestBuy in New York March 10th. However… I just called to check and nobody from the Best Buy (I spoke to) really knows about this or if when it will happen. This system might consist of their 50” 3D Plasma, 3D capable Bluray player, and a pair of active shutter glasses

Sony –

       Said they will be waiting until June this year to release their 3D models in the US.

LG –

       Releasing its second consumer 3D TV in the UK starting May. They should be releasing their 3D models to the US later this year.

Toshiba –

       3D TV in the making projected for release 4th quarter in the UK.

See my December article (below) for my thoughts when 3D will be a common household item.

3/13/10

[Anyone Know a Good Plumber?]

2/20/10

[Olympics240hz]

           The winter games are on and they’re on your TV. Many of these sports are about speed. Skiing, the luge, ice-skating, how fast can we go with limited friction? How fast can the human eye detect? How fast can our television display?

           The human eye can see far more than 30, 60, 120, or even 240 frames-per-second. However, with film and TV it’s a complicated question, the answer is different than that of - “how many frames per second make the movie stop flickering”. It’s even more complicated than - “how many mega pixels is my film camera?”.

           Our HD standards crept from 60Hz to 120Hz, and now to 240Hz. This means the screen picture completely reconstructs itself 60 – 120 – 240 times every second respectively. I won’t go into details on how it’s done but there are different methods used by different manufacturers.

 The two popular methods are:

1) Motion Compensation-Motion Estimation (MCME) (< this method is better)

2) Back Light Scanning. (< this method is not-so-better)

        If you’re wondering what the latest hyped “240-Hertz” refresh rate has added to our viewing pleasure. “Motion Blur” and “Judder” are the effects this new refresh rate is supposed to improve. 

I’ve heard and read mixed reviews of the 240hz outcome:

- Most people are positively impressed. Watching sports & playing video games seem to be untouched for bad review.

- For a small some this new standard makes things look a bit kitschy. Watching movies and television programming, you might notice the backdrop to a set, rocks looking plastic & tricks of the movie producers unraveled.

       Most 240hz TV manufacturers provide the option to switch the 240Hz feature off, and back to 120 or 60Hz. The Olympics definitely need no such switch. If you’re focused on the backdrops during a movie… maybe you need a better storyline?

       Either way, picture quality progress is a good thing.

12/31/09

[New Years is Here!]

        I was in NYC a couple days ago and decided to check out Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes. The show was great, one part I particularly enjoyed was the 3D show. For this portion, an enormous screen dropped as we put on our glasses. We followed Santas’ Sleigh all over the city while gifts fell and snowflakes seemed to land right in our laps.

         I haven’t seen many 3D showings but I have been a fan since my first viewing at Disney World when I was about 7-years old (something starring Michael Jackson).  For this year, I’d love to see some type of widespread domestic evolution for 3D TV. Unfortunately, I’m guessing we’re about three years away from this. In the meanwhile, we’ll be watching greener TVs while swimming in internet streams.   

Happy New Year!

11/11/09

[Article]

 <-Click to View Article.

      A "Neat-O!" article was just published covering one of our recent wiring jobs.

      See page 83 of CEPro magazine (November issue), or click image above. It's a great magazine, if you aren’t a subscriber, click HERE to sign up for free!

10/30/09

[Games To Follow]

         There are some very interesting and major renovations to certain video games we should all be keeping a close eye on. Some features of these upcoming games are mind-boggling. 

         Xbox has been working on their “Project Natal”. This is code for “controller-free gaming” = no wires, no hand-held controls, no step-pads, or anything but the player themselves.        

         With voice-recognition and 3D motion cameras in place, these games seem to come right into your natural environment. Project Natal was first announced on June 1, 2009. Since then, thousands of software development kits have been shipping to game developers. The first release date is expected to be out late 2010. Check out this link for a quick preview of what’s really going on – PROJECT NATAL

        On a closer note… Next month Netflix will make its online video service available through Sony’s PlayStation 3 console (currently Xbox is the only other game offering this service).

