September Top Picks at a Glance

As September gives way to October, it’s time to reflect on what the past month (or two in this case) has brought us in the way home entertainment goodness. A fair amount, as it turns out. Recapping the virtues of our eight most recent Top Picks, we find four remarkable (and remarkably different) speaker systems to meet almost any need, an AV receiver that has been boldly reinvented for the wireless age, a spectacular soundbar from a brand you forgot about, headphones that will make even the most reluctant “speakers-only” audiophile smile, and a super-capable AV processor from one of audio’s stalwart companies. Which ones will make your upgrade list?

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GDEALER Digital Bathroom Scale 400lb180kg - CNET

GDEALER Digital Bathroom Scale 400lb180kg

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The Amazon Echo Spot might be the smartest alarm clock ever video - CNET

The baseball-sized Echo Spot offers all of Alexa's smarts plus a 2.5-inch touchscreen display and built-in camera for video calls.

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The Fifth Element

Picture
Sound
Extras

Korben Dallas, a retired space fighter pilot, has been relegated to driving a cab in New York City, and since leaving the military, his life has been on a downward spiral. His luck begins to change when a beautiful girl named Leeloo drops into the back of his cab, and before he knows it, he’s stuck in the middle of an intergalactic feud that happens every 5,000 years. It turns out the lovely young lady is the Fifth Element, who when combined with earth, wind, fire, and water becomes the perfect weapon to save the human race from destruction.

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Power Rangers

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Sound
Extras

The long-running Japanese franchise Power Rangers is rebooted in this 2017 film from director Dean Israelite and writer John Gatins. The somewhat camp story follows a group of teen misfits who uncover a collection of ancient artifacts and a buried alien ship; endowed with superpowers, the teens must muster their new powers and learn to work together to save the world. Power Rangers is hardly high art, and it never has been. The American version of the series was culled from stock Japanese footage edited together with new English-speaking scenes.

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Sony’s Top Soundbar Gets DTS:X, Dolby Vision Update

Sony has announced the availability of a firmware update for its high-end HT-ST5000 soundbar that adds DTS:X surround sound decoding, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Vision pass-through, and other features.

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Amazon's Echo Plus wants to mastermind your smart home video - CNET

It looks just like the original Amazon Echo, but the new $150 Echo Plus promises better sound quality and built-in Zigbee smarts.

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AR Leapfrogs VR

Ya got trouble, folks, right here in virtual reality. It begins with a lowercase “i,” and that rhymes with “my,” and that means iPhone!

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Refurb D-Link Day/Night WiFi Security Camera for $20 + free shipping - CNET

Refurb D-Link Day/Night WiFi Security Camera for $20 + free shipping

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Panasonic Smart Home Monitoring System for $60 + free shipping - CNET

Panasonic Smart Home Monitoring System for $60 + free shipping

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Onkyo PR-RZ5100 Surround Processor Review

Audio Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $2,399

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Unimpeachable audio and basic video quality
Generally good ergonomic design
Eminently useful pop-up Quick Menu
Minus
No aptX for Bluetooth
Local-streaming audio doesn’t display file type/sampling info
Fairly downscaled remote

THE VERDICT
Onkyo’s latest A/V preamp/processor adds the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X and 4K/HDR capabilities needed to bring the brand’s pre/pro current, while maintaining very solid value in the field.

The A/V preamp/processors from Onkyo (and sister brand Integra) have been through five or six generations over the years, and I think I’ve tested or at least used just about all of them. And for that decade-plus span, my overall reaction to them has remained pretty consistent: all the A/V-system quarterbacking any rational being needs at a fair price. Onkyo’s latest iteration, the PR-RZ5100 network A/V controller, seems unlikely to change that conclusion while updating the series to 11.2-channel, 4K/HDR status.

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Flashback 1997: Apple Launches ‘Think Different’ Campaign

Twenty years ago today, Apple launched the iconic “Think Different” ad campaign, which still resonates today, 15 years after it ended.

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The Blossom Smart Sprinkler works great, but don't buy it video - CNET

Despite competent smarts, Blossom gets overshadowed by the competition.

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Sony Introduces 3 New 4K Projectors; Partners with Kaleidescape for 4K Content

If you’re a videophile looking for a powerful 4K-capable home theater system, Sony and Kaleidescape have you covered.

The respective electronics giant and media server company have partnered to bundle a 4K media server with one of three new Sony 4K projectors.

