Just wanted to post up some pics from this weekends OLED 3D TV wall install. My customer didnt have the 3D glasses or a 3D movie, but thats all he needs if he decides to watch a 3D movie. Tip: if you are thinking about doing 3D make sure you get the glasses designed for your TV set.

In the meantime, he is set up with the best Blu-ray experience AND his set is Internet-ready, so I also ran an ethernet cable to his TV so he can watch media from Netflix, etc straight from the TV.

The only thing that bugs me is the power outlet exposed just below the set. It was there before my install, but the customer was cool with it there for now. It still bugged me, so I told him that as soon he is ready to hide the outlet, I would help him free of charge.

The first two pics are before and the last two are after.

Tell me what you think?

Google, Google, And More Google

Google I/O Conference is this week, and the giant has pulled no punches with its announcements. One of which is Google TV. A set-top box with Android guts and the ability to download mobile apps, but made to view television shows, movies, and video anywhere they are found on the web. Got an Android phone (or an iphone, touch or pad), well you can get an app that will allow you to control your Google box over wifi.

Speaking of Android, Google also used the Conference also let loose the new Android “Froyo” mobile OS that’s fully Flash compatible and is claimed to run laps around the current iPhone OS (the summer will be HOT when Apple drops their new iphone OS 4.0 this June).

Speaking of Apple, Google has also announced a cloud-based service that will allow Android phones to live stream itunes music uploaded to the cloud. That is in direct competition with Apple that plans to announce its own itunes cloud media service as a result of buying and shutting down the LaLa music site that allowed you to upload, download and buy itunes compatible music and access it via the web.

If you’ve had enough Google for this update, then TOO BAD, because Google I/O also took the time to announce that Google Wave, the online communicating, sharing, collaboration, and networking service is live and open to the public. So if you are looking for a way to meet with your group that’s spread out over the country, or just want to share some pictures with Grandma in real time, you now don’t need an invite to use wave (but you will need either Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Mozilla FireFox browsers in order to use Wave…sorry Microsoft Internet Explorer users *sad face*)

It seems as if Big Brother Google is in Full effect!

That's my site...and my thumb

*In my typical, nonchalant attitude*

“It’s cool”

The wifi version has been out a little over a month and the 3G version just dropped last weekend. I decided to wait for the 3G because I knew I would be in places where free and open wifi would not be available. So I had to ride the bench while seemingly everyone else got to partake in the “firsties” enjoyment.

But my time came, and my iPad (32GB) hit my door last Friday at 1pm – Shout out to FedEx.

So instead of giving you the same features/benefits type of post everyone else has done already, I will give you my quick observations, and go into what I have done thus far with my new toy.

Observations:

- A little heavier than I thought it would be…but I like a little junk in the trunk
(see: Erykah Badu’s ‘Window Seat’ video)

- I find myself cleaning the screen often
The gadget just looks good, and the finger smudges seem to “stank it up”

- Photos, music cover art, videos and movies all look gorgeous
Nothing witty to add, just stating fact

- I think it’s cool that iPad-specific apps have settings you can change in the global settings menu in addition to app-specific settings in the app settings menu
(That makes sense in my head)

- I would like to have access to the file system
I have OCD when it comes to organization

- 50% percent of the time, the camera connection kit works 100%
I could only get the USB dongle to work and not the SD card slot version.

- AT&T 3G is just okay
But I already knew that

- I thought the lack of Flash and multi-tasking would be noticeable, but it actually isn’t
*Crosses fingers for HTML5 and a download of OS 4.0 in the fall*

- Mrs. Tech hates it
*Just wait for the “newness” to wear off sweetie*

Having said that, the first thing I did (after being forced to hook it up to a computer for basic setup) was look for iPad apps. The iPhone apps are okay on it, but I paid for an iPad, not an iPhone…so I’ll wait (step it up devs!). I went to sites like Gizmodo and TUAW to look for apps they recommended. The apps I decide to download are:

FeddlerRSS – RSS Reader
PrintCentral - Wireless printing
SplashID – Password Manager
Dictionary – Do I really have to explain?
Zinio – Digital Magazine Reader
Dropbox – Cloud Storage
Pandora – Streaming Music
Netflix – Instant movies and Queue Control
PDFReader Pro – PDF Reader
Photobucket – Online photo storage/sharing
Craigsphone – Craigslist…but nicer
eBay – Buy and sell stuff
ABC Player – watch ABC shows
Twitterrific – Twitter Client (just barely edged out TweetDeck)
Evernote – Online note storage
WordPress – Blog control
Wikipanion – Wiki stuff

Most of the above apps are free, and there are only a couple of paid apps. But none of them are more than 10 bucks, and they are WORTH IT. If the two of you who read my blog have some suggestions, hook a brotha up.

Next up was getting my email accounts, contacts and calendars set up. I use Gmail & Google Apps for all of this stuff so it was pretty easy. The only hitch is that the iPad can only synchronize ONE set of calendar/contacts via Google Sync. There are ways around it, but I’m cool for now (don’t mind going to the web for the others) and I’m hoping Google/Apple will resolve this on their own.

In the meantime and in-between time, I reorganized my iTunes Library and just synced my playlists instead of trying to sync my entire library. I also bought a movie or two (‘Aliens’ and ‘Transformers: The Movie’ (the cartoon version) just to see how they would look – Those are my two all-time favs, and I was impressed. I will be researching ways to put my movie collection (as a copy, not for resale – take that piracy!), so if you have any tips, let me know.

Last on the list was firing up the AT&T’s 3G service. Like I said before it was just “okay”, but I didn’t expect much. I just wanted it to get the job done, and so far so good. I only signed up for the 250mb plan, and based on my current usage, I could stand to upgrade to the unlimited plan. But I am gonna hold off because I feel my usage will stabilize after I get the hang of the device. Set up was a cinch and it is all done in the iPad setting menu, no registering or logging into a website to get started. You can also view your usage there as well.

So there you have it. If you have any tips, tricks, guides or comments about the iPad feel free to drop me a line.

Note: I did NOT write this entire post from my iPad…just in case you were wondering.

I think this intro is what got me excited about Home Theater

Just wanted to share a piece of my history

…as you were

…Of their TV service subscriptions that is.

Last year (like that was a long time ago), I posted a story about what it would take for me to cut my Cable TV service and switch to TV over IP. Looks like I am not the only one contemplating the switch. A study conducted by Convergence Consulting Group estimates that 800,000 U.S. households had cut such services by the end of 2009, with the number expected to double by the end of 2011.

With the progression of network-connected and web-streaming devices such as TV’s, Blu-Ray players, gaming systems, and special set-top boxes, it’s becoming easier for your average consumer to enjoy quality programming via ethernet cable or wireless router rather than a coaxial cable or cable/satellite set-top box.

Even still, I think the reason why the number is ONLY 800,000 is because it is somewhat convenient to call your local cable/satellite provider and have them come out and install everything and subscribe to a insanely expensive TV subscription package versus buying your own equipment, hooking it all up and piecing together you own internet media package.

I just hope that people break out of their comfort zone and realize that they actually have more control over their programming than they think. When more people realize that they aren’t just tied to one main-stream TV provider or another (hopefully via this site *plug*) they will start doing the research and jumping on the TV service cutting bandwagon.

I am a fan of Smart Home Technology and there are some cool apps via Apple App Store developed by home automation integration manufacturers such as Savant Systems, Control4, HomeSeer, and HAI that will allow you to control your home via an iPod Touch, iPhone, and the new iPad.

But in my hastiness to show you what an iPad can do outside of just playing games, watching video, reading books and sending an email/tweet or two, I may have incorrectly given folks the idea that all you need is an app downloaded onto you Apple gadget and you are good to go – WRONG! You need a little bit more than just an app and a cool control gadget to have a complete home automation system capable of controlling your lighting, security, media & HVAC.