        With Blu-ray player & online video service capabilities, what else could you ask for from the PS3??...

                      How about a Wii-like controller?...

Xbox is already working on their version of the controller, now this is what PS3 seems to be working on as well. PS3s' “Wii-like” controller will either be called “the PS3mote or Waggle”.  I haven’t found any release dates, however, CEO Jack Tretton announced that “this controller would be available in spring 2010”.

                            

"Pacman is still one of the best games around."

10/16/09

[Nevo Remotes]

          For years we’ve been very successful with two lines of remotes (RTI & URC). At a current training session with NEVO Remotes, I was impressed with what they had to offer (especially for the price). It looks like we just added a third remote line!

        Their latest Remote, the S70, is very similar to RTIs T3-V. They both communicate with: Z-wave (or Zigbee for RTI), RF, and with the IP browser, you can browse web-content on websites optimized for mobile devices.  This includes control and viewing IP based security cameras and monitors.

         Functionality all put aside, I like the designs of either remote most. Check out more on these sleek remotes by clicking HERE for NEVO & HERE for RTI.

       If you’re interested in purchasing a NEVO remote, we (as a new dealer) have some incredible deals going on until the end of the month. After this, we'll still have great deals for all our remote lines, so don’t worry.

- Not to be left out... click HERE to link with URC's product line.

9/13/09

[New TVs, New Sources] 

        When the setting calls for it, I’ve always been supportive of plasma displays over LCD TVs. Black levels, color, motion display, just about everything is superior with plasma. Now that the high-end plasma manufacturers are out of the picture (Fujitsu & Pioneer), what’s the best?

         Last week I would have still said Plasma, preferably Panasonic. However, after viewing some crisp new “LED” LCD’s I may be coming around to LCD (the LED-based ones). Samsung’s new “LED” line at 240Hz, stunning colors, millions-to-one contrast, & great design (at about an inch thin), may have won me over.

         So what’s next? Besides the frame design and picture quality, the next TV’s will be gaining attractiveness with functionality. It’s about time! Seeking out displays based on looks seems so superficial (half joking):

              

         - Samsung will soon be offering Blockbusters’ Digital Library. Oh yeah, Blockbuster is stewing up a new online video rental service... to launch this Fall. New Samsung HDTVs, Home theater systems, and Blu-ray players will include this Blockbuster digital entertainment library (Existing Samsung products will gain access with a free firmware upgrade).

       - LG Electronics, Samsung, & possibly other CE products will be teaming up with “Best Buy Digital storefronts by the end of the year.” With the partnership between Best Buy, Sonic Solutions, & CinemaNow, their online library is claiming to offer over 14,000 DVD-titles.

        - Sony Bravia HDTVs will be Netflix-ready coming this Fall.  Their internet-ready devices can also access: Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, CBS and other content providers.

       - Vizio will be partnering up with VUDU. This service currently offers over 1,000 DVD titles at HDX 1080p. Yes Vizio. Surprisingly enough, this “entry-level” television company will have Wi-Fi enabled TV sets coming November. These sets will feature web applications such as Pandora Radio and include a full keyboard!

7/30/09

[Right Now]

     Summer is full bloom and the outdoors are the great place to entertain. I found a nice solution for outdoor grilling with limited space, perfect here in Southern California. This is the new folding barbeque by Rocal, the PLEK 66.

     We don’t sell this piece but feel free to browse the website, click HERE.

    And a couple days away, August is expecting some products to look forward to:

- Panasonic has been "Crowned King of the Plasmas", their newest line will be releasing a 58” and 65” sometime next month, click HERE.

- A new 1080p projector for only $999! Vivitek will be releasing their new H1080FD.

6/24/09

[Again.]

    I wrote about it last time, so here we are again. The new iPhones are out! The new phones are faster, have a video recorder, compass, better camera, better control, larger hard-drive, voice control, cut-copy-paste, longer battery, and they’re cheaper!
    If you already have an iPhone 3G, the latest 3.0 software release will add cut-copy-paste as well as some other features, for 100 bucks more, the new phones are here. Apple 3G[s].   


