Opinion: Has 4K's time arrived?
Ultra HD 4K displays were everywhere at CES 2014, with super high resolution displays measuring up to 110 inches in size. But the question remains, do we need displays with such high resolution, given that the human eye isn't likely to be able to tell the difference between 4K and 2K in most viewing environments? And who is making content in 4K anyway?
It's now a month since CES, and after making jokes about the ubiquity of 4K screens at the Las Vegas Convention Center last month, it now seems to me that 4K is an inevitable part of our future. While the hype around 3D TVs from a few years ago didn't really strike a chord with consumers, it seems as though 4K could be different. Here's why:
Ultra HD 4K displays were everywhere at CES 2014, with super high resolution displays measuring up to 110 inches in size. But the question remains, do we need displays with such high resolution, given that the human eye isn't likely to be able to tell the difference between 4K and 2K in most viewing environments? And who is making content in 4K anyway?
It's now a month since CES, and after making jokes about the ubiquity of 4K screens at the Las Vegas Convention Center last month, it now seems to me that 4K is an inevitable part of our future. While the hype around 3D TVs from a few years ago didn't really strike a chord with consumers, it seems as though 4K could be different. Here's why:
More is more
First off, there's the truism that specs matter, even when they shouldn't. Consumers who care about video quality will soon be boasting about their 4K displays, and it will become a key part of marketing televisions in the months and years to come. Furthermore, I think that shoppers will fall in line.
Don't believe me? Do you pay attention to how many megapixels your digital camera or smartphone camera can capture? Many people do and it continues to be the key shorthand spec for comparing cameras, even though it's just a small part of determining image quality.
4K is much the same. Surely it must be better than not-4K, right?
Research firm NPD DisplaySearch predicts that two million 4K desktop monitors will ship in 2014, even as the overall desktop monitor market is expected to contract. Keep in mind most desktop monitors are relatively small screens compared to the wall-filling 4K displays seen at CES. On a screen that size, whether or not you're looking at 4,000 lines of pixels or 2,000 will be practically impossible to determine with the naked eye, and yet they're expected to sell.
First off, there's the truism that specs matter, even when they shouldn't. Consumers who care about video quality will soon be boasting about their 4K displays, and it will become a key part of marketing televisions in the months and years to come. Furthermore, I think that shoppers will fall in line.
Don't believe me? Do you pay attention to how many megapixels your digital camera or smartphone camera can capture? Many people do and it continues to be the key shorthand spec for comparing cameras, even though it's just a small part of determining image quality.
4K is much the same. Surely it must be better than not-4K, right?
Research firm NPD DisplaySearch predicts that two million 4K desktop monitors will ship in 2014, even as the overall desktop monitor market is expected to contract. Keep in mind most desktop monitors are relatively small screens compared to the wall-filling 4K displays seen at CES. On a screen that size, whether or not you're looking at 4,000 lines of pixels or 2,000 will be practically impossible to determine with the naked eye, and yet they're expected to sell.
If you build it, so will everyone else
Perhaps most important, 4K seems to have achieved the momentum and critical mass necessary for it to gain mainstream adoption. Fearing being left behind, all the major manufacturers have boarded the 4K train as it leaves the station.
As I mentioned, every big tech company at CES made sure to have their take on Ultra HD. A few, like Samsung, even went a step further, offering an 8K display concept.
Samsung has its own 8K display
But these companies aren't just out to show what they can do, they're also looking to offer a real consumer product at a competitive price. Both Polaroid and Vizio showed 4K 50-inch displays that sell for less than US$1,000.
Along the same consumer-friendly lines, Sony has sought to make 4K tech more portable and practical, showing off a 4K short throw projector.
Just this month, Google also announced that its Chrome mini-PC, meant to capture the lower end of the market with a price tag of only $179, will offer support for high-end 4K displays. Hardware makers see the 4K tide building and don't want to miss catching the Ultra HD wave as it crashes on shores around the world.
Perhaps most important, 4K seems to have achieved the momentum and critical mass necessary for it to gain mainstream adoption. Fearing being left behind, all the major manufacturers have boarded the 4K train as it leaves the station.
As I mentioned, every big tech company at CES made sure to have their take on Ultra HD. A few, like Samsung, even went a step further, offering an 8K display concept.
