Home Theater System Talk

Joe Thompson asked:


Different times. Different needs. Different trends.

Indeed, anywhere in the world, everything is changing. And if businesses would certainly like to keep their companies intact, they would have to go along with the flow and find what the market is really asking for. If not, they might be continuously producing products that are no longer what the consumers need or want and would only lead to the company’s downfall at the worst extent. For example, you might be so much into creating those unique Ford or Jeep body parts which you may think are still cool. But you never did realize that the consumers’ wants have changed and are after the classic looking ones.

Anyhow, a classic example of a company going for the changes in the trend is General Motors Corporation. A report was sent out just a couple of days ago and it was said that the company, GM, was already in the process of planning on creating more crossover vehicles instead of focusing on the original plan which was creating a new range of minivans. Apparently, such a decision has been made because of the huge demand for crossover segment vehicles.
However, the previously mentioned reason was not the only thing that made GM decide on moving on towards creating more crossover vehicles instead of the minivans. You see, currently, GM has got various minivans in the market which are sold under various brands. However, it certainly does look like sales of the mentioned products have gone down so GM has decided to move away from creating more and later on would be phasing them out. Too bad for the minivans.

Chris Pruess is the spokesperson for the company and he was recorded to mention, “We’ve determined that we will not develop a minivan off our large front wheel drive architecture.” He also did express that the company would be focusing on more crossovers and these would be based on chassis systems from their cars. The new crossovers would look like their sport utility vehicles but would be having a greater edge.

Perhaps this is GM’s way of coping with change and of finding the right product to be sent out to the market.



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Phil Taylor asked:


Room lighting control is an important aspect for home theaters — especially if you have a front-projector and screen set-up. Video projectors often demand a controlled lighting situation due to the lower light output of their displays. Room ambiance is another important function of lighting during a viewing as you most likely not want your guests to sit in darkness (unless it is a really creepy horror flick). Reflected room lighting is a consideration as well as you do not want a glare on the screen — whether it be ambient light from a window or merely reflections of a lamp within your room. Ambient window lighting is major when determining your living room layout or designing a dedicated viewing room. A dedicated room would of course be best without windows altogether — if you have the luxury of designing a room from scratch.

Glare Control and Picture Enhancement

Room lighting control is relatively easy with a little planning. If you want to incorporate your home theater within your living or family room you will want to postion your video display so that any ambient light upon the screen is diminished or eliminated altogether. Each time we have moved to a new home one of my first considerations (much to the chagrin of my wife) is where we will place the TV in our living room. Since video is my profession I plan our living room layout around the TV and entertainment center (again to the chagrin of my wife). The TV is always placed at an angle away from the main window in the room in order to eliminate window reflections on the screen. Our living room lamps have shades that direct lighting downward and are not very translucent in order to minimize their reflections. Since I have a front projector and screen display in the living room — in addition to the 32″ Mitsubishi we use for normal viewing — we have vertical blinds which do a nice job of darkening the room. We also have velour drapes which can pull to either side of the screen and do a great job of providing a controlled lighting environment for our projector. You will want to do much the same — have your video display directed away from any windows and use blinds with drapes to control daytime lighting from windows.

Setting the Mood

Wall sconce lamps located along the walls for ambiance during viewing in a dedicated room is a nice touch and lends to the theater-esque atmosphere. Depending upon the overall decor and theme of your dedicated room sconces can be either plain or elaborately gaudy much like the movie houses of yore. Basic sconces can be found at a local Home Depot or lighting store. More elaborate theater-looking sconces are available at specialty stores. A dedicated room will benefit from remote controlled lighting - or at least it will add a “touch of class” to your theater. There are many varieties of remote controlled lighting which can be controlled either by their standard controller or be included within a macro-programmed command on one of the many all-in-one type macro-remote controls such as the Harmony H659 which I am quite pleased to own.

Regardless of whether you are incorporating a system into your living room or planning a dedicated room, the principles of home theater room lighting are the same — no glare or reflection on your video display and sufficient ambient room lighting for your guests during viewing. If you have any further questions about home theater room lighting feel free to use the contact form at Home-Theater-Systems-Advice.com/contact.html and I will be pleased to answer any of your inquiries to the best of my ability. You may also find more resources for home theater lighting and audio-visual components at Home-Theater-Systems-Advice.com/more-resources.html — from beginner’s tips to theater design and acoustical considerations.



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keenan3325 asked:


Right now I have a Yamaha RV-730 reciever and RT150 polk towers,polk bipole/dipole,polk center, psw505 sub and a polk rear center. I know a good amount about home theater and really like the setup I have right now. I want to upgrade the reciever, looking to spend $1000-$2000,any suggestions?

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Larry Zolna asked:


You are thinking about purchasing a wireless hidden camera but, like many people, are afraid of electronic products. You keep reading about words like “lux” and “camera resolution” and “line of sight” — do I really have to know what these mean? And, isn’t the wireless hidden camera hard to install?

The answer is NO and I’m going to tell you how easy it is to install and use your wireless hidden camera. I will also explain some of the “difficult” terms in plain, understandable English so you won’t be intimidated any more.