5/20/09
[FREE installation!]

    If your whole-house music system choice brand is Russound, I’ve got some good news. You will now be able to control your music system, zones, volume, sources, & view all your cover-art and metadata right from your iPhone or from the iPod touch.
    Russound has just released a new product to make this happen… the Touchpoint will be shipping mid June. The past few years we’ve been able to control our computers' audio files and other home systems with our Apple devices, now Russound is right in the game.
    As a celebration of this new product, we’re offering free installation to all our customers who are quick to order. This offer stands so long as this article is the newest article here on the website, don’t miss out! (You see that button to the left < labeled contact? that’s where you should be).


4/10/09
[Have you been to Babcock Ranch?]

    It isn’t built yet, but Babcock Ranch is located in Florida. This “Ranch” is planned to be the “first city in the world powered by clean, renewable solar energy.”
    Every building, streetlight, grocery store and gas station (ha), will be powered by solar energy. By “gas-station” I really mean there will be community-wide recharging stations for electric vehicles. These stations will be powered by, that’s right, solar energy.
    Once this city is built, it should be a groundbreaking example for builders and communities throughout the country. I actually passed my first electric vehicle heading southbound on the 5 freeway two days ago. The car was followed by a larger truck (with lights for protection) and it wasn’t the best looking vehicle, but it shows the technology is alive and ready to spread.
    Shaun Woods, our main collaborating electrician for Wave Connects, is right in the game and has already been offering alternative energy. Talk to us about your solar project, OR… click below and link to Shaun's website –
                                                                             

3/30/09
[New Decals!]

    The title says it all, we got a new logo to work with. Keep your eyes peeled for this logo on our work vehicles, they'll be out there!
    I've grown up near the beach and surfing my entire life so this logo is that much more satisfying. Thanks to: Our lead technician Robyn Finchum for drawing up the design, Joel Deskin for laying it out to a printable file, and Matt Kriegel for hooking up the prints. Thanks everyone!


2/20/09
[Pioneers Exit]

    Pioneer recently had a surprising announcement of its plans to exit the plasma production. They have spent close to a Billion dollars on four plasma TV manufacturing plants and have been the leader in picture quality among flat-panel displays.
    Last year (see below article from Jan/2008), Fujitsu, another high-end Plasma manufacturer, decided to exit the market and leave Pioneer to carry strong. Soon after, Pioneer launched its premier “Project Kuro” line promising total black levels and hand’s down consumer choice for picture quality. 
    Pioneer will now be buying its plasma panels from Panasonic, a former competitor, and its LCD panels from Sharp. Both Panasonic and Sharp have been on top of the technological edge in these two departments so this move will be exciting to watch. 


1/11/09
[The Greener the Better]

    Energy Star labels energy efficient TV’s based on the amount of electricity they use when the display is off (standby mode). Energy Star qualified TV’s use about 30% less energy than standard units.
    Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new standards for Energy Star certification. If you’re looking for a new TV that meets current standards, the Energy Star certification is version 3.
    Because of the technology involved in illumination (when the TV is on), plasma displays traditionally use more energy than do LCDs. Plasma screens are made of pixels, each of which has an individual light source that gets illuminated as needed. An LCD always has a backlight illuminating the entire screen. To create a picture, LCDs block light from getting through to certain pixels, and this steady source of power explains the energy consumption difference (it also explains the better black-levels found with plasma).
    Plasma energy ratings have been steadily increasing for the better. Although LCDs still are reputed to be more energy efficient, there are in fact some plasmas that meet the latest Energy Star specs. These include models by Hitachi, LG, Panasonic, and Pioneer.


11/14/08
[What Else Can These Remotes Do?]

