I recently did an installation for a client involving a Panasonic LCD and an Onkyo receiver. I’ve used products from both companies many times and have never had a single complaint, but after this installation, I noticed a problem that had me stumped for weeks.

Since the HD receiver Comcast provided didn’t have HDMI output, the only device with HDMI all the way to the TV was the BluRay player. When using the receiver to switch to BluRay, I got flashing static on the TV, but the audio worked fine. I spent a good hour trying to find the problem. The BluRay player was also Panasonic, and both featured VieraLink. I thought this might be the problem, but after disabling it, I found out it wasn’t. Finally, I was able to get a picture by turning off the TV and BluRay player, setting the input on the Onkyo to BluRay, then powering up the TV and BluRay player again. It was a temporary fix, but I had to find a solution. I was about to start replacing equipment until I came across this article from the UK.

When two devices connect via HDMI, there is a “handshake” that confirms both devices are compliant and allows a signal to pass. When directly connected, there are no issues. When using a home theater receiver that features HDMI switching, the user can connect multiple HDMI devices in, and switch the inputs to feed a single HDMI out to the display, simplifying the use of the system. Up until now, I had never experienced a problem with the “handshake” occurring during the switch, but as luck would have it, there was a small compatibility issue with certain Panasonic TVs, and certain Onkyo receivers. The products I was working with were Panasonic’s TC-L37G1 LCD TV and Onkyo’s TX-SR607 receiver. After discovering this article, I called Panasonic to confirm the issue, and they informed me of a firmware update available for certain TV’s, tailored specifically to address the compatibility issue with Onkyo. As of this posting, the update is not available for download via Panasonic’s website, but comes in the form of an SD Card. I have received the card, and have scheduled an appointment to update the client’s firmware, and I’ll report back with my findings. Meanwhile, I’ve done some research and so far, I’ve seen 100% success rate with the update among others.

The firmware update is available for download here. The file should be copied to a formatted SD Card.

NOTE: This firmware is listed as compatible with the models listed below. ProWire cannot guarantee that this file will be compatible with your equipment, or solve your problem. We are not responsible for damage done to your TV. Downloading and installing this file to your TV should be done at your own risk! I highly recommend contacting Panasonic to ensure you get the proper firmware update.

Here is some of the information that came with the SD Card:

Applicable Models
TC-P42G10, TC-P46G10, TC-P50G10, TC-P54G10, TC-P42G15, TC-P46G15, TC-P50G15, TC-P50V10, TC-P54V10, TC-P58V10, TC-P65V10, TC-L37S1, TC-L32S1, TC-L42U12, TC-L37G1, TC-L32G1

This includes models with the suffix U, UP, or U/P.

Purpose
Solves incompatibility problem between the TV and Onkyo-Amp

How to Check Firmware Version
1.) Power the TV ON.
2.) Press the MENU button on the TV remote.
3.) Scroll down to SETUP and press OK.
4.) Scroll down below INPUT LABELS to ABOUT and then press OK.
5.) Scroll up or down to VERSION and then press OK.

Tuner Firmware Version
On the screen displayed, starting with the 2nd to last number, read every other number right to left. (ex. 0020-2900 = 0.22)

EPROM Firmware Version
Starting with the second number, read every other number left to right. (ex. 0020-2900 = 0.09

How to Install Firmware(Original directions are roughly translated. I tried to clean them up a little.)
CAUTION:
Do not turn the TV OFF or press any buttons on the TV while the firmware update is in progress.
Do not remove the SD Card from the SD Card Slot during the firmware update process.
1.) Power the TV ON.
2.) Insert the SD Card with the firmware update into the SD Card Slot on the side of the TV. Please wait for “Release Note” text to be displayed (about 30 seconds).
3.) Execute service download contents by selecting “OK” using “left-right” keys on the remote. The software download will then start.
4.) Wait until the progress bar reaches 100%. (about 5 minutes).
5.) When the “Please turn off the TV set” message is displayed, turn OFF the TV.
6.) Turn the TV back ON. A “System Initializing” message is displayed.
7.) Wait until the TV set reboots (about 3 minutes).
8.) The TV wil power ON and the screen will appear.

If you have installed this update, please comment below and let us know about your experience.

UPDATE:
I’ve installed the firmware update on the client’s TV and the problem is gone. The installation was fairly straight forward and only took about 10 minutes. My client hasn’t reported anymore problems.

When a product has become commoditized and its price is regularly dropping and its profit margins are getting ever-thinner, how can a company boost its sales and raise its prices?

