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?

Gramophone Presents: Kaleidescape

You’ve got the ultimate movie collection, right? From your selection of flicks that the guys enjoy to the films that just the kids watch, you’ve dedicated a lot of time and effort to keep them organized and within reach. But now you want something to store all of your DVDs. No more flipping through boxes or searching through selves to find the movie you’re looking for. On Saturday August 13th, the Gramophone showroom in Timonium will be hosting a fun, family-friendly event showcasing the revolutionary Kaleidescape system.

What is Kaleidescape?
Maybe you’ve already heard of Kaleidescape. Maybe you already own a system. But if you’re new to the device, be ready to be blown away! Kaleidescape is a centrally located, house-wide DVD storage system that lets you play any film in your collection instantly. With its interactive and vibrant cover flow, each of your DVDs unique art comes alive. Or you can search through your collection by list or collection viewing, allowing you to browse movies by genre, cast, or even upload date. Yes, Kaleidescape does bring the ‘experience’ to the casual movie watching afternoon.

Why come to the Kaleidescape Event?
So you’ve got the basics of Kaleidescape under your belt. You know how to upload videos (and even CDs) to your system. You know how to browse your collection, and pause/play movies to watch them from different rooms. But do you know how to take advantage of every feature of your system? Come to Gramophone of Timonium on Saturday August 13 from 11:00am to 1:00pm to learn how to integrate features such as a Blu-ray Modular Disc Vault or the child-friendly remote into your system. Experience Kaleidescape at your fingertips on the Crestron touch-panel home automation display pad or even on the iPad! With the experts at Gramophone ready to answer your questions, you will become an pro on everything there is to know about Kaleidescape!

Sign up here to get all the information you need about the event: http://eepurl.com/eMDKA 

*Special Note:  We will be offering exculsive Kaleidescape pricing on a variety of packages, as well as special financing offers.  These offers will be made available only to those in attendance on August 13, 2011.  RSVP Now! events@gramophone.com

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!

 

McIntosh & Gramophone Celebrate the Good Life With “DIAMONDS ARE A GUY’S BEST FRIEND” Evening OF Music, Martinis, And Fine Food

McIntosh Laboratory, a global leader in home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 60 years, will be the featured performer at a special Gramophone home entertainment and music celebration on May 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Timonium location (4 West Aylesbury Road) and May 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Columbia location (8880 McGaw Road). The event will provide a first-hand look at some of McIntosh’s legendary audio gear and allow people to experience the intense emotional impact made possible by true no-compromise music reproduction. In addition to the McIntosh experience, the event will feature product demonstrations from Runco and Bowers & Wilkins. 

Guests will enjoy powerful high fidelity demonstrations from several McIntosh systems. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their favorite nostalgic vinyl records to experience listening to their music on a world-class audio system. 

Find Out What the “McIntosh Experience” Is All About
The Gramophone celebration will give area music lovers a taste of why discerning listeners have long considered McIntosh to be the “diamond standard” of great sound. Each McIntosh component is meticulously handcrafted in the U.S.A. at the company’s Binghamton, NY factory – and music lovers around the world regard the iconic “McIntosh Blue” front panel meters as the hallmark of unmatched quality, performance and reliability.

In fact, McIntosh has built a cult-like following around the world that has long included many of the world’s most discriminating audio enthusiasts and musicians – members from The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, as well as John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Antonio L.A. Reid to name just a few.

RSVP to diamonds@gramophone.com, or call 410.308.1650

About McIntosh Laboratory
Since 1949, McIntosh Laboratory’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and quality continues to define the state-of-the-art in high fidelity and provide discriminating consumers around the world an elevated home entertainment experience. McIntosh high-performance audio and video products are handcrafted at the company’s Binghamton, New York headquarters. Its products reflect unmatched levels of performance, superlative engineering and hand craftsmanship. Built to last for decades, McIntosh components demand nothing less than an equal level of commitment to customer support and service. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is a D&M Holdings company. For more information visit www.mcintoshlabs.com, join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mcintoshlabs or follow us on Twitter by searching for McIntoshLabsInc. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 

DISCLAIMER
Statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact include forward looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. We wish to caution you that such statements are just predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding competitive and industry conditions, market acceptance for the company's products, risks of litigation, technological changes, developing industry standards and other factors related to the company's businesses. The Company reserves all of its rights. 