The best thing about a wireless hidden camera is just that — it’s WIRELESS! You won’t have to run any wires through your walls or under your rug.

These wireless cameras are called “hidden” because they are built into an existing everyday object that you see in your home or office. Most of these objects are functioning electrical appliances, e.g. clock radios, cordless phones, and even computer speakers.

Each object contains a wireless camera. The camera will function as long as the object is plugged into the wall outlet. For example, even when you turn your radio off, the camera is still working! These objects look natural when plugged into the wall, so your camera remains hidden and unsuspected.

Don’t forget — the object in which your camera is hidden is usually portable, e.g. clock radio. So even if you disconnect the plug from the wall — perhaps to move the object — you can still use your wireless camera with batteries. The batteries work for about 4-8 hours, so it’s best that you have another set handy or use a battery charger for a fresh supply.

You want to purchase a wireless surveillance camera system that is “Plug and Play.” This means just what it says — plug it in and begin using it! Your wireless hidden camera comes with 2 main components: 1) a camera and a transmitter connected inside an everyday object; and 2) a receiver which is attached to your VCR or TV. That’s all there is to it — you’re now ready to record!

Record what? There are unlimited uses for your wireless hidden camera.

How about as a hidden nanny camera — you can watch your children while they are being cared for by their nanny or baby sitter. What about your mother or father who is getting up in years and needs special care. Wouldn’t it be great to know who’s on your property all the time or even at the door? And how about your children — you can keep an eye on your tots with your hidden nanny camera to make sure they don’t leave the house or property. And, now with your small security camera, you will know the real time your teens return home at night!

By using wireless hidden cameras in the workplace, you will always be aware of what’s going on in your store, office and warehouse. Just set up a hidden camera to view your cash register, entrance and exit doors, loading dock, or just about anywhere.

All this and much more can be viewed from your VCR tape or live on your TV. And, with special software, you can watch what’s going on in your home or business on your computer screen, even when you’re away.

Should you choose a Black and White (B/W) or Color Camera? That is a personal choice that you should make. A Black and White camera does better as a low light wireless camera than a color camera because it has a lower lux. Color Cameras, however, would be more helpful to the police in identifying the burglar, shoplifter, assailant, etc. by giving a better description — for example, “the man with red hair in the green and yellow shirt.”

Finally, I promised to explain some technical camera terms. Here are some of the general questions you might ask about your wireless hidden camera:

• What is a Wireless Camera? A wireless camera consists of a camera with a transmitter attached to it and a receiver which connects to a VCR or a TV.

• What is “Plug and Play”? Plug and Play is the easy way to install your wireless surveillance camera system. Just connect the power supply (either AC for wall power or the battery pack) to your camera. Place the object containing the camera to show what you want to review. Connect the receiver to your TV or VCR using the red and yellow RCA cable from the receiver. You are now set up.

• What is a Transmitter? A transmitter is a device that converts video signals into radio frequency signals and transmits them as radio waves.

• What is a Receiver? A receiver is an electronic device that receives radio signals from a transmitter and decodes the signal for use as pictures on your VCR or TV.

• What is “Lux”? Lux is a method of measuring a camera’s sensitivity to light, i.e. it is the amount of light the camera needs to provide an image. The lower the number, the less light the camera needs to reproduce a clear image. A Black and White camera usually has a lower lux than a color camera. It will hold an image longer than a color camera. For example, a B/W camera with a .05 lux will be better in low light than a color camera with a .5 lux.

• What is the meaning of “camera resolution” for security cameras? Camera resolution is a measure of the clearness of a security camera. It’s determined by the number of horizontal video lines that the camera must have to reproduce the correct image. The higher the resolution number, the sharper the image.

• What is a Monitor? A monitor is what you use to view your camera image. The monitor could be a TV, CCTV (closed circuit TV) or even your computer screen.

• What is “Line of Sight”? Line of Sight means that the video signal travels from the transmitter in your camera to a dedicated receiver (e.g. VCR or TV) placed a certain distance away with no obstructions or interference between the two. The signal can go through walls and floors. Low Power Cameras usually have a line of sight of 700 feet. However, you can upgrade to a High Power Camera which has a line of sight of 3,500 feet.

So there you have it — you don’t have to be a camera buff to install or operate your wireless hidden camera. Just plug and play!

Don’t Become the Next Crime Statistic! A wireless hidden camera will show you

what’s REALLY happening in your home or business.

For more information on hidden cameras, please click on this link:

http://www.feelsafeandsecure.com/wireless_hidden_cameas.html

Feel Safe and Secure is a seller of home security products, self defense products and wireless hidden cameras. To view these amazing products, please visit our website: http://www.feelsafeandsecure.com  and Don’t Be the Next Victim!



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Johnny Blaze asked:


Yamaha or Onkyo?

I’m actually looking for the best receiver that upscales with no problems and has the best sound quality.

Also, what does it mean when a receiver can upscale to 1080i and 1080p?

I have a 1080p Panasonic plasma, so does that mean I have to get a unit that upscales to 1080p?

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