Thursday, December 25, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
A La Carte TV on the Horizon?
Every year more and more consumers are opting to “cut the cord” and rid themselves of a monthly cable bill. Many alternative options are becoming available for those ready to ditch the cable box. Online subscription services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime are immensely popular, and now regular broadcast stations which would normally only be able to access through a cable box are throwing their hats into the streaming ring.
CBS is leading the way, offering viewers a direct live feed without a cable or satellite subscription. However, don’t expect CBS to be the only broadcast network with this option for long. HBO recently announced plans that will allow users to subscribe to an online only service next year and ESPN is planning to offer content up to a host of online services. The cord cutting dream of an a la carte TV service has begun to materialize.
The average American’s viewing habits have changed tremendously in recent years, with Netflix’s streaming service reaching 50 million subscribers globally, a number which is expected to double by 2020. Because of juggernauts like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and even smaller online streaming services such as Crackle, broadcast networks have definitely taken notice and many have plans in place to move away from cable companies and offering online subscriptions much like the new “All Access” streaming plan offered by CBS for $6 per month.
With the changes on the horizon you can ensure that your equipment is set up to take advantage of the new services by contacting Doctor Sound at 972-317-6525 or visiting them online at http://www.DrSoundinc.com today!
CBS is leading the way, offering viewers a direct live feed without a cable or satellite subscription. However, don’t expect CBS to be the only broadcast network with this option for long. HBO recently announced plans that will allow users to subscribe to an online only service next year and ESPN is planning to offer content up to a host of online services. The cord cutting dream of an a la carte TV service has begun to materialize.
The average American’s viewing habits have changed tremendously in recent years, with Netflix’s streaming service reaching 50 million subscribers globally, a number which is expected to double by 2020. Because of juggernauts like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and even smaller online streaming services such as Crackle, broadcast networks have definitely taken notice and many have plans in place to move away from cable companies and offering online subscriptions much like the new “All Access” streaming plan offered by CBS for $6 per month.
With the changes on the horizon you can ensure that your equipment is set up to take advantage of the new services by contacting Doctor Sound at 972-317-6525 or visiting them online at http://www.DrSoundinc.com today!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Theater Moments
Great (and Not-So-Great) Theater Moments in Tinseltown - Movie time has been in short supply at chez TJN recently. My home theater system is packed up for a pending long distance move. I’m down to a modest two-channel setup (Onkyo AVR, Revel Concerta M20 bookshelf speakers, no sub, flat screen HDTV) in my much smaller family room. (read more) http://qoo.ly/4axcc
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Go Green This Season
The green movement has become more and more popular, as countless consumers are making the decision to opt for more environmentally friendly products. Everything from cars to electronics to the food we eat have “Green” options. Conservation, protection, recycling and reusing are all a part of a vernacular that has become prevalent in living greener. Going green with eco-friendly electronics is also one of the best ways to lower your ownership cost through huge savings on your energy bill. Doctor Sound Home Theater Inc supports the conservation of energy and is offering a $50 credit on all eco electronics to customers who mention this article before scheduling installation from now until the end of November!
A carbon footprint is the measure of carbon dioxide emissions each person contributes to the atmosphere. Any type of activity can result in a carbon emission, including driving, using electricity, and any actions that require the use of a fossil fuel.
Even the gadget obsessed can find ways to be a little greener, and by doing so receive the added benefit of utility savings! A range of eco-friendly gadgets are available from the professionals at Doctor Sound Home Theater Inc, including energy conserving televisions, green speakers, and more!
For more information visit http://www.DrSoundinc.com or call them at 972-317-6525 today!
A carbon footprint is the measure of carbon dioxide emissions each person contributes to the atmosphere. Any type of activity can result in a carbon emission, including driving, using electricity, and any actions that require the use of a fossil fuel.
Even the gadget obsessed can find ways to be a little greener, and by doing so receive the added benefit of utility savings! A range of eco-friendly gadgets are available from the professionals at Doctor Sound Home Theater Inc, including energy conserving televisions, green speakers, and more!
