The sound bar – When you can’t do surround sound…

There is no doubting the fact that the built-in speakers in today’s TVs are not on-par with the picture they put out.  If you’re going to have a high-definition picture, you need high-definition sound.  A full surround system is preferred, but if you can’t accommodate such a system in your home, a sound bar is definitely the best alternative.  Sound bars are very sleek, complimenting today’s flat panel televisions beautifully.  Sound bars incorporate multiple speakers and new technologies to give a great virtual surround experience, without all the clutter and wiring.  Sound bars are not big enough to output deep bass frequencies, so you will need a subwoofer to get the best experience.  Fortunately, many sound bars come with a wireless subwoofer which you can tuck away.  Some great and affordable sound bar systems are the Episode 3-channel sound bar series, and the Polk IHT SurroundBar series.

The Episode series of sound bars give flat panel TVs a reason to celebrate, with an incredible sound system that doesn’t clutter the surrounding wall with a bunch of speakers.  At only 2.75” deep, this sound bar not only looks great, but sounds amazing too.  This single sound bar is actually three independent speakers in one – consisting of left, center, and right channels.  It’s perfect for living room and bedroom applications with TVs smaller than 46”.

The Polk SurroundBar Instant Home Theater is a self-contained powered SurroundBar loudspeaker and companion wireless powered subwoofer. It is designed so anyone can hook it up and be enjoying it’s sound in under ten minutes.  And it’s priced so it won’t add to the national debt.  It’s the most economical way to upgrade your flat panel’s built-in speakers to a much, much higher level of performance and enjoy all the benefits of a three-dimensional sound stage.

Home Automation with your iPad

Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) recently released the company’s highly anticipated RTiPanel app for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.  Boasting unique features such as two-way feedback, a customizable user interface, and highly optimized connection speeds, the app provides complete control over any RTI control system with an XP series control processor, all from the convenience of your favorite Apple device.

Raising the bar for control apps, the RTiPanel stands out from the pack with unique features such as full two-way feedback including cover art, weather graphics, dynamic image lists, and much more for an unprecedented control experience. The app supports connection locally via Wi-Fi and offers remote access via auto-switching Wi-Fi and 3G wireless, allowing for control and monitoring from virtually anywhere in the world.

The RTiPanel app offers a completely customizable graphical user interface, allowing integrators to provide consumers with a consistent user experience across all RTI controllers in their systems, including their Apple devices.  The app also offers a unique interface designed to make each user’s devices unique. For simple interface updating either locally or remotely, all graphics are conveniently stored on the XP series processor and the Apple device. And better yet, the app is programmed using the same Integration Designer software that is used to program all RTI products.  Redefining ease of use, the app displays in both portrait and landscape views by simply rotating the Apple device. The programming process for supporting both orientations has been carefully designed to minimize the extra effort required.

“The RTiPanel app is one of our most anticipated product releases ever, and we are very excited to say that it is now available. We are tremendously proud of the hard work and innovation that have gone into this app, and to bring our dealers a solution that is superior to anything else on the market,” said Pete Baker, vice president of sales and marketing for RTI. “From full two-way control to a completely customizable user interface, every detail of the RTiPanel has been designed to complement our control systems perfectly, allowing our dealers to provide an unprecedented control experience for their customers, at home or away.”

Sonos Controller for iPad

Sonos Wireless System & iPad Controller app.

Sonos, makers of the World’s #1 multi-room music system, released their free controller for the iPad and we are not only going to review that app right here for you, but we are also going to show you how you can create one of the most amazing home music systems you have yet to experience. Surely this is something you don’t want to miss.

Who Is Sonos?

In order to appreciate what we are about to review, you will want to know who Sonos is.  Sonos is a company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California that was created by music lovers, for music lovers.  Their philosophy is to create products that are well designed, of the highest quality and express their passion for music.

Sonos takes a new approach to consumer electronics.  They make it super easy to enjoy the best music all around your house.  And now, they have taken a significant leap forward in the world of music systems with the launch of the iPad Controller app. Essentially, Sonos has created a way to experience music that we all thought would be possible one day.   And now it is.