    Universal Remote Control has just added a few new products and a few new features to their entire professional product line. I’m not sure where to start, how about lights?
    Lutron Electronics and URC (Universal Remote Control) have paired up to establish native lighting control from URC’s line of remotes. Scene setting, away modes, dimming presets, RF-control, its all here! If you’ve been tentative about installing whole-house lighting control because of it’s initial exorbitant costs, this is a great starting solution, one dimmer at a time.
    The new remote, the MX-6000:
    This thing is much more than just a theater remote… Paired with the new iPod integration media dock, we now will be streaming right from your computers' hard-drive directly to your entertainment center, display, speakers, AND to the touch-screen remote you’re holding in your hands! (so long as it’s the MX-6000). “Everything you’ve downloaded, from podcasts to music videos, movies and TV shows is selectable on the screen of the MX-6000”.
    For a personal music server, all your cover-art displays on the remotes screen, there’s a click-wheel (like your iPod), and there’s extra features I’m sure Apple would have included on their iPod had the “screen real estate” been there for it. 
    Yesterday, at the training session I was lucky enough to win the raffle for this iPod media docking station (which isn’t being sold yet). This is one of those fun things I need to install ASAP. We hope to have it set up somewhere, before it’s even on the shelf for other installers. 


10/15/08
[A Solar Creation]

    Open Energy Corporation of Solana Beach yesterday released an innovative solar panel solution for homes running solar power. A four-foot 48-watt roofing panel was designed to overcome one of the biggest hurdles people face when deciding to switch to solar power… aesthetics.
    The panel is available in three colors: slate gray, brown, and terra cotta. “The tiles and the frame can be matched with the roofing tile to blend seamlessly to provide an elegant solution to a solar installation.”
    Besides the aesthetic appeal, these panels claim to be easier to install and maintain. They are lightweight, have fewer electrical connections, AND provide more wattage and higher installed efficiency.    
    Open Energy is also in the midst of developing a dedicated touch-screen device for tracking solar panel and home energy usage, including gas and water usage. Click HERE to visit Open Energy’s website.


9/1/08
[Newspaper TV]

    (Sometimes) it would be nice to be able to roll up your television like a newspaper and bring it with you wherever you go. The next generation televisions may just have the answer, not so far off and still in the making,  there’s potential for… Newspaper TV.
    CRT Televisions have stepped aside to LCD and Plasmas, who’s next? OLED, “the future of television”. OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. The same natural biological phenomenon that puts the fire in fireflies, plankton and many sea-creatures will be the same phenomenon lighting your TV!
    This phenomenon, or now… technology, has many benefits over LCD and Plasma displays: Brighter, faster, cheaper, thinner, environmentally friendlier, lighter, shock repellant (and they could be rolled up like a newspaper).
    They are brighter than any back-lit passive technology and react faster to changes in signal than plasmas or LCDs (full-motion video shouldn’t be much bothered by motion blur). They are lighter, virtually impervious to shock and twisting forces, they have a much greater operating temperature range, thinner (much thinner), and much better for off-axis viewing. 
    Their biggest issue is the limited lifetime of the organic materials used. OLED’s typical lifetime is around 14,000 hours. This translates to five years at eight hours a day. The average LCD lifetime is currently around 60,000 hours.
    Sony currently has up to 27” models (claiming 1,000,000:1 contrast ratios) and Samsung has developed a 40” prototype. Still some hurdles to leap and some time to come, but this ancient phenomenon will be sure to make a stunning comeback, just imagine the applications (or scroll down to the “Electric Paper” article from 6/1/07 below).


7/15/08
[Newer is Always Better Usually.]
       
    The new iPhones are here! They were released three days ago at half the price of the last version. I still have the original iPhone I purchased for $400 a year ago. New and improved, the latest ones offer faster network connections, real GPS, and are priced down to $200. The question I ask myself is… should I have waited? Without a doubt, NO!
    With technology, everything is constantly evolving. Blu-ray players, HDMI components, Satellite TV, Internet, you name it. This past year I’ve had with my iPhone by dishing out a couple hundred dollars more has saved me time, gained me user knowledge, organized my contact lists, made things much easier, everyday. (plus I had an iPhone).

