Smart Home Pro

A new blog post arrived in the email this morning, announcing the Panasonic SC-ZT2 home cinema speakers.  Don't get wildly excited just yet.  Just announced in Munich, we don't know when they'll be in the USA and no pricing is available.

The concept behind these speakers is fantastic, and represents an emerging trend in whole room audio.  7.1 surround sound from a pair of clean tower speakers with down-firing subwoofers?  Very nice!

So if they're not available and aren't priced, why even mention these speakers?

Because we field a lot questions about "wireless speakers," that's why.

First off, unless they're battery powered, "wireless speakers" aren't truly wireless.  They need power for local in-speaker amplifiers.  Wireless power is a really cool concept and I'm sure some research lab is making progress on that front.  Until then, remember your wireless speaker's amplifier will need a power wire.

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Walls of bookshelves line the family room.  Neatly stacked rows of DVDs line the shelves, organized alphabetically by genre.  "The CDs are in the game room."   I wonder how many CDs and DVDs are in the collection...

If you're a movie or music collector, or if you have a collection of precious family videos on DVD, you should ask us about media servers.  A media server stores your music and movies in a digital format and plays them back much like a DVD or CD player.   Then you store your disks in a safe, dry location out of view.

Not all media servers are the same.  Here are a few features to consider:

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As a follow up to my earlier post on sound bars, specifically the sound bar included with the Mitsubishi Unisen,  Mitsubishi Electronics put together some great overviews of this technology.

We have this on display in our showroom.

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The Unisen 249 Series has two additional mid-range speakers for even better sound (below the fold). . . (click "Read More")

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In my earlier posting, I highlighted the contribution great sound makes to your home theater experience.  Whether you're watching a movie, sporting event (did anyone notice the great low frequency effects used in the last Super Bowl?), or video concert, comparing your standard television speakers with a good sound system is night versus day.

Yes, you can stop by our showroom and we can help you to a fantastic 5.1 Surround Sound processor, amplifier and speakers – all custom designed for your room.   We know that some rooms need a simpler solution, and so does Mitusbishi.

The new Mitsubishi Unisen Immersive Sound system comes with ALL their new LCD televisions.  Immersive Sound is a 16 speaker sound bar, integrated into your television set.  After a few simple calibration steps to match the set to your room, close your eyes and let your ears fool you into thinking there are more speakers in the walls than are really there!

This is one of those "you have to hear it to believe it" features, especially when matched to a Polk Wireless Subwoofer, still running as a promotion until the end of October November ($400 value).

Best yet, the Mitsubishi Unisen Immersive Sound gives Dolby® Digital 5.1 sound to your room without additional wires!

Visit our Sedona show room for a demonstration, there's no comparison with any other television in the market.

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High Definition improves your television's picture.   While many don't see the difference at first, just ask someone who has been watching a 1080p picture for a while if they like watching a standard DVD movie.

What has High Definition done for your sound, though?   The picture's only half the story.  You see the picture and you feel the sound.

Smart Home Pro can set your room up with sound to match your budget.   Great sound starts with good left, center and right speakers.  Preferably this sound comes from an amplifier as most TVs don't emphasize sound processing.    Next, add a powered subwoofer.   This should overwhelm your room – a good subwoofer blends the "impact" sounds into your room.   Rear channel speakers give the true "surround" experience and make your system "5.1" – five speakers and one subwoofer or "7.1" – seven speakers and one subwoofer or "10.1" or "10.2" etc.

Your room's shape, furniture and orientation of equipment has much to do with your sound.  Construction of your room can make wiring speakers easy or hard (we like pre-wires if the speakers are in the correct location).  In this regard, its best to speak with the pros to discuss your options.

If you're still listening to your television through tiny, tinny speakers, visit our showroom to hear High Definition for sound!   

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Northern Arizona is a perfect place to getaway from the sweltering heat of the valley.

With moderate summer temperatures and fantastic star-filled nights, outdoor entertainment in Northern Arizona is a great way to relax and spend time with family and friends.

Add sound by your pool or on your deck using weatherproof speakers.   Call Smart Home Pro for more ideas and a free in-home consultation.  Favorites include "rock" speakers to disguise the sound into your terrain, or a nice set of JBL Control Now speakers with many mounting options.  Installing a pool?  Have you considered in-pool speakers?

There's no reason to overlook outdoor Television!  We have some great solutions for year-round weatherproof television enclosures.  Or go all out and install a theater screen under your patio deck.

Don't fret over those rain showers, the RTI U2 remote control is weather resistant!   This is a great remote for pool side entertainment or by the spa.  Add some outdoor lighting controls, some intelligent audio source installation, and your RTI can dim lights, manage your music or movies, even control your pool water features.

Go ahead, enjoy the outdoors and take your music and video outdoors with you.

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