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Smart Living Journal

4 reasons why you should have a Movie Server

#1 VIDEO QUALITY
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Blu-ray™ has a capacity of 40 Mb per second, Amazon® is around 12, Netflix® around 7. This compression will degrade video quality. Fusion does a bit-for-bit copy so you lose none of the picture quality. This is especially important, as video is upsampled to 4K for most of today’s TVs!
 
#2 SOUND QUALITY
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Dolby Atmos™, DTS X™, Dolby TrueHD™, and DTS-HD™ are all available on Blu-ray. None are available via streaming services. You have amazing speakers and AV receivers—make the most of them.
 
#3 CHOICE
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Of the top 20 movies of 2014 (as rated by IMDB), only three are available on streaming Netflix, but all 20 are available in either DVD or Blu-ray!

 
#4 CONTROL4 INTEGRATION
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With the latest OS 2.8 software release, the user experience for movies now features:
• A new grid view that showcases high-resolution cover art for an improved browsing experience
• A new details view that displays rich metadata
• All-new search feature that's the perfect way to find the right album or movie

All New GENEVA Model Cinema

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The new Cinema is here! Cinema, Geneva's latest offering, has dbx-TVʼs TotalVolume, which automatically equalizes volume when changing channels and during commercial breaks and it can hold up to a 55 lb TV. The perfect system for any movie or music buff.

Read More...

Salamander Design's all new TC3 Theater Seating

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Salamander expands it's AV Basics furniture line with a new style of theater seating, the model TC3. The model TC3's proper ergonomic design, generous padding, and quality materials ensure maximum comfort that will perform over time. A great value for entry level theaters.

The TC3 offers comfort, style, and value. This motorized recliner allows every member of the family to find their perfect spot to watch movies or sporting events for hours in total comfort. The cup holders add a convenient place for any hot or cold beverage.

  • Electric Motorized Recliner mechanism provides luxurious comfort. In-arm control on end arm seats and wired remote on center seats.
  • Wall-Away recliner needs just three inches of clearance behind it
  • Black Bonded Leather cover is beautiful, durable and easy care
  • Black steel cup holders in black finish keep your beverages at hand
  • Many popular solution based configurations – not modular. Ships in Multiple Boxes
  • Easy Installation chair connectors make assembly simple
  • Quality Frame and Foam materials backed by Salamander service and support
Download the brochure here

Introduction to Dolby Atmos

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An immersive cinema experience is never too far away with Dolby’s new Atmos sound system. What sets Dolby Atmos apart from other premium sound systems is that it is built upon a brand new sound technology that reproduces the sound of individual objects instead of ‘mixing’ them in conventional channels.

Sound engineers have, for quite awhile, been restricted to just a few channels when putting together tracks. This means what we usually hear in a song or a movie scene isn’t exactly what the artists wanted to convey.

Dolby Atmos removes this constraint by producing a sound format that’s based on objects instead of channels. Sounds such as a helicopter hovering overhead is reproduced as its own ‘audio object.’ Meaning, the sound of a speeding car below won’t get mixed in, giving you the full experience of the scene as intended by the director.

When you think of sound, we think of it as a being multidimensional. That is, it moves around, above and below us. So it is crucial that sound artists and producers have means of painting a scene that we can all relate to, which they do now with Dolby Atmos.

Although the new object-based sound format is quite revolutionary, it does not mean that users will have to compromise if the entertainment mediums do not support it. The sound system is backward compatible with conventional stereo and 5.1/7.1-channel sounds.

dolby-atmos-home

Additionally, Dolby Atmos can scale down the object-based sound experience to fit the needs of headphone users. By combining Dolby Atmos with advance on-the-go technology that relies on things such as outer ear and shoulder cues, headphone users can, too, experience just as much magic as they would in a full-scale home cinema system.

Sonos: Home Theater for Music Lovers

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Sonos is taking simple home theater to the next level by delivering a new solution designed specifically for custom installers that offers all of the benefits of the Sonos home theater experience along with the flexibility required to meet the needs of any customer.

SONOS CONNECT:AMP can power third-party speakers as rears in combination with PLAYBAR and SUB to create immersive 5.1 surround sound. This new functionality was built to serve as a simple solution for new home theater installations or for retrofitting existing systems with in-ceiling or in-wall speakers.