- Anyone waiting for even the next iPhone? ... Don't.
- Waiting for the next Blu-ray players? Right now you’re missing out on             valuable high definition movie watching experiences.
- Waiting for the next, better, simpler satellite dish solution from Direct TV?     Oh wait, it was just released has many problems right now.
- Waiting for the next, cheaper, flatter, flat-panel? Maybe wait ten years,         and then it will just be a fiber-enriched paint on the wall. In ten years,         we’ll be waiting for 5-d, screen-less, movie rooms with scent effects (I’m     just making things up now).

- Anyhow, the new iPhones are out. The next ones will probably be better.


5/12/08
[New Product = Nice Keypad]
                       
    Russound just started shipping it’s new Elite Sphere product line. This system offers many new customizable features and some good-looking keypads. We are one of the few proudly certified dealers for this new product line. Click on either above keypad, or HERE to view more.


4/16/08
[Cyberspace-Cadets]

    Since it’s launch in 2003, Apple iTunes Music Store has become the largest U.S. music retailer. They’ve sold over 4 billion songs to more than 50 million customers. Internet speeds are accommodating and consumers seem to be migrating to digital downloads while companies try and keep with the pace. Last week, MySpace formed a joint venture with three major record companies. Universal, Sony BMG, & Warner Music will all make their entire catalogues available for downloading on a “revamped MySpace Music site later this year”.
    Other news: Blu-ray has won... period. Or comma? Their next defeat, which may not be a fair or far off battle, will be against VoD (Video on Demand). Once Internet TV comes to stage, this new era of cyberspace consumers will undoubtably be yearning for more.
  -   Battling on, HDMI vs. Component vs..

    HDMI has been struggling for years with flaws, formats, and copyright protection issues. As version 1.3 nears a soluble climax for this cable, a new contender may be entering the scene. DisplayPort, a cable developed primarily for the PC sector, has recently injected its way into the Consumer Electronics world. There’s some skepticism as well as some future for this alternative as companies such as Dell, Pioneer, and Samsung all appear to be “toying with the idea”. Component Video still stands strong…


2/15/08
[Click and Link]

    Lutron has a new addition to their website. Click HERE and link to their new interactive energy-saving calculator webpage. Controlled lights and lights on dimmers saves the environment, and your money…


2/11/08
[Blu-ray’s Battle]

    After years of debate, we may finally have a clear picture of where the DVD industry stands in the high definition format battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
    A couple hours ago, Netflix, Inc., the world’s largest online movie rental service, has taken Blu-ray’s side for battle. From now on, they will be exclusively stocking high definition DVD’s in the Blu-ray format.
    Blu-ray, created by Sony, is backed by Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, and others. Netflix hoping on the wagon isn’t surprising. Currently HD-DVD (created by Toshiba), still has Universal and Paramount Pictures on its side.


1/5/08
[Farewell Fujitsu]

    Fujitsu has been manufacturing top-of-the-line plasma displays since it introduced the first color plasma display monitor in 1992. Recently, Fujitsu released to the public that they will be exiting the plasma display market coming March of 2008. Intense competition from LCD TVs and increasing price pressures can be blamed. The company isn’t going out of business, instead they will be focusing on “heating and ventilation equipment instead”, they will still be honoring their three-year warranty.
    If you are interested in purchasing a Fujitsu, let us know sooner than later (like right now), we still have a limited amount in stock. If you are looking for comparable quality, it seems as though Pioneer is the only company pushing the plasma envelope anymore.


12/3/07
[Air-wave Auction?]

    Four days ago, Google officially announced they will be bidding on the 700MHz auction. There’s much speculation as to how much they are bidding, will they partner to do it, will they win, and if so, what will they do with it.
    The 700MHz spectrum, owned by broadcasters, has been used for analog television for many years. Due to its broadcast-attractive physics (like its ability to penetrate walls), this spectrum is desirable for both broadband communications in general and public-safety uses in particular. February 2009, is the date set for the spectrum to be reclaimed by the U.S. government and reallocated for public safety and commercial broadband networks. At the same time, all television signals must finally become digital.
    Digital signals makes much more efficient use of the spectrum by heavily compressing the signal. Since digital TV uses less bandwidth for the same number of channels than analog, this leaves some spare for the government to sell off.
    Click HERE to read about what Google may have in mind.

