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We just LOVE it when Interior Designers contact us early in the design phase of a home. The end result is always stunning, and usually wins all sorts of interior design & custom installation awards. You can see from the pictures here that this Media Room is definitely unique. It features an automated multi-color backlit onyx fireplace and a "video art" projection dome. Here's the story:
First, we have a great space to work with, a luxury condo on the top floor of the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. At the end of the grand entry foyer, you enter the space you see here...the focal point of the residence. The client wanted this space to be the main Media Room, but taken to a whole new level. The client challenged us and Philip Nimmo of Philip Nimmo & Company, the talented Interior Design firm, to come up with something special...and we did.
You can see from the pictures that the onyx fireplace is lit in two different colors. These are just two of about a dozen different colors that can be called up instantly from the wireless Crestron home automation touchpanel. LED lighting behind the onyx gives the desired effect. It can even be set to automatically fade in-and-out of different colors.
And now, for something completely different...a 'video art' dome ceiling! A large dome (30' wide x 15' high) is definitely a unique feature in any room, so why not use it to wow visitors and set completely different moods for the space? Michael Fehmers, one of DSI's talented system designers, came up with the idea of using the dome as a virtual video projection "screen". To equally fill all of the surfaces of the dome, four hidden projectors are used along with a special computer server system. The video system serves up the many video sources (Blu-ray, satellite TV, AppleTV, many custom-made atmospheric video 'scenes', still photos, CCTV) and applies the necessary 'warp and blend' settings to the 4 projectors to give a seamless video image.
Photo: Looking up into the video art dome!
Oh yeah, this room is also a Media Room, so of course it features an excellent surround sound system and a large LED flat panel TV. The Crestron touchscreen also controls the home's Vantage lighting control system, Lutron Sivoia motorized drapes and shades, CCTV, and whole house music system.
If you are building your luxury dream home or contemplating a remodel, you owe it to yourself to Your family and your home will thank you for it.
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RX-V771
Yamaha’s new ‘71 Series receiver line-up expands with the addition of two new network capable models to the range. The first receiver in the range to offer 7.2 channels, the RX-V771 delivers versatile functionality that will satisfy the entertainment needs of the entire family. Powering black gloss speakers and dual 10” subwoofers as part of Yamaha’s YHT-1096AU home theatre package, the RX-V771 delivers first-class home entertainment and exceptional value in an integrated home theatre solution.
Yamaha’s powerful RX-V871 network receiver pushes connectivity to the next level boasting an additional two HDMI inputs – bringing the total to 8 in/2 out, ensuring simultaneous connection of all AV components in the home.
Building on the network functionality offered by the RX-V671 and compatibility with Yamaha’s AV Controller app, the RX-V771 and RX-V871 both feature a second simultaneous HDMI output, an additional sub-woofer output, Zone 2 ‘Party Mode’ and advanced multipoint Yamaha Parametric Acoustic Optimiser (YPAO) for professionally calibrated audio in any size or shape room.
As with other network capable receivers in the range, connecting the RX-V771 or RX-V871 to a home network enables seamless access to music remotely stored on a PC, Mac or network attached storage (NAS) device. Using Yamaha’s AV Controller app, enjoying your favourite music is as simple as browsing the music library stored on the home computer from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and pressing ‘play’. Album artwork is displayed on your iOS device while familiar control gestures ensure intuitive navigation of your music library. Additionally, by utilising a simple broadband connection, Internet radio provides instant access to tens of thousands of radio stations from around the world.
Two HDMI outputs on each model enables two displays to be connected simultaneously so you can watch TV on a display panel during the day then drop a projector screen down for an evening movie session without changing connections on the back of the receiver. The ‘Zone 2’ function is also enhanced with the inclusion of ‘Party Mode’ on both models. The ‘PARTY’ button on the receiver’s remote provides a convenient way to play music in multiple listening zones simultaneously. Party Mode is particularly useful for playing background music throughout the home when entertaining. In addition, volume can be controlled independently in each zone using the receiver’s remote, providing versatile control of your party’s soundtrack.