One way is by changing the product’s name.

That’s what Samsung has done with its new line of LCD TVs using LEDs to illuminate the screen. In its print advertising and on its Web site, Samsung calls the new range simply “LED TVs.”

They are not LED TVs. Calling them such makes as much sense as calling its existing line of LCD televisions Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp TVs, or CCFL TVs, after the lighting technology that they use.

Whatever its validity, Samsung’s decision to drop “LCD” was a smart marketing move. After all, “LED” is the acronym du jour, a technology that’s all the rage as a new, perhaps revolutionary lighting source. It’s as emotive a term as “HDTV” and “digital” were in their heydays.

But it’s also confusing consumers. An industry colleague told me that in a recent trip to a big-box retailer, he overheard several friends asking what type of TV they were watching. One said it wasn’t LCD or plasma, it was an LED set.

More accurately, it was an expensive LCD set. LED-backlit LCD TVs can cost as much as twice their standard LCD or plasma counterparts. Is the extra money worth it, even if you can afford it?
Here are the answers to some questions you may have about LCD TVs using LED backlighting.

What’s wrong with existing LCD TVs?
Up until now, LCDs used fluorescent tubes to light the screen. As a result, LCDs have trouble creating deep blacks. That’s because fluorescent tubes are always on, and some light leaks through to the front of the display even when a part of the image is supposed to be black. A lack of deep blacks reduces the perceived sharpness of the set’s image.

Also, fluorescents lack a wide range of colors; hence, color saturation is limited.

What’s an LED TV?
It’s an LCD TV that uses LEDs to illuminate the display. There are two ways to do this: either by placing LEDs across the entire back of the display, or by placing LEDs just around the perimeter, which is called an “edge lit” display. Both techniques use less power than plasma TVs and LCD TVs lit with fluorescent tubes.

Which technique is better?
They both have their pros and cons. LCD TVs using edge-lit LCDs can be ultra-thin, because the LED sources are on the side. Edge-lit LED-lit LCDs are also less expensive than LCD TVs using LED backlit technology.

On the other hand, LCD TVs that use LEDs across the rear of the display can create sharply deeper blacks, through a technique called “local dimming.” When a scene calls for a dark image, the LEDs in that area can be shut off completely, so no light leaks through what should look black.

So if I want an LED-lit LCD, I should buy one using back-lit technology?
It’s not so simple. An LED back-lit TV may contain only about 1,000 LEDs. And those LEDs can only be dimmed in large groups, because it is too expensive to control each LED individually. So when you shut off or dim a group of LEDs you may also be darkening part of an adjoining scene on the TV that really should be bright. If you cut back on the dimming, then the blacks will be less dark than blacks in another part of the image that are not surrounded by lighter images.

Theoretically, you could increase the number of LEDs so that each lit just one pixel on the 2 million pixel LCD screen. But then you could just throw away the LCD screen because you would have actually created an LED television — just like the Walgreens LED sign in Times Square.

O.K., but still, LCD TVs with LEDs have great contrast
Sometimes they do. It depends on what you’re watching. As a Samsung engineer said to me last week, “the most dramatic effect of LED-lit TVs happens when the entire scene goes to black” — not necessarily when you’re watching a scene with a mixture of light and dark images.

Do LED-lit LCD TVs produce better pictures than plasma TVs?
Interestingly, I’ve heard no one in the industry claim that they do. At best, they say that with LED-lit LCD TVs, plasma no longer has an edge when it comes to creating deep blacks and saturated colors. But plasma still has a big edge when it comes to price.

How much more do LED-lit LCD TVs actually cost?
Right now, a lot. But that should change as more companies enter the market. The list price for Samsung’s 46-inch high-end LED-lit LCD TV, model UN46B8000, is $3,200. But its larger 50-inch plasma high-end model, the PN50B860, is $800 cheaper.

Later this year, LG will introduce two new series of LED LCD TVs, in 42-, 47-, and 55-inch screen sizes; all sets will use backlit LED technology. Prices have not been announced.

Not surprisingly, Vizio has just broken the LED price barrier. On Monday, the company announced that beginning this September it would ship the VF551XVT, a 55-inch LCD model using LED backlighting. The price: $2,200, or $1,000 less than Samsung’s smaller 46-inch LED-lit television. It looks like Samsung’s strategy to make its LED-based LCD TVs a premium product may have a short life.

