Hey Xboxers, Microsoft is aggressively negotiating to add more content to its Xbox Live Gold service. Microsoft said they are partnering with HBO, Bravo, Comcast Corp., Verizon’s FiOS service and others to bring on-demand and live television content to the Xbox console. Other potential partners include Time Warner (HBO), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Crackle), NBC Universal (Bravo and Syfy), and Lovefilm UK.
free but we shouldn't expect it to be. You will still need a subscription to the services you want and then access them through Xbox. You also will need a $60/year subscription to the Xbox Live Gold online service.
According to Microsoft, the new content will be available this holiday season in more than 20 countries, but they did not give an exact timeline. We will keep you posted.
A decade ago most people would still be relying on their local video rental store to provide them with the latest films a few months after they arrived at the cinema. Now with the age of broadband internet there is no need to rent a physical copy of a movie if you want to enjoy it in your home as you can stream content from the internet in high quality and, more importantly, high definition. There are a number of different streaming services available, but amongst them Netflix is the most well-known, so let us take a look at what it has to offer and whether it can live up to your expectations. Netflix is a subscription-based DVD/Blu Ray rental and internet streaming service and it has more than 10 million people on its books, so it must be doing something right. If you are a subscriber to its DVD rental service you can typically watch much of its streaming content without paying extra. There are a number of ways to access this content, with the simplest being directly from your PC or Apple Mac via your web browser. Netflix support has been expanded to other devices, including games consoles like the Xbox 360 and smartphones for watching movies and content while on the move.
There are three distinct qualities of video streaming available via Netflix and whether you can access them is dependent on your broadband connection speed. The most basic video streaming requires a 1.5Mbps download speed and will give you quality that is equivalent to a standard DVD. The second requires 3Mbps to operate and is classed as better than DVD quality. The third is high definition and needs 6Mbs of bandwidth to get through from the Netflix servers from your home. Streaming in HD can be performed at either 720p or 1080p resolutions, with the Sony PlayStation 3 being the only device capable of full HD 1080p streaming at this time.
The benefits of using Netflix are obvious for anyone who has a compatible games console or a media centre PC hooked up to their High Definition TV as it will provide you with solid streaming capabilities in a high resolution whenever you need them. The down side is that there is a limit to the amount you can stream each month based on the price of your subscription, so you will need to look carefully at the small print to work out just how many films or shows you will be able to enjoy without going over your limit.
Because of the on-demand nature of Netflix it is not a direct competitor to cable or satellite broadcasters but it does make DVD rental firms obsolete as there is no need to wait for discs to arrive in the post and no requirement to post any optical media back once you have watched it. The only limit is your internet connection speed and how comfortable you are on your Palliserhome theater furniture as you could be in for some lengthy viewing sessions.
neoHD is the Only Wi-Fi Enabled A/V Receiver with Full IR Control of External Devices via iPhone and iPad on the Market for Under $500
The YMC-700 network A/V receiver is now priced at $499.95, while the YMC-500 is $299.95.
To make the price reduction and even better deal , Yamaha will be releasing later this month a new App for the neoHD YMC-700 that will allow you to control all connected devices via IR Control from an iPhone or iPad.That’s pretty cool.Now I can justify that iPad.
Yamaha neoHD, a groundbreaking design concept that offers a streamlined approach to home entertainment, enables you to easily control all sources with a simple graphical user interface and simplified remote control.
Tthe YMC-700 Wi-Fi version is now able to stream music from Pandora, the leading personalized internet radio service designed to help listeners discover new music as well as enjoy the music they already know.
"This significant price reduction combined with added network and control capabilities makes neoHD the only Wi-Fi Enabled A/V Receiver with Full Control via iPhone and iPad on the Market for under $500," said Tom Sumner, president of Yamaha Corporation of America. "We believe this news will appeal greatly to consumers who are looking to greatly simplify their home entertainment experience, while spending more time enjoying thrilling HD video and vibrant sound."
Bye Bye Remotes!! neoHD Media Controllers eliminate the need for multi remote controls and becomes the controller of all home and Internet components connected to your home entertainment system.
neoHD has a clean, intuitive menu-driven on-screen display that makes it so easy to navigate and reach all your audio and video content in your home, regardless of where it is stored.
In addition to new Pandora streaming capabilities, neoHD Wi-Fi can play online content from Rhapsody and Internet radio providing endless hours of enjoyment. Also playback FM radio and music stored on an external USB drive.
So what will you get to play with at Cinevidia table?
The new super thin (less than 2 inches thick) LED LCD TV from Toshiba that is packed with amazing LED picture quality with deep blacks, robust wireless Internet NET TV capability, and a long list of key Toshiba technologies. Learn More...
