News / Media

The company’s free cloud-based service will officially launch this fall.

June 07, 2011 by Rachel Cericola

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/apple_announces_icloud/apple

After quite a few web rumblings, Apple officially announced iCloud. Apple CEO Steve Jobs just unveiled the free cloud-based service at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Calif.

The service is designed to store all of your digital goodies, then wirelessly push the content to devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as a Mac or PC. It can also sync those devices, meaning when something changes on one device, all compatible devices will get the message almost instantly.

“Today it is a real hassle and very frustrating to keep all your information and content up-to-date across all your devices,” Jobs said. “iCloud keeps your important information and content up to date across all your devices. All of this happens automatically and wirelessly, and because it’s integrated into our apps you don’t even need to think about it—it all just works.”

Additional iCloud services include MobileMe Contacts, Calendar and Mail, the App Store and iBookstore, iCloud Backup and Storage, and a photo stream service. iCloud includes 5GB of free cloud storage for Mail, Document Storage and Backup. However, purchased music, apps, books and the Photo Stream service do not count against the storage limit.

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/apple_announces_icloud/apple

EH gets hands-on with SIM2’s latest star projector

July 05, 2011 by Robert Archer

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/first_look_sim2_lumis_solo_3d_home_theater_projector/3d

The Italian-based video manufacturer SIM2 has established itself as one of the top video products manufacturers in the consumer electronics and commercial video industries.

Earlier this year the company announced a string of new products that it says will bolster its product line in 2011 and beyond. Headlining these new products is the company’s LUMIS Solo-3D projector, which is designed to provide home theater enthusiasts with a single-chassis, high-performance 2D and 3D projection solution.

Utilizing a Texas Instruments’ three-chip Dark Chip 4 DLP chip set, the LUMIS 3D-Solo also features a choice of lens options, multiple inputs, including two HDMI 1.4; video processing and the company’s triple-flash 3D technology that’s said to be three times faster than the movie industry’s 24fps video standard.

SIM2 explains the triple-flash technology by pointing out it is engineered to produce pictures that are six times faster than 24fps video to ensure that 3D graphics appear smooth to viewers. “Currently triple flash is only used in commercial theaters—-and DCi group professional projectors—-because it is the answer to most of the usual complains about 3D vision: flicker, vision fatigue and ghosting,” says the company on its website. “LUMIS 3D-SOLO images are displayed at 144 fps, 72 fps per eye, resulting in extreme smoothness and visual pleasure.”

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/first_look_sim2_lumis_solo_3d_home_theater_projector/3d

By Robert Silva, About.com Guide

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http://hometheater.about.com/od/camcorderdigitalcamera/ss/Home-Theater-Goes-To-Comic-Con-2011.htm

What does the annual San Diego Comic-Con have to do with Home Theater? Besides comics, manga, and video games, the annual San Diego Comic-Con also features some interesting tidbits related to home theater.

If you are looking for that favorite hard-to-find cult film or an Asian scifi, fantasy, or action movie on DVD or Blu-ray, there are booths selling them. Also, movie and TV studios, not only promote their upcoming release dates or Fall seasons, they also promote their upcoming DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases. This year was no exception as Luscafilm, Burn Notice, Supernatural, BBC America, and a host of other TV and movie studios were heavily promoting their Blu-ray and DVD products.

However, there were some other home theater-related items of interest this year. Starz was on hand with a special booth for its Spartacus TV series that featured some great gladiator action sequences in 3D displayed on a couple of Sony LED/LCD TVs with active shutter glasses. It appeared that the footage was converted from an original 2D source, but it did looked very good. Starz was smart to place the TVs inside the semi-enclosed booth to minimize ambient light reflections from the convention floor.

Another interesting thing I found on the convention floor, was at the Lionsgate booth, which was using Vizio TVs for their “touch wall” video displays, and the Vizio brand name was prominently displayed all around the booth. Vizio is becoming increasingly aggressive in tying themselves into high-profile events. It would be interesting to see other TV brands pursuing this course, and the San Diego Comic-Con is certainly a way to bring a name to over 100,000 attendees that are also potential customers.

