How many of us have seen the Cat5e Ethernet (RJ45) plug on the back of their AV equipment? This includes televisions, Blu-Ray players, satellite receivers, and some AV receivers. How many of us have taken the time to connect our equipment to our home network? If you have not done this yet YOU ARE MISSING OUT on many added features available to you from your new high tech equipment! There are many uses including any of the following: downloading IP based movies, streaming content from your PC (NAS), web browsing, instant weather, BD Live, RSS feeds to your TV screen, etc... It is the simplest yet the most overlooked enhancement you can do for your home entertainment center. Sure, at first I did not hook up mine upon first seeing the availability, but I will never overlook this simple, value add connection again. It is added to all of our installations no matter how small the job.
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What could be better than Blu-Ray? (read on for the answer!)
I am currently not using a Blu-Ray player for my 1080p movie playback. Although I regularly enjoy renting 1080p movies and watching them on my home theater all the time.
The time has come for everyone to stop thinking of blu-ray as the ultimate in hi-def video.
Really!!!
Have you ever stopped your BD-java blu-ray player and tried to resume the movie at the same point where you stopped? What's up with that, why doesn't the resume function work? I think you would have better luck winning the lottery than you would successfully resuming your stopped blu-ray at the same point where you originally halted playback. The explanation for this failure comes from Don Eklund at Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). He writes, "the reason the resume feature does not work in BD-java Blu-Ray players is because the player gives control to the java program to navigate the content. As such, the player cannot execute its own operation (like resume) without causing problems in running the java program."
Well that's real smart. Perhaps I'll try bookmarking instead to resume playback, except then I'll first have to run through the previews, FBI warning, and other stuff before I will arrive at the menu where I can select that feature (there goes that idea).
OK, this blog is not about the short comings of blu-ray players, it is about ditching your circular, shinny HD disks and start streaming. Why should you do that? So you can say you are on the technologically advanced bandwagon? Is this just another format war? No, because blu-ray is just a "stop gap" measure anyway, it is just a band aide. I can assure you blu-ray is the last disk format we will ever see.
What could be better than renting or buying 1080p movies from the comfort of your sofa? What could be better than choosing from approximately 13,000 SD and HD combined available movie titles? What could be better than not having to return the movie when you are done? What could be better than keeping the rented movie for 30 days before you decide to begin watching it? What could be better than not having to organize and store hundreds of plastic movie cases. Sorry, you get the idea.
So what the heck am I talking about? I am talking about Vudu. http://www.vudu.com/
Vudu offers two basic types of 1080p movie players, the VBX100 and the VBX1000. From here after we will only be discussing the VBX1000 which has a 1TB hard drive for movie storage. This is the only 1080p movie player I have personally used in the past 3 months. The 1TB hard drive allows consumers to save their purchased movies to the hard drive where the purchased movies can be stored indefinitely. One advantage here is that users can travel with their vudu movie player and take up to 50 titles with them on the hard drive (yes, you can buy HD movies too). Users can also enjoy YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, and Picasa from their vudu labs tab on the movie player user interface.
The UI allows users to search for movies by title, actor, and director, etc....
So are all of the latest movies available? Yes, in fact, the day Twilight was released on DVD and blu-ray, Twilight was also available for rent or purchase on Vudu!!!
The retail price for the VBX1000 is $499 and comes with an RF remote and an HDMI cable. This is quite a deal when compared to similar priced blu-ray players which do not include a mass storage device.
One cool feature on the RF remote is the intuitive scroll wheel. During movie playback, users can scroll back to a point in the movie which they wanted to watch again. This also allows to user to navigate the UI without the need to look at the remote for the select button etc...
They offer an IR remote sensor for use with mainstream "all-in-one" remote controls. Additionally they is also a wireless kit, in case you have not figured it out, the vudu box does need to be connected to your broadband cable modem or router. the wireless kit is a matched pair consisting of one transmitter and one receiver. No configuration is needed, it is really plug and play for the wireless kit. Whether you go with the wireless kit or not, 4.0 Mbps is the required bandwidth to enjoy instant HD movies.