The New Yamaha neoHD Wireless Media Controller. Enjoy all your AV sources plus music streaming from your computer, Internet Radio and Rhapsody. Easily control all of your AV sources with a simple on-screen graphical user interface (GUI) and simplified remote control that asked you Watch, Listen or Play. One remote gives you total media control. Learn More...
The RedEye System which allows you to use your iPhone or iPod touch to control your entire entertainment system using your WIFI network. Learn More...
LG's Network Connected Blu-ray with a built 250gig hard drive to store your digital media. This Blu-ray player is a great all-in-one solution with it's awesome Blu-ray picture and sound, built in WIFI, Netcast streaming media, and the ability to rip your entire CD collection to it's hard drive. Learn More...
AppleTV with 160gig hard drive. Access an easy-to-navigate world of entertainment that can be controlled using your iPhone or iPod Touch. Rent HD movies. Buy HD TV shows and movies and get iTunes Extras. . Listen to your iTunes music and Internet radio. Even show off your photos. Learn More...
So come get hands on with these cool toys and see how well they all integrates together to give you the best and easiest home entertainment solution you have ever experienced.
Cinevidia introduces CineDude in a new video series teaching you in small little segments all about home theater. CineDude gets around so you never know where he will be for his lesson. The first lesson is about 1080P. We hope you enjoy CineDude and learn some new things along the way.
Finally getting your home entertainment system connected to the internet and home network is easy and affordable. Netgear now has the Home Theater Internet Connection Kit. This power-line networking system converts electrical wall outlets into high speed virtual connections that Ethernet enabled devices can use to stream multimedia content to either the internet or the home network.
The kit supports all devices that have an Ethernet connection for internet and home network access such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, Game consoles, etc. Data transfer speeds are up to 200 Mbps. This will help minimize lagging when using high bandwidth applications such as HD video streaming, VoIP and online games.
Netgear has also incorporated QoS (Quality of Service) into the design of their product so that more bandwidth can be allocated to high priority applications. Also Netgear has added the push to secure feature that will lock the network down with the touch of a single button.
Netgear's Home Theater Internet Connection kit retails for $179.99.
Sales of Blu-ray players is up also, 25%. Over 2 million Blu-ray players have been sold thus far. Prices of some really nice players are now below $250, plus they include Pandora and Netflix Streaming. Manufactures are now giving the consumer more features for less money this year. Also, some basic no name players are trending towards $100. My speculation is, more consumers are comfortable buying a player now at these more realistic prices, plus there are more places and titles to rent. Purchase prices are better too if you wait for sales.
DEG says there are nearly 11 million Blu-ray devices in homes in the U.S., including PlayStation 3 consoles. Almost, 75 percent of those units are BD-Live compatible meaning they can access the internet content that is paired with the disc. More than 40 million Blu-ray titles have now been sold in the United States, and more than 1600 titles are available. Over 190 titles offer BD-Live content.
Spending for pre-recorded entertainment dropped 3.9 percent year-over-year to $9.73 billion in the first half of 2009, according to the DEG. Pre-recorded entertainment covers DVD, Blu-ray and digital distribution. Digital distribution was up 21 percent to $968 million, while rental spending rose 8.3 percent. Looks like the recession has more people are staying home to watch moves.
Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video and the DEG, commented, "Despite an extraordinarily challenging marketplace, the home entertainment sector continues to be remarkably stable overall, particularly with the growth of higher-margin businesses like Blu-ray Disc..."
Yamaha Electronics Corporation has introduced its expandable wireless music system,
known as MusicCast2 Network Music System. Powered by WIFI technology, the Yamaha MusicCast2 has the ability to distribute audio to around 32 rooms from a vast array of sources. It also supports Rhapsody digital music streaming service, Internet Radio and computers. It also streams music from Network Attached Storage Devices.
MusicCast2 also supports iTunes AAC files via TwonkyMedia server software. The TwonkyMedia server software is packed with MCX-RC 100 Network Music commander. It also supports music from iPod and Bluetooth devices.
There are three components to MusicCAST2: Yamaha MusicCAST2 MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander ($499) Yamaha MusicCAST2 MCX-P200 Pre-amp Network Music Player ($399) Yamaha MusicCAST2 MCX-A300 Amplified Network Music Player ($399)
The Yamaha MusicCast2 features a 3.5” color LCD screen, touch pad and intuitive GUI. Hence, the customers can easily view display zones, album art, song titles and other details.
The Yamaha MusicCast2 Network Music system also supports MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander, which works as a multi-zone remote control for the Yamaha RX-Z7 and RX-V3900 receivers. The Network Music Commander can also turn on the A/V receivers, browse and navigate content.
