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Geek Squad home theater setup horror story
This tale might not keep the kids up nights, but all those who enjoy properly adjusted and configured AV setups may want to avert their eyes. Over at Big Picture Big Sound the tale is told as one kind soul ended up cleaning the mess left at a friend's house by a Best Buy Geek Squad installer. At least in this case, $325.11 wasn't enough to get the center channel audio properly set up, subwoofers connected or a worthwhile surround sound connection. That still leaves the swapped rear channels, stretched cable TV & DVDs and total lack of basic convenience configurations as obstacles to a setup the friend expected when scheduling a tech visit (for the second time) to her house. Most of you probably take pleasure in setting things up yourself, but this might be worth forwarding to friends and family so they'll either do the same, or remember to double check everything before the installer leaves.
Sony talks up latest DVD HTIB sets
Also checking in at Sony's Las Vegas showcase are these DVD upscaling-based HTIB systems. If those Blu-ray packing all-in-ones are a bit too much for you, the top of the line DAV-HDX589W and DAV-HDX589WC systems, featuring either S-AIR wireless speakers or S-AIR multiroom listening station, respectively, with 1000 watts maximum power to their 5.1 speakers for $430 later this month. The next models down drop features like auto calibration and audio enhancement on their way to a $300 price tag leaving a few lonely new portable DVD players, but really, like the rest of this line, it may be time to look upmarket.
Samsung delivers HT-BD7200 / HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, HT-BD8200 BD soundbar
Samsung's comin' at us hot and heavy from the desert, and if those two BD players already got your ears perked up, here's a little more for your future home theater. Up first is the HT-BD8200 Blu-ray soundbar, which -- as the name implies -- is actually a soundbar with a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player baked right in. The bundle also includes a wireless subwoofer and promises 5.1-like sound despite being just 2.6-inches deep. Moving on, we've got the 2.1-channel HT-BD2700 and 5.1-channel HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, which offer up 400- and 1,000-watts of power, respectively along with WiFi support. Per usual, dollars and ship dates remain a mystery, but the more we look at those glossy black coats, the harder we find it to be patient.%Gallery-40649%
HTIB shootout picks the best at a variety of price points
We've already seen one speaker guide pop up this fall / winter, but for those not so keen on piecing together a multi-channel setup themselves, PC World has a solid alternative. It has taken a cold, hard look at seven home-theater-in-box (HTIB) setups ranging from $500 to $3,000 and picked the best one at each price level. We won't spoil anything here, but if you've been looking for some assistance in choosing from the plethora of options out there, this ain't a bad place to get educated.
Panasonic TH-65VX100 and TH-50VX100 plasmas head to Europe
Panasonic's custom install-friendly TH-65VX100 got official back at CEDIA here in the States, but it -- along with the 50-inch TH-50VX100 -- are just now adjusting their maps for a European debut. Both sets boast 1080p panels, a Dynamic Black Layer for keeping things ultra dark and an 18-bit digital signal processor. The 65-inch TH-65VX100 (£7,999; $12,131) features a 60,000:1 contrast ratio, while the TH-50VX100 (price unknown) goes halves with a 30,000:1 CR; as for availability, you can find the big(ger) boy in January followed by the 50-incher in February.
Vutec introduces Vision-X DYNA-CURVE projection screen
A projection screen is a projection screen, right? Not so fast, cowboy. Vutec's hoping to help you recognize the difference with its home theater-centric Vision-X DYNA-CURVE, a high-gain fixed curved screen available with a variety of surfaces. The screen boasts an "advanced multi-aspect masking system for use with all widescreen 2.35:1 anamorphic lens projectors, masking to 16:9 and 4:3, while maintaining constant image height for movie, HDTV and standard TV formats." There's no mention of a price, but you can phone up the company with your desired size and get a presumably lofty figure thrown your way.
VUDU XL2 brings on-demand films to rack-mountable enclosure
Given just how far VUDU has been getting into the custom install game, it's no shock at all to see it produce a set-top-box that's less STB and more integrator-friendly. The 1U rack-mountable XL2 sports a classic black motif and plays nice with systems from leading control and automation manufacturers such as Crestron, Logitech, Netstreams, Nevo and Philips. You'll be able to enjoy the spoils of integrated IP / IR control, a 1TB internal hard drive, optical / coaxial / RCA audio outputs and an HDMI port. Sadly, the XL2 can't be purchased online, meaning you'll have to coax a local installer to sell you one for $1,299.[Via Electronic House]
Epson PowerLite Cinema 700 costs only slightly more dollars than its horizontal line count
We're sorry you lost your fortune in the global financial crisis, but we've got some news to cheer you up -- you might still be able to plaster your living room wall with HD video. Epson just launched the PowerLite Cinema 700, a 720p home theater projector that it claims is the first to retail at $799. Sure, they've made this kind of claim before, and it's true that if you look hard enough you'll probably find a couple other 720p projectors at that price, but we're not gonna make a fuss -- this 3LCD projector is a decent deal, what with it doing 2,000 lumens and having a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. It's already available in Epson's online store -- or, at least it would be if it wasn't sold out at the moment. Guess some other economically depressed folks thought it was a decent deal, too!