What Is A Multi-Room System?

The Sonos multi-room music system is a way to have multiple wireless speakers located around the home that can all be controlled using a single controller.  But these speakers wouldn’t be much without great music right?  As it turns out, the Sonos system also has access to your own home music library, thousands of internet radio stations, and several great online music systems such as:

• iTunes
• Last.fm
• Pandora
• Rhapsody
• Audible
• iheartradio
• SIRIUS
• Wolfgang’s Vault
• Zune Marketplace

All of these music choices are sent out to each of your wireless speakers separately or in unison.  Now, in order to connect all these wireless speakers together, Sonos has created a great little accessory called the Zone Bridge.  It is a small white box that plugs right into your wireless network and allows all of the speakers and your controller to talk – instantaneously.

The Components

So, what do you need to set up your own multi-room music system?  Here is an example of simple entry level system:

• ZonePlayer S5 (two)
• Controller
• ZoneBridge

Sonos does make other products that you can use, but these 3 things are sufficient for the most basic set up.  If you want to use your own speakers or have in-ceiling ones, it’s no problem.  Sonos has different wireless receivers based on your desires.

Music throughout your home does not get much better than this.  If you are looking for a home music system that not only takes advantage of the latest technology but one you can use with your iPad, then here it is.

The layout is extremely well designed and easy to use.  On the left, you have your “Zones” which are the ZonePlayers. In the middle of the app you have the current music being played and on the far right are your music choices.

All of the music services work great, including Pandora.  The great thing here is that you could sign into Pandora and it loads up all your stations.  If you have network attached storage or your computer is turned on and sharing, then it will locate your home music library. If you use the Mac iTunes library, it will find it and list all your music just as you would see it in iTunes.

Other features we love from the Sonos iPad Controller app are the timers and alarms.  You can easily tap on “timers” and it will let you set a sleep timer up to 2 hours as well as set an alarm.  So it’s like having a wireless alarm clock as well.

If you have one iPad or two or more, each one can control the ZonePlayers.  This is nice because you might want to have Internet radio playing in the Living Room but Rhapsody playing in the Master Bedroom.

This is the perfect example of taking an amazing multi-room wireless music system and pairing it with an app that actually makes sense.  It brings together two amazingly innovative systems: the iPad and the Sonos.  The app does not crash. It is intuitive and it works so well you really won’t want to part with it.

Conclusion

From the minute the Sonos arrived to the time we loaded the new iPad controller app, we have not only been impressed but amazed.  Sure, it’s a speaker system.  But it’s more than that.   It’s a well thought out speaker system that changes how you listen to music completely.  It’s a system that just about anyone can use.  And most importantly, it shows off the value of the iPad and makes it that much more useful in your everyday life.

The 3D Phenomenon

If there is one thing that was made abundantly clear at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last year, it was that the entire consumer electronics industry was strongly pushing for a switch to 3D. Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Vizio, Sharp and a number of other manufacturers have all announced new 3D capable models that they will be releasing over the course of this year (2011). Never before have we seen such widespread industry support for 3D, and this will certainly go a long way in helping bring 3D to the masses.

Riding on the enormous success of James Cameron’s latest movie, Avatar, many of the big name electronics manufacturers are making a strong case for bringing an authentic 3D experience to the consumer’s living room. This time around the timing seems perfect. Over 60% of Avatar’s ticket sales were for 3D viewings of the movie, a startling statistic given that the number of 3D capable screens around the world is far outnumbered by their regular 2D counterparts.

New 3D technology overcomes previous limitations

Old 3D technology from many years ago never really caught on, but new 3D technology overcomes its previous limitations.