10/16/07
[Good News for Old Homes]
 
    Who ever thought of using the existing powerlines to run an entire whole-house music system? Russound, that’s who. They will soon be releasing their new “Avenue” system which does just that!
    HomePlug technology has been around since 2001 networking over AC outlets. This Avenue system plugs into the home outlets for powering both speakers (20 watts/channel) and the zone keypad or touchscreen. Just imagine the retrofit applications, good news for old homes… 

9/10/07
[Finally, a Rack-Mounted Receiver]

    Direct TV is soon to release their newest creation, a rack-mountable, good-looking, high definition digital video recorder. The HR21 Pro series HD DVR will be capable of recording 100 hours of high definition programming. It incorporates optical HDMI outputs for lengthy wire runs, RS232 for remote control and may be the industries first for outputting 1080p signal!
    There doesn’t seem to be any over-the-air antenna input (which could be a huge disappointment for some), besides that, it’s looking pretty nice. 

8/28/07
[uTube Yamaha]

    I thought this was funny. Last September (scroll down below) I wrote about Yamahas’ digital sound projectors. Click HERE to watch a quick ‘how it works’ video explanation.
    Coming October, Yamaha will release their latest DSP... the YSP-4000. Among some added features are HDMI up-conversion and built-in radio tuner. Click HERE to learn more.

7/20/07
[Shirts]

    We have shirts! Various colors, the above image shows the back, and a small logo above the front pocket. Let us know if you'd like one, free to customers or five bucks for non-patrons. Right now we're having a "non-patron sale"... three for the price of three!

7/5/07
[U-verse San Diego]
    
    Exactly one month ago, AT&T began offering their new U-verse IPTV and high speed internet service to certain areas of San Diego. This fiber rich network to Internet Protocol (IP)-based service offers over 24 high definition channels as well as the fastest Internet around.
    This service is dependent of fiber optic cabling in the streets to your area. If your home isn’t wired with fiber, don’t worry. Cat5e wire (copper) is sufficient once the signal is brought to your home. The internet service works wirelessly (for those with no home pre-wiring).
    Learn more about U-verse by clicking HERE.

6/1/07
[Electric Paper]

    Last week Sony released a “razor-thin” display that bends like paper and show full-color video. Although they haven’t yet decided what to do with the technology there are many ideas surfacing. I would bet this technology soon will be a regular sighting on street signs, lampposts, used as wall-paper, clothing, the list goes on.
    Some challenges right now are bringing down production costs while increasing durability and size. Currently they have a 2.5” display at a slim 0.2mm thick. The material is a combination of “Sony’s organic thin film transistor, which is required to make flexible displays, and organic electroluminescent display.” Other companies such as LG, Phillips and Seiko are also working on similar kinds of “electronic paper”. Click HERE to watch the video Sony released.

4/28/07
[One Second Movies]

    IBM recently released a new chipset that is capable tackling speeds over eight times faster than optical components available today. Potentially this means a full-length HD movie could be downloaded from the internet in less than a second! ‘Prototype chipset =160 gigabits per second.’
    Undoubtedly for this to become mainstream, we’d need fiber optics available at the doorsteps of households across the world. Then it would be up to Time Warner, Cox cable, etc. to figure out ways to pump out this amazing speed. Check the press release for details – IBM.

4/10/07
[Lights Controllers See]
 
    Leviton Lighting just released Vizia, a new RF lighting control system. This system is based on Z-Wave control technology utilizing an intelligent Mesh network topology. Simultaneously, Home Automation Inc. (HAI) brought us a Vizia RF integration module for two-way communication between the two systems. This HAI/Leviton combo is the first integrated solution to fully grasp the two-way capabilities of the Z-Wave protocol.
    An HAI controller sends commands to the Vizia dimmers, and the changes are reflected back at the HAI touch-screen (or any Web browser coupled with an IP interface from HAI). At the same time, the Vizia dimmers track the changes of state via LED’s on the wallplate. Before this, no other third-party controller communicated two-way with Z-wave control products.

