All 3 CSI Shows are FINALLY BACK!!!!

This week marks the return of the CSI trifecta on the CBS channel with the new season premiers of:

1. CSI: Miami
2. CSI: New York
3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Ever since the last seasons' finales since...what seems like years ago...I have been waiting anxiously for this week.

Needless to say, my Monday nights, Wednesday nights, and Thursday nights are just not the same without CSI.

This week's CSI premiers was capped off with tonight's 7th Season's premier of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (the Original) which aired at 9 p.m. PST, and I think that I'll be able to have a good and happy night's sleep tonight.

For those that have never seen a full episode of either of the 3 CSI shows, you are totally missing out. Trust me...try it out, and,...you're welcome (you can thank me later). :-)

All of the CSI shows are written, performed, produced, filmed like a full-feature major movie. It's like a "mini movie," but the only thing that's mini about it is just the running time (which is 40-something minutes).

Despite being snubbed (again!) by the Emmy's this year...the CSI franchise is still a winner with a loyal and growing fan base, whom happens to have impeccable taste. :-)

It's because of QUALITY. It's not lousy, waste-of-your-time, another-run-of-the-mill TV shows (like SOOOOOO many other shows on TV these days...MTV and Sci-Fi channels, anyone??)...viewers quickly become fans, and these fans become devoted fans because it's just darn-good entertainment that's intelligent, thrilling, suspenseful and action-packed all nicely put together.

The CSI shows are also presented in High-Definition on TV, which really tops off what is already a whole bunch of yummy goodness. Sure,...you can play catch-up when it comes out on DVD after the seasons ends, but that's just too much time lost, my friend. You're also missing out on major awesome water cooler talk. HDTVs are getting larger, better, and CHEAPER! You probably don't want to wait decades until the HDTVs now get dirt cheap, though. Now is a great time to get one so that you can experience CSI in all its glory (as well as a lot of other great TV)...you can check-out AudioVideoComponents.com for our HDTVs, and we even have the Toshiba REGZA 42" 1080p Flat Panel LCD HDTV as the current Monthly Super Deal! (Psst...we're also working hard...but after watching CSI...on getting more Flat-Panel HDTVs, so visit us often to check-out new additions)

So,...be sure to check-out CSI and get a HDTV. If you're new to CSI, get started with the 1st Seasons of the 3 shows, which are all available on DVD. Although I watch all 3 CSI shows on TV, I still watch the DVDs to not only re-live the experience, and also to know more behind-the-scenes stuff with the commentaries, interviews, featurettes and other bonus features on the DVDs.

Bon Appetit, and stay tuned for more posts about CSI and other great TV shows and movies!

New Store Additions: Remote Controls

We've added a new "aisle" to our store: Remote Controls.

We're picky folks, and we only pick products that we like, and that we think our customers will like.

So,...even though there is a limited selection of products, it's a limited selection of goodies. :-)

We're looking at some more remote controls now, and so some more will be available at AudioVideoComponents.com soon.

In the meantime, check-out our Logitech universal remote controls:
http://www.audiovideocomponents.com/Remote-Controls-s/178.htm

Free Gift with Purchase: Free Comects HDMI Cable with Purchase of Neptune HDMI Switcher

If you're in the market for an HDMI Switcher, our Free Gift promotion for the Neptune Switchers by Comects is still going on.

This HDMI Switcher comes in real handy when you need to hookup additional components, such as your Sony PS3, XBox, or even an additional DVD player, such as your HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray players.

Comects' Neptune Series of Enhanced HDMI Switcher complies with HDMI's Version 1.2 specifications and has 1080p support.

There are two (2) models in Comects' Neptune Series: the 3-in by 1-out model (Neptune 3x1) and the 5-in by 1-out model (Neptune 5x1).

If you take advantage of our promotion that's going on now until September 30, 2007, you'll get Comects' 6-feet long HDMI-to-HDMI cable free with your purchase of either the Neptune 3x1 or Neptune 5x1.

For more information about Comects and their Neptune Series of Enhanced HDMI Switchers at AudioVideoComponents.com, click the link below:

http://www.audiovideocomponents.com/Neptune-Enhanced-HDMI-Switchers-s/39.htm

Digital Media Centers

Digital media centers have been getting more popular, perhaps due to the fact that people are accustomed to conveniently storing, cataloging and playing their music collections from their MP3 players and cell phones.

Along with its rising popularity, more companies are making digital media centers, giving consumers more options and price ranges. Now, you can get one for several hundred dollars (compared to the thousand-dollar range not too long ago).

Having a digital media center may seem like having yet another piece in the smorgasbord of components, cables and gadgets in the cozy destination of the home called the home theater, but it's actually a pretty nifty thing to have. For one thing, it'll take up much less space than a large pile of DVDs and CDs. It's also a great conversation starter and Show+Tell for when you have guests/parties at your place.