10 Reasons To Join Us for a Martini Night...

Dear Readers,

I can imagine that maybe you're sick of me writing about all my product encounters...I can understand that; therefore, I'm going to move in a different direction.  We have an event rapidly approaching that will be: EPIC (that's what the kids are saying these days, right?) And we want you to join us.

On May 18th (at Timonium) and May 19th (at Columbia), we will be hosting an event titled: Diamonds are a Guy's Best Friend.  

1. There will be Custom-Colored Martinis.
2. Experience the difference that diamond makes in B&W's 800 series speakers.
3. Exclusive Promotions from B&W, McIntosh, and Runco on their hottest products!
4. Meet Charlie Randall, Presdient of McIntosh.
5. Learn how McIntosh uses garnet dust to manufacture their products.
6. Discover why a custom-colored TV from Runco may be in your future.
7. Delicious catering from a local restaurant.
8. Complimentary Valet Parking (who doesn't love to have someone else park their car?)
9. To the ladies: You'll definitely want to find out why your man is in love with diamonds too...
10. It's free to attend.

We know you want to attend, so send us your RSVP to diamonds@gramophone.com.

Cheers!

Kate

Sucker Punch: Wait, Is That the Girl from Lemony Snickets?

Ah! I'm so torn. Zack Snyder's work over the last several years has given him credibility. From Dawn of the Dead to 300 to Watchmen, he has created a small, but powerful body of work that has me wondering, does he get a pass on Sucker Punch? And, am I hanging my hat on those previous films too much? Do I like Sucker Punch just because I liked those? Am I going easy on it and making an argument for it being better than it probably is?

I should probably be impartial, here. However, I can't honestly say what's informing what I'm about to say about Sucker Punch. Is my inner fanboy purple-nurpling my cinematic sensibilities into a more favorable perspective on a movie that has some obvious and gaping holes?

OK, I think I've asked enough questions and should get on with it.

I can't truly say what Sucker Punch is about. It is bookended by a very simple story, but the middle of it, the meat of the tale that's being told, takes several huge and unreasonable steps toward a tapestry of metaphors that it's near impossible to connect them back to that original concept.

Baby Doll's (Emily Browning) wealthy mother dies. She has an abusive stepfather. She accidentally kills her younger sister while trying to protect her. She is committed to a mental hospital. To hide the truth, the stepfather arranges with an orderly (Oscar Isaac) to schedule Baby Doll for a lobotomy. She has five days in the institution before the doctor arrives for the procedure.

That's the bookend on the left.

Then we take a step away and rather than being in a mental hospital for young women, the story plays out in some psuedo-brothel, night club in a nondescript era, maybe the 1950s. Maybe not. Baby Doll is one of the new girls in the stable dancers, awaiting the arrival of the "High Roller" (Jon Hamm... Jon Hamm's John Ham... sorry, it's a reflex.)

Aware that the High Roller means trouble, Baby Doll hatches a plan to escape along with and aided by a few of the other girls, Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), and Amber (Jamie Chung). The plan is fed to her by an angel? Her subconscious? All I know is that it looked a lot like Scott Glenn.

Take another step back. When Baby Doll dances, the world shifts to a lot of what you see in the trailer. Apparently, her dance is something so provocative and salacious that we don't actually get to see it. Instead, we get to see the team of beauty badasses setting out on Scott Glenn-prescribed missions amid a ballet of hyper-stylized action, a look that has become a bit of a trademark for Snyder.

