European Custom Installer

System Integration for the Connected Home

Home Theater

Crestron DigitalMedia for Every Home and Budget?

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Crestron DM-MD6X6Crestron says the DigitalMedia 6X6 Distribution Center (DM-MD6X6) upgrades further on existing DigitalMedia 8G+ solutions as it delivers both analog and HD signal routing to up to six rooms using a single cable.

Carrying next generation DigitalMedia 8G+ technology, it delivers handles all analog and HD digital content (from HDTV receivers, Blu-ray players, media servers and PCs) as well as control, data and ethernet over standard CAT5e, DM 8G or CresFiber 8G cables over distances of nearly 100m without using compressiong or repeaters.

Customers using Crestron CNX-PVID sytems can now also upgrade to DigitalMedia 8G+ systems without actually rewiring.

Go Crestron DigitalMedia 6X6 Distribution Center

In-Stat: Europe Main Market for DVD Recorders

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Europe currently is the main market for DVD recorders, In-Stat says-- even if the device category will phase out by 2015, making way for Blu-ray recorders and players.

DVD recorderThe analyst predicts Blu-ray player unit shipments will reach 105M in 2015, nearly (if not entirely) replacing DVD players.

Since HDTV adoption should rise dramatically by 2015 (with the majority of TV broadcasts taking place in HD), Blu-ray recorders will also replace DVD recorders-- even if many customers will prefer to opt for either a player with a large HDD or a DMS to store digital content.

Blu-ray players will also evolve into vastly differents beast from those we know today-- with internet browsing, wifi connectivity and video on demand capabilities.

Go Blu-ray Players to Reach 105M in 2015 (In-Stat)

TV, Speaker system and Blu-Ray Player in Unity

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In2Technologies announce Unity-- a technology platform rolling a display, speakers, subwoofer, Blu-ray/DVD player, amplification and base stand into a single unit.

UnityComing as a T-shaped unit, the Unity system is a bit of a cross between a home theatre in a box (HTiB) and a soundbar.

It is the brainchild of one Todd Beauchamp-- ex-Apple and American TEchnology Corporation (now known as LRAD) employee.

At CEDIA 2011, the company displayed a version carrying single 2" L/C/R drivers and dual 5.25" down-firing mid-bass drivers in the main cabinet, and dual 10" woofers on the slender vertical frame portion.

The stand also carries the Blu-ray player, with an aesthetic design by RKS Design.

In2Technologies plans to license Unity to other manufacturers-- who will be able to customise the design to either fit their partner brands' products better or carry different audio configurations.

Go In2Technologies Unity

Genesis Movie Server Gets 3D Support

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Fusion Research announces 3D Blu-ray support for the new Genesis Movie Server.

GenesisThe company says it is not pushing to become "'an early adopter' of the technology," but instead took its time to develop its 3D experience.

The Genesis Media Server carries 4TB of storage capacity, and can handle up to x5 independent video streams (through x4 additional players). As well as Blu-ray playback and storage, it also supports the Boxee online streaming service.

Fusion Research will start rolling out 3D-supporting units from October 1st.

Go Fusion Servers Now Support 3D

Blockbuster Strikes Back

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Blockbuster hits back at Netflix as it announces Blockbuster Movie Pass, a DVD-by-mail and video streaming service in collaboration satellite TV provider Dish Network.

Blockbuster Dish Network saved Blockbuster out of bankruptcy court for $234M 5 months ago.

The timing for the Blockbuster comeback is perfect-- Netflix currently flouders due to the unpopular change in pricing structures (increasing prices by 60%) before dividing into 2 separate businesses, with "Qwikster" handling DVD-by-mail.

Analaysts predict Netflix will lose around 600000 US customers by October 2011.

The Blockbuster-Dish Network package costs $10 monthly (the older Netflix subscription price), only with a catch-- customers have to be Dish Network pay-TV subscribers.

All this before Netflix makes it over here-- which it should be doing at around January 2012 (at least in the UK and Spain)-- while we have no word yet whether Blockbuster has plans to offer a similar deal in Europe.

Go Blockbuster Movie Pass

Go Netflix Splits in Two

Netflix Splits in Two

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CEO Reed Hastings splits Netflix into separate businesses: "Netflix" dedicated to streaming video and "Qwikster" to handle DVD-by-mail.

NetflixThe announcement follows the unpopular recent change in pricing where subscribers don't get automatic access for both mail and streaming services-- an announcement some customers describe as a "confusing mess".

Other customers simply cancelled their accounts in anger.

Hastings explains the change as evolution, saying "companies rarely die from moving too fast, and they frequently die from moving too slowly".

By isolating the cost structure in the DVD-in-the-mail business, Hastings can prepare for a worst case scenario of the Blockbuster-variety, protecting the family jewels in a separate ring-fenced company. Public controversy about the move asks if Hastings is being hasty? Either he is a genius or an idiot, declare some of the blogs.

But no one knows which it is. At the core of the controversy is a very important question: are these two different customers (DVDers vs streamers) or the same consumer who just uses different priority for different video usage?

No mention yet if Netflix will use separate names once it (eventually) arrives in Europe-- something it should be doing in 2012, at least in Spain and the UK. But based on this decision, you might expect the DVD-in-the-mail model might get left behind.

Go Netflix: An Explanation and Some Reflections

Go Netflix Customers Respond With Confustion (The Wall Street Journal)

Go Spanish Eyes for Netflix

LG's IFA Aims to Rival Cinema

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LG unveils its latest home theater solution at IFA 2011,the HX906TX 9.1 Cinema 3D Sound HTS.

LG HX906TXIt comes with an innovative speaker configuration-- x4 upright 3D speakers on top of Tallboy units in addition to the conventional 5.1 setup.

LG says the upright speakers point audio upwards and fill the home theatre's vertical space with sound while the 360-degree reflector inside each speaker reflects sound in all directions.

The system also carries LG's Sound Field Expansion DSP algorithm (in order to extend the audio "sweet spot" for the audience) and a 3D Sound Analyser adding information to remaining empty space-- resulting in more detailed 3D audio.

Media playback comes through a 3D Blu-ray player boasting 12-bit 4096-step gradation and clear 3D images.

LG also includes its Smart TV functions, with VOD services, wifi capabilities and DLNA-certified device access.

Go LG HX906TX Cinema 3D Sound