So, what do you think about digital media centers? Do you already have one or plan to get one soon?

Or, do you think it's just a waste of money,...an unnecessary thing,...what???

We want to hear from you....

HDTV News ... Sony KDS-R70XBR2 HDTV

Although some may argue that there's already too many HDTV choices available (just take a stroll around your nearby big-box retailer and you'll see what we mean...), making it even more confusing for most consumers to make a decision, we think that it's a good thing.

Besides, who wouldn't want better High Def?

Anyhoo...here's the buzz about Sony's new XBR-2 series of HDTVs:

The successor of the highly-acclaimed XBR-Series, Sony’s flagship Grand
WEGA XBR Series projection televisions carry on the legacy of its predecessor.
Equipped with the same SXRD technology, the XBR2-Series picture captures
movement with unprecedented accuracy, and the Advanced Iris function provides
superior contrast (up to 10,000:1).

The XBR Series has WEGA Engine HD video processing technology for refined
high definition picture quality. The XBR-Series now offers a detachable speaker
design on the 70″ model, and includes three HDMI inputs (1080p) for uncompressed audio/video interface between TV and compatible external components. Bigger,
brighter and better than ever, Sony’s Grand WEGA SXRD XBR2 Series provides the full HD 1080p experience with stunning detail, film-like images, and crisp, smooth motion.

With the KDSR70XBR2, Sony offers a television capable of delivering a
“film-like” image with exceptional clarity, industry-leading contrast ratio, and
unsurpassed color reproduction. The development of the SXRD panel allowed Sony
to achieve this objective through a reflective display technology that’s totally
different from traditional micro display devices. With 0.35 micrometer
inter-pixel spacing and a 92 percent panel fill factor, SXRD boasts the highest
pixel density possible for unprecedented picture brightness and clarity, coupled
with world-class black level and color stability.

The KDSR70XBR2’s optical engine features three separate SXRD panels — one
each for red, green and blue. All three colors appear on-screen simultaneously
for greater stability and accuracy. So color is consistently vivid, flesh tones
remain lifelike and flicker is never a problem.

SXRD technology is the latest display technology developed by the legendary
television engineers at Sony to meet and exceed the demands of a high definition
image at its full 1080 line resolution. Digitally transmitted high definition
signals can contain over two million individual detail points that need to be
displayed accurately and rapidly. SXRD displays those two million detail points
per SXRD panel accurately since the three SXRD panels actually contain enough
pixels to fully display a 1080 line picture without interlacing it. SXRD has the
speed to create a smooth, film like image with a blistering 2.5 ms response
time, which exceeds the demands of even the most rapidly moving high definition
images. And SXRD creates highly accurate, natural colors because the three-panel
design displays all the colors, all the time.

WEGA Engine HD Video Processor is the latest generation of Sony’s exclusive
WEGA HD Engine fully Digital signal-processing path. It includes video
processing functions that are designed to improve overall picture quality. The
WEGA Engine HD has similar functions to the WEGA Engine — a green, blue, and
white color enhancer circuit for a vivid image, digital MPEG noise reduction
circuit to reduce annoying MPEG artifacts, and the digital contrast enhancer
circuit to deliver crisp and vivid images with high contrast. The WEGA Engine HD
adds the following: DRC-MFv2.5–Sony’s exclusive video signal processing that
improves video signals to a realistic and clean picture quality according to
signal types, CCP-XA–generates high purity, high signal-to-noise ratio and
enables the generation of wide bandwidth and stable digital component signals,
IFP2–has functions that optimize contrast and remove noise in the signal to
reproduce video with little noise and blur.

The Advanced Iris function is a special Sony function designed to improve
Contrast expression especially in darker scenes. The Advanced Iris function is
enabled by using either one of two modes, Auto and Manual. The Auto Mode has two
settings designed to work best with video content such as movies that vary
between bright scenes and dark scenes. Auto 1 is for programs that have a wide
range of brightness from scene to scene. Auto 2 is for programs that have less
variation between brightness levels from scene to scene.

If you’re a cable subscriber, the KDSR70XBR2’s CableCARD slot provides you
with access to digitally encrypted cable channels without the need for a set-top
box. The CableCARD, which is provided by your cable TV provider, is inserted
into the TVs rear panel CableCARD slot. After the service is activated by your
cable TV company, the card replaces the need for an external box.

Designed for maximum versatility, Sony’s Grand WEGA XBR line is equipped
with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-Digital
audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition
video, together with multi-channel Digital audio to provide matchless image and
sound reproduction. The PC input (D-Sub 15) offers easy connection to your PC,
allowing you to use your high resolution Grand WEGA XBR TV as a computer
monitor.

