Elite Home Theater Seating Blog

Cloud Based DVR

December 11th, 2012

Many households especially those with home theaters include a DVR, (PVR’s as they are called in Canada), the one drawback though is the lack of storage for previously recorded shows. Boxee and Aereo have introduced the cloud based DVR to eliminate this issue. For a monthly fee, you can have access to numerous content. 

MSRP of $99.00, the Boxee lets the user record an unlimited amount of TV shows through the DVR box’s two tuners. Everything is stored online through Boxee‘s servers. This is not to be mistaken with Boxee‘s app Cloudee, this is an actual DVR box.

This past October, Boxee CEO, Avner Ronen spoke to Bloomberg Televisions “Bloomberg West” regarding the new cloud-based DVR service. Click here to watch the clip.

One concern of any cloud computing service is the ability or inability to retrieve your stored content if the server goes down. For now, the concept of having an unlimited amount of storage for recorded content is ideal and hopefully the DVR can rectify the one issue people have with it. More storage space is ideal be it cloud based or bigger hard drives. We will all see in due time what will occur from cloud based DVR’s

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Home Theater Receivers

November 29th, 2012

Home theater enthusiasts love AV receivers. With soundbars being the new trend in home theater equipment, (click here for our previous blog on soundbars), a true home theater experience needs nothing less than a 5.1 surround sound system with a great AV receiver. Let’s take a look at a few receivers that can add life into your home theater experience.According to CNET here are three of the top AV receivers.

Sony STR-DN1030: MSRP $499.00. The Sony STR-DN1030 is a midrange receiver with built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. AirPlay, Pandora, and Slacker are the networking features included. For some reason there are only five HDMI inputs which are fewer than its competition. According to CNET the user interface isn’t very well done and can be frustrating when trying to access the streaming music services. Solely focusing on the price and the built in Wi-Fi connection, this is a great receiver for your home theater.

Onkyo TX-NR616: MSRP $699.00. The Onkyo TX-NR616 is equipped with eight HDMI inputs (unlike the Sony STR-DN1030 with five). Wi-Fi can be added with a USB adapter as it’s not built in. The built in networking and audio support includes Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody, and Internet Radio. 

Denon AVR-1913: MSRP $579.99. The Denon AVR-1913 comes with six HDMI inputs, iOS and Android app, DLNA compatibility, AirPlay, and built in streaming audio services with Pandora, Sirius, and Internet Radio. The sound quality is great and the remote with user interface is user-friendly. There isn’t built in WiFi which makes it less desirable since the price is higher than the Sony STR-DN1030 and does not include Wi-Fi. 

Home theaters can be built to suit your individual needs. For those of you that want the full experience with authentic sound and 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, an AV receiver is a must.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Soundbar Speakers

November 27th, 2012

Soundbar speakers have become the new trend in home theater equipment. Home theater enthusiasts prefer soundbar speakers because they eliminate a lot of the wiring with 5.1 surround sound systems, they are a space save, less expensive, and you don’t need an AV receiver.

According to CNET, soundbar speakers sound great but not as good as traditional 5.1 surround sound. Last week, CNET‘s article titled “Best Soundbars”  listed nine of the most cost effective and best sounding soundbars on the market. Click here to read the article.

View the Harmon/Kardon review by Audioholics. 

Everyone agrees that soundbars do not sound as good as your traditional 5.1 surround system but the convenience factor is so attractive that soundbar speakers have risen in popularity. When purchasing a soundbar or if you’re thinking of purchasing one, here is what to look for:

Virtual Surround Sound - Most sound bars produce small beams of sound that bounce off your walls and ceilings. Ensure you have the illusion of surround sound with your soundbar speakers.

Watts - Watts are important for amplified sounds. Dependent on the size of your room and the watts you want, ensure you get what’s best for the size of your home theater.

Subwoofer - You can purchase soundbars with internal subwoofers. If you require more deep bass sounds, an external can be purchased to boost your low end.

Frequency Response  - For lower frequencies like an explosion, gunfire, sound of doors opening or closing, frequency response, measured in hertz, is imperative. 

Digital Signal Processor (DSP) - A DSP makes your home theater sound like you have side and rear speakers. Look for soundbars with a DSP

Connectivity – HDMI, RCA, optical, and coaxial digital outputs and inputs will allow you to connect your Blu-ray player, gaming system, PVR/DVR, and other important home theater equipment. The more connectivity options you have, the better for your system. 

