The Design Perspective

I’ve noticed that new technology features are often added at the expense of other features.  Eventually, the old features are added back into the final product and this is when I finally say “time to buy!”

This is the case with the latest crop of Super Thin flat panel displays.

Sharp created the D64 series as the first Slim-Line Design boasting a 25% reduction in depth.  Most of the display is thinner but there’s a bump of electronics in the bottom right side that defeats the gains elsewhere.

The biggest problem was, the image was washed out and no amount of tweaking seemed to fix it.

Then the new 120Hz refresh rate displays were released.  These added some motion clarity and were a decided improvement.

The LC-52SE94U is another step in the right direction.  The picture is a stark improvement over the D64, the unit is thin and wall-hugging, and the bezel is beautiful.

Time to Buy!

Another thin display worth ogling over is the Pioneer PRO-101FD and PRO-141FD.   These are monitors so there’s no TV tuner or speakers.  It’s meant for the type of custom installs DistinctAV typically does where all the HD sources are in a rack somewhere and the only thing in the room is the display and in-wall or in-ceiling speakers.  Only 2-17/32″ deep!

I’d love to see this piece with a set of Stealth speakers so there’s nothing on the wall to take away from it’s inherent beauty and the content it’s displaying.

The new Sony OLED technology creates displays that are only 3mm thick (thin?) but the electronics still bump out the back and there are other negative issues with the OLED technology.

Hitachi as a 1.5″ thinn line that is the pinnacle of  thin panel design.

A little wall and space planning when building or renovating your house can allow rear-projection displays that only stick out ZERO inches from the wall.  New screen technology reduces hot spots and produces excellent side-access viewing too.

DistinctAV will be exhibiting at the 2008 BAGI Luxury Home-A-Rama at The Willows in Zionsville.

Stop in our booth for a look at what’s new in luxury home electronics.

Show Dates are: September 20th - October 5th.  Mon-Thu 4pm-9pm, Fri-Sun Noon-9pm.

Also see http://www.luxuryhomearama.com

CE Pro is a magazine dedicated to the Custom Electronics industry.  They run a contest with Middle Atantic, a major equipment rack manufacturer, to help “show off your rack” (pun intended I’m sure).

DistinctAV was selected as one of the wnners of the 2008 contest!  Check out the winners here: http://www.cepro.com/slideshow/image/3230

This equipment rack and the luxury condo it serves will be the first in a series of project profile videos we’re making.

If you were wondering about other titles for equipment rack contests, here’s a few:

• “Show Us Your Rack” Contest
• “Nice Rack” Contest
• “Hot Racks” Contest
• “Everybody enjoys a Great Rack”

Hey, what did your expect…this industry is filled with geeks!

I received some excellent feedback lately on the blog.  One was to get right to the facts and provide a quick summary so expect more of that.

I recently replied to a client who was asking about the current BluRay player options.  IMHO, the current crop stinks.  They tend to have performance issues (slow), compatability issues, and supporting HD Audio is worth waiting for.  The 2.0 versions also support a slew of new features I’ll cover in another blog.

This client is getting a really cool surround sound processor (B&K Ref 70) to take advantage of his excellent speakers and amps, so sound quality is very important.  They also have a JVC DLA-RS2 projector so there’s no shortcomings on the display side.

What is missing is a BluRay player and something to play their large collection of standard DVDs.  He does not want a DVD carousel and a media manager system like the Escient, Axonix, or Kaleidescape.   Charles Feeland put in a beautiful DVD case for us so it’s already convenient to browse their collection.

><client>,

I repaired my Sony BDP-S300 and speaking from personal experience, it’s frustrating to use.  That said, the Samsung has similar issues:

The bad: Does not currently support Profile 2.0 or have onboard DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; Blu-ray image quality could be better; DVD playback will disappoint videophiles; no analog multichannel outputs; some annoying operational glitches; operational speed still sluggish compared with PS3.

 

It is cheap–that’s the only good thing about it.  The PS3 may be our best bet BUT, it does not bitstream to the cool chip in the Ref-70.

The benefits of the PS3 are:

1. Relatively cheap.

2. Can be integrated with the remotes relatively easily.

3. Relatively fast

4. Plays games

5. Updates automatically

6. Plays games (need to mention that twice because your sons may visit more which <wife> will appreciate)

7. I can get a custom shelf for it.

8. The auto-cooling in the rack will keep it happy (they get really hot).

9. You can pack it up and give it to your sons if you don’t like it and everybody wins.

and the number 10 reason is…

10. …there are 9 other really good reasons.

We could also add the reference Oppo as a standard DVD player.  Easy to deploy and use and faster for DVDs when you want to just pull something from your existing collection.  I have one in stock if you want to see it.  I’m very impressed with them and would love to also hear your thoughts after hearing it connected to your HiFi system.

There are several new BluRay players arriving around the New Year. If you can wait, that’s the time to jump.

Subscribe to The Design Perspective and as always, I’ll sort out all the noise and keep you informed on “only what works”.

