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.”

Cables To Go Offers WirelessHD Kit

Cables To Go has launched a 60 GHz WirelessHD Kit that the company says wirelessly transmits a true 1080p HDMI signal to a television from HDMI components such as a Blu-ray player, set-top box, computer, or gaming console up to 33 feet, line of sight.

“WirelessHD is on the cusp of huge growth, and the Cables To Go kit with its quality, features and price point is well positioned to be a strong player in the market,” said Gary Hess, vice president of innovation for Lastar, parent company of Cables To Go. “This is true not only for the consumer market, but our relationships and experience in additional vertical markets will help us lead adoption and growth.”
Contact us for more information

The Kaleidescape Experience

We are excited to announce that Digital Smart Homes is now an authorized Kaleidescape dealer.
The Kaleidescape System simplifies the way you collect, manage and enjoy movies and music. Once your personal entertainment collection is stored on the Kaleidescape System, you can say goodbye to DVD and CD clutter and the frustration of storing and organizing your movies and music. And, since your Kaleidescape System uses high-speed networking to deliver your favourite movies and music throughout your home, you can instantly access and enjoy them when and where it's convenient for you, your family or your guests. Simply click PLAY, lean back and immediately enjoy the show with your closest friends and family.

Pioneer Transfered Display Patents to Panasonic

Many videophiles were disappointed when Pioneer withdrew from the Plasma display business last year. The Pioneer Kuro was the standard to beat on all levels of performance. What happen to all that amazing technology and those brilliant engineers that made the Kuro such an elite television? I recently came across Pioneer’s Annual report for 2009, and in it I came across some interesting piece of information. On page 50 of the report it states:

“Transfer of Patents for Plasma Display Panels to
Panasonic Corporation
The Company resolved to transfer its patents for plasma display
panels and modules to Panasonic Corporation at the Board of
Directors’ meeting held on April 28, 2009. The two companies
had executed the agreement on May 15, 2009. This constitutes
part of the business restructuring effort in accordance with plans
for a full withdrawal from the display business.”

I also contacted a representative at Panasonic and was told that many of the engineers where hired by Panasonic and the new 2010 line up of Panasonic plasma displays incorporated many of the patents that were acquired from Pioneer. So does this make Panasonic the new standard? We’ll so far many of the reviews are sure pointing in that direction.

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.

New MacBook Pro's DisplayPort outputs Audio & HDMI

The updated specs on the New MacBook Pro mini DisplayPort is capable of sending both HDMI and digital audio over one cable giving it multi streaming capabilities and eliminating the need to have two separate cables. This greatly enhances the new MBP’s Front Row application as a media computer that could be incorporated into a Home Theater system. Technically labeled as DisplayPort 1.2, it has double the data rate, now at 21.6 Gps and can handle 3D, colour depths higher than 24-bit and faster frame rates.

Sharp to launch Quattron 3D TV's

harp will begin selling 3D capable TV’s by December. It will the worlds only 3D TV’s that use RGBY, Red, Green, Blue and Yellow as the four primary colours vs the standard RGB used by Panasonic, Samsung & Sony. RGBY takes the number of colours that can be displayed into the trillions and will also be significantly brighter than ints competitors. Sharp's 3D LCD will also feature a side-mount scanning LED backlight technology, which reduces crosstalk--an effect in 3D TV’s that can sometimes cause a ghost image to appear onscreen (even when wearing glasses) similar to a double exposure photograph.

Yamaha 3D Receivers are on there way

Yamaha 3D home theatre receivers are expected to be available in mid May. They will support high speed HDMI, also known as 1.4. The RXV567 supports 3D and Audio Return Channel over HDMI while the RXV467 will only support 3D with no Audio Return Channel. It is also capable of bluetooth audio streaming with an optional bluetooth dock. HD Audio format decoding include Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. Yamaha’s amazing YPAO automatic system calibration is standard on all receivers. Contact us for more information on the new 67 series of Yamaha 3D receivers.

Broadcast HD Video Over Coax Cabling

Broadcast HDTV source to every TV in your establishment or home all over your existing RG6 coax cable. “ZeeVee has shattered the cost and deployment barriers for HD video distribution within hotels, airports, restaurants, bars, homes, and everywhere else digital signage or high quality video is shown” The technology is based on the same platform that cable companies rely on to deliver rich HDTV to millions of users and now is available on a more localized level within your establishment. This saves the cost of rewiring or purchasing an HDTV satellite or cable box for each TV saving thousands of dollars and time.

