September 21, 2009
Wireless HDMI by Gefen
HDMI, after a few speed bumps in the first couple of years, is great. Just one cable takes care of multi-channel audio and HD. No longer do you need multiple cables for each connection in the system. 
GTV-WHDMI is a solution that can transmit a HD signal – audio and video - using 5.0 GHz wireless technology.
There are two parts to their system, a sender and a receiver, both look a bit like a wireless router. Installation is extremely simple. Plug an HDMI cable from your source - satellite or cable box, Blu-Ray DVD player or games system - to the sender. Next connect the receiver to your television. Plug both the sender and the receiver into wall outlets and you are done. When they are first plugged in there is a blue light that flashes couple of times on the front of both the sender and receiver, when the these lights quit flashing the signal between the them has been established. Turn on your TV and enjoy.
Gefen claims a range of up to 100 feet. In my evaluation the maximum distance was just a few feet short of this - 94 feet - in line of site testing with no obstructions. Very impressive.
No need to snake cables through walls and very easy installation, what's the downside? It costs $899.00 for system which includes one sender, one receiver, 2 six foot HDMI cables and two power supplies. Gefen makes excellent equipment; this is not a bargain basement solution.
You may not be familiar with Gefen but they have been around for a long time. They make high quality switches, cables, splitters, processors and extenders for the audio video industry. Check out their site, Gefen has a very broad product line up. The GTV-WHDMI is a great addition to their product range.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 8:43 AM
September 15, 2009
SI's Black Diamond Screens - This changes everything
Traditional home theaters can be a lot of fun. Turn on the system, turn off the lights and start the movie.
Being in a dark room, in my opinion, is part of the movie experience. But I don't like watching sports and other programming in a bat cave.
Now you don't have to. SI recently launched their Black Diamond screens. With these screens you can use a front projector and still have some lights on. With a normal screen, if you turn up the lights, the picture is washed out and unwatchable.
SI's Black Diamond screens, combined with projectors that are both rapidly improving and decreasing in price, is a game changer. You can have a huge, high quality picture in a cave... or in a room with lights, as shown below.
This was, in my opinion, the most impressive product at the CEDIA Expo last week. I'm planning to get my hands on an SI Black Diamond screen and give it a test drive. After I do, I'll report back with more details.
In the meantime, check out the video on SI's website.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 9:28 AM | Comments (10)
September 13, 2009
3D Displays at CEDIA
Sony, Digital Projection, Panasonic and others where showing 3D that used active glasses, all where impressive.
JVC was demonstrating 3D system that did not used active glasses, there system uses circular polarizing lenses. While not quite as impressive as the active systems, on certain video clips it was still dramatic. And their glasses are much less expensive that the active glasses. For a YouTube video about JVC's 3D from the CEDIA Expo floor, go here.
Look for more and more 3D offerings in the future.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 10:53 AM
Budget Projectors @ CEDIA
Do you think that you have to spend a small fortune to have a front projector based home theater? Not anymore. I saw a few full HD (1080p) projectors at CEDIA Expo that don't break the bank.
Two that impressed were the Mitsubishi HC3800, (pictured right, MSRP $1495) and the Optoma HD2200 (MSRP $999).
If you have always wanted a home theater with a front projector, the price/performance ratio has never been better.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 10:52 AM
September 2, 2009
Optoma's new Pico Projector
When you're meeting with a client, sometimes a laptop screen just isn't enough. In fact, usually it's not enough. That's where pico projectors can come in handy. Pico projectors are small, lightweight and affordable, and they're great for quick presentations to small groups.
Optoma's new PK102 ($249 MSRP) is only 2" x 0.67" x 4.17' -- not that much larger than a pack of cards, but it can project an image up to 60".
It's not designed for home theater usage, but for showing videos and pictures. And you don't need a computer to show these pictures and videos, the Optoma PK102 has 4GB of internal memory, which Optoma claims is enough to store up to 6000 pictures or 8 hours of video.
What do you think? This could be a great sales tool?
Posted by Bob Gatton at 10:53 AM | Comments (3)
