All Articles Tagged Home Theater

Robert Archer | 03/12 12:55 PM, 0 Comments

After a hiatus during which Sherbourn Technologies focused mostly on multiroom audio technologies, the manufacturer is re-entering the home theater market with its fully-equipped PT-7020A preamplifier/processor. Ron Fone, president of Sherbourn, says the product, which took Sherbourn a couple of years to develop, is positioned as a cost-friendly step-up solution that’s attractive for installers and their clients. The PT-7020A includes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA decoding, multiple HDMI inputs and RS-232. “Separates continue to decline in the face of one-box receivers, but ‘separates’ are still an important sector for integrators and… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 03/12 07:42 AM, 1 Comment

Punkass is how Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans know him. He’s also known as Dan Caldwell, co-founder and CEO of TapouT, a company embedded in the MMA industry. The fighter/executive set out to have an elaborate theater built at TapouT’s Grand Terrace, Calif., headquarters and enlisted San Bernardino, Calif.-based Audio Video Evolution (AVE) to install the electronics. Why does a corporation need an elaborate theater? Well, TapouT — which says it manufactures a “countercultural” clothing line and produces a “raucous” reality show — isn’t a typical corporation. A Little Background… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 03/10 08:26 AM, 0 Comments

As expected, Panasonic’s Full HD 3D home entertainment system, which it says is certified under the new Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) 3D standard, hit Best Buy stores this week. Somewhat surprising is Panasonic’s announcement that the system will be sold exclusively at select Best Buy stores via its specialty Magnolia Home Theater vignettes — in other words, not off the shelves at conventional Best Buy stores. The total combined suggested retail price of the Panasonic Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System components is $2,899.99. The system includes:50-inch Panasonic VIERA… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 03/03 08:20 AM, 0 Comments

There is money to made buying stock in the consumer electronics industry, according to Web site China Analyst – News and Research on U.S.-Listed Chinese Stocks. It rates the 10 CE stocks with the most upside “based on the difference between current price and Wall Street analysts’ average target price.” It’s noteworthy that more than half of the selections are custom or custom-friendly companies. No. 5: hhgregg, Inc. (NYSE:HGG) This is no surprise, given that the Indianapolis-based specialty chain is expanding aggressively in the wake of Circuit City and Tweeter… View this story

CE Pro Editors | 03/01 02:27 PM, 0 Comments

SpectraCal, the award winning inventors of CalMAN Video Calibration Software, has opened a professional sales group in Sioux Falls, S.D. The sales organization will be headed by Jeff Murray, a leading figure in the professional video calibration industry for more than a decade. “Jeff has been one of the key people in the creation of this industry,” said Joel Silver, president of the Imaging Science Foundation. “He has been working side by side with us since the beginning, has supported the industry with generous volunteer work, and we’re proud to… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 02/26 07:33 AM, 1 Comment

A really good sounding, acoustically-treated home theater with first-rate seating costs over $100,000. That’s the popular perception anyway, according to Cinema Design Group International (CDGi), which hopes to change that with its Indi Line of Theater Designs and Seating. CDGi says the line allows dealers to offer a complete home theater package — a great-sounding, great-looking home theater complete with electronics of their choice for about $20,000. The new line comes as a response to dealer and manufacturer rep feedback, according to CDGi. “The CE market is working through a… View this story

Jason Knott | 02/05 12:38 PM, 0 Comments

The SilverScreen Theater inside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. will be the first commercial venue to install the $1 million state-of-the-art sound system from Steinway Lyngdorf. The design center--affectionately known as the “Blue Whale” in Los Angeles due to its uniquely imposing, shimmering blue exterior--is having the audio system installed as one element in a comprehensive roster of technologies inside the SilverScreen Theater, which is being designed by Theo Kalomirakis. The design center hosts numerous special events, screenings, exhibitions and receptions. It also has more than 120… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 01/25 11:58 AM, 0 Comments

Mobile applications that help people install home theater components seem to be all the rage. Runco announced a mobile site with installation tools for iPhones and Blackberrys, the first of which is a Projector Lens Selector. And SIM2 recently launched its SIM2Calc app for sale on Apple’s iTunes store. Runco says the Lens Selector helps installers specify the correct Runco lens for each project. By simply inputting the screen width, aspect ratio and throw distance, the application will present the best suited lens option. The Runco Projector Lens Selector also… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 01/22 01:30 PM, 0 Comments

Not sure how to set up and design your home theater? There’s an app for that. SIM2 says its SIM2Calc app is a handy tool for DIY home theaters and custom installers. It’s available on Apple’s iTunes store for $29.99. Although the high-end projector manufacturer designed the app, it doesn’t appear to be exclusive to SIM2 projection theaters. The company says it’s a comprehensive collection of calculation tools covering the vital aspects of home theater design, which include:Screen type and sizeProjector modelAspect ratioThrow ratio calculatorGeometry settingsViewing angle mapLuminance levelsCheck out… View this story

Tom LeBlanc | 01/14 09:10 AM, 2 Comments

When it comes to consumers’ perception of 3D home theater, a recent study suggests that it must be viewed in two categories: Before “Avatar” and After “Avatar.” That’s how much of an effect James Cameron’s 3D blockbuster film, which hit theaters in December 2009, has had, according to Retrevo. Retrevo says that before “Avatar,” only 39 percent of survey respondents were aware that they will be able to watch 3D TV at home. After “Avatar,” that percentage jumps to 60 percent. Retrevo saw a 20 percent increase in consumers saying… View this story