Gramophone’s Favorite Things

Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas | Day 5: Integra Receiver

Our Holiday Gift Giving Guide for 2011 features a number of products to enhance not only your home stereo system, but also your home theater experience.  Integra Receivers work hard to provide you with the best audio/video quality your system can provide! Integra has done a great job of staying on top of technology and integrating features into their products to help "future-proof" the technology, such as the ability to download firmware updates to your device.  

How does Integra do what they do?

Our passion with what reaches your eyes and ears begins in the minds of our people.  We find engineers and designers who are more than just good at what they do-we find the fanatics. Then we provide them with the absolute finest parts and materials, the most sophisticated test and measurement equipment available and facilities that are second to none.  It doesn't stop there.  Far from it.  We back it all up with the support and technical resources of a parent company with an unparalleled track record of audio engineering excellence that spans more than half a century.  The end results are a company and a product line that has never had any intention of being the biggest. Just the best.

 

The Integra 30.3 A/V Receiver is one of Integra's entry to mid-level receivers, but you won't feel like you had to settle for something.  By integrating services such as Spotify, Pandora, and SiriusXM, you'll have your favorite music & radio stations available at your fingertips.  And with a plethora of inputs & outputs, these receivers are ready to do the real work it takes to tie all of the pieces of your system together.

Integra's receivers can now be controlled with an app made for Apple & Android devices, 

The Functions Enabled by the Integra Remote Control App include: 

1. Internet radio operation. Stations can be selected directly from the app, without the need to view a TV display; 
2. Control of streaming audio files from a DLNA-compatible server. An iPhone/iPod touch can be used to select music directly from the server; 
3. General remote-control button operations; 
4. Information such as radio-station frequency displayed when listening to radio. (Note: available only on A/V receivers with a built-in radio tuner); 
5. Links to the latest surround technology information and new product promotion videos. 

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Whether it's because it's 3D-ready, supports your favorite streaming app, is the right price, has won the right awards, or some combination of things, there's one thing we're sure of: The box is easy to wrap as a present.  Have you ever tried to wrap a football? It's nothing like that.  The box is a beautifully smooth rectangular shape that allows for giftwrap to envelope it quickly & simply!  

 

So, we're now half way through our Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas, what are your favorites so far?

Hurricane Irene is On Her Way!

You've probably already made it to the store to stock up on the essentials & non-perishable items, as well as made sure you have batteries & candles in case of power-loss.  

We're all great at preparing ourselves for bad weather, but it's easy when going down the checklist to forget about your home electronics.  In light of that, we'd like to give you a few tips on what to do to minimize damage to your system.

Make sure you are prepared for the worst: In case of the need to submit an Insurance claim, make sure you have pictures of your system pre-damage!

High-Winds & Flooding:

• Debris can go flying when high-winds are involved.  Especially if your home is in an extremely high-risk area, you'll want to make sure your windows are covered, and that - if possible - you've moved your electronic equipment as far away from windows as possible.

• Elevate any equipment that's on a floor to protect from water damage.

 

Lightning:

• If you don't have surge protection on your equipment (Read why this is so crucial), you'll want to make sure you've unplugged the equipment prior to thunder & lightnight storms to protect it from any lightning strikes.

• Surge Protectors are great for the unexpected, but even with a surge protector, when you have fair warning you'll still want to unplug everything including the COAX cable from your cable box or satellite box, as those can also lead to surge. 

• Be aware that surges can also occur when the power comes back on!

 

Loss of Power:

• Remember: Wireless devices do not always mean they don't have wires!

• Be prepared that extended loss of power can reset equipment back to the factory default settings. So, when power returns, items may require a service call to have audio/video and/or calibrations settings reset.  If you find this is the case, please give us a call and we'll be happy to get a field technician out to your house ASAP.

 

Boredom:

• Remember, lots of entertainment options go out the window when there's no power!  Having battery-powered items (like the Arcam rCube or Sonos Play 5) & battery-powered chargers for small items, such as your phone, iPod/iPad, and Portable DVD player can come in handy, especially when the boardgames just aren't taking care of the kids! Are your playlists up to date? 

