News / Media

Crestron controls and lifts by Electro Kinetics help art integrate with electronics.

Click here to view the full article

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

August 14, 2011 by Grant Clauser

So picture this, you’re building a gorgeous new riverfront property. You want delicious views of the water, lots of natural light and an airy modern feel to complement your extensive art collection.

You also want an exceptional audio, video and control system so you can enjoy movies, music and television with ease. But how do you make your fine art collection not clash with your top-line TVs and speakers?

To make those two worlds play nicely together you need to bring in pros who know integration and the systems that make them rock. The owner of this 12,000-square-foot home in Hyde Park, NY, called in Audio Video Systems of Plainview, NY to take on the task.

Depending on when you walk into one of the rooms in this home, the hallmark may be a large LG LCD TV or a stunning oil painting. In order to keep the TVs out of sight when not in use, Audio Video System used Electro Kinetic lifts to raise paintings, open hidden panels and move televisions into viewing position. All of that control is accomplished by a button press on a Crestron touchpanel, of which there are several in the house.

Besides the integration of TV lifts, the home also includes complete security, lighting and shade control. A Lutron Homeworks system is integrated with the Crestron automation so when someone wants to watch a movie in the media room, not only do the Stewart screen and Sony projector descend from the ceiling, but shades will automatically cover the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the lights will dim down to an off position.

In addition to the multiple disappearing TVs, Audio Video Systems took the integration a step further in the home’s great room, where two custom-built columns also hold Sonance CM speakers in addition to works of art.

Kitchen







Great Room







Master Bedroom







Click here to view the full article

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

By Mark Milian, CNN August 16, 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gadgets/08/16/sonos.play3.review/index.html

Despite all the entertainment options the digital age has unlocked, one-button simplicity is fast disappearing.

Take music, for example. A sizable portion of the world’s discography is available on demand and often hyperpersonalized to our tastes. However, this access requires clicking, tapping, searching and queuing, rather than punching a single button on, say, a radio.

Meet the Sonos wireless speaker system, which is set up in a way that lets anyone in the house figure out how to pump up the jams. (This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on their tastes.)

I’ve spent the last week testing a pair of Play:3 speakers, which Sonos introduced a few weeks ago. It is the least expensive speaker the company offers, but at $299 each, these are still luxury items. The costs add up because the Sonos concept doesn’t pay off until you purchase units for several rooms.

Each speaker has three buttons on the top for mute and volume controls. Mute can function like an on-off switch if the system has been programmed to constantly stream tunes. The units can be situated horizontally or vertically.

The Sonos system is unique because it creates a proprietary wireless network in the house that keeps each device in sync.

This requires me to keep one Play:3 in the bedroom, where my Internet equipment is stored, because at least one Sonos component needs to be plugged in directly to a wireless router. For those who keep their web of Web wires and hardware in a closet, Sonos sells a $49 bridge.

But the so-called SonosNet allows me to set legacy radio, Sirius XM or Pandora on one speaker, and a playlist from Spotify, Rdio, MOG, Rhapsody or any of the many supported Internet streaming services on another. Or have one music list play simultaneously on all speakers in the house, which is my preference when I have the place to myself.

The settings, playlists and song queue can be tweaked from the Sonos software available for Windows and Mac computers, iPhone, iPad and Android. Unlike iPod docks or Apple’s wireless AirPlay feature, Sonos isn’t reliant on an outside device to be connected or even powered on in order for music to continue playing, unless I’m streaming, say, obscure songs only available in my iTunes library.

During setup, all of Sonos’ literature suggests that users install the computer software first. I attempted to use the iPhone app for initial setup – especially with all of this talk in the industry about a “post-PC world.” I hit an error in the process, and had to delete and then reinstall the app. It worked fine after that. I had to do the same when setting up the Mac version later. A Sonos spokesman said this is unusual.

People who use the new Lion version of the Mac operating system will not be able to stream music files stored on their computer to Sonos. This is believed to be the result of a bug in Apple’s software, Andrew Schulert wrote in a message to customers. A fix is expected to be posted within the next few weeks, a spokesman said.