However, to get to the meat of how the San Diego Comic-Con can intersect with home theater was the informative panel I attended: The Golden Age of Blu-ray. The panel participants included Bill Hunt, Adam Janke, and Todd Doogan of Digital Bits.com, as well as Blu-ray Disc producers, Charles de Lauzirika and Cliff Stephenson. In addition, George Feltenstein, vice-senior vice-president of catalog marketing for Warner Home Video was also on hand to lend his opinions and discuss some interesting things going on in his department.

The main topics discussed by the panel included:

DVD sales have slowed down, but Blu-ray disc movie sales have increased tremendously, especially with regards to new movie releases. However, it was noted that the Blu-ray/HD-DVD format war did not help the adoption rate of a high definition disc format by many consumers.

Catalog releases of older films on Blu-ray are a challenge, since many consumers already own many older titles on DVD. The challenge to the studios and Blu-ray Disc producers is to provide increased value, via new restorations, or added relevant special features that will make consumers want to double-dip on a new Blu-ray version of a previously released DVD. However, it was pointed out that the new Lord of the Rings - Extended Trilogy was doing very well, and the forthcoming releases of the Star Wars Trilogy, Ben Hur, West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s are being meticulously put together with new transfers and high value added extras.

Movie streaming services, such as Netflix, present challenges to both DVD and Blu-ray purchasing habits, but all the panelists agreed that when it comes to a quality video and audio experience, nothing beats Blu-ray yet. However, getting consumers to care about quality over convenience and price is always a challenge, especially now with the use of internet streaming for watching TV programs and movies, and iPods for listening to music.

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http://hometheater.about.com/od/camcorderdigitalcamera/ss/Home-Theater-Goes-To-Comic-Con-2011.htm

By Chris Chiarella July 1st, 2011

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http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Dolby-AIX-Records-Thiel-and-JVC-Show-Off-3D-Home-Theater-That-Sounds-as-Good-as-It-Looks.shtml

Attending a show like AXPONA NYC (“Audio Expo North America,” New York City edition) is a lot like dying and going to home theater heaven. Where else can working-class dogs like me and Big Picture Big Sound Editor Chris Boylan be treated to a superlative demo of best-available and coming-soon gear, with friendly faces, zero sales pressure and no embarrassing credit check?

Following our first viewing/listening session of the day, we headed upstairs to another private room where we were greeted and guided by Craig Eggers of Dolby. This time, everyone involved put a strong emphasis on music, as the various manufacturers shared their exclusive space with AIX Records, represented by none other than founder Mark Waldrep, who brought along some of his company’s 3D music Blu-rays. These discs have proven quite popular here at the site, as well as a hit with high-end music lovers.

The equipment for this dream theater was another who’s-who of high-end audio and video, starting with THIEL Audio’s SCS4T high-output two-way tower loudspeakers which were being given a major introductory push at the show. These were driven by five Power Modules Inc. Belles Reference Series MB-200 monoblock power amplifiers. Low end was exceptionally reproduced by the 1,000-watt Thiel SS2 SmartSub.

The source component was an OPPO Digital BDP-95 universal audiophile 3D Blu-ray disc player, which was then connected to a Bryston SP 2 preamplifier. DH Labs interconnects and speaker cables were used throughout the system.

For the video display, they weren’t taking any chances, going with the JVC Reference Series DLA-RS60, the company’s flagship D-ILA home theater projector. This projector was paired with a brand-new, “experimental” Stewart Filmscreen.

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http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Dolby-AIX-Records-Thiel-and-JVC-Show-Off-3D-Home-Theater-That-Sounds-as-Good-as-It-Looks.shtml

New research says that 138 million web-enabled TVs will ship in 2015 alone.

July 06, 2011 by Rachel Cericola

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/half_a_billion_connected_tvs_by_2015/

Love being able to access Netflix right on your TV screen? You are not alone. New data by DisplaySearch says that manufacturers are making a major push with web-enabled HDTVs.

