3D for your home theater

July 21, 2011

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Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit Tahiti, thanks to Peter Lazarus, our manufacturer’s rep for Sim2 projectors.  We enjoyed watching Ultimate Wave Tahiti as Peter demonstrated the latest Sim2 innovation, the LUMIS 3D-SOLO projector.  The experience was superior to any 3D I have watched in commercial theaters.  Peter says, “Anyone who is luke warm on 3D, has not experienced this 3D.”  We all concur.  Sim2’s achievement of a number of engineering goals has resulted in a truly immersive viewing experience.    The real beauty lies in the production of a constant, life like depth of field versus the occasional “pop out” effects. 

This projector, designed for home use in theaters, game rooms and media rooms, features three user modes: 

1. PureMovie. This mode uses DynamicBlack technology to deliver images with the highest contrast ratio and deepest black level. Recommended for movie watching in 2D.

2. PureMotion: Fast-action sports viewing benefits from smooth motion, free from the ‘smear’ and ‘judder’ that can affect image quality.

3. PureMotion 3D: The demands of 3D are such that careful processing must be carried out to ensure artifact-free images are created on-screen. This mode is used when the LUMIS 3D SOLO is being used to view 3D material.

So this is not only the best 3D projector available, it is simply the best projector for all media viewing. 
Download this PDF for more product specifications and… enjoy this (2D) trailer for The Ultimate Wave Tahiti!

More on Energy Management

July 11, 2011

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One of our readers, Derek from Software Advice, sent me this link to an article regarding the benefits of energy management systems for apartment dwellers.  I am providing the link as a follow up to an article I posted a while back regarding Google PowerMeter.  I think the article is informative and emphasizes the point that the real savings of money and energy consumption with these devices comes from the user having access to actionable data.  The device and tracking system arms the consumer with information which hopefully motivates the consumer to make changes and reap the rewards.  I think it is a concept which appeals not only the thrifty,or the eco-aware individuals,  but also to the competitive, goal oriented personalities.  It is worth looking into.

MiniBar

July 8, 2011

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LCR (left, center, right) bars for flat panel TV’s have gained wide popularity in recent years. The LCR bar mounts directly to the top, bottom or sides of a flat panel TV offering high quality, multi-channel audio via a slim unobtrusive unit. This innovation eliminates the need for multiple in-wall or stand-alone speakers.  The best units offer flexible configuration and independent function so the speaker can be used as a center channel, a left/right speaker or as a complete 3 channel system.Audio Enhancement for TV  Our supplier, Bay Audio, provides customized LCR bars which feature cabinetry to match the size and finish of your flat panel TV.  Their product is available in 3 performance levels, but all are excellent in terms of providing crisp dialog and vocal integrity.

Bay Audio has recently taken their pursuit of perfection one step further and has released the MiniBar.  (download product PDF) At an amazing 1.5” deep (including grille!), this high performance, multichannel LCR bar fits the thinnest flat panels.  And best of all, these sound bars feature the same volume, clarity and integrity as their original customized LCR bars.  Visit their website and talk to us about incorporating these slim line speakers into your home audio/video systems.

 

 

Links to Acadia

July 5, 2011

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DC Home Systems Home Electronics

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  We enjoyed a quick, but fun filled journey to Bar Harbor to visit with family. It was the maiden voyage of the Ram with her colorful new graphics! We left York a bit later than we had hoped, but arrived in time to enjoy a tour of my parent’s beautiful, bountiful gardens and enjoy watching the colorful wild birds feasting on their evening meal. The next morning we enjoyed a  vigorous bike ride from Town Hill, through Pretty Marsh and past Long Pond where I discovered my tire was rapidly deflating!  No worries, my parents came to the rescue while we waited patiently in Somesville, possibly the most charming village on the planet. The fine guys of Bar Harbor Bicycle shop (who sold me my first bike) fixed it right away, in the middle of their very busy rental day.  We packed up the kids, the dog, lunch and my parents for a little boating, but the wind was a bit much for our small boats.  Still, we enjoyed the amazing views of the rugged, craggy coastline of Trenton, Lamoine, Salisbury Cove and Hulls Cove and into Frenchman’s Bay. Occassionally we could spot a home built on or near the stone foundation remains of one of the historic mansions destroyed in the fire of 1947.  My father, a lobsterman of 45 years or so, treated us to all the lobster we could eat.  The soft shells and sweet meat make lobster an especially delighful (though very messy) experience at this time of year.   Before packing up the next morning we squeezed in a  beautiful hike around Jordan Pond, up to Bubble Rock and down the steep South Bubble trail.  From the top we enjoyed views of Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, Pemetic Mountain, Sargent Mountain and Cadillac Mountain.  Fortunately the ride home was easy with minimal traffic.

Please check out these links to get a feel for all of the amazing sights and activities of one of America’s  most amazing National Parks and visit the Island soon!

R2 Control

July 1, 2011

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A brilliant collaboration between Slingbox® inventor, Blake Krikorian and Crestron reveals the release of the R2™ Control™ for Crestron systems.  This app runs on Android™, smartphones or tablets enabling worldwide touch screen control of a customer’s Audio and Video, lighting, thermostats, security and surveillance systems.

Krikorian says, “I desired a software platform that allowed me to further optimize the home control experience for general purpose smartphones and tablets, beyond the industry’s current state of the art. R2 and Android provides the flexibility to do just that.”

Read more from the press release regarding the features and compatabilitiy on Crestron’s web site.

Focal Point

March 7, 2011

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Mounting a flat panel display above your fireplace can be a convenient location, but who wants the TV to be a focal point?  Now, when you aren’t watching TV, your display is concealed by the beautiful art work you really want to be the focal point.

We recently installed this ‘moving art’ for a wonderful client.  Typically, mounting a flat panel over the mantle is not ideal from the standpoint of comfortable viewing.  But this mantle is a bit lower for optimized viewing.  The client selected a sony Bravia LCD HDTV.  Although this is a lovely TV, she certainly did not want it to be the focal point of her beautiful condo.  We worked with Media Decor to provide the perfect solution for her elegant decor.  There are many options available from this clever supplier of moving art.  You can provide your own digital art, select from thier extensive library or submit original art on a canvas painted in accordance with their specifications.  Frames are available in a wide array of styles, colors and widths.  The system can be mounted flush to the wall or recessed into the wall.   Media Decor utilizes the  highly reliable and quiet lift system manufactured by Lutron and used in their motorized shades.  Because the lift mechanism comes from Lutron, a leader in light and shade control, the moving art can be integrated with the lighting and shade control program.  This particular client has an extensive home automation and control system.  As part of the control system, we have programmed a macro or ‘scene’ which simultaneously lifts the art, turns on the desired video source, adjusts the volume, lowers the shades and dims the room lighting, all with the touch of one button!  All of these features can be further adjusted from the same control panel.  Click ‘play’ to watch how it works and visit the website for Media Decor to learn about more options including Media Mirrors. 

Accountability

February 15, 2011

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Nick Mark, Owner DC Home Systems

I want to shed light on a question which integrators are routinely asked by customers as the A/V system is being designed and specified. “Can’t we just buy our own TV?” It is a valid question. After all, TV’s are a commodity item and a familiar component on the potentially mysterious list of materials required for the A/V system.
The obvious and simple answer is, “yes, you can spend your Saturday at Best-Street-Save-Money-House.” But in addition to the inconvenience, there is a more important factor to consider.

Accountability.

Let me start with this truth. Because TVs are a commodity item, your integrator will likely charge you the same price as the big box stores for the same TV. You should know, your integrator makes NO money on the sale TV’s. Really. Wholesale cost on a TV is typically just a few points below advertised costs. When administration and shipping are factored in, your integrator will likely take a loss on these items. So, why do integrators even want to sell them?

Accountability.

Although the TV appears to be the center of any integrated A/V system, in reality it is just one of the cogs in the wheel. If any one of these cogs is not working, the TV usually ends up taking the blame, although the true culprit could be one of many factors in an integrated system.
If your integrator didn’t supply the TV or if there has been a substitution, it becomes dicey to sort out which warranty applies.
(It is worth repeating, installers make NO money by providing TVs.)
You know your landscaper isn’t responsible for the lifespan of plants you purchase from House-Cheep. Your interior designer isn’t accountable for the performance of blinds you purchase from Budget-Shades. This is, of course, at the root of how you choose any reliable contractor. You choose professionals who will stand by all the products you purchase through their service. When your integrator specifies the TV, installs it in accordance with system design and provides it through one of their supply sources, the integrator is accountable for any issues. This means you have one call to make and one company to lean on.

Streaming Media

February 14, 2011

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 What’s your favorite way to stream media?  Apple TV, Vudu, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix?

Happy Valentines Day!  This Is Us  Mark Knopfler, Emmy Lou Harris

Compare some of your options http://mashable.com/2011/02/14/streaming-media-comparison/

Marc Cohn

January 6, 2011

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If you haven’t already, log on to the Portsmouth Music Hall  and get yourself tickets for tonight’s Marc Cohn concert.  I have had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in the past; he is an amazing pianist, vocalist and performer.  The Music Hall is very generous to their show sponsors and we always feel good about supporting this wonderful cultural resource. As sponsors for tonight’s show, we received four tickets.  The plan was for Nick and I to take our two boys, who have been pianists for about 4 years.  Unfortunately, mother nature has intervened, and the 11 year old is sick in bed.  So tonight, our 13 year old son will attend the concert with his classmate, who is also a pianist, her mom and their piano teacher!  Although I am sad for my sick boy, I am so excited for Sam, Amanda, Theresa and Lori.  I can’t wait to hear their reviews!  I know they will be thrilled by the show and I hope you will too!

The Customer is Top Priority

December 16, 2010

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Cable companies don’t have the best reputation with consumers. They are generally perceived as being expensive,  late, and unhelpful.

We have a client in Maine, who is making some improvements and adding guest  cabins. Te main house has a cable feed for TV and internet. The extra cabins need their own cable feed to get the proper signal. We arranged to have the cable company come to the site to pull a new cable feed from the power pole to the new cabin.

On the day that the cable company was scheduled to install that new cable, our installer A.J. was onsite.  The cable company had hired a contractor to run the cable, but he showed up unprepared. As A.J. tells it, the contractor didn’t realize that he had to change out some equipment on the pole and run the cable such a long distance.  The contractor,perhaps because he was not a stakeholder in the project, was initially uncooperative and reluctant to do any work without calling the supervisor.  If it wasn’t for our our installer being onsite, the contractor would have certainly left as soon as he had arrived and the project would have been delayed and the customer would have been unhappy, with us.  Having many years of experience working with and for the cable industry and being primarily concerned with the customers satisfaction, A.J. knew what had to be done and  firmly provided suggestions for how to proceed.   The contractor reluctantly completed the work and most importantly, the customer is happy,

On another note, as Time Warner Cable and Sinclair Broadcasting Group (owner of local affiliate WGME) continue to battle over contract negotiations, affecting CBS viewers in 20 markets across the nation, it is unclear who will come out on top on the December 31st deadline.

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