Spring 2007 Newsletter

This is our fourth year Anniversary Spring Newsletter, it is interesting looking back at the first Spring Newsletter. So many things have changed in our store and industry. Flat Panel TV's have become the standard, BluRay looks to be the next big medium, Downloading HD TV and Movies looks to be right around the corner. Our focus has been to keep up with Audio Video technology and make it easy for you to understand and enjoy using. We will continue to keep you informed and entertained.

New Arrivals

Sharp lc-52d92u

$4,000.00

46D92, 46" 1080P HD LCD TV

The D92U series brings a whole new world of brilliant definition and crispness to flat panel television. The LC46D92U is a technological marvel that incorporates Full 1080p HD resolution, 4ms response time and 120Hz frame rate conversion for the clearest picture possible.

The LC46D92U offers six 1080p compatible inputs for unparalleled convenience for new content device connections. It also features a sleek piano black cabinet, with detachable, recessed bottom-mounted speakers and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

37" 1080p HD LCD TV, 37GP1

The AQUOS GP1U Series in 37" and 32" screen sizes is a dream come true for game players. This is the first LCD TV series designed from the ground up to be optimized for today's state-of-the-art video games. The newly developed Vyper Drive game mode eliminates any perceptible lag between the video game and the TV. Side mounted terminals provide easy connections to games. A custom remote control includes an innovative "Game" button that quickly jumps into Vyper Drive and activates the side terminals. Numerous inputs ensure the images from your new game console's 1080p outputs will be as clear as possible. Finally, the GP1U's incredible 6ms response time, high contrast Ratio, combined with Full HD 1080p resolution, provide the best picture quality money can buy.

Sharp LC-37GP1U

$2,100.00

Elite PRO-1110HD Regular

$2,800.00

AVP-700, Dolby Digital Theater Receiver

The AVP700 builds on Arcam's impressive history as a leader in high performance AV products and together with its natural partner, the new P1000 power amplifier, allows a truly spectacular multichannel sound system to be created.

• 2-way HDMI switching (video only)
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, DTS 24/96 & Dolby Pro logic IIx decoding
• HDTV compatible component / RGB switching
• Composite and S-video up conversion to component or RGB
• Second zone output with audio and video

7 Channel Power Amplifier, P-1000

The P1000 7-channel power amplifier is rated at over 135 watts per channel. It uses an innovative class 4 amplifier topology that offers high current capability with a cool-running operation. As you would expect from Arcam’s audiophile heritage, great emphasis has been put on achieving a level of sound quality that is clearly better than the competition. The AVR700 and P1000 build on the reputation Arcam has for producing products that set the standard.

Elite PRO-1410 REG

$3,200.00

$1,200.00

BDI

Vista 9960, Flat Panel Furniture

What good is a beautiful scene if you have to crane your neck just to take a peek? This VISTA is about what we call 'viewability'. Your flat screen can be mounted at any of VISTA's variable heights, so you can enjoy your television while simultaneously enjoying your favorite chair.

VISTA includes a universal mounting bracket, allowing you to attach most any flat screen TV with ease. Model 9960 includes two adjustable shelves to create the perfect spot for a center channel speaker or a few components.

Recommended TV Size:
37" - 55" Flat Panel TV

System Remote v2

With its sleek, compact design and its ability to control any automated function in the home, the System Remote Control liberates homeowners from their cluttered and confusing collection of remote controls. Featuring bi-directional communication, a backlit LCD screen, and 802.15.4 wireless connectivity, the System Remote Control puts home automation information and control right in the palm of the homeowner’s hand.

It’s all part of the Control4 vision. We bring the benefits of a truly automated home to more people with solutions that are affordable, easy to install and designed to adapt to any home or lifestyle.

$200.00

$150.00

Composer Home Edition, 1080p DLP Projector 2.35 Aspect Ratio

With Composer Home Edition (HE) you can manage and personalize your Control4 system. This means you can create your own lighting scenes, manage your media, create email notifications, and access your home from any internet connection in the world. With Composer Home Edition, you now have the ability to take control of all of the technology in your home and make your life everyday easy. It’s all part of the Control4 vision. We bring the benefits of a truly automated home to more people. We do this with solutions that are affordable, easy to install and easy to use.

