AV Adviser

Affordable home theater receivers

I came across a story from the International Business Times giving recommendation and short reviews on four affordable surround receivers.  Of course the receiver that I recently purchased was among their picks.  Wink.  It is nice to get validation though.

Along with the Yamaha I bought they suggest looking at one by Denon, Onkyo and Pioneer.  Now that's a line up of usual suspects.  4 High Quality Yet Relatively Affordable 7.1 Receivers for a Home Theater Setup

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Watching the Super Bowl on the big screen

I've expressed my reservations on a projector and screen as your main viewing television.  It kind of takes over a room.  If you do have the space to integrate a ceiling hung projector and either a fixed or retractable screen and it doesn't ruin your interior design, well then, I'm on board. Especially if you're planning a Super Bowl party.

I get invited to a Super Bowl party every year but not once has the host had the "big screen" treatment.  I'm not complaining.  I don't have such a set up but I do have a 55" HD television.  It may be a good idea to ask the host what sort of TV and surround set up they have before you accept the invitation.  If it isn't 50 plus inches, high def, and more than a home theater in a box audio system you may just tell them you have other plans. 

Of course I'm kidding...somewhat.  To me, unless the Cleveland Browns get in one day (hear me Lord), the Super Bowl is about getting together with friends and eating delicious but unhealthy food.  And, of course, watching the commercials.  The game is the least important aspect of the day unless you're gambling or it's a close affair.  But seriously, a decent sized TV and surround set up should be a prerequisite to throw a Super Bowl party. 

One such writer for the Washington Times talks about how important her home theater is to the Super Bowl party, Super Bowl XLVI: Watch it on TV or in a home theater?

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

Macworld shows interconnectivity with home audio and video

Lately I've been showing how Apple's operating system is being integrated into home audio and video products the same way Microsoft's internet explorer has been for years.  It's nice to get confirmation on this trend from someone else. 

The popular tech insider site, Gigaom, writes about this melding of Mac's iOS and home theater as seen at Macworld 2012, Macworld | iWorld 2012 highlights for home theater nuts and audiophiles.  In the story are topics I've discussed in recent months like Epson's projector and digital to analog converters (DACs).  It's really not surprising and mirrors the fact that Apple has overtaken Microsoft in revenues during the past year. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Another "How To" Build A Home Theater

I could take a crack at writing a story on how to build a home theater for this blog but why bother.  I design such systems for work.  And though we have a rule about not reinventing the wheel on each project, I do have to take into account the personal and unique aspects to each customer and their home.  So I share others attempts at designing a theater for the masses. 

Here's one from Consumer Electronics Net, Super Bowl Special: How to Build the Ultimate Home Theater.  The author, Chuck Tannert, outlines specific makes and models for each piece of equipment.  It's a subjective thing, everyone has their favorites and some push certain product for various reasons.

  As I've said in the past, this industry is too competitive now for inferiority.  It's more important to look at the prices.  At any given price point there's a number of manufacturers that make a good product. 

Sometimes a certain piece of gear doesn't have the right number of ins or outs or a certain bell or whistle to make the system easy to operate.  That's the key folks.  Ease of use.  It's important to find a custom designer, such as myself, who can make sure it will all function properly.  There's nothing worse than an a spouse who's upset because they just can't figure out how to work the home theater. 

If you hgave a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Biggest Home Technology Trends For 2011

As we countdown to the new year I continue our look at what was hot in consumer electronics in 2011.  Electronic House gives us a report on the Biggest Home Technology Trends from 2011.  

Topping their list is the debate over passive and active 3D glasses.  Huh?  3D TV has made so little dent in the home that I hardly consider it worthy of discussion.  Most new TVs come with it built-in now, but there's still not enough reason to use it. 

I was pleased to see that multi-purpose media rooms was a top trend.  It's a lifestyle choice I've been pushing for a few years now.  Why under-utilize a room by making it a dedicated home theater when you can incorporate a theater, gaming room and bar into a single space. 

The rest of the trends deal with the ongoing merger of the internet and home entertainment.  It doesn't take a genius to predict that this trend will only continue. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

CNET's End Of The Year List Show

It used to be you'd subscribe to Consumer Reports or go to the library to look at an issue when you were in the market for a big ticket item.  You'd want to see how they rated models in a certain category, be it a car or a stereo receiver.  Nowadays CNET has taken the place of Consumer Reports, at least when it comes to consumer electronics. 

That's why this end of the year special show from CNET's Buzz Out Loud is worthwhile viewing.  It's a great way to see what was a hit and what was a miss in 2011. 

Another List Of Best AV Products For 2011

This week we'll look back at some of the better products and trends for the home AV market in 2011.

