Apr 2010
Onkyo first to introduce a THX-Certified 3D AV Receiver
25/04/10 14:16 Filed in: Home Theater
The TX-SR608 Home Theater receiver by Onkyo is now available and comes with six HDMI inputs. It’s very well specked for its price at $699
All six HDMI 1.4 inputs are capable of passing 3D video, and upscale to 1080p if needed—with one of the inputs conveniently located on the front. All HD audio formats are able to be decoded, and it uses 192kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DACs. Dual subwoofer outputs and 7 x 100W output is a definite upgrade over the previous TX-SR607 model, which had just 90 watts per channel.
Take a look at the press release below for the full line-up of products.
“The new TX-SR608 7.2-channel THX-Select2 Plus certified receiver has new power amplifier section that uses three-stage inverted Darlington output topology, and a power boost from 90 to 100 watts. Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processing has been added to its predecessor's Dolby PLIIz capabilities. Additionally, all video sources, including those using the new PC input, and regardless of source resolution, can be upscaled to big and beautiful 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema™. The TX-SR608 will also include a front HDMI input, a feature first introduced by Onkyo in 2009.”
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Cables To Go Offers WirelessHD Kit
25/04/10 14:15 Filed in: Video
Cables To Go has launched a 60 GHz WirelessHD Kit that the company says wirelessly transmits a true 1080p HDMI signal to a television from HDMI components such as a Blu-ray player, set-top box, computer, or gaming console up to 33 feet, line of sight.
“WirelessHD is on the cusp of huge growth, and the Cables To Go kit with its quality, features and price point is well positioned to be a strong player in the market,” said Gary Hess, vice president of innovation for Lastar, parent company of Cables To Go. “This is true not only for the consumer market, but our relationships and experience in additional vertical markets will help us lead adoption and growth.”
Contact me for more information.
The Kaleidescape Experience
20/04/10 07:54 Filed in: Video | Integrated Media
We are excited to announce that Digital Smart Homes is now an authorized Kaleidescape dealer.
The Kaleidescape System simplifies the way you collect, manage and enjoy movies and music. Once your personal entertainment collection is stored on the Kaleidescape System, you can say goodbye to DVD and CD clutter and the frustration of storing and organizing your movies and music. And, since your Kaleidescape System uses high-speed networking to deliver your favourite movies and music throughout your home, you can instantly access and enjoy them when and where it's convenient for you, your family or your guests. Simply click PLAY, lean back and immediately enjoy the show with your closest friends and family. Learn More
Pioneer Transfered Display Patents to Panasonic
17/04/10 18:06 Filed in: Video
Many videophiles were disappointed when Pioneer withdrew from the Plasma display business last year. The Pioneer Kuro was the standard to beat on all levels of performance. What happen to all that amazing technology and those brilliant engineers that made the Kuro such an elite television? I recently came across Pioneer’s Annual report for 2009, and in it I came across some interesting piece of information. On page 50 of the report it states:
“Transfer of Patents for Plasma Display Panels to
Panasonic Corporation
The Company resolved to transfer its patents for plasma display
panels and modules to Panasonic Corporation at the Board of
Directors’ meeting held on April 28, 2009. The two companies
had executed the agreement on May 15, 2009. This constitutes
part of the business restructuring effort in accordance with plans
for a full withdrawal from the display business.”
I also contacted a representative at Panasonic and was told that many of the engineers where hired by Panasonic and the new 2010 line up of Panasonic plasma displays incorporated many of the patents that were acquired from Pioneer. So does this make Panasonic the new standard? We’ll so far many of the reviews are sure pointing in that direction.
New MacBook Pro's DisplayPort outputs Audio & HDMI
14/04/10 23:34 Filed in: Apple
The updated specs on the New MacBook Pro mini DisplayPort is capable of sending both HDMI and digital audio over one cable giving it multi streaming capabilities and eliminating the need to have two separate cables. This greatly enhances the new MBP’s Front Row application as a media computer that could be incorporated into a Home Theater system. Technically labeled as DisplayPort 1.2, it has double the data rate, now at 21.6 Gps and can handle 3D, colour depths higher than 24-bit and faster frame rates.
Sharp to launch Quattron 3D TV's
12/04/10 18:01 Filed in: Video
Sharp will begin selling 3D capable TV’s by December. It will the worlds only 3D TV’s that use RGBY, Red, Green, Blue and Yellow as the four primary colours vs the standard RGB used by Panasonic, Samsung & Sony. RGBY takes the number of colours that can be displayed into the trillions and will also be significantly brighter than ints competitors. Sharp's 3D LCD will also feature a side-mount scanning LED backlight technology, which reduces crosstalk--an effect in 3D TV’s that can sometimes cause a ghost image to appear onscreen (even when wearing glasses) similar to a double exposure photograph.
Yamaha 3D Receivers are on there way
12/04/10 17:36 Filed in: Home Theater
Yamaha 3D home theatre receivers are expected to be available in mid May. They will support high speed HDMI, also known as 1.4. The RXV567 supports 3D and Audio Return Channel over HDMI while the RXV467 will only support 3D with no Audio Return Channel. It is also capable of bluetooth audio streaming with an optional bluetooth dock. HD Audio format decoding include Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Yamaha’s amazing YPAO automatic system calibration is standard on all receivers. Contact us for more information on the new 67 series of Yamaha 3D receivers.
Broadcast Digital Signage and HD Video Over Coax Cabling
09/04/10 16:52 Filed in: Video
Broadcast HDTV source to every TV in your establishment or home all over your existing RG6 coax cable. “ZeeVee has shattered the cost and deployment barriers for HD video distribution within hotels, airports, restaurants, bars, homes, and everywhere else digital signage or high quality video is shown” The technology is based on the same platform that cable companies rely on to deliver rich HDTV to millions of users and now is available on a more localized level within your establishment. This saves the cost of rewiring or purchasing an HDTV satellite or cable box for each TV saving thousands of dollars and time.