Advanced YPAO multipoint technology analyses the acoustic qualities of up to eight different points of the room, as opposed to the conventional YPAO system which utilises a single location. These additional measurements effectively ensure a bigger ‘sweet spot’ for larger audiences.
The RX-V771 and RX-V871 have a recommended retail price of $1,299 and $1,499 respectively.
Included in the YHT-1096AU home theatre package, the RX-V771 receiver is combined with two NS-555 floor standing speakers, four NS-333 surround speakers, a NS-C444 centre speaker and two 270 watt YST-RSW300 subwoofers. The YHT-1096AU has recommended retail price of $3,999.
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German luxury manufacturer Loewe has announced details of a new range of LED-backlit LCD TVs that are expected to go on sale in the coming months. A host of new features guarantee users will get the latest in TV technology.
May 14, 2010 — Loewe might be an expensive brand, but it never seems to cut corners on features. In this year’s new additions to the “Individual” series, buyers can look forward to LED backlighting, 400-hertz technology, CI+ support, and optional built-in wireless connectivity. Loewe has also put together a so-called media portal that will give users access to internet radio and TV stations, as well as online video clips. Those with an extensive collection of their own media stored on a PC will also be able to play it back on the TVs. These features bring Loewe’s TVs up to date with the likes of Sony’s Bravia models or Panasonic’s Vieras.
But admittedly, although it’s all very impressive, these specs alone don’t justify the prices — Loewe’s larger models can easily cost more than a car. The age-old line is that Loewe TVs are a touch of luxury, offering simplistic design à la Bang & Olufsen. And, as you can see from the picture below, this remains the case in the latest models.

Loewe makes a name for itself with gorgeous, sleek design — and the new models in the “Individual” series are no exception.
For some, the real distinguishing feature is the TVs’ flexibility. When you’re buying a Loewe TV, you’re the boss: You can decide which tuners you want, what colour frame, whether there’s a built-in video recorder, and whether it comes with a matching sound system — to name just a few of the options. Loewe’s attractive website lets users put together their ideal package, but don’t expect the resulting setup to come cheap. The new “Individual” models will be available in 40- and 46-inch screen diagonals at the end of this month, followed by a 55-inch model in July and a 32-incher in August
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The latest HDMI High Speed performance specs for 1080P 60Hz and 3D video and future formats like 4K X 2K introduce special challenges to customers who need to run longer HDMI cables to hook up video projectors or remote televisions.
Transparent Audio has developed Active HDMI Technology for Performance HDMI and High Performance HDMI cable lengths that are thirty feet and longer.
Additional Resources
• Discuss AV cables on HomeTheaterSpot.com.
• See all of HomeTheaterReview.com's Transparent Audio reviews and news.
• Visit Transparent's website to learn more.
Lengths of Transparent Performance HDMI and High Performance HDMI cables that are less than thirty feet already meet high-speed video requirements without Active HDMI Technology.
Transparent HDMI cables with Active HDMI have a built-in network that is specifically compensated for the length and electrical characteristics of the cable.
Transparent Performance HDMI cables start at $100 for one meter. Active Performance HDMI cables start at thirty feet for $420.Forty and fifty foot lengths are also available.
Transparent High Performance HDMI cables start at $250 for one meter.Active High Performance HDMI cables start at thirty feet for $800.Forty, fifty, and sixty-five foot lengths are also available.
The quality of source component HDMI links have an increasingly important role in achieving the best sound possible from Blu-Ray and other high resolution audio and video sources.
Transparent's new Premium HDMI provides High Speed HDMI performance and 3D video up to 25 feet while offering significantly improved digital audio signal transmission compared to Transparent Performance and High Performance HDMI cables.
The new Premium HDMI cable uses polished high silver content, heavy gauge conductors and are precisely constructed and terminated to insure quality impedance, bandwidth, and uniform delay characteristics for high-speed HDMI signals.Additionally, the cable is triple shielded to protect the digital signal from outside interference.The Premium HDMI cable is also equipped with high-quality gold plated connectors for more reliable connections.