The apps Sonos provides were mostly robust and reliable in my testing. They pack plenty of power-listener features. (Even the alarm clock has “advanced” settings.)

The software offers equalizers and access to seemingly endless music and radio catalogs, many of which are free. I managed to tune into coverage of the London riots after searching for a BBC radio station within the iPhone app.

With all this power comes some design compromises. Many pages, especially on a smartphone’s smaller screen, are overly cluttered. Tapping a song does not play that track, but instead presents several options: Play Now, Replace Queue, Add to Queue or Information. Features like that are handy for wannabe DJs but annoying for non-tech-savvy people who may just want to listen to a particular Tom Petty record.

I’d like to have a cheap plastic remote control that could be kept near the shower, say, to advance songs or adjust volume. Unfortunately, the only standalone controller is a bulky touch screen gizmo made by Sonos, and it costs $349.

But once the tunes are flowing, the speakers come to life. Sonos has clearly honed its talents as an audio-equipment manufacturer, cramming some powerful noisemakers into a compact and sleek package.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gadgets/08/16/sonos.play3.review/index.html

When you want it to play, it does.

Click here to view the full article

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

August 10, 2011 by EH Staff

Instead of calling it “a wireless (and sometimes wired) method of sharing music, video, and metadata between Apple iOS devices – such as iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs – and computers running iTunes”, the madmen and women in Apple’s corporate marketing department came up with a shorter, sexier name for the technology. Sure, “AirPlay” is easier to say and much more likely to receive a trademark than the wordier version, but it really doesn’t do much to explain all that you can do with AirPlay-enabled devices in your home.

In short, AirPlay is Apple’s way of streaming media from one gadget to another on your home network. People trained in the mysterious ways of DLNA-enabled devices and various media player programs for the PC may wonder what the big deal about AirPlay is. After all, DLNA technology has allowed media to be streamed through a network to various devices for some time now. Isn’t this just another wave of Apple’s marketing magic wand designed to mesmerize the faithful into pulling out their credit cards yet again for the next “must-have” Apple gadget or gimmick?

The truth of the matter is that there are, indeed, other ways of streaming media – but none that are as wonderfully simple to set up or as easy to work with as AirPlay.

It’s important to know that AirPlay is an Apple technology; and, not surprisingly, it requires one or more Apple (or AirPlay-enabled third-party) products in order to take advantage of the easy streaming capabilities. To begin with, you’ll need a sending device, which can be any of Apple’s hand-held products running at least iOS 4.2 or a Mac/PC computer and iTunes 10.2. Then you’ll need a receiving device, such as an Apple TV, an AirPort Express, or one of a growing number of AirPlay-enabled iPod docks and AV receivers from companies other than Apple. You’ll also need a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network connection.

One of the simplest examples an AirPlay system involves an AirPort Express feeding audio to powered speakers or an AV receiver. The small, wall-wart-styled AirPort Express gets plugged directly into an electrical outlet, while the audio output from its built-in headphone jack is connected to the input on the speakers or AV receiver. Once connected to your network, the AirPort Express appears on your iTunes or iPhone/Pod/Pad as a destination for streaming audio from your computer or handheld gadget. In addition to the easy access it provides to your music, AirPlay also allows a visiting friend’s iOS device to join the network and stream his or her music through your AirPort Express.

There are alternatives to using the AirPort Express. Bowers & Wilkins’ $599 Zeppelin Air, for instance, is a high-performance tabletop audio system that includes both a built-in dock for an iPod as well as AirPlay capabilities. At $349, JBL’s On Air wireless speaker system not only boasts built-in Airplay, it also claims to be the world’s first dock with a color LCD screen.