Trio of Native 4K Projectors Unveiled

For starters, Sony added three new “true 4K” projectors to its lineup. They not only deliver quality video, but are affordable. The entry-level VPL-VW285ES projector, which features HDR, 10-bit depth and Sony’s Triluminous color processing, retails for $4,999.

A step above that, the new VPL-VW385ES runs $7,999 and adds features like picture position memories for storing format-specific settings, advanced iris control, built-in auto calibration and customized lens functions.

At the higher end, but still an attractive price for what it offers, the new VPL-VW885ES bumps the technology up to three-chip laser light source; adds Sony’s Reality Creation and Motionflow processing for sharp, smooth images; and has two 18Gbps HDCP 2.2 HDMI ports for future-proof content delivery. It carries a price tag of $24,999 and it’s due out in late November.

Of course, one of Sony’s advantages in the 4K video game is its ability to serve the entire chain, from movie production to post-production to software and hardware. So it makes sense that the company is partnering with with Kaleidescape. The manufacturer of high-performance media servers also works with the studios to procure content for its 4K digital download store.

 

Kaleidescape to Feed Sony Projector Owners 4K HDR Content

Between now and the end of March 2018 the Sony/Kaleidescape 4K Movie Bundle provides 10 4K HDR movies (up to $350 value) free from the Kaleidescape Movie Store to purchasers of certain Sony 4K projectors at no additional charge; to current owners of qualifying Sony projectors; and to current owners of such projectors who then purchase a Kaleidescape Strato system during the timeframe.

“We can’t drive the 4K High Dynamic Range experience alone, so we decided to partner with Sony to work together to cross-promote it,” explains Kaleidescape founder and CEO Cheena Srinivasan.

“It’s a no-brainer. When someone is purchasing a projector either for a dedicated home theater room or media room, the weakest link is the source device. A major brand like Sony saying content matters, if content is no good … I think they’re deeply committed to it. No other manufacturer is singing the same song as us on picture quality as Sony.”

The post Sony Introduces 3 New 4K Projectors; Partners with Kaleidescape for 4K Content appeared first on Electronic House.

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New August Smart Lock & Doorbell Cam Pro Know Whether Doors Are Open or Closed

August Home’s new family of smart-home access products include the August Smart Lock Pro, August Smart Lock and August Doorbell Cam Pro.

The new smart locks feature the company’s proprietary DoorSense technology, an intelligent, integrated sensor that tells users if the door is open or closed. DoorSense also powers the next generation of Auto-Lock. While previous smart locks could automatically lock after a set time, DoorSense allows the door to be set to instantly lock when the door is closed.

“Smart locks are playing an important role in the growth of the smart home,” says Jason Johnson, CEO, August Home. “With the Smart Lock Pro, we’ve created a lock that gives people total control over their front door in ways that aren’t possible with a traditional lock. Now, people can make sure their door is closed and locked from anywhere. We’re also expanding our offering to include a more affordable lock so everyone can make their door safer and smarter.”

 

August Smart Lock Pro

August’s most advanced smart lock supports Wi-Fi, HomeKit, Bluetooth and Z-Wave Plus. The Smart Lock Pro is bundled with the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. Priced at $279, the bundle allows users to control and monitor their front door from anywhere with a smartphone.

The lock also includes integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri and Google Assistant.

The Smart Lock Pro also includes Active Monitoring, a Beta of “smarter alerts” for the events that are most important to users. At launch, this will include all alerts for activity at the door including a DoorSense alert notifying the user if their door is left ajar for a set amount of time. The company says new alerts notifying the users about specific activities that happen during a set timeframe, such as children arriving home from school between 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, will be added shortly.

August Smart Lock

This product is designed for consumers exploring the benefits of smart home access. It features an all-new industrial design with the features of previous generation August Smart Locks for $149.

Both the Smart Lock Pro and Smart Lock replace only the interior side of most standard deadbolts; the exterior door hardware (lock) stays the same, so consumers can use a traditional key at any time.

Consumers can also add August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge to remotely control the lock or use voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

August Doorbell Cam Pro

The doorbell cam, priced at $199, lets users see and speak with visitors at their door from a smartphone. The new version features a built-in floodlight for color night-time video, which can be triggered by motion to scare away intruders.

In addition to the integrated floodlight, Doorbell Cam Pro includes a new feature called HindSight, which makes video recording more meaningful by adding a few extra seconds to the beginning of video to a recording, even before motion is detected. This ensures that the recording includes the entire motion event.