(Source)

Michael White

“After a very thorough search, we have found an exceptional leader with a sustained track record of success, profitably growing businesses and a reputation for making the impossible possible,” said Malone. “Mike also brings the highest degree of leadership, innovation and passion to the table – all qualities that will help drive DIRECTV’s performance in the coming years. I look forward to watching him build on DIRECTV’s success and lead the company to an exciting new future.”

Malone added, “I’d also like to thank Larry Hunter for filling the role of interim CEO since June. He and the entire management team have done an incredible job of keeping the business running smoothly during the past six months and we are lucky to have such an experienced executive team.”

Since joining PepsiCo in 1990 as vice president of planning for Frito-Lay North America (FLNA), White has held many senior positions there, including CFO of FLNA, executive vice president and CFO of Frito-Lay International, CFO of Pepsi-Cola Company worldwide and CFO of PepsiCo.

During that time he led a transformation of PepsiCo’s international business and has helped engineer numerous acquisitions, including the pending agreements to acquire the company’s two largest bottlers, the Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas. Prior to PepsiCo, White also held executive positions at Avon Products, Inc., Bain & Company and Arthur Andersen & Co.

“This is an exciting time to be taking the reins at DIRECTV,” said White. “It’s a great company with the best television service and a strong brand, offering plenty of opportunities and challenges and I can’t wait to meet both head on. I look forward to working with the talented management team and employees as we continue to grow the business, delight the customer and further distance DIRECTV’s leadership position.”

Note that some of these systems include a DVD or Blu-ray player, others don’t. Since DVD players are cheap and plentiful–you probably have a player or game console already–the lack of a bundled disc player isn’t a big deal. Looking for smaller systems with less speakers? Check out virtual surround systems as well.

	1. Onkyo HT-S9100THX The Onkyo HT-S91000THX breaks the HTIB mold, offering four HDMI inputs, full-size speakers, and the best sound we’ve heard to date from an all-in-one system. Read More →
	2. Samsung HT-BD1250 Samsung’s HT-BD1250 home theater system has built-in Blu-ray, streaming media from Netflix and Pandora, and excellent audio and video quality, making it our top budget Blu-ray all-in-one system. Read More →
	3. Yamaha YHT-791BL The Yamaha YHT-791BL home theater system sounds nearly as good as the Onkyo HT-S9100THX (while costing less), and comes with an iPod dock, making it an excellent all-in-one system for the audiophile on a budget. Read More →
	4. LG LHB953 The LG LHB953 combines Blu-ray, tons of streaming media content, and solid AV quality into an all-in-one home theater system that scores high on the value quotient. Read More →
	5. Panasonic SC-BT300 Panasonic’s SC-BT300 is a 7.1 home theater system with built-in Blu-ray and its tall-boy speakers help deliver very good sound quality, but it doesn’t have the Netflix streaming found on some of its similarly priced competitors. Read More →
	6. Onkyo HT-S3200 While it lacks some of the features found in more expensive home theater systems, the Onkyo HT-S3200 delivers great sound and solid performance at a bargain price. Read More →
	7. Sony HT-SS360 The Sony HT-SS360 is an inexpensive home theater system with generous HDMI connectivity and satisfying sound on movies, but don’t expect it to deliver with music. Read More →
	8. Panasonic SC-BT200 Panasonic’s SC-BT200 is a 7.1 home theater system with built-in Blu-ray and solid sonics for the price, but it doesn’t have the Netflix streaming found on some of its similarly priced competitors. Read More →
	9. Sony BDV-E500W The Sony BDV-E500W is an attractive home theater system with built-in Blu-ray and wireless rear speakers, but it’s too expensive and lacks streaming media services such as Netflix or Pandora found on cheaper competing systems. Read More →
	10. Sony DAV-HDX589W If Blu-ray compatibility isn’t a consideration, Sony’s HAV-HDX589W home theater system offers a good balance of features and quality. Read More →

To purchase any of the above products, or for more information, call us today at 877.433.WIRE.

Original Article by:
John P. Falcone,
Senior Editor, CNET.com
October 20, 2009

If you’re a DirecTV customer, you probably already know why they’re #1 in satellite. But just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you may be surprised to find that there are a ton of extras thrown in to the software that enhance your experience even more. We’ve compiled a list of the top five features that you probably didn’t know you had.

1. Score Guide

ScoreGuide is a free utility that allows viewers to see live score information for all major sports including NFL, NCAA, MLB, NHL, golf, and tennis. When viewing any major sports network, like ESPN for example, just press the red button on your DirecTV remote. Keep up to date on all the games, even if you’re watching something else. If you missed the game, it will also display who on. You can easily tune to a game in progress by highlighting it and pressing select. Even if you don’t want to spring for premium services like Sunday Ticket, ScoreGuide will keep you in the loop.

2. Favorites

Favorites lists are a simple way to cut out the clutter of channels that you never watch. If you’re a channel surfer, favorites lists are perfect. Not only will your personal preferences be the only channels in the guide, but the channel button will skip over the unwanted channels as well. If you just want to see the channels you subscribe too, you can also choose a preset list called “Channels I Get”.

To choose a favorites list, press the yellow button and enter the Favorites menu. Pick the list you want and press select. Now your guide only shows the channels you want to see. To set up a personalized favorites list, open the Menu, go to the Favorites section, then choose Edit. Here you can select all the channels you watch on a normal basis and name your list.

3. Quicktune

Quicktune allows the viewer to quickly jump to one of nine favorites simply by selecting its icon. To program a quicktune favorite, tune to the channel you want to save, then open quicktune by pressing the up arrow. Select the location you want it to be in, and press the green button. To view the quicktune menu, select the up arrow at anytime, scroll to your preset and press select. It’s as simple as that!

4. DoublePlay

If you have a DVR, you may have noticed that the buffer that allows you to rewind live TV only works as long as you’re tuned to a certain channel. Once you change channels, you lose the buffered program. In a new software update, DirecTV has introduced DoublePlay, allowing you to buffer two programs at once. To activate DoublePlay, press the down arrow twice. The DVR will switch tuners and you can choose your second program. Now both programs will be saved in the buffer. For example, if you’re watching two baseball games, you can toggle back and forth when the action gets slow on one, and if you missed a home run, simply rewind to see it again. To toggle within DoublePlay, just press the down arrow. If you use the Previous Channel button, it will toggle between two channels on the same tuner and you will lose the buffer.

5. A/V Receiver Volume Punch-Through

You probably already know that the switch at the top of your DirecTV remote can be programmed to most DVD players and audio receivers, but if you prefer to listen to DirecTV through your sound system, switching the toggle switch is too much of a hassle. That means you’re probably using a second remote. Fortunately, DirecTV has thought of this by providing the option to lock the volume control across all components.

To do this, go into the remote programming section of the menu and choose AV1 or AV2 and if you haven’t already done it, program the remote for the A/V receiver by following the on screen instructions. Once that’s done, press and hold Menu and Select again while still on the source. Enter 993 and press Select. Now switch back to DirecTV mode and the volume button should operate your A/V receiver. That’s one less remote to worry about!

For more information about DirecTV, or to sign up for your own account, call us today at 877.433.WIRE.

We believe in offering quality products at an affordable price. Vizio is quickly becoming a major player in home theater equipment, and they share the same goals, so we’ve chosen to offer their products to our clients starting November 1, 2009.

Here’s an excerpt from their site:

VIZIO, Inc. “Where Vision Meets Value,” headquartered in Irvine, California, is America’s fastest-growing HDTV and consumer electronics company.

Who is VIZIO?

VIZIO’s revolutionizing how we watch, listen … and live! Based on the belief that everyone is entitled to the latest technology, VIZIO’s redefining high definition by finding a better way and making it for everyone, using greener methods! What started in 2002 as a small company consisting of three people has quickly grown into a company of more than 160 employees, two American based offices and earned the #1 position in LCD shipments in North America in Q1 of 2009¹ and the #1 position in LCD HDTV shipments in the US as of Q2 of 2009².

VIZIO Timeline:

2002

• Founded in October of 2002 under the name V, Inc.
• With a total of 3 employees, they provided consulting services to Gateway, Inc.

2003

• Launched the VIZIO brand
• Launched Plasma monitor and DVD up-convert line at CES
• VIZIO signed on with Costco Wholesale to sell VIZIO products
• Total of 5 employees

2004

• VIZIO expanded their product offerings to include LCDs, Plasmas, DVD and DLP
• Total of 25 employees

2005

• VIZIO’s 50” Plasma was ranked CNETs Top Holiday Tech gift
• VIZIO signed on with Sam’s Club to sell VIZIO products
• Grew to 41 employees

2006

• VIZIO’s 32”LCD and 42” Plasma HDTVs are ranked Best at CES
• Expanded distribution to Circuit City, Sears, BJs and Kmart
• VIZIO launched its first TV advertising campaign
• Total of 62 employees
• Shipped a total of 750,000 HDTVs