When it comes to AirPlay and iTunes, Sonos’ multiroom music system defies easy classification. Even though the Sonos S5 has built-in speakers, it’s not an iPod dock. The other Sonos ZonePlayers – some with amplification, some without – aren’t receivers, either. But the company recently announced new System Software that lets a Sonos system owner connect an AirPort Express to a single ZonePlayer in the house and hear music everywhere else there’s an active ZonePlayer.

Click here to view the full article

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

Automation system manages misters, fans and dispensing of fly repellent.

Click here to view the full article

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

August 09, 2011 by Lisa Montgomery

When the flies are biting and the mercury is boiling, it’s no fun for a horse. To keep his animals healthy and content the owner of this stable in Arizona contacted HomeSmart Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., to install a Crestron automation system. “He was already using a Creston system to manage the lights, thermostats and A/V gear in his home, so it made sense to use the same type of system for the barn,” says Jim Brunen, HomeSmart. In fact, it made so much sense that Brunen tied the home and barn systems together so that the owners can, for example, turn on and off the lights in the barn from any keypad or touchpanel in the house. And should a car pull into the driveway, the owners can see the image (captured by a surveillance camera) on the screen on a TV that’s in the barn just as they would on a TV in the house.

Remote control over lights and surveillance cameras are fairly typical applications of a Crestron system. What’s a bit out of the ordinary is the way the system keeps the heat and flies at bay in the barn. Seven fans—one aimed at each stall and at each end of the barn—kick in automatically when the temperature of the barn reaches above 80 degrees. If it’s above 85 and the humidity level is lower than 40 percent, the fans stay off and a misting system emits a fine spray of water over each of the barn’s stalls. “Misting can lower the temperature by as much as 20 degrees,” says Brunen, “but they only work if it’s not humid.”

Flies are another common problem in barns. The Crestron system controls a pump that dispenses fly repellent into the barn from a 55-gallon drum. A fine mist sprays from emitters over each stall automatically every hour for between 60 and 90 seconds. Just before the pump is scheduled to spray, the fans turn off so that the repellent isn’t sucked out of the barn. After the spray has settled—which takes about five minutes—the fans kick back on.





Click here to view the full article

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

By Rachel Cericola, Aug 16th 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Optoma-HD8300-and-HD3300-1080p-3D-Projectors-for-the-Custom-Market.shtml

Optoma just announced that the HD33 1080p 3D Projector is shipping to consumers. Today, they have a little something for the custom installation market as well.

The company says that two home theater projectors in their custom installation line, the HD8300 and the HD3300, will start shipping later this month. These new models are the first two full 1080p 3D home theater projectors that Optoma has created for the custom installation market. Both boast the same DLP technology that’s being used in many professional digital cinemas.

As a follow-up to the company’s HD8200, the HD8300 is priced at $4499 (MSRP). Featuring PureMotion4D frame-interpolation processing, the unit includes Optoma’s own PureColor technology and a new color management system. Other features include a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, 1500 lumens of brightness, PureShift lens shift, and a 1.5x zoom ratio. Also, ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Custom Calibration Configuration) controls can be adjusted to tweak the picture for both day and night viewing.

The HD8300 supports all the HDMI 1.4a mandatory 3D formats. Also, Side-by-Side and Top & Bottom formats can be manually enabled to allow non-HDMI 1.4a compatible devices, such as older set-top boxes, the Xbox 360 or PCs, to display 3D via the VGA or HDMI ports. Speaking of ports, the HD8300 has two HDMI 1.4a inputs, one VGA port, connections for component and composite video, an RS-232 port, two +12V triggers, and a VESA 3D port.



Click here to view the full article

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Optoma-HD8300-and-HD3300-1080p-3D-Projectors-for-the-Custom-Market.shtml

Runco Press Release 8-9-2011

New LS-1 introduces Runco’s high-quality, affordable projection to value-conscious customers looking for the very best performance.

Beaverton, OR – Runco® is excited to announce the newest addition to its critically-acclaimed LightStyle™ Series DLP™ projectors, the LS-1. The LS-1 is a single-chip 1080p DLP projector that provides an unprecedented option to homeowners looking for the performance and flexibility of a Runco projector at a very attractive price point.

