AV Adviser

Follow Up To Degrading Our HD

A reader turned me on to a story that has some relevance in regard to my post from yesterday concerning the government's plan of degrading high def component (analog) video.

The story states that, "After December 31, 2010, manufacturers will not introduce new hardware with component video outputs supplying more than an SD resolution (480 or 576i)."  This means that Blu-ray players with component video will no longer be available after this year.

It goes on to say, "After January 1, 2011, software manufacturers will be able to insert something called an Image Constraint Token into any Blu-ray disc. This bit of digital information will turn the high-definition component video output OFF the player(s)."  It remains to be seen if this token will be put into television broadcasts as well. 

You can read the story here at CE Pro. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal

Government To Decrease HD Component Video To 480?

I never said I knew it all.  In fact, I'll state right now that there's much I don't know.  Usually I can, like everyone, find the answer online.  This time I can't so I'm asking for your help.

Supposedly the government, with the prodding of the movie and TV industry, is going to decrease high definition resolution carried through component video (analog) to 480.  I've heard this rumor twice in the past few weeks but in all my online searching I can't find any news substantiating it.  

The reasoning is that video pirates can make high def copies of movies using component video, the analog hole as it's been referred to for many years.  The capability to do this has been around the whole time so why cut the video quality now.  And why degrade high definition in thousands if not millions of peoples homes?  It's infuriating...that is if it's true.

A little background. HDMI (see the nice picture of one at the top of my blog?) as a way of sending video from source to screen was not championed for it's superior picture quality by leaving the information digital from beginning to end.  It was quickly installed in televisions and video sources in order to prevent piracy. With HDMI, flags can be set up that would block HD content from traveling through the cable.  This was spearheaded by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) back in the early '00's. 

HDMI and it's growing versions, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and soon 1.4 (for 3D)have caused all sorts of headaches for we integrators and you customers.  The connection between the source and screen (handshake) is often problematic causing lock ups and loss of video signal.  Why?  The way HDMI is sent requires constant permissions of the data being sent.  We're talking every few seconds.  It's far from a smooth ride for those zeros and ones as they travel down that cable. 

So now the MPA and government want to intentionally make good old reliable component video images look bad?  This is lunacy.  Again, if it's true.

So, help me.  Do you have a story confirming this rumor so that I can link to it here and so we can contact our congressmen and put a stop to this?  

If you have a question or if I may be of service call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal

Sony Style Stores Now Have 3D Demos

For a few weeks now Sony Style stores have had 3D TV displays but no 3D material to show.  As of this week that's changed.

Sony says all of its stores now have a working display.  Darn, and I was at Beachwood Place yesterday.  I shouldv'e stopped in. 

Here's the lowdown from Engadget HD.

A couple of more thoughts on 3D.  I was just reading that there are 20 feature films in 3D being released this year.  The question was asked, are there enough screens in theaters to show them.  The answer is no.  Especially considering that some of these are big blockbuster movies like Tim Burton's  Alice In Wonderland which will be shown on multiple screens in movie complexes. 

The screens need to be silver or more specifically gray in order to increase the brightness needed.  The increased brightness is necessary because it's two completely separate sources of video information being thrown onto the screen.  Couple this with the fact you are wearing glasses which will cut the brightness nearly 50%. 

Without getting into the technical details there's actually 3 forms of 3D.  The two more prominent right now are simply differentiated by passive and active glasses.  Active glasses have moving shutters. 

Active glasses presently cost upwards of $150 per pair.  They also need to be charged.  Imagine watching a movie at home and your glasses suddenly stop working.  You have three choices.  You can stop the movie and wait while your glasses recharge, buy an extra set of glasses per person, or be tethered to a charger with a wire.  Ha.  Yes, none of these sound acceptable.  

If you have a question or if I may be of service call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal

The Ultimate Audio Experience

Most of you are probably not familiar with AIX Records.  Mark Waldrep, who is the founder, president and CEO of the company has been in love with music from a very early age.  He tells a story of how he wouldn't leave the kindergarten classroom one day until the Burl Ives record that was playing was over.  That resonated with the proof of my own early childhood music obsession I talked about in another of my blogs. 

Waldrep has been recording music for 30 years.  Always searching for the best sound possible.  He creates controversy amongst audiophiles when he downplays the sound experience of vinyl in favor of purely digital sound.  High definition digital sound to be sure.

For those of us who lamented the failure of SACD and DVD-A high definition audio formats, AIX is our bastion of hope.  He is now recording and making available music on Blu-ray disc.

AIX's roster of artists is not full of familiar names, though he is hinting at slowly persuading more popular artists to try his approach to music recording.  The releases offered from his company are varied but have one thing in common.  They sound amazing in the high definition, multi-channel environment.  

Yes,Waldrep is a true believer in multi-channel audio as well. He also disagrees with many who believe that in multi-channel recording the musicians should be placed in front of the listener to create a concert like setting.  His philosophy is that instead of you, the listener, going to see the performers at a venue and on a stage he wants to create a feeling that the musicians have come to your home...to your living room... and have set up around you. 