• What did people do before the internet?  No Power = No internet. (Unless 3G is up and running and you have the ability to connect through 3G, make sure you have options for entertainment that's can be used offline)

• Here's a list of offiline activities to share with your kids!

• To our streaming music fans out there (perhaps you have MOG, Rdio, or Spotify): Be sure that playlists have been downloaded.

• Headphones are always a great resource for during a power outage (as long as your iPod's charged up!), but keeping yourself calm & occupied are always important.  Remember, if your headphones use batteries, to keep extra batteries available.

 

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All in all, it's most important to take care of yourself, family, and friends!  Please stay safe this weekend!

-The Gurus at Gramophone

 

P.S. Last Minute In-Stock Products for Hurricane Preparedness

Surge Protectors: Don't be fooled: Those $15 powerstrips aren't going to protect your equipment...

Arcam rCube Portable & Battery-Powered: 8 continuous hours of high-quality audio output! That's quite a bit of music, podcasts, etc. to listen to while the power's out!

Oh, hey! And we're having a sale!

PSB Imagine Minis: There’s Nothing Mini About Them

There’s always that kid in elementary school who gets bullied for being on the short side. He’s probably picked last during gym when the class breaks up to play basketball, and he probably gets a neck ache for always having to look up to his peers. But being small doesn’t always mean you’re not good enough. In fact, it’s usually the small kid who has the best jokes, wins the science fair, or is just a great person to be around. What we’re trying to say is that you shouldn’t judge someone by his size. So when we were introduced to the PSB Imagine mini speakers in the Gramophone showroom, we held back our judgements, docked our iPod, and let the speakers to do talking.

The Sound

As soon as we heard our music we stepped back and listened. The sound was so clear, so expansive, and definitely not something either of us expected. Were we really listening to our music on the PSB minis? Every note seemed to exude effortlessly from the speakers, as if sound, even at a higher level, was as nothing to break a sweat over. The PSB minis definitely caught our attention. Even songs with higher and lighter notes blended right in the complexity of the the deeper tunes, creating a harmonic balance that was new to our ears. The reproduced sound equalled that of floor-standing speakers over 3 times their size!

The Looks

We must admit, we’re definitely not fond of speakers, well, their looks that is. The boxy awkward things that overpower a desk or clutter the sleek line of a cabinet is definitely not our favorite. But after searching the showroom floor for 5 minutes trying to find the PSB Imagine minis, we were awestruck. They had been right in front of us the whole time, in fact, we had listened to them last week! The Imagine minis were part of the Peachtree iDecco display. Measuring just under 6” wide, just over 9” high, and 8” deep, the curved modern forms blended in. The tapered back and sloping top with rounded edges gives the minis a sophisticated twist, and definitely not a boxy cluttered look. We even took the fabric screen cover off the front to expose the B&W-looking face and they were still discreet. The minis are lightweight and come in a variety of finishes to match you existing decor and avoid the overpowering feeling speakers are all to familiar with.

The Integration

We listened to the minis with the iDecco but they can also be integrated into a home theater system or just used as computer speakers. Their versatility speaks for itself and at a low price point for such high, uncompromised quality. The minis also come with matching stands and custom brackets to help the integration process run smoothly and seamlessly.

 

Check out the PSB Imagine minis or, even better, come in to Gramophone today to hear them for yourself!

-Julia and Ela

 

TV Meet College Student, College Student Meet the Coolest TV Ever!

Like most college students, I am in the market for a TV, but an affordable TV. Over the past 3 months I’ve done my research and learned that a 720p TV, 32” or under, is not a compromise but a way to save money. Because the screen size is relatively small (and a perfect fit for my less than spacious dorm room) 720p resolution is great quality and a minor difference from 1080p. Perfect. So last week I came into work at Gramophone prepared and excited to buy my 32” 720p LCD TV, or so I thought.

