Elite Home Theater Seating Blog

Playbar, The New Sonos Soundbar

February 13th, 2013

Sonos has unveiled their new soundbar called Playbar that connects directly to your TV. The Playbar is 3 feet long with nine amplified speakers that provide great sound for your TV games, music, and movies. With a MSRP of $700, this is an investment for those of you who love great sound in your home theater.

Sonos has stated that the six mid-woofers deliver deep, rich low-frequenc sounds and three tweeters for crystal clear high-frequency detail. Sonos has stated this soundbar provides crisp and clear audio, not just loud sounds.

It connects directly to your TV with an optical cable and plays audio from everything connected to it, (Blu-ray DVD players, game consules, and cable boxes). The free Sonos app lets you control your Playbar from your smartphone or tablet to stream music from a home computer, or other music services like Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody, and Amazon Cloud Player.

According to PCMAG.com, “Sonos said the Playbar was designed for easy setup and use. It can lie flat on a TV stand or be mounted on the wall above or below the TV”. “Sonos has transformed the way people listen to music throughout the home and now we’re bringing our wireless HiFi [high fidelity] approach to home theater,” Sonos CEO John MacFarlane said in a statement. “Playbar will change everything about the sound experience in your living room, bringing together amazing HiFi sound for your TV and wireless access to the world’s music in a radically simple way.”

Watch for the Playbar to hit stores on March 5, 2013. 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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Apple TV Rumour Heats Up

February 12th, 2013

Rumours of Apple bringing their Apple TV (aka iTV), into the market have been ongoing for a few years now. This week the rumours started up again when Apple hired a senior OLED engineer, Jueng-jil Lee. Previously, Mr. Lee worked at LG’s OLED Development Centre in San Francisco.

Mr. Lee was a part of the LG project, AMOLED TV. For those of you that are unawar of what this is, AMOLD TV creates printed products using a 3D printing process that builds the item layer by layer. So with Mr. Lee now employed by Apple , does this mean they are working on the iTV? AMOLED stands for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode, and it is  an advanced version of OLED with higher screen refresh rates, lower power consumption, and higher contrast  ratios. 4K televisions have four times the resolution of standard high-def TVs,  with a resolution of 3,840 pixels by 2,160 pixels. Apple’s existing 15-inch  retina MacBook Pros have a resolution of 2,880-by-1,800 pixels.

If you haven’t seen what the OLED TV is like, please watch the clip below.

With Jueng-jil Lee now working for Apple , we are open to speculate exactly what his role is. We all know Apple is secretive so let the rumours begin! Regardless of what the rumours are, we are all anxious for the release of the Apple TV (aka iTV).

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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Red’s RedRay’s Streaming 4K Player

February 6th, 2013

Red has introduced the 4K Ultra HD player, the RedRay for home theater users. You can purchase this for $1499. While Blu-ray works on how they can put 4K films on their discs, the RedRay is a great alternative in a 4K HD system.

The RedRayplayer streams ultra HD content from the internet. There is a one TB hard drive which can be upgraded to save more content, based on your own preference. The RedRay player comes with 1 HDMI 1.4 output, 3 HDMI 1.3 outputs, and an additional HDMI output for 7.1 surround sound.

The RedRay connects to Odemax’s cloud-based content delivery system where you can find all of their 4K content. The negative of the RedRay is that it can’t play any of your existin movies unless you upload them to an externam hard drive. Don’t forget you will need to have a 4K TV to view this content because you won’t be able to enjoy the 4K qualities without it.

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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THX Introduce THX Tune Up

February 4th, 2013

THX, the audio reproduction standard for over a decade now introduce a calibration app for the iPad and iPhone called THX Tune Up. The app helps home theater ethusiasts get the best sound from their home entertaiment system.

The app can work in two different ways:  connect directly to your home entertainment system with an Apple Digital AV adapter or wireless through Apple TV. The camera on your  iPad or iPhone is used to set up the number of parameters on your TV, (colour, brightness, etc.) The app will ensure that your speakers are connected effectively with the proper sound levels of your home entertainment system.