The Low Down:

I am gonna give you a down and dirty on what you would need to have a complete Home Automation System. Here are the basic components:

Software – The language that your system uses to operate
Connection – How your devices are connected to each other
Control – unit that connects all your devices and sends out all the commands
Interface – What you use to send the commands to the system

If you can put two and two together, you already know which part the fancy Apple products falls under…..the interface. It’s the nifty gadget that you use to control your system. Most systems still use those bulky, expensive, touch screens OR a universal remote with not enough buttons to get the job done.

These devices can easily run you approx. $1k+ just to run your home from the inside, which makes using an iPad or other mobile gadget a VERY NICE alternative…you can do much more for much less.

The interface, while the coolest, is usually the LAST part you need to complete your system. Probably the first component of a home automation system you need to think about is the Software – the portion that translates the signals from the interface into commands for the devices to execute.

Next up is the path of travel (connection) for the signals and commands to travel. It can either be wired, or wireless, or both. But the signals need a path to get from your interface to the device.

The only thing that’s left is the brains of the system – The control unit. It’s the component that routes all the translated commands from the software to the appropriate devices. It tells what to go where and when. The control unit monitors the system and is hooked up to all of your controlled devices.

With home automation, you can either Do it all yourself, or get a home integrator to do it all for you – DIY home automation is getting easier and easier, but it takes time to figure out all the ins and outs. If you can put a values your time (and it takes time), paying somebody to do it may serve you better.

Now of course I left out a bunch, but that was the purpose of this article – to let you know there is more to home automation than just downloading an app. But I’m not gonna leave you hanging without some linky goodness if you want to do more research.

How Smart Homes Work

How to Install Smart House Technology

How to Wire Your Home for Automation

Do-it-Yourself Home Automation

Home Control iPhone Apps

I am admittedly an early adopter, but with a twist – I only rush out to adopt the latest and greatest only if it makes sense to me.

– Which is why I opted to wait for the Apple iPad 3G to drop instead of jumping on the wifi only version…I need the 3G for when I am at work and can’t access certain sites due to IT policy need to dig deeper into the intewebz when I am not at home on my own computer.

– Which is also why I won’t be too eager to request a day off to celebrate the newly adopted Virginian observance of ‘Confederate History Month’ – which in a roundabout way, should be the ONE day I actually relax instead of going to work and slaving over my computer all day with only an hour for lunch.

*What was the point of this post again?*

All that to say, I probably won’t jump into the new 3D TV phenomenon that has taken over current television technology. Why do you ask? A couple of reasons:

- My current rear-projection TV in my basement, picture tube TV in the living room, and small 23 inch LCD TV in my bedroom work just fine. I take care of my TV’s and as a result, they last a long time. So while I am eager to see if I can duplicate the 3D experience I witnessed when I saw the movie ‘Avatar’ last winter, I haven’t even been able experience the now old technology of a LED or OLED TV yet…baby steps (I still don’t own a blu-ray player either – which just might make my “early adopter” membership null and void)

– I route all my audio & video through my A/V receiver. With 3D being so new, A/V receivers aren’t on the same page as 3D televisions. A 3D signal needs HDMI 1.4 capability to pump the signal to the TV. Most receivers on the market are only HDMI 1.3. So I would either have to also shell out even more money to find and buy a receiver than can pass a 3D signal to a 3D TV, or re-do my current setup to route all the video directly to the TV and all the audio directly to the reciever…Right now, Mrs. Tech and I are expecting our 2nd child in June, and currently, I am knee-deep in re-doing two rooms to make way for the new addition (tip: spend the extra money to have the furniture shipped AND ASSEMBLED!)- So I don’t have the time to play around with my A/V equipment right now. And with three women in the house…nevermind, I don’t even want to think about it.

*sheds a tear*

– 3D Glasses. You can’t just go out and buy any old (or cheap) 3D glasses and expect them to work on every 3D TV on the market. Right now, you need compatible glasses with compatible TV’s. On the flipside, all you “brand matchers” who MUST have all their components be of the same brand should be happy with that. For the rest of us, each TV has a specific pair of glasses that you must have (read: we got more stuff you need to buy) in order to get the full 3D experience. Some of the TV’s come with one or two pair of glasses, but after that, look to shell out approx. 75+ bucks per pair to outfit your average 4 person family with glasses (not including any guests you have over). Until 3D technology allows for glasses-free 3D viewing, I think I will sit this one out. Plus, those glasses they handed out when we went to see ‘Avatar’ were lame and i’m too cool for all that!