Conveniently, I was introduced to the Sony Internet Connected TV powered by Google, Google TV for short. With the 32” screen, 1080p resolution and LED-LCD quality picture, my attention was certainly grabbed. I asked one of the sales guys to pretend I was a
customer, and well, I’m sold. Get past the basic specs, the clean black & white streamlined design, and the uber modern metal stand, and you’ve still got an incredibly magnificent transition into the future. Yes, you may think I am slightly over-glorifying this TV but it really is just that cool. Here’s why.

First let’s state the awesome. A Google TV has a built-in WiFi receiver so it connects directly, and wirelessly, to my existing internet at no extra cost. Not to worry, there is an ethernet port just in case my dorm room internet decides to be difficult. So much for missing out on the show while I look something up on my computer, now I can multitask all on the same screen!

Google TV also has a USB port so I can take music, pictures, and videos from my computer and load them onto the TV easily with a flash drive. As for DVDs? Using any of the the four HDMI ports I’m instantly connected to my PlayStation 3 and ready to watch Blu-ray movies or show off my expert Guitar Hero skills to the guys (yes, I am a girl and yes, I do still play that game).

As if it couldn’t get any better, I learned that a quick and free download from the iTunes App Store lets me control the Google TV right from my iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. But after playing around with the full qwerty keyboard remote with a built-in scroll mouse that comes with the TV, I don’t know if I’d even want to use anything else!

Oh did I mention the apps I can get? Yup, in addition to the Google Chrome browser, I can download and access the Android Apps Market right on the TV for increased ease and convenience. Some of the pre-downloaded apps include Twitter, Facebook, Pandora, and Netflix.  

Needless to say, my love affair with Google continues, and yours can too! Gramophone will proudly feature the Sony Google TV, starting at just $299, at the Back-to-School Sale from August 15th - 31st, at both the Timonium and Columbia locations.

Gramophone, bringing affordable HD living to dorm rooms across the country.

-Julia

Dads and Grads...on a budget

Looking to get dad an awesome Father’s Day gift that he can’t put down? Need to get your grad something extra special without breaking the bank? Father’s Day is just around the corner and graduations are recent news so here are a few cool items you can pick up right here at Gramophone that are sure to please even the biggest gadget guru.

Headphones

Beats by Dr. Dre

 

Beats are a must have for any college bound music enthusiast but even dad whose still into the golden oldies will absolutely love these incredible headphones. With noise cancelling features, ultra light design, and clear crisp HD sound, Beats are more than just headphones. They provide a stellar music listening experience every where you go! Beats on-ear start at just $199 in either red, black, silver, or white and come complete with a sturdy traveling case and cable connector to ensure durability.

 

 

Bowers and Wilkins P5

Now dads and grads can enjoy the same luxurious experience they love about Bowers & WIlkins everywhere they go with the  P5 noise-isolating, mobile hi-fi headphones. At an incredible price for the B&W quality, wow your dad and grad for under $300!

Looking for a review? Check out what Wired Magazine says about the B&W P5: “Heavenly Headphone Create Symphony Hall for Your Ears”.

 

iPod Docks & Speakers

Geneva Sound System Model S

Receiving the highest marks in its class, the Geneva Model S is as compact, portable, and high tech as it gets. When the iPod/iPhone is removed, the motorized PowerDock spins closed to protect it. Any dad or grad would be proud to own this powerful little box with easy to use touch light controls and a built digital clock radio.

Looking for a review? Check out what Wired Magazine says about the Geneva Model S: “iPod Dock Has Killer Looks, Sound to Match”.

Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin Mini

Give your dad or grad the gift of music, elegant, compact, and advanced music with the streamlined Zeppelin mini. Perfect for the office, dorm room, or new apartment, dads and grads alike will love the incredible sound delivered once again by B&W. Same great sound as the Zeppelin or Zeppelin Air with a much smaller price tag, only $299!

 

 

 Television

48-Month Special Financing Available from Sony*

Receive a Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player powered by Google TV when you buy a qualifying LED Sony BRAVIA HDTV listed below.  Valid to July 9, 2011.  Eligible Models: KDL-46HX729, KDL-55EX720, KDL-55HX729, KDL-55HX820, KDL-55NX720, XBR-55HX929.