2007

• VIZIO 60” Plasma HDTV ranked BEST of CES
• Q2 VIZIO achieved the rank of being the #1 shipper of HDTVs in North America
• Throughout the year, VIZIO continued to remain among the Top 3 HDTV manufactures in North America
• Recognized by INC Magazine (INC 500) as one of the fastest growing privately held companies
• VIZIO signed on with Walmart
• Grew to 85 employees
• Shipped a total of 2,900,000 HDTVs

2008

• Launches 30 HDTV models, several of which include 120Hz, and adds a 50” Plasma with HQV Technology to the mix
• VIZIO expands its portfolio of products to include HDTV accessories (HDMI) and LCD computer monitors
• Launches the High Performance XVT Series (Extreme VIZIO Technology)
• Maintain its position as being one of the Top 3 shippers of HDTVs in N. America
• Recognized as the #1 Fastest Growing CE Company by Inc. Magazine
• VIZIO becomes the official sponsor of NBC’s broadcast of the Olympic Games
• Receives Wal-Mart Supplier of the Year Award
• Expanded distribution in to Canada
• Total of 100 employees
• Shipped a total of 3,500,000 HDTVs
• Total revenue exceeds 2 Billion Dollars

2009

• VIZIO continues to add new innovative products to their portfolio such as Blu-ray® players, Home Theater Sound Bars with Wireless Sub, Motorized Wall Mounts and more.
• VIZIO launches 40 new HDTV models with sizes ranging from 19” to 55” and including the top technologies such as VIZIO Internet Apps their version of the internet connected TV, 240Hz LCD models and the latest TruLED technology which delivers the ultimate HD experience with less impact on our planet.
• #1 Shipper of LCD HDTVs in N. America Q1
• #1 Shipper of LCD HDTVs in United States Q2
• VIZIO is the official Sponsor of Super Bowl XLIII
• VIZIO HDTVs can be found on more store shelves than SONY in July 2009
• Over 160 employees

Beyond 2009 and well into the future:
Whether you’re a novice just entering the world of HD or a seasoned vet looking for the latest technology, VIZIO’s portfolio of products has a little something for everyone. The ECO series offers energy efficient ECO HDTVs that exceed current Energy Star® guidelines by at least 15%. The Mainstream series was created for the fashion forward guy or gal looking for something a little more chic and sophisticated than your traditional black bezel but is not willing to compromise on technology. The XVT series simply epitomizes what a High Definition experience should be. Cutting edge features, 1080p resolution, 240 HZ SPS, high end sound technologies, classic and chic styling. VIZIO also offers a complete array of home theater equipment such as High Definition Home Theater Sound Bars, HDMI cables and a Blu-ray® player. In September 2009, VIZIO brings the latest LED Technology to market at a price that is uncontested by our competitors and we’re not sacrificing features to do it. The TruLED® 55” LCD LED HDTV includes 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and uses Smart Dimming® to control the LEDs turning them on and completely off achieving true, deep blacks. It’s only with true blacks that can you achieve the brightest of colors. In Q4 2009, VIZIO will be launching VIZIO Internet Apps, your passport to experiencing a whole new world of on-line content.  Using the latest wireless technology, you can easily connect to the Internet and stream movies and TV shows, listen to music and get the latest news, sports and weather. The Universal Bluetooth® remote with slide out QWERTY keypad makes sending a Tweet or changing your status on Facebook a breeze.  VIZIO – Where Vision Meets Value.

1 iSuppli Research Preliminary Q1 2009 LCD HDTV Report
2 iSuppli Research Preliminary Q2 2009 LCD HDTV Report

(Source: http://www.vizio.com/about/)

For more information about Vizio products, visit their website at Vizio.com.

Every man needs a man cave. A place he can go have a cold one, watch the game, and hang out with his buddies without leaving home. The problem is, far too often they get stuck in the basement. The solution? Take it outside. This man cave used to be a screened in porch, but now it’s the ultimate hideout for this musician.

The project began by closing in the existing porch, seen here on the left. A new screened in porch was built on, including a place for the grill. The new room would have to include a bar and an office space, plus the new screened in porch needed a set of speakers for outdoor entertainment.

Once the walls were roughed in, we began mapping out the location of all the components. HDMI, Component, RG6, and ethernet were ran from the side bar location to the TV location. Speaker wires were ran to all four corners, plus a center channel and two drops for the outdoor speakers. We also installed low voltage outlets containing RG6 and ethernet for the computer and included provisions to tie the router into the new electronic equipment.