The story jockeys between the club and the... let's call them "dream sequences." And with each dream sequence the movie finds its strength, an exciting assault on the senses. It's a world without boundaries or restrictions or rules. Who's to say Amber can't hop in a futuristic, mechanical assault vehicle to bash through the lines of Steampunk Zombie Nazis. Knights, dragons, robots, and giant stone samurai? Why not? It works like levels in a video game. There's a goal and a boss for each level, and it ratchets up in difficulty as you go along.

It's wonderful eye candy. It unpins you from the cumbersome tale and lets you have fun. It's loud and exciting because it can be. That's Snyder's achievement here. He thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if..." and then he did it.

Wisely, the pace of everything is swift. You never linger too long on any plain of the movie before you're moving on. And, when you've had enough and your eyes are stuffed to the brim, it ends. Quickly. Calmly. Confusingly? The other bookend is set in place.

Hm... Yeah, I don't know.

The story is very thin and loose. It's almost irrelevant. But, you needed something propping it up and tying it together. I suppose it works well enough. Well, let me clarify that. It works well enough assuming you're able to divorce yourself from the need for narrative. If you can ignore the story and enjoy the ballet of absurd over-the-top-ness, you're gold. However, if you're looking for why's and how's and what's, then this might not work for you. If you're looking for a story that make sense, tip-toe pass Sucker Punch. It's likely not your cup of tea.

So, if Sucker Punch is a blended concoction of Zack Snyder's previous films, video games and music videos, I'm fine with that. And you know what, I think this gives me confidence in the reboot of the reboot to Superman that he's directing. I think this movie shows, if nothing else, he has vision and creativity. I've read that he's going to tone Superman way down from his other films. Obviously that makes sense. Still, the lesson is that Sucker Punch shows obvious passion for his craft. And, from Watchmen, you know Snyder knows how to marry that craft with a respect for the material.

In closing, I'll say this, whether you rush out to the theater or not, make sure to pick up the soundtrack. It's amazing. Love it. Bought it. Fantastic. If you go to the gym, get the soundtrack. It kicks ass. It's driving and ferocious and unlike the movie, it doesn't need a story.

-Tom

Encountering Paul

I've been living a lie. My name is Paul. There. I've said it. It's something I try to keep close to the vest, but I am one of those cursed people that goes by their middle name. I never really had a choice in the matter. It was my parent's decision and one that I have had to live with and be tormented by my entire life. It always pained me on the first day of class when the teacher would call out "Paul Rowe." 

 

"Yes. That's me, but please call me Tom, for no particular reason."

 

What does this have to do with the movie, Paul? Absolutely nothing. I just saw this as an opportunity to unburden myself of this deep, dark secret.

 
Anyway... Paul. The latest from the lampoon from the team-up of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They've covered the undead and action adventures. This time around they are twisting the alien invasion genre around on itself. 

 

Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost) are sci-fi geeks. Having taken the pilgrimage to Comic-Con in San Diego, they set off on a tour of the United States' western theater of alien landing sites, the Black Box, Area 51, Rosewell, etc. Cruising through the desert in their sweet RV, they discover Paul. 

You'd think two sci-fi fanatics would be well equipped to deal with an alien encounter, but they aren't. 

Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen, looks like your typical, gray-skinned, big headed, big eyed, alien. It's an image we know well and for good reason. Paul tells the pair that the government has leaked his image through popular culture to ensure that should they ever run into him or anyone from his planet, they won't completely lose their minds. 

Paul enlists Graeme and Clive to help him escape the government facility that has been holding him since the 1940s, at first as a guest and later a prisoner. Having sent a distress call to his home planet, he must get to the rendezvous site. 

 

The trio--later a quartet when joined by God-fearing Ruth Buggs (Kristen Wigg)--are chased by Zoil (Jason Bateman), a Men in Black/FBI/CIA type, that is puppeteered by "the Big Guy." Think Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget as played by Sigourney Weaver. 