In many cases, custom installation simply means “no visible wires”.  But what do you do when you want to plug in something portable into your home audio/video systems?

The answer is what we call a “backfeed” or ”Jack Pack”.  These are inputs into your custom installed audio-video and network system that is typically located in a convenient wall or cabinet location.  They allow you to connect a camcorder, VCR, iPOD, (MP3 player) or game system without needing to call a service technician.

The custom remotes are programmed with a “Game Port” or “Local Input” button that switch the TV to view the signals from the backfeed port.

Why not just plug it into the components directly?  Simple–why are your components cluttering up your room and cabinets for in the first place!  Most custom installs hide the components in a tidy equipment rack located in the basement.  While this gets them out of the living room, it does present a problem when you want to connect a temporary source like a camcorder.

Backfeeds can contain any combination of cable and signal types.  Component video, HDMI, USB are most common.

Place one on or under your office desk and you can tie your PC into the house audio instead of listening to your PC music through those tiny speakers.  The point is flexibility!

Many home builders will build a speculative home (”spec home”) to keep their crews busy during slow times.  This is definitely a slow time for builders. 

Trouble is, once the home is completed, it will be added to a long list of similar homes in the same communities, at the same price point.

A large inventory of unsold homes can crush even the most business-savvy builder.

So what makes a house sell?

Location and Layout are still the most important factors.  A well-designed home on the right lot is paramount.

What about price?

Assuming it’s in the same price range as similar homes in the area, price really doesn’t matter because there are buyers at all price levels.  There may be more buyers in a particular price range looking for homes in a particular area, but generally speaking–there’s a home for everyone.

So what can a builder do to make his or her spec home really stand out?

Cutting costs is just going to reduce your sale price and potential profit margin.  Successful builders, especially those building a spec home, need to think about the quality of every sub-contractor they hire.  How will each vendor increase the value of the completed home?

What happens if a buyer picks up the project mid-way?  Budget vendors may not have the tools, experience, or offerings to provide a pleasurable custom buying experience.

Ultimately, a spec builder should be building a home with immediate appeal and huge potential.

A super-flexible, carefully engineered pre-wire lets the Realtor and builder say with confidence ”it’s wired so you can do anything with this home”.  It’s an education they’ll take with them when comparing other properties.

A lighting control system that eliminates “wall acne” with small, simple control pads help the home look uncluttered.  A few automated pathway lights send an inviting message, and a Realtor can touch one button that illuminates the entire house before the buyers eyes.

Some nice sounding background music makes the house feel like a home, especially when it gently appears without the Realtor needing to fuddle and figure out a difficult to operate system.

DistinctAV understands the needs of spec home builders and installs just enough to add value.  Instead of installing a complete low-performance package, we use high quality building-block components.  These serve the immediate needs of the builder and can integrate with the advanced needs of the buyer.

Great location, great design, and unlimited options for all the important entertainment systems–now that’s a great home-buying opportunity!

You research and purchase the exact granite counter top and matching custom tile backsplash for your dream kitchen.  The cabinet finish is impeccable.  The fixtures and appliances are stunning and functional.  The outlets are hidden from view, tucked under the cabinet.  Full spectrum under-cabinet lighting spotlights the effort and attention to detail of the materials used.

A bank of ugly light switches is cut right in the middle of the tiles (play record scratch sound here).

Huh?  All that attention to detail and a major compromise occurs when it comes to controlling all those lights needed to enhance your perfect designer kitchen.

DistinctAV to the rescue with three amazing products integrated together to form the perfect aesthetic and functional solution (add trumpeting “ta-da” sound here). [Read more →]

One of the biggest complaints I hear from owners of complex home electronics systems is: “every time I want to make a little change to the system, I need to call a service technician”.

The biggest fear of most buyers is: “What happens if you die?”

If I die I’ll probably not be in a position to service any systems but the good news is that, while appearing seamless, they are actually formed from separate, manageable systems.

[Read more →]

Okay, so maybe there’s not 103 prior uses for theater chairs but there are definately a lot of good reasons.  A recent stint of back pain caused by a pinched nerve helped me identify another one:

They’re comfy.

We’ve had a lot of people comment about how comfortable our theater seats are.  They’re nothing special.  In fact, they’re a fairly cheap brand that we ordered with custom fabric covering to match the theme of our theater.  It’s the same brand most custom installers sell.  Our clients typically go with the better quality furniture like Continental Seating or Palliser but the Berkline/Motionworks chairs get the job done when something in the budget needs to get squeezed.

[Read more →]

Many people ask me what they can do with home automation to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

From an electronics standpoint, the most important things you can do are: Good insulation, good windows, geothermal HVAC, and radiant floor heating.

Those are the most important things other than some operational activities, like keeping your doors and windows closed when it’s really cold or hot outside.

Next most important are (here’s what you were really looking for): integrated lighting and temperature controls integrated with your security system.  Advanced security systems like the ones we install not only provide improved security, but also take their sensor data and send it to the other systems in the home. 

[Read more →]