February 2012
The 4K Revolution and Its Impact
13/02/12 15:28 Filed in: Blog | by Harry Saini
Just when the world thought that it couldn’t get any better than HDTV, there is a new technology that is about to change the way humanity experiences home entertainment. Introducing 4k -- the current digital cinema format that offers four times the image quality of HDTV. Soon you, your family and friends will experience the power of the latest digital cinema quality entertainment in the comfort of your own home.
A Short History of 4K
In 1999, digital cinema was thrust into the market with the help of George Lucas. His goal was to make the movie going experience more fascinating and enjoyable. Lucas worked with Sony and Panavision on Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in an effort to release the world’s first movie utilizing a 1080p/24-frame-per-second digital camera. While the technology was far from perfect at the time, moviegoers gave the film rave reviews.
In 2002, there arose an association of movie studios who developed the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI), LLC to assure the future of digital technologies and bring their costs down tremendously. This led to the release of the 2K format, which requires a 2048-horizontal x 1080-vertical pixel grid. This is slightly larger than the HDTV standard at 1920 x 1080.
The next step was the development of 4K for stadium seating movie venues. Sony Pictures was a major proponent of the technology, which provides a crystal-clear view no matter where one is sitting in the treater. Gone are the days in which certain seats within a treater offer less than perfect picture quality.
In case you’re wondering if you have experienced 4K, James Cameron’s Avatar utilized the format with great success in theatres. The technology played a huge part in making audiences feel as though they were sent into another world that could practically be experienced first-hand.
The next logical stop for 4K is the home, which brings us to 2012!
The 4K in the Home
It is slated for the future that a growing number of homes will take advantage of 4K, which boasts of resolution that is equal to 8.8 million pixels versus the just over 2 million pixels in the average 1080p HDTV image. Imagine enjoying four-times the detail of your current monitor or projector!
Home treater experts have shared openly that there is a definite set of challenges that must be overcome in getting 4K movies into the home. It is very possible that Blu-Ray Disks will be the bearers of 4K because they have the capability to house such large files. Some experts are purporting that streaming 4K through the Internet may not be workable in the foreseeable future; however, it isn’t completely out of the question. Time will tell on the streaming front.
As for monitors that can display 4K, LG and Toshiba are soon to release 4K displays. While there will be very little 4K media to watch when the monitors are released, they will definitely enhance 3D movies. It has been rumoured that the first monitor to enter the market will be the 55’ Toshiba featuring autostereoscopic 3D (i.e. “glasses-less 3D).
Additionally, we at Digital Smart Homes currently carry JVC’s Reference Series 3D Home Cinema 4K projector which offers a contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1. You can also look for Sony’s 4K home theatre projector (the VPL-VW100ES) to be released in September of this year.
If you have any questions surrounding 4K or other custom technologies and installation for your home, we invite you to call our offices at 604-375-3474. Stay tuned for more exciting news on current and future home automation technologies!
How the iPad is Revolutionizing Home Automation & Control
09/02/12 22:49 Filed in: Blog | by Harry Saini
Just when Apple fans thought it couldn’t get any better, the iPad has become one of the most useful home management tools on the planet.
Imagine going on the road for a number of days and being able to control important home devices/appliances (from the air conditioner, to house lights, to door locks); waking early in the morning to a chilly home and turning the furnace on before hopping out of bed; and cutting down on energy costs by monitoring each of your major appliances for efficiency -- all from your trusty iPad.
Read More...
