Apple’s music event on September 1^st brought great news to home theater enthusiasts with the release of a new Apple TV.   The new Apple TV boasts a stripped down form factor about ¼ the size of older models.  This is in part because there is no longer local storage and Apple has stripped down the A/V ports to just an HDMI and Optical audio jack.

In terms of functionality, the new Apple TV works as a streaming only device.  Therefore, there’s no longer a need to worry about managing storage or syncing an iTunes library.  Movies and shows are streamed directly from iTunes as rentals.  In addition, Netflix streaming service is now supported with this new model.  The best part, is that there’s still the ability to wirelessly stream music, video and photos from your computer at blazing speeds.

The Apple TV is scheduled to go on sale in September, with a starting pricepoint of $99.

Did you know that Netflix subscribers have access to a large selection of streaming movies, shows, concerts, and more?

Internet ready Blu-ray players like the Samsung BD-P3600 and current generation game systems can connect directly to your Netflix account and stream unlimited video content to your home theater.

Netflix just announced two great additions to their service.

1. Starting this September Paramount and Lionsgate movies will be added to the Netflix streaming roster.
2. The Netflix App for iPhone was just released giving mobile access to streaming content on iphones, ipods or ipads.

Left: Traditional. Right: The TRUFIG difference.

Introducing TRUFIG—a revolutionary new flush-mounting technology developed by the engineers at Sonance, the inventors of the original in-wall speaker. TRUFIG takes ordinary protruding wall elements like Crestron touchpanels, Lutron lighting keypads, electrical outlets and even recessed lighting fixtures and turns them into flush-mounted pieces of architectural beauty. This new technology is turning heads the architectural and interior design committee, as TRUFIG recently received the Wallpaper* Magazine Design Award in the “Best Turn On” category.

To truly appreciate the TRUFIG difference, contact us today to experience the TRUFIG demo at our Novato showroom.

But for those SoundVision clients with Samsung Blu-ray Disc players, heads up: we’ve received reports from Samsung that some models may require a firmware update before they can play the Avatar Blu-ray Disc. The reason? The new digital rights management (DRM) encryption on the Avatar disc, intended to thwart piracy and illegal duplication. The current Samsung Blu-ray Disc player models affected are the BD-C5500 and BD-C6500, as well as all older models of Samsung players.

If you device is connected to the Internet through a wired or wireless connection, chances are your player has prompted you to download and install the firmware at some point. If your player is not connected, you can download the firmware update by visiting the Samsung firmware website and downloading it there. Instructions will be posted there for installing the firmware on your player, and if you need assistance, please give us a call at (415) 456-7000.

The first technology uses a device known as a beam-splitter, which is essentially an angled two-way mirror allowing one camera to shoot images through the mirror, and another camera mounted on top to shoot images that are reflected off the mirror. This setup, shown here with two Red One cameras, is typically used for filming motion pictures in 3D, such as the mega-hit Avatar.

The second option is to mount two cameras side-by-side, which is typically used when shooting live programming like sports events in 3D. This image was taken during ESPN’s first-ever test 3D broadcast of the USC vs. Ohio State college football game last fall. While it works well for live 3D events, a special technician known as a stereographer looks ahead a few shots to ensure that the two cameras do not lose convergence—essentially going crosseyed—due to the distance between the two lenses. These cameras also present logistical challenges for broadcasters and venues, as they cannot be placed in the typical stadium camera locations.

Just introduced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show and put on public display for the first time at the 2010 NAB Show is Panasonic’s new AVC-ULTRA3D camcorder, which features new split lens technology. This eliminates the need for two complete cameras to be placed side by side in a special rig and enables handheld shooting, making it more cost effective for broadcasters and filmmakers to produce 3D content.

For the past few years, our company tagline has been “Cleanly designed, simple to use, robust and reliable, home entertainment and control systems.” While SoundVision has become known around the Bay Area for delivering just that–systems and experiences that exceed expectations and create enthusiastically satisfied customers–we felt that there had to be a way to convey this in a more concise way to our customers. And now, we’re happy to introduce our new tagline to our clients: “Entertainment and technology. Simplified.”

“We are extremely proud of our reputation of providing a simple and reliable product to our valued clients,” said Scott Sullivan, president of SoundVision. “The new SoundVision tagline reflects our track record and commitment to making our clients’ lives easier in a more succinct and powerful way.”

The new tagline is the culmination of a six-month process designed to overhaul the way SoundVision communicates how we give discriminating customers what they really want in home entertainment and technology: a system that complements their home’s aesthetics, is simple to learn and use, and extremely reliable. Leveraging our expertise and commitment to continual training, SoundVision brings a simpler, more human approach to entertainment and automation technologies. Look for our new tagline first on our website, and in future SoundVision materials.

SoundVision is a finalist in both the TechHome Integrator of the Year and the Retrofit Project of the Year Under $100,000 categories. This latest recognition comes on the heels of the company’s sweep of the Best Home Theater Remmie Awards, given out by the Bay Area chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

The winners will be announced later this month at the Electronic House Expo Spring 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

• DVR folders: The guide software will automatically organize multiple episodes of the same series into folders, cleaning up the recorded shows list and making it easier to find your favorite episodes.
• DVR Search and Record: Now you can set up “wish lists” based on actors, keywords or titles and your DVR will automatically record programs for you.
• Remote DVR scheduling: Customers with Comcast high-speed internet service and a Comcast.net username can now log into “MyDVR Scheduler” and set DVR recordings and manage series recordings from a web browser, or using the Comcast Mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch.

For more information and to download a printable user guide, head over to the New Guide page on the Comcast website. Your DVR box will download the new software automatically in the overnight hours over the next few weeks, and the new software is expected to be activated in early March.

The SoundVision FastTrack division was created specifically to handle quick projects like system additions and upgrades rapidly, but with the same attention to detail and quality of workmanship that have become hallmarks of SoundVision projects since our inception. FastTrack projects are also backed by SoundVision’s low price guarantee and lifetime guarantee on workmanship. If you’re interested in making an addition to your existing SoundVision system or adding a TV to another room in your home, get in touch with us today.

SoundVision’s FastTrack division: making it easier than ever to get what you really want.

Panasonic pushed the plasma TV size barrier a few years ago with the introduction of a 103-inch 1080p plasma HDTV, and they’re pushing the envelope once again with a new 152-inch 3D 4K2K ultra-high definition plasma display at this year’s CES. (Thanks to our friends over at SlashGear for the image of the plasma on display at Panasonic’s CES booth.) This new mega TV features a resolution of 4,096 x 2,160 pixels, or a resolution more than twice as higher as your ordinary 1080p HDTV. As expected, the picture quality on this beast of a TV is reported to be stunning. No word on pricing yet.

Just when you thought Samsung’s line of ultra-thin, LED edge-lit LCD HDTVs couldn’t get any thinner, they did. The new 9000-series of Samsung LED LCD TVs made their debut at this year’s CES, and like many of the other new displays introduced this year, include 3D processing capability when paired with a 3D-capable Blu-ray Disc player. Like Samsung’s other HDTV products, the 9000-series includes built-in WiFi to access online content, such as YouTube streaming and Netflix video-on-demand. Check out Engadget’s hands-on post for the skinny on this amazing new ultra-thin TV.

It’s clear that the real star of this year’s CES was 3D, and we’ll definitely be seeing and learning more about this emerging technology as the year progresses. Stay tuned!