The studs were slightly off center, but the carpenters were nice enough to reinforce the space with extra lumber.

While waiting for the contractors to finish the room, we started the process of selecting the right components. Since our client was an avid musician, sound quality took priority. This system would mainly be used for CD’s, iPod music, and XM Radio and had to be capable of working indoors and out simultaneously. We also had to make all the components fit inside the side bar which was more shallow than a typical A/V cabinet. Another challenge was choosing speakers that would fit in the corners given the large windows. Satellite speakers were out of the question, so we needed a speaker that would give full range in a small package.

The perfect choice for this room was a set of five PolkAudio VM20’s, one for each corner and one for the center channel. They feature two 4″ Planar bass radiators, two 4″ mineral filled composite cone drivers, and a 1″ aluminum cone tweeter. Sound reproduction is amazing with these and they fit snugly in the corners. The small hole above the speaker is where the wires were pulled when the drywall was installed but had to be moved to place the speakers at ear level.

The included mounting bracket with the VM20’s worked perfectly. We anticipating building a bracket that would angle the speakers toward the center of the room, but the Polk bracket provided the option to swivel the speaker up to 30° in either direction. We were able to achieve the ideal angle for imaging.

Of course even the best LCR speakers need a sub. We wanted to get as close to the sound of a bass drum as we could, so we chose a PolkAudio DSW Pro 600. It’s a 12″ downfiring subwoofer that we placed in the corner behind the side bar adding that extra bit of resonance, not to mention pounding the granite floor to add the extra sense of hearing a live band in a small bar.

The DSW Pro 600 also comes with it’s own remote that allows the user to adjust the sub independently of the rest of the system, including fine tuning for the placement in the room. While the system was designed for music, we also tested it with a couple movies and it definately impressed us.

The components were tricky. We had to utilize a multi-zone receiver to operate indoors and out independently, plus we needed a separate CD player and BluRay player, and we had to stuff it all in the side bar while still controlling everything with the doors shut and keeping it all cool. We started off with a Marantz receiver, but upon measuring the assembled bar, we discovered it was too deep so we went with the Onkyo TX-SR607. It pumps out 90watts RMS per channel and passes full 1080p through HDMI. We paired it with an Onkyo DV-SP406 DVD/CD Player for audio and a Panasonic DMP-BD80K BluRay Player for movies. For the iPod, we used an Onkyo DS-A3 dock that uses an RI link to communicate with the receiver and display track info on the TV through the HDMI switch. We also connected his existing XM radio.

All the components were plugged into the Panamax MaxLight 4200 to provide a clean, protected power source, and also to light the interior of the cabinet. We added a Comcast HD receiver and installed the CAB-COOL cabinet fan from Middle Atlantic.

For video, we chose the Panasonic TCL-37G1 37″ LCD providing full 1080p at 120hz and sitting neatly between the windows. The TV and BluRay player also communicate via VieraLink offering plenty of extra control options.

A pair of PolkAudio Atrium55’s rounded out the installation outside. Now came the fun part – finding a way to control it all.

All these components left us with seven brand new remotes, so we had to consolidate it all down to one. The remote of choice was a Universal Remote MX880 paired with the MRF-260 RF Base Station hidden inside the side bar.

After programming all the components via PC software, we built macros allowing our client to utilize a couple different sources simultaneously, like listen to the iPod while watching football. The remote can also be carried outside where it controls the outdoor speakers independently choosing from CD, BluRay, iPod, XM Radio, and Cable.

The Onkyo receiver included an audio calibration feature from Audyssey that made fine tuning for the sweet spot simple. The final result was impressive. The acoustics of the small room were not a problem, and actually seemed to enhance the experience, giving the impression that you’re listening to a live band in a dive bar.

Even with a few challenges, this was a fun project that turned out better than we imagined. It’s the perfect place to pull up a bar stool, have a drink, turn on some soothing music, watch the game, and relax after work. The best part is, our client doesn’t have to be stuck in the cave.

For more information on our services, and to design your own bar room, call us today at 877.433.WIRE.

ProWire is expanding!  To offer our clients a place to demo equipment, we are opening showrooms in several locations.  A trained professional system designer will assist clients with choosing the perfect system.  The first location will be in Wise, VA with a planned opening by November, 2009.

We are renovating our site to provide more interactive content to our clients including news, reviews, projects, and tech tips.  Please bear with us as we finalize the site.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know.