August Video Recording lets users replay, download and share recordings of activity at their door – visitors who ring – visitors who the doorbell and any motion or missed visitor – from the August app.

August says the Doorbell Cam Pro features improved video quality and includes a USB dock for easy set-up prior to installation and mounting.

Pricing & Availability

August Smart Lock Pro (bundled with August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge), priced at $279, and August Smart Lock, priced at $149, are available immediately in silver and dark gray.

August Doorbell Cam Pro, priced at $199, is available for pre-orders and will begin shipping October 10, 2017.

The post New August Smart Lock & Doorbell Cam Pro Know Whether Doors Are Open or Closed appeared first on Electronic House.

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The Top 3 Leading Virtual Reality Systems You Can Bring Home

Amazon Alexa Transforms Family Room into a Home Theater

Article and Photography: Scott Fincher Photography

With its many chandeliers and other crystalline fixtures, the manse in Lake County, Ill., sparkles, but what really shines is something that is almost invisible: advanced home automation by Digital Home Technologies.  

 

A Plan for Simplicity

Not long after the home’s groundbreaking in 2015, Digital Home consulted with the builder and homeowners to devise a comprehensive plan that would assure a smooth installation of a variety of smart home devices and systems. The overarching goal: Take the perplexity out of complexity. Simplicity of use and system expansion inspired Digital Home’s ideas for the several thousand square-foot residence.

Elan: The Brains of the House

As the walls went up, Digital Home technicians worked amid carpenters, plumbers and electricians to place the extensive cabling that is the skeleton for the smart home system that would be installed. If the wires in the house are the bones, the brain is an Elan home control system that would manage the operation of A/V equipment, thermostats, motorized shading, lights, and more.

While cables push data throughout the residence, few wires mar the home’s complexion. That is part of Elan’s beauty. Inconspicuous wall-mounted touchpads offer one access to control, but a house-wide Luxul wireless network also lets the owners’ tap the Internet so that they can turn on a television, set temperatures, adjust shades, check all or any of 15 security cameras or listen to music. And they can run the system using a smartphone or tablet when they are they are virtually anywhere in the world, be it on business in London, vacationing in Rio or travelling in their car to a local social event. Inside the home, iPads have been strategically placed for comfort and convenience of control.

Amazon Alexa Adds Hands-Free Control

The home was also outfitted by Digital Home to respond to voice commands. An edict such as “Alexa, turn family room on,” transforms the space in seconds as the room’s 85-inch Sony television comes alive with Clarion audio projected by a surround sound setup with an Ariston soundbar. Amazon’s voice-activated Echo system is yet another way the family can control many of the system’s functions. The 85-inch display is one of 10 in the house, each capable of displaying a different channel or other media simultaneously. “Alexa, turn family room off.” Maybe it’s time for music.

Sonos Delivers Music to 16 Zones

State-of-the-art TDG Audio low-profile flangeless speakers deliver Bach, rock, jazz or whatever to 16 different locales inside the home and out; Paradigm speakers disguised as rocks blanket the tunes across the landscape. A Sonos wireless music system provides the mixture of content for audio, while Comcast HD, Amazon 4K Fire and Apple TV offer many choices for video.

Safe and Secure Though Ring Doorbell and Speco Cameras

In the spirit of safety first, the home features Speco IP security cameras and alarms that include a feature which allows control and monitoring of its three garage doors. The latter is just in case a familiar oversight occurs–someone forgot to close one. A quick check of the camera’s image of the garage reveals the error and a touch of a finger corrects it. Security is completed by a Ring video doorbell.

 

Nothing has been missed to make this house a shining example of home automation, and it is all controlled easily through a friendly interface tapped by a fingertip.

The post Amazon Alexa Transforms Family Room into a Home Theater appeared first on Electronic House.

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What Does a TV’s Backlight Control Do?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I am trying to find a TV with low light intensity since my eyes are extremely sensitive to light. I have been told that an LCD TV with a full array LED backlight will let me dim the screen’s intensity without compromising picture quality. Is this true? If so, how does that work? —Patrick Forte

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TDG’s Skybar Puts the Soundbar in the Ceiling

You may have heard of in-wall soundbars but how about an in-ceiling soundbar?

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Are there now too many Amazon Echo devices? - CNET

Amazon is suddenly selling a gaggle of Alexa-enabled devices. Can you tell the difference between them?