Cambridge Audio Azur 551R 7.1 HDMI AV Receiver - Control4 Certified

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An AV Receiver that sounds like a hifi!
As TVs become impossibly thin - and sound quality gets even leaner - there's never been a better time for a home theatre system that sounds sensational but is also simple to use.

Music is at the heart of Cambridge Audio and this all new AV Receiver is designed to deliver sound that's in every way as epic as the picture quality from your movies, music and TV shows.

So, as well as all the latest processing features you'd expect, the 551R's ability to reproduce music with incredible richness and authority really separates it from the herd.

A staggering 110 Watts of power is achieved by combining Cambridge Audio's audio design expertise and the choicest selection of audiophile components.

From an all-metal and surprisingly compact design, the 551R features a multitude of connections and is guaranteed to revolutionize the audio potential of Blu-ray players, video streamers, satellite boxes, iPod docks, games consoles and of course hi-fi source components.

Like our entire range, the 551R was created at Cambridge Audio's Research and Development Centre on London's Southbank by a team with an uncontested passion for making music sound sensational!

Control4 Key Driver Features:
• 2-Way RS-232 Driver
• Supports Control4 OS versions 2.0 and above
• Control of AM/FM Tuner also available
Read More...

Introducing the Sonos Playbar

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High-definition televisions offer an amazing picture but often lack the powerful, realistic sound that movie, music and game enthusiasts enjoy. The new SONOS PLAYBAR delivers sophisticated home theater acoustics and wirelessly streams all the music on earth. And it all comes from one easy-to-use player that brings HiFi sound to HDTVs.

The nine-speaker design of SONOS PLAYBAR complements cinematic HD screens with richly-textured HiFi sound for TV, web, movies or video games.

Like other Sonos all-in-one wireless music players, the PLAYBAR allows you to wirelessly stream all the music on earth.

It connects using a single optical cable and plays everything that’s connected to the TV, including cable boxes and game consoles.

For an easy and secure wall-mounting solution either horizontally above or below the TV, use the PLAYBAR Wall Mount Kit (sold separately).

While perfect on its own, add a SUB for big bass sound and then add a stereo pair of PLAY:3s for a more immersive home theatre experience.
Read More...

Control4 and Sony Introduce New ES Receivers with Control4 Automation Built-In

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Together Control4 and Sony launch the world’s first AV receivers with built-in home automation.
Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA Expo Booth 4949 – September 5, 2012 at 5:00PM ET – Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announced that Sony has integrated Control4® automation technology into its new ES receivers (introduced at CEDIA Expo) – delivering best-in-class AV performance and home automation within one easy-to-install and easy-to-use product. The ES receivers with Control4 automation are available for order now through authorized Control4 and Sony ES dealers.

This is a powerful partnership redefining the AVR category by delivering an unprecedented integrated AV and automation experience in a single device. Consumers will enjoy top AVR performance, unmatched 4K content and a stunning selection of streaming media services, plus the added lifestyle benefits of personalized automation that can transform a house into a smart home. With companies like Sony embracing and marketing the benefits of home automation, the custom installation industry benefits as a whole. Together, Sony and Control4 have created an exciting new avenue to drive consumer awareness for the category.
Read More...

Integra's new DTR30.4 7.2 Netwrok Home Theater Receiver.

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With the absolute latest in A/V processing and content convergence, the THX®-certified DTR-30.4 elevates you to an exhilarating new level of home entertainment performance.

Read More...

All New JVC Reference Series 3D Home Cinema 4K Projector

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Featuring 4K precision and Industry leading performance, this JVC D-ILA 3D projector that 80,000:1 native contrast ratio. All the features you'd expect in a top-of-the-line model at a price that will surprise you.
Read More...

What is Home Automation or a Smart Home?

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In today’s ultra-complicated and fast-paced world, home automation and smart home technologies were developed to simplify life! Thanks to revolutionary devices, you can now link and control all of the electronics and systems in your home from a single digital interface.

Digital Smart Homes links together onto one operating platform the following technologies and more:
  • Home theatre systems
  • Multi-room music & video
  • Smart lighting & shades
  • Advanced temperature control
  • Safety and security devices
With a system such as Control4, your life will be forever changed and simplified as you hide away multiple remotes and take advantage of an easy-to-use interface that can be accessed via a single remote, your computer, iPad, iPhone, or other Smartphones.

