Classiccinemaimages

Reviewing the Universal Harmony One Remote

There has been a new kid on the block this past year, and its made things easier than forgetting which remote to grab off the table. Anyone who likes to keep up with Home Theatre News likely has heard of it already. For those of us who have not, the Universal Harmony One by Logitech is worth knowing about.

Its sleek and polished and looks futuristic and fits fantastic in your hand. It has a comfortable feel and great ergonomics.

Performance

When it comes to how it works, its performance works as great as it looks and has a motion sensor illuminating color and the backlights up when you pick it up. At first, it seems slightly sensitive and will light up at the slightest touch but after a few uses, this settles down, and works just right.

Tucked away in the remotes lower half is an ingenious rechargeable battery pack. The Lithium-ion battery will save at least $40 worth of batteries a year and the capacity of the charger stays strong.

Programming and Use

Ergonomics, look and feel and battery power aside, programming this futuristic baby for your Home Theatre enjoyment is not as complicated as you might think. The Harmony One is not just another consumer remote because it can do pretty well everything you need it to.

You can have full functionality of OEM uploaded into this remote by just a few little clicks.

There is a good balance between the functionality and ease of use with the programming software of Logitech. If you want to watch TV or anything else, all you need do is tell the remote and down comes a menu for point and click action. You not have to learn any of those darn IR codes or go out and get drivers. Everything is right there in your hand, and ready for you to use.

Trouble-shooting

Rarely will something go wrong with this gadget, but if it does, or if there is a missing function, press trouble-shooter. The trouble-shooter option does a good job of fixing any problem. This is much like one of the high-end custom integration remotes and if you check out a Home Theatre Blog or two, you can see for yourself how well its liked.

Bottom Line

This remote was not made to be complicated and excels in giving you almost everything anyone could want when it comes to universal remotes. Easy is number one when it comes to gadgets and this one definitely makes the grade.

The Universal Harmony One makes for an easy and happy experience for the Home Theatre and reasonably priced to boot.…

How Technical Guidance is Needed Before Buying Amplifiers

Audio amplifiers are considered the heart of the audio industry. There has always been demand for quality amplifiers to produce high end sound. Among the various designs and models available in market to choose the best suitable one is a challenging task.

An amplifier is used to simply pick up the weak signal and convert it into a strong one. It helps several devices to boost up their electrical signals. Its prime use is in radios, TVs and telephones. They can be used in many other musical instruments and guitars. Subwoofer amplifiers are used to amplify low frequency signals and are found in cars and radios. An audio amplifier converts a low-power to high-power audio signal. This high-power signal is in turn helpful to drive speaker without noise. An amp uses one or more elements which are controlled by the low-power signal to generate a large-power signal.

Before buying the amplifiers it is always good to know the technicalities of this product. In any case the consumer is not well versed with the terms, it is always better to contact some technical professional. Its major factors which determine the quality of any amplifier are gain, output dynamic range, its bandwidth, noise level and power efficiency. Lot of people crack the wrong deal by buying the product with specifications that does not suit their requirements.

The audio amplifiers are considered most valuable to its consumers as these are most widely used application. It can be used in music system to regulate the sound output. In earlier stages amplifiers were used only to control the volume of sound. It is available in different sizes and types and can be used in many modern gadgets. Among them the most commonly used are vacuum tube amplifiers or tube amplifiers. They are very different in comparison to other transistor amplifiers.

They find their use in home theater environment as an important component. It in fact plays a vital role in creating high-end home theater environment. Few of its components are home theater amplifiers or a surround sound preamplifier. The home theater amplifier is also called as power amplifier as it handles power independently and does not have to share it with other components of A/V receiver. Home theater systems consist of surround speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers and are essential to get best sound quality. These are used with electric guitars and other musical instruments.

This article is just a brief into amplifiers and its usage, but there is lot more to write about them.