“With the introduction of the LS-1, we are able to bring the renowned Runco performance to a broader group of video enthusiasts,” said Jennifer Davis, VP of Marketing at Runco. “Being able to hit this competitive price point enables our integrators more opportunities to sell to a large, previously-untapped market and for homeowners to enjoy the benefits owning a Runco brings.”

The Runco LS-1 is an ideal alternative for homeowners who want a high performance video option for watching TV or movies, but also want the color depth and picture quality for console gaming (i.e., PlayStation, Wii or Kinect), internet browsing or streaming video and movies via a set-top box. The Runco LightStyle product line offers the greatest range of brightness and image performance for different rooms and needs.

“Runco’s LightStyle Series allows us to deliver Runco performance to a new group of clients,” said Brian Hudkins, president of Gramophone LTD. “The beauty of the LightStyle Series is that we have been able reach a larger customer base due to its affordability, without sacrificing performance OR reliability as these projectors meet the high quality standards of Runco.”

The LS-1 uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology to deliver the best color and crisp detail available in this product class and combines Runco’s SuperOnyx™ technology with ConstantContrast™ and ViVix™ proprietary digital video processing to achieve deep black levels and significant contrast, well above 10:000:1. The LS-1 also incorporates the ISF™ (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration suite for optimal performance in various rooms and lighting conditions. These calibration tools feature day and night calibration memory settings, individual sharpness and noise reduction controls, programmable image memory selection keys, built-in test patterns and a dark room-optimized remote.

Its sleek, glamorous design and customization options make the Runco LightStyle Series projectors the perfect solution to pair with a design-conscious homeowner. The LS-1 can be customized with Runco’s FinishPalette™ which enables complete projector customization for the homeowner. FinishPalette adds full-color design options, including exact PMS color matching for any college or pro-sports teams, a gallery of artist impressions and the option to custom-print your own artwork. Complementing the FinishPalette offering are 25 hand-finished signature paint colors to compliment any décor.

The LS-1 is also available with Runco’s CineGlide™ lens solution that enables a motorized, mechanical 2.35:1 anamorphic lens to move in front of the standard lens for perfect Scope reproduction. Runco CineGlide enables the viewer to switch from 16:9 content to 2.35:1 content, without black bars on the top or side of the image, with the touch of a button.

by John Sciacca on Jul 19, 2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.hometechtell.com/technologytell/article/kaleidescape-m700-320-blu-ray-disc-vault-exclusive-review/

New Kaleidescape Vault Automatically Imports your CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs and Stores them for Easy Retrieval

World’s Best-Engineered Robotic Disc Loader Now Available

SUNNYVALE, CA, July 19, 2011 - Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today announced availability of the M700 Disc Vault, designed from the ground up to simplify and accelerate the process of adding movies and music to a Kaleidescape System. Up to 320 discs can be loaded into the M700 Disc Vault’s precision carousel, where their contents are quickly copied onto the Kaleidescape System. This process is fully automated and requires no additional work on the part of the user. Once copied, a Blu-ray Disc must remain in the disc vault to enable playback of the digital copy from the server. DVDs and CDs may either be ejected or left in the M700 Disc Vault for safe storage and easy accessibility. The M700 Disc Vault makes it easier than ever to build and enjoy a personal movie collection.

“I’ve always loved my Kaleidescape System, but the recent addition of the M700 Disc Vault has taken the experience to a new level,” said Jeff, a Kaleidescape owner from Seattle. “I love that I can import any type of disc very quickly and easily. Later, I use the front panel buttons to eject the CDs and DVDs from the vault in seconds, freeing up slots for more Blu-ray Discs.”

The M700 Disc Vault also simplifies system installation. “With the M700 Disc Vault we are able to streamline the installation and loading of our customers’ Kaleidescape Systems like never before. We can now quickly load the customers’ Blu-ray Discs and DVDs onsite, or preload a Kaleidescape Movie Collection in our facility and ship the finished rack ready to roll,” said Craig Abplanalp of Definitive Audio in Bellevue, Washington. “All that’s left to do is power up the system when it arrives.”