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Roku Channel offers Free Movies

Roku has launched its own streaming movie channel, the Roku Channel. It may be free but it's ad-supported, calling itself "Free TV for You."

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Pixels & Bits: Episode No. 4

In this episode of Pixels & Bits, Sound & Vision editor Rob Sabin and contributing tech editor Steve Guttenberg spotlight the Vizio SB3621 36-inch soundbar (00:50), talk about the anticipated arrival of HDMI 2.1 and what it means for today's TV and A/V receiver shoppers (4:18), and review Angeleena Presley's CD, Wrangled (8:18).

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Amazon Echo Spot is kind of like an Echo Dot with a screen - CNET

Can't afford the Echo Show? Come December, Amazon will have a smaller, cheaper speaker with a built-in display for $130.

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How to preorder every new Amazon Echo device - CNET

Amazon just announced several new Alexa-enabled devices. Here's how to place your preorders before they launch later this year.

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Amazon has an army of new Echo devices coming your way (The 3:59, Ep. 290) - CNET

Introducing the new Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Spot and many, many others. Try to keep up.

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Just look at all of Amazon's new Alexa devices - CNET

Amazon unloaded several brand-new Alexa gadgets and announcements today in Seattle -- here's a look at what's new.

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Google Home 'Max': Is Home getting supersized, stereo-ized? - CNET

Google is developing a larger, premium, stereo-speaker-equipped version of its smart Home gadget, says a report.

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Amazon's new $100 Echo promises to do everything better - CNET

Amazon's second-gen Echo speaker is here, and it's nearly half the price of the original.

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Amazon Echo Plus packs in better sound and a smart home hub - CNET

It may look like the old Echo, but the Echo Plus will help you connect your smart home to the cloud.

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New $100 Amazon Echo, $35 Echo Connect lead giant Alexa update - CNET

The e-commerce giant reveals a newly designed Echo, the Echo Connect, Echo Plus, Echo Spot and even Echo Buttons.

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Amazon's Echo Connect could get you to make phone calls again - CNET

The $35 device works with your landline so Alexa can make phone calls for you, including to 911.

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The Blossom Sprinkler wants to help your garden bloom - CNET

This smart controller watches the weather and helps you water your plants when they need it.

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McIntosh Amp/DAC Boosts On-the-Go Sound Quality

McIntosh today announced a portable decoding amplifier designed to bring quality sound to on-the-go music lovers and listeners who want to improve the sound of PC-based music libraries.

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Ronnie Montrose Rocks the Nation with a Fabulous Final Studio Album, 10x10

Ronnie Montrose. Photos courtesy Bill Towner.

“His guitar speaks for itself.” It’s a phrase that could be applied to many a dominant and influential guitar player of the rock era, but it’s no accident it was also stickered on the front of albums bearing the name of Bay Area guitar legend Ronnie Montrose. Montrose initially made his mark laying down indelible riffs for the likes of Van Morrison (“Wild Night”) and The Edgar Winter Group (“Free Ride,” “Frankenstein”), but when he joined forces with a then-unknown Sammy Hagar to form Montrose in 1973, he shepherded a band immediately described as America’s answer to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, all rolled into one. (“Rock the Nation,” indeed.)

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How to create reminders on Google Home - CNET

Google Home can now remind you when it's time to take out the trash. Here's how.

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UHD by the Numbers

Last month I blogged about the color gamuts used for Ultra HD. But there’s always more that needs to be said. So with a little repetition here where unavoidable, or as needed to set the stage, let’s dig a bit deeper.

There’s no such thing as a P3 color gamut in the UHD standards, only BT.2020 (also known as Rec.2020). But there is a DCI/P3 color gamut in the video universe (DCI stands for Digital Cinema Initiative), and it’s used in all digitally projected theatrical presentations (which today means virtually all films in theaters).

Because time is money, film studios use the P3 color gamut today on virtually all of their Ultra HD video releases, since video masters in that gamut already exist. And no consumer displays can do significantly better than P3. 

Manufacturers have made much noise about P3, as have we in some cases...

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Dish's Hopper DVRs Go MultiRoom

The Dish Music app uses DTS Play-Fi wireless technology to endow Dish’s Hopper 2 and 3 DVRs with multiroom smarts.

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Blossom Smart Watering Controller review - CNET

Blossom gets all of the basics right, and it'd be a big improvement if you're still using an old fashioned sprinkler timer, but we still don't recommend it.