3/20/07
[iPod better video]

    The sixth generation iPods are here! They’ve actually been here for over a month but I finally had the experience of viewing iPod video on some 50” plasmas last night, not too bad.
    These new iPods can handle video output resolutions of 640 by 480 at 30 frames per second, this is double what it was before! It’s not high definition but it’s much, much better than how it was… it looks better than any VCR I know of. The future of video looks promising for the world of DVRs (digital video recorders). 

2/20/07
[Picture Pioneer]

    Last year, Pioneer was in the process of commandeering manufacturing factories previously used by Sony and other companies who discontinued their plasma lines. Then, they were a difficult product to acquire. Now, past the transition, they should be readily available to everyone who can appreciate their superior craftsmanship.
    Hands down, Pioneer produces some of the finest plasma pictures around. This “fact” is due to many reasons. I’ll scratch the surface of two:
1)    Crystal Emissive Layer – Generally, plasmas look bad in a bright room. Ambient light invades the screen and bleeds out the color. Pioneer has found a fix to this. This Crystal Emissive Layer between the glass and the light cells allows each cell to charge and discharge three times faster than before. The display is more energy efficient and at the same time improves light efficiency by 20%. Cutting down reflections for truer images in a bright room. Blacker blacks, brighter colors, etc. Go ahead and tap the screen of a non-Pioneer plasma, it sounds hollow. This is where light gets trapped. A Pioneer plasma will sound solid & look solid.
2)    Deep Encased Cell Structure – Isolating each plasma cell in its own four-walled structure minimizes light leakage. This technique is patented only for Pioneer. With their improved red and blue phosphors, the result is outstanding clarity, color and brightness. The plasma will stay brighter, longer.
    Those two reasons aren’t all. Some other contributors are: New First-Surface Pure Color Filter, higher standards than the NTSC standard, Pure Drive II, all around attention to detail and superior craftsmanship.
    Now available in 42”, 50”, 60”. Still in the making is their 70” which won’t be available for another year or so.

12/22/06
[Small Camera Sees A-lot]
          
    Axis recently released a new camera into its product line. It’s the 212 PTZ (Pan/Tilt/Zoom) network camera. This camera sounds pretty good but I haven’t had any first hand experience with it, so click HERE to learn what I know.
Happy Holidays!!

12/8/06
[BIG NEWS!... not really]

    California State License Board bonding requirement will be increasing as of January 1st 2007 to $12,500. Up $2,500 from it’s past 10Gs. Thought I’d mention that Wave Connects is already covered for this. I’ll also mention that in addition, we are fully insured, so don’t worry.
    Also, click HERE, or the above picture to read about an interesting sting operation here in San Diego.

11/30/06
[Dish + camera/cable = need new wire]
              
    All the new satellite dishes using five LNBs will no longer allow for diplexing (combining antennae or camera feeds with the satellite feeds). This is due to the new satellite dishes/receivers utilizing a frequency, overlapping that of cable/camera feeds/etc.
    Before, the signal could easily be separated and shared on the same line with the cable signal, not so now. Go figure… I couldn’t find a good answer why the satellite engineers did this, when/if I do, I’ll be sure and post it here. 

10/5/06
[Two-way-communication]

    Universal Remote Controls just introduced their new MSC-400 into their professional product line. This piece is very similar to Destiny Network’s, the Domain 3000. Both provide two-way communication for your remote control system.
        Properly setup, the MSC-400 knows what device (television/dvd- player/etc.) is powered on and what is off. It also knows what device is supposed to be on or off and it automatically corrects any problems.
    Those times when you press the “watch TV” button to turn on your entire system, only to have your plasma not turn on but everything else, are over. This thing will know that the plasma didn’t turn on, so it corrects the problem. Another fun example would be having an X-box with your system. Turn the X-box on and the rest of your system fires up. Nice.