Basically the “ZvBox®” turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, simply tune in the “Zv” channel at any HD TV.

Key Benefits of Coax:
Proven method: cable companies light up entire cities with it
Handles up to 135 simultaneous channels
Already in place in vast majority of buildings
Easy to deploy and expand coax systems using simple hand tools
System parts (splitters, amps, etc.) inexpensive and widely available
Connects to off-the-shelf HDTVs without additional decoder boxes at each TV

If your thinking of upgrading your viewing to HDTV at the most cost effective and quickest deployment for your restaurant, bar, hotel, airport, home or anywhere else you may want to broadcast Satellite or Cable HDTV, Bluray, DVD or Digital Signage over your coax, contact us to find out if the ZvBoz will work in your environment.

Atlona PC to Computer Monitor/HDTV Wireless adapter

The Atlona's all new AT-HDAiR is designed to connect any Windows Based computer to either your HDTV or Computer Monitor wirelessly though VGA or HDMI Connections. The HDAiR is based on a powerful UWB technology, allowing users to extend high resolution content up to 30ft away. Atlona adapter is capable of supporting resolutions up to 1400x1050 or 720p. The AT-HDAiR is features with dual video (HDMI and VGA) and dual Audio (HDMI-Audio and 1/8" mini stereo) outputs. Both outputs are active simultaneously.
Whether wirelessly connected to a projector in a meeting room or to a flat TV screen in the living room, the the Atlona HDAiR allows users to easily and conveniently extend their PC visual workspace. Providing both HDMI interface, common in flat TVs, and VGA interface, common in projectors and computer monitors—the HDAiR provides users with the flexibility. Both HDMI and VGA output connections are active at the same time, therefore HDAiR receiver could be used to power up 2 displays at the same time with identical content.

Control4 My Home app for iPad

Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announced today the Control4® My Home application for iPad, which was developed in collaboration with Control UI. In a Control4®-enabled smart home, users will be able to access lighting, temperature, music, video, security systems, web cameras and more from an Apple iPad. Available now on the iTunes App Store, the Control4 My Home app has been selected as an Apple staff favourite for iPad apps.

Control4 provides home automation through an extensible operating system that integrates energy using devices and systems in the home, including, audio and video equipment, lighting systems, motorized shades, and security systems. With the new, specially designed Control4 My Home app for iPad, homeowners can use their iPad as an interface to their Control4® system to create personalized experiences such as custom lighting scenes; to conveniently control entertainment systems; or to take advantage of energy savings with programmable thermostats and other ‘green’ settings. Later in the year, homeowners will be able to use Control4 My Home in conjunction with a Control4® 4Sight remote monitoring subscription to turn lights on and off, lock or unlock doors, or access IP video cameras and security systems from the Internet, providing increased home security and peace of mind.

“Consumers want the devices in their home to be integrated and easy to use. The Control4® Operating System is designed to do just that. Many of our customers use touch screens to access their Control4 system and the iPad is a great platform that meets the needs of many homeowners for exactly this task.” said Will West, Chief Executive Officer of Control4. “We think the iPad is an important platform for homeowners looking for a smarter home and believe that when combined with Control4 My Home we will continue to push forward the mainstream adoption of affordable home control technologies that make our lives easier.”

Bell TV Confirms 3D Content Before Years End

A Bell TV spokesperson has announced that if you have a Bell 9141 or a 9242 HD PVR, your setup box is 3D ready! Bell TV will be launching 3D channels as early as years end, starting with PPV Movies and more 3D channels will follow in 2011. BellTV also has the most HD channels in Canada. Of course you will still require a 3D TV and 3D active shutter glasses in order to enjoy the full experience. If you are not a Bell TV subscriber, a 9141/9242 HD PVR is available for as little as $299 NET until July 22nd 2010, installed! Call us for full details.

Sharp Aquos Quattron LED TV

With the introduction of the LE820 Series, Sharp once again establishes its leadership in LCD and LED technology. In a monumental engineering breakthrough, Sharp’s proprietary Quattron Technology, a 4-colour filter that adds yellow to the traditional RGB, enables more than a trillion colours to be displayed for the first time. A stunning new contemporary edge-light design with full-front glass proudly announces a new AQUOS direction for 2010. The proprietary AQUOS LED system comprised of the X-Gen LCD panel and UltraBrilliant LEDs enables an incredible dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1 and picture quality that is second to none. The LE820 series is very fully featured, including the addition of Netflix™ streaming video capability through the AQUOS Net™ service, along with the industry’s leading online support system, AQUOS Advantage Live. A built in media player allows for playback of music and photos via USB port.

