Until recently we have had to get our TV content from Cable (Comcast, AT&T, DIRECTV, Dish Network). In my opinion, these services all provide the same content at essentially the same price. There are subtle differences between them, but they are all very similar.Lately we have been getting inquiries from customers about dropping these services entirely. With the availability of free or pay per view online services this option is starting to gain some momentum.Internet services like, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV, etc. allow users to stream content at little or no cost. Many of these services are available through the new Blu-Ray DVD players and internet ready TVs.The major service providers still have an advantage for live sports and many shows are not available online or may have waiting periods before they are posted.All this new content has appealed primarily to the younger generations, as we have had years of training on channel surfing and traditional access to media via our remote control. But some of us older folks are looking for ways to “cut the cord” and free ourselves from $100+ monthly bills.If you have had success with alternative content providers, let us know.We think this will be the way of the future.
SoundVision Wins Three NARI Remmie Awards
Just a month after winning our two Best Practice Awards at the 2010 CE Pro 100 Integrators Summit, SoundVision had the honor of taking home three Remmie Awards from the Bay Area Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Winning both first and second place awards in Home Theater category as well as first place in the Small Commercial category.“We’re thrilled to back up our CE Pro Best Practice Awards wins with three Remmie Awards for achievement in home theater design and installation,” said SoundVision President Scott Sullivan. “Thanks to the NARI Remmies committee for recognizing our work again this year.”The awards were handed out during the Bay Area NARI’s annual awards and leadership dinner at the Marines Memorial Club in downtown San Francisco, and recognized professionals around the remodeling industry including general construction, architecture, interior design and more.2010 marks the fourth straight year where SoundVision captured the top prize in the Remmies’ Home Theater category. In 2009, SoundVision took home the first and second place in both Home Theater Under $150,000 and Home Theater Over $150,000 categories. Congratulations to everyone who won and we are looking forward to another exciting year of operational excellence!Are you a sports fan?
Wait for it…
First we had sports via radio, then black and white TV, then color TV, followed by HDTV. I am sure you have noticed the dramatic difference each one of these advancements has made.If you want to take it to the next level, consider a projection screen.Imagine experiencing the big game on your 110 inch projector screen, beverage in hand and buddies in awe. It’s going to be vastly more intense than what you are used to with even the higher end LCD or Plasma HDTVs.Golf, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, Auto racing and now MotoGP and Supercross are broadcasted in HD and look amazing on the movie screen.I just put one in my house and have become more of a sports fan since the game looks soooo good. It is truly better than being there.How much does it cost? With the recent advancements in projector technology, A decent high definition projector and screen can be had for less than $4,000. Just 5 years ago this level of performance would have been north of $30,000.Don’t believe it?Drop by the office and let us show you! Kick back, watch the blinds drop, lights dim, and let the magic happen.But be careful, so far everyone that has seen it has wanted it…You can’t say we didn’t warn you.
…Awesome
Mac Mini Home Theater
Integrating a Mac Mini into your home theater system opens up a whole new world of media features and offers the convenience of having a fully functional Apple computer on your television. Having a direct connection to your music, movie, and photo library on an HD system is truly an immersive experience. With a few peripherals such as a wireless keyboard and mouse you can easily browse your favorite websites, play video games, instant message, and even shoot out emails – on the biggest screen in the house, all from the convenience of your couch. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. With the addition of a webcam, you can even set up video conferencing, over your media system.With its small form factor, ease of operation, and many input/output options, the Mac Mini makes a perfect companion piece to your media system.
Top 6 benefits of Central Vacuum Systems
1) 5x more suction power than a regular vacuum means less debris is left behind and floors are cleaner.
2) The small dust particles that go through regular vacuum filters are re-introduced into the air to remain in the living environment. Central vacuum systems exhaust the dust outside of the living area, resulting in 70% fewer allergens than homes without central vacuums.*
3) Vac-pan automatic dustpans make sweeping easier. Just sweep to the vac-pan, press the button with your toe, and the debris is sucked away.
4) Central vacuum heads are lighter than standard vacuums so they are easier to use.
5) The filter is very large, so it does not need to be emptied as frequently as a standard vacuum.
6) Central Vacuums on average last around 20 years, making it a wise investment.
*According to a study at UC Davis in 2006.
Hose attached to a central vacuum inlet
Central Vacuum systems are a shining example of technology making home life healthier. Central vacuums are a simple system of wall inlets distributed throughout a house that connect to a high powered central vacuum unit. Each inlet allows for a hose or accessory attachment rendering it a fully functional vacuum for lightweight but powerful vacuuming.The central vacuum unit is typically installed in a discreet and easily accessible location of the house such as a basement or garage.
Automatic dustpan
The systems can also include automatic dustpans attached to the wall for an extra quick and efficient clean-up.One of the best aspects of a central vacuum system is how well they completely remove dust, pollen, & animal dander from your home. Traditional vacuums don’t have the power or ability to vent outside of the living area, which makes central vac systems perfect for families with children, pets or allergy sufferers.
Central Vacuums have a limited lifetime warranty and on average last around 20 years which makes it a wise investment.