1. Unrealistic to Realistic 3D – An unrealistic effect was caused due to the images for the left and right eye being unnaturally spaced causing eye strain. However, current 3D video capture technology coupled with the projection of both left and right eye images by the same device ensures that such effects are mitigated in new 3D displays.
2. Goodbye to Nausea and Headaches – These side effects were predominantly due to the analog nature of 3D films many years ago when the films for the left and right eye view were projected simultaneously but were hard to keep in sync with one another. This resulted in an uncomfortable viewing experience, confusing the viewer’s brain due to the unrealistic and unnatural visual stimulation.  Current 3D displays however, are digitally synced so no such issues exist and these “3D Symptoms” are thankfully a thing of the past.
3. Poor to Great color fidelity – Using Anaglyph technology, images were split into chromatically opposite colors so that by using tinted glasses the viewer was able to view a unique image for each eye thus providing a 3D effect. However, the use of these tinted glasses drastically changed the appearance of colors and in general resulted in a poor 3D experience. With the use of new Polarized or Active Shutter technology, this has been done away with as the image displayed on the screen represents the true color and each eye piece does not distort the image color in any way (apart from lowering the incoming brightness of the image by a small amount).

3D Content

Many people seem to whine about the lack of 3D content and that this lack of 3D content guarantees the failure of this industry push towards 3D. After all, content is king right? There are some issues with this criticism however.

1. ESPN, DirectTV, Discovery Channel and UK’s Sky have pledged support for delivering 3D content as early as 2010. ESPN has already procured the necessary equipment for shooting live events in 3D and plan to air football and NBA in 3D in the near future. A number of other content providers are also joining ranks and pledging support for delivering more 3D content. While 3D content is still at a nascent stage, we have to keep in mind that these are still early days. However, with all the industry support so far, the signs seem very positive.

2.      Hollywood is also backing this push to 3D with over 20 3D movies released on 2010. Keep in mind also that every 3D animated film will likely be available in 3D as this medium enables an effortless transition for producing movies in 3D. These numbers will only increase, especially if there is widespread interest in 3D content as witnessed by the success of Avatar in 3D.

3D TVs are Backward Compatible with Regular 2D

This is one of the main reasons why 3D will eventually succeed over time. Pretty much all the proposed 3D technologies that are being developed by various electronics manufacturers are compatible with regular 2D content. This of course is for a good reason as it would be suicidal on the part of device manufacturers to make their 3D sets not compatible with conventional 2D content given that there is a long transition period ahead as we make the switch from 2D to 3D (and perhaps it will never be a complete 100% switch).

Displays requiring active shutter glasses are pretty much your regular high performance LCD or Plasma TV with a high refresh rate (120-240 Hz) and the ability to sync with your active shutter glasses. However, they are perfectly capable displays for 2D content as well and there shouldn’t be any real decrease in performance or image quality. Additionally, the high refresh rates of newer 3D TVs will actually be a bonus for regular 2D content as this refresh rate boost will help smooth the display of fast paced 2D scenes and sporting events. Finally, the prices of the TVs themselves aren’t going to be all that much more than regular TVs.  If you don’t want 3D at all, you could still buy a 3D capable set for roughly the same price as regular TVs and just skip buying 3D glasses and any other accessories that you might need for viewing 3D content on your new TV. All in all, it’s a win-win situation either way and this is one of the main reasons why the long run adoption of 3D TVs will hence in general a will win situation.

LED Television Technology – Why Should you Buy an LED TV?

The Advantages of LED HDTVs

The LED-HDTV is the new option if you are looking to buy a new flat screen. Whereas before our choice was mainly limited to LCD and plasma TVs., now we have another contender to consider, the LED television. However, an LED screen will currently cost you more money than a standard LCD or plasma TV, so we need to understand why we might think about buying one of these televisions.

Here are a few reasons of why it may be worth switching to an LED television.

1. Brightness

LED lights are brighter than a fluorescent lamp, and so you should expect to get a brighter picture with an LED television compared to a standard LCD.

This should be especially useful in bright rooms with plenty of daylight, as the image should stand out much better.

A non-reflective screen, together with a brighter image, could make this a perfect choice for some rooms where the reflection of daylight could be a problem.

2. Picture Quality

The excellent picture quality is where a backlit LED HDTV comes into its own.

If you want to have a picture quality that is similar to that of a plasma screen, but wish to stick with LCD screen technology, then a backlit LED HDTV is worth considering.

An LED TV that is backlit, with local dimming and RGB LEDs, should have a much improved picture over that of a standard LCD TV.