Waldrep also owns iTrax, a digital music download store.  Yes, these files all have to meet his criteria for superior high bit rates.  He's well aware of the ultimate demise of physical media, even insisting that the best music playback system is a computer.   

If you are a fan of multi-channel audio or even just quality two channel recording then do yourself a favor and buy a few of these titles and give a listen.  

If you have any questions or if I may be of service, call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal

Keeping The Humor Going

I suspect the device that Hunter S. was so upset about (see yesterday's post) must have been something like this.

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn't Fucking Work

Hunter S. Thompson Complains To His A/V Integrator

We all take calls from customers who have problems with their systems.  It's part of the business when you are dealing with technology and mechanics.  Sometimes the customer even gets a bit upset. 

How would you like a call like this one from the late Hunter S. Thompson.  Apparently this is the real deal.  The A/V company in Colorado recorded the call as kept it for posterity. 

A Telling Sign In Our Business

Pardon my absence as I was on vacation last week.  While I was out surfing the waves in Puerto Rico an ominous yet not surprising story emerged from Washington DC.  No, nothing to do with the government.

It was the announced closing of one of the most respected family owned audio/video stores in the country.  After 50 years in business MyerEmco is closing all of their stores.  Here's the scoop from The Washington Post. 

The story tells the tale we in this business are all too well aware of.  It's kind of like someone you know...your age...similar physically...and has the same illness you do...and you hear they've died. 

If you have any questions or if I may be of service, call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558

Internet Radio Boasts 60 Million Weekly Listeners

In a report just released by Bridge Ratings, over 60 million Americans are listening to internet radio.  This includes terrestrial stations that simulcast on the web and also internet only stations. 

This story from FMQB, a radio trade magazine, spells out the details and there's some interesting findings.  One of which is that music discovery is alive and well, especially on the internet only stations. 

What this signals to me is more evidence of future downfall of satellite radio.  Once cars become equipped with internet access which is already happening big time with Ford Snyc I don't see how they'll survive. Many, including myself, are already in the habit of plugging our iPhone into the car stereo as soon as we get in.The 3G network around Cleveland is excellent and it's a thrill to listen to internet radio while driving the city streets. 

It's really not doomsday  for terrestrial radio though.  Many of these listeners are tuning in via the net because of signal problems or lack of a radio at work.  And, as I've always touted, I much prefer listening to a terrestrial station because there's a sense of place.

Want to listen to internet radio easily throughout your home?   Sonos is the answer.  If you have any questions about it or if you want me to set it up for you, call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal

Audio Video Podcasts I Listen To

The idea behind this blog is to glean what I learn from various sources while working in this custom audio/video industry, then simplify my knowledge and form opinions which I think would be good for you as a consumer of these products and services.  In other words, "if I were in your shoes"  what would I want to know. 

If you have an inclination to go beyond this and learn in more detail the technologies and products coming down the pike I'd like to suggest three podcasts.  Sure, you could do online reading or subscribe to magazines but who has the time.  That's the reason I keep the blog posts short. 

The best way to learn and make the most use of valuable time is through podcasts which you can listen to on your commute to work or driving around town doing errands.  Of course you'll need an iPod or some form of MP3 player.  Don't have one?  Shame on you.  It's a small price to pay for the entertainment and knowledge you can have in the palm of your hand. 

The first podcast is the best and the newest.  It comes from Leo LaPorte, the king of podcasters.  His newest weekly  show is Home Theater Geeks, hosted by Scott Wilkinson, online editor of Ultimate AV Magazine and Home Theater Magazine. 

Scott has some great guests including John Dahl of THX and video guru Joe Kane.  It is the closest to what is commonly thought of as home audio and video. 

The second podcast comes from the folks at  Engadget.  Their site began as a source for all things tech.  They have since begun to more narrowly define the tech gadgetry.  The site, HD Engadget is a great resource for me and I often link to it in my blogs.  Their podcast is a near polar opposite of Home Theater Geeks.  It is for the hands on enthusiast.  People that want to build their own multi-recordable DVR's, run their system on a WIndows based platform.  It is way to technical for most consumers and quite honestly the hosts are boring.  It is a source for knowledge that I'd have a hard time finding elsewhere.  So I listen.

The third podcast is called HD Nation and is actually a video podcast.  This is a program on the Revision 3 network.  This network, like Leo's, has numerous programs.  The difference is that Revision 3 is more like TV and not radio.  You can find Revision 3's programming on widgets/apps that provide internet content through Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and TV's.  This means you can actually watch it on your home theater TV rather easily.

The show lies somewhere between the two previous shows I mentioned.  Somewhat techy but still discussing products the average consumer is aware of. 

As I say, these are great resources for myself and others in our industry.  I thought it might be of interest to some of you wishing to delve in deeper.

If you have a question or if I may be of service call me at 216.431.7300 or 440.724.0558.

John Hannibal