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Fabriq Targets Echo with $100 Alexa-Enabled Speaker

Toronto-based Fabriq aims to fill what it perceives as a void for inexpensive smart speakers that offer decent sound quality with a new Alexa-enabled speaker that sells for $100.

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New Sensor Detects and Warns of Radon Gas in Your Home

Radon exposure claims the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans each year, which is more than six times the number of deaths attributed annually to house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning combined. The dangerous gas is present in every home nationwide to varying degrees based on climate, ventilation levels, time of year and a variety of other factors.

The most common type of radon test kit used today is a charcoal canister, which only provides a short-term measurement (days) and requires being sent to a lab for analysis.

A new sensor developed by Airthings lets you know the second radon gas in your home reaches unhealthy levels. The $199 Wave sends alerts to your smartphone or tablet automatically so you can react to and remedy the problem immediately.

The Airthings Wave employs digital sensors and smart home technology for a unique combination of real-time radon levels and long-term measurement. When Wave detects high radon levels for a period of time exceeding national guidelines (48 hours in the U.S.), it sends a notification and offers recommendations on how to reduce radon levels.

 

“Every home should have a radon detector, and it’s our mission at Airthings to make that happen,” says Oyvind Birkenes, Airthings CEO. “We’re seeing increased attention to radon exposure thanks to initiatives from the EPA, WHO and legislation at the state level. These are encouraging developments that pave the way for Wave’s progressive technology to provide consumers with invaluable information and peace of mind that their homes are healthy for themselves and their families.”

Even if you don’t use the smartphone app, you can still gauge the quality of the indoor air by waving a hand in front of the sensor, which looks like a smoke detector. A wave of a hand activates a visual indicator light: green means good, yellow is a warning, and red means danger.

In addition to color-coded visual cues, Wave will emit an audio alert when the device detects high radon levels or low battery.

The post New Sensor Detects and Warns of Radon Gas in Your Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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Kickstarter Invention: Amazon Alexa-Controlled Indoor Home Security Drone

Smart Garage Door Responds to Ok Google Voice Commands

You’ve just climbed into bed when you realize that you’ve left the garage door open. LiftMaster and Chamberlain want you to stay in bed. Developers of the smart MyQ garage door openers, the two manufacturers have integrated Google Assistant to allow users to control their garage doors with a simple “Ok Google” voice command. You can stay right where you are and issue a voice command to your garage door opener.

After linking their MyQ account to the Google Assistant, users can ask MyQ to check the status of the garage door opener or close it hands-free. In addition to voice control, MyQ also now features IFTTT integration. This enables users to link the garage door with other smart devices and have it operate automatically based on certain conditions.

Example of IFTTT automation setups include:

• Close the garage door when you leave the house; MyQ garage door openers can be programmed to close automatically when you leave an assigned geofence area around your home.
• Confirm that the garage door is closed at a predetermined time each night.
• Turn down the thermostat when the garage door closes.
• Turn on the lights when the garage door opens.

Google Home and IFTTT support are important steps in delivering the depth and breadth of functionality smart home users seek,” says Cory Sorice, vice president and general manager of Emerging Business at Chamberlain Group. “We look forward to continuing to expand and innovate with tech leaders and make the connected home a reality for every household.”

LiftMaster and Chamberlain also have relationships with Apple, Nest, Xfinity Home and now Google Assistant and IFTTT. Google Assistant and IFTTT integration services will each be available for $1 a month or $10 for a year-long agreement. A free 30-day trail access to Google and IFTTT functionality will be available to new subscribers.

 

The post Smart Garage Door Responds to Ok Google Voice Commands appeared first on Electronic House.

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Plan the Ultimate Tailgate Party with These 5 High-Tech Devices

Whether you’ve set up a tailgating spot on the parking lot of your favorite football team or right in your own backyard, there are a few high-tech devices that can make your event even better than your famous taco dip. Outdoor speakers and a weather-hardy TV are just the beginning. Check out these 5 smart tailgate ideas:

 

Soundcast VG7 Portable Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker

The VG7 from Soundcast features 360 degree sound so people can hear the game commentary no matter where they are. A proprietary long-throw, down-firing woofer helps underscore booming low-end sound range and volume for large outdoor areas. Indoor-outdoor EQ mode also allows sound to translate evenly no matter the listening environment, with outdoor mode providing an upper bass boost when engaged and indoor mode reducing bass levels.

