Elite Home Theater Seating Blog

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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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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CEDIA 2012 Expo Summary

September 12th, 2012

Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) is an expo based around home theater, home automation, and home electronic. The 2012 expo was held in Indianapolis, IN which ran from September 5 till 8. For those of you that follow us on Twitter, you would have seen links to articles featuring the new 4K TV’s, wireless home theater systems,  and soundbars. These were some of the many important new equipment and technology showcased at CEDIA. Here is a quick recap of the 2012 expo:

Soundars: These soundbars are equipped with features of an AV receiver with wireless sub and Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio.

4K TVs: 4K TV’s are starting to become the next big thing in home theater equipment. Recently we did a blog on the Sony 4K TV which you can view here. If you recall, the price was set approximately around $22,000.

Wireless: Wireless connections from smartphones and internet devices was popular. A wireless home theater cannot be 100% wireless because you need power but the option to have wireless connectivity to your equipment is sought after.

Automation: When technology and convenience merge, you get home automation. An example is the Sony/Control4 receiver which enables your Sony remote to control your entire home theater. Read the review from CE Pro by clicking here.

CEDIA gives you a direct look at all the new features, innovations,and equipment for home electronics. Home theater enthusiasts appreciate CEDIA because if gives you insight on what is upcoming in the world of home theater technology .CEDIA‘s YouTube page has lots of interesting videos showcasing some of the vendors as well as a look at what CEDIA is about.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact us at any of the methods below.

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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Titanic – 15th Anniversary Blu-ray 3D

September 7th, 2012

The Titanic Blu-ray 3D DVD will be released on September 10, 2012. Fifteen years after its release, Titanic has been upgraded to meet our current needs of home theater technology. Directed by James Cameron, this blockbuster movie has made approximately $2.2 billion worldwide. In the spring of 2012, Titanic 3D was released in theaters. You can now view the biggest grossing movie of all time in 3D in the comfort of your own home and home theater.

Three versions will be released on September 10th. A 2 disc DVD, a 4 disc Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack, and the 4 disc Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack. Titanic will also be available on demand and digital download. According to Blu-ray.com, the 3D upgrade “earns a stunning 3D conversion”. The initial release of Titanic was visually stunning and the 3D conversion has enhanced the quality perfectly.

The Blu-ray is filled with bonus content, over two and a half hours of never before seen footage. There is the standard audio commentary as well as two documentaries, “Reflections on Titanic” which clocks in just a few seconds under one hour and four minutes and “Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron“, at one hour and thirty-six minute in length . If you like deleted scenes, there are over fifty three minutes for you to enjoy. The extras don’t end there either. Various segments that include the construction timelapse, deep down dive footage, videomatics, visual effects, TV spots, trailers, still galleries, Titanic parodies, and the music video for Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On“.

Over the past two months, we’ve done blogs on home theater 3D technology and equipment. This past Wednesday’s blog, (Septenber 5),  “The New Sony 4K TV” featured the new XBR-84X900 4K TV from Sony and from July 9th, we discussed The New Sony 3D VPL-VW1000ES Projector. We all know 3D technology has been a welcomed addition to home theaters while the content available hasn’t been as exciting as the technology itself. With Titanic and its 3D upgrade, we have a movie perfectly made for this emerging new home theater technology.

You can pre-order the Blu-ray 3D DVD Combo Pack of  Titanic from Amazon, (just click here).

We always appreciate your comments and feedback so contact us at any of the methods below.

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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The New Sony 4K TV

September 5th, 2012

Sony has unveiled their newest creation, The XBR-84X900 4K TV. With 3840 X 2160 pixels, this is four times the amount of current HDTV’s with 1920 X 1080 pixels. Our July 9th blog showcased the Sony 4K Projector and now, three months later, the 84″ screen TV has been introduced. Currently the price has not been unveiled however with LG stating their new 4K TV will retail for $22,000, Sony may have the same price for their new XBR-84X900 4K TV.

According to PC World, the 4K TV from Sony will be available in an 84″ screen because it’s the optimal size for its higher resolution. PC World also states the demonstration of 1080p content side by side with 4K had minimal distinguishable differences. The clip below discusses the XBR-84X900 (courtesy of SGNK by Sony).

4K TV’s are being introduced to the market however there isn’t enough content to make it worthwhile. Blu-ray DVD’s are not 4K and broadcasters will have to upgrade their production to be able to broadcast in 4K. With the introduction of these TV’s, we can speculate that other corresponding companies will follow. Broadcasters &  Blu-ray DVD’s may start converting to the new 4K technology. Movies are filmed and shown in 4K within movie theaters so the conversion to Blu-ray could be less complicated than what TV broadcasters will have to do.

Let’s not forget to mention the price tag again. The equivalent 4K TV by LG retails for $22,000. Will everyday regular people want to spend that much on a TV? This may be for the prestigious consumer that only want luxury items. For now just knowing this new technology is starting to enter the market is exciting and gives us something to look forward to.

We always appreciate your comments and feedback. What are your thoughts on the new 4K TV?

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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The New Sony 3D VPL-VW1000ES Projector

July 9th, 2012

Sony has introduced their newest projector, the VPL-VW1000ES.  The 4K resolution, 3D home theater projector retails for a hefty $24,999.

The 4K resolution means that the projector is more than four times the resolution of the current highest quality projector which is 1980 x 1080 pixels. The VPL-VW1000ES is 4096 x 2160, vastly superior than any projector currently on the market. The VPL-VW1000ES has excellent 3D and has support of the DCI color space, which is the standard used in the movie theaters. These two features create an impressive image.

Weighing in at 44 lbs, this projector can be mounted on the ceiling like standard projectors. There are also small screw-on feet to level the projector on the ground.  The set-up menus are very easy to use, even though there are plenty of setting to get used to, the system is very user friendly.  Considering how many picture options are available, it may be time consuming at first. Sony  states the viewer can sit closer to the screen as there is no “screen door effect”.  Last but not least, the projector has a whisper quiet fan so you will not be distracted by a loud fan while you use this projector.

ProjectorReviews.com reviews approximately 25 home theater projectors per year and in 2012, Sony was awarded  the Outstanding Product of the Year Award.  This may take a few years to catch on as it seems Sony has gone above and beyond that of their competition.  Blu-Ray players cannot support such high resolution so trying to watch anything of such high quality isn’t available just yet. Other forms of technology that coincide with this projector will be able to accommodate such high resolution in the near future.  The competition will have to catch up.

Engadget.com has pictures of the VPL-VW1000ES, to view please click here.

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