It is always advisable to know the technical specifications of any audio equipment before stepping into the market to buy them.…

Why Choose Microfiber As Upholstery For Home Theater Seating

Movie watching has become a family affair and a home theater room can bring families closer, thus increasing interaction between children and their parents. With today’s work schedules this is difficult to achieve for many parents but when one finds time, what better way to spend it than in comfortable seats. Even the cup holders are conveniently placed on the arm rests for easy access. Every feature of home theater seats is designed to enhance the visceral experience of movie watching. One of the questions that remains is which fabric to choose for theater seats. Will your choice meet everyone’s needs? Will that choice be within your budget?

Microfibers, also known as microdeniers or microsuedes, have been the latest craze when it comes to performance fabrics. The texture of microfiber feels like peach skin but it’s not as delicate as it seems. Looks can be deceiving. Just because a fabric looks or feels soft doesn’t mean that it is a weak fabric.

In fact, it’s inherently stain resistant. Its short polyester fibers repel liquids much more easily than other fabrics. It does not stain easily. It is lightweight, highly absorbent, and does not wrinkle easily. How can one enjoy a theater room without the obligatory popcorn and soda? It’s perfect for those spills that will eventually occur on your home theater seating. Spills from soda or juice are no longer a nightmare. Now they can be effortlessly cleaned with mild soap and water. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite movie and not have to worry about those inevitable spills. The rich, velvety hand and the color options of microfiber can take your home theater seating area in a number of directions. Whatever fabric color you desire, it’s probably available with microfibers. You can go wild or go with an earth-tone. It’s all up to you.

In comparison to leather, for example, microfibers are not as expensive and everyone can use a break from their pocket book during these tough economic times. Also, if you don’t prefer the feel of leather then microfiber is a better choice because it performs just as well as the pricier leather.

If a uniform look is important to you, realize that microfibers will show variation if rubbed back and forth like that of suede. But then again, that is part of the character of this performance fabric. It is unique in every sense of the word.…

How to Motivate Web Surfers to Buy!

MOTIVATE YOUR WEB SURFERS INTO ACTION!

The best way to increase casual web surfers into actually buying your site’s listed products is by giving them reasons to stay on your site. And by creating an ‘interactive blog’, you will give your casual surfers a real reason to keep coming back for more: by answering their questions on a daily basis!

WHAT IS AN INTERACTIVE BLOG?

As we all know, a blog is a daily or weekly updated piece of news or stories pertaining to a wide variety of subject matters that can be embedded on almost any website. If you own a DVD website or other product website in which you are directly selling products to potential web customers, it is essential that you use your blog to spotlight and actively promote ALL of your site’s sluggish-selling product line brand-new products. And by answering all of your prospective buyer’s questions regarding new product information via your blog’s ‘comments section’, you are taking advantage of your blog’s interactivity feature.

HOW INTERACTIVE BLOGS HELP SELL YOUR PRODUCTS

You must use the ‘two-pronged blog attack’ in your efforts to spotlight new product lines on your interactive blog. When you combine that feature along answering your blog readers questions regarding when your new products will be sold on your site, you have succeeded in creating an impacting interactive blog.

This will have the effect of not only keeping your active buyers on your site for longer periods of time, it will also turn the casual web surfer into an active buyer of your products. How? Because in this interactive blog, you will supply the casual web surfer with real news regarding upcoming DVD movie releases, video games news, home theater component news or any other news pertaining to the main product lines your site sells on a regular basis.

UPDATE YOUR INTERACTIVE BLOG AT LEAST TWICE PER WEEK

It is also imperative to update your new blog at least twice per week in order to keep your blog fresh. This will vastly increase the chances of turning a casual web visitor to your site into a very active site member from now on. This is because the web surfer will ONLY bookmark your site’s main page if he/she knows that your page will keep them informed on pertinent news regarding the subject matter of your website.

I hope this helps increase your own site’s profits immediately after implementing an interactive blog on your site!…

Home Theater System – Enhance Your Movie Experience!

