Thursday, May 31, 2018

June 2018 New Gear Part 2

McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD Transport
Audiophiles with to-die-for disc collections will appreciate McIntosh’s latest audio marvel: a high-performance SACD/CD transport that plays “all common disc types” as well as audio files stored on a disc or USB drive. Supported file formats include AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 192 kHz/24 bit), and WMA. Of course, the MCT500 is a transport—not a player—so it must be connected to a preamp, receiver, or integrated amplifier with digital inputs and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).


from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/june-2018-new-gear-part-2

Defining the Internet of Things

15 Minutes with Futurist Dave Evans

You can’t see the Internet of Things but, trust me, it’s there — and growing rapidly as every imaginable kind of “thing” becomes (or at least tries to become) net savvy. But what exactly does IoT mean? And if we move beyond the quaint Jetson-esque vision of the future, what are IoT’s real-world implications? To get a handle on where our increasingly interconnected world is heading, we tracked down Dave Evans, former chief futurist for Cisco and co-founder of the Silicon Valley IoT startup, Stringify. Strap on your seat belt and prepare for an exciting ride into the future.

S&V: Let’s start with the basics. We’ve been hearing a lot about IoT — the Internet of Things — over the past couple of years. It so all-encompassing. How do you define it?



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Why Is Brightness Measured Differently on Different Displays?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Why are different units of brightness measurement used for different display technologies? For example, I’ve seen lumens used for home theater projectors, foot-lamberts for movie theaters, and nits for high dynamic range-capable TVs. Wouldn’t it be less confusing for the average consumer to lump everything together as a single measurement?
Nathan Robertson / via e-mail



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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte on Cruise Control with Home’s New Automation System

After winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship in 2000, veteran race car driver Bobby Labonte has been investing in some well-deserved relaxation far from the frenzy of the track. In late 2017, Labonte purchased a 4,000-square foot cabin on over 15 acres of land within a mile of High Point, North Carolina, with the intention of turning it into his tranquil dream home.

Related: Check out another smart home owned by a NASCAR champ

Life of Leisure

With leisure top-of-mind, Labonte wanted his laidback abode to include a simple, centralized means of control that could seamlessly manage audio, video, climate, security, and lighting. During the gut-renovation, Labonte asked Jeff Grissett, co-owner of local integration firm Advanced Tech Systems, Inc. for his suggestion on a home automation system that could do just that. “I recommended that Bobby invest in the ELAN system because it is the easiest-to-use automation system out there,” Grissett says. “I took Bobby to our showroom in Greensboro to demo ELAN, and he was immediately sold. All it takes is a few minutes with the ELAN interface to truly understand how easy it is.”

Automated Lights, AV and Climate

Grissett and his team installed one ELAN gSC10 controller paired with an ELAN S1616A 16×16 Audio Matrix/Amplifier for multi-room audio, and an ELAN EL­4KM­V88 8×8 HDBaseT Matrix to send video content to all five of the home’s televisions. Advanced Tech Systems integrated the ELAN system with a Lutron system for lighting control and Aprilaire HVAC system for climate control.

Amazon Alexa Takes Charge

“Not only can Bobby and his wife access every system with ELAN touchpanels and remotes, but they can use Amazon Alexa to control their home with voice commands,” Grissett explains. “ELAN’s integration with Alexa really takes ease-of-use to the next level. Our team built over fifty Amazon Alexa event commands through ELAN, including ‘home’ and ‘away’ scenes. When Bobby says, ‘Alexa, I’m going away,’ ELAN will turn the lights, music, and televisions off.”

Near-Invisible Speakers

Labonte also desired high quality audio indoors and outdoors. Advanced Tech Systems installed 14 SpeakerCraft in-ceiling AIM275 Speakers, four AIM LCR5 in-walls paired with Sunfire HRS8 subwoofers in eight rooms of the house, with four SpeakerCraft OE6 speakers on the patio and porch. Together, they provide an immersive yet nearly invisible music listening experience.