Here's About.com's list of the best products for home theater enthusiasts, Best Home Theater Products Of The Year - About.com - 2011.

It's not surprising to see the Sharp TV at the top of this list.  Sharp uses much of the same engineering that went into Pioneer TVs which were the best TVs on the market before they were discontinued.  The problem was that in the cut throat market place they were unable to compete on price.  You pay for quality. 

The other product that keeps showing up on these lists is Oppo's Blu-ray player which does it all.  It's connects to the internet for streaming content and it plays every disc imaginable including SACD and DVD-A. 

Sharp Elite Pro ZF5D

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

Sometimes A Projector And Screen Make Sense For Your Home Theater

I've said before that a projector and screen is typically not my first choice for a home theater.  Especially if that room is to be a multi-purpose room.  To me a slick looking flat panel looks nicer than an ever-present screen on a wall.  Sure, you can install a screen that disappears into a box on the ceiling, or even into the ceiling itself, but that's going to cost extra. 

Here's an account of one man's decision to go the projector and screen route for his new home theater.  The author and owner of the home theater is Jonathan Geller who writes for a website called BGR.  Here's the story with photos, Home Theater Install.

In critiquing the system I see some positives and negatives.  As I say, I'm not so keen on the permanent screen on the wall.  It looks like he's turning the room into a fully dedicated theater, at which point I can get behind the permanent screen.  It's just that it makes it hard to have the room serve as anything more than a theater.  That's fine if you have that many extra rooms. 

I'm a fan of box speakers in a dedicated theater room.  What's the point of hiding them.  We all see the screen on the wall.  We know it's a theater.  And box speakers will give you a better sound. 

It's good to see the install tech using a drop cloth.  If your installer comes in sans drop cloth I'd suggest he go get one.  My theory on an install is to act like the perfect burglar.  That means leave the place as if you'd never been there. 

I'm not privy to the complete layout of the room but mounting the screen on the wall next to the stairs is not ideal.  It's very distracting to have someone walking up or down the stairs while you're watching a movie.  Or worse yet walking right into the view of the screen. 

After nearly two decades in this business I've become a bit of an interior designer simply by seeing and taking note of the work of so many talented pros in the Cleveland area.  I'd hope that the starkness of this theater is only temporary.  It's a new theater so he probably hasn't gotten around to figuring out what to put on the walls.  Actually that's a smart move because, depending on the acoustics, he may want to adjust them by adding tapestry, a bookcase or something else that can serve as decor and an acoustic treatment. 

If you're in the Cleveland area and seeing this is giving you the impetus to build a theater of your own drop me an email.  I'd love to help you achieve your dream theater.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

Why You Still Need Someone To Set Up Your Home Theater

I was surprised to hear that flat panel TVs are a hot item this holiday season.  You'd think everyone had one by now.  Maybe it's a secondary TV this time around.  One for the rec room or bedroom.  Whatever the case, consumer electronics are always a big seller during the holiday season. 

The consumer electronics specialty retailer has been on the ropes for a few years now.  It's been a combination of the bad economy and the move toward buying equipment from big box stores or, more frequently now, online.  Did you know that "cyber Monday" purchases exceeded "black Friday" this year?

So why do you still need a professional, like myself, to set up your home theater?  Because so many people have their systems set up incorrectly.  Here's a story from The Daily Mail, Highly Difficult: How millions have bought a high definition TV... but don't have a clue how to make it work.  Sure it's the UK but this problem is universal.

You know how many people buy a high definition TV and think that's all it takes to get high definition.  I'm sure there's stats on it but I'll tell you that it's way too many.  I know first hand from talking to people and from seeing set ups. 

I was just at a friends home where they had a Bose Lifestyle surround system installed a couple of years ago.  Then last year they purchased a new flat screen TV.  The big box store they purchased it from had it delivered and the delivery guys set it up.  Unfortunately they didn't set it up correctly and for over a year now they have not actually seen high definition in their living room. To be fair, big box stores offer actual techs to come out and set it up properly but it's an added cost, as it should be.  Delivery guys aren't custom installers. 

Most consumers aren't custom installers either.  There's so many little things that, done incorrectly, can make your video or audio look and sound plain lousy.  It makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars and then not add a value-added service like a professional install.  To my mind you've just wasted your money.

So if you're looking at your high definition TV and saying "that doesn't look so impressive" chances are you're not seeing high definition.  Do yourself a favor and get in touch with me. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

 

 

Another Best Of 2011 Consumer Electronics List

Here's another list of some of the best consumer electronics equipment of the year from Home Theater Review.  Best of 2011 Awards.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal