The OmniMount PLAY40 flat panel wall mount offers some of the most versatile and smooth TV positioning available in TV wall mounts.
You use your TV for many purposes throughout the day. With this mount, you can adjust the positioning of your TV for the specific activity.
Gadget expert Scott Steinberg named OmniMount’s PLAY products the best tech of 2012. this short video provides an excellent preview of its versatility!
Ever since the start of my career in consumer electronics and every time I meet a new person who learns of my career I get the dreaded question:” You must have a great system at your house?”
The answer was always been the same; A nervous laugh followed by the comment that the “cobbler never has any shoes”.
Yes, it is true. For the last 20 years I have walked around barefoot in my electronic home. All of my “stuff” has been a mishmash of older components strung together with left over patch cables and power strips. Quite a sight to behold for the home of an electronics “professional”. (“Honestly” Leslie interjects, “We’ve had some cool technologies over the years…”
Why you ask? Money, time and priorities. Plus, when you are around the stuff all day, it seems crazy to have it at night too. At least so I thought.
Everything changed last month.
I took some bucks I had saved in the kitty and bought, installed and programmed (myself) an integrated system for entertainment, lighting and HVAC control. My house now has an in-wall touch panel, keypads, smart switches, communicating thermostats, iPad and iPhone control, streaming radio, XM, etc., etc., etc.
We didn’t just get new shoes, we got Nike high-tops with brightly colored laces and pump up soles.
While I was carefully removing each new Crestron Prodigy device from its den of cardboard, styrofoam and plastic, I wondered if it would make a difference in our home. Of course our teenage sons would think it was “sick” and all, but how would it be for Leslie and me? Maybe the Wal-Mart “Air-tops” would have been sufficient?
I can honestly say it is great fun. I am now experiencing what I have been telling my clients all along. Sentences like: “You will discover your music again” and “If it is simple to use, you’ll use it” and “You’ll find it so convenient” are all true. In fact, we have been really enjoying our new system so much that I keep obsessing about how I can add to it. So, now I look forward to meeting someone new with the hope that they will ask the question. Heck, I might even try to bring it up because it’s really cool to have new shoes and it feels great to be a proud cobbler.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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/
We recently installed a Panasonic 3D TV system. We had previously installed a Samsung system with some success. This system gave us a better sense of what is currently available for 3D. This Panasonic TV was installed as an upgrade to a system we had installed last year. It included a 58″ Plasma TV and a 3D Blu-Ray player. When we first installed the system last year, all sources went through the Integra AV receiver. However, this receiver was not 3D compatible (Integra currently has 3D capable receivers, but didn’t at that time) so we connected the 3D Blu-Ray player and the DirecTV receiver directly to the TV via HDMI. When we install systems, we typically give the client a gift that shows off the capabilities of their new system. For example, when we install a Blu-Ray player, chances are good that they don’t have any Blu-Ray discs laying around, so we provide them with one. I wanted the client to be able to see 3D Blu-Ray so I went to Wal-Mart to see what they had. Nothing. Not a single 3D disc. How can they sell 3D equipment, but not have 3D content? I ended up getting 2 of the only 3D discs available for purchase at Best Buy: Monster House and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I don’t personally like either movie, but they do the trick.
After the install was complete I showed the client the movies and he was blown away. He had not seen any 3D movies in the theater (at least not since the days of paper 3D glasses) or any 3D demos in the stores. He couldn’t believe the depth of field that we were experiencing. Also, the quality of the image on the plasma TV was as good as we have ever seen. We then turned to the DirecTV 3D channels. There are currently 3 channels, one of which is ESPN3D. There was an IMAX movie playing on one channel that would have cost $6, so we didn’t watch that. ESPN3D wasn’t currently showing anything. The 3rd channel was only showing previews of shows coming up, so we watched some of that. Still pretty cool. Ultimately, the best 3D we saw that day was actually a couple still images. My client had recently gotten a 3D digital still camera from Fuji. I was excited to see some of the images he had taken on the 58″ TV. He popped the SD memory card out of the camera and we put it into the TV memory slot. When we brought up the picture and put on the glasses we both exclaimed “WHOA!”. It was scary how realistic the image was. It really did feel like we were where the picture was taken. Due to the lack of other content, my client was ultimately impressed by the 3D pictures the most, but will not doubt soon be enjoying programming on DirecTV and Blu-Ray even more. Many 3D movies are being released in mid-November and Avatar is coming out in December. On top of all this, the new TV and Blu-Ray player give my client many more advanced functions such as Netflix, Skype (yes, video calling on the 58″ TV), Amazon.com movies, Pandora, and many other apps.