According to the DisplaySearch Q2’11 Quarterly TV Design and Features Report, over 25 percent of the TVs shipping this year have some type web connectivity. If that seems like a lot (or doesn’t), just wait until 2015. The research firm expects 138 million web-enabled TVs to ship just in that year—and those connected sets will account for 47 percent of all flat-panel TVs shipped.

When we all gather to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve 2015, you could be watching the festivities through a connected TV. DisplaySearch says that by the end of that year, over 500 million connected TVs will have shipped.

However, Netflix isn’t the sole driver of connected TV technology. The report says that WiFi devices, such as smartphones and tablets, also play a huge part in people wanting a web-enabled TV. Expect 98 million of those TVs shipping in 2015 to have built-in WiFi.

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/half_a_billion_connected_tvs_by_2015/

A new study says that Samsung (and active 3D) are on top.

July 07, 2011 by CE Pro

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/samsung_owns_61_percent_of_the_3d_tv_market/

According to data from The NPD Group, Samsung Electronics America Inc. has more than a 60 percent market share in sales of 3D TVs in the U.S.

Specifically, for the time period May 22 to June 18, 2011, Samsung had a unit and dollar share of 61 percent in the 3D TV market. These numbers include both LED and plasma 3D TVs. In addition, NPD’s Retail Tracking Service says that Samsung had over 50 percent unit and dollar market share for April to May 2011.

“Clearly consumers are voting with their wallets and choosing the TV that provides a superior 3D experience,” says John Revie, senior vice president of Home Entertainment for Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

The timing is certainly curious. Just last week, LG announced survey results saying that consumers were picking passive 3D technology over active. (See “3D TV Street Fight” for more info.) LG is one of the few companies making both active and passive 3D TVs. Samsung, however, only has active 3D sets in its current lineup.

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/samsung_owns_61_percent_of_the_3d_tv_market/

Published: 2011-05-25 By Rachel Cericola

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http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Mitsubishi-Drops-TVs-Under-65-Inches.shtml

Another one bites the dust – sort of. Mitsubishi just made the announcement that they will stop producing all consumer HDTVs 65 inches and under, in favor of a larger role in commercial displays. The company’s new line will also get a new name, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America.

Making their home in the same Irvine, California offices, the new company will focus on 2D and 3D systems for the professional side, including front projectors, data wall display systems, projectors, LCD digital signage monitors, and professional industrial and photo printers.

“The demand for information display equipment continues to grow beyond just pictures and images,” said Yasushi Moriyama, president/CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America. “There is a significant benefit in being able to present more information on a large display of any kind. We are very excited about using our experience to create a large-screen visual solutions company. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the brand, our high-quality products and strong customer service, pre-and-post sales.”

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http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Mitsubishi-Drops-TVs-Under-65-Inches.shtml

An Elan home control system and a 14-kW solar array help achieve record energy efficiencies.

June 09, 2011 by Steven Castle

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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/power_house_of_energy_efficiency/

It’s one of the most energy-efficient and green homes in the United States, but some of its high-tech energy-saving features would not be possible without a full-blasted home control system from Elan Home Systems.

The “Power Haus” in Sarasota, Fla., claims the lowest HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score in the United States, a negative 22, which means the house produces more energy than it uses. (A score of zero means it produces all its own energy.) The house also scored 118 LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) points, making it one of the highest-scoring LEED homes in the country.

A large part of making the home so energy-efficient was the green building techniques of custom homebuilder Josh Wynne, president of Josh Wynne Construction. Wynne filled the walls with super-efficient foam insulation, coated the topside of the interior’s elegant tongue-and-groove ceiling with spray foam insulation and installed a Uni-Solar Flex-Lite solar array that covers more than half of the roof and produces 14.2 kilowatts of electricity. Because so much energy is produced, the homeowners can sell power back to their electrical company.

