Home Theater

Mitsubishi may be the only remaining manufacturer of rear-projection DLP TVs, but if you are looking for the largest screen display possible, for the lowest price, and don't want to make the jump to a video projector and screen. A DLP TV might be just the ticket.

For 2012, Mitsubishi is offering DLP TVs in the 73, 75, 82, and 92-inch screen sizes, distributed across five model series, broken down as follows:

C12 Series: Offered in the 73 or 82-inch screen size, with suggested prices of $1,599 and $2,599. Key features include 1080p native display resolution, 120Hz Sub-Frame rate, 6-Color Processor and two HDMI inputs.

642 Series: Also offered in the 73 and 82-inch screen sizes and also priced at $1,599 and $2,599. Adds 3D with built-in 3D emitter, 3 HDMI inputs, and Advanced video calibration.

742 Series: Offered in the 73, 82, and 92-inch screen sizes, and priced at $1,799, $3,099, and $4,999. Built-in 3D, but also adds WiFi internet/network connectivity, StreamTV media platform with Vudu Apps, iPhone, iPad remote control app compatibility, and PC desktop control option.

842 Series: Also offered in the 73, 82, and 92-inch screen sizes, but priced at $2,199, $3,599, and $5,999. Besides everything featured in the 742 series, the 842 series adds a 16-speaker IST sound system, Center Channel mode option, Surround and Subwoofer preamp outputs, Bluetooth 3D emitter, Bluetooth audio straming, and ISFccc calibration settings.

L75-A96 LaserVue TV: This is a single model entry that comes in the 75-inch screen size and is priced at $5,999. What make this set different is that it uses a laser light source in combination with DLP technology to create exceptional color and black levels, and is also very energy efficient. L75-A96 is 3D enabled. However, it is not specified yet if L75-A96 is internet or networked-enabled as the previous version of this set was.

For all of the rest of the details known so far regarding the features and connectivity available on 2012 Mitsubishi DLP TV product line, check out their official announcement and TV microsite.

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Most of you have probably never head of Eugene Polley, but his pioneering invention, the wireless TV remote control, paved the way for the couch potato generation. Developed during his time at Zenith Electronics, Polley's "FlashMatic" remote control was a marvel in 1955.

The remote sent light beams to a sensor on the TV to change channels (keep in mind that in those days, changing channels was a mechanical process). Unfortunately, since the remote did not use infrared light, it was affected by sunlight or lamp light. However, just as with all technology, you have to start somewhere, and that is why we need to remember Eugene Polley's contribution to home entertainment. For more on Eugene Polley and the announcement of his passing, refer to the report from Engadget.

Also, read more about The History of the Remote Control.

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The Sony STR-DH830 is a reasonably priced home theater receiver that provides up to a 7.1 channel speaker configuration, supported by Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing.

In addition to its audio features, the STR-DH830 also has 5 3D-compatible HDMI inputs with 1080i upscaling via its built-in Faroudja processing chip. Extra bonuses include iPod/iPhone connectivity via USB port or Docking station. To find out if the Sony STR-DH830 is the right home theater receiver for your setup, check out my Review and Photo Profile. Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

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If you haven't had a chance to see The Avengers at your local cinema, I enthusiastically recommend it, but if you don't get a chance see it on the big screen, you won't have to wait long to see it in your own home theater. According to initial information provided by Disney/Buena Vista to retailers, The Avengers will be coming out on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on September 25th. The film will be offered in two Blu-ray packages (one with the 3D version and one without), as well as a DVD-only version.

Although not all disc specifications are available yet, there will be an abundance of special features that will be included the two Blu-ray packages, and a lesser number of special features on the DVD-only version.

The Blu-ray Disc and DVD-only package will feature a Joss Whedon audio commentary, as well the Assembling the Ultimate Team featurette, while the two Blu-ray Disc packages will contain an extra short film, second screen viewing, gag reel, a host of deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, and a Soundgarden music video.

Of course, keep in mind that this is a preliminary announcement and some details could change.

Anyone want to hazard a guess on how well The Avengers will sell on Blu-ray and DVD? My guess is that it may break all sales records for those formats, just it is doing in its theatrical run.

For more information, check out the report from I Am Rogue

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Transcoding is a process for converting a media file from one file format to another. If a video from your media library can't play on your network media player, or your iTunes music won't play on your networked TV, you may need to convert it to a type of file that will work on your player. Network media players and media streamers may be limited to the types of video, music and photo files they can play.

Transcoding can convert a file to be compatible with the types of files that are compatible with your player. For more details, read our report: What is Transcoding?