You should expect to see a better contrast ratio and color accuracy.

3. Great Looks and Easy Installation

The new edge-lit LED HDTVs look fantastic.

They are thin, sleek and very modern-looking – so they will be a breeze to hang on the wall or stand elegantly in the corner of the room.

If you want to impress your neighbors, then just install one of these beauties in your room.

This might be reason enough to switch to an LED HDTV.

4. Low Power Consumption

The power consumption of LED HDTVs does vary between models.

So if you were thinking of buying an LED screen to save on power, it is wise to check with each particular model.

However, an edge-lit LED television can consume 30-40% less power than any other type of LCD or plasma TV.

Be more careful with backlit LEDs. They can actually be more power hungry than standard LCDs – and can be similar to that of a plasma screen. However, it is difficult to generalize about this issue as using different types of LEDs can also make a difference.

Backlit models which use RGB LEDs are often more power hungry than those that just use white LEDs – so if power saving is an issue for you, then check out an edge-lit LED television.

LED Television Technology Summary

So are the benefits of LED HDTV technology worth it to spending a bit extra?

No technology is perfect, and so there is always a need to weigh up the pros and cons of any TV before you buy one.

While these TVs are currently more expensive than plasmas or standard LCD TVs, there are reasons why it may be worth the extra money.

An LED screen can offer looks, ease of installation, low power consumption and an improved picture over other types of television – so decide how important these features are to you.

Plasma vs LCD

Having trouble deciding between plasma and LCD televisions? You’re not the only one. The truth is you are not going to go wrong with either. Each technology still gives you a far greater picture than any analog TV, and with the widescreen image you get to see more information.

In general LCD TVs are best for more well lit rooms, however, Plasma TVs give a better image when you have solid light control.
If you tend to watch your TV a lot during the day then we recommend LCD TVs. If most of your TV watching is in the evenings, then we would recommend Plasma technology. Plasma TVs will give typically give you a sharper image but because of their reflective glass, it really depends on your viewing times.

On the other hand LCD TVs are best for playing video games, or for hooking up to PCs, as they less likely to suffer “burn-in”, which can be caused by having static images on the screen for too long. Plasma TVs, however, are best for watching movies and sports.

The key thing is that you are living in high definition, but, to help you out we’ve got this handy chart to help you determine which technology is best for you.

	Plasma	LCD
General
Screen sizes	42-65+ inches	5-65+ inches
Cabinet depth	3+ inches	3+ inches
Power consumption	Slightly less-efficient per square inch	Slightly more-efficient per square inch
Off-angle viewing	Excellent from all angles	Image fades slightly when seen from extreme angles from sides or from above or below
Reflectivity of screen	Glass screens can reflect lots of light, so may be an issue in very bright rooms. Some models have glare-reducing screens that are more- or less-effective	Matte plastic screens usually reflect less light. Some models have screens that are actually more reflective than plasma
Features
PC connectivity	Less common but still included on many models	More common than with plasma
Other features	Varies per model	Varies per model
Picture quality
Motion blur caused by display	Negligible	Difficult to discern on most models, although subject to more blurring than plasma. 120Hz models less-subject to motion blur
Black-level performance (depth of “black” displayed)	Varies, although excellent on many models.	Varies, although generally worse than plasma on many models, and better than plasma on best models
Color saturation	Varies, although generally a bit better than LCD due to black level and off-angle advantages	Varies, although the best models can equal the best plasmas
Resolution	Typically 720p, up to 1080p on high-end models. The benefits of 1080p are not obvious at screen sizes below 50 inches to the majority of viewers.	Typically 720p, but 1080p is more common than plasma at more price and size points. The benefits of 1080p are not obvious at screen sizes below 50 inches to the majority of viewers
Durability
Burn-in (faint after-images left on-screen)	Possible with still images left on-screen with very bright settings for hours, although new models much less susceptible, and most burn-in is temporary and goes away after watching moving images	May occur in extreme situations (very bright still images left on-screen for days) but much less likely than with plasma or even standard tube TVs.
Lifespan (hours until fades to half-brightness)	Typically 60,000 hours, or about 20 years if used 8 hours per day.	Typically 60,000 hours, or about 20 years if used 8 hours per day.
Program type
HDTV	Excellent	Excellent for HDTV-compatible models.
Standard-definition TV	Dependent mostly on screen size. The smaller the screen, the better standard-def usually looks	Dependent mostly on screen size. The smaller the screen, the better standard-def usually looks
DVD Movies	Excellent given a model with good black-level performance	Very good, although models with worse black-level performance are less desirable
Games	Excellent for most users, although burn-in might deter gamers who leave screens paused for hours or overnight	Excellent, although motion blur might deter the most sensitive gamers