Blog
by Harry Saini
Commercial Electronics
Contest
Control4
Events
Furniture
Home Automation
Home Theatre
Industry News
IT
Lights
Listen
Network
New Products
Power
Press Release
Product Spotlight
Project Spotlight
Promotions
Security
Sonos
Speakers
Trends
Video
Watch
by Harry Saini
Commercial Electronics
Contest
Control4
Events
Furniture
Home Automation
Home Theatre
Industry News
IT
Lights
Listen
Network
New Products
Power
Press Release
Product Spotlight
Project Spotlight
Promotions
Security
Sonos
Speakers
Trends
Video
Watch
August 2023
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
October 2014
September 2014
April 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014June 2014
May 2014April 2014
March 2014
February 2014January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
- 3D
- 3D TV
- 4K
- 4store
- Access Control
- AirPlay
- Alarm
- AMOLED
- Amplifiers
- Android
- Apple
- Appliances
- AquaTel
- ArtCoustic
- Audio Authority
- Audio Distribution
- Audio Distribution
- Audio Streaming
- Audiophile
- Aupeo
- Automation
- Aventage
- BDI
- Bell TV
- Bluetooth
- BluRay
- Cambridge Audio
- Card Access
- CCTV
- Cedia
- CES
- Chief
- Chord
- Chord Electronics
- Chordette
- Commercial Electronics
- Commercial LCD
- Commercial Systems
- Conference Systems
- Consumer LCD
- Contest
- Contro4
- Control4
- Crestron
- Customer Service
- DAC
- Denon
- Design
- Digital Audio
- Digital Signage
- Display
- Distributed Audio
- DiY
- DLink
- Dolby
- DVR
- Energy
- Energy Saving Tips
- ESABC
- Events
- Furniture
- Fusion Research
- Geneva Sounds
- Global Caché iTach
- Green Living
- GUI
- HDMI
- HDMI over Coax
- HDTV
- Hi-Fi
- Hi-Fi Design
- Hidden Electronics
- HiFi
- Home Automation
- Home Control
- Home Networks
- Home Theater
- Honeywell
- HQV
- HVAC
- IDC
- Integra
- Intercom
- Interior Design
- internet
- Internet over Coax
- Invisible Speakers
- Invixium
- iOS Devices
- IP Camera
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod
- iPort
- Irrigation
- iSky
- iTouch
- iTunes
- Kaleidescape
- Kef
- Kitchens
- LCD
- LED TV
- LifeSize
- Lighting
- Lutron
- MacBook Pro
- Marketnews
- Mechoshades
- Media Furniture
- Media Server
- Mounts
- Movie downloading
- Movies Server
- Multi-Zone Audio
- Music Hall
- Music Server
- Music System
- NeoHD
- Nest
- Nest Thermostat
- Netflix
- Network Player
- Networking
- Niles
- Omnimount
- Onkyo
- OPPO
- Outdoor Audio
- Outdoors
- Pakedge
- Panasonic Plasma
- Pantel
- Party
- Pioneer Kuro
- Plasma
- Power
- Project Highlight
- Projector Screens
- Projectors
- PS Audio
- Quattron
- Racks
- RadioRa2
- Rdio
- Record Player
- Recycling
- RedEye
- Rega
- Remote Control
- RFID
- RGB
- Richard Gray's Power Company
- Routers
- RTI
- Salamander Designs
- Satellite TV
- Savant
- Security
- Security System
- Sequel Tecnologies
- Seura
- SÉURA
- Sharp Aquos
- Sirius
- Skype
- Slacker Personal Radio
- Smart Home
- Smart Lighting
- Social Networking
- Sonos
- Sony
- Speakers
- Sprinkler System
- Stealth Speakers
- Stereo System
- Sub-Zero
- Subwoofer
- SunbriteTV
- Surround Sound
- Surveillance System
- Switchers
- Sype
- Telepresence
- Temerature Control
- Theater Seating
- THX
- Touchscreen
- TruAudio
- Turnatable
- TV Mirror
- TV Mounts
- TXSR608
- Video Distribution
- Video Matrix
- Video Processor
- Video Server
- Video Streaming
- Vinyl
- Vivitek
- VLAN
- Voice Control
- Waterproof Televisions
- Wi3
- Window Dressing
- Windows Media Server
- Wireless HDMI
- Wireless Music
- Wireless Technology
- Wolf
- Women and Technology
- Yamaha
- Zvbox