Efficiency Through Simplicity

Managing many of the home’s energy-saving systems, such as the LED (light emitting diode) lamps and the state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems is the IP-based ELAN g! Home Control System. The system also controls the security, surveillance, whole-house audio/video and pool and spa from the owner’s iPad, iPhones and Elan in-wall touchscreens.

The Elan system was installed by of Sarasota-based SmartHouse Integration and given the stamp of approval by builder Wynne. “Not all of my clients are super tech-savvy, and neither am I, so I like things that are simple and reliable,” said Wynne.

Wynne also knew that all the technology in the home needed to be tied together in a simple, convenient way for the homeowners to control and manage. “Simplicity was the key with the homeowners,” says SmartHouse Integration president Mark van den Broek.

Controlling Efficiencies

Important efficiencies are also gained by tying home systems together. The lighting, HVAC and security systems have occupancy sensing so when the owners arm the system and leave the house, the home goes into a low-energy “Away” mode. It’s like putting a computer to sleep, only you’re doing it to the whole house.

“You can tie the systems together, but we’re tuning it so they speak to each other and react to the programming we designed,” van den Broek says. “When the security talks to lighting system and the pool, and we write programs that make all that efficiency possible, that’s when it really, really starts to save energy.”

Even a dehumidification system—vital in Florida—is operated and automated by the Elan g! system. SmartHouse also provided the homeowners quick access to the Uni-Solar web portal where they can check on the solar system’s electricity production. This is available on the two Elan TS7 7-inch touchpanels and three TS2 2-inch in-wall touchpads. (They can view the solar system’s web portal via Internet on their iPad and two iPhones.) The owners also can check their own electricity consumption via the Elan g! system’s running history of the power used by everything on its network.



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http://www.electronichouse.com/article/power_house_of_energy_efficiency/

Panasonic is developing a 3D projection system for the commercial market that will launch this summer, the company announced Tuesday on its Critical View blog.

The PT-DJ3D53 system will be offered to military and education customers, as well as restaurants and sports bars. It will feature two PT-DW530U DLP projectors, and does require glasses.

A 10,000-square-foot Chicago home is equipped with an Elan g! system to control a home theater, security system, gym and more from nine touchpanel and two iPads.

By Lisa Montgomery, July 06, 2011

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http://www.cepro.com/article/inside_largest_elan_g_install_ever/#When:20:20:32Z

There’s a lot you can do with a home control system. They are so smart and powerful you could probably automate a dog, if the client wanted you to.

The Elan g! system programmed by AudioVideo Specialists for this 10,000-square-foot suburban Chicago home, which claims to be the biggest Elan g! install ever, epitomizes the extent of a well-executed home control plan.

The house is packed with gear, including 11 flat-panel HDTVs, two of which are 3D TVs with LG 3D Blu-ray players and another that’s a 46-inch weatherproof SunBriteTV. Every TV can access four DirecTV boxes, two Sony 400-disc Blu-ray changers and eight surveillance cameras.

All of the systems can be monitored and managed via the homeowners’ three iPhones, two iPads, 12 Elan remotes, nine in-wall Elan touchpanels and a wireless Elan tablet.

A total of 54 speakers and seven subwoofers, as well as 12 outdoor speakers and two subwoofers throughout the house complement the video. Each listening space can receive music from a rack of centrally located equipment including a dual AM/FM tuner, a three-terabyte hard drive (enough space for 600,000 songs), two iPort tabletop iPod docking stations, Pandora Internet radio, XM Satellite Radio and feeds from the intercom system.

The icing on the A/V cake is a sophisticated home theater that features a 106-inch Screen Innovations motorized screen, a 7.2 surround-sound system and an Optoma video projector.

Massive Rack

The homeowner likes showing off the massive amount of gear required to keep all the home’s subsystems connected.

TV In Gym

The family exercise room includes a TV mounted on a mirror wall.

Dressing Room

Outside one of the bathrooms, a dressing area includes and installed flat-panel TV.

Double-shot Bar

The home bar is well stocked, even with two TVs.

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http://www.cepro.com/article/inside_largest_elan_g_install_ever/#When:20:20:32Z