The Right Projection Screen for Home or Office

Projection Screens are an essential part of a display system. It is the screen that delivers the message.  A good screen will compliment and enhance the quality of any projected image. Nothing’s more important in getting your message across to all in the audience.

Developments in software and electronics have made a large contribution to the enormous steps forward in projectors.  Because projectors provide increasingly enhanced light output, contrast and resolution, the quality of the projected image is constantly improving.  However, a good projector on its own is not enough. Optimal image quality can only be achieved if the projector and projection screen are matched to each other and to the application.  For that reason, selection of the right screen and screen fabric is an essential step for ensuring the best projection result.

The most important selection criteria are explained below.  Given that every situation is unique, this information should be regarded only as a guideline.

Step 1. Screen type
Determination of the type of screen is the first step.  Selection of a portable, wall or ceiling mounted screen – electrically driven or manual – depends on the situation and your personal preference.  Generally speaking, if the projection location is permanent, a wall or ceiling screen is to be preferred.  A portable screen is a better choice if you want to be able to project at various locations.

Step 2. Screen size
An important aspect of a projection screen is the screen size.  Since presentations now increasingly involve projection of data, the screen should not only be big enough for everything to be seen but, more importantly, for the texts and figures to be read clearly.  The correct screen size can be determined using the following three rules of thumb:
- The height of the screen should be at least one sixth of the distance from the screen to the back row of seats.
- The distance from the bottom of the screen to the floor should be at least 125 cm.
- The front row of seats should be around twice the screen height away from the screen.

Step 3. Screen format
Depending on the projector type, the projected image has a given ratio of width to height, also known as the aspect ratio. For a good-looking result, it is recommended to use a projection screen with the same aspect ratio as the projected image.  All screens in standard format have two borders on each side, while video or HDTV formats are finished with black borders all around.  These black borders increase the perceived contrast and set the projected image off in an attractive manner. You’ll usually find projection screens in the following screen formats:

Format	width/height	aspect ratio
Standard format	1:1	1
Video format	4:3	1,33
Slide projection format	3:2	1,50
HDTV format	16:9	1,78

Step 4. The correct screen fabric
However good the projector might be, the audience will only be properly served if they can clearly see and read the projected image which reaches them.  And that is exactly the added value of the projection screen.  A projection screen does more than just reflect.  It is capable of reflecting and distributing the projected image in a given direction.  Why should the image be distributed over the entire room if the audience is seated in a particular area?

The ability of the screen to distribute light in a given direction has direct consequences for the viewing angle and the brightness of the image.  This perceived brightness is often referred to as the reflection value or gain.  A screen with a wide viewing angle distributes light evenly over a wide viewing area and offers limited gain. Screens with a smaller viewing angle offer a higher gain factor.

Thus, the right choice of screen fabric depends directly on the application.  A number of ambient factors also play a role. The most important of these factors are:

• Projector
  Each projector has its own specific light output (ANSI Lumen). Depending on the light output, a higher or lower reflection value may be desirable.  If different projection methods are used, the screen fabric should be matched to the projection method with the lowest light output.
• Ambient light
  All the light that does not come from the projector can have a negative influence on the image quality. In applications where the ambient light can not be controlled, a screen fabric with a higher gain is recommended.
• Position of the projector
  Depending on whether the projector is mounted to the ceiling or placed on a projector stand, a ‘reflective’ or ‘retro-reflective’ screen fabric needs to be selected.
• Projection room
  The arrangement of the seats determines the angle at which the viewers look at the image. The wider this arrangement, the greater the viewing angle of the recommended fabric type needs to be.