While the last time when you watched the movie in the cinema, it was a long line and the tickets were quite expensive. When you went in, it was all crowded; the place where you sat offered you with an inconvenient and awkward view. Most of the much taller individuals were sitting in front who blocked the view. However, you were able to see the screen but you were just too uncomfortable as your seat was too close to the front and this is something that made you feel nauseous. People sitting at your back continue whispering time to time and you were not able to concentrate on the movie. It may happen that others have been laughing horribly and extremely loud while any joke is being cracked in the film. Some women have brought their babies and they are crying that you are unable to even listen to the dialogues. Soon after that, someone had their cell phone ringing and people are more concerned to make others listen to them instead of watching the movie.

Well, it may be that not all of the above-mentioned situations happened at the same time; but all such conditions definitely make the moviegoers extremely frustrated if they ever come across them. Theaters were really good when people have been keeping their cell phones silent; on the other hand, the ticket prices are still high and nothing could be done as still this way more and more people are coming to the theaters.

This made you helpless and this is the time when home theater systems are being introduced as a feasible and practical solution. Now, you need not to go to the theaters but stay back at home and enjoy your favorite movie without being annoyed by public viewing. You will be offered with privatized sound, the best place in your house along with concessions from your kitchen that is simply not going to cost you even a single penny. However, you have to pay a considerable amount to install the home theater system; moreover, supplying it with Blu-ray and DVDs discs but in the long term, you will be the one taking the most out of it.

You can enjoy the movies whenever you want with all the advantages that have been mentioned above. While watching movie on your home theater system, you would be saving money and having one of the best viewing experiences for a single show making you realize that these systems are worth every single penny.…

Finding the Cheapest Home Theater Systems

The cheapest home theater systems are available at all major electronic stores and most major department stores. Whether it means getting your system all at once or getting the components over a period of time, it is possible to get an affordable system. The cheapest home theater system does not necessarily mean the quality is compromised but rather getting what you want on a limited budget. If you already have a television and a DVD player, you’re already half way there. Now all you’d need are some decent speakers and an audio/video receiver to get your system up and running.

If you’re budget is super tight you may want to consider getting the Cheapest Home Theater Systems at second-hand retailer. Search your local classified ad listings. When you source one make sure to have the seller hook up the system to ensure it’s functioning properly. Check the wires for nicks and shake the speakers if possible to ensure there’s nothing loose. Please note that this way of acquiring a home theater system is the most risky because you may not get a warranty with the deal.

Another option for finding the cheapest home theater systems is getting a factory refurbished or open box home theater system from a retailer. An open box item is merchandise that has been opened and for various reasons placed back on the shelf at a discount price. Some examples of this would be a customer purchasing an item and within 30 days, they return it for whatever reason. If the product is tested and there’s nothing wrong, it will be placed back on the shelf but at a discount.

Another example of a refurbished item would be from cosmetic damage. At this point the retailer has the option to put the item on the shelf as is but at a reduced price, or send it back to the manufacturer so they can replace the casing, stamp it as a factory refurbished item, then send it back to the retailer. Refurbished items are supposed to come with a 45-90 day warranty – parts and labor but there may also be an extended warranty available so be sure to ask.

The cheapest home theater systems will cost you anywhere from around $250-$700. Some come with the amplifier and some do not. A basic one should consist of 5 speakers: 2 front speakers, 2 rear speakers and one center speaker which is usually housed above the TV or directly below it. The next would be the subwoofer, which will be your base speaker to emphasize low, rumbling sounds. Finally, you will need an amplifier which is the central part of the home theater system and is used to distribute the sound through the speakers, out into your environment.…

How Power Amplifiers Create Magnificent Sound Effects

An amplifier is used in devices wherever sound is produced such as radio, TV and music systems. The significance of an amplifier is that it helps in the proper functioning of all audio devices. An amplifier is a device that enhances the sound quality and provides better music experience.

These are the ones which can convert low power frequency signals to higher frequency signals. Their categorization is based upon the amount of power delivered to the load. Classification of an amplifier is done based on linearity, signal gain, efficiency and output power.

They find their use mostly in transmission chains and, hence require attention for power efficiency. According to the latest survey, power amplifiers are often used in audio and radio frequency applications in various industries which include medical and military industry. There are ranges or classes of power amplifiers.