The app was free until today but now is available from the iTunes store for $1.99. According to iTunes, the app is compatible with:

- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPod touch (4th generation)
- iPod touch (5th generation)
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G
- iPad (3rd generation)
- iPad Wi-Fi + 4G
- iPad (4th generation)
- iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4th generation)
- iPad mini and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular

For an indepth review courtesy of PCMag.com, please click here.

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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Will Streaming Movies Wipe Out Blu-ray’s?

January 21st, 2013

With the popularity of streaming services like Apple TV and Netflix, will Blu-ray DVD’s become a thing of the past? For home theater enthusiasts, this may never occur because the quality of blu-ray’s are far more superior than streaming services. Last July, we spoke about this in our blog, (click here to view it), and just yesterday I had a conversation about this with a friend which made me want to revisit this subject again today.

Personally, I cannot see streaming services replace blu-ray because of the audio and video quality. The difference is substantial and for those who love home theater systems, they too also won’t settle for subpar sound and video. It’s true that streaming has now started streaming HD content but the clarity is just not the same. If you stream content to a smartphone or a tablet, the quality is amazing but for a large screen projector or TV, there is a difference.

There is also the concern of available content. When you own a blu-ray, you can access it anytime however with streaming services, you are limited to what they provide thus causing an issue if there is something you love to watch but they don’t provide it.  

Personally I do not think streaming services like Apple TV and Netflix will ever take over entirely. Home theater enthusiasts want the best quality and as of right now, blu-ray DVD’s are the best. Comparing the quality to streaming services doesn’t even make sense since the quality of streaming is good but nothing like the clarity of a blu-ray disc.

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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2012: A Look Back

December 20th, 2012

Another year has gone by so quickly and it was a year of some great milestones, some new beginnings, and some great memories. 2012 was the year we took on social media with our accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest and we also committed ourselves to do more blogging because we love talking about all things home theater. Smart TV’s, Cloud Based DVR’s, The Dark Knight, Home Theater Themed Rooms, and Home Theater Trends really caught our attention. There were events outside of home theater that also made huge headlines. From happy moments like the second term win of President Barack Obama, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup, and we can’t forget how the world danced in unison to Gangnam Style. There were also sad moments the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy, the horrific school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, and the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting. Just like any year, there were amazing achievements and tragic events, that’s just how it goes. Let’s focus on the good and recall some of our favourite home theater blogs of 2012. Now it’s hard to choose because we love all our blogs BUT we took some of the most fun to write blogs and most important (to us) and have listed our top 10. Hope you enjoy this look back at a great year.

1) Our Exclusive Dark Knight Themed Home Theater Room!! We have asked or pictures of the completed room and once we get them, we will post it right away!

2) Home Theater, A Great Movie, & The Kids! 

3) The Cinema Series

4) Home Theater Seating Comfort

5) Customizing Your Chair with Elite HTS

6) DIY Home Theaters

7) Sports Themed Home Theater Rooms

8) Sound Bar Speakers

9) 3D Technology

10) Friday The 13th

First and foremost we want to thank all our customers for being with us in 2012. We look forward to working with you again in 2013. For all of you that have supported us on social media, we cannot thank you enough. We are very excited for 2013 and we are excited to grow with you all.  We will still be blogging and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest over the holidays but we know today is the start of many peoples Christmas holidays. So before some of you head out to see family and friends, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

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 Gift Ideas

December 5th, 2012

We are twenty days away from Christmas. The malls and stores are full of shoppers so now is a great time to offer some home theater gift ideas to help all you shoppers out there. For home theater enthusiasts, you have so much to choose from; seating, surround sound speakers, sound bar speakers, TV’s and projectors, Blu-ray players, Blu-ray movies, gaming systems, etc. etc. With so much to choose from, let’s showcase some of the best home theater gift ideas!

 

1) Furniture (of course that’s #1): There are plenty to choose from. You can buy already made seating or you can take the custom route. Our chairs are made for you, we do not mass produce. You place an order and we make it to your specifications. Custom ergonomic support, fine quality Valentino leather, cine-suede, or silk leather fabric, and you can also choose your own foam density. Our chairs make an ideal christmas gift this holiday season. Customize a chair design here (just click)!

2) Smart TV’s: This past July, we wrote about Smart TV’s (click here to read about it). The Samsung Smart TV’s are simply amazing. The 8000 series comes as a 64″ screen with and all the features we mentioned back in July. The Samsung Smart TV’s is a great choice this season. 