The Machine
Like many others proud Giants fans in the Bay area, I’ve spent considerable time glued to the games these last few weeks. Just the other day I was at a neighbor’s house watching the game and someone mentioned this hilarious interview with no other than Brian Wilson. After giving us a rundown of the clip we knew had to see it as soon as possible. Not a second after the next commercial break started, my friend grabbed the remote, switched to Apple TV, and within a matter of seconds had the YouTube interview up and running on his TV. Huddling around the computer to watch YouTube clips is already a thing of the past, how awesome is that!
The Best Streaming Media Devices
Once the domain of computers, home networks are now connecting the latest generation of TVs, video game systems and audio systems to a myriad of content available on the Internet. As the importance of home networking has grown, the quality of the home network has a large impact on a homeowner’s lifestyle.One of the most exciting trends gaining momentum in home entertainment is access to your home network and the internet. Network access opens up a brand new world of apps and streaming media features such as Netflix, Pandora, and Amazon Video on demand. Many devices are adopting theses features, but with this influx of new features come a startling amount of options for content. We’d like to share with you a handy chart that maps out some of the best features that are currently available with our favorite media players.
Click on image to enlarge
SoundVision Takes Home Another CE Pro Best Practice Award
We’re very proud to announce that SoundVision took home a Best Practice Award at this week’s CE Pro Magazine Top 100 Integrators Summit in Los Angeles. SoundVision was recognized for excellence in Production Management, specifically for our documentation process.The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and CE Pro editors. A big thanks to the panelists at Ce Pro for this great honor.
Projectors and Screens
A motorized screen in the living room.
Bringing the cinema experience to your home is an exciting proposition, but raises a lot of important decisions you should consider. Where will the projector live? Will it be out in the open, tucked in a custom made soffit, or attached to a motorized arm? What kind of projector should you get, what kind of film screen, and should that be out in the open or hidden when not in use? Well, you get the idea. We’d like to talk about some of the most popular options and weigh in with the pros and cons of each one.Projector Location
Hidden Projectors are aesthetically attractive and certainly have the cool factor going for them. Many home theater owners enjoy the convenience of using their remote to dim the lights and lower their motorized projector and film screen from the ceiling. Hidden projectors and screens are remarkable for seamlessly transforming a traditional living room into a complete home theater.When Projectors are installed out in the open, it makes for a quicker install and negates the need for a special ventilation system. Being out in the open also allows for easy to access for repairs and minor upgrades.Another consideration when thinking about location is the viewing distance of your seating in comparison to your screen size. For more info Check out our Optimal Screen Distance and Height Chart.
Types of Projectors
Single Chip Projectors – Start with a source of light (lamp) and split the light into three beams. Each beam passes through its own LCD panel. The LCD panels each have hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels, the higher the resolution, the more pixels. Data determines whether light is allowed to pass through each one. Single chip projectors offer a great value, but can be perceived as overly saturated and can sometimes display what is know as the rainbow effect.Three Chip Projectors - 3 chip projectors are a system where a white light passes through a prism that divides the light into red, green and blue. The colored light is reflected from the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) and passes through the lens to project an ultra rich image. Three chip projectors come at a premium price, but have an ultra sharp image without the rainbow effect or heavy saturation.
Screen Options
When choosing a screen for a projector, there are additional considerations to factor in like ambient lighting, viewing angles, and space. For example, environments with a high level of ambient light might benefit from a gray screen to enhance the black levels. Manufacturers like Stewart Filmscreens offer a wide range of high quality screens that are designed to meet the needs of any theater room setup.Many customers enjoy the ease of having a motorized screen lower from the ceiling when the time comes to throw in a movie. This provides the most flexibility in terms of location and a popular way to turn a traditional living room into a home theater without affecting the décor.As you can see there are many things to consider when purchasing a projector for your home. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about projectors please feel free to call our office at (415) 456-7000, send me an email or visit our website today.
Home Theater Upgrade in Phases Part 2
We’d like to share with you another media system upgrade done in Glen Ellen. Here, we have another simple upgrade with a small twist at the end. The customer wanted a more streamlined and elegant system than the previous one, shown below.
The first step was to clear out the old system and cut in holes for the new B&W in-wall speakers.
Once the speaker wires were fished through the walls, the in-wall speakers were installed along with the Sanus wall mount for the new TV.
A Samsung Ultra thin 1″ LED display was installed on the wall mount.
With the TV and wires in place, it was now time to configure all the components in a new cabinet. The components included a Velodyne subwoofer, a Mac Mini, a Comcast HD cable box, a Sonos Zone Player, an Integra receiver, and a Sony Blu-Ray player.
Here’s where the challenging part of the installation occurs. Now that the system has been upgraded and the cabinet is a bit larger, the symmetry of the hearth is thrown off center. We suggest to the client that modifying the hearth would re-balance the symmetry. The next day contractors modified the hearth to balance the wall.
After the hearth was successfully trimmed down we realigned the media system, painted the in-wall speakers, programmed the URC remote, and calibrated the audio and video. As you can see below, the new home theater’s visual impact is very minimalist considering how many components and features are available in this system.