*See store for details. Subject to credit approval.

Is your dad or grad more about catching the football game? Gramophone is proud to carry the latest in LCD TVs from Samsung, Sony, and Sharp with crisp, ultra clear displays. Starting in the $200 price range, the 19” LCDs are a perfect fit for any dorm room or office.

 

Sonos Wireless Home Sound System

Is this Father’s Day the time to get dad something extra special that he’s been wanting but, until now, your budget couldn’t fit? Visit Gramophone to check out the latest in wireless full-house music entertainment. Whether you plan to start dad out with a single one-room unit  or upgrade throughout the house, the Sonos Wireless Multi-Room Music System is the perfect solution to affordable zoned music.

 

Ask Julia what she would recommend for your Dad or Grad!

Upgrade your home to a permanent paradise and experience a “staycation” this summer

You go on a vacation to escape the daily grind, enjoy a new environment, and to simply relax. Work can be stressful, and sometimes you just need to get away. Well, what if you could skip all the lines, jet lag, and time spent traveling and enjoy something new at home?  Putting the money and effort that you would spend on a week-long vacation in, let’s say, Florida, into a state-of-the-art home theater system from Gramophone could be just what you’ve been searching for!

 

Understanding your spaces

Before you go out and buy anything new for your soon-to-be paradise, you need to first understand the “flow” of your room; and by flow I mean the feeling, design, and layout of your space.  

Scale and proportion should be the first properties examined.  You want to have the size of your furniture and accessories comparable to the size of your room (scale).  Don’t go out and purchase an extreme Lazy-Boy fold out sectional for a 10’ x 10’ room. It just won’t fit and you may start to feel like a character in Alice in Wonderland and her crazy encounters with the shrinking potion.  

Proportion is also important because it measures the size of one object against another.  For example, if you decide to purchase a B&W CM 9 floorstanding speakers, don’t pair them with a small television.  The proportion of your room will be unbalanced.

Next it’s important to put some thought into where you would like to place your television, that is if, if you decide to  reorganize. Sitting too close to your TV can be nauseating (no one really likes sit in the front row of the movie theater), but sitting too far away may force you to lean forward, putting strain on your back. The ideal distance (oh, the separation anxiety!) should be twice the width of the TV itself. Keeping this simple formula in mind can make for a much more comfortable environment! 


Finally, you should consider the traffic flow of your space.  Are many people coming in and out of the room? Would it be bothersome to you if they crossed your viewing area?  Maybe the fireplace is the central focus of your room.  If so, consider placing your TV above it so to keep the room balanced or integrating your television into a work of personal art, such as those produced by Vision Art, also sold at Gramophone.

 

The gadgets you’ll need

Gramophone can provide you with all of your home theater needs, from the interior design of your room (seating and lighting) to the set up of the speakers and television.  If, however, you are looking for a simple, yet impressive upgrade, consider simply purchasing a decent television and a right and left channel speaker set. The Sharp 70-inch flat panel television is a great LED television for rooms with lots of natural light. The matte screen suppresses reflection and the network jack includes built-in wifi. The Synchrony One Tower speaker set by PSB delivers excellent sound quality for both film and music recordings. Being a pair of freestanding speakers, the Synchrony One’s timeless and sleek design is a perfect start-up set that can easily be added onto.      

Putting it all together

Now that you’ve got your ideal staycation spot in your home, it’s time to take your at-home paradise outdoors! Follow these links to read about how to throw a bangin’ pool party or an amped up movie night, all with products sold at Gramophone!

 

19 Ways to Make Your Super Bowl Spectacular

February 01, 2011 | by Steven Castle (via Electronic House) It only happens once a year, so a little prep can ensure your big game experience is the best it can be.

Like this year’s Super Bowl coaches, you don’t want any last-minute surprises. A video display, surround-sound system or remote control that doesn’t work on game day is the equivalent of a star quarterback showing up with a broken leg.