Samsung has its own 8K display
But these companies aren't just out to show what they can do, they're also looking to offer a real consumer product at a competitive price. Both Polaroid and Vizio showed 4K 50-inch displays that sell for less than US$1,000.
Along the same consumer-friendly lines, Sony has sought to make 4K tech more portable and practical, showing off a 4K short throw projector.
Just this month, Google also announced that its Chrome mini-PC, meant to capture the lower end of the market with a price tag of only $179, will offer support for high-end 4K displays. Hardware makers see the 4K tide building and don't want to miss catching the Ultra HD wave as it crashes on shores around the world.
If you build it, they will create the content
For many months, the big punchline about 4K was that no one was creating content at such high resolution, making the need for an Ultra HD display moot. The processing power alone needed to edit and render video of such high resolution seemed like a significant enough barrier to torpedo 4K.
That all seems to be changing very quickly this year.
Google has announced a new 4K streaming format, VP9, to reduce the required bandwith needed to stream 4K from YouTube or elsewhere. And Netflix CEO Reed Hastings popped up at multiple CES press conferences to tout upcoming 4K content on the streaming service, starting with the second season of House of Cards.
There were also 4K cameras spotted on the sidelines of this year's Super Bowl, even though the big game wasn't yet able to be broadcast in Ultra HD.
Refusing to be left behind, Amazon and cable TV king Comcast have both announced partnerships with Samsung to bring 4K television content to all the Ultra HD TVs Samsung plans to sell in the US this year.
While many may have thought all those glitzy screens at CES last month were all specs and no substance, it seems as though 4K is more about progress than punchlines. What remains to be seen, however, is if enough consumers agree.
With the obvious exception of early adopters, who may already be reading this on the latest 4K monitor, many people will have purchased a HDTV in the not too distant past. It's unlikely the move to 4K will be enough to convince many of these to upgrade again so soon, but anyone in the market for a new TV will have a tougher choice.
For many months, the big punchline about 4K was that no one was creating content at such high resolution, making the need for an Ultra HD display moot. The processing power alone needed to edit and render video of such high resolution seemed like a significant enough barrier to torpedo 4K.
That all seems to be changing very quickly this year.
Google has announced a new 4K streaming format, VP9, to reduce the required bandwith needed to stream 4K from YouTube or elsewhere. And Netflix CEO Reed Hastings popped up at multiple CES press conferences to tout upcoming 4K content on the streaming service, starting with the second season of House of Cards.
There were also 4K cameras spotted on the sidelines of this year's Super Bowl, even though the big game wasn't yet able to be broadcast in Ultra HD.
Refusing to be left behind, Amazon and cable TV king Comcast have both announced partnerships with Samsung to bring 4K television content to all the Ultra HD TVs Samsung plans to sell in the US this year.
While many may have thought all those glitzy screens at CES last month were all specs and no substance, it seems as though 4K is more about progress than punchlines. What remains to be seen, however, is if enough consumers agree.
With the obvious exception of early adopters, who may already be reading this on the latest 4K monitor, many people will have purchased a HDTV in the not too distant past. It's unlikely the move to 4K will be enough to convince many of these to upgrade again so soon, but anyone in the market for a new TV will have a tougher choice.
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INFOGRAPHIC: Hire a Pro or Do It Yourself?
Starting a home electronic or improvement project on your own can seem fun - at first. After all the window-shopping and easy planning is done, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options, myriad levels of equipment, and figuring out what you actually need, all while staying within a budget.
And that's before even starting to consider crucial details like the design and layout of your space, building and electrical codes and standards, and troubleshooting any issues along the way. HouseWide professionals are trained experts that can help you at every step along the way, and are even more affordable than you might think.
Starting a home electronic or improvement project on your own can seem fun - at first. After all the window-shopping and easy planning is done, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options, myriad levels of equipment, and figuring out what you actually need, all while staying within a budget.
No problem, if you know all about building codes, electrical safety standards, proper installation, retrofitting, testing and troubleshooting the ten thousand tiny issues that can impact a project.
Hiring a HouseWide representative makes sense-Here's why:
- Professional Guidance: No need to read hours of novel-length manuals and browsing through search results.
- The most current technology: No matter the project budget, HouseWide pros are in the know
- Trained Staff: They know what they're doing
- Credentials and Insurance: Because peace of mind is important. Home automation services company Vivint found its insurance partner in Liberty Mutual Insurance. Under the partnership, Liberty Mutual will offer Vivint customers savings on their auto and home insurance. The program is already in place, with marketing campaigns to roll out throughout 2014.
- Complete Support: HouseWide can troubleshoot any ongoing issue
In short, HouseWide System Design is a better choice than the DIY logistics for the upper level HD surround home theater set up, or an integrated handheld control/home audio setup that covers several rooms and audio sources
48
Starting a home electronic or improvement project on your own can seem fun - at first. After all the window-shopping and easy planning is done, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options, myriad levels of equipment, and figuring out what you actually need, all while staying within a budget.
And that's before even starting to consider crucial details like the design and layout of your space, building and electrical codes and standards, and troubleshooting any issues along the way. HouseWide professionals are trained experts that can help you at every step along the way, and are even more affordable than you might think.
Starting a home electronic or improvement project on your own can seem fun - at first. After all the window-shopping and easy planning is done, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options, myriad levels of equipment, and figuring out what you actually need, all while staying within a budget.
No problem, if you know all about building codes, electrical safety standards, proper installation, retrofitting, testing and troubleshooting the ten thousand tiny issues that can impact a project.
Hiring a HouseWide representative makes sense-Here's why:
- Professional Guidance: No need to read hours of novel-length manuals and browsing through search results.
- The most current technology: No matter the project budget, HouseWide pros are in the know
- Trained Staff: They know what they're doing
- Credentials and Insurance: Because peace of mind is important. Home automation services company Vivint found its insurance partner in Liberty Mutual Insurance. Under the partnership, Liberty Mutual will offer Vivint customers savings on their auto and home insurance. The program is already in place, with marketing campaigns to roll out throughout 2014.
- Complete Support: HouseWide can troubleshoot any ongoing issue
In short, HouseWide System Design is a better choice than the DIY logistics for the upper level HD surround home theater set up, or an integrated handheld control/home audio setup that covers several rooms and audio sources
48
Old Friends and New Technologies.HouseWide System Design participates in CEDIA 2013
At the CEDIA 2013, a company friend of 30 years explored the wonders of CEDIA accompanied by the owner of HouseWide System Design. Our friend reacted to the CEDIA experience saying, "It brought out the envy in me." His excited expression was followed with a perplexed look of confusion. His thoughts were, "How do I choose from the many options and choices? How will I get the best price and value? What will be the easiest to install in my entertainment room? Which system will my wife accept and operate? Who will install and support the system once it is purchased?"
After a period of discussion, we recognized the importance of good design. HouseWide System Design offered a friendly suggestion, "Start with your Bum and end with your Thumb." In other words, choose comfortable seating and select a remote control suited to your household.
Our friend had tested many theater seats while at the show and asked himself, "What CEDIA theater seating did I find most fitting?" If entertainment seating is comfortable, the system will be used hours on end. The reverse is true as well: if the seating is not comfortable, the choice of electronics and entertainment content will be of little consequence.
The next suggestion is to "follow your thumb". If the electronics cannot be operated with your thumb, the system is too complicated. Our friend considered his thumb and recalled auditioning the simple, thumb friendly Bose Videowave remote controller. It is capable of controlling all attached components such as the TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, and AppleTV.
Starting your home entertainment design with consideration of the bum and the thumb. In so doing, you'll find a comfortable seat and a single remote for the optimum entertainment experience. Including a video display, fitting to the room size, with integrated Sound by Bose completes a system assured to be enjoyed whether investment be great or small.
Yes, maybe thumbs and bums are the beginning and end of good design for home entertainment systems. A HouseWide System Design delivers More Arts and less tech. Would you say its a "thumbs up and bum down" family entertainment experience?
Contact us for your own HouseWide System Design consultation - Support@HouseWide.net
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The subjectivity in our AV industry is so dominant and drastic at times that it can practically influence the judgement and tastes of complete generations. A good example is Bose who has managed to influence AV enthusiasts generation after generation. The key to their success, we feel, is the ability to innovate and simply ‘think out of the box’ – however clichéd it may be. Their latest product, the VideoWave II home entertainment system is an apt testimony to this. We find out if it lives up to the claims that it makes and also the expectations that tag along.