Considering the remarkable picture quality, its audio has a lot to live up
to. And it does. Sony’s top-of-the-line audio delivers powerful, rich, detailed
soundscapes that fully complement the screen. With MTS Stereo decoding and SRS
TruSurround XT, you’ll get outstanding stereo sound as well as virtual surround
sound.

Source:
http://www.hdtv-news.co.uk/2007/09/14/sony-kds-r70xbr2-hdtv/

Speaker Stands: What are they for anyways?

So what are Speaker Stands anyways?

For those of you who are wondering what a speaker stand is used for, the kinda-short answer is:

To control the flow of vibrations away from the speaker, and to not let the speaker's own vibrations (or the vibrations from surrounding items, including the woofer) muffle itself.

So,...aside from using speaker stands to neatly "seat" your speakers like the top photo at the left,...it's necessary because it gives the "space" for your speakers to do its job.

You can check-out all the speaker stands available at AudioVideoComponents.com here: http://www.audiovideocomponents.com/Speaker-Stands-s/130.htm

Sony to launch new models of Blu-ray recorders in November

Here's the latest news from Forbes.com about the upcoming Blu-Ray Recorders from Sony:

TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Sony Corp, the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker, said Wednesday it will start selling four new models of Blu-ray disc recorders in early November. Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) said it aims to produce 40,000 units of the Blu-ray disc recorders a month.

The high-definition machines will hit the market in time for the crucial year-end holiday shopping season with a price tag ranging from 140,000 yen to 200,000 yen, depending on the disk drivecapacity.

Source:
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/09/12/afx4107818.html

Fun + Games ... Jeopardy! Goes Interactive on DVD

The Jeopardy! loving fans here at the Audio/Video Buzz team are very excited about the new Jeopardy! interactive DVD game.

While you may think that it's just a DVD that you pop into your DVD player and play along by talking out loud in front of your screen while using your remote to navigate about, this new Jeopardy! game takes it a step...actually,...several steps further: this game tries to take you in a live experience, with Alex Trebek asking the questions, and wireless buzzers for players to use. Here's what's said on the press release:

Hosted by the show’s very own Alex Trebek, the Jeopardy! DVD game system uses exclusive interactive technology to recreate the live experience of America’s Favorite Quiz Show®. Up to three players compete in 20 original “episodes” and answer over 1200 challenging questions -- all read by Alex Trebek. Wireless buzzers allow players to navigate an interactive game board and respond to clues that appear on the TV screen.

Jeopardy!, Sony Pictures Consumer Products and MGA Entertainment worked together throughout the year-long production to ensure that the Jeopardy! fan was considered in each and every element of the game. In addition to Alex hosting, some of these elements include digitally recreating the set, players using individual buzzers and the voice of Johnny Gilbert introducing the game. Many categories also feature video clues by the fan-favorite “Clue Crew” -- a first for a Jeopardy! home game!

With real-time scoring and the chance to wager on Daily Doubles and Final Jeopardy!, the Jeopardy! DVD game is the next best thing to being an actual contestant on the show!

You can check-out the full article here:

http://www.smartbrief.com/news/cea/industryBW-detail.jsp?id=184676EC-6814-4568-9C3B-0DD64A32CB79

Show + Tell ... Show us your Home Theater!

Show and tell us about your home theater.

However wicked or weird it is...let us know! It's always interesting to see how real people layout their home theater (vs. how it's shown in ads) and showcase or hide various audio/video components.

E-mail your photos and story to: contact@audiovideocomponents.com

If we pick and showcase yours, we will send you a coupon for AudioVideoComponents.com so that you can get more goodies to add to your collection!

So grab your camera and start showing off your pride and joy now!

The More You Know ... What is HDMI?

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

Type A (Female) HDMI

Here's an Overview from HDMI.org:

Comprised of Hitachi, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), Royal Philips Electronics, Silicon Image, Sony Corporation, Thomson and Toshiba Corporation, the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Founders have joined together to define a next-generation digital interface specification for consumer
electronics products. HDMI is also supported by major motion picture producers, as well as satellite and cable companies.

HDMI Licensing, LLC is the licensing agent responsible for administering the licensing of the HDMI Specification, promoting the HDMI standard and providing education on the benefits of HDMI to retailers and consumers.

HDMI is an all-digital interface/connection solution that combines both audio and video (instead of separate cables/interconnects). HDMI provides an interface between audio/video sources, such as a DVD player, A/V receiver, digital television, etc. over a single cable.

HDMI was founded by industry giants, and is quickly becoming the standard interface in many audio/video components and consumer electronics (including computers).