“Soundcast conducted extensive market research when designing the VG7, and we found that consumers want the ability to move their speakers to different areas of the yard based upon their activity, whether they are in the hot tub or the outdoor kitchen area,” says Charity Hardwick, vice president of sales and marketing, Soundcast.

 

Lynx SmartGrill

Hot dogs, burgers, or anything else you toss onto the SmartGrill won’t ever burn no matter how engrossed everyone is in the game. This smart gas grill from Lynx connects to an online database to determine the optimal grilling time and technique for the food, and tells you where on the grill to place each item to ensure the best result and have everything ready to go all at the same time. The SmartGrill sends notifications via audio, visual alerts, and text to mobile platforms when the food is ready.

 

Screen Innovations Solo Outdoor Screen

The new Solo and Solo Pro screens from Screen Innovations are designed to latch onto just about anything—the eve of your house, the side of a shed, even the surface of an RV or camper. This mounting versatility is made possible by the small form factor of the screen housing, its light weight, and a wide variety of mounting accessories like magnets and high-quality suction cups.

The system, comprised of a motorized housing and Screen Innovations’ popular Zero Edge screen, is wireless and can be controlled via Amazon Alexa voice commands or handheld remote. The screen housing is powered by lithium batteries which can be recharged by snapping a magnet to the metal housing and leaving it there for a few hours. This will give the screen enough juice to roll up and down for a couple of years with normal use.

A few screen sizes are available: 80, 100, and 120 inches, along with five different screen materials and 12 color options for the screen housing.

Prices start at $1,600.

 

Metra Home Theater Group  Helios TV Tailgate Mount

The TV Tailgate Mount (TGML64) from Metra Home Theater Group is compatible with any 32-inch to 55-inch flat screen TV that is VESA compliant. It hooks into a standard 2-inch hitch and is sold with a Helios Amplified UHF/VHF Antenna , which can be found on most vehicles.

The Amplified Antenna is for analog or digital broadcast and can be placed horizontally or vertically to obtain the best reception for local transmission.

 

DISH 4K College Football from FOX Sports

DISH is delivering select college football games from FOX Sports’ FS1 in 4K on channel 540 throughout football season for Hopper 3 customers.

“DISH has offered 4K-ready set-top boxes for three years, and 4K TV market share is anticipated to exceed one-in-four U.S. households by the end of 2017,” says Vivek Khemka, DISH executive vice president and chief technology officer. “The missing element? 4K programming. That’s why it’s great to see forward-looking companies like FOX invest in 4K production, so together we can deliver live entertainment in crystal-clear resolution.”

This move is part of a broader agreement that includes future 4K coverage of college basketball games, Major League Baseball and NASCAR racing.

 

The post Plan the Ultimate Tailgate Party with These 5 High-Tech Devices appeared first on Electronic House.

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Alexa and the Bird Brain

Well, it's come to this. Apparently, a parrot used Alexa to order some stuff off the internet.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/alexa-and-bird-brain

Talk to your LG fridge, washer or dryer through Google Home - CNET

LG's offering a free Google Home as it rolls out Google-enabled voice controls.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/talk-to-your-lg-fridge-washer-or-dryer-through-google-home/#ftag=CADa08b18a

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Available for Download

While fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones will have to wait until December 12 to get Game of Thrones: The Complete Seventh Season on Blu-ray or DVD, the full season is now available for download on iTunes and Google Play for $26.99 in HD or $19.99 in SD.

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LG TVs to Access to Comcast’s Xfinity TV in 2018

Comcast and LG today announced that owners of 2017 and 2018 webOS-enabled LG smart TVs will be able to access Comcast’s Xfinity TV service through the Xfinity TV Partner app in 2018 without the need to lease a cable box.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg-tvs-access-comcast%E2%80%99s-xfinity-tv-2018

Countdown to Cult of Chucky

Fans of Hollywood’s famous demonic doll are in for another blood-spattered adventure as Chucky continues his reign of terror behind the locked doors of an insane asylum in Cult of Chucky, due on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital on demand October 3.

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Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale 400 Pounds - CNET

Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale 400 Pounds

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Here's how to keep up with Nest's growing smart home - CNET

Trying to make sense of Nest's new product announcements? Start here.