OUT OF THE BOX
When we heard 'home entertainment system', we were expecting a full-fledged system with a number of speakers and an AV receiver system, but instead, with the Bose VideoWave II, we were presented with nothing else than a huge 55" LED TV, not as thin as the ones which we get today in the market, but still quite slim in profile for its diagonal size of 55". Accompanying the TV was a small console (slightly bigger than a Sony PlayStation 3 console) that claimed to be the hub of this home-entertainment system. We couldn’t help but be sceptical of the system’s tall claims. So we decided to find out more about this?product.
TECHNOLOGY
Audio forms a major function of any home-entertainment system and that was found missing from Bose’s VideoWave system. But on closer inspection we found that the missing speaker is actually the USP of the Bose VideoWave II system and Bose has come up with an unique way to address this issue. The 55" LED TV itself holds all the pre-requisites for a home-theatre system. For this, Bose has employed not four or five but 16 different speakers, placed strategically at different locations within the TV cabinet so as to provide an all-encompassing sound?experience.
Speaking of an effective sound experience, the lower-end holds the key and for that Bose has employed a six feet wave-guide arrangement with six subwoofers pumping air into it. Next in line is the console hub, which acts as the AV receiver in any conventional HT setup. It incorporates four HDMI inputs and a host of other input options so that you can add your existing Blu-ray player, camcorder, etc. to the TV and get started immediately.
The console does not have any decoding capability as far as audio is considered (Dolby or DTS), so make sure that the player you use should be able to do this. In terms of video, the 55" display is a backlit LED display with the capability to playback full HD video (1080p) with no 3D or smart TV capability. Bose has also packed an iPod dock with the?console.
REMOTE CONTROL
With everything shoved in one box, we expected the remote for the VideoWave system to be heavily crowded due to all the functions that it has to do single-handedly. But instead, much to our surprise, we were handed a controlpad that had not more than six buttons. A snug fit in any hand, the remote had a squarish touchpad which took only a couple of minutes to get used to. We loved the simple and absolutely easy to use approach of Bose here, as there is hardly any remembering or confusion that we had to go through.
PERFORMANCE
After we got the hang of this really interesting product from Bose we started the setup process which, we emphasise, was super easy and absolutely dumbed down. There is hardly anything that you have to do on your own in the set up process. The setup includes, connecting your Blu-ray player, set-top box or any other such source and for this Bose has provided a software program called Unify, which assists you as you begin the setup rituals. As soon as you try to connect any source, the program prompts you about the exact point of connection on the console, the kind of cable that you will need and also if there is any system changes to be done within your source.
After you are done with this, Unify also assists you in programming the universal controlpad that comes with the VideoWave II in accordance to the remote of your source device, it has all been made that easy. The sound system, as we have mentioned, is a sort of pseudo surround system and obviously needs to be calibrated according to your place of usage. To do this, Bose has provided a calibration assistant called AdaptiQ, which, like all other calibration assistants, lets you calibrate the sound system in the TV according to your living room or wherever you have placed the system. Once you have done that and got the TV started, you are treated with the very intuitive and suggestive user interface on the TV itself. As we have mentioned earlier, you will have to get used to the working of the trackpad to make optimum use of the user interface on the TV and, according to our experience, it did not take more than two minutes for that to?happen.
Moving ahead, we slipped the Blu-ray of ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ to see how the TV fairs in terms of both audio and video and were only mesmerised with the crisp, clear and very accurate picture off the TV. The Blu-ray of Sherlock Holmes has a gamut of options where you can check the picture quality of your display device. The TV was able to portray the set sepia tone of the movie with good warmth and authenticity. The skin tones were at their best and we could clearly see the organic feel that we always seek and also the freshness that we look for.
In terms of black levels, the TV was very convincing, with a deep black level response, which not only added to the contrast response of the TV but also helped the TV to put out a healthy colour response. The best part about the TV was its ability to handle motion, as we did not see any judder or stutter throughout the movie, even during scenes which have heavy transition from slow motion to regular frame speed. The TV does not offer a lot of opportunity to tweak the picture but instead has holistic preset options wherein the TV adjusts the overall picture (essentially brightness) according to the ambient light. This is not an automated feature, but instead you have to specify the information (dark room, well lit room, etc.) to the TV according to which it adjusts the picture.
