Technology changes rapidly.  It can be hard to keep up on what's new and current and what is becoming obsolete.  It doesn't help that engineers like acronyms like HDTV and SACD.  So here is a list of some popular terms (and their acronyms) to help sort out what it all is.  This is just a brief description.  If you would like further details and explanations, please come in and see one of our Home Entertainment Specialists.

High Definition (HD)

High Definition or HD, is generally used to describe any video signal higher than the normal NTSC (480 lines) signal we have had since TV first began.  The signal is also digital as opposed to analog (ex. a record is analog where CD is digital).  This means that the snowy, fuzzy picture is a thing of the past.  This is now also being applied to other technologies like HD-Radio and DTS-HD which are audio formats.  The term HD coupled with anything else indicates it is better then the previous incarnation.

HDTV/DTV

HDTV and DTV are both digital formats.  DTV is the same 480 lines as the old NTSC standard but transmitted digitally (no snow).  HDTV includes two popular resolutions 720p and 1080i/p.  These are 720 lines and 1080 lines respectively.  The difference from standard TV to HDTV is like finally getting the glasses that you never thought you needed.

DLP/LCD/Plasma/Projection

TVs used to be CRT (the old tubes) which were big and heavy.  Today we have a variety of new technologies for whatever your room requires.

    DLP is actually a chip with many tiny mirrors used to reflect light from a lamp to project a picture either onto a screen.  The front projectors are used in rooms with screens from 60-300 inches.  The rear projection TVs are much smaller and thinner then the old CRT projection sets and are much brighter and are not affected by burn-in.

    LCD uses a liquid crystal and a grid of wires to create an image and a lamp behind it provides the light.  LCD comes in both projection and flat panel.  LCD projectors, like DLP, cast the picture on large screens up to 300 inches.  The LCD flat panels enjoy the ability to hang on the wall and come in sizes typically 20-57 inch . 

    Plasma TV uses gas filled cells that create the picture and light.  Plasma TVs are bright with great color contrast and come in flat panel style and usually in the 40-65 inch range.

Surround Sound/Home Theater

Surround Sound refers to an audio system that engulfs the audience in sound, usually by placing speakers around the room.  Home theater combines Surround Sound and large TVs to create a Theater-like experience in your home.

Dolby Digital/DTS

Dolby Digital and DTS are the 2 standard Surround Sound formats.  Both are digital and supported on almost all equipment.  They come in slightly varying formats like 5.1 and 7.1, but the differences are subtle.

DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray

These are the current Video disc formats and all are digital (note VCR was analog).  DVD is 480 lines and is standard today.  HD-DVD and Blu-ray are new HD format discs and support both 720 and 1080 resolutions.

CD/DVD-Audio/Super Audio CD(SACD)

These are the current Audio disc formats and all are digital (note: Audio Cassettes were analog).  CD is 74 minutes long of 2 channel (left and right) stereo sound.  DVD-Audio and SACD both support Surround Sound and 6 channels of audio.  Although there is not a large library of music available in these formats, the CD remains the most popular disc format.

Whole House Audio

Fill your home with music by having speakers hidden throughout the house.  We can place speakers in ceilings or walls out of sight and give you a volume control or keypad in the room to control the music.  Bring all your music together from CDs to computer MP3s and make it available to anyone in any room.  You can even have different music in separate rooms at the same time.

Control/Automation

You should never have to "figure out" how to work your entertainment system.  Multiple remotes and complicated controls take the fun out of an entertainment system.  We can provide you with complete and easy control of your equipment.  Try one remote for your home theater that talks to all your gear.  We can even control the lighting and curtains in addition to the TV and Sound System.

Structured Wiring

Structured wiring is used to describe a new homes wires when they all run to a central point where the equipment will be.  This allows for great flexibility when choosing equipment for the home.  If you are building a new home, ask us about pre-wiring the home with the Structured wiring method.  It will save cost later when you want to install speakers, TVs, and components.

We can add cameras for monitoring your home and recording devices for playback later.  These systems can even be made available via the internet so that you can check on your home while away.  Motion sensitive cameras can even be programmed to call your cell phone or email you when an alarm has been triggered.