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Audio Four New In-Wall Speakers From Leon Designed to Match Décor - 50 Colors Come Standard

Players Feature-Packed PMP for Just $199

Welcome to this edition of rAVe Home!

Did you see what TiVo did with Amazon? All those TiVo users who were about to buy media centers just might be re-thinking that move. For sure, they'll delay such investments. This is an even better deal for Amazon, with 1.5 million customers suddenly plugged into the Amazon Unbox movie download service. Good play by TiVo and Amazon.

In this issue, my editorial discusses why Blu-ray is the champ. Agree? Disagree? Let me know!  Although, it really doesn't matter if you disagree as I am right. :)

Enjoy the issue!

Letter to the Industry From Da-Lite's Blake Brubaker

An Open Letter to the Audiovisual Community:

Those of us who have been in the audiovisual industry for any length of time have all known some really great people who have joined us through the years and we also know of folks who have had great influences over our careers in the industry and are no longer with us.  One such great person who we lost a number of years ago was M.K. "Kim" Milliken.  As a member of the Da-Lite Screen Company team, Kim was a great teacher, mentor and friend when I started some fourteen years ago.  For that I will ever be indebted to him.  His quick witted responses to questions and his never wavering way of making you answer your own question through his guidance is something I will remember and cherish as long as I am able to continue in this wonderful world we call audiovisual. 

Blake Brubaker

Perhaps one of Kim's most marked contributions to the industry is his works entitled Angles of View which were published from 1995 through 2000.  In these works, Kim was able to help us understand some of the most important attributes affecting visual display and introduced us to ideas and concepts that some in the industry had never considered.  For many in the industry, Angles of View has become required reading for those just entering the audiovisual marketplace as a way of helping them understand that there is more to designing a proper visual display than just hanging a projector and a screen.  In addition to these series of white papers, Kim was also one of the main contributors to the revision of the Basics of Audio and Visual Systems Design, as published by Infocomm International.  Here again, his unique insight and his passion to better the industry and help create stunning visual displays were very evident.

Kim Milliken

To that end, I am very honored to have been asked by the Da-Lite management team of Chairman and CEO, Rich Lundin and Executive Vice-President, Judy Loughran to continue the quest which Kim had for himself, Da-Lite and the entire audiovisual industry to help others produce high quality visual displays. 

It is with great pleasure that I announce the introduction of a new series of white paper articles entitled Angles of Reflection.  In Angles of Reflection, we will contemplate much of what Kim has taught us in his series and learn how to apply it to the designs which we are creating with today's technology.  We will also look at topics and technology which are new to us and attempt to understand how the basics which we have learned from Angles of View should be applied today. 

As we all know, technology changes and when it does we have a great opportunity to reflect back upon what we have been taught to make sure we are applying the set of standards properly.  It is my hope that you will find this series of articles informative and useful.  While we will never be able to fill the void which Kim's passing has left us at Da-Lite, I will do my very best to make him proud and help carry on the passion he had for our industry.

Best regards,

Blake Brubaker

Systems Display Manager

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Editorial: Why Blu-ray Gonna Kill HD-DVD

By Gary Kayye, CTS

For those who read my annual Krystal Ball 2007 predictions of the AV market (December 2006), one of the predictions I made was related to a controversial topic floundering in the consumer AV market right now: which high definition DVD format will win, HD-DVD or Blu-ray.

Well, the cards, letters and emails poured in. Many of you either agreed or thanked me for helping you make the decision between the two formats for your own homes. But, some of you out there just couldn't take it, writing to explain how wrong I was in making that prediction; how could I be so wrong?!

I read through each and every response. But, I must say, if you're going to defend a dying, sub-par, lame, so-called standard such as HD-DVD, please come up with a better argument than the name is so much easier for the American public to grasp, so it will win over the market with guaranteed acceptance.

Yep, that was literally the best explanation anyone could come up with. No technical defense. No applications declaration. Nothing; just the name thing.

Well, I can do way better than that. I admit that I didn't do such a great job in my article in my Krystal Ball article to explain or justify my prediction. But, that's hard to do when you're only given about 100 words or so to explain each claim. Alas, here I go...

Why Blu-ray is better:

Well, it really comes down to four things that support my prediction of Blu-ray as the clear market winner in the high definition DVD war.