Sound is an important component in the Bose VideoWave system and we believe it is a sheer delight. We have never seen a television that is able to provide a sound experience so immersive and room-filling. All that the sixteen speakers claim and the waveguide boasts do work and very effectively at that. The speakers in the Waveguide system manage to provide for an absolutely entertaining sound experience and at no point will you realise that it is coming off a TV. If we were not told at the beginning about this absence of speakers, then we would have never found out about it! It's not that the speakers give a complete 360° surround sound experience but they definitely managed to span out atleast 220° of soundstage. While we played the BBC documentary ‘Life’ on Blu-ray, we were simply delighted to see how the speaker system managed to put up a very convincing show as far as audio was concerned. The Blu-ray has a great mixture of music and ambient sounds, which the Bose system was able to render very accurately and with utmost directivity. Even the lower end in the audio spectrum was nice and succulent (though coming from a TV and without a dedicated subwoofer) which made the experience even more entertaining and satisfying.
The best part was listening to stereo music, during which the speakers presented us with all the prerequisites for a perfect stereo system. There was a wide horizontal expanse, very balanced tonal response and, most of all, a nicely rounded and room filling sound. The TV also comes with a feature called Video Mute, wherein you can mute the video signal and use the VideoWave system only for music reproduction purposes. You can also use the iPod dock for the?same.
WHAT SAY AV?
Yes, it does have its shortfall, mainly, absence of 3D video and also the lack of smart capabilities, as most TVs these days have, but priced at approximately Rs 5 lakh, the Bose VideoWave System II aptly fits the bill of a lifestyle product, especially for its simple and hassle free plug’n’play operation. The VideoWave II manages to pull out a lot of different tasks and still does not even show a single trace of complexity. With it elaborate in-built speaker system, an easy to use remote control and uber cool and convenient user interface and on-board programs, it manages to make your life much easier and simpler as compared to people who have a discreet home-theatre system. And the best part is that it still manages to give you the same level of involvement and quality in the overall entertainment zone. We definitely recommend it.
Contact us at Support@HouseWide.net
--------------------------------------------------------
At the CEDIA 2013, a company friend of 30 years explored the wonders of CEDIA accompanied by the owner of HouseWide System Design. Our friend reacted to the CEDIA experience saying, "It brought out the envy in me." His excited expression was followed with a perplexed look of confusion. His thoughts were, "How do I choose from the many options and choices? How will I get the best price and value? What will be the easiest to install in my entertainment room? Which system will my wife accept and operate? Who will install and support the system once it is purchased?"
After a period of discussion, we recognized the importance of good design. HouseWide System Design offered a friendly suggestion, "Start with your Bum and end with your Thumb." In other words, choose comfortable seating and select a remote control suited to your household.
After a period of discussion, we recognized the importance of good design. HouseWide System Design offered a friendly suggestion, "Start with your Bum and end with your Thumb." In other words, choose comfortable seating and select a remote control suited to your household.
Our friend had tested many theater seats while at the show and asked himself, "What CEDIA theater seating did I find most fitting?" If entertainment seating is comfortable, the system will be used hours on end. The reverse is true as well: if the seating is not comfortable, the choice of electronics and entertainment content will be of little consequence.
The next suggestion is to "follow your thumb". If the electronics cannot be operated with your thumb, the system is too complicated. Our friend considered his thumb and recalled auditioning the simple, thumb friendly Bose Videowave remote controller. It is capable of controlling all attached components such as the TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, and AppleTV.
Starting your home entertainment design with consideration of the bum and the thumb. In so doing, you'll find a comfortable seat and a single remote for the optimum entertainment experience. Including a video display, fitting to the room size, with integrated Sound by Bose completes a system assured to be enjoyed whether investment be great or small.
Yes, maybe thumbs and bums are the beginning and end of good design for home entertainment systems. A HouseWide System Design delivers More Arts and less tech. Would you say its a "thumbs up and bum down" family entertainment experience?
