No ‘Avatar’ 3D Blu-ray in 2010 Ready for 3D’s first killer piece of physical media? You’re going to have to wait a little longer. [Read] XpanD working on brand-agnostic 3D Glasses Don’t even think about taking your Panasonic 3D glasses over to your buddy’s house to watch Monsters vs. Aliens on his Samsung display ... but keep an eye on XpanD for glasses that will work with any display. [Read]… View this story
Displays • Movies and Music • Info and Answers

Extraordinary 3D is all about creating the best environment and equipping it with powerful 3D displays capable of delivering a truly immersive experience. In the world of 3D entertainment, the believability of the experience is everything. Let’s take a look at the more advanced levels of 3D display technology available for home use. Low Tech: 3D via Anaglyph 3D Due to the limited number of true 3D TVs currently in… View this story
Displays • Flat Panel • Front Projection • Info and Answers

If you’re tired of the Tiger Woods news, gossip, apologies, and TMZ-ness, you’re going to want to skip The Masters. Tiger is making his return to the PGA Tour on April 5-11 at the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. If you do watch The Masters, for the great golf, horrible commentating, and beautiful flora, you’ll have more Tiger coming at you than expected. Sony, Comcast, and The Masters will be… View this story
Sports • Info and Answers

You know you want it: the ability to sit by the pool while pretending you’re at work? To do that, you’ll want to locate a wireless access point (WAP) outside of the home. Nick Phillips of Pakedge, which makes outdoor networking devices, provides these quick pointers: - Try not to mount the WAP on exterior walls, as chicken wire and other wall materials can degrade the signal. - Using a… View this story
Routers and Switches • WiFi • Networking • Info and Answers

What else can you do with security sensors? Everyone knows security sensors can trip the alarm system when someone opens the door, passes a PIR (motion sensor), breaks a window or performs some other act of trespassing. But these low-cost little gems can also trigger a variety of other events that have little or nothing to do with security. We asked our friendly custom electronics professionals (CE pros): What interesting… View this story
Home Security Systems • Security Sensors • Info and Answers

Last week I promised we’d be covering 3D content available to home users today. Other than PC gaming through NVidia’s 3D Vision system and a handful of 3D Blu-ray spec demos trickling in, there isn’t any. So that covers that, at least for now. So let’s dive a little deeper in to 3D glasses and how they work. Just like any emerging AV technology there are a plethora of specifications… View this story
Home Theater Accessories • Enhancements • Info and Answers

It was bound to happen sooner or later. And no sooner than some limited “smart grid” programs get underway, there are security and Big Brother-like privacy concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Center for Democracy and Technology jointly filed comments with the California Public Utilities Commission on March 9, asking for the adoption of strong rules to protect the privacy and security of customers’ energy-usage information. Pacific Gas… View this story
Industry • Green Technology • Info and Answers

If only this project were as simple as cleaning up the wiring and the enclosure. This entire project is a good lesson in what not to do as an integrator. Much like a relief pitcher coming out of the bullpen, Toronto-based custom electronics professional Zedware got the call from a friend of the homeowner, whose builder had partnered with an integrator to provide phone, cable TV, networking, multiroom audio and… View this story
Speaker Wire • Structured Wiring • Installers • Info and Answers

Do-it-yourself security is all the rage. For best results, however, consider a comprehensive, professionally monitored alarm system that ensures emergency crews will reach your residence fast. This will also help you save on your homeowner’s insurance. Here’s a look at the key elements of a security system, and what each entails. (Sequel Technologies contributed to this article): CENTRAL ALARM MONITORING A central station monitoring service verifies alarms before dispatching authorities.… View this story
Home Security Systems • Remote Monitoring • Security Sensors • Smoke and Fire Detectors • Security • Info and Answers

Venture capitalists at the GoingGreen East conference in Boston this week are high on energy efficiency companies, as also reported in a recent survey. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a ton of money will flow into companies producing energy efficient technologies in the home. “There are massive opportunities for technologies to drive efficiency,” said Joe Dews, director and head of CleanTech Banking at ThinkEquity. “There are tons of low-hanging fruit,”… View this story
Power Management • Green Technology • Info and Answers