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Former VP launches new podcast: 'Biden's Briefing' - CNET

Former Vice President Joe Biden teams with startup Ground Control to create the new daily program.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/the-former-vp-launches-new-podcast-bidens-briefing/#ftag=CADa08b18a

The Last Concert Hall

Picture your dream living room. We close our eyes and listen to the subtle nuances of our favorite recording. Luxurious speakers line the walls, a subwoofer discretely positioned in the sonically perfect corner. There’s nothing better than leaning back in a comfortable chair, spending hours listening to music. But the sad reality is that we don’t.

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Take a look at Delta's new leak detector - CNET

Delta's $80 Leak Detector gets a lot of things right, but it's also a water-sensing device that isn't fully waterproof.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/take-a-look-at-deltas-new-leak-detector/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Is HDR Available on Regular Blu-ray Discs?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

A I own an Ultra HDTV but am still using a regular Blu-ray player. I have no interest in buying Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs but would like to get the benefits of the HDR 10 and Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats on my TV. Would an Ultra HD Blu-ray player apply HDR 10 and Dolby Vision HDR effects when upscaling regular Blu-rays to 4K, or are those benefits only available with Ultra HD discs? —Jason BF / via e-mail

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How the Google Home is better than the Amazon Echo (Top 5) video - CNET

Amazon's smart speaker isn't the best at everything. Sorry, Alexa.

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Q-See 3MP HD WiFi IP Dome Camera from $80 + free shipping - CNET

Q-See 3MP HD WiFi IP Dome Camera from $80 + free shipping

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10 items you probably wash too much -- or not enough! - CNET

Here's the scoop on when to wash jeans, sheets and other items.

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Delta Leak Detector review - CNET

Delta's $80 Leak Detector gets a lot of things right, but it's also a water-sensing device that's afraid to go swimming.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/delta-leak-detector/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Lots of little touches elevate LG's Quad Wash dishwasher video - CNET

The four cleaning arms are effective, but the creative extras are what really help this dishwasher stand out from the competition.

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iHome iSP8 Wi-FI SmartPlug - use your voice to control connected devices with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit enabled smart speakers, handheld remote included - CNET

iHome iSP8 Wi-FI SmartPlug - use your voice to control connected devices with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit enabled smart speakers, handheld remote included

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Nest Hello doorbell camera can recognize your face video - CNET

And not just yours: Find out if a dog came to your door with Nest's new video doorbell.

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XXX: Return of Xander Cage

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Extras

It’s been several years since Xander Cage has been on the scene, but he’s brought back into the fold when a device called Pandora’s Box falls into the wrong hands. It has the ability to bring down any satellite and turn it into a weapon of mass destruction as it crashes down on the planet. One of his conditions for coming back to the CIA was that of recruiting his own team so he can ensure their absolute trust and his own personal safety.

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Heat

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Sound
Extras

Michael Mann is a thief—a damned good one. In telling this bigger-than-life tale of a career-criminal takedown crew and their nemesis, the writer-director robs from the best, especially for his brilliant set pieces. He steals heavily from crime-caper master, Jean-Pierre Melville; the overnight break-in on a precious metals storage facility has all the precision and intense silences of Le Cercle Rouge, and the wham-bam bank holdup takes the look and military precision of Un Flic. Mann’s grand, operatic airfield finale is snatched straight from the end of Bullitt, while others scenes echo The Godfather or Goodfellas, and he even jacks himself by reworking Thief.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/heat

Liftmaster links garages with Google and IFTTT, for a fee - CNET

Liftmaster's integration with the Google Assistant and its MyQ channel on IFTTT will let you control your smart garage door opener in all sorts of ways, but using them will cost you a buck per month.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/liftmaster-syncs-myq-garage-with-google-and-ifttt-but-not-for-free/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Walmart tests straight-to-fridge delivery service - CNET

The retail giant is working in partnership with August Home.

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Top 4 System Install Mistakes

Beyond designing and installing new AV systems, one of the things my installation company does is perform service calls on existing systems. Whether it has been installed by the homeowner themselves, a trusted friend/family member, or some other “professional,” we routinely run across the same kinds of installation issues when we pull open the rack or cabinet and start digging into the guts of the gear.

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CEDIA Expands Availability of Certification Globally

CEDIA has announced that CEDIA Certification exams will now be available through Kryterion Global Testing Solutions, which has more than 1,000 testing centers worldwide.

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Hisense Ships Roku-Enabled 4K TVs

Hisense, the Chinese electronics brand that holds a top-three ranking in worldwide TV market share, has started shipping its new three-model line of Roku-enabled 4K/Ultra HD smart TVs.