There are many different types of amplifiers which can be purchased in the market –

• Tube amplifiers – Also called as vacuum tube amplifiers as they make use of the vacuum tubes to increase the signal amplitude and power.

• Solid state – These are the ones used mostly in transistors. These came into existence in the late 60s and early 70s. These can easily control all the bass frequencies than tube amplifiers.

• Circuit types – It depends on the circuit types; they are classified into Class A, Class B, Class AB, and Class D.

• Audio-power amplifiers – These are also known as the small signal power amplifiers as they raise power level of signals with audio-frequency range up to 20 Hz- 20 kHz.

• Radio-power amplifiers – These are also called large signal power amplifiers which also raise the power level of signals. It easily amplifies specific frequency or narrow band of frequencies.

This is often used to produce loud sound and also make it very clear to show the difference in acoustics between a noise signal and soothing sound.

As power is an important factor in such amplifiers the amount of power needed can be categorized based on the rule of thumb:

• Medium Bands: 3 to 4W per audience member.

• Large Bands: 5 to 6W per audience member.

While stepping up into the market the main thing that comes to our mind is the budget as more the power, the greater the cost of it. If budget is a constraint and if less powered amplifier is purchased it must be kept in mind that there is not any clipping. The other factor is the product specifications i.e. power that flows into the loudspeakers is less than the required it should be make sure that it should not damage the loudspeaker or the system, and create an unpleasant hearing due to the distortion.

These find a major role in bringing in the best possible sound effects and hence are in demand.…

A Home Theater System Offers a Cinema-Like Experience

Movies provide an experience of sights and sounds that can take you to places far, far away. For decades, the only way to receive that feeling of escape was to go to a cinema to enjoy the large screen and booming speakers. Now however, homeowners can purchase a home theater projector and all of the equipment necessary to have a complete cinematic experience right in their living rooms.

Today you can choose from a wide assortment of sizes in projector screens so that you find just the right one that fits into your room. Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to screens so be sure to select one that fits into your room nicely. Having a super large screen in a small room is actually a mistake that many people make as viewers simply cannot fully enjoy the cinematic experience if they are forced to turn their heads to see the entire picture or look upwards, which can be very uncomfortable. Large screens that take up most of the wall are best for big rooms only, so be sure to select a screen that offers viewers a comfortable movie watching experience.

While the visual aspect of movie watching is at the forefront of a movie’s appeal, it is the sound that really immerses you in the experience. In order to receive top quality audio that is similar to what is offered in a theater, you will need to have a compete surround sound system that includes several speakers located in the center of the room, to the right, left and a couple of speakers placed behind the seating area. It is also necessary to have a high quality sub-woofer capable of producing the deep bass.

Besides projector screens and speakers, you will need a good projector. Many people take their budget into consideration when choosing a projector. An LCD projector offers great color resolution, brightness and display with very detailed images. DLP projectors on the other hand show a fewer number of pixels on the screen, but they are small and very portable. It is always a good idea to speak with an expert who can guide you in choosing the right type of projector.

Once your equipment is purchased, it is time to set up the room so that everyone has a good view of the screen. It is always a good idea to give people a choice in seating. In addition to offering couches and easy chairs, having a small bar set up at the back of the room with a few wood bar stools is a nice alternative that will surely be appreciated by your guests.…

Is Your House Smart? Add Automation Technology to Your Luxury Home

Smart homes are the concept of the future that already has roots today. The more advanced our technology becomes, the smarter our environments such as cars, homes and offices become. However, unlike our cars, or offices, our homes are an intimate reflection of our style and desires as well as a place that we need to feel comfortable. The true key to home automation is not so much focusing on one technological aspect, but connecting them all so that the house provides a total environment. Here are some powerful devices that make your home work to make your experience more relaxing and enjoyable.

Smart Thermostats

One of the most powerful environment regulators is the thermostat in your home. It keeps rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While a traditional thermostat is set by your choice of maximum and/or minimum temperature for comfort, a smart thermostat, coupled with a temperature sensor unit regulates temperatures based on current conditions and exact temperatures desire for complete comfort. They can even regulate humidity, and be programmed to keep specific rooms at individual levels.