If you decide to follow this latest home theater trend, ensure you do your research and pick what’s best for your home theater. We recommend reading the reviews done by CNET.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Holiday Gift Guide: TV’s under $1000

November 19th, 2012

With the holidays only over a month away, here are some TV’s under $1000 that can make a great gift for your loved ones.

1) Panasonic TC-PU50 series, retail price starting at $897.99 this lower price tv has an excellent picture quality. This 60″ TV with deep black levels and accurate colour and a SD card slow for viewing pictures, the Panasonic TC-PU50 series would make a great gift this season.

2) Vizio E1i-A3 series, retail price starts at $998.00. For a 60″ big screen LED TV, the value is great. As a Smart TV, the picture is boasts highly accurate colour. There is a lot of Smart content and a QWERTY remote.

3) Samsung PNE550 plasma TV retails for $797.99 is a great 51″ TV and has a great price. With a user-friendly Smart TV platform, solid black levels, accurate colour, and also comes with a pair of 3D glasses. For the quality and the price, the Samsung PNE550 plasma TV is a great choice. 

4) The Sharp LC-LE640U series starts at $799.99. The 52″ comes with built in Wi-Fi, a remote with three programmable keys to access your apps, good picture quality, and stylish design.

The holiday’s can be stressful and tiring so do your research before you go shopping. This will eliminate frustration and wasted time. Each TV listed above has a direct link so you can review it for yourself and make the right choice. 

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

 

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Blu-ray DVD Players

November 8th, 2012

With the holiday season next month, we look at some of the popular Blu-ray DVD players on the market. With 3D Blu-ray players to standard versions, you as a consumer have a large variety to choose from. The price point has dropped in recent years and you can find them starting at $99 and up. Here are some choices for you:

1. Sony PS3 – As a game console and a Blu-ray player, the PS3 gives you two worlds in one package. Retailing approximately at $299.99, this would make a great gift for people that enjoy video games and love the quality of Blu-ray players. Netflix is also available on your PS3.

2. OPPO Digital BDP-93 3D/Network Blu-ray Player – Retailing around $499. the OPPO Digital BDP-93 3D/Network Blu-ray Player is a bit more expensive than regular Blu-ray players but the quality is superb. The 3D graphics pop right out (with the right TV of course) and since it is only available online, you can ensure it is shipped directly to you without any hassle. This comes equipped with internet radio, YouTube, Netflix, 2D and 3D video.

3. LG BD590 Network Blu-ray Player – MSRP of $400. the LG BD590 Network Blu-ray Player networking features are easy to use and the player has some of the most popular online content, including Netflix, Vudu, Cinema Now, Pandora and Napster. With a 250 G hard drive, the picture quality is amazing and it’s very user friendly.

4. Sony BDP S390 Blu-ray Player – An affordable price, approximately $89.99, the Sony BDP S390 Blu-ray Player with Ethernet and WiFi connectivity you can stream content from Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, as well as content stored on computers connected on your network. For the value, you get a lot with the Sony BDP S390 Blu-ray Player. It’s well worth the price.

These are just a few of the many that are available to choose from. Holiday shopping can be stressful so if you are looking for a new Blu-ray player, use our recommendations before you go shopping.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

 

Sony BDP-S390 Blu-ray Player

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Netflix Connections For Home Theater Systems

November 5th, 2012

Home theater enthusiasts that use Netflix through their Blu-ray players or PS3 systems have asked us questions on Twitter as to how they should connect to the internet. Some of our  Twitter followers were using the systems built in wireless systems but their signals are usually weak and they lose their connection.

We recommend using the Ethernet port on Blu-ray players and PS3 systems. By connecting directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable, you will get direct access to your internet connection. The last thing you want to have to fight with during a movie would be your internet connection because of a failed Wifi connection. Using your Ethernet port will eliminate any dropped Wifi connections.

Netflix has become increasingly popular because of their large catalogue of movies and TV shows that are right at your fingertips. We recommend using Netflix as it can add to your library of movies and TV shows to watch in the comfort of your home theater.