Pioneer's LX01BD Blu-ray home cinema system now available in Europe
Remember that ultra-sleek Pioneer LX01BD HTIB system that was introduced back in June? No? Well, for those in Europe, today's a great day to get caught up. The system, which bundles a Profile 1.1 BonusView Blu-ray player with a 5.1-channel amplifier and an equal amount of speakers, is finally available for sale in Europe. The player boasts two-in / one-out HDMI connections, Deep Color support, 1080p playback and internal DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD processing. If only the reported £2,000 ($3,154) price tag was easier to digest, we might actually be excited.[Via ElectricPig]%Gallery-36382%
Panasonic bundles 103-inch plasma, Blu-ray player in 3D home theater package
Didn't see anything that particularly suited your fancy at CEDIA? Then feast your eyes on CEATEC. As the Japan-based trade show hastily approaches, out pops a mind-boggling new home theater package from Panasonic. The system will include one of its marvelous 103-inch plasma HDTVs, a Blu-ray player and at least one set of fancy 3D goggles. Hailed as a world's first in some form or fashion, the Full HD 3D package utilizes an undisclosed format "employed by major Hollywood film studios" to "distribute full HD images of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels to each eye via synchronized shutter glasses." Panny is hoping to promote the technology and possibly get a leg up on Samsung (our assumption) by impressing wealthy homeowners and members of the Blu-ray Disc Association. As expected, there's no mention of a price, but rest assured -- you'll be stuck choosing between this and a new BMW.[Via Impress]
Sony introduces HT-FS1 2.1 speaker system
Remember that HT-CT100 soundbar / subwoofer combo? Alright -- add in a pair of satellites, deduct the soundbar, and you've got yourself the HT-FS1. This new 2.1-channel system packs a total output of 200-watts and includes a built-in AM / FM tuner, HDMI repeater (three in / one out), three optical inputs and an analog audio port. Word on the street has a $299 price tag on this Autumn-bound set (in Europe, at least), though there's no telling if or when it'll head stateside.
Panasonic offers up 65-inch 1080p TH-65VX100U plasma
Originally unwrapped at CEDIA (and just now made official), Panasonic's TH-65VX100U is a 1080p behemoth aimed specifically at the "high-end custom home theater enthusiast." It becomes the first in the outfit's line of Premiere Series models and features a 60,000:1 contrast ratio (with an "industry-leading gradation level of 7,160 steps"), 18-bit digital signal processing, 16 adjustment menus and a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) panel. This living room centerpiece is currently on track for a January release, though there's no telling how badly it'll hurt your wallet when the time comes.
DIYer builds his own drive-in theater, brings back the retro
It's one thing to craft a home theater that keeps guests coming back weekend after weekend, but it's another to create one that keeps them rolling (literally) in by the dozens. Kevin Van fulfilled what we can only imagine was a mid-20s fantasy by building his very own backyard theater, complete with an Epson 77c projector, homemade 6-foot retractable screen and 8 vintage drive-in speakers rigged up to deliver 5.1 surround sound on his deck and 2-channel stereo around the pool. There's also a concession stand, a homegrown outdoor subwoofer being pushed by 1,100 watts and a whole slew of other audio / video components. Those cruising through Fraser, Michigan should seriously look this guy up -- sounds like a great way to spend a few hours.[Via UberReview]
Continental Seating injects Proscenium into Bravo! / Grand Tier collections
There's nothing quite like sitting on a small mountain of cash, but we've heard from fortunate friends that doing so for two solid hours can be really back for your back. Thankfully, Continental Seating has devised a way of converting packs of Benjamins into amazingly fine seating instruments, the latest of which is the Proscenium. Said model has just been inserted into the Bravo! and Grand Tier collections where it's available in 21- / 24-inch flavors with your choice of Faux Leather, Ritz Suede, and Brazilian Leather coverings from the Bravo! collection and the choice of six grades of leather from the Grand Tier family. Only problem(s)? The four to six week lead time and the $1,420 to $2,840 price tag.