For more information visit http://www.DrSoundinc.com or call them at 972-317-6525 today!
Friday, October 17, 2014
Control Your Home While on the go
Do you ever get that nagging feeling when on the way to work or to the airport that you forgot to lock your door, or enable your security system, or any number of things you do to ensure the safety of your home? Thankfully modern technology allows you to have peace of mind without making an extra trip back home to make sure everything is in order. People with smart products can simply pull out their phone and check on everything inside their home.
Product selection is continuing to grow, with over 37 billion smart products expected to be on the market by the year 2020. Users can control their door locks, alarm system, lights, oven, washer and dryer, refrigerator, and more, all from their smart phones!
Not only does this help provide peace of mind, it is wildly convenient and cool. Ranges and ovens can be set to preheat during your drive home, imagine being able to prepare your game-day food and tuning the television to the correct channel, dimming the lights, setting your thermostat to the perfect temperature, all during your drive home. You’ll be in your favorite chair with a plate full of food, all without missing a down.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your home a smart home. Take caution though, when piecing together smart products you could wind up requiring several remotes and having to open a multitude of apps to control all of your products. Prevent being overloaded by consulting with the professionals at Doctor Sound Home Theater, they work with URC and RTI trained installers they are ready to integrate, and automate your home to make your life easier. Contact them by calling 972-317-6525 or visit them on the web at http://www.DrSoundinc.com today!
Product selection is continuing to grow, with over 37 billion smart products expected to be on the market by the year 2020. Users can control their door locks, alarm system, lights, oven, washer and dryer, refrigerator, and more, all from their smart phones!
Not only does this help provide peace of mind, it is wildly convenient and cool. Ranges and ovens can be set to preheat during your drive home, imagine being able to prepare your game-day food and tuning the television to the correct channel, dimming the lights, setting your thermostat to the perfect temperature, all during your drive home. You’ll be in your favorite chair with a plate full of food, all without missing a down.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your home a smart home. Take caution though, when piecing together smart products you could wind up requiring several remotes and having to open a multitude of apps to control all of your products. Prevent being overloaded by consulting with the professionals at Doctor Sound Home Theater, they work with URC and RTI trained installers they are ready to integrate, and automate your home to make your life easier. Contact them by calling 972-317-6525 or visit them on the web at http://www.DrSoundinc.com today!
Friday, October 3, 2014
Four Reasons Why Ultra HD Is Becoming More Relevant to Consumers
By: Jerry Del Colliano, September 15, 2014
Source: Home Theater Review
3D was truly a failed technological launch, timed about as poorly as possible. The industry needed, more than ever, something to make new HDTVs compelling to consumers at a time when their houses were, all of a sudden, worth half of their value. 3D wasn't it. Ultra HD, on the other hand, has the potential to get consumers to buy new TVs for the first time since the mid-2000s.
The consumer launch of Ultra HD has been anything but smooth. First, nobody could agree on a name: The term 4K was being used within the industry. However, as the technology is being implemented in TVs, "4K" isn't quite 4,000 pixels wide, so we had to worry about whiny, wimpy lawyers who might cook up some class-action lawsuit because somebody called a 3,840-pixel-wide screen resolution "4K." Thus, the term Ultra HD was born.
Then there's the fact that, while television manufacturers can make TVs with four times the resolution of a 1080p set, they can't agree on the more important topic of 10-bit color (which offers over one billion colors, compared with 16.78 million in our current 8-bit system.
Finally, a Blu-ray standard for 4K was not defined, so there has been no timeline for the arrival of a stable, non-Internet-based Ultra HD format. Oh, you want a broadcast standard? We didn't have that, either.
But now, things are starting to look up a little for Ultra HD. A few recent announcements are encouraging signs for this emerging format.
• CNET.com is reporting that, by spring or summer of 2015, the Blu-ray Disc Association will start licensing the 4K Blu-ray technology so that companies can start making discs and players, which could arrive by the 2015 holiday season.