With DVD rental locations becoming non existent unless you use one of those kiosks and vending machines that can be found in malls and in 7-11′s, Netflix can really help those of you that would rather rent instead of buying DVD’s. The choices are substantial and it’s very user-friendly. Now using your Ethernet connection you can ensure you will not be interrupted watching the movie or TV show of your choice. 

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

 

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Samsung HT-E6730W Blu-ray Home Theater System

October 31st, 2012

“Enjoy a more lifelike experience with Vacuum Tube and Digital Sound. Hear your favorite music for the first time with the innovation of analog and digital sound combined. It creates a truer, more immersive sound that digital alone cannot replicate. Samsung has brought wonder to your eyes, now it’s time for your ears.” – Samsung’s official website 

The Samsung HT-E6730W Blue-ray home theater in a box system that combines 2D and 3D Blu-ray DVD player with a vacuum tube-equipped 7.1 channel audio system that has internet and network streaming capabilities. With MSRP of $849.99 this home theater package is reasonably priced for what it comes with. Here are the specs via the official Samsung website:

General

7.1 Channels
Total Power: 1330W

Features

Captivating 2D & 3D Blu-ray Playback
Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
BD Wise
Crystal Amp Plus
Samsung Smart Home Theater
Smart Hub Network Service
Vertical Surround Sound
Wireless Rear Speakers
Built-in WiFi
Smart Volume
AllShare™ Play

Audio Processing

Dolby® Digital
Dolby® Digital Plus
Dolby® Pro Logic II
Dolby® True HD
DTS
DTS 96/24
DTS-HD
3D Sound Plus

Speakers

EC2-1 Center Speaker
EW4 Dual-unit Subwoofer with passive radiator
ES3-1 Surround
2 Tallboy Swivel Speakers

Connectivity

1 Audio Input
2 HDMI Inputs
HDMI Out
Includes iPod Docking Cradle
Made for iPod / iPhone
1 Optical Input
USB HOST 2.0
Wireless Rear Module included
Built-in WiFi

Supported Media

Supports Blu-Ray
Supports CD DA / CD-R / CD-RW
Supports DVD / DVD±R / DVD±RW

Dimensions & Weight

Product Dimensions: 16.93″ (W) x 2.48″ (H) x 12.4″ (D)
Product Weight: 8.49 lbs.
Shipping Dimensions: 36.26″ (W) x 15.63″ (H) x 17.56″ (D)
Shipping Weight: 60.63 lb.

For those of you that may have already purchased this, we would love to know how the experience is in your home theater. The features are great and can cover both 2D and 3D which is a great selling feature. 

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Front Projections

October 29th, 2012

With TV screens becoming increasingly bigger each year, the importance of a front projector is still valid for home entertainment and home theater systems. Previously, we have discussed home theater projectors, the ViewSonic Hybrid-Projector and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema. We had some enquiries from people on Twitter asking us if we still find projectors valid since the market has these huge hi-def TV’s. Each answer was the same, yes we do.

Projectors price points vary. $2000 and up to $25,000. It depends on the style of projector you want so we do not have a definitive answer as to how much one should spend. That is up to you and the quality you are looking for. Buy the projector that best suits your screen size and budget. There are well made budget priced projectors so if your budget isn’t too high, no need to worry. You can still purchase a decent projector and do not have to spend $25,000.  The clip below is from CEDIA 2012.

 

Below is a review of the Acer H6500 DLP Projector.

Tekzilla did a quick look at  Optoma’s Wifi enabled LED Projectors as seen in the clip below

The Projector Blog is a great resource for the latest and greatest in home theater projectors. We enjoy reading their views and insight and recommend you to also read what they have to say. Hi-Def TV’s are great but the experience of a projector creates a greater theater experience in your home. Ultimately what ever suits you best is your ultimate choice. We also love the new styles and technology in TV’s nowadays so we are fans of both. Projectors have improved a lot over the years and we suggest looking into one for your home theater.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Has 3D Technology Improved?

October 22nd, 2012

“3-D is a waste of a perfectly good dimension. Hollywood’s current crazy stampede toward it is suicidal. It adds nothing essential to the moviegoing experience. For some, it is an annoying distraction. For others, it creates nausea and headaches” – Roger Ebert (2010)

Over the past four months we have discussed improvements in 3D technology, how 3D has made a comeback in movie theaters, and how home theater has new 3D TV’s to add to our experience but is 3D any better than it was before? 3D technology has been around for many years and even though technology has improved, does the viewer actually enjoy the experience? Our blog from June 15, “The Future of Home Theater: From HD to 3D to Holographic TV” details the trend of home theater technology.

