Love all that your iPad has to offer and want to share it with a group in a home theater setting? All of those apps, movies and games look great on the iPad if it’s just you, but if you want everyone at home to enjoy it, you’ve now got options.

Talk about slamming down on the left of the wheel. Quite frankly, we haven't seen a veering this drastic since ZeeVee decided to shelve its consumer plans in favor of more professionally oriented wares, but we're willing to give Thinkflood the benefit of the doubt here. The same folks made famous for their IR-beaming iPhone remote dongle have just come forward with something completely out of the ordinary -- the RedEye Pro. The company claims that this newfangled A/V accessory works exactly like the original, attaching to one's home network in order to control a gaggle of devices. Everything from your iPhone to your PC can be dictated, and with eight dual-purpose 3.5mm infrared emitter / contact closure sensor ports, all but the hugest of mansions should be taken care of. We're guessing that the install is only for the brave (and the jobless, given the time away from work that you'll need), but it certainly sounds like an appealing option for those who've grown tired of getting up to activate their HVAC unit. Oh, and if you're curious about the original RedEye, you'll be pleased to know that Thinkflood just shot out the gen2 today; it'll retail at $199 and offering a newly added IR-out port for those who keep their components in a cabinet or rack. Details galore in the source links below.

Continue reading Thinkflood intros RedEye Pro networked home automation controller

Thinkflood intros RedEye Pro networked home automation controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four new JVC home theater projectors are the world's first to gain THX 3D Display Certification. The four projectors, announced at CEDIA Expo in September while undergoing THX testing, will be available later this month. The new THX 3D Certified projectors are the Reference Series DLA-RS60 and DLA-RS50, to be marketed by JVC's Professional Products Company, and the Procision Series DLA-X9 and DLA-X7, to be available through JVC U.S.A.

Anyone who's spent any time trying to encode video will tell you that bitrate is only one of many aspects of digital video picture quality, but when it comes to encoding video on the fly for broadcast TV, saving bits means saving money. Video providers are always looking for ways to squeeze more programming down the same size pipe, while spending the least amount of money. This means that companies like Motorola are trying to improve its encoders and boy have they come a long way in the past 10 years -- if only our local affiliate would stop simulcasting or get a new encoder, but anyways. The latest development is what is being called perceptual video processing, but basically it's a new technique that somehow compresses video twice as much without any noticeable degradation. Obviously we'd have to see it to believe it, but we strongly doubt that a video stream using half the bits could look anywhere near as good, but admire 'em for trying.

Motorola claims its next generation encoders can cut bitrates in half originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billed as "the world's first Blu-ray player to support Connected Home Services" the HDi Dune Pro debuts the company's HDi Dune Home Technology that pulls the usual suite of home automation functions -- media management, cameras, thermostats and the like -- to the TV screen. On display this week at IFA, it follows up the BD Prime by being both a capable Blu-ray player and media streamer (check format support after the break) with a 3.5-inch SATA HDD port and 7.1 channel audio support. European home automation heads can experience the 4Home-powered technology for 1990 at the end of October, while all others can check out the main site for a list of resellers around the world.

Continue reading HDi Dune Pro media player invites home automation to the party

HDi Dune Pro media player invites home automation to the party originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading With Imation Link 5112 WUSB A/V streamer, KerliGirl13 can finally have her own TV show

With Imation Link 5112 WUSB A/V streamer, KerliGirl13 can finally have her own TV show originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest Atom processors have brought some pretty small form factor PCs that seem like a perfect fit as a Home Theater PC, but these small boxes come with plenty of caveats which means there's plenty of room in the market place for others options. The easiest option is to just grab a regular PC and go, but most PCs don't exactly blend into a HT rack and saying there's a wide arrangement of HTPC cases is an understatement. So we want to know, what type of HTPC do you use? A new small form factor, a half height HTPC case, or what?

Poll: What type of HTPC do you use? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 16 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aiming to bring Full HD 3D TVs to the market in 2010, Panasonic steps up its efforts in developing the related technology. The company has just developed a 50-inch Full HD 3D compatible plasma display panel (PDP) and high-precision active shutter glasses that enable the viewing of theater-quality, true-to-life 3D images in the living rooms.

The new PDP and glasses evolved from Panasonic's Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System that was developed in 2008 and comprised of a 103-inch PDP and a Blu-ray Disc player. The prototype PDP has a 50-inch screen, which is expected to become the most popular size for home theaters.