- 3D Content. There just isn’t enough “native” content out there to enjoy getting set up with 3D now. By native, I mean content filmed with 3D cameras, and produced and broadcasted via 3D media. You do remember how long it took the FCC to force Cable/Satellite providers to get Digital signals into the home right? There are some stations/providers stepping up and trying to pump out some 3D content sooner than later, but not enough to warrant a serious push to get regular folks who are still scratching their head with HDTV to make the jump to 3D TV.

It would be nice to get all excited over all the new toys I would need to go out and buy & setup to get 3D in my home, but right now, I will just have to get all excited over all the cleaning (Mrs. Tech calls it “nesting”), painting, and baby shower registering that lies ahead of me within the next month or two. – Yay!?

What do you think? Is it too soon to go out and buy a 3D TV? Do you already own a 3D-Ready TV? if so, have you sucessfully watched an 3D signal, glasses and all?

This 2007 video is relatively current in regards to Home Theater content…but it features some old elements that made made Disney cartoons and shorts good back in the day (brings back memories)

Thanks @chaostoon for the find!

Multi-room audio - The EASY way

It was thought that the ONLY ways to enjoy quality music throughout your home was to either pre-wire your newly-built “McMansion” with miles of audio cable, install in-wall or in-ceiling speakers and connect it all to a CD changer or FM tuner in the basement; OR pay someone to come out and retrofit your 50-year old home with all the above equipment (which costs more). Oh, there is also the old-fashioned way: Buy two powered tower speakers, hook them up to a beefy amp/receiver AND JUST CRANK IT!

Well there is another option – Wireless! Now don’t get me wrong (and let me ease the anger of audiophiles everywhere), connecting all of your audio equipment directly (wired) is still going to provide you with the best sound quality and if done right, will ensure the lowest amount of signal interference. But as technology advances, newer ways to do the same ol’ same ol’ will advance as well.

The Lowdown:

Enter Sonos, a multi-room audio system built around wirelessly sending audio signals to different components around your home without the complicated and costly process of your typical wired multi-room audio distribution system.

Sonos claims that it’s system will provide the user:

“- Wireless that works like magic
- A multi-room system that’s flawless, flexible and fun.
- Instant access to endless music.
- Setup that’s out-of-the-box simple.“

[click the links for detailed descriptions]

They way they accompish this is by:

1. Connecting a ZoneBridge or ZonePlayer to your broadband router

2. Placing additional ZonePlayers in all the rooms where you want music, either by connecting said players to existing audio equipment (A/V receiver and/or powered speakers). Or adding players that include amplification and sound output.

3. Once the ZonePlayers are in place, you can control the players and your music collection by either the Sonos PC or Mac program, a Sonos portable controller, or by dowloading an app that will convert your iPhone or iPod Touch into a Sonos Player (Yes, you can control your multi-room audio system with your iPhone).

You can also listen to Internet radio (free or fee) and other online music services like Rhapsody, Napster & Pandora.

“You don’t need to be a tech genius or a wireless expert. You don’t have to break through walls or hire someone to re-wire your house. And you don’t need to know what hex keys and SSID are. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection, a router and two fingers so you can push the buttons on every ZonePlayer. When you want to expand, just add more ZonePlayers and Controllers and get those fingers ready.”

Prices for the ZoneBridge and ZonePlayers start at about $100 bucks, the Sonos Controller is $350 (iPhone or iPod Touch app is free) and the Sonos program for Mac or PC is free as well. They also have bundles they suggest as a simple way to get all you need with one purchase.

For all you audiophiles that contest enjoying your music collection via a series of complex audio connections is the ONLY way to do it…do yo’ thang. For everybody else who just wants some music in the kitchen while they cook, Sonos may be an ideal alternative.

*cough*Since I did such a nice writeup, maybe Sonos will send me some products to review*cough*