Automatic Lighting

There are double benefits to smart lighting in a home. The first benefit is security, the second is comfort and ease of visibility. Lighting timers have been around for awhile, and they are a good way to turn lights on at night when you are away to scare away possible invaders. However, modern smart lighting goes a step further in using sensors to regulate the operation of certain programmed lights to go on exactly when natural light dims to a specific level. That adds to the benefits on both sides by de-regulating the time lights turn on so it looks more natural, and also making sure you have the visibility in your home that’s best for all times.

Staging Lights Get Automated

This type of light accents individual focal points in the best manner. Stage lighting is shaped by situating the lights in the most attractive manner for the exhibit, and very advanced lighting even includes beveled lights to reflect different surfaces in different ways. Another way of using lighting to enhance an area is to bring out the surrounding colors, or create an atmosphere with colored bulbs. Automation allows all of these aspects to be combined with specific timing, or even rotation of lighting colors or focus points.

Automation for the Home Theater

One of the most popular aspects of modern home technology is the entertainment center. A home theater inter-connects all aspects of the entertainment experience for a total package including superior sound, picture and also seating comfort. Lighting also plays a strong part in creating a home theater. Different types of lighting can be programmed into the system to provide a brighter light for sports events, dimmer lights for romantic movies, or even create levels of light in different areas of the room, such as pinpointing more light to a bar area and less to a sofa area.

Integrated Audio Technology

Nothing creates ambiance better than music. Integrated music systems pump your choice of music through strategically placed speakers in every room of the house, or can be programmed to play in specific areas. You can even have music played in the garden through speakers embedded into faux rocks so it seems to come out of thin air.

New Technology in Remote Controls

Although a big part of smart homes is having the various aspects controlled automatically, sometimes it is nice to take back control. Smart homes let you develop systems that give you the power of control no matter where you are. Remote control programs let you access all of the systems in your home right from a phone, or computer.…

10 Things That You Need to Put in Your Home Theater

So what makes the perfect home theater? I am not going to get all technical on you and give you exact specs for everything you need in your home theater because everyone has different tastes but here are 10 items that you simply must have.

A TV – Yes is would be extremely difficult to have much of a home theater without a television. When it comes to TV’s the bigger the better in my book. Another item to remember when you are looking at televisions is the resolution. In order to make sure you get the best picture possible and don’t lose any picture quality double check that you get a high-def TV with a resolution of 720p or 1080p picture.

A Blu-ray Player – a blue ray player is going to give you the sharpest picture possible and will still play your regular DVDs. In fact most blu-ray players will actually increase the quality of your regular dvd so even your old DVDs will have a sharper image.

A Home Theater Receiver – The receiver is heart of your home theater. The receiver powers the speakers and makes surround sound a possibility.

A Solid Set Of Speakers – To recreate the magical effect of surround sound you get in the theater you will want at least 5 voice-matched speakers. Now if you want to get a little crazy you could even go with 6 or 7 voice-matched speakers.

A Solid Subwoofer – So if the receiver is the heart of the home theater the subwoofer is the angry fist of the system. A good subwoofer is essential to recreate those earth shaking affects where you actually feel like you were in movie. Lava Subs makes one of the finest home theater subwoofers I have found to complement almost any system.

A Universal Remote – There is nothing more aggravating than trying to find the 3 thousand remotes to your system to make sure everything is working. I would suggest investing in a good universal remote to stop the anger and give you more time to watch the movie instead of hunting for the remotes.

A Comfortable Chair – What good is an awesome home theater system if you are not comfortable? Enough said!

Lighting Control – Everyone needs a way to dim the lighting just enough to not interfere with the movie but not have it so dark that you are blind once the TV goes off.

Popcorn – Who can watch a move without popcorn? Honestly… I can’t believe I even had to put it on the list.

Movie Theater Decor – A movie poster or 2 never hurt anything. Give the place some character.…