• DirecTV is launching two new satellites in the spring to address the bandwidth and technological needs of Ultra HD, which by 2016 should provide on-demand Ultra HD content to consumers.
• For those with 25-Mbps and faster Internet connections, Netflix is offering or soon plans to offer Ultra HD versions of its great original shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black, as well as other shows and movies. Thus there is at least a stream of content flowing right now to those with the best, new Ultra HD TVs.
• At CEDIA last week, Sony announced that it will soon open up its FMP-X10 4K media server to work with other manufacturers' UHD TVs, so you'll have more freedom of choice for a UHD TV that can access the company's 4K Video Unlimited download service. Maybe this will inspire Samsung to do the same with its UHD Video Pack USB dongle, which is currently only compatible with Samsung TVs.
Is today the day you buy an Ultra HD set? It's hard to say. If you need a TV right now and the price is right, Ultra HD sets are hard to beat in terms of overall performance in the marketplace today. Should you go cash in your top-performing 1080p plasma if it's working perfectly? I wouldn't, but I would keep an eye on what's going on with Ultra HD, as the trend is clearly heading toward a world where we can have higher resolution, better color, and better dynamic range in our home theater. That is something to get excited about. It looks like that day may be closer to 2016 than late 2014. Nevertheless, there are good reasons to get excited about the future of video in your system.
Source: Home Theater Review
3D was truly a failed technological launch, timed about as poorly as possible. The industry needed, more than ever, something to make new HDTVs compelling to consumers at a time when their houses were, all of a sudden, worth half of their value. 3D wasn't it. Ultra HD, on the other hand, has the potential to get consumers to buy new TVs for the first time since the mid-2000s.
The consumer launch of Ultra HD has been anything but smooth. First, nobody could agree on a name: The term 4K was being used within the industry. However, as the technology is being implemented in TVs, "4K" isn't quite 4,000 pixels wide, so we had to worry about whiny, wimpy lawyers who might cook up some class-action lawsuit because somebody called a 3,840-pixel-wide screen resolution "4K." Thus, the term Ultra HD was born.
Then there's the fact that, while television manufacturers can make TVs with four times the resolution of a 1080p set, they can't agree on the more important topic of 10-bit color (which offers over one billion colors, compared with 16.78 million in our current 8-bit system.
Finally, a Blu-ray standard for 4K was not defined, so there has been no timeline for the arrival of a stable, non-Internet-based Ultra HD format. Oh, you want a broadcast standard? We didn't have that, either.
But now, things are starting to look up a little for Ultra HD. A few recent announcements are encouraging signs for this emerging format.
• CNET.com is reporting that, by spring or summer of 2015, the Blu-ray Disc Association will start licensing the 4K Blu-ray technology so that companies can start making discs and players, which could arrive by the 2015 holiday season.
• DirecTV is launching two new satellites in the spring to address the bandwidth and technological needs of Ultra HD, which by 2016 should provide on-demand Ultra HD content to consumers.
• For those with 25-Mbps and faster Internet connections, Netflix is offering or soon plans to offer Ultra HD versions of its great original shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black, as well as other shows and movies. Thus there is at least a stream of content flowing right now to those with the best, new Ultra HD TVs.
• At CEDIA last week, Sony announced that it will soon open up its FMP-X10 4K media server to work with other manufacturers' UHD TVs, so you'll have more freedom of choice for a UHD TV that can access the company's 4K Video Unlimited download service. Maybe this will inspire Samsung to do the same with its UHD Video Pack USB dongle, which is currently only compatible with Samsung TVs.
Is today the day you buy an Ultra HD set? It's hard to say. If you need a TV right now and the price is right, Ultra HD sets are hard to beat in terms of overall performance in the marketplace today. Should you go cash in your top-performing 1080p plasma if it's working perfectly? I wouldn't, but I would keep an eye on what's going on with Ultra HD, as the trend is clearly heading toward a world where we can have higher resolution, better color, and better dynamic range in our home theater. That is something to get excited about. It looks like that day may be closer to 2016 than late 2014. Nevertheless, there are good reasons to get excited about the future of video in your system.
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