Understanding Universal Remotes

A universal remote is a smart way to consolidate the operation and management of your home entertainment system into a single, convenient controller. Virtually every modern home audio and video component comes with its own remote, so if you are suffering from an overabundance of remotes on your coffee table, a properly equipped and configured universal model may be the perfect cure. A universal remote is also a quick solution if you lose or damage one of your other remotes, unless you don’t mind shuttling between your couch and TV every time you want to change the channel.

Universal remote controls range from basic, inexpensive units that control a TV and a small handful of associated components, to big, LCD touchscreen-equipped models costing $400 or more. There is no reason to purchase an expensive, top-end unit if you only need to control your TV, DVD player and VCR, but if you are thinking of expanding your home entertainment system in the near future, make sure your universal remote is up to the task.

A budget universal remote operates your TV and several associated components, such as a DVD player, VCR, cable box and satellite receiver. It handles basic tasks like power on/off, volume adjustments, channel changes and simple tape or disc playback. More sophisticated remotes can control additional components such as home theater receivers and DVRs. Other components may include dedicated buttons for Blu-ray disc players or DVD recorder controls, as well as illuminated buttons. Some have small LCD screens that show menu options and other information. High-end models control as many as 20 devices, and some have large color LCD touchscreens with simple-to-use icon-based user interfaces.

A common feature on more advanced universal remotes, and appearing more and more in less expensive models as well, are user-programmable macro controls. Say you want to watch a DVD. Instead of individually turning on each component and setting it to the proper input or mode, simply press the button you have configured with your “play DVD” macro. The remote then sends the necessary commands to turn on your TV and switch it to the DVD input, power up your home theater receiver and set it to the correct surround sound mode and turn on your DVD player and start playing the disc. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

There are a number of ways to configure your new universal remote control to work with your TV and other components. Just about every universal remote includes preprogrammed codes for a broad range of manufacturers. To set the remote to operate your DVD player, for example, just find your player’s manufacturer (and in some cases, the model number or family) on the supplied list and enter that code into the remote. This may present a problem if you have obscure or old components, however. In addition to preprogrammed codes, remotes with learning capabilities are able to copy the signals of your old remotes, thus “learning” the proper signal to send to your A/V gear. This is great if you have an old component or one that isn’t commonly included in preprogrammed code lists, but it obviously won’t help if you are trying to replace a damaged or lost remote.

How to Shop

When choosing a universal remote, you first need to identify the number and type of components you wish to control. This can include obvious items like a TV, DVD player and VCR, as well as a home theater receiver, cable box or satellite receiver, DVR, HD DVD or Blu-ray disc player, DVD recorder, tape deck and even some home network controls. Once you know your requirements, think about your budget. It is nice to have expansion possibilities, but there’s no need to spend extra money when a less-advanced (but still very capable) controller will do.

Another consideration is a remote’s shape and weight. This may not seem important at first, but since the remote will be your primary user interface with your home entertainment system, you should make sure a potential purchase’s chassis and button layout are comfortable to you. If possible, try out a remote at an electronics store before making your final decision.

Most universal remotes operate on standard batteries, but a few (especially those with power-hungry LCD screens) come with internal rechargeable batteries, as well as chargers that double as stands. Some units include motion sensors and light up their screens when they are moved or touched, so you don’t need to fumble in the dark for the “illuminate” button.

A majority of remotes, universal or otherwise, rely on IR (infrared) light signals to communicate with their associated components. This requires a direct line of sight between the remote and the receiving hardware. However, a few utilize RF (radio frequency) signals, which have the handy ability to transmit through walls or home theater cabinets. If your A/V setup is in a closable cabinet, or if you often listen from a different room, an RF remote is a wise choice.

There are many options available, but if you know your needs and keep your budget in mind, you should have an easy time selecting the right universal remote control for you.

What is Whole House Audio/Video?