“The audio system is really slick. The in-ceiling and in-wall speakers provide the best possible sound quality, but you’d never know they were there unless the sound is on,” Labonte explains. “It is really convenient for us to not have to worry about speakers taking up a lot of space in the room. We can enjoy the rustic nature of the home, but take advantage of modern amenities.”

Rustic Charm and Modern Technology Unite

During the renovation process, Labonte worked with interior designer firm The Decorator’s Edge to seamlessly blend the home’s design with top-of-the-line technology. “Our goal was to turn a cabin into a traditional home and incorporate unique, modern accents,” lead designer Eric Lackey says. “We worked with Jeff Grissett and the Advanced Tech Systems team to position the technology in an unobtrusive way. The end-result is a rustic home in the woods that is equipped with the most advanced smart functionality.”

Protection for AV Gear

The Advanced Tech Systems team backed up the new AV system with a Furman F1500­UPS Battery Back-Up with Linear Filtration and Surge Protection in the equipment rack to ensure that the system would run smoothly after the project completed.

“Power protection is so important, and this Furman product includes a UPS power supply for the equipment that requires battery backup,” Grissett adds. “The Furman F1500­UPS also includes BlueBOLT functionality that allows for remote system rebooting and self-healing by sensing when the units lose connection to the internet. BlueBOLT is especially convenient in this home, which is off the beaten path and not easy to locate for servicing.”

 

Elan Provides the Dashboard to Easy Living

Since moving into his dream home, Labonte claims that the ELAN system has far surpassed his expectations of what owning a smart home really means. “I didn’t think it was possible to harness control of every system in the house with one interface,” Labonte says. “ELAN takes separate systems and puts them together. It just makes life easier.”

The post NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte on Cruise Control with Home’s New Automation System appeared first on Electronic House.



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Comcast and Fandango Deal Enables Movie Ticket Purchases Through Your TV

Comcast Xfinity and Fandango today announced a new feature that will let Xfinity X1 subscribers search local showtimes and initiate the purchase of movie tickets right from their televisions.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/comcast-and-fandango-deal-enables-movie-ticket-purchases-through-your-tv

The Smart Garden: In Full Bloom Thanks to Innovative Technology

The average American spends about 70 hours a year on lawn and garden care, according to the American Time Use Survey. If you loathe pushing a mower or carting a watering can, those 70 hours can feel like an eternity.

Thankfully, there is a bounty of smart products that can take the drudgery out of yard work. And for those who take pride in their landscapes, these five devices can give your gardening skills an extra edge.

 

Motion Activated Sprinkler

Deer, rabbits, raccoons, and other animals can destroy a garden; even the neighborhood cats and dogs can make a mess. Rather than stand vigil at your back door, you can let the smart sprinkler from Orbit handle these unwanted visitors. When the Yard Enforcer notices movement, it sprays water in the direction of the animal. It can protect an area as large as 1,600 square feet. $69.99

 

Smart Weather Station

The health of your garden and lawn hinges largely on the weather. A weather station like the BloomSky2 can help you determine the best times to irrigate your lawn and plantings, when to fertilize and when to yank hanging baskets from the porch due to a heavy wind. It measures temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and precipitation and sends this info to an app on your smartphone.

With the addition of an accessory called Storm, the weather station can also measure and report conditions including rainfall total, wind speed, wind direction and UV.

An integrated camera HD camera captures real-time images of the sky every 5 minutes. At the end of the day, you’ll have a time-lapse recording of the changing weather conditions.

One of the coolest capabilities of the BloomSky2, however, is IFTTT integration. This means you can automate smart devices like thermostats and irrigation systems to react automatically based on weather data gathered by the BloomSky2 weather station. $299.99

 

Plant Sensor

The Parrot Flower Power sensor, a rod-shape device you plant into the soil, monitors and analyzes the four parameters essential to your plant’s health: sunlight, air temperature, fertilizer level, and soil moisture.

Whenever the Flower Power detects that your attention is needed, it sends a notification, via Bluetooth Smart, to your smartphone or tablet. It might tell you that your plant needs water or that it is in a spot that is too sunny.