Target to offer in-home installation on home theater gear
Target -- the big box retailer best known 'round these parts for its preferential Blu-ray treatment (back in the day, of course) and its infatuation with releasing new Xbox 360s early -- is finally diving head first into the home installation realm. Not content to just let competitors rake in all that extra cash for simply following a customer home and plugging in a few wires, the outfit has teamed up with Zip Express Installation to offer home install packages anytime a consumer makes a "large CE purchase." Furthermore, Target.com shoppers will soon be graced with a notification that their shiny new HDTV can be delivered and installed by professionals should they so choose, with services starting at $129 and ranging from TV setup, wall mounting, home theater arrangement, computer networking and furniture assembly. We have all ideas most of you will just brush this off, but don't be alarmed to hear that your grandmother just threw down some extra cash for a nice young man in a bulls eye-emblazoned uniform to setup her new gear.[Image courtesy of JSOnline]
SoundSense unveils sophisticated Noise Cancellation System for audio purists
For home theater owners that love audio as much as (if not more than) video, unwanted noise is a real downer. Thankfully, the sound engineers at SoundSense completely agree, and now the company known for its acoustic dampening solutions is delivering a Noise Cancellation System that reportedly eliminates all that excess noise when you fire up your speakers and amplifiers. Put simply, the process simply utilizes a small microphone and speaker; the "noise-canceling speaker emits sound with opposite qualities of the noise source, thus eliminating distracting sounds." We've no idea how costly said solution will be, nor if it will be easy for novices to use, but don't hesitate to give SoundSense a call and see what it'll take to zap the interference lingering in your HT.
SMPTE working out how to bring 3D home
One of the many reasons our killer Captain EO home theater setup hasn't become a reality yet is because even with more than a few kinds of 3D HDTV equipment on shelves, there's no standard that guarantees that next Hannah Montana Blu-ray disc will be able to take advantage of it. The SMPTE hopes to change all of that, establishing a task force (has anyone asked the 3D@Home Consortium how they feel about it?) with the mandate of creating a standard for 3D "content distributed via broadcast, cable, satellite, packaged media and the Internet and played-out on televisions, computer screens and other tethered displays". The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers are the fine people behind nearly every way you currently experience AV at home, so after the inaugural meeting August 19 and six months to create a report (EE Times notes actually setting a standard could take 18-30 months, so don't move the furniture yet), really all that's left is to explain our Michael Jackson infatuation.[Via EE Times]
Diamond Multimedia announces two ATI All-in-Wonder HD cards
We told you that ATI's reinvigorated All-in-Wonder would be hitting the streets in late July, and sure enough, Diamond Multimedia is first out of the gate with versions of its own. The All-In-Wonder and the All-In-Wonder Premium iterations are both slated to hit reputable e-tailers "soon," with the latter unit including a bundled remote and an input / output board with an array of easy access connections. As expected, each card will boast 512MB of DDR2 memory, a clock speed of 725MHz and a single hybrid tuner for capturing local NTSC / ATSC broadcasts and ClearQAM signals. Unfortunately, the most pressing piece (ahem, price) was omitted.
Belkin's FlyWire does 1080P without wires
We've all dreamed of wire clutter-free home theaters for years (admit it), and Belkin is about to make things a lot easier with the FlyWire. The new wireless transmitter and receiver can send 1080p video over a 5GHz band. Belkin promises little to no interference and no latency even for you gamers. As for connections, we're looking at three HDMI ins, two component ins, one composite, and one HDMI out. Remote control is done via IR, which should be welcome news to those of you with universal remotes. FlyWire will come in two packages: The FlyWire AV69003 at $999.99 is meant for a whole-home solution with an IR backchannel for multi-room control, while the FlyWire R1 AV69000 at $699.99 is meant for a single room without the IR backchannel. Not exactly cheap, but a heck of a lot cheaper than those custom wireless installs, and a lot more pretty than ripping a hole in your wall for cables. FlyWire should hit stores in October.%Gallery-27272%
Epson's Ensemble HD Home Cinema System now shipping
We're still rather bummed that Epson failed to add in a third option for its Ensemble HD Home Cinema System that included a Blu-ray player, but nevertheless, those interested in picking up a complete -- and we mean complete -- home theater system at once can finally do so. Said package is available with your choice of a PowerLite 1080p or 720p projector, a 100-inch motorized screen, upconverting DVD player, Atlantic Technology 5.1 speaker system, universal remote, every single cable you'll need to hook things up, a wire management track system and all necessary mounting brackets. Ready for the sting? You're looking at $6,999 for the 1080p system and $4,999 for the 720p edition.