Transforming your living environment into a “smart home” not only makes life more manageable, it makes it more secure. For instance, let’s say that you head out of town for a weekend trip and you realize a few hours out of town that you forgot to arm the security system and program the porch lights to illuminate at dusk. All you have to do is pull out your iPhone, bring up the Control4 interface, and push a few buttons to secure your alarm & program your lights.

Is Home Automation Scalable? As you revolutionize and grow your home technologies, you may be wondering if home automation is scalable. This is actually the beauty of a system like Control4. You can begin with one or two technologies and then scale out to meet additional needs. For example, if you have an amazing home theatre setup and a security system, you can begin there and then add to your setup as time progresses.

What’s in a Smart Home Console?
This is where the fun begins! Just to give you an idea, here are some of the things that Control4 can accomplish:

  • Control your home theatre
  • Dim the lights as the opening credits roll
  • Turn off all your TVs when your kids should be studying
  • Alert you when the garage door is open…and then close it
  • Manage your lights, window coverings, and thermostats
  • Monitor your locks, lighting, and security cameras
  • Allow you to play music in any room of the house
The sky is the limit! Your home can now be easily managed, and finally you don’t have to constantly provide lengthy instructions on how all of your devices work!

Visit our fully featured hi-tech showroom in Vancouver at 1385 West 6th Avenue.

Extra Vegetables Windows Media Center Control4 Driver

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For Movie and Music Servers Windows Media Center is now present on virtually all Windows 7 computers and is at the heart of many lower cost Movie Servers available on the market. Window Media Center provides a very attractive on-screen display for choosing and controlling movies. Whilst for some time it has been possible to control some aspects of a Windows Media Center from Control4 this is the first solution which delivers a fully integrated solution for both movies AND music.

Extra Vegetables Windows Media Center driver provides IP control of the Windows Media Center interface, allows you to select movies to play from the Control4 Media database and provides selection and control of music from Windows Media Center. In addition you can also control Windows Media Center extenders such as the XBox 360 (note it does not control all aspects of the XBox 360 - only when it is in Windows Media Extender Mode).
Read More...

Fusion Announces New iPad and iPhone App

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We're proud to announce our new iPad app is now available in the iTunes store. This app features full two-way meta data exchange, filter & sorting and control with any Fusion Movie Server.
Read More...

Fusion Movie Server Overview - What is a Movie Server?

This simple non-narrated video covers the basics of what a movie server is for personal residential use. The video shows some of the basics of operations of the Fusion server including navigation of the system.



The video also covers search functions, filtering and sorting your videos using a simple hand held remote control. All functions on the Fusion Server can be accessed and used with a remote or a full control system.

Fusion is also releasing a new free two-way app for the iPad & iPhone and will also offer a Droid version of its two-way app the 1st quarter of 2012, please check back for updates on the availability of these products.

Yamaha Updates ‘AVENTAGE’ A/V Receivers; Extends High End Connectivity and Control Features Throughout Line

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9.2 Channels, Expanded Networking, iPhone/iPod/Android Capabilities, CINEMA DSP HD3 Among Enhancements Being Brought to Critically-Acclaimed Line. Yamaha has updated the industry leading AVENTAGE family of A/V receivers, to include the first 9.2 channel receivers—the RX-3010 (150W x 9) and RX-A2010 (140W x 9)—along with the 7.2 channel RX-A1010 (110W x 7), RX-A810 (100W x 7) and RX-A710 (90W x 7). Like the original AVENTAGE receivers (pronounced Ah-Ven-Taj) unveiled last year to wide critical acclaim and success at retail, the new models continue to set the high bar for peak performance at affordable price points
Read More...

Wharfedale Diamond 10.LCR Left/Centre/Right Speaker Bar

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Following the success of the Diamond 10 Series, Wharfedale unveils its most modern add-on to the series' extensive line-up of speakers, the Diamond 10 Style AV Cinema System. Designed specifically for the discerning audio enthusiast, for the system features a 3-Channel LCR column speaker capable of producing superb sound when used for either gaming or watching movies, regardless of its svelte size.