$99.99

 

Self-Learning Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller

The Netro Smart controller gives your existing sprinkler system a brain by using advanced technology to create a watering schedule completely on its own. You won’t need to fiddle with the settings of your sprinkler system because

Netro’s self-learning feature knows what to do. For example, it breaks up the long watering cycles to smaller ones to help water seep slowly into the ground to where it is needed. It also automatically disables watering when temperatures are too high to protect your plants and avoids watering at night which can cause lawns, foliage and plants to be soggy which attracts disease. The winterization feature disables watering during cold temperatures to protect your sprinkler system. Should you want to get involved in the irrigation process, Amazon Alexa and Google Home integration let you command Netro via your voice. $149.99

Robotic Lawn Mower

The Miimo is Honda’s first robotic lawn mower for use in the United States. It a microcomputer, timer and sensors to mow the lawn automatically, based on a schedule you set. It’s quiet enough to have it mow at night, and you can customize cutting intervals based on the season; for example, mow more often during the spring when the grass grows faster and less frequently during dryer summer months.

Miimo offers three main cutting modes; Random, Directional or Mixed: Random is the most effective for mowing large, open areas of grass. Directional is the recommended setting for narrow areas. Mixed is a combination of the Random and Directional pattern.

Two additional cutting options, Spiral and Edge, let you customize the mowing process even more. Spiral enables Miimo to concentrate mowing on areas where the growth speed of the lawn may be faster than the rest of the lawn. Edge mode sends Miimo to mow along the edge of the lawn along the boundary wire first, before mowing the rest of the lawn in the chosen mowing pattern.

This is an expensive mower, so Miimo is equipped with anti-theft protection that will sound an alarm and disengage operation if the mower is lifted from the ground. The unit can only be re-started once the owner enters a unique anti-theft PIN code. $929

The post The Smart Garden: In Full Bloom Thanks to Innovative Technology appeared first on Electronic House.



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Sony Brings Back ‘Days of Play(station)’ Promo, Announces New PS4

Sony has announced the return of its Days of Play promotion, which celebrates the PlayStation community with a new limited-edition PlayStation 4 console, discounted PS VR bundles, and “epic deals” on hardware, peripherals, and PlayStation 4 games. The deals will be offered...


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-brings-back-%E2%80%98days-playstation%E2%80%99-promo-announces-new-ps4

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

LG’s 2018 AI-Enabled TVs Now Support Alexa and Google Assistant

LG today announced that its 2018 AI ThinQ OLED and Super UHD TVs are now compatible with Amazon Alexa voice-enabled devices.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg%E2%80%99s-2018-ai-enabled-tvs-now-support-alexa-and-google-assistant

Best Buy Introduces Total Tech Support Program From Geek Squad

Last fall, Best Buy outlined its plans to massively expand the smart home services and in-home technical support provided by Geek Squad. Last week, Best Buy announced the launch of its Total Tech Support Powered by Geek Squad, making the service available nationwide.

The program has been in a pilot over the last few months, with Best Buy helping 230,000 customers set up, troubleshoot, and fix their technology.

Service Covers All Home Electronics Regardless of Brand

One of the key selling points of the service is how it provides consumers help with their home electronics and appliances, no matter when or where they were purchased.

“We all rely on technology more than ever and are constantly looking for that trusted friend to turn to for inspiration, advice, and help. We built Total Tech Support for that very reason,” says Trish Walker, president of Best Buy Services.

“This kind of service used to be available on single products only, but now essentially covers all of the electronics and appliances in your home,” Walker adds.

Best Buy Sets Annual Fee at $199.99

For $199.99, customers get unlimited technical support from Geek Squad, including in-store repairs, appliance installation, and computer-setup.

The fee also covers over-the-phone support, online troubleshooting, and in-home tech support. This builds off of Best Buy’s existing Geek Squad technical support team, which last year provided service more than 16 million times. Best Buy also bundles up to three licenses for Internet security software for each member.

Members also benefit from special pricing and exclusive savings on in-home services like TV mounting, connected home device installation, select hardware repairs, and future purchases of most Geek Squad Protection and AppleCare service plans.

Also of note, Best Buy will continue to support Mag Care, it’s Magnolia Remote Network Support which helps customers monitor their own networks and receive remote tech-support from in-store specialists.

