Home Entertainment & Automation Services in Matthews, NC.
Home Entertainment & Automation Services in Matthews, NC.
Home audio and Video Services in Matthews, NC.  TV installation, Surround Sound, Home Entertainment Systems
Top 10 Blu-ray Releases for December 15

hangover300‘Boogie Nights,’ Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’ and ‘The Hangover’ highlight this week’s selections.

This week’s batch of Blu-ray releases offer quality over quantity. Unlike some weeks, there aren’t a big slew of choices. But there are several solid picks to make for some worthwhile viewing.

It’s always noteworthy when Quentin Tarantino makes a film, and while ‘Inglourious Basterds’ is certainly no ‘Pulp Fiction’ it does have its share of entertaining moments and the usual eyebrow-raising storytelling that the director has become known for. Plus Brad Pitt offers up another quality performance, as does Christoph Waltz as the movie’s main villain.

Coming off the heels of Tarantino’s success in the mid-90s, Paul Thomas Anderson began delivering equally entertaining epics. His breakthrough film ‘Boogie Nights’ hits Blu-ray this week, with its fast-paced look at the porn industry of the 70s and 80s. Should be a winner for your sound system, too, with a classic 70s soundtrack setting the tone for the movie.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter, or a lot lighter, check out ‘The Hangover,’ which could make a strong case as funniest movie of the year. And if that’s not enough humor for you, there’s an enormous Mel Brooks Collection due out this week that ought to keep you laughing for days featuring nine movies.

Here is the full release schedule for the week, courtesy of Blu-ray.com (movie synopses and information also courtesy of their website):
2009 World Series Champions: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees
Basilisk: The Complete Series
Beyonce: I Am … Yours
La Boheme
Boogie Nights
G-Force
The Hangover
HD Moods: Blu Ocean
Inglourious Basterds
The Mel Brooks Collection (Blazing Saddles / High Anxiety / History of the World Part 1 / Robin Hood: Men with Tights / Silent Movie / Spaceballs / To Be or Not to Be / Twelve Chairs / Young Frankenstein)
The Other Man
Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3
Star Trek: The Original Series, Three-Season Pack
Taking Woodstock

 by Arlen Schweiger

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/top_10_blu-ray_releases_for_december_15/C201

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Home Theater, Audio and Video services in North Carolina

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Should I Add a Second Subwoofer to My Surround System?

velodyne-Impact_300I am in the process of upgrading my home entertainment system. I want to get as much out of the Blu-ray and HDTV as possible. I have been doing some research on the 7.2-channel surround systems and I am wondering if the extra powered subwoofer would make a very big difference. My listening/viewing area isn’t that large, and currently I have a non-HDMI receiver with 5.1 and it works really well for my space. I understand that Blu-ray has more sound information and 7.1 is the new thing, but is 7.2 better?—Keith, Ga.

A. Keith, one subwoofer may be enough for you depending on the room size—you mentioned yours is smaller, so you may not want to be overwhelmed—and your preferences for bass. If possible, having the extra sub will allow you to create a smoother, deeper soundstage (even if it’s a 5.2).

Blu-ray technology does offer better sound through more information if your system has the capability to decode the Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio formats. These new formats are less compressed than Dolby Digital and DTS and they sound more dynamic and detailed.

There are two ways to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio: one, buy a receiver with built-in decoding. These receivers will include HDMI as part of their feature sets and that could allow you to buy a less-expensive Blu-ray player.

The other way to decode these formats is to buy a more feature-laden and expensive Blu-ray player that incorporates built-in decoding. In this type of scenario you will need six RCA cables to run from the player’s multichannel audio outputs into the analog multichannel inputs of your receiver or preamplifier/processor.

Most systems in today’s home aren’t 7.2, but there are many 5.1 or even 5.2 for those that choose to go that route.

To answer your question more simply, 7.2 isn’t necessarily better, and the improved performance you are talking about most likely refers to the compressed Dolby and DTS formats in comparison to hearing the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio formats.

 by Robert Archer

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/should_i_add_a_second_subwoofer_to_my_surround_system/

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Home Theater, Audio and Video services in North Carolina

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CE Pros Want to be ‘Green’ Installers

integrators_green_researchA staggering 87% say they’ll offer alternative energy products within three years.

Have you started harnessing solar energy in installs? Many of you expect to.

The results of this study by EH Research are somewhat predictable — but encouraging nonetheless.

CE pros were asked about the prospects of them selling and installing energy-efficient products such as energy dashboards, solar/photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. An overwhelming number envisions that they will very soon. For instance, 87 percent of those surveyed say that will offer alternative energy products and/or energy management and monitoring systems within three years.

The positive answers to these questions should probably be taken with a grain of salt. It’s kind of like if your friend tells you that he recently took up mixed martial arts (MMA) training, and that he lost 10 pounds and feels more energetic.

If somebody then asks you if you’ll take up MMA training in the next three years, you’d probably answer in the affirmative. Would you really do it? That’s less certain.

By Tom LeBlanc

http://www.cepro.com/article/ce_pros_want_to_be_green_installers/

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Home Theater, Audio and Video services in North Carolina

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Custom Installation Services, LLC | P.O. Box 132 Matthews, NC 28106 | 704-400-8701 | dmiller@cis-nc.com
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