So how do you make sure you score big with your cool audio/video setup on Super Bowl Sunday? Just like a great football team, you’ve got to think ahead and plan ahead. For the surest result, it’s best to huddle with your trusty custom electronics (CE) pro ahead of time so you know that all the pieces and parts of your entertainment system are in good condition.

“We recommend you schedule a service call at least two weeks before game day to get ready for your Super Bowl party,” says David Devanna of Electronics Design Group (EDG) in Piscataway, N.J. As Devanna explains, even something as innocuous as a tiny IR (infrared) flasher that has fallen off the face of a piece of equipment can render your entertainment system’s control moot. “A simple little fix [like re-adhering the flasher] can avoid a devastated day, so be a little proactive,” he says.

Here are some other tips, ideas and suggestions:

GAME PREP
An ounce of preparation can save a ton of frustration later on, so schedule a check-up for your system now - before you mail out the party invitations.

1. Two-Minute Drill. Check all of your cables and connections well ahead of time, if you’re comfortable doing that yourself.

2. Protect Your Star. If you have a serious home theater system with a front projector, check the bulb life a couple of weeks before the game. “You should be able to do this with the projector menu,” says Eric Thies of DSI Entertainment Systems in West Hollywood, Calif. “If it tells you that you have used 997 hours so far, change the lamp! You do not want your projector conking out on you before halftime.”

3. Keep other Players off the Injured List. Devanna of EDG says a service check of your entire system will ensure that the remotes are refreshed, the cable or satellite box is working well, the video display is calibrated to provide the best picture possible, and that the projector fires up smoothly.

4. Old Dogs, New Cables. Not running HDMI from a cable or satellite box? “If it’s component video, make sure the digital audio cable from the cable box plugs into the receiver. You’re not going to get the full surround-sound effect with stereo analog cables,” says Devanna.

5. Get a Player With Multiple Roles. Invest in a universal remote control that can operate your entire system. Contact a pro to program it for you if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

6. Summon the Big Hitter. Want some extra audio oomph to get the feel of those bone-crushing hits? Consider buying a subwoofer, or add an extra one for the game.

7. What to Do With the Promising Rookie? Should you get a 3D TV for the game? As of press time, it was unclear whether the Super Bowl would be broadcast in 3D. You could always get a set that converts 2D to 3D. But think this through, Belichick: Are you going to get expensive 3D glasses for everyone at the party? And the glasses could detract from the social aspect of a gathering. It’s your call, coach.

THE PREGAME
Forget all the blather on the endless pregame shows. You can keep your guests entertained and engaged with these high-tech components:

8. Watch Film. Coaches always break down film of their opponent’s previous games, so what should Monday morning quarterbacks do? Dave Boisvert of Home Smart Home in North Attleboro, Mass., recommends recording the AFC and NFC Championship games on DVRs and then replaying the action on televisions in other gathering areas of the house, before the game begins.

9. Ready for Kickoff. Want to create a dramatic effect for the opening kick? “I had a client program his lighting control system to begin slowly dimming the lights at 6 p.m., to start preparing his guests and let them know that kickoff was getting close,” says Boisvert.

BASIC RUNNING PLAYS
Here are a few running plays that’ll help you score big with your friends and family:

10. Clear Audibles. “Make sure your TV audio can route through your housewide audio system (if you have one), so if you’re out on the patio or elsewhere in the house you can hear what’s happening,” advises Scott Varn of Harmony Interiors in Asheville, N.C.

11. Instant Replay. This seems like an obvious one, but we know some people will forget to do it. “Record the game while you are watching it so you don’t miss something important if someone sits on the remote and changes the channel,” advises DSI’s Thies. “This will also let you rewind to watch the best commercials again.”

12. Run it up the Middle. “Don’t use that silly ‘Stadium’ or ‘Sports’ setting on your surround receiver, adds Thies. “Both the game and the commercials are recorded and mixed in Dolby Digital, so that’s the setting your audio receiver should be on.”