ZvBox
Basically the “ZvBox®” turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, simply tune in the Zv channel at any HD TV.
If your thinking of upgrading your viewing to HDTV at the most cost effective and quickest deployment for your restaurant, bar, hotel, airport, home or anywhere else you may want to broadcast Satellite or Cable HDTV, Bluray, DVD or Digital Signage over your coax, contact me to find out if the ZvBoz will work in your environment.
ZvBox
Basically the “ZvBox®” turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, simply tune in the Zv channel at any HD TV.
- Key Benefits of Coax:
- Proven method: cable companies light up entire cities with it
- Handles up to 135 simultaneous channels
- Already in place in vast majority of buildings
- Easy to deploy and expand coax systems using simple hand tools
- System parts (splitters, amps, etc.) inexpensive and widely available
- Connects to off-the-shelf HDTVs without additional decoder boxes at each TV
If your thinking of upgrading your viewing to HDTV at the most cost effective and quickest deployment for your restaurant, bar, hotel, airport, home or anywhere else you may want to broadcast Satellite or Cable HDTV, Bluray, DVD or Digital Signage over your coax, contact me to find out if the ZvBoz will work in your environment.
3D is “On” across Canada with Bell TV
09/04/10 14:32 Filed in: Satellite TV
Bell clients will have the opportunity to enjoy The Masters Tournament with the new immersive 3D HD technology.
Photo Credit: Reuters/Hans Deryk
Bell TV is pleased to announce that their clients will have an opportunity to enjoy The Masters Tournament with the new immersive 3D HD technology. Bell will broadcast rounds three and four of the 2010 Masters Tournament in 3D HD on April 10th and 11th from 5-7pm EST on Channel 1000.
All of Bell’s HD receivers are capable of managing 3D HD broadcast content. However, clients must also have a 3D HDTV and 3D glasses specified by their TV manufacturer to view 3D HD content. As 3D HD is in its early days, and the reality is that few clients have yet invested in the hardware required in their home for a quality 3D experience, Bell will monitor what 3D HD content is available from our content providers, and will continue to bring 3D coverage to our clients as quality content becomes available.
Contact me today if you are interested in becoming a Bell TV customer.
Photo Credit: Reuters/Hans Deryk
Bell TV is pleased to announce that their clients will have an opportunity to enjoy The Masters Tournament with the new immersive 3D HD technology. Bell will broadcast rounds three and four of the 2010 Masters Tournament in 3D HD on April 10th and 11th from 5-7pm EST on Channel 1000.
All of Bell’s HD receivers are capable of managing 3D HD broadcast content. However, clients must also have a 3D HDTV and 3D glasses specified by their TV manufacturer to view 3D HD content. As 3D HD is in its early days, and the reality is that few clients have yet invested in the hardware required in their home for a quality 3D experience, Bell will monitor what 3D HD content is available from our content providers, and will continue to bring 3D coverage to our clients as quality content becomes available.
Contact me today if you are interested in becoming a Bell TV customer.
Control4 My Home app for iPad
04/04/10 00:22 Filed in: Apple | Home Control
Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announced today the Control4® My Home application for iPad, which was developed in collaboration with Control UI. In a Control4®-enabled smart home, users will be able to access lighting, temperature, music, video, security systems, web cameras and more from an Apple iPad. Available now on the iTunes App Store, the Control4 My Home app has been selected as an Apple staff favourite for iPad apps.
Control4 provides home automation through an extensible operating system that integrates energy using devices and systems in the home, including, audio and video equipment, lighting systems, motorized shades, and security systems. With the new, specially designed Control4 My Home app for iPad, homeowners can use their iPad as an interface to their Control4® system to create personalized experiences such as custom lighting scenes; to conveniently control entertainment systems; or to take advantage of energy savings with programmable thermostats and other ‘green’ settings. Later in the year, homeowners will be able to use Control4 My Home in conjunction with a Control4® 4Sight remote monitoring subscription to turn lights on and off, lock or unlock doors, or access IP video cameras and security systems from the Internet, providing increased home security and peace of mind.
“Consumers want the devices in their home to be integrated and easy to use. The Control4® Operating System is designed to do just that. Many of our customers use touch screens to access their Control4 system and the iPad is a great platform that meets the needs of many homeowners for exactly this task.” said Will West, Chief Executive Officer of Control4. “We think the iPad is an important platform for homeowners looking for a smarter home and believe that when combined with Control4 My Home we will continue to push forward the mainstream adoption of affordable home control technologies that make our lives easier.”
Control4 homeowners can immediately download Control4 My Home for iPad here and authenticate to their Control4 system with a Mobile Navigator license which you can obtain from us at Digital Smart Homes.
For more information on Control4 feel free to contact me or click here
Control4 iPad Screen Shots
Bell TV Confirms 3D Content Before Years End
03/04/10 02:03 Filed in: Satellite TV | Video
A Bell TV spokesperson has announced that if you have a Bell 9141 or a 9242 HD PVR, your setup box is 3D ready! Bell TV will be launching 3D channels as early as years end, starting with PPV Movies and more 3D channels will follow in 2011. BellTV also has the most HD channels in Canada. Of course you will still require a 3D TV and 3D active shutter glasses in order to enjoy the full experience. If you are not a Bell TV subscriber, a 9141/9242 HD PVR is available for as little as $299 NET until July 22nd 2010, installed! Call us for full details.