Projected suggested retail for a 1-meter Transparent Premium HDMI is $500.
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RedMere Technology Ltd.
2B Fingal Bay Business Park
Co. Dublin, , , Ireland
release date: August 12, 2010
RedMere's Active Chip technology provides over 10 Gigabit per second data rate while allowing the HDMI camera and camcorder cables to be ultrathin and portable
Dublin, Ireland - RedMere®, a leading supplier of smart active cable solutions, has partnered with AUVIO® to launch new ultrathin HDMI 1.4 active cables with built-in booster for the camcorder and digital camera market, now exclusively available at RadioShack®.
Increasing video bandwidth for 3D TV and the emerging 4k x 2k ultra-HD resolution has meant that the typical HDMI cable has needed thicker copper and only short cable lengths could be achieved. However, the Auvio brand Ultrathin HDMI Cable incorporating RedMere's active cable technology booster allows for a cable design that is thinner, longer, more flexible, and more environmentally friendly, all while meeting the latest in HDMI 1.4 standards.
The Auvio Ultrathin HDMI cable is capable of 1080p, 3D and 4k x 2k resolution, with an Ethernet channel and audio return channel, and is light, flexible and therefore able to fit in your camera case or pocket. Capable of handling signals of up to 10.2 Gbps and guaranteeing optimum picture output with high-performance HDTV's and 3D HDTV's, these 10-foot cables can support resolutions higher than 1080p without an additional power supply.
The new Auvio Ultrathin High-Speed HDMI with Ethernet to Mini HDMI Cable will be available in nearly 4,500 convenient RadioShack locations nationwide beginning August 4.
Ruud van der Linden, RedMere's chief marketing officer, commented today saying, "We feel this is a highly significant development for RedMere as this partnership with Auvio is a huge endorsement for the patented technology we have developed. The chip technology means 80% of the copper can be removed allowing RadioShack to offer consumers the latest in highly portable and extremely light cabling, perfect for carrying and watching video and images in pure HD."
"Incorporating RedMere technology into Auvio's HDMI resulted in better performance from a thinner cable. This means you can enjoy a 1080p-quality HD experience from your camera or video recorder anywhere you go. It's a great example of Auvio's commitment to providing technology and performance that our customers are looking for," says Rick Vergara, vice president of innovation and private brands for RadioShack Corporation.
About RedMere:
RedMere provides complete active-cable solutions to cable industry leaders and manufacturing partners. In a world where connection speed increases, RedMere enables easy to use, high quality, smart connectivity for The Home, On the Move and The Office. These new active cable systems deliver the ultimate in compact digital connectivity over HDMI, DisplayPort and USB for Video and Still Cameras, Smartphones, HDTV, Blu-Ray DVD, PS3 and Xbox, as well as enterprise solutions using Infiniband and PCI Express. RedMere is a private company with lead investors Celtic House Venture Partners and EdgeStone Capital Partners. www.redmere.com
Further Media Information:
RedMere, Roisin FitzGerald Phone: +353 21 4838073 email: [email protected]
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Kodak has just introduced its latest entry to the pocket camcorder mix. On paper, the PlayTouch comes off as a solid mini video camera, especially with its capacitive touchscreen.
The PlayTouch shoots full 1080p HD movies at 30fps and 5-megapixel stills, all of which can be viewed on that rear 3-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD complete with a glare shield. Videographers can also display their work on larger displays thanks to HDMI output, and they can squeeze up to 10 hours of video recording time when using a 32GB SD card.
Along with some preset shooting modes (including “’70s mode,” which should be trippy), users can edit video clips directly on the camera. Don’t expect the full array of Adobe Photoshop (or even iPhoto) on there, but maybe some useful basic stuff when in a bind.
Other notable specs on the PlayTouch includes onboard image stabilization, a one-touch button for uploading to Facebook and YouTube, a microphone/headphones jack, and a USB port.
Available in five shades (black, chrome, magenta, orange and teal), the Kodak PlayTouch will roll out this fall for $229.95.
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