AIRING IT OUT
Once your system is up and running well, it’s time to air it out and really wow your guests:

13. Are You Ready for Some Tech Ball? “A few years ago I programmed the Monday Night Football theme [music] into my universal remote control,” says Home Smart Home’s Boisvert. “I found the WAV download on a forum at the Universal Remote website. They have a plethora of downloads available to customize your remote.”

14. Get Stat Happy. Will there be stat hounds and fantasy footballers at your party?Harmony Interiors’ Varn recommends hooking up a laptop or desktop computer to a secondary TV and connecting to ESPN.com or some other online statistics machine. This is great if the TV, like an affordable 40-incher, is in the same room as the game on the big screen. There a few ways to connect, including a Mac mini, or go DVI to HDMI, or straight HDMI from the computer, if the TV is HDMI-compatible. Older sets may have a VGA port. iPads, iPhones and iPod touches can also connect through Apple’s Dock Connector for VGA or component cables.

15. Candid Camera. A front door camera with video integrated into the TV can be a cool gadget to show off - and to show who’s at the door. Latecomers are subject to taunting, which likely won’t be penalized.

16. Entertainment For All. Let’s not forget about those who are present but not necessarily watching the game. “I believe in enhancing a Super Bowl experience with a pool, but a different kind than the old office pool,” says Varn. Set up a pool grid. Have guests pick the squares. And forget about the flimsy piece of paper that gets handed around. Instead, tech it up on a computer spreadsheet and broadcast it to a spare TV (See #14 for how). It’s bound to keep everyone involved.

17. Commercial Democracy. Varn also advocates voting on your favorite commercials.Hulu is expected to have Super Bowl commercials available for immediate replay, if you must.

18. The Flea Flicker. Or the trick play. Boisvert relates a story about a client who had an audio zone on his Russound/HAI system designed strictly for his two large bullmastiffs so they could watch Animal Planet during the day while he’s at work and the Puppy Bowl during the Super Bowl. Dogs … flea flicker … get it? (We couldn’t resist, but the story is true.)

19. The Hail Mary. You know that desperation play at the end of the game when the losing team throws a long bomb into the end zone, hoping for a miracle? Prep your system ahead of time, check all the parts, keep it running well and throw in a few high-tech plays, and you’ll never need to resort to a desperation heave.

What are your Super Bowl home theater plans? Do you make any last minute checks or tweaks to ensure your guests enjoy themselves? Let us know in the comments section below.

 

All cables are the same – or are they?

Gramophone takes a lot of pride in delivering the highest performance systems possible. We try not to cut corners because we really believe the old adage that a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. 

The big news these days is HDTV and the HDMI cables that are needed to connect together Blu-Ray players, set-top boxes, HDTV’s and surround sound systems. There’s an enormous variety of HDMI cablesavailable. They come in a wide variety of sizes and prices, from free to well over $1,000 for a single cable. We are asked virtually every day why we don’t recommend low-priced HDMI cables. 

HDMI cables carry a high-performance digital signal between components. When we talk about higher performance with HDMI we’re talking about bandwidth. That’s the same thing we talk about with high speed internet versus the old days of dial-up internet. Very few of us would pay to have high speed internet service if the end result was performance no better than the old dial-up connection. The same holds true for HDMI. 

Here are a few facts: 

1. The length of any HDMI cable will have a dramatic effect on it’s performance. Long runs of HDMI cable are difficult and for many of the cheap cables simply won’t work
2. Low priced HDTV’s frequently are 720P or 1080i sets. Low priced HDMI cable may work well for that level of TV but virtually every TV Gramophone sells today is a 1080P set. 1080P performance requires better cables than 1080i or 720P TV’s do. 
3. 3D TV’s require higher performance cables than 2D TV’s because they require twice the bandwidth to pass a 3D signal. 
4. We don’t know what the next products will be but we can bet that whatever it is it will require more bandwidth than the products we have today. Putting in better HDMI cables results in better performance today and assures you that you will be able to continue to get the best performance over time. 