• Studio Adoption: Eight major studios in Hollywood make more than 85% of the movies that eventually make it to the DVD market in the US. Of those, only one has not adopted Blu-ray (yes, one). In contrast, only two have decided to throw their support behind HD-DVD. You do the math.
• Capacity: The Blu-ray DVD capacity has garnered huge support among most of the major computer hardware manufacturers. Companies such as Dell, Sony and Apple either already have Blu-ray discs integrated into the product line or will by June 2007. At more than 50 Gig, storage capacity is larger than most people's hard drives and is literally two times that of HD-DVD's.
• Bandwidth: The peak bit-rate of Blu-ray discs is 40mbs. In contrast, HD-DVD is 29.54mbs. Who cares? Well, you do when it comes to movies with action. Ever see those blocky, blotchy explosions of normal DVDs? Well, that's because standard DVD is limited to 9.8mbs. Normally, I wouldn't focus on quality as a driving factor in the adoption of anything in the AV market, especially since the advent of DLP and LCD projection. But, in this case, we are talking about the picture quality of a standard that's totally reliant on picture quality/improvements (HDTV). So, it matters. Want to test this one out yourself? Buy, rent or borrow a Blu-ray and an HD-DVD copy of Mission: Impossible 3. Watch a few action scenes of each--some explosions, some running, some dark scenes--and tell me you don't come to the same conclusion. It's clear quality differentiation. When something's that obvious, people notice.
• The PlayStation 3: Sounds stupid to even write this, but it's a factor. The PlayStation has a larger market share than any videogame player in history. And, the PlayStation 3 comes with a Blu-ray DVD player, included. That's a lot of kids with forced Blu-ray adoption. Enough said.

Other than the name argument, the only other logical argument was price. Currently, Blu-ray DVD players cost 30 to 60% more than HD-DVD players. But, come on. Hasn't underestimating a technology's adoption because it was more expensive than its competitive technology burned us all? Hey, look at Apple: The iPod's the most expensive portable music player on the planet and it currently enjoys a market share that's almost that of Microsoft's Word.

Still don't agree? OK, take a chance. Head on down to Best Buy and grab an HD-DVD player. I dare you!

Oh, did I mention that there will be more than five million Blu-ray products introduced in 2007? Oh, I just did.

 

Reprinted with permission from Sound & Communications.  Founded in 1955, Sound & Communications is the premiere magazine for AV systems integrators, contractors and consultants. To subscribe or read sample articles, go to http://www.soundandcommunications.com.

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Thanks to our sponsor D-Tools, worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system design software. System Integration just got easier!

Endless Networking & Educational Opportunities Available for You

Your chance to experience endless networking and educational opportunities is fast approaching. Join CEDIA in the bright lights of Las Vegas, NV, April 18-21 for the first annual 2007 Electronic Lifestyles® EXPO.  This event is jam-packed with numerous functions, special events, and connections to architect, builders, and interior designers. 

The tradeshow floor, with the most up-to-date technological developments, will be the perfect compliment to your experience as you discover the most current and cutting-edge ways to service the needs of your clients. 

Relationship-building and education go hand-and-hand when cultivating the perfect way to conduct business, which will result in higher profitability, better customer satisfaction and the full sense of a job well done.

Bridge the gap between design and technology...

Register online now! Questions? Visit www.cedia.org/elforumexpo for more information or call (800) 669-5329.

CEDIA 2007 Electronic Lifestyles® EXPO
Sand EXPO & Convention Center and Venetian Hotel
Las Vegas, NV
April 18 - 21, 2007

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CU On the Road is Heading East

CEDIA University's CU On the Road is heading to the east coast March 21-24 to Key Digital in Mount Vernon, NY for four full-days packed with 21 different classes, including hands-on workshops, FREE manufacturer product training, review sessions, and certification exams.

Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect ...

• Wednesday - Introductory classes, including Multi-Channel A/V Layout, Introduction to Codes and Standards, and the Fundamentals of Home Theater Design
• Thursday - Advanced classes, including Video Display Technologies, Component Installation, and free manufacturer product training by event sponsor Key Digital
• Friday - Two full-day workshops led by Anthony Grimani and Grayson Evans
• Saturday - Become a CEDIA Certified Installer by taking Installer Level I or II certification exams, or take part in a workshop led by industry expert Sam Cavitt

Click here to find out how to save $75 off you registration. See complete class information in the online brochure.