Contact us for your own HouseWide System Design consultation - Support@HouseWide.net
--------------------------------------------------------
OUT OF THE BOX
When we heard 'home entertainment system', we were expecting a full-fledged system with a number of speakers and an AV receiver system, but instead, with the Bose VideoWave II, we were presented with nothing else than a huge 55" LED TV, not as thin as the ones which we get today in the market, but still quite slim in profile for its diagonal size of 55". Accompanying the TV was a small console (slightly bigger than a Sony PlayStation 3 console) that claimed to be the hub of this home-entertainment system. We couldn’t help but be sceptical of the system’s tall claims. So we decided to find out more about this?product.
TECHNOLOGY
Audio forms a major function of any home-entertainment system and that was found missing from Bose’s VideoWave system. But on closer inspection we found that the missing speaker is actually the USP of the Bose VideoWave II system and Bose has come up with an unique way to address this issue. The 55" LED TV itself holds all the pre-requisites for a home-theatre system. For this, Bose has employed not four or five but 16 different speakers, placed strategically at different locations within the TV cabinet so as to provide an all-encompassing sound?experience.
Speaking of an effective sound experience, the lower-end holds the key and for that Bose has employed a six feet wave-guide arrangement with six subwoofers pumping air into it. Next in line is the console hub, which acts as the AV receiver in any conventional HT setup. It incorporates four HDMI inputs and a host of other input options so that you can add your existing Blu-ray player, camcorder, etc. to the TV and get started immediately.
The console does not have any decoding capability as far as audio is considered (Dolby or DTS), so make sure that the player you use should be able to do this. In terms of video, the 55" display is a backlit LED display with the capability to playback full HD video (1080p) with no 3D or smart TV capability. Bose has also packed an iPod dock with the?console.
REMOTE CONTROL
With everything shoved in one box, we expected the remote for the VideoWave system to be heavily crowded due to all the functions that it has to do single-handedly. But instead, much to our surprise, we were handed a controlpad that had not more than six buttons. A snug fit in any hand, the remote had a squarish touchpad which took only a couple of minutes to get used to. We loved the simple and absolutely easy to use approach of Bose here, as there is hardly any remembering or confusion that we had to go through.
PERFORMANCE
After we got the hang of this really interesting product from Bose we started the setup process which, we emphasise, was super easy and absolutely dumbed down. There is hardly anything that you have to do on your own in the set up process. The setup includes, connecting your Blu-ray player, set-top box or any other such source and for this Bose has provided a software program called Unify, which assists you as you begin the setup rituals. As soon as you try to connect any source, the program prompts you about the exact point of connection on the console, the kind of cable that you will need and also if there is any system changes to be done within your source.
After you are done with this, Unify also assists you in programming the universal controlpad that comes with the VideoWave II in accordance to the remote of your source device, it has all been made that easy. The sound system, as we have mentioned, is a sort of pseudo surround system and obviously needs to be calibrated according to your place of usage. To do this, Bose has provided a calibration assistant called AdaptiQ, which, like all other calibration assistants, lets you calibrate the sound system in the TV according to your living room or wherever you have placed the system. Once you have done that and got the TV started, you are treated with the very intuitive and suggestive user interface on the TV itself. As we have mentioned earlier, you will have to get used to the working of the trackpad to make optimum use of the user interface on the TV and, according to our experience, it did not take more than two minutes for that to?happen.
Moving ahead, we slipped the Blu-ray of ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ to see how the TV fairs in terms of both audio and video and were only mesmerised with the crisp, clear and very accurate picture off the TV. The Blu-ray of Sherlock Holmes has a gamut of options where you can check the picture quality of your display device. The TV was able to portray the set sepia tone of the movie with good warmth and authenticity. The skin tones were at their best and we could clearly see the organic feel that we always seek and also the freshness that we look for.
In terms of black levels, the TV was very convincing, with a deep black level response, which not only added to the contrast response of the TV but also helped the TV to put out a healthy colour response. The best part about the TV was its ability to handle motion, as we did not see any judder or stutter throughout the movie, even during scenes which have heavy transition from slow motion to regular frame speed. The TV does not offer a lot of opportunity to tweak the picture but instead has holistic preset options wherein the TV adjusts the overall picture (essentially brightness) according to the ambient light. This is not an automated feature, but instead you have to specify the information (dark room, well lit room, etc.) to the TV according to which it adjusts the picture.