The Diamond 10 Style AV Cinema System bears many of the same enhancements as its regular-sized siblings, but with new combinations of 100mm Kevlar bass drivers and 25mm silk dome tweeters affixed inside the LCR column and the mini tower speakers. The LCR column speaker requires little power even when combined with the mini tower or surround satellite speakers. And on top of that, it elegantly accents your flat panel HDTV.

Read More...

Yamaha's New AV Receiver RX-A710

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Premium Quality Audio Performance combines with the latest technological advances, including iPhone app compatibility, network functionality, front panel HDMI and USB digital connections, HD Audio decoding with CINEMA DSP 3D, and 6 in/1 out HDMI (3D and ARC compatibility).

Read More...

Sharp Unveils Its First 3D Ready High-Definition Dlp® Home Theater Projector

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Sharp has introduced its first 3D Ready High-Definition High-Quality DLP® Theater Projector with 30000:1 High Contrast Ratio and Full-HD Panel (1920x1080). it works with active shutter glasses using either DLP Link or IR syncing technology by bouncing an IR signal off the screen the picture is projected onto. Read More...

Yamaha Low Profile YSP220 Digital Sound Projector

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This extremely convenient Digital Sound ProjectorTM is low profile enough to fit neatly in front of a TV and is 3D compatible (HDMI V.1.4a). Low profile soundbar allows positioning in front of most TVs for a neat and compact AV system and the subwoofer can be placed vertically or horizontally. The YSP2200’s Digital Sound Projector technology provides true surround sound for maximum enjoyment
Built-in 132W digital amplifier Read More...

How home audio systems are reinventing the way we design our homes in the 21st century


Large. Heavy. Overbearing. The imagery of our original CD home audio systems is not a pleasant one. During a time when aesthetics were completely void of a stereo systems’ design, figuring out where to place them in our homes was often a daunting task. However, in the 21st century, the advanced technology of our hi-fi home audio systems is not only reinventing the way we listen to music, but also the way we approach interior design in our homes. Read More...

JVC Announces World’s First THX® 3D Certified Home Theater Projectors


Four new JVC home theater projectors are the world’s first to gain THX® 3D Display Certification. The four projectors, announced at CEDIA Expo in September while undergoing THX testing, will be available later this month.

The new THX 3D Certified projectors are the Reference Series DLA-RS60 and DLA-RS50, to be marketed by JVC’s Professional Products Company, and the Procision Series DLA-X9 and DLA-X7, to be available through JVC U.S.A.

During the THX 3D certification process, more than 400 laboratory tests are conducted, evaluating color accuracy, cross-talk, viewing angles and video processing to ensure the high quality 3D and 2D display performance that home theater enthusiasts demand. The JVC projectors have simple, one button solutions for optimized playback of 3D and 2D movies – THX Cinema Mode to ensure that color reproduction, luminance, blacks, gamma and video processing matches what the filmmaker intended, and THX 3D Cinema Mode, which extends this same level of accuracy for 3D broadcasts and Blu-ray Discs. THX 3D Cinema Mode is designed to deliver highly accurate color in 3D, while minimizing sources of cross-talk and flicker. For further fine-tuning, all THX Modes on JVC projectors can be accessed by THX Professional Calibrators. Read More...

Why is THX important


THX® Certified Program
THX product certification categories are based ondelivering the best cinematic experience to specific room sizes.

  • THX Ultra2 Certified - larger home theaters, 3,000 cubic feet in size, with a viewing distance of 12 feet or greater from the screen
  • THX Select2 Certified - medium home theater, up to 2,000 cubic feet in size, with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen
  • THX I/S Plus System - Certified Systems (AV Receiver + Speaker Bundle): powered to fill a small home theater or dorm room where the viewing distance from the screen is 6-8 feet

Accurately translating the cinema experience to the home is not easy. Movies are created in large mixing studios for playback in large, powerful cinema auditoriums. When played back in the home, however, movie soundtracks don’t always deliver the same impact.

With a THX Certified AV receiver, cinema volume and fidelity is recreated in the living room. This performance is achieved through strict laboratory testing, a THX Reference Level design and THX DSP technology. Read More...