The post Best Buy Introduces Total Tech Support Program From Geek Squad appeared first on Electronic House.



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Monday, May 28, 2018

LG Previews 77-inch Flexible, Transparent OLED

Photo: LG Display.

LG Display turned more than a few heads at last week’s Society for Information Display (SID) conference where it demonstrated the “world’s first” 77-inch flexible and transparent OLED display.



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg-previews-77-inch-flexible-transparent-oled

Best Buy’s Geek Squad Steps Up its Game

Best Buy continues to expand its Geek Squad tech service. Last week, the nation’s largest electronics retailer announced the nationwide launch of Total Tech Support Powered by Geek Squad...


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/best-buy%E2%80%99s-geek-squad-steps-its-game

Nielsen Evolves with Ever-Changing TV Landscape

TV audience-measurement company Nielsen is now including detailed viewership data from YouTubeTV in the local TV-audience measurement data it provides to media companies and advertisers.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/nielsen-evolves-ever-changing-tv-landscape

Thursday, May 24, 2018

How Does Your Internet Connection Stack Up?

If you live in Delaware, Massachusetts, or New Jersey, congratulations! Your home state ranks top in internet speed, according to a new study from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). If you live in Mississippi…well, let’s just say there’s work to be done.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/how-does-your-internet-connection-stack

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Optoma UHD51A 4K Projector Controllable by Amazon Alexa

Combining two of the hottest technologies in consumer electronics, the affordable $1,699 Optoma UHD51A projector offers 4K images and Amazon Alexa voice command capabilities.

Related: See a Star Wars 4K Home Theater

Through the projector’s companion SmartProjection for Smart Home skill, a fully voice-controlled home theater room that includes audio, projection screens, lighting and video can be set up.

“Optoma’s leadership in the consumer home theater space has largely been attributable to our ability to design and deliver projectors that leverage the latest innovations and technologies to deliver a great entertainment experience at an affordable price point,” notes Brian Soto, head of product management, Optoma Technology.

“With smart home adoption on the rise and voice increasingly becoming a preferred way for consumers to interface with their electronics we prioritized delivering this feature to our audience.”

According to Optoma and research from Alpine.AI, approximately 8.2 million people  own an Amazon Alexa product, issuing more than one billion voice searches per month.

Using the voice options for the UHD51A, homeowners can issue voice commands to turn the projector on or off and to change inputs.

 

Optoma UHD51A Projector Also Delivers 4K Pictures

The heart of the UHD51A is its ability to produce UltraHD 4K images. The projector is rated to produce up to 2,400 lumens of brightness, and contrast ratios as high as 500,000:1.

Compatible with the high dynamic range (HDR) HDR10 format, the UHD51A also complies with the Rec.2020 and DCI-P3 color gamuts, and it also incorporates a built-in 4K HDR media player with an Android operating system (OS).

Some of the installation options built into the projector include a pair of HDMI 2.0 inputs that provide compatibility with the HDCP 2.2 copyright protection scheme and other features such as a 1.3x optical zoom and 15 percent vertical lens shift provide installation flexibility.

Optoma HD51A Features

  • Resolution is 3840 x2160
  • Produces brightness levels up to 2,400 ANSI lumens
  • Produces contrast levels as high as 500,000:1
  • Supports HDR10 high dynamic range format
  • Supports the Rec. 709, DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020
  • Two HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.2 compatibility
  • Throw ratio of 1.21 to 1.59
  • 3x optical zoom
  • Vertical lens shift up to 15 percent
  • MHL 2.1 support
  • Alexa Smart Skill voice control options

The post Optoma UHD51A 4K Projector Controllable by Amazon Alexa appeared first on Electronic House.



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Marantz Adds Heos/Alexa-Ready AVRs to Slim Series

Marantz has updated its popular Slim Series of AV receivers with two affordably priced, low-profile models that support Alexa voice control and Denon’s Heos wireless multiroom streaming platform.