Filed under: Receivers, Speakers, Others

Receivers keep growing more channels, but few people have developed an affinity for running more speakers and their tethers 'round the living room. Yamaha's doing its part with a series of products that integrate things together -- soundbars, HTIBs, and the like. On the lower end are the YHT-S350 and YHT-S400, pictured after the break. Both offer a receiver with an integrated subwoofer, though which your various devices can be connected and the output end of their HDMI cables tickled with bass. The two differ only in how they get their highs out, with the S350 including a pair of squat stereo speakers and the S400 offering a three-channel "air surround xtreme" soundbar. On the higher end is the updated YSP-4100, above, a rather tall but only 9cm deep soundbar with the receiver integrated that can be mounted on the wall right beneath your giant HDTV and then paired with a selection of wireless transmitters for iPods and the like. It includes a whopping 40 4cm speakers arrayed within, with a further two 11cm woofers, delivering what Yamaha calls 2.5.1 channel sound -- though it looks as if it can power two additional speakers at the sides if you want something a little closer to 7.1. The YHT-S350 and -S400 are due to hit Japan in time for a Halloween marathon, while the YSP-4100 should release in time for the holiday specials on TV. No prices just yet.

[Via AV Watch]

Read - YHT-S350 and YHT-S400
Read - YSP-4100

Continue reading Yamaha combines receivers with subwoofers and soundbars for trio of HTIB offerings

Yamaha combines receivers with subwoofers and soundbars for trio of HTIB offerings originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Onkyo has introduced two new 7.1-channel home theater systems that it claims deliver leading edge AV processing and surround sound reproduction for HDTV and Blu-ray.
The HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 each feature powerful AV receivers with 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, 130 watt-per-channel amplification, processing for every major audio format on the market.

Vivitek has signalled its intention to penetrate the US home-theater projector market with the unveiling of its latest FullHD 1080p home-theater projector.
The H1080FD FullHD model, which is based on Texas Instruments' S450 chip/light-engine design, will go on sale in August for a price of USD $999.

Filed under: Media streamers, Other hardware

Continue reading Xtreamer media streamer promoted with a video

Xtreamer media streamer promoted with a video originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Reviews, Receivers, Speakers, Others

Every time we're asked for speaker and/or receiver suggestions and our victim's eyes glaze over as the discussion stretches on, we're reminded of why HTIB (home theater in a box) systems are so successful. As crazy as it seems to us, most people just want to get going with the HT, not invest in a lifestyle. Based on the review at the aptly named HomeTheaterInABoxReview, the Yamaha YHT-591 sounds like a system we could recommend the next time we're asked. At $649, it's on the expensive side of the HTIB spectrum, but you get what looks like a slightly detuned RX-V463 (105-Watt, 5.1-channels), 5 bookshelf/desktop-sized speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. Other than the spring clips on the receiver, it looks like the receiver will survive a few round of speaker upgrades, with YPAO room EQ, HDMI connectivity and good codec support. Hit the link for the full details.
[Thanks, Brian!]

Yamaha YTH-591 HTIB reviewed -- you pay more, you get more originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD has launched a chip offering HDTV viewing capabilities on desktop and notebook PCs around the world using analog, digital and free-to-air broadcast signals.
The company says the ATI Theater HD 750 PC TV chip uses advanced video processing and signal reception technologies to give an authentic HD home theater feel on the PC.

Watching movies and other video content on DVD and Blu-ray Disc accounts for 88 per cent of home entertainment spending - even although newer digital methods are beginning to gain a foothold in the consumer market.
The average US home video consumer reported spending an average of USD $25 per month on all types of home video purchases and rentals, according to NPD Group.

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers, Others

Okoro debuts new rack-mountable RK Series media servers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: DIY, Other hardware

For those that don't visit Fry's Electronics on any regular basis, you probably reckoned that Wayne Dalton's totally promising USB To Z-Wave adapter had simply failed to ever make it onto store shelves after being launched 14 months ago. Turns out, the device (and the OS X-friendly Houseport software) has just been loosed from its limiting "Fry's exclusive" agreement, and it's about to ship out to anyone who desires it starting June 1st. We're told that the hardware and software hasn't changed since CES 2008, and even the retail price ($87) will remain the same. Of note, eager beavers can snag a limited number of upgradeable pre-production units today for $79, but then again, you never really know what you're going to get. Hang tight, Mac-owing home automators -- your long-awaited solution is nearly here.