42" HD Plasma TV, 42PC1

LG's Exclusive XD Engine™: Six distinct processes contribute to picture improvement. LG's XD Engine takes the low resolution of analog signals to near HD levels by improving brightness, contrast, detail and enhancing color as well as reducing signal noise. This total solution results in cinema-like high resolution images.
Clear Filter: Advanced thin film filter for improved brightness and contrast, reduced reflection and truer color reproduction.

$2,800.00

$200.00

R2, AM/FM Radio

Delightfully retro in style but featuring audio performance befitting of today, the TEAC R2 Premium Edition AM/FM radio delivers clear, full-range sound via its built-in mono speaker. It also features a built-in clock and alarm, perfect for using as your bedside radio alarm clock. It includes a large, easy-to-read light blue, circular LCD displaying the time, radio station, and selected preset. It will look great sitting on a tabletop or your office desk, but it can also be used as a portable radio with the integrated rechargeable battery (charged by the included AC adapter).

Outdoor Speakers, AW-650

The Klipsch AW-650 all-weather loudspeaker was designed for customers who expect great sound in the great outdoors. Upholding the same high-quality standards as our indoor products, this full-range model delivers a level of performance that's like nothing you've heard in an outdoor speaker before.

Featuring a 6.5-inch IMG woofer, 1-inch titanium dome tweeter mated to a square Tractrix® Horn, durable UV-resistant enclosure, non-corrosive grille, easy draining input cup, heavy gauge zinc C-bracket and 3/8"-16 threaded inserts, the AW-650 can be mounted almost anywhere and still deliver clean, clear and dynamic performances.

$530.00

pair

$4,500.00

Electrol, 123" 2:35 CineWide Aspect Ration Screen with Motorized 16X9 Mask

Ideal for home theaters or where a variety of image formats are projected.
View from "Letterbox" to "NTSC" format or from "HDTV" to "NTSC" format with concealed-in-the-ceiling screen.
Second motor lowers and raises black masks into position to convert screen to different format.
Patented in-the-roller motor mounting system for quiet operation.
Unique "step-back" masking design eliminates shadows.
All fabrics listed below will be seamless.

Entertainment and Electronics news

Shaw adds more HDTV channels to its offerings

Seven new high-definition television channels -- including Dan Rather's new home HDNet and a second Movie Central movie channel -- will be added to Shaw's Vancouver cable lineup beginning April 12.

Other new HD offerings, Shaw president Peter Bissonnette said in an interview, will include the ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels from Detroit, and the Chicago-based superstation WGN.

The four Detroit stations and the additional movie channel will be part of Shaw's basic HD tier, while WGN and HDNet will be part of the more expensive HD-Plus package.

"The Detroit stations will offer people the opportunity for lots of good time-shifting," said Bissonnette in an interview. "This will be good for people who want to watch American Idol or CSI or whatever in HD at six instead of eight, or at seven instead of nine."

As well, four new digital channels will be added. These are the World Fishing Network, the soccer channel GoalTV, the Global Network channel from Atlantic Canada called CIHF, and an independent Kenora, Ont. station, CJBN.

New chip allows high-def download in second

MARCH 28 | IBM scientists have unveiled a prototype chip that will quickly move digital movies, music and photo downloads over a home network.

The new chip uses optical technology to speed data across networks at a rate of 160 billion bits per second. A full-length high-definition movie could be downloaded in 1 second on a network using the chip, substantially less time than the five to 10 hours it now takes.

The chip is expected to make it to market within the next 18 to 30 months, when it could make high-def downloads and TV channels offered online a more viable option than they are today. “The impact on how we live and work and entertain ourselves and just live our lives is very profound,” said George Bailey, general manager of IBM’s consumer electronics industry business. IBM is working with companies to incorporate the chip in the existing digital infrastructure, computers, portable devices and devices that connect to the TV. Calling the chip a “disruptive business model,” Bailey predicted a “whole new category of devices will be developed to take advantage of the speed.” IBM scientists have been working on the technology for several years.