Register now! For more information visit www.cedia.org/education or call (800)669-5329.

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TiVo, Amazon Announce Savvy Download Deal

You can never count TiVo out. Ever. Just when it seems like other DVR manufacturers could bring the pricey TiVo to its knees (especially the free or inexpensive DVRs offered by cable/satellite providers), TiVo comes up with a great new service. This time, it's a deal with Amazon's new Unbox. "Amazon Unbox on TiVo" will let broadband-ready TiVo subscribers (1.5 million of them, says TiVo) download and watch the thousands of TV shows and movies available from Unbox.

What's brilliant about this is that there are plenty of customers who don't want to watch downloaded movies on their PCs, and don't want to have to buy, then attach PCs to their living room TVs. With this deal, customers can download to the TiVo and watch directly on the TV, bypassing any sort of PC or media center.

There are drawbacks. A media server lends itself nicely to multi-room viewing. With this, multi-room viewing features have been disabled because of rights. But users can download a video directly to up to two PCs or TiVo DVRs at any time so that's (sort of) a way around that problem.

According to the announcement, users can either buy or rent the shows or movies. Those who rent have 30 days to begin watching the download (that's a huge length of time compared to the one or two days initially offered by other online download services).

The model for buying, though, is different and quite user-friendly. Any video you buy from Amazon Unbox remains in your purchased files on their website, should you want to download it again any time later. (Some restrictions apply to new releases.) So, not only does a consumer NOT have to have a media center attached to the TV, they don't need a video jukebox either since Amazon will act as a virtual storage device.

The downloaded file shows up on the "Now Playing" list on TiVo, just as does any other recorded show. The cost for television episodes is $1.99 and for movies, between $9.99 and $14.99. Movie rentals start at $1.99. Amazon has the trailer right on the page, which is definitely nice.

No software is required and downloads are ordered from the Unbox website using a computer and web browser. On the website, a TiVo logo will appear next to movies or shows that are eligible for Amazon Unbox on TiVo.

TiVo owners just need to register on the Unbox website. They say it's fast. We tested it and registration was complete in about 30 seconds! We'll test the download quality and functionality another time.

For more information, go to http://www.tivo.com/4.9.24.asp?WT.ac=HPsubbb_unbox

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Sony Extends BRAVIA Brand to Wider Variety of Products, Cineza and Grand WEGA Names -- Gone

Sony plans to apply the BRAVIA branding to not just LCD TVs, but to everything -- front projectors, home-theater-in-a-box products and micro-display TVs, replacing both the long-standing Grand WEGA and Cineza brand names.

The first new BRAVIA products were also announced. New BRAVIA flat-panel LCDs include the HD 1920 x 1080p resolution V- series - the 46-inch KDL-46V3000 and the 40-inch KDL-40V3000 models. There is a new S-series LCD line specified at 1366 x 768 progressive resolution, in 46, 40 32 and 26 inches as well as a 32-inch model with Sony's new Motionflow technology, designed to eliminate image blurring and motion artifacts.

There are three new E model BRAVIA micro-display TVs in a slimmer cabinet than previous models. These are specified at 1920 x 1080p resolution and come in 46 and 50 inches. The 37-inch model is specified at 1280 x 720p.

In BRAVIA front projection, the 1280 x 720p resolution 3LCD VPL-AW15 unit was introduced and is specified at 1100 lumens and up to 12,000:1 contrast ratio.

The three new home theater-in-a-box systems include 5-disc DVD changer, HDMI output, and a digital media port for adding optional accessories to playback audio files stored on compatible Bluetooth-enabled products, WiFi PCs or select Network Walkman and iPod portable audio devices.

All models will be available later this spring and summer direct from Sony at sonystyle.com and Sony Style stores and Sony dealers.

For more information, go to http://www.sonystyle.com

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Best Buy Gets Out of Structured-wiring Business

To a lot of applause from CEDIA style integrators, Best Buy tells its partners it will be "ending our structured wiring business within the next 30 days."