Sound is an important component in the Bose VideoWave system and we believe it is a sheer delight. We have never seen a television that is able to provide a sound experience so immersive and room-filling. All that the sixteen speakers claim and the waveguide boasts do work and very effectively at that. The speakers in the Waveguide system manage to provide for an absolutely entertaining sound experience and at no point will you realise that it is coming off a TV. If we were not told at the beginning about this absence of speakers, then we would have never found out about it! It's not that the speakers give a complete 360° surround sound experience but they definitely managed to span out atleast 220° of soundstage. While we played the BBC documentary ‘Life’ on Blu-ray, we were simply delighted to see how the speaker system managed to put up a very convincing show as far as audio was concerned. The Blu-ray has a great mixture of music and ambient sounds, which the Bose system was able to render very accurately and with utmost directivity. Even the lower end in the audio spectrum was nice and succulent (though coming from a TV and without a dedicated subwoofer) which made the experience even more entertaining and satisfying.
The best part was listening to stereo music, during which the speakers presented us with all the prerequisites for a perfect stereo system. There was a wide horizontal expanse, very balanced tonal response and, most of all, a nicely rounded and room filling sound. The TV also comes with a feature called Video Mute, wherein you can mute the video signal and use the VideoWave system only for music reproduction purposes. You can also use the iPod dock for the?same.
Yes, it does have its shortfall, mainly, absence of 3D video and also the lack of smart capabilities, as most TVs these days have, but priced at approximately Rs 5 lakh, the Bose VideoWave System II aptly fits the bill of a lifestyle product, especially for its simple and hassle free plug’n’play operation. The VideoWave II manages to pull out a lot of different tasks and still does not even show a single trace of complexity. With it elaborate in-built speaker system, an easy to use remote control and uber cool and convenient user interface and on-board programs, it manages to make your life much easier and simpler as compared to people who have a discreet home-theatre system. And the best part is that it still manages to give you the same level of involvement and quality in the overall entertainment zone. We definitely recommend it.
Bose SoundTouch simplifies multi-room sound
More SoundTouch To Come
Contact us at Support@HouseWide.net
HouseWide System Design
"My Home, Better Served
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House WiFi ..... Sometimes hot..... sometimes not
“My house WiFi is like the shower at a cheap hotel. Sometimes it's hot ..... sometimes not!"
Time to Upgrade Your House WiFi performance?
Has your home lifestyle evolved to where you expect WiFi service be as available and trouble free as house-wide water pressure? WiFi is integral to home lifestyles so Housewide System Design now installs pro-grade WiFi networks on every project. Pro-grade covers the entire house and select outdoor areas.
HouseWide System Design understands that common WiFi complaints originate from WiFi node jumping or node hanging issues common with iPhone/iPad and other mobile devices. Node jumping or node hanging issues occur when multiple consumer grade WiFi repeaters and access points are utilized. Alternatively, pro-grade equipment, coupled with HouseWide System Design network configuration, connects your WiFi devices through a single node; therefore, no jumping, no hanging.
HouseWide Pro-grade WiFi out performs "all-in-one" Modem/Router/WiFi box units offered by your Cable/DSL provider or even your towns Best-Geek. Also, Pro-grade WiFi has the added benefits of 1) looks better (in your home because WiFi hardware is hidden), 2) costs less (per foot of coverage*) and 3) is remotely managed (firmware, permissions, etc.) by HouseWide System Design.
So, don't spend another minute of your "off-time" trying to fix your house WiFi "up-time". Schedule HouseWide System Design to install pro-grade WiFi for reliable high performance.
* Lower cost in 2500+ sq. ft. house when including installation labor, power distribution/consumption, and semi-annual maintenance of firmware on multiple access points/repeaters.
A client recently responded to this topic - On 2013-08-12 13:28,
"Yes. I want the WiFi optimum as well....." JLP Sent from my iPhone
Upgrade you house WiFi performance and be rid of "sometimes hot... sometimes not" WiFi!
HouseWide System Design delivers reliable WiFi so your home stays Calm, Cool and Connected!