NBC Universal And News Corp. Announce Deal With Internet Leaders AOL, MSN, MySpace And Yahoo! To Create A Premium Online Video Site With Unprecedented Reach

Charter Advertisers, Including Cadbury Schweppes, Cisco, Esurance, Intel and General Motors, Will Now Reach 96% of U.S. Internet Audience Through This Groundbreaking Venture; New Site Will Feature Thousands of Hours of Top Video for Consumers.

News Corporation and NBC Universal will launch the largest Internet video distribution network ever assembled with the most sought-after content from television and film, it was announced today by Jeff Zucker, President and Chief Executive Officer, NBC Universal and Peter Chernin, President and Chief Operating Officer, News Corporation. The video-rich site will debut this summer with thousands of hours of full-length programming, movies and clips, representing premium content from at least a dozen networks and two major film studios. More

Sharp Celebrates Earth Day With Free Television Recycling Initiative

Sharp, a worldwide leader in flat-panel Liquid Crystal Display Televisions (LCD TV), is expanding efforts to help protect the environment with a month-long recycling program that celebrates Earth Day. During the month of April, any customer purchasing a new Sharp LCD TV with a screen size of 37-inches or larger through Sharp's online retail site, Sharp Direct (sharpdirectusa.com), can have their old television recycled for free, as long as the purchase is of equal or greater screen size. This promotion joins other environmentally-friendly initiatives that Sharp has implemented throughout the company and in many of the products they manufacture and sell.
"This recycling initiative gives our customers the opportunity to participate in an environmentally-responsible green program," said Erik Durko, Director, Strategic Services, Services and Solutions Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "We are proud to be implementing one way to keep television sets from becoming additional waste in landfills." More...

Fraunhofer's Mp3 Inventors Inducted Into The Consumer Electronics Hall Of Fame

The Consumer Electronic Association (CEA) has elected Dr. Dieter Seitzer, Dr. Heinz Gerhaeuser and Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg, representing a team of Fraunhofer researchers, into the CE Hall of Fame. The award honors their work on inventing and introducing the mp3 compression format.
Seitzer, Gerhaeuser and Brandenburg are well known for their seminal work in digital audio coding exploiting the properties of the human hearing process. Still, they represent a large team of researchers and engineers involved in the mp3 development. More...

Casino Royale BD Marks First High-Definition Title To Ship 100,000 Units; Confirms Blu-Ray Market Leadership
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE)’s blockbuster Bond title, Casino Royale, released March 13 on Blu-ray Disc, has hit the 100,000 units shipped mark and is setting records at retail for greatest number of high-definition copies sold in one day, it was announced today by SPHE Worldwide President, David Bishop. The title debuted in the top 10 on Amazon’s DVD top-sellers list - a first for any film in high definition. The film’s director, Martin Campbell, extolled the disc quality and commented, “It’s just unbelievable. Clearly, it’s fantastic. The comparison between standard def DVD and Blu-ray is quite stunning and quite transparent to the master. It’s precisely what would make me want to buy a copy.” More...

Digital Leisure Adds BD-Java Interactivity to 'Dragon's Lair,' Sets April Release Date

Mon Mar 26, 2007 at 03:58 PM ET

Indie distributor Digital Leisure has announced an April 9 street date for the arcade classic 'Dragon's Lair' on Blu-ray, marking the format's first title to be authored with BD-Java picture-in-picture interactivity.

Digital Leisure announced plans to bring the popular '80s arcade classic to Blu-ray. Combining hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with laserdisc-based technology, 'Dragon's Lair' allowed gamers to pilot the heroic Dirk the Daring on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.

Now, they have revealed full details for the release, which will include a fully remastered, frame-by-frame restoration in 1080p video done by Digital Leisure and authoring studio Infinite HD. The disc will also include a restored Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track taken from the game's original elements. Supplements exclusive to the new Blu-ray include are brand-new interviews with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, and a full-length visual commentary of the game, all in full 1080p video. More