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
Would You Shop at Circuit City?

CIS is Charlotte's "Big Box" Alternative for Consumer Electronics!Report says company “contemplating a brick-and-mortar rebirth.”

The days of calling Circuit City a defunct big-box “store” might be coming to an end.

Systemax, which purchased the Circuit City brand in May 2009 and relaunched the company online, is “contemplating a brick-and-mortar rebirth,” according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Systemax bought and revived CompUSA, one of many failed electronics retailers, and now plans to open stores in Houston, Chicago and other major markets after successfully testing stores in Florida. There currently are 34 CompUSA stores.

Could Circuit City follow the same plan?

“Recession hurts, but it also creates opportunities that would not have existed otherwise,” said Systemax Chief Executive Richard Leeds.

“We have a tremendous amount of excitement around our company now because of these acquisitions. We picked up two iconic retail brands for well under $50 million. That to me is the bargain of the century.”

 by Steve Crowe

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

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Audio/Video Sales, Service and Installation in North Carolina and South Carolina

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Why a Computer UPS Can’t Protect Theaters

CIS-NC's Choice For APC and Panamax Line Conditioners!

CIS-NC's Choice For APC and Panamax Line Conditioners

Make sure to select a battery backup specifically designed for AV applications.

Power surges and transients occur in all 50 U.S. states. Blackouts, poorly filtered power, and dirty power can interrupt viewing, erase recordings and lose all of the system’s pre-sets. The recordings stored on your media server or DVR can be lost permanently if power is lost at just the wrong moment.

Satellite receivers and cable boxes can lockup, thereby interrupting service. Expensive light bulbs used in projectors and DLP TVs can be damaged when a blackout occurs.

The right battery backup can protect all of those troubles from happening. Many consumers look to their local mass retailer for one of those small, inexpensive battery backups designed for their home computer. While this might work out OK, there’s a good chance it simply won’t work.

Make sure to select a battery backup specifically designed for AV applications. Here are three reasons AV UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) systems offer better home theater protection.

Handling large components
One major difference is the ability to handle the unique power requirements of larger components. Network file servers and desktop computers typically have an in-rush current draw (the quick, but dramatic amount of current drawn when the device is turned on) of 60-80 Amps for a few milliseconds. Larger components can draw into the 100s of Amps (peak to peak) for several milliseconds on startup.

Computer UPS units are simply not designed to handle this large power draw. This can easily overwhelm the inverter of the UPS, causing it to shut down suddenly and unexpectedly. It is even quite possible for the UPS to be damaged by this overload condition. AV UPSs are designed to handle these large current draws common with big screen TVs and larger amplifiers.

Isolated Noise Filtration
Dedicated isolated noise filtration is another key aspect of AV equipment that is not typically available in computer UPS systems. Electrical Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) generally have little impact on computer gear unless its presence is extremely large (and/or the equipment is poorly shielded).  For this reason, traditional computer battery backup products contain very small EMI/RFI filters.

If severe enough, EMI/RFI can negatively impact sound and video quality. Properly designed filters, as found in higher-end AV power protection units, can reduce or eliminate this interference so that consumer’s receive the best home theater experience their system can provide. 

Too Noisy
Traditional computer UPS systems are too noisy, electrically and audibly, for AV equipment. Light emitting diodes (LED) and visual alarms that are typical of computer UPS systems can also detract from the viewing and listening experience. On the other hand, AV specific models are usually designed to be as quiet and visually unobtrusive as possible.

Audible alarms are “OFF” by default and LEDs can be dimmed or turned “OFF” altogether; similarly, liquid crystal displays (LCD) can be dimmed or turned “OFF”. AV cooling fans are micro-processor controlled with variable speed designed to run only when absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, the industrial design is ideal for placement in home entertainment centers (shelf or rackmount) or AV racks.  Also, the UPS batteries are accessible through the front panel so the unit does not need to be removed from the equipment stack.

A true AV-specific battery backup can be a great complement to your system. Knowing you are protected from all the dangers and hassles of today’s unpredictable power grid should give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your home theater experience without interruption.

by Patrick Donovan

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

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Audio/Video Sales, Service and Installation in North Carolina and South Carolina

Posted in Audio Systems, Flat Panel TV's, Home Theater, Line Conditioners, Media Rooms, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment


Top 10 Blu-ray Releases for March 23

CIS is Charlotte, NC's #1 Source For Home Theater Design & Sales!

CIS is Charlotte, NC's #1 Source For Home Theater Design & Sales!

Pixar is at it again with the pristine additions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on high-def Blu-ray this week.

Pixar’s at it again. Whether you’re looking for razor-sharp demo material as a custom installer or a good reason to sit through some high-def animation with your children, Pixar has always come through with its standard-def and Blu-ray releases. This week is no exception, as we get both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 sequel on Blu-ray for the first time.

We can’t wait to see all of the details of Andy’s room and his toys in high-definition, along with the enveloping surround sound. No, the Toy Story movies aren’t in super-wide 2.35:1 format like some more recent Pixar Blu-rays such as Wall-E and A Bug’s Life, but those of you with traditional 16:9 screens (especially projection screens) should still have a blast taking in the game-changing animation of the 1995 original and its 1999 sequel.

For a more recent children’s-oriented theatrical release, Fantastic Mr. Fox arrives on Blu-ray format as well this week. Unlike Pixar you don’t get the voice talent of John Ratzenberger (hey, we know he’s not the Toy Story star but we love that he’s in every Pixar movie), but you do get to hear the likes of George Clooney, Bill Murray and Meryl Streep in this Wes Anderson-directed movie.

Speaking of Clooney, even if you’re a fan of his films you may have missed the short-lived Men Who Stare at Goats in theaters. Obviously it’s no Up in the Air, but the solid ensemble cast includes Clooney, Kevin Spacey, Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges and Ewan McGregor, and at 94 minutes it could make for a good high-def rental. For an Oscar-acclaimed release this week, check out Sandra Bullock’s performance in The Blind Side—and it doesn’t matter if you’re a football fan or not.

If you’re interested in catching up on some TV, the best bet this week is the continuing saga featuring the men and women of AMC’s Mad Men—this week marks Season Three’s arrival on Blu-ray disc.

And in case you missed it, the tweeny-bopper fave Twilight got a jump on the traditional Tuesday release date by sending out Twilight Saga: New Moon just after midnight on March 20.

Here’s the full slate of Blu-ray releases for the week (schedule and slideshow synopses courtesy of Blu-ray.com):
The African Queen
Alter Bridge: Live from Amsterdam
Bigger Than Life
The Blind Side
Brothers
Days of Heaven
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Mad Men: Season Three
Nabari No Ou: The Complete Series
Phantom Punch
Red Cliff Part 1 & 2
Smokin’ Aces: 2-movie collection
Spring 1941
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
Trinity Blood: The Complete Series
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Vans Warped Tour 15th Anniversary Celebration
Yojimbo/Sanjuro

 by Arlen Schweiger

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/top_10_blu-ray_releases_for_march_23/

Custom Installation Services, LLC – Audio/Video Sales, Service and Installation in North Carolina and South 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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