In January 2013 the reboot of a reboot will be released in theaters, Texas Chainsaw 3D, (view the Facebook page here). As a fan of horror movies, there is interest in this reboot but does it have to be in 3D? One has to think they may do this so they can raise the price point and charge you more at the theater. 3D technology is unique and can be fun but there is a push from Hollywood like they want to force it on us. Let’s remind you that 3D technology is not new, it was first introduced in the 1950′s.  There was a resurgence in 3D movies in the 1980′s then it died out and then reappeared in the mid to late 2000′s. When the resurgence happened a few years ago, Roger Ebert spoke up in an article titled Why I Hate 3D Movies (And You Should Too). Once you read this you will see that there is a love/hate relationship with 3D technology.

Since Hollywood has increased their 3D movie releases, home theater equipment has joined the movement. As we stated in our previous blog, “The Future of Home Theater: From HD to 3D to Holographic TV”, Samsung released the worlds first 3D LED HDTV, called the LG LX9500 in 2010 and since, numerous other competitors have released 3D TV’s. Roger Ebert is a well respected movie critic and his harsh words regarding 3D technology could sway viewers away.

One constant complaint made regarding 3D technology is the glasses. There is something uncomfortable about sitting in a theater with a pair of glasses on and if you’ve ever walked into someones home where they are watching 3D TV, you will find it looks odd as well. Some people love 3D technology, especially children but is the force-feeding of 3D something that will lose interest once again like in the 1950′s and 1980′s? As we stated in “The Future of Home Theater: From HD to 3D to Holographic TV”, it seems as if holographic TV’s are next. With holographic TV’s, there is no need to wear those 3D glasses and that alone could eliminate the need for 3D TV’s.

We all want the experience of a movie or sporting event where it looks like the action is right in front of us. The enjoyment of the experience grows more when you feel like you are right there in the movie. However this love/hate relationship with 3D technology makes it hard for some to enjoy it especially since it’s a sixty year old technology. When are we finally going to the next level with holographic movies and TV’s? That will be interesting to see.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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Denon Introduces Two New Home Theater Systems

October 15th, 2012

Denon will be introducing two new home theater surround sound systems, the DHT-8313, (MSRP $445), and the DHT-S413 (MSRP $573). There is no word right now if this will be available in North America, however if this system is as good as people are saying, we want to ensure we discuss this will you all.

Original reports state that the DHT-8313 is perfect for a 32″ TV with output levels of 20W x 3 for the front speakers  and 20W from the subwoofer. The DHT-S413 is made for 40″ TV screens and higher with front speakers output of 25W x 3 and 25W for the subwoofer. Each version has the Dolby Virtual Speaker surround sound, Dolby Pro Logic ll, DTS support, PCM audio for Blu-ray, and a surround option with five genre specific modes.

Surround sound and the placement of the speakers is detrimental to your home theater. The great people at HD Nation speak indepth about this in the clip below. Regardless that this clip is a few years old, the basis of the topic is interesting.

Denon states they have “raised the bar” with their two new systems. We understand the importance of a sound system and where it’s placed. Just click on the picture to the left for a bigger version to help you set up your home theater. We have examples on how to layout your theater right here on our website under the heading, “Layout Ideas”. These are just diagrams but we do custom layout configurations for our customers.

We hope the DHT-8313 and the DHT-S413 are released in North America so we can have more reviews about it and we can hear it for ourselves. If Denon has raised the bar, we would love to test this out. There are so many choices on the market so choosing a surround sound system can be hard. We ensure to write about as many new releases as possible to give you options to choose from.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact through Facebook, Twitter, email or by phone. If you have purchased the Denon DHT-8313 or the DHT-S413, we would love to hear your opinions.

Canadian Head Office
Unit 406, 17665 66A Ave.
Surrey, BC V3S 2A7
Tel. 604-575-8310
Fax. 604-575-8329

U.S. Head Office
1927 Boblett Street
Blaine, WA 98230
Tel. 1-800-490-1595

email: sales@elitehts.com

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