This is by far the most cutting-edge system we have installed to date in regards to video format and internet functions. I expect to be installing many more of these through Christmas. With the introduction of more content I’m sure we’ll see demand increase.
Please enjoy this guest blog from our favorite interior designer, Randy Trainor. Visit her at http://www.crtinteriors.com/ She provides so much wonderful information through her website, blog and newsletter. Be sure to sign up, shes worth the click!
Many of my clients are making the switch from their old TV’s to the new flat screen televisions. From an interior designer’s point of view this is wonderful because it means they can get rid of the bulky entertainment cabinet. Or can they?
Once we determine where the flat screen is going and whether or not it will be hung on the wall, the next question is usually what to do with the components and all of the wires. My response is not to worry about it because the wires can be hidden and the cable box, DVD player, etc., can even be placed in a closet 2 rooms away. Then I call in the experts.
The easiest and least expensive solution is to place the TV on top of a low entertainment unit that is made specifically for the flat screens. These entertainment units come in so many styles and colors that finding one to fit your decorating scheme is rarely an issue.
If hanging the TV on the wall is your preference, usually it is relatively easy to bury the wires from the back of the screen into the wall. And, there are many ways to disguise the TV if you prefer to not see a black rectangular screen unless it’s in use.
One option is to “frame” the TV as if it were a piece of artwork. Mirrors that go from being reflective to clear at the touch of a switch, or artwork that rolls up inside of a frame when the TV is turned on are two possibilities. Bifold panels that fold back (much like shutters) are another way to cover the screen. These panels can be covered in a series of small framed artwork or painted with a mural to complement the homes décor.
In the master bedroom the TV is often fitted with a lift system and placed in a pretty chest at the foot of the bed. Then with the remote, the occupants are able to “flip” open the top and have the TV screen rise for viewing. I have even seen a smaller flat screen mounted in the top of a canopy bed at the “foot” end. The TV then flipped down for viewing. Ingenious!
Now that everything can be done wirelessly, the components can be hidden away in one central location and accessed from all areas of the home. Of course this is accomplished the easiest when there is remodeling or new construction taking place, but I am constantly amazed at how adept at retrofitting and hiding wires electronic systems contractors have become.
Interior designers and electronic systems contractors often work together to assure that your electronic needs are met in a beautiful yet functional manner that works well with your home’s décor. Knowing there are so many options will ease your mind, so sit back and let us take care of you.
One of the coolest ideas to implement is a portable or outdoor theater. How fun is it to sit outside on a warm summer night and watch a movie on a large screen? There are many solutions for making this happen, but not a lot of good ones. I’ve searched high and low for a best case scenario, but keep finding so-so answers. Inflatable screens are fine, but take awhile to blow up and it doesn’t seem realistic that they would be completely flat. The projection system itself seems difficult to put together. You need a projector, DVD or Blu-Ray player, speakers, amplifier, and a cart or table to set it all on. Then you have the potential tripping hazard of the power cords and speaker wire. Epson has an all-in-one solution. It’s a projector/DVD Player/amplifier. Unfortunately it only displays resolutions up to 720p. Why bother? What does it take to create the perfect system? Easy to move from room to room or inside to outside. No cords to trip over. A flat screen that won’t blow away or fall down during the movie. A sound system loud enough to fill the room, especially when that room is the great outdoors. A projector bright enough to be seen at dusk, or even during the late day (who wants to start a movie at dark in the summer when that doesn’t happen until 8:30 or 9 pm). After much review, outdoor theater is as difficult as it gets because all the variables you control with an indoor theater cannot be controlled outside. It is still the Holy Grail and can be accomplished with the proper planning and design.
Finally! Netflix has come to the iPhone. It’s been available on the iPad since the iPad was introduced. I feel that Netflix pairs best with the iPad and especially the iPhone because of the small screen size. The video quality on a TV or even a large computer monitor is noticeably lacking. But it looks great on an iPad or iPhone.
Netflix iPhone App Video from Netflix on Vimeo.
I wonder how the AT&T network will handle the streaming over 3G, which can be done.
IPhone users are now detached from having to sync movies with iTunes. Awesome to the max.
If you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, or other Netflix streaming capable device, find a friend that does. It’s great.