More info on the VBX1000 can be found here:
http://hometheater.vudu.com/products_VBX1000.html
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
The time has come for everyone to stop thinking of blu-ray as the ultimate in hi-def video.
Really!!!
Have you ever stopped your BD-java blu-ray player and tried to resume the movie at the same point where you stopped? What's up with that, why doesn't the resume function work? I think you would have better luck winning the lottery than you would successfully resuming your stopped blu-ray at the same point where you originally halted playback. The explanation for this failure comes from Don Eklund at Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). He writes, "the reason the resume feature does not work in BD-java Blu-Ray players is because the player gives control to the java program to navigate the content. As such, the player cannot execute its own operation (like resume) without causing problems in running the java program."
Well that's real smart. Perhaps I'll try bookmarking instead to resume playback, except then I'll first have to run through the previews, FBI warning, and other stuff before I will arrive at the menu where I can select that feature (there goes that idea).
OK, this blog is not about the short comings of blu-ray players, it is about ditching your circular, shinny HD disks and start streaming. Why should you do that? So you can say you are on the technologically advanced bandwagon? Is this just another format war? No, because blu-ray is just a "stop gap" measure anyway, it is just a band aide. I can assure you blu-ray is the last disk format we will ever see.
What could be better than renting or buying 1080p movies from the comfort of your sofa? What could be better than choosing from approximately 13,000 SD and HD combined available movie titles? What could be better than not having to return the movie when you are done? What could be better than keeping the rented movie for 30 days before you decide to begin watching it? What could be better than not having to organize and store hundreds of plastic movie cases. Sorry, you get the idea.
So what the heck am I talking about? I am talking about Vudu. http://www.vudu.com/
Vudu offers two basic types of 1080p movie players, the VBX100 and the VBX1000. From here after we will only be discussing the VBX1000 which has a 1TB hard drive for movie storage. This is the only 1080p movie player I have personally used in the past 3 months. The 1TB hard drive allows consumers to save their purchased movies to the hard drive where the purchased movies can be stored indefinitely. One advantage here is that users can travel with their vudu movie player and take up to 50 titles with them on the hard drive (yes, you can buy HD movies too). Users can also enjoy YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, and Picasa from their vudu labs tab on the movie player user interface.
The UI allows users to search for movies by title, actor, and director, etc....
So are all of the latest movies available? Yes, in fact, the day Twilight was released on DVD and blu-ray, Twilight was also available for rent or purchase on Vudu!!!
The retail price for the VBX1000 is $499 and comes with an RF remote and an HDMI cable. This is quite a deal when compared to similar priced blu-ray players which do not include a mass storage device.
One cool feature on the RF remote is the intuitive scroll wheel. During movie playback, users can scroll back to a point in the movie which they wanted to watch again. This also allows to user to navigate the UI without the need to look at the remote for the select button etc...
They offer an IR remote sensor for use with mainstream "all-in-one" remote controls. Additionally they is also a wireless kit, in case you have not figured it out, the vudu box does need to be connected to your broadband cable modem or router. the wireless kit is a matched pair consisting of one transmitter and one receiver. No configuration is needed, it is really plug and play for the wireless kit. Whether you go with the wireless kit or not, 4.0 Mbps is the required bandwidth to enjoy instant HD movies.
More info on the VBX1000 can be found here:
http://hometheater.vudu.com/products_VBX1000.html
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Consumer demand vs. Salesman push
Jerry Del Colliano of HomeTheaterReview.com wrote a great article about how AV brands look to dealers to "push" their products over creating new consumer demand. A link to the full article is below.
Here is a direct quote from his article: "Many companies looking for an easy way out of marketing their products to consumers think that salespeople control every element of what a consumer buys and can therefore push the company's products or brands, as opposed to the company itself presenting consumers with a compelling reason for purchasing their products and thus driving them to the retailer"
I couldn't agree with Jerry more! Most consumers want AV equipment which sounds great and looks good at a reasonable price. They perhaps also "expect" the salesperson is going to recommend something which the average consumer will recognize.