 

Paul brings the Pegg and Frost duo back to something much closer to Shawn of the Dead, or even their BBC sitcom Spaced (BOOM! That's geek street cred.) It's calm and charming. The comedy demeanor is sweet and comfortable. 

 

While Paul, the one with an American accent (hm), is brash and rude, there is still some affection there. It's pleasant. Where some comedies out there today, Hangover, Due Date, Step Brothers, anything from the Apatow crew, can be a bit of an assault on the funny bone, Paul, much like their other movies, is more of a caressing. 

 

And in similar fashion, the jokes lead up to some sincere feeling. Sure the characters are funny, odd, and goofy, but they are still human, even Paul. I don't think Paul reaches the emotional heights of Shawn of the Dead when Shawn's mother turns into a zombie and he must put her down. That was some tense stuff. Paul skirts that and doesn't linger too long before returning to a calm, steady funny. 

Beyond that calm and steady, Paul is sprinkled with comedic juggernauts Jeffrey Tambor, Jane Lynch, David Koechner, Joe Lo Truglio and Bill Hader. Each one is a delicious morsel while on screen, giving a nice balance Pegg and Frost's easy going. And of course there's Seth Rogen being Seth Rogen. I actually like him better as Paul. I liked not seeing him on screen. Not that I'm Rogen hater, but I'm just a little sick of him. His usual outlandishness is toned down while he's the voice of the alien. While there is plenty of crudity, it's not as over the top. It fits the space of Paul quite nicely. After all, Paul is from a highly evolved race. He knows a great deal more about the universe. But sure, no matter how evolved you are, a fart joke is still pretty funny.

 

For my geeks out there, Paul offers plenty of inside jokes for you to devour. It's littered with references and nods toward all manner of science fiction and pop culture. Sometimes I found myself laughing alone at some of the references. A few surprised me. "Really, no one got that that was from Aliens? Come on!" Others, caused me to shrink down a bit because they were embarrassingly geeky.

 

Paul's a fun movie. Do you need to rush out to the theater to see it? I don't think so. There's nothing there that won't play just fine on your TV at home. In fact, it might work better. I have the feeling that Paul is one of those movies that I will like better at home. It's something that I can have on in the background and pay attention to and enjoy in those moments when I lift my head up from my computer. Or glance back for a break from some sort of cleaning or household task. 

 

If you're a fan of Pegg and Frost, you're going to see it in the theater. Otherwise, I think you can wait for it to come home.

-Tom

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.

 

Have No Fear Kaleidescape is Here

Trouble finding that favorite movie or CD? Feel like no matter how much you try to keep your music and movies organized something always ends up MIA when you want it the most? Have no fear, Kaleidescape is here. 

 

Kaleidescape is one of the most impressive media devices I have ever seen. It is a media server that allows you to store all your movies and music on an internal disk. It automatically organizes and visually catalogs your collections that are then instantly delivered to any room in your home.

 

 

Kaleidescape is built using high quality components which deliver 1080p video, so you get the best performance rate and the quality is never compromised.

 

So, how does it work? Most people are used to finding the DVD or CD of their choice (either in a pile on the floor, a CD/DVD rack, or a bookshelf.  Then, sticking it into the player, and hitting play. However, Kaleidescape stores all you movies and music in one convenient location. Once installed, all you need to do is use your remote (which can be Kaleidescape’s, a Universal remote, or Crestron) to access and choose the movie or music of your choice.

 

Another great feature the Kaleidescape has to offer is the fact that it is ready for the future. How so? Kaleidescape periodically provides a software update and new hardware, like the new Blu-ray players. This allows you to keep up with the most current movie and music formats so you do not have to keep purchasing newer more expensive technology. I love how you can play, pause, resume, and even bookmark to later jump to favorite scenes in your favorite movies.

 

*Other cool features allow: parental controls, resume the movie you are watching in a different room, and even downloading music from your Kaleidescape System to your iPod.

 

-Chris Beasley

410-381-2100