The retailer blames "Constant price cut demands from builders and the highly increasing commoditization of the products and labor involved have made it difficult for (anyone) to be profitable in the current market."

That's code for:  We couldn't figure out how to do it with un-trained, ill-equipped, unknowledgeable people, profitably, so we're bailing - see ya!

Best Buy for New Homes -- the group that installed systems for residential communities - will be folded into the new ConnectedLife group (Best Buy for New Business unit, the group offering a USD$15,000 home automation and entertainment system).

If history is any indication, we know what will happen here, huh?  Good luck...

For more info, go to http://www.bestbuybusiness.com

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New Chairman for AMX

AMX announced that Robert Fealy has been named non-executive chairman of its board of directors. Fealy replaces Craig Duchossois, who remains a member of the AMX Board. This move follows the company's three acquisitions last year.

In addition to his new role with AMX, Fealy is executive vice president of Duchossois Industries, Inc. and managing director of Duchossois Technology Partners, an early-stage venture capital company. He has served on the AMX Board of Directors since Duchossois Industries acquired AMX in 2005. He also serves on the board and executive committee of Churchill Downs and on the boards of Duchossois Industries, The Chamberlain Group, Brivo Systems, Pella Corporation and the Illinois Venture Capital Association.

For more information, go to http://www.amx.com/newsroom/pressrelease-file.asp?release=2007.3.1

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New 65-Inch 1080p Plasma From Vidikron

Vidikron announced the VP-6500VHD, a 65-inch 1080p plasma TV specified at 1920 x 1080 resolution. It uses 16-bit digital video processing for 4096 steps of graduation, and has the company's IntelliWide mode and the separate VHD controller's Imagix video processing for viewing 4:3 content in a 16:9 widescreen format, filling the 65-inch screen without noticeable picture degradation.

This is THX- and ISF-certified.

MSRP of Vidikron's VP-6500VHD is $19,995 and it is shipping.

For more information, go to http://www.vidikron.com/press_releases.section/pages/releasec21354a9447.html

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Sony Sets Price and Ship Date for BRAVIA Internet Video Link

That new BRAVIA Internet Video Link, the module that connects to Sony TVs and lets users access certain Internet video programming, will ship in July and will carry an MSRP of about $300.

Sony says the module will let consumers access programming, including HD content, from providers such as AOL, Yahoo!, Grouper, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG Music. A majority of Sony's 2007 television models will be BRAVIA Internet Video Link-ready.

This is a nice design - the module fits in back of the TV so it is concealed.

But it's hard to say if the content that can be accessed is compelling enough. It sounds like users can only access content that has been pre-selected by Sony. But users tell us that they want Internet-connected TVs so they can go on Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com) to see movie ratings or look up actors and directors, or they want to go to TVGuide's online listing.  So, while Sony's concept is great, the quality of the content will eventually make or break it.

For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/television/flat_panel_displays/lcd/release/27475.html

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New Frames in Four Colors From Sanus

Sanus Systems introduced new decorative frames available for 32-, 42-, and 50-inch flat-panel TVs. The frames are available in black, gold, mahogany, and silver. A nice feature is that each frame comes with an appropriately-sized optional Aristos Optic Mirror Kit, which allows the TV to turn into a mirror when the when the display is off.  The frames include an Infrared Kit, allowing continued use of remote controls.

For more information, go to http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/productCategory/line/visionmount/pcat/decorativeFrames/

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Two New Gefen Scalers Reconcile Formats

At NSCA, Gefen will introduce two new scaling solutions that help when connecting different formats to the single HDMI connector on today's high definition televisions and projectors.

Each model offers an assortment of video inputs and outputs as well as a selection of associated audio inputs and outputs.

Both scalers also multitask, performing source switching and format converting in addition to scaling HD video, output in resolutions ranging from 480i to 1080p.

The Gefen Home Theater Scaler comes equipped with two HDMI inputs with separate S/PDIF and TOSlink audio ins, and two component inputs supplemented by two analog audio inputs.

One HDMI output delivers HDTV signals to the display or projector. Analog audio is digitized before being delivered in mirrored digital formats as well as embedded in the HDMI output.

The Gefen Home Theater Scaler Plus offers the same features as the Home Theater Scaler, but trades one component input with a composite or s-video input.