As a consumer you may go to your local specialty AV store and are seeking to part with $1200 for a pair of speakers, after all, there is comfort in spending $1200 for a recognizable brand of speakers. Not saying here that a recognizable brand is providing you more bang for your buck. I'm just saying that consumers are more willing to part with their cash if they are comfortable with their purchase. Now an educated salesperson will certainly provide and explain to the consumer why brand xyz is a better and valid investment over what the buyer was originally interested in.... and the salesperson will pitch the logic behind their personal recommendation. Yes, it is up to the salesperson to meet and deliver the individual needs of each consumer, and to provide equipment that meets or exceeds the consumers criteria. But all things being equal (and that is the important part), the final sale will almost certainly lean towards the brand recognition. I am not opposed to pushing a set of SpeakerCraft speakers, I love them, they are very robust in design, sound great and I have never had a complaint. Now try selling them to an average consumer that has never heard of SpeakerCraft. I spec them into almost every proposal because they are a proven source of quality, affordable custom speakers. I take the time to explain their history, market share, and warranty info. Now open any Home Theater magazine, or go to any Home Theater website or domain, you rarely see any mention of SpeakerCraft either online or in print. This creates somewhat of a "burden" on the salesperson, who does think the brands they carry are market proven, quality tested and un-matched in value, this is why they offer them. The salesperson must now (usually in minutes) pitch a marketing campaign equal to the marketing campaign the consumer has been listening to or seeing in magazines for years on competing products.
Good job Jerry, you were right on!
Jerry's full article can be found here
Marc
http://www.hometheaterintegrators.com/
Here is a direct quote from his article: "Many companies looking for an easy way out of marketing their products to consumers think that salespeople control every element of what a consumer buys and can therefore push the company's products or brands, as opposed to the company itself presenting consumers with a compelling reason for purchasing their products and thus driving them to the retailer"
I couldn't agree with Jerry more! Most consumers want AV equipment which sounds great and looks good at a reasonable price. They perhaps also "expect" the salesperson is going to recommend something which the average consumer will recognize.
As a consumer you may go to your local specialty AV store and are seeking to part with $1200 for a pair of speakers, after all, there is comfort in spending $1200 for a recognizable brand of speakers. Not saying here that a recognizable brand is providing you more bang for your buck. I'm just saying that consumers are more willing to part with their cash if they are comfortable with their purchase. Now an educated salesperson will certainly provide and explain to the consumer why brand xyz is a better and valid investment over what the buyer was originally interested in.... and the salesperson will pitch the logic behind their personal recommendation. Yes, it is up to the salesperson to meet and deliver the individual needs of each consumer, and to provide equipment that meets or exceeds the consumers criteria. But all things being equal (and that is the important part), the final sale will almost certainly lean towards the brand recognition. I am not opposed to pushing a set of SpeakerCraft speakers, I love them, they are very robust in design, sound great and I have never had a complaint. Now try selling them to an average consumer that has never heard of SpeakerCraft. I spec them into almost every proposal because they are a proven source of quality, affordable custom speakers. I take the time to explain their history, market share, and warranty info. Now open any Home Theater magazine, or go to any Home Theater website or domain, you rarely see any mention of SpeakerCraft either online or in print. This creates somewhat of a "burden" on the salesperson, who does think the brands they carry are market proven, quality tested and un-matched in value, this is why they offer them. The salesperson must now (usually in minutes) pitch a marketing campaign equal to the marketing campaign the consumer has been listening to or seeing in magazines for years on competing products.
Good job Jerry, you were right on!
Jerry's full article can be found here
Marc
http://www.hometheaterintegrators.com/
Thursday, February 19, 2009
March 2009 Consumer Reports - Best TV's
So the new Consumer Reports is now on the newsstands. Here is a brief listing of the top televisions in each category from Consumer Reports March 2009. The full story offers advice for the movie lover, budget buyer, sports fan, and techie. The 7 page article proves to be a good resource for those who may not be tech savvy and those who have seen and used many models first hand. It is not too technical but still offers sound advice from people who do know this stuff.