The Future is Internet Video Streaming.

From where we sit at Digital Smart Homes, the future of movie watching arrives through the internet. Steaming movies over the internet is now so accessible that many predict that streaming will displace DVD technology entirely within three years. That doesn't worry us, because our line of priority switches and routers by Pakedge are designed specifically for video and audio streaming to ensure an optimal, uninterrupted experience.

RSB-KIT

The popularity and affordability of IP networking has driven audio/video and controls networks to share the same physical wire with computer networks. However, unlike computer data that can tolerate a certain degree of unpredictable latency, video streaming, audio streaming, and control systems cannot. These sophisticated networks require the same robustness as an enterprise network to ensure the packets that carry audio and video arrive in time and that IP-based controls do not lose critical command packets.

Our line of Pakedge Audio-Video Bridging (AVB) products is designed to solve these issues with minimum configuration. The Pakedge solution pre-configures the Security Appliance (Router) and switch, dividing the network into 4 separate subnets (VLANS) to manage traffic, broadcast, and priority for all devices based on color coded ports. The simplicity of Pakedge’s solution allows our installers or DIY clients to focus on quick, quality installations without enterprise configuration worries.

Lutron Lighting and Shades

am very excited to welcome Lutron Electronics into our line card. Lutron offers a complete line of lighting control solutions for residences as well as for commercial projects.

What is light control?
Light control is the ability to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light in a room or throughout your whole home or business. With Lutron, you can adjust the amount of daylight with electronically controlled shades and drapes, and electric lights with dimmers and switches. And you can conveniently control it all with keypads, sensors, and other light control devices to create the perfect balance of daylight and electric light to suit your lifestyle.

So whether you are a homeowner seeking to enhance the appearance or atmosphere of a single room, or a facilities manager looking to enhance employee productivity and comfort while reducing energy-related costs throughout an entire corporate campus, Lutron can offer you the best value lighting control solutions that will meet or exceed your expectations while staying within your budget.

Finally. An iPod dock that does it all!

Introducing the all new iPort FS-23 free-standing iPod/iPhone dock. This dock transforms your iPod or iPhone into a Digital Media System with On-Screen Navigation. Besides standing out as dock that connects to your TV with a full GUI (Graphical User Interface), the dock connects to your local network! This virtually allows you to sync you iPod or iPhone over your network without having to dock it directly to your computer. The advantages of a network connection can be quickly realized. You basically have a very inexpensive Media Server and fully unlocks your media even if they are DRM protected. It also has a remote zone IR control input so that the FS-23 Dock can be controlled from any room with several different control devices including Control4 or a Harmony Remote. Connects to your TV via component cables to give you the most optimized video playback of your Movies, TV Shows or Photos. Audio can be connected to your Hi-Fi system or directly to the TV for rich sound.

Other features include:
• View and navigate content from the iPod/iPod touch directly on your TV
• Charge the iPod/iPod touch while docked
• Select music, video, song, artist, album, and playlist
• View an elegant Now Playing screen that indicates title, artist, and album with cover art provided by the iPod/ iPod touch.
• iPort standard IR remote
• Control iPod/iPod touch settings such as equalizer,
• repeat, and shuffle
• Built-in pre-amplifier for variable volume control
• Stop-motion screen saver with time adjustment

Cambridge Audio's one

Cambridge Audio’s “ONE” micro system has all the features a music lover would want wrapped in to a smart package. This fully integrated system comes with a built in CD Player that also plays WMA and MP3 CD’s. It also has a built in SD and USB reader that is accessible from the front, dedicated MP3 player input via a 3mm front jack, DAB/FM RDS radio tuner and a full function iPod Dock that can be all operated by a sleek remote control.

Along with all the multitude of mediums the ONE is able to play, the unit also come with an alarm clock, 2 additional inputs and a subwoofer output for those that want extra bass and want 2.1 performance. The built in Alarm will wake up to either the DAB or FM radio. The alarm feature would have been better if it was able to wake up to any source, like a playlist on your iPod. The chassis of the “ONE” is a full 215mm metal body and available in either black or silver. It has plenty of punch with a 60 watt amplifier and even had a headphone jacket to personal listening. The front LED display has a two line text feed back and can be dimmed for bedside placement. The “ONE” truly achieves so much from just one stylish neat box.