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Wink Relay Smart Home Wall Controller 2-Pack for $99 + free shipping - CNET

Wink Relay Smart Home Wall Controller 2-Pack for $99 + free shipping

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Samsung SmartCam 1080p Security Camera for $120 + free shipping - CNET

Samsung SmartCam 1080p Security Camera for $120 + free shipping

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14 new places you will find Alexa this year - CNET

Not only did Alexa dominate the smart speaker space in 2016, you're going to see (and hear) Amazon's voice assistant in a lot of new and unexpected places in 2017.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-echo-7-unexpected-places-you-will-find-alexa-this-year/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Your Lifx smart bulbs now support Apple HomeKit -- and Siri - CNET

You can now control color-changing Lifx smart bulbs using spoken Siri commands -- but only if you're using third-gen bulbs or better.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/your-lifx-smart-bulbs-now-support-apple-homekit-and-siri/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Flashback 1997: Microsoft Shows Off WebTV

Twenty years ago this week, Microsoft introduced a new and improved WebTV, the interactive TV service it had purchased from internet TV pioneer Steve Perlman a few months earlier.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/flashback-1997-microsoft-shows-webtv

What Do I Need to Watch Movies in Dolby Vision?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I am buying an LG OLED TV that supports the Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) format. Will my Denon receiver support Dolby Vision as well? What other things will I need to make Dolby Vision work? —Dave Poulson

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Apple Aims to Improve Siri as Part of iOS 11 Rollout

Apple has reworked Siri to give the virtual assistant a more natural voice and new capabilities.

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The "K" Zone, or Friends Don't Let Friends Buy New

4K viewed in the wild, on used gear. Doesn't get much better…

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5 Awesome Outdoor NFL Viewing Setups

Home of the Year: Control4 Delivers Award-Winning Style and Smarts to 6,000-Square-Foot Home

When a 6,000-square foot home gets rewired to handle a slew of sophisticated home technologies it’s a big deal. When the end result defies all signs of complicated retrofit work, the project and the team that pulled off the work deserve recognition. And that’s exactly what the Vail Valley, Colo., division of Texas-based Futurian Systems received recently as the Silver winner of the Electronic House Home of the Year contest for Best Traditoinal Smart Home, more than $150,000.

See more award winning smart home here.

 

Hidden Technology

Futurian Systems was approached by the owners of this fabulous home to design, install, and now maintain one of the most custom home systems it’s ever delivered — capped by a jaw-dropping motorized equipment rack. For a home built in 1992, the remodel was expansive, says Futurian president Jeremy Beck. Great care went into the planning of major technology upgrades and the owner “wouldn’t settle for anything less than ‘stealth,’” so Futurian focused on how to hide as much as possible.

Rewiring the House

The first step was to lay a solid wiring infrastructure for the 6,000-square-foot home, and challenges started immediately, says Beck. “Multiple trailer-loads of wire were delivered on a tight schedule to be installed before the drywall was to go back up. With the home being four stories, and retrofit in nature, wiring paths had to take large detours to reach their destination,” he says, noting 320 man-hours ensured proper execution.

Achieving Speaker Symmetry

Once the trim phase was reached, more adjustments had to be made. Speakers were moved to achieve exact symmetry within each room. TV placements were modified to create balance within the lines of walls, fireplaces, corners, and shelving. The positions of thermostats, security keypads, and touchscreens were fine-tuned so no items seemed out of alignment.

Motorized Equipment Rack
“The most fascinating complementary feature of the system is the motorized equipment rack,” Beck enthuses. “Many hours were spent engineering, installing, and modifying the actuator and track system to deliver a mechanism that would roll the 7-foot, almost 1,000-pound rack, in and out of the wall with the push of a button.”

Control from Top to Bottom

In the end, Futurian produced a stealthy system that includes 11 zones of full climate and humidity control, automation of doors, camera surveillance, lighting control, security, A/V distribution, motorized shades, robust home communications, and even an integrated hot tub.

 

Systems Design & Installation

Futurian Systems, Southlake, Texas

 

Equipment Highlights

• Control4 automation, lighting & A/V distribution
• Sharp UHD displays
• Paradigm speakers
• Pioneer, Sony electronics
• Strong equipment rack
• QMotion shades
• ihiji remote monitoring
• Nest thermostat

The post Home of the Year: Control4 Delivers Award-Winning Style and Smarts to 6,000-Square-Foot Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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