Yamaha Introduces 'AVENTAGE' A/V Series; Defined by Obsession with Details to Achieve Peak Performance


Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced a line of A/V receivers that embody obsessive attention to detail combined with a multitude of engineering refinements made to achieve peak performance at affordable price points.
The new AVENTAGE (pronounced Ah-Ven-Taj) A/V Receiver Series is the result of Yamaha‘s meticulous design process to refine and re-engineer the receiver from the ground up, and to make subtle changes that mean the difference between good and great sound. The new series is a complement to Yamaha‘s award-winning RX-V line, which will continue to carry attractive feature sets in the opening to mid-level price points. Read More...

Premium-class AV Receiver with support for 3D , 6 in/2 out HDMI and tons more!


Premium-class AV Receiver with support for 3D and Audio Return channel over 6 in/2 out HDMI, CINEMA DSP 3D surround sound with or without front presence speakers, RS-232C interface for custom installation and multi-point tuning for high quality sound under $900! Introducing the RXA800 Yamaha Receiver. Read More...

Onkyo rolls out 2 HTIBs with 3-D capabilities


Onkyo has introduced two home-theater-in-a-box systems with 3-D capabilities: the HT-S6300 and the HT-S7300. The HT-S6300 -- which features four HDMI 1.4a inputs, 1080p analog up-conversion and a 290-watt subwoofer Read More...

Yamaha's NeoHD is here!


Enjoy all your AV sources plus music streaming from your computer, Internet Radio and Rhapsody content. Easily control all of your sources with a simple graphical user interface (GUI) and simplified remote control. One remote gives you total media control. Read More...

Integra's latest A/V receivers offer 3-D functionality


Integra has introduced a pair of new A/V receivers, the 100-watt-per-channel DTR-30.2 and the 90-watt-per-channel DTR-20.2, that offer 3-D functionality. Both machines feature HDMI 1.4a ports that enable 3-D video signals to pass from a Blu-ray player to a TV's display screen. Read More...

Onkyo first to introduce a THX-Certified 3D AV Receiver


The TX-SR608 Home Theater receiver by Onkyo is now available and comes with six HDMI inputs. It’s very well specked for its price at $699

All six HDMI 1.4 inputs are capable of passing 3D video, and upscale to 1080p if needed—with one of the inputs conveniently located on the front. All HD audio formats are able to be decoded, and it uses 192kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DACs. Dual subwoofer outputs and 7 x 100W output is a definite upgrade over the previous TX-SR607 model, which had just 90 watts per channel.

Take a look at the press release below for the full line-up of products.
“The new TX-SR608 7.2-channel THX-Select2 Plus certified receiver has new power amplifier section that uses three-stage inverted Darlington output topology, and a power boost from 90 to 100 watts. Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processing has been added to its predecessor's Dolby PLIIz capabilities. Additionally, all video sources, including those using the new PC input, and regardless of source resolution, can be upscaled to big and beautiful 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema™. The TX-SR608 will also include a front HDMI input, a feature first introduced by Onkyo in 2009.”

Italy's Public Libary installs "Room Euphony"


Europeans have always had a greater appreciation for Hi Fidelity, constantly obsessing to reproduce the most accurate audio and video as they can to its original recording. Italy’s public library just recently installed a Hi-Fi Audio Video system they call “Room Euphony” to promote awareness of high quality sound and video. A goal that I am a great advocate of. To often music goes unappreciated and so much detail goes unheard by being played back on “Home Theater in a Box” type systems. The library installed audio/video equipment that would educate and raise awareness of high quality reproduction. This particular system consists of:
  • Klein+Hummel speakers and amplifiers
  • Panasonic PT AE 4000 projector
  • Onkyo PR SC 5507 preamp
  • OPPO BD 83 Blu-ray player
  • Thorens TD 295 MK IV turntable
  • and more (the complete list of components can be found here, in Italian)
Room Euphony has been very popular and is often visited by students, small groups and individuals. Being that it is a library, the room is also acoustically treated. I would love to see a similar setup here at the Vancouver downtown public library. You can check out some more pictures of Room Euphony here. Stop by our showroom or the may other Hi-Fi independent dealer with your favourite CD, DVD or even your iPod and experience Hi-Fi for yourself.
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