“Delivering instant access to Hollywood’s best movies at the highest quality – anywhere in your home – has always been our passion at Kaleidescape,” said Michael Malcolm, Founder, Chairman, and CEO. “We have spent the past ten years designing and building a family of products that solve real usability problems while providing the highest levels of performance and reliability. The M700 Disc Vault is an elegant addition to our product family that makes it easy to import your content, provides a safe place to store your discs, and makes it quick and easy to retrieve any disc when you need it.”

Key Features

Unattended, Automatic Import – Copies large numbers of Blu-ray Discs, DVDs and CDs onto a Kaleidescape System. You simply insert the discs and walk away.

Easy Expandability – Multiple M700 Disc Vaults can be added to a Kaleidescape System to house thousands of Blu-ray Discs, DVDs and CDs.

Front Panel Display – Indicates import progress, number of discs stored, and number of available slots. Buttons provide ability to eject all Blu-ray Discs, all DVDs, all CDs or all discs.

Efficient Organization – Clutter-free storage of up to 320 discs in just five rack units of space. The M700 Disc Vault also makes it easy to find a disc when you need it: simply locate the title in the onscreen display and select Eject Disc.

Integrated Kaleidescape M-Class Player – Provides pristine playback of movies stored on a Kaleidescape movie server.

Kaleidescape Design – Designed from the ground up for years of trouble-free operation. Kaleidescape engineers specified precision stepper motors, a high-strength belt, and an internal disc-retention shell.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.hometechtell.com/technologytell/article/kaleidescape-m700-320-blu-ray-disc-vault-exclusive-review/

The new app can provide control over XP Series processors and connected devices.

Click here to view the full article

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

August 09, 2011 by Rachel Cericola

RTI is the latest home control company to offer up an app. The newly announced RTiPanel is now available for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Featuring two-way feedback and a customizable user interface, the app can provide control over any RTI control system that has an XP series control processor in the mix. Other perks include album cover art, weather graphics, dynamic image lists, and much more.

Click here to view the full article

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

DIY Network helps actor turn drab bar area into an eye-popping screening room.

Click here to view the full article

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

July 28, 2011 by EH Staff

Oh, to be rich and famous enough that TV networks make shows about fixing up my home. Entourage may be winding down as the hit HBO series recently kicked off its final season, but things are just starting to heat up, technology-wise, at the home of star Kevin Connolly.

Hollywood Hi-Tech, a new program on the DIY Network, recently helped Connolly, better known as “E” to Entourage fans, transform his bachelor pad-style bar area into a home theater.

Ari Gold, Drama, Turtle and Vinny Chase won’t have a problem screening a movie or two on Connolly’s 110-inch Stewart Filmscreen StudioTek Screen.

Connolly’s theater also features Lutron blackout shades to prevent unwanted light, a Crestron Isys wireless touchpanel and iLux Lighting Control System, and Genelec in-ceiling loudspeakers.

Home Theater Before



Home Theater After



Seating Area Before



Seating Area After



Click here to view the full article

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

By Edwin Kee 07/06/2011

Click here to view the full article

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/07/d-link-boxee-remote-control/

D-Link has announced their Boxee Remote Control that will offer both PC and Mac owners of Boxee better control. After all, the Boxee Remote Control itself is a sight to behold, coming in a sleek, two-sided design complete with a full QWERTY keypad which ought to make typing a snap, since you’re probably so used to a virtual QWERTY keyboard by now (except for most BlackBerry users, of course). This translates to a seamless transition for computer users to take advantage of the Internet on their TV.

The Boxee Remote Control will communicate with your computer using RF signals courtesy of an included nano-sized USB adapter, so that alone eliminates the need for line of sight. Interested? The Boxee Remote will retail for $49.99 a pop.

Click here to view the full article

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/07/d-link-boxee-remote-control/