The bottom line for all of us is that we want to make sure that we’re getting real value for our money. Since we sell some of the best products available, we work hard to make sure that you get everything that you’re paying for. 

-Brian

NuVision: Anything less than the best isn't good enough.

Over the years, Gramophone has developed a reputation for selecting and providing the best in consumer electronics.  So, it comes with no surprise that Gramophone has brought into the mix a new company with a new vision.  NuVision is a premiere TV manufacturer that is American engineered and designed.

Never heard of them? That's pretty likely but won't be that way for long,  NuVision has made a splash in consumer electronics that is here to stay. They offer 19"-72" LCD and LED models that can be equipped with the latest 3D technology. These  televisions look so amazing because only the finest, and most advance parts are used to build them.

"To achieve a superior image, we start with only the best components, cut no corners, engineer proprietary hardware and firmware solutions for the most critical circuitry, and spend 4 to 6 times longer than the typical TV manufacturer optimizing our designs and tuning our sets before they leave the factory." - NuVision.

So the picture is breathtaking, the footprint is minimal, their bezel is extruded aluminum not plastic, and there are no distracting logos or framing components that make the panel look odd. NuVision's attention to architectural lines allow the product to be seamlessly incorporated into any room. 

So what could be better? How about having the ability to customize your TV with a UColor feature that allows you to customize the frame with any color or design you provide. NuVision's options for customization don't stop at the color choices for the bezel.  Options also allow for specific sized televisions to become a full mirror when turned off.  So picture this, your TV doesn't need to look like a TV anymore.  When wall mounted it's just a slim, sleek mirror.

Since the parts used are the best, attention to detail is of the highest tier why not warranty it the longest? NuVision has the industry's best "White Glove" service agreement and offers a 2 year hassle free warranty on every set. They take it one step further by guaranteeing a 48 hour turn around repair or replacement within receiving word of a problem.

In mid-October 2010, Gramophone participated in NuVision's U.S. launch of their televisions, and hosted an event, "Indulge The Senses" over two days.

Ultimately words can't describe these televisions, so I invite you into our showrooms for a demonstration of what could be possibly the finest flat panels made.

-Andrew Davis

 

Deep Fried ... Electronics.

Summer brings thunderstorms, and thunderstorms bring lightning damage to your electronics. Wouldn't it be a bummer to come home from a weekend away only to find the smell of blown power supplies filling the air.  Yep, that's the smell of the surge that fried your beloved TV and surround system.

You can avoid this heartbreak by using quality component surge protection systems, which serve in several capacities.

1. They provide much needed surge protection to your valuable electronic equipment, from components to your TV.  Don't be fooled: The $15 power strip you buy isn't going to protect your system from that catastrophic event.
   
2. Have you heard about power conditioning? It's a very important part of digital processing now.  Just about all of your components are digital. Your cable box or satellite system, Blu-ray player & TV are all digital. A good surge protector/ power conditioner will remove noise* from your AC power and the result is better sound & picture.
3. Now what are those other connections?  It's a pretty good bet that you have cable or satellite for TV. All of your components are connected to a surge protection system, but if the lightning strikes the incoming cable line or satellite dish, guess what...you just got fried. Now with these extra connections, your coax cable goes through the surge protection system. Even if you have a dish system your incoming coax cable and phone line at that location will be protected. Pretty cool, eh?

* Noise: There are many things in the house that put noise into your power. From your refrigerator to your central air compressor, these all create big problems in our already overtaxed power grid.  This noise becomes part of the audio and video in your system. remove the noise and get better performance.

So if you've spent a good chunk of change on a home theater system, are you willing to put it all at risk (as well as not get its full potential) by choosing to not put in a system protection component?  If you don't have protection now, it's not too late to add it. If you're getting ready to make a purchase, this is a no brainer. 2 words: Buy it.

We recommend the full line of Furman surge protection equipment and UPS units. You will see them in use all around the store. Furman is the choice of professionals and recording studios.

-Bruce Spivey

410-308-1650