3) Epson Powerlite Home Cinema Projector:  In September, we wrote about the oustanding Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 710 HD Projector. The cost is lower compared to higher end projectors but the quality is superb. Read the details here.

4) Sound Bar Speakers: Just last week we wrote about Sound Bar Speakers and there’s great reason to. You don’t need a surround sound system with Sound Bar Speakers which will cut down costs substantially. Read up about this new trend in home theater equipment!

With so much to choose from and from so many retailers offering special promotions and discounts, holiday shopping can be tiring and frustrating so we hope a few of our ideas may help you this season.

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 Trends

November 21st, 2012

Over the years, the popularity of home theaters have increased. At the same time, trends have also evolved. From basements to family rooms, projection screens to plasma then LED TV’s, 5.1 surround to 7.1 surround, and from DVD players to 3D Blu-ray DVD players, home theater is constantly evolving. What’s trending in home theater now? Let’s take a look.

1) Multiple Screens: Back in June, our blog featuring Sports Themed Rooms showcased one room with four screens. Well this isn’t a one off, this is a trend amongst new aged home theater room. The room we were speaking of had the main big screen and then an additional three on a shot clock as well, giving you the illusion of being in an arena or stadium. With “entertainment” rooms now exploding in popularity, having multiple screens will give you the feel that you’re in a local bar with different options for things to look at while you’re socializing. 

2) Social Networks: We’re all apart of it and there’s no escaping it. Social networking has taken over our lives and it’s also being implemented in home theaters. Smart TV’s were featured in our blog back in July. Smart TV’s can connect you directly to social media sites where you can share what you’re doing and what you’re watching. The addition of tablets and smartphones has also become integral to home theaters. We are truly connected to one another all the time and social networks makes that even easier to do. You can tweet while you’re watching the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup Final or even live tweeting with your favorite TV show like Criminal Minds or Sons of Anarchy. 

3) Floor and Soundbar Speakers: Since floorstanding and soundar speakers produce clear audio, more consumers are deciding to change from wall mount or in wall speaker systems.

4) Apps: Yes apps are now controling our homes from lighting to fire places and our TV’s and entertainment systems. Home Theater Apps, our blog from October will give you the most used and most beneficial apps to use in your home theaters. 

We’re all looking for the best value our money can buy so it’s important to ensure you make your home theater suit your needs. Make sure the benefits you look for are a part of your home theater room. This holiday season, there will be a lot of products to choose from. Ensure you get what’s best for you and not what you think you need. Do your research and enjoy your home theater to the fullest. 

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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Home Theater Apps

October 1st, 2012

Smart phones and tablets can make your home theater interactive. Here is a list of a few fun apps for you to try.

1) iMaster Control Pro is a full functioning remote where you can use your smart phone or tablet into control your entire home theater system
2) RedEye controls your home theater system that has an extensive online database to provide control codes for numerous devices through a WiFi signal
3) Logitech Squeezebox Controller  is an app that plays Internet radio or digital audio across a home network
4) Remote HD costs $5.00 that controls your Mac, PC, & Apple TV directly from your iPhone.
5) Plex puts your TV, video, music, & photos accessible through your smart phone. iTunes, Netflix and 200 various sources are all at the palm of your hand

6) Dijit allows you to replace all remotes you use in your house. You can even share what you are watching, listening to, or something you find interesting directly to Facebook and Twitter
7) Remote controls your Apple TV directly from your iPhone or iPad. This app is free!
8) DirectTV can be accessed via your smart phone and tablet and set to record shows even when you’re not at home
9) Home Theater Glossary won’t control your home theater but it will help you with terminology while you try to purchase your home theater system. This $3.00 app is only available on the Android system
10) i.TV is only for the iPhone or iPad. This digital TV guide will allow you access to what is available on cable, iTunes, Netflix, and Hulu

With smart phones and tablets increasing popularity, on a daily basis, using some of these apps to control your home theater system is extremely convenient. There is no need for multiple remotes that can be confusing to use. Each app we’ve listed has a direct link to download or view customer comments. Just click on the highlighted name to access each page. If you use any of these apps, we would love to hear what you think of them.

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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