For more details, go to http://www.gefen.com/kvm/news/RecentNews29.jsp

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New Dual-Mode Component Cooler Designed for Cooling Systems in Enclosures

Active Thermal Management introduced the Dual-Mode Component Cooler, a home theater cooling system that can operate in two modes for quiet cooling of systems on shelves, in bookcases or other semi-enclosed areas. The Cooler consists of a black powder-coated base housing two quiet 120 mm fans and a magnetic-base thermal switch assembly. The fans run continuously at an idle speed, appropriate for removing the heat produced by always-on components, switching to a higher speed as temperatures rise.

As shipped, the Cooler is placed on top of a hot component, cooling it while forming another shelf on which a heat-sensitive component can be placed. In an alternate configuration, the Cooler is placed under a hot component, forcing cooling air up through the component. Mode switching is done with just a Philips screwdriver. Either way, the Dual-Mode Component Cooler can support more than 100 pounds.

Available in May, the Dual-Mode Component Cooler will have a suggested retail price of $220.00.

For more information, go to http://www.activethermal.com/

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ReQuest to Upgrade Product Lines

ReQuest announced the company's plans for new and upgraded products for 2007. The ReQuest music servers will have more features, increased CD storage, will include NetSync for iTunes and will have a lower price - starting at $1,500.

ReQuest's four music-server families, the N-Series, F-Series, ARQIVE, and flagship S-Series, now feature models with minimum CD-equivalent capacities of 200 discs, and up to 2500 discs. They also now use the new Serious Play operating system, for better performance and new features (such as the NetSync). For the first time, says the company, families with multiple iPods can use their ReQuest server as a hub to share libraries and enjoy their entire collections anywhere -- in another room of the house, in the car, traveling, at work or even streamed over the Internet onto a personal computer in a hotel room or office.  Additionally, owners of one or more ReQuest servers can sync music collections to each system whether located across town or anywhere in the world owing to the NetSync technology.

For more information, go to http://www.request.com/news/pressreleasespages/pressreleases_01_01_2007.asp

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CD Storage System Lets Users Select According to Mood

The moodSeer lets users store and access music collections but when music is loaded, moodSeer connects to the internet and imports all the information available about each CD. Then the system calculates the mood for each track and dynamically updates that mood and stores the music and the information on the moodCenter.

The moodCenter is a component that supports analog and digital audio and connects right to the home theater or listening room. Streaming to other rooms is done with the moodSpot, and any number of moodSpots can be added wired or wirelessly.

For more information, go to http://www.moodseer.com/

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Gefen Unveils USB PVR

Gefen's Personal Video Recorder allows pre-recorded video to be stored on a USB device, then viewed on any USB equipped computer. The unit is plug and play in application and requires no additional software to install.

The PVR comes with two video inputs, allowing users to switch between which source they would like to record, while both remain connected to the PVR. It is compatible with satellite television systems, DVD players, computers and camcorders.

Gefen's Personal Video Recorder uses MPEG 4 format.

For more information, go to http://www.gefen.com/index.jsp

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Four New In-Wall Speakers From Leon Designed to Match Décor - 50 Colors Come Standard

Leon Speakers has four new timbre-matched in-wall speakers, custom finished to match any décor. These are hand-crafted, fully-sealed and acoustically dampened 3/4 MDF cabinets in the 114 and 115 series products for either pre- or post-construction. A depth of 3/4 inches makes it work with all standard walls. Leon also offers a selection of more than 50 standard available grill cloth colors is standard - the magnetic grill cloths customized to match any decor are available at additional cost.

For more information, go to http://www.leonspeakers.com/inwalls.html

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Feature-Packed PMP for Just $199

DXG USA, a digital camera manufacturer, announced the DXG-Roadster personal media center that packs in a 5-megapixel digital and video camera, video, game, and music player with FM radio, voice recorder and an SD slot for additional memory. It's not missing much, especially for the $199 price tag. It has only 32MB of memory but the SD slot should take care of that.

It also serves as a Portable Video Recorder, like the Archos does. It records TV shows, movies directly from any video source via AV-in cable. It has a 2.5" screen.

For more information, go to http://www.dxgusa.com/

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