    This MSC-400 is currently compatible with the following remotes, all by Universal Remote Controls: MX-900, TX-1000, MX-950, MX-3000
Click HERE to learn more.

9/26/06
[Yamaha – some new stuff]
      
     Today Yamaha released some new products. Among them are the RXV-2700 receiver and the YSP-1100 sound projector speaker.
    This receiver is meant to replace the RXV-2600, featuring 1080p compatible HDMI, up-scaling, i-Pod compatibility, XM-ready, upgraded cinema DSP, further zone control for up to three independent audio zones and network receiver functions. It can also seamlessly be integrated with Yamaha’s MusicCAST home audio network system.
    The up-scaling uses Anchor-Bay Technologies scaler engine (same as DVD-O). It can adjust the picture horizontally and vertically to 1080i eliminating those stupid sidebars associated with 4:3 picture broadcasts on a 16:9 display.
    The optional i-Pod dock will play your i-Pod music and video through to your system. You can control your i-Pod with a remote browsing through artists/genres/etc. while viewing the menu right on the screen (Pioneer’s VSX-9110 also has this feature).
    Anyhow, this receiver is pretty rad, but if you just have a home theater without the 2nd or 3rd zone of audio and you don’t need to easily listen to your i-Pod in this room, I’d still recommend the old RXV-2600 and save a few bucks. Retail on the RXV-2700 is $1,600 (our price isn’t that high).
    The Intellibeam (YSP-1100) is a step up from the YSP-1000. I wouldn’t recommend this setup for your main theater, but maybe a bedroom or a smaller application. The size varies from fitting a 37” and above to a 42” and above. This thing actually has 42 mini speakers built into it to produce the sound, which, after setup correctly, projects and reflects off walls to reproduce a virtual 5 speaker surround system (5.1 with an optional subwoofer). It works too, I’ve set up a bunch of the YSP-1000’s and they do sound good.     The 1100 has a  ‘my beam” setting, meaning it can direct the sound within a two foot range to an individual location. Sound outside this beam is 1/4th the volume. So your wife can sleep in bed next to you while you get blasted with the beam. The new thing on the 1100 is being able to focus the beam directly at you simply by pointing the remote at the unit and pressing a button.
    For more Yamaha products and info click HERE.
   
9/10/06
[HD-DVD?]

    It's here! Recently, Toshiba started their High Definition DVD-player line. The same size HD-DVD holds about 24 times as much information as Regular DVD's can. This ability is contributed to a more efficient storage compression (usually MPEG-4) and the tracks/pits on the disc are burned closer together.     In order to read these compacted files, a blue/violet laser is used instead of the traditional red laser (Blue/Violet is narrower because of a shorter wavelength). So for those of you with a HD-display larger than 36", this may be something you should consider. The downside right now (besides the cost), is there are a limited number of HD-DVD's out there.

8/11/06
[The Philips Remote issue]
      
The following is part of a recent e-mail correspondence:

- “I noticed Philips has something that is 1/2 the cost. I have
no idea if it is any good.
Philips USA RC9800i Universal remote control”
Response:
- “I used to sell Philips remotes, they make some less expensive touch-screens. However, after years of programming them I realized that about 80 percent of them would crash out and be completely disappointing. As of two weeks ago, I will never sell a Philips remote again.”

    We apologize to any customers inconvenienced by one of these Philips remotes (particularly the TSU3500/TSU3000). All too often we found corrupted codes in the pre-programmed database, causing the remote to glitch and crash all very often. Unfortunately, Philips could offer no remedy. The “never” in, "Never sell again" was written to emphasize how deeply disappointed I am in their remotes. Presently, and until the issue is resolved, I will not sell any Philips remotes, sorry Philips fans.
    Check the following links to some good remotes:
Universal Remote Control
Remote Technologies Inc.

5/1/06
[Direct TV local HD new Dish]
-The old dish   -The new dish (we painted)