Vision - September/October 2008 - (Page 15)

Types of Soundtracks on Blu-Ray Discs* be released on home PPV the same day it’s available in the theater. That certainly would get a few neighbors to come over and visit the home theater. Soundtrack Technology Uncompressed PCM Dolby TrueHD DTS HD Master DTS HD High Resolution Dolby Digital Plus+ Dolby Digital DTS Number of Audio Channels 7.1-Channel 6.1-Channel 17 13 No. of Disc. Titles* 192 41 69 21 2 124 22 ESPA Fosters Technology Workforce and Credibility This fall, the Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) launches its new one-day boot-camp-style review course and certification exam – ESPA Certified-EST®. Formed by CEA, Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) and National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA), ESPA will become the magnet for entry-level workers and career switchers looking to enter the technology industry and to help those currently in the workforce but not yet certified. “ESPA is creating an entry-level gateway by providing one set of fundamental best practices common to all industry organizations,” said Grant Mydland, ESPA’s executive director. Plus ESPA helps broaden the skills of current installers, allowing residential installation companies to look to the commercial arena and vice-versa as they expand their businesses. This cross-pollination of technicians also helps technology companies work in different sectors such as structured wiring, multi-room audio and video, satellite, theater rooms, lighting, security and life safety systems and automation controls. Candidates can get more information about certification at www.espa.org. In the early days of the HT industry, (yes, way back in the 1980s), the 27-inch TV was considered the minimum size for watching movies in anything that dared to be termed a home theater. But in the last 12–18 months, overproduction and increasing demand has sparked a worldwide decline in large-screen prices. Forty-two-inch plasma HDTVs are readily available for under $1,000, while some 60-inch-plus DLP rear projection sets can be had for around $2,000. The sudden availability of relatively cheap large-screen TVs has sparked the imagination of American consumers who now can conceptualize building a truly exciting home theater without breaking the household budget. Kerry Bright of the high-end New York retail store, Bright Home Theater, told the New York Daily News recently that his customers rarely are buying sets under 50-inches. “Now it’s at least 50-inches, with more and more people going for 60-inches or 65,” Bright said. Interestingly, he added that consumers also are content with buying mid-priced accessories, such as cables, rather than splurging on top-of-the-line products. “Mid-priced gear provides an amazing experience,” he said. 3 Cheaper Big Screens *Out of about 460 disc titles available in the U.S. in January 2008. Many discs contain multiple soundtracks in more than one technology. Source: www.blu-raystats.com Home Theaters are Here to Stay One could argue that if gas prices were to suddenly fall to more normal levels— and movie ticket prices declined (yes, we know, and if pigs had wings…) that the home theater craze will amount to no more than a fad. But even if those economic conditions are met, it seems unlikely due to the industry’s heavy and strategic investment in products designed to encourage more home theater installations. Hollywood won’t completely turn its back on the neighborhood movie theater. But it’s certainly keeping its sharpest eye on the home. • Stylish Solutions Many consumers are seeking simple solutions to build home theaters. The search for convenience also applies to an even more basic aspect of the system: seating and storage. After checking off a shopping list of cool gear for the home theater, people may forget that they will have to put that stuff somewhere—and then put themselves somewhere as well. The seating problem is relatively easy to solve by testing out some comfy couches positioned to both hear and see the movie. The storage situation also can be complicated, and if not handled well, detract from the ambience of the room. With that in mind, Bell’O International, a Morganville, N.J.-based company that specializes in home theater seating and storage systems, recently introduced the Mount for Dummies TV Mount Adaptor. The kit includes a step-by-step DVD that explains how to install a fixed or tilt mount for various sized flat-screen sets. Why are consumers seeking out ready-to-assemble furniture? Howie Cooperstein, a spokesman for Bell’O, says, “Price, as pricing on RTA furniture is usually less than fully assembled case goods. In addition to the retail price, there also is the added expense of delivery for assembled furniture.” September/October 2008 15 http://www.blu-raystats.com http://www.espa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vision - September/October 2008

Vision - September/October 2008 Contents Shapiro's Spectrum In this Issue The Economist Visionary C4 Trends Coming to a Neighborhood Near You IPv6: Connecting People and Things Israelis Spend Big on the Latest CE Devices Tech Speak Tech Policy CEA Newsline Going Global Eye on Business Market Insider Just the Stats

Vision - September/October 2008

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