Q. What is HDMI?

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements. HDMI is the de facto standard digital interface for HD and the consumer electronics market: More than 500 companies have become adopters, and more than 130 million devices featuring HDMI are expected to ship in 2007, with an installed based of nearly one billion HDMI devices by 2010 (conservative estimates by In-Stat). Convergence – HDMI is the interface for convergence of PC and consumer electronics devices: HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards. Evolving standard – HDMI is continually evolving to meet the needs of the market: Products implementing new versions of the HDMI specification will continue to be fully backward compatible with earlier HDMI products.

Q. Who supports HDMI?

The HDMI Founders include leading consumer electronics manufacturers Hitachi, Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic), Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. In addition, HDMI has the support of major motion picture producers Fox, Universal, Warner Bros. and Disney, and system operators DirecTV, EchoStar (Dish Network) as well as CableLabs.

Q. What are the advantages of HDMI over existing analog video interfaces such as composite, S-Video and component video?

Quality: Because HDMI is a digital interface, it provides the best quality of the video since there are no lossy analog to digital conversions as are required for all analog connections (such as component or S-video). The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most.

Ease-of-use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added.Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way
communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g 480p vs 720p, 16:9 vs 4:3) for the display that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the format options to guess what looks best. HD Content-Ready: HDMI devices supporting HDCP have the comfort of knowing they will have access to premium HD content now and in the future. HD-DVD and Blu-ray have delayed the activation of the image constraint token (a.k.a. content protection flag) with today’s HD movies to help minimize potential issues caused by the transition, but are expected to activate this in a few years, meaning future HD movies will then not be viewable at HD resolutions over unprotected interfaces such as analog component.

Q. What is the advantage of using HDMI over existing audio interfaces such as analog RCA connectors and digital SPDIF (coax and optical connectors)?

Quality: HDMI maintains the audio in its pure digital form all the way to the amplifier. Analog audio connections are more prone to losses depending on the cabling and other electronics of the audio rendering device. Compared to SPDIF connections, HDMI has significantly more bandwidth, allowing it to support the latest lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HS Master Audio. These formats can not be supported over SPDIF connections due to their very high data rate requirements that exceed the capabilities of SPDIF.

Ease of Use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added.

Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the audio source (such as a DVD player) and the audio rendering device (such as an A/V receiver), enabling new functionality such as automatic
configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g Dolby Digital vs. 2 channel PCM) for the A/V receiver that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the audio format options to guess what is best and properly
supported.

Q. What is the life expectancy of HDMI?

HDMI is an evolving standard and changes to meet the needs of the market. HDMI has capacity to spare, and can incorporate new technology advancements and capabilities long into the foreseeable future.

Q. How can a consumer identify which HDMI products support a specific feature, such as DVD Audio or Deep Color?

The key for consumers to remember is that HDMI has consistently enabled a variety of the most innovative new technologies (whether they be DVD Audio, SACD, 1080p/60, etc.). However, in many cases, it is up to each manufacturer to choose which features to implement in any given product. The manufacturer can thus use its knowledge of the market to choose the mix of features that makes sense for its customers. So, customers must choose devices that have the features that they want (instead of focusing on which version of HDMI is implemented by the device.). Consumers interested in confirming whether a particular consumer electronics product supports DVD-Audio or any other feature over HDMI are urged to review users’ manuals and product reviews and check with manufacturers directly.

As technology evolves, so does HDMI via its specifications versions. From the initial Version 1.0 (released in Year 2002), Version 1.3 is the newest specifications version, as explained on HDMI.org:

Q. What’s new in the HDMI 1.3 Specification?

Higher speed: Although all previous versions of HDMI have had more than enough bandwidth to support all current HDTV formats, HDMI 1.3 increases its single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbps) to support the demands of future HD display devices, such as higher resolutions, Deep Color and high frame rates. In addition, built into the HDMI 1.3 specification is the technical foundation that will let future versions of HDMI reach significantly higher speeds.

Deep Color: HDMI 1.3 supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit (RGB or YCbCr) color depths, up from the 8-bit depths in previous versions of the HDMI specification, for stunning rendering of over one billion colors in unprecedented detail.

Broader color space: HDMI 1.3 adds support for “x.v.Color™” (which is the consumer name describing the IEC 61966-2-4 xvYCC color standard), which removes current color space limitations and enables the display of any color viewable by the human eye.

New mini connector: With small portable devices such as HD camcorders and still cameras demanding seamless connectivity to HDTVs, HDMI 1.3 offers a new, smaller form factor connector option.

Lip Sync: Because consumer electronics devices are using increasingly complex digital signal processing to enhance the clarity and detail of the content, synchronization of video and audio in user devices has become a greater challenge and could potentially require complex end-user adjustments. HDMI 1.3 incorporates automatic audio synching capabilities that allows devices to perform this synchronization automatically with total accuracy.

New HD lossless audio formats: In addition to HDMI’s current ability to support high-bandwidth uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby® Digital and DTS®), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless compressed digital audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™.