Imagine having hi-fi music in every room of your home with nothing more than an elegant Wall Mounted Keypad and virtually invisible in-wall or in-ceiling Speakers showing. This is the dream system of interior decorators and is typically only found in multi-million dollar homes. We can show you how this can be done in your home with your existing equipment and at a reasonable cost. Whole house audio/video refers to a centralized audio/video system that pipes music and video/cable signals throughout the home. Because the system is centralized, the only components present in each room are speakers and TV screens. Control of the system is made through a handheld remote or wall mounted control panels. The centralized components can either be hidden away in a closet, or if you prefer, mounted in an impressive Rack System array in your living room. (Some systems may have additional VCRs and CD players located locally in various rooms for convenience. If correctly configured, these VCRs and CD players can be viewed or listened to in the room they are located as well as any other room.)

There are many ways of configuring a whole house audio video system. We will describe the basic methods below. Choose the method that best suits your requirements and budget.

Single Amplifier/Receiver Driving Speakers in Multiple Rooms

This is the simplest and lowest cost method. The output from a single amplifier or receiver is split amongst several rooms. All rooms will receive the same music. Volume Controls can be located in each room to adjust listening levels (or a centralized volume controller can be used if preferred). Whenever the output from a single amp/receiver is split between 2 or more speakers, an impedance matching system must be used. To control the master volume and source (CD, tuner, tape, etc.) from each room an Infrared (IR) Distribution system can be added.

Multiple Amplifiers/Receivers Sharing Sources

If different rooms need to listen to different sources at the same time, multiple amps/receivers are required. Use one amp/receiver for each listening (a zone refers to one or more rooms that listen to the same source simultaneously). The amp – receivers can be stacked together and the source inputs can be shared (ie. 1 CD, 1 tape, 1 DSS shared amongst 2 or more amp/receivers). To control the volume and source from each zone a zoned Infrared (IR) Distribution system can be added.

Purpose Made Multiple Zone Amplifier Systems

Many higher end amp/receivers now come with a built-in second discrete amplifier for a second zone. If your needs do not require more than 2 zones, this may be a cost effective solution. For a larger number of zones consider the NUVO or Russound 6-Source/6-Zone System which have six discrete amplifiers and a volume/source distribution system built-in.

Product Review: Universal Remote Touchscreen MX-3000

The MX-3000 from Universal Remote, is one of the flagship products in the home theater master line.  The MX-3000 is a universal color touch screen remote control.  The screen size is 3.8 inches and has the ability to operate by infra-red, radio frequency, or both.

For anyone who has ever lusted after color touch screen remotes, such as those offered by Crestron or AMX, but unwilling to sink what could equate into a few mortgage payments into a remote, take note this might be what your looking for.  While the MX-3000 doesn’t offer quite the level of customization a Crestron system does, it has more than enough features to handle the average home theater or media room setup.

At about 7 inches wide and 5 inches high the remote fits comfortable in your hand, and the color LCD screen is easy to read.  The contrast of the screen seemed quite high and made punching in channel numbers a breeze but, I’m getting ahead of myself.  Any programmable remote that uses PC based software is really only as good as that software, if it’s hard and cumbersome to program, your unlikely to get all you can out of it.
Earlier I’d mentioned the MX-3000 was IR or RF or both. To use the RF ability, you’ll need the separate MRF-350 which reads commands from the remote and then spits them out via infrared emitters attached to the front of the equipment.  I highly recommend this option, as pointing the remote at the equipment is no longer necessary, six infrared emitters are included.  This option pretty much guarantees the codes will be sent, regardless of where the remote was pointed at the time, also the range is increased from the infrared distance of 30 to 50 feet, to over 100 feet via RF.

Other features include custom background files, the ability to import .ccf files from other remotes such as the Philips Pronto, and the ability to “smart route” commands.  This gives you the ability to remotely control identical devices separately.  Overall, I really liked this remote, while my MX-900 RF offers many of the same functions, the color LCD display of the MX-3000 was really alluring, not to mention how it felt in my hand, it was really comfortable.  So as said previously, if you’ve considered touch panels from Crestron or AMX in the past, but didn’t need that level of control, not to mention the price tag, the MX-3000 is highly recommended.

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