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You want to buy a Blu-ray Disc player, but you aren't sure if your TV will be compatible with it. To find out, check out the answer to this week's question: What Type of Television Do I Need To Use With a Blu-ray Disc Player? Also, be sure to check out my complete Blu-ray FAQs as well as my current suggestions for Best Blu-ray Disc Players.

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In a new study by Park Associates, it has been revealed that although 3D TVs are steadily selling, adoption has been slower than expected. In addition, it was found the majority of 3D TV owners surveyed are definitely satisfied with their purchase, and use it often to view 3D movies and play 3D games, but the bottleneck for many consumers continues to be higher prices of 3D TVs, combined with lack of 3D content growth.

In analyzing the study results, Park Associates points out that 3D is not the same as HD in that the desire of consumers is not to watch everything in 3D, but it is just a part of several options for accessing entertainment, which also includes standard 2D broadcast, cable/satellite, and programming streamed from the internet.

For more details on the study, read a summary posted by Park Associates. For an additional perspective, also check out a report from NPD Group.

For more on 3D, check out my Complete Guide to Watching 3D at Home. Also, cast your vote in the following poll:

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Dolby Labs is definitely mindful that constant improvement in audio enhances both the movie theater and home theater experience, especially with its recent Dolby Atmos announcement. However, how much more can the audio experience be improved? Well, it looks like Dolby TrueHD, one of the main audio formats used for Blu-ray disc movies, has room to accommodate more audio information that the movie studios are giving it, and Dolby Labs has decided to take advantage of this.

It seems that while Dolby TrueHD can accommodate up to 7.1 channels of audio at a depth of 24bits and a sampling rate of 96kHz, most movie soundtracks on the production end are mixed at a lower 48kHz sampling rate. The result is that although the sound is great, it is still not as clear and clean as it could be, especially at the higher frequencies.

However, there is an expense factor for production houses to upgrade their equipment. To counter this problem, Dolby Labs has teamed up with Meridian Audio to provide a software solution that will enable audio mixers to employ 96kHz upsampling technology to 48kHz sampled soundtracks. This means that the losseless audio soundtrack mastered to a Blu-ray disc can now be based on a new 96kHz upsample rather than the original 48kHz sampled source.

This produces a smoother sounding result without adding any additional audio artifacts, resulting in an even cleaner lossless audio stream than that has been previously been available for Blu-ray discs, and is compatible with Blu-ray Disc players or Home Theater Receivers that have built-in Dolby TrueHD decoders. In other words, you don't have buy a new Blu-ray Disc player or Home Theater receiver to take advantage of this improvement.

Watch for forthcoming Blu-ray Disc releases with the "Dolby TrueHD Advanced 96kHz Upsampling Label" shown in the upper right corner of this blog post (c) Dolby Labs.

For a detailed rundown, read an official announcement and White Paper from Dolby Labs, as well as further report from Big Picture Big Sound.

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If you are looking for a home theater receiver that can be purchased for about $400 but packs in a lot of features, consider the Onkyo TX-NR414. The TX-NR414 provides a 5.1 channel configuration, supported by an 80 watts-per-channel amplifier (measured with 2-channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz), Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio decoding.

Also included is 3D and 1080p pass through, InstaPrevue switching for 6 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The HDMI output is also Audio Return Channel enabled. However, it must be noted that the this receiver does not provide added video processing or upscaling.

However, the big surprise is that the TX-NR414 also inludes a USB port for connecting an iPod/iPhone or USB flash drives, as well as the ability to access Internet Radio (Spotify, Pandora, and more), and content from DLNA compatible devices. You can connect to a home network or the internet using either the built-in Ethernet connection or the Onkyo UWF-1 Wireless USB Adapter.

If you are on a limited budget, but really wish you could get a home theater receiver that provides a lot of flexibility, definitely check out the Onkyo TX-NR414 as possible choice.

For additional suggestions, check out my list of Budget Home Theater Receivers.

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In another sign of the depressed TV market, Toshiba has announced that it will stop manufacturing TVs in Japan, at least for the time being. However, it will continue to manufacture TVs in its overseas plants. In addition, Toshiba's 2013 TV line-up will be see about 60% fewer models. Toshiba has been on the forefront in the development of 4K and glasses free 3D LED/LCD TVs, and there is no indication these products are targeted for reduction. Currently, sales of all models of Toshiba TVs account for about 5% of the worldwide market.

For more details and perspective, read the reports from ZDNET and BusinessWeek.

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