Plasma review:
58"and larger range
#1 Samsung PN58A550 ($3,200 list)
#2 Pioneer PDP-6020FD ($5,500 list)
50" range
#1 Samsung PN50A550 ($1,600 list)
#2 Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD ($5,000 list)
LCD review:
52" and larger range
#1 Samsung LN52A650 ($2,200 list)
#2 Samsung LN52A750 ($2,600 list)
46" range
#1 Samsung LN46A850 ($2,240 list)
#2 Samsung LN46A550 ($1,500 list)
40" range
#1 Samsung LN40A630 ($1,400 list)
#2 Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR7 ($2,700 list)
Informative video offering a basic understanding can be found on the CR website by following the link below: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/march-2009/electronics-computers/tvs/overview/tvs-ov.htm
Marc
http://www.hometheaterintegrators.com/
Plasma review:
58"and larger range
#1 Samsung PN58A550 ($3,200 list)
#2 Pioneer PDP-6020FD ($5,500 list)
50" range
#1 Samsung PN50A550 ($1,600 list)
#2 Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD ($5,000 list)
LCD review:
52" and larger range
#1 Samsung LN52A650 ($2,200 list)
#2 Samsung LN52A750 ($2,600 list)
46" range
#1 Samsung LN46A850 ($2,240 list)
#2 Samsung LN46A550 ($1,500 list)
40" range
#1 Samsung LN40A630 ($1,400 list)
#2 Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR7 ($2,700 list)
Informative video offering a basic understanding can be found on the CR website by following the link below: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/march-2009/electronics-computers/tvs/overview/tvs-ov.htm
Marc
http://www.hometheaterintegrators.com/
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
AV receiver froze (locked) up
This is a new one for me, went on a service call earlier and arrived to find the client's new Yamaha RX-V563 receiver was just completly locked up. I have owned Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo receivers, all in the $600 - $1000 price range and have never had one freeze up to the point where it would not respond to pressing any of the front panel buttons.
Can this happen from overheating?
BTW, once I un-plugged it and waited about 10 minutes before plugging it back in, it was fine....
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Can this happen from overheating?
BTW, once I un-plugged it and waited about 10 minutes before plugging it back in, it was fine....
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
HDMI signal loss after 40 ft - true or false?
Everyone has heard the HDMI disclaimer; if your HDMI cable run is longer than 40 ft, you will need a booster to avoid signal loss. If this is entirely true, then why do manufactures even make lengths over 40 ft?
I have not personally seen any data supporting this or disputing this, but I will say I do in fact avoid using HDMI in any length beyond the 40 ft mark.
I am just curious if any one has actually seen any data supporting the 40 ft rule?
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
I have not personally seen any data supporting this or disputing this, but I will say I do in fact avoid using HDMI in any length beyond the 40 ft mark.
I am just curious if any one has actually seen any data supporting the 40 ft rule?
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
AV receiver metadata
I just purchased a new Onkyo TX-SR806 AV receiver. I love the features. However, I was a little disappointed with it not offering to display artist and song title across the front display. My two year old car displays the artist and song title, but not my new $900 receiver. I'm guessing my car radio did not cost $900.
Displaying the artist and song info is actually know as RT (radio text) which is a subcategory of RDS (radio data system). From what I have read in the instruction manual, this technology was developed in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It can also be used to categorize the FM station genre. Although not real important to me to have this on the new AV receiver, it seems like a nice feature which was left behind.
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Displaying the artist and song info is actually know as RT (radio text) which is a subcategory of RDS (radio data system). From what I have read in the instruction manual, this technology was developed in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It can also be used to categorize the FM station genre. Although not real important to me to have this on the new AV receiver, it seems like a nice feature which was left behind.
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Home Theater in-wall speakers, the winner is......
First blog, I am interested in discussing which in-wall flush mount speakers perform / sound the best to you?
Being an audiophile, I may never install these for my own system, but I realize the in-wall design has a place for those not driven to seek high performance.
For those who have used them, what manufacturer did you like? What manufacturer didn't you like?
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
Being an audiophile, I may never install these for my own system, but I realize the in-wall design has a place for those not driven to seek high performance.
For those who have used them, what manufacturer did you like? What manufacturer didn't you like?
Marc
www.HomeTheaterIntegrators.com
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