Mac-friendly Houseport USB To Z-Wave adapter shipping soon en masse originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Receivers, Speakers, Others

As much as we itch to go fully custom in assembling speaker/receiver combos from disparate brands, there are reasons that HTIB systems are so popular, with value and ease of use coming in high on the list. The four updated HTIB systems from Yamaha certainly stack up pretty well: a couple of systems (YHT-791 and 591) with HD audio codec support are balanced out by a pair of 5.1 systems (YHT-491 and 391) that trim the price without leaving you totally out of the game. Holding pole position is the $850 YHT-791, packing 90-Watts to the seven discrete channels and 100-Watts in the 10-inch sub. Four HDMI inputs, HD audio codecs and even a iPod dock round things out and pretty much ensure you'll have the audio thing covered. If you need that DTS HD-MA and Dolby TrueHD support but not 7-channels' worth, save yourself $200 with the YHT-591 and up to 5-channels at 105-Watts each -- it'd be the direction we'd lean in. But don't take our word for it -- hit the link, check out all four systems yourself and let your own ears decide.

[Thanks, Brian!]

Yamaha's four updated HTIB systems have you surrounded originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Technology that delivers multiple HDTV streams from PCs to TVs and other electronic devices around the home could be launched by the summer.
Israeli-based Celeno Communications is field-testing in-home WiFi networks with backing from Cisco.

Filed under: Industry, Cables

Powerline technology has been hanging around for years, but due to a combination of subpar real-world performance and a general lack of structure around the tech, it never really managed to take off. Now, it appears that we've stumbled upon yet another format war, this one over the power cabling within your walls. Within the very same month, we've seen the ITU ratify G.hn as the global standard for HDTV home networking and the IEEE bake HomePlug technology into its P1901 draft standard. Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, said about the development: "The formation of a ubiquitous IEEE standard will help to unite the industry, create even faster market growth and provide strong benefits to the consumer." Right, except now we're in the midst of yet another war of the protocols (or so it seems).

HomePlug's powerline technology incorporated into IEEE P1901 standard originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, Other hardware

A projection screen is a projection screen, right? Not so fast, cowboy. Vutec's hoping to help you recognize the difference with its home theater-centric Vision-X DYNA-CURVE, a high-gain fixed curved screen available with a variety of surfaces. The screen boasts an "advanced multi-aspect masking system for use with all widescreen 2.35:1 anamorphic lens projectors, masking to 16:9 and 4:3, while maintaining constant image height for movie, HDTV and standard TV formats." There's no mention of a price, but you can phone up the company with your desired size and get a presumably lofty figure thrown your way.

Vutec introduces Vision-X DYNA-CURVE projection screen originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Pioneer, Plasma

Home Theater magazine got its hands on Pioneer's 60-inch KURO PDP-6020FD plasma, and surprise, surprise -- it's the set to beat for now. By now, KURO black levels and contrast are so well established that not much ink needs to be spilled over them, except to say that the ninth generation 6020FD bested the reigning champ Elite PRO-150FD, but the review does a good job of finding nits to pick. Most notably, infinitely tweakable parameters like color temperature and sharpening are missing; we're guessing these are design choices made to leave room for the Pioneer Elite models. We have to wonder, though, how many high-end plasma shoppers (at $5500, are there any other kind?) will be willing to give up full calibration capability.

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The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) expects sales of Blu-ray disks in the US to exceed those of standard DVDs by 2012.
In its latest Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry, the EMA reports that home video continues to dominate the movie market.
This segment of the market had sales of approximately US$24 billion, making it the largest segment of consumer movie spending by far, accounting for 49% of total consumer movie spending in 2007.
In the video game market, game software sales increased 34% in 2007, to a total of US$8.6 billion.

Filed under: Misc, Media streamers, Other hardware, Ports, Others, Apple

Though we'd have to say this introduction was made just a hair too late, iPort has just introduced a revamped version of its in-wall iPod system that will accommodate the original iPhone. More specifically, each of the firm's five models features a re-designed faceplate that plays nice with Apple's older cellphone and all existing touch-wheel iPods. Aside from that, you're still looking at the same whole home approach to distributing iPhone / iPod content, and while we can't say for sure that the iPhone 3G will work outright, there's nothing that a little Dremel can't fix.

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Filed under: Other hardware, Speakers, Sony

Sony continues its series of home theater updates today with a new HTIB, the HST-S100. Like some previous Sony packages, the HST-S100 doesn't feature a central receiver, instead integrating the 450W amplifier, 3 HDMI ports and Sony Digital Media Port right into the back of the sub. Furthering the stealth factor, the five speakers themselves are no bigger than strawberries -- which has us wondering about mid-range performance, but we'll withhold judgement until we actually hear 'em. You get some other mid-high-range goodies for your $700 as well, like S-AIR wireless speaker capability, Bravia SYNC for Theater, which simplifies operation with select Sony gear, and and auto speaker calibration. Should be out in July, we're told.

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