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New Turntable Stand Has Space for 200 Albums

Audio accessory maker Pangea Audio designed its new turntable stand with an eye toward maximizing LP storage.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/new-turntable-stand-has-space-200-albums

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The Yanny and Laurel Mind Games

It was an internet sensation, that's for sure. And a real head-scratcher, too. People listened to the same audio clip, and heard two completely different words. Much like the black/blue-white/gold dress craze that visually swept the internet three years ago, yanny/laurel did the same thing, but aurally.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yanny-and-laurel-mind-games

Spy Thriller ‘Red Sparrow’ Hits 4K Blu-ray Today

The erotic spy thriller Red Sparrow, starring Jennifer Lawrence arrives on 4K Blu-ray today, a short two and half months after its theatrical debut.


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Paradigm Expands Finish Options for Persona Speakers

Paradigm has launched a design studio offering a range of finish options to dress up its already stylish Persona speaker line, one of Sound & Vision’s 2017 Top Picks.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/paradigm-expands-finish-options-persona-speakers

Netflix Forms Storytelling Partnership With the Obamas

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a unique multi-year agreement with Netflix to produce a “diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features.”


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/netflix-forms-storytelling-partnership-obamas

Monday, May 21, 2018

Polk Smart Speaker Features Google Assistant, Chromecast

Smart speakers are widely available from a variety of manufacturers; so are speakers that can playback streaming content. Polk Audio has combined the two features in one device, delivering voice control and whole-house music streaming.

Related: Top Reasons People Use Smart Speakers

Bringing 45 years of audio engineering to the smart-speaker category, the new $199 Polk Assist employs Google technologies to deliver a high performing voice interface to the consumer audio market.

Polk says the voice-controlled smart speaker provides homeowners a hands-free device usable around the home to perform a variety of tasks.

“Polk Audio is committed to providing premium audio solutions enabled by the Google Assistant and Chromecast. With the addition of the Polk Assist smart speaker, consumers can easily add Google Assistant’s hands-free convenience and Chromecast’s hi-res multiroom audio streaming to their homes,” says Michael Greco, global brand director, Polk Audio.

“Polk Assist complements and works with our existing Chromecast-enabled soundbars, including MagniFi Mini and MagniFi Max.”

Through the inclusion of Chromecast, Polk’s Assist speaker can be used as part of a Polk Audio-based whole-house audio system for the playback of content from streaming services such as TuneIn, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR, and Spotify.

Polk Assist Gets New Control App

Built on the Android Things platform, the new Polk smart speaker leverages Google’s intelligent learning algorithms and Android development (and partner ecosystem) to enhance the speaker’s user experience.

According to the company, the Assist is also one of the first smart speakers built using certified Android Things System-on-Modules (SoMs), which receive regular feature and security updates from Google.

Polk says the speaker will fit almost anywhere in a home due to its small footprint. It offers the Assist in a choice of midnight black and cool gray finishes.

Polk Assist Features

  • The Assist employs Polk designed drivers and amplifiers
  • Hands-free control powered by Google Assistant and Chromecast
  • Built-in Chromecast allows users to stream Google Play Music, TuneIn, YouTube Music, iHeartRadio, NPR, Pandora and Spotify

The post Polk Smart Speaker Features Google Assistant, Chromecast appeared first on Electronic House.



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Best AV Receivers of 2018

The pursuit of serious home theater demands serious gear and no component is more important than the command center that sits at its core. Of course, we’re talking about the AV receiver (AVR), which in addition serving as system hub and providing unified control delivers power to five, seven, or more speakers. Among the dozens of products we’ve reviewed so far this year, are three exemplary yet still reasonably priced AVRs: the Yamaha Aventage RX-A2070 ($1,600), Denon’s AVR-X3400H ($999), and the NAD T758 V3 ($1,300). Let’s take a closer look…


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/best-av-receivers-2018

Friday, May 18, 2018

Geostorm

Picture
Sound
Extras
Facing their own complete extinction due to extreme storms that are destroying whole cities, the world finally comes together, sending 17 teams of scientists and engineers to create a system, a series of satellites all controlled by a giant space station that can use an assortment of devices—super lasers, thermal missiles, freezing beams, etc.—to stabilize the weather. Naturally, someone’s gonna try to seize control of Dutchboy, as the system is known, and weaponize it to make himself president of an all-powerful country that will destroy its enemies and rule the planet.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/geostorm

Sound United & Sonos Settle Patent Infringement Suit

Sound United today announced that it has reached a settlement with Sonos, resolving all patent infringement litigation between the two companies, including the upcoming case filed against Sonos by Denon.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sound-united-sonos-settle-patent-infringement-suit

Hisense Launches $3,000 4K ‘Laser TV’

China-based TV maker Hisense today announced the availability of an 80-inch followup to the 100-inch ‘Laser TV’ it introduced last year.


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How to Binge on Top Shows for Free

Most streaming services offer free trials to first-time subscribers, so it’s possible to feast on a tower of see-food without paying a dime. These trials extend from one week to 30 days, but the onus is on the new subscriber to cancel just before their credit card is charged.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/how-binge-top-shows-free

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Amazon Alexa Now Unlocks Your Front Door

Technics to Preview New Reference Class Turntables

Technics is teaming with Value Electronics to preview the Reference Class SP-10R and SL-1000R turntables it unveiled in January at CES.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/technics-preview-new-reference-class-turntables

Should I Use an HDMI Audio Converter With my Apple TV?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m currently using an Apple TV 4K box that’s connected to my HDTV with an HDMI cable. For sound, I run a cable from the HDTV’s optical digital output to an external DAC connected to my stereo system. Here’s my question: Would it be a useful upgrade to buy an HDMI audio converter so I could connect to my stereo system directly without first routing the signal through the TV? —Kristóf Kollár



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Smart Upgrades for Your Bathroom Shower

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

McIntosh Launches Streamer, Flagship SACD Player

Adding to its steadily growing stable of new products, McIntosh today introduced two “best-in-class” audio source components that straddle the worlds of physical and digital media: the MS500 music streamer and MCD600 SACD player.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/mcintosh-launches-streamer-flagship-sacd-player

Home Lighting Trends: Smarter, Stylish, and Sun-Kissed

TiVo Announces Alexa Voice Integration

TiVo is the latest company to pledge allegiance to Amazon’s voice-enabled virtual assistant Alexa.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/tivo-announces-alexa-voice-integration

Onkyo and Pioneer Receivers Now ‘Sonos Certified’

Onkyo USA has announced a free firmware update that will make certain Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Pioneer Elite brand AV receivers compatible with Sonos’ proprietary wireless audio platform.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/onkyo-and-pioneer-receivers-now-%E2%80%98sonos-certified%E2%80%99

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Optoma Ships First Alexa Voice-Enabled Projector

Optoma today announced the availability of the “world’s first voice-enabled home theater projector.”


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/optoma-ships-first-alexa-voice-enabled-projector

8 Reasons Why Chromecast Products Are Worth Installing

It Costs How Much?

Every year there’s a major high-end audio show in Munich, Germany, held in a large convention-center type facility. By all reports it’s the biggest such event in the world, though it began as a modest hotel show in Frankfurt (also Germany, not Kentucky). I actually attended two of those 80s shows when I was stationed in Germany in the Air Force, an hour’s drive from Frankfurt.

But this isn’t about audio shows, though from what I’ve heard about the Munich event it’s more about viewing than serious auditioning. And since home theater isn’t nearly as significant in Europe as it is in the U.S., Munich is mainly about 2-channel audio. I have no issue with that; I’m a fan myself. But the high-end 2-channel market isn’t doing itself any favors with the current trend toward crazy pricing. While a new, $250,000 pair of monoblock amplifiers from an industry icon may be an outlier, it’s symptomatic...



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/it-costs-how-much-0

Why Are Music Album Sales Tanking?