Contact us at Support@HouseWide.net
HouseWide System Design
"My Home, Better Served"
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A Stylish Piece of Furniture That Conceals the TV
The Elevate Vintage Trunk from Touchstone Home Products is designed conceal your flat panel TV when not in use and lifts when you want to watch your favorite shows. The aged cigar leather wrapped cabinet is an elegant essential piece for the home that gives you classic old world styling with rugged hand-hammered grommets and antiqued buckles. This TV lift cabinet trunk features a small footprint for tight areas or end of bed placement and accomodates flat screen LCD, LED or plasma televisions up to 42". Finished on all four sides, the space saving trunk is perfect for any room in the house and fits perfectly for placement at the foot of the bed.
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HouseWide Audio's Receiver Pick
The Home Theater Receiver is the heart of a home theater system, providing centralized connection and control. High end Home Theater Receivers also provide extensive audio and video switching and processing, and most also provide network connectivity
and custom control capabilities.
Our pick? The Yamaha RX-A3020 
The Yamaha Aventage RX-A3020 probably has all the features you will need in a home theater receiver for years to come. This receiver is rated to deliver 150wpc (measured with 2-channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz), and features extensive standard and high-definition Dolby and DTS audio decoding and processing options, as well as Yamaha's own audio processing enhancements, which include the ability to incorporate extra front height channels. The RX-A3020 also has two subwoofer outputs and preamp outputs for an additional three two-channel zones. The RX-A3020 can also expand to up to an 11.2 channel main system configuration via the addition of external amplifiers.
For video support, the RX-A3020 has eight 3D-compatible HDMI inputs and dual HDMI outputs (one of which can be assigned to output an independent signal to a second Zone) along with 1080p and 4K upscaling via the HQV Vida video processor. In addition, extensive video setting options are provided.
The RX-A3020 is also DLNA certified, which allows wired or wireless (via the optional YWA-10 Wireless Network Adapter) audio streaming from other devices, such as a PC or media server connected in a home network. Extra bonuses include direct iPod/iPhone connection via USB, along with Apple AirPlay, Internet Radio, and HD Radio.
As far as control goes, you can use the provided remote control, integrate the RX-A3020 into a custom installation control environment, or use a compatible iOS, Android, or Kindle Fire device.
and custom control capabilities.
Our pick? The Yamaha RX-A3020
The Yamaha Aventage RX-A3020 probably has all the features you will need in a home theater receiver for years to come. This receiver is rated to deliver 150wpc (measured with 2-channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz), and features extensive standard and high-definition Dolby and DTS audio decoding and processing options, as well as Yamaha's own audio processing enhancements, which include the ability to incorporate extra front height channels. The RX-A3020 also has two subwoofer outputs and preamp outputs for an additional three two-channel zones. The RX-A3020 can also expand to up to an 11.2 channel main system configuration via the addition of external amplifiers.
For video support, the RX-A3020 has eight 3D-compatible HDMI inputs and dual HDMI outputs (one of which can be assigned to output an independent signal to a second Zone) along with 1080p and 4K upscaling via the HQV Vida video processor. In addition, extensive video setting options are provided.
The RX-A3020 is also DLNA certified, which allows wired or wireless (via the optional YWA-10 Wireless Network Adapter) audio streaming from other devices, such as a PC or media server connected in a home network. Extra bonuses include direct iPod/iPhone connection via USB, along with Apple AirPlay, Internet Radio, and HD Radio.
As far as control goes, you can use the provided remote control, integrate the RX-A3020 into a custom installation control environment, or use a compatible iOS, Android, or Kindle Fire device.
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PANASONIC UNVEILS ENHANCED 2013
SMART VIERA PLASMA HDTV
Panasonic, an industry and technology leader in High Definition and Smart TV technology, introduces its 2013 line of Smart VIERA® Plasma HDTVs. Continuing its tradition of developing award winning Plasma HDTVs, Panasonic has introduced an enhanced 2013 lineup built around user personalization and advanced networking features, increased connectivity, re-mastered picture quality, and stunning design elements. Ranging from 42-inch class to 65-inch class, the 16 new models provide the highest quality picture and breadth of viewing options directly to the consumer.
PANASONIC UNVEILS ENHANCED 2013
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Bose Interview:
And Now...62.2 surround sound...
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Bose Lifestyle 235:
More Art, less tech
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Behind the Bose Solo Sound System
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Give your business that finishing touch
with a Bose FreeSpace 3 & L1 system