The MCX-A300 Network Music Player brings high quality music. It plays music from the Rhapsody online music and Internet radio. It is compatible with MP3, WMA, PRO, and AAC, Apple FairPlay DRM, FLAC and WAV audio formats.
The MCX-P200 Network Music Player is a pre-amp component. It extends set up flexibility. It supports TV setup box, Blu-ray/DVD player by means of MCX-RC100 Commander’s GUI.
The YDS-11 iPod docks and YBA-10 Bluetooth receivers ensure smooth connectivity to iPods and Bluetooth devices. It provides subwoofers.
Each MusicCAST2 component can be purchased separately, or as a start-up package (MusicCAST2 Zone Pack 2A at $1199) which includes one MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander and two MCX-A300 Network Music Players.
According to Warren Mansfield, director of consumer technology for THX, the process of calibrating audio in a home theater is important because it enables homeowners to reproduce movie soundtracks in their homes the way the audio engineers intended.
“Calibrating receivers/preamps not only balances each channel so that you get matched sound levels from each speaker, but also calibrates the overall level so that 0 dB on the volume control represents the industry standard ‘Reference Level’ in the listening position,” he says. “This is the same level at which the movie was originally mixed and played theatrically. Only THX Certified products do this in the home.”
neoHD Media Controller: The Yamaha neoHD Media Controllers will introduce your consumers to a whole new way of enjoying movies, listening to music, or playing games and slide shows. neoHD provides your customers the ability to control their entire HD home entertainment system via an intuitive on-screen interface, with one very simple remote control. With Yamaha’s neoHD Media Controllers you’re ready to watch, listen or play, nothing could be simpler!
MusicCAST2 System: The completely new Yamaha MusicCAST2 system, provides your customers the simplest way to enjoy all their music, all their sources, in all their rooms, wirelessly! Just connect MusicCAST2 to your customer’s wireless home network and they will be able to enjoy music in any room of their home, at anytime. And with over 10,000 internet radio stations worldwide and Rhapsody music service, MusicCAST2 provides full access to all music content available online as well as music content stored on your customers’ computer and USB flash drives. Additionally, the MusicCAST2 Commander [MCX-RC100] will control the Yamaha RX-Z7 or RX-V3900 right out of the box with no set-up necessary, making the Commander a must addition when selling these models.
RX-V1065BL 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver: Also available is the RX-V1065 addition to the best selling line of AV receivers in the country, the Yamaha RX-Vx65 series. The RX-V1065 is best suited for the Home Theater enthusiast or the Music listener because it combines high end construction with high end sound. The RX-V1065 features the newly developed GUI to provide ease of use, along with HDMI (4 in/1 out), 1080p video upscaling, HD Radio™, Pure Direct, YPAO and USB port for music playback.
PDX-30: A Desktop Audio product that virtually every iPhone or iPod fan who wants to enjoy a higher sound quality with great bass performance in a compact size. The PDX-30 is certified as a "works with iPhone" product, and comes with a card-type remote control for additional convenience. PDX-30 is available in 4 colors; Black, Blue, Gray, & Pink.
Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, Crowley Lake, Bishop, Ridgecrest, Lancaster, Palmdale, Big Bear, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Rancho Santa Fe, Indian Wells, La Quinta
Inspiration - EH Magazine's "Cool Homes"
If you're seeking a little home technology inspiration, just visit EH's Cool Homes department. Here you can see the full archive of spectacular Featured Homes, or browse homes by theme: "cool," "casual," "opulent," etc. Either way, you'll see a cornucopia of photos that will light up your imagination...and give you some practical ideas as well. If you want to see (and read about) how it's done when it's done right, "Cool Homes" is for you!read more...
Cinevidia Home Entertainment Solutions | 28364 S Western Ave #445, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 | 310-494-6988
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LG's Network Connected Blu-ray with a built 250gig hard drive to store your digital media. This Blu-ray player is a great all-in-one solution with it's awesome Blu-ray picture and sound, built in WIFI, Netcast streaming media, and the ability to rip your entire CD collection to it's hard drive. 
Sales of Blu-ray players is up also, 25%. Over 2 million Blu-ray players have been sold thus far. Prices of some really nice players are now below $250, plus they include 
known as MusicCast2 Network Music System. Powered by WIFI technology, the Yamaha MusicCast2 has the ability to distribute audio to around 32 rooms from a vast array of sources. It also supports Rhapsody digital music streaming service, Internet Radio and computers. It also streams music from Network Attached Storage Devices.
The Yamaha MusicCast2 features a 3.5” color LCD screen, touch pad and intuitive GUI. Hence, the customers can easily view display zones, album art, song titles and other details.
The MCX-P200 Network Music Player is a pre-amp component. It extends set up flexibility. It supports TV setup box, Blu-ray/DVD player by means of MCX-RC100 Commander’s GUI.