Who uttered that famous declaration? Was it: a) Confucius, b) Friedrich Nietzsche, c) Vin Diesel, d) Dominic Toretto? Of course, that is a trick question because both “c” and “d” are correct. The movie was The Fast and the Furious , a cinematic masterpiece about street racing and skid marks.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/why-are-music-album-sales-tanking

Home Builder Makes Voice Automation Standard

Lennar, one of the nation’s largest home builders, has announced that voice-controlled home automation is now one of several standard tech features included in its “Wi-Fi Certified” new homes.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/home-builder-makes-voice-automation-standard

Monday, May 14, 2018

NAD Updates Popular C 316 BEE V2 Amp, Ships First Wireless Headphones

NAD has announced an update to one of its most popular integrated amplifiers ever: the C 316 BEE V2, the last of five classic amplifiers to be updated over the past two years. The company also announced that it is now shipping the Viso HP70 wireless headphones it previewed at CES in January.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/nad-updates-popular-c-316-bee-v2-amp-ships-first-wireless-headphones

Nokia Sleep Tracker Automates Your Home

‌‌Sleep trackers have been around for some time, and they all do pretty much the same thing: monitor quality of your sleep by measuring sleep interruptions and REM phases. At the Consumer Electronic Show 2018, Nokia brought something new to the table. Its Wi-Fi enabled Nokia Sleep Sensor and companion Health Mate App (iOS and Android compatible) not only monitors and scores your sleep patterns but also controls connected devices like lights and thermostats through IFTTT (if this then that) rules that you can set up via the app.

For example, if the Nokia Sleep Sensor detects that you have left the bed, it can switch on the hallway lights to the bathroom. Or, if the sensor detects that you are laying down, it can turn off the light and lower the thermostat to a comfortable sleeping temperature.

 

 

“Our vision is to help make the world a healthier place and quality of sleep is as critical a component of a healthy lifestyle as regular exercise and a balanced diet,” says Rob Le Bras-Brown, head of Nokia’s digital health business. “Nokia Sleep gives users insight into what happens when their eyes are closed along with the ability to change the environment for more restorative sleep with IFTTT home automation capabilities. Nokia Sleep will be a game changer in helping maximize a night’s sleep to make the most of the next day.”

 

The sleep pad, which measures nearly 3 feet long, is placed horizontally under the mattress. Its internal air bladder senses pressure (your weight in the bed) and a microphone detects snoring. It plugs in via a 7-foot USB power cable.

 

 

 

Nokia Sleep synchronizes automatically with the Nokia Health Mate app so users can have all their health data in one place. The app provides data history, personalized advice and coaching programs, including one developed specifically around sleep.

An individualized Sleep Score is provided to indicate how restorative a night’s sleep was, and educate users about what makes a good night’s sleep and how they can improve night after night.

 

Nokia Sleep is available for $99.95 via https://health.nokia.com/us/en/sleep, Amazon.com and other leading retailers.

The post Nokia Sleep Tracker Automates Your Home appeared first on Electronic House.



from
https://www.electronichouse.com/smart-home/nokia-sleep-tracker-automates-your-home/

Kanto Ships All-In-One SYD Music System

Kanto has announced that the SYD music system it previewed at CES in January is now available.


from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kanto-ships-all-one-syd-music-system

Friday, May 11, 2018

It

Picture
Sound
Extras
In the late 1980s in the town of Derry, Maine, a young boy goes out to test a paper boat during a torrential rainstorm. Braving the elements, he places the boat in the gutter and runs alongside to watch its progress. Unfortunately, he’s too slow and watches it descend into the storm drain. He bends down to see if it’s lost forever and is surprised to see a clown staring back at him. Startled, he quickly jumps back.


from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/it-0

Working with a Custom Installer: Fundamentals Never Change

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, prior to becoming a custom installer I was a golf professional at a club in California’s Bay Area. I bring this up because we recently started receiving Golf magazine in the mail. (Bizarrely we’re also suddenly getting The New Yorker and Money, none of which we subscribed to.) As I flipped through a recent issue of Golf, I was reminded of really how little has changed in the golf world since I left.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/working-custom-installer-fundamentals-never-change

Focal Expands Flagship Utopia Speaker Lineup

Focal, the French maker of high-end speakers, is expanding the flagship Utopia III speaker line it introduced a decade ago with two new three-way models and updates to the Grande Utopia EM Evo and Stella Utopia EM Evo models.


from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/focal-expands-flagship-utopia-speaker-lineup