When you think about it, there’s a ton of technology that can go onto the ceiling. Recessed lights, built-in speakers, video projectors and wiring are often mounted overhead. All of this can make your ceiling look like a block of Swiss cheese. And, depending on the room design—like if there’s no attic space above, or the ceiling height is lower than 8 feet—the ceiling may not even be able to… View this story
Furniture • Home Theater Accessories • Home Theater • Enhancements • Info and Answers

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, where electricity usually isn’t an issue, you’ve probably heard about standby, phantom, or vampire power. (They’re all the same thing.) It’s the phenomenon that occurs when your home electronics or appliances continue to consume power—even when they’re “off.” This is caused by ghostly apparitions, pixies and blood-sucking ghouls who perpetrate this when we leave our electronics alone or go to sleep. Just kidding.… View this story
Power Management • Line Conditioners • Surge Protectors • Home Control Systems • Green Technology • Info and Answers

The California Energy Commission (CEC) delayed a vote on setting new energy-efficiency standards for TVs in the state, planning to now address the issue at its Nov. 18 business meeting. The Commission is considering proposed sales restriction for energy-hogging TVs that will be imposed in two tiers, in January 2011 and January 2013, though the first phase of restrictions will not include TVs larger than 58 inches. Click here to… View this story
Displays • Flat Panel • HDTV • LCD • Plasma • Industry • Manufacturers • Dealers • Retailers • Green Technology • Info and Answers • Product News

We’re still looking for your ultimate home control wish list. Entries for the Electronic House and Control4 “What Do You Want to Control?” contest are ongoing, and you can register by entering your little essay of what you want for your own home. Each week we’ve been highlighting some of your entries to give you a good idea of what people are looking for, and to show off some of… View this story
Home Control Systems • Enhancements • Info and Answers

In the spirit of Halloween (OK, maybe it’s because you guys just love terrible wiring jobs), we’ve rounded up seven more horrific (scary) wiring jobs. These entries were sent in by some faithful CE pros who have come across their fair share of wiring nightmares. We have more terrible jobs from cable guys and, sadly, from installers who just don’t care. Make sure to check out our previous roundups of… View this story
Cables, Wires and Tools • Info and Answers • Slideshows

We’ve tackled the list of our favorite scary movies that have been released on Blu-ray. But here are 16 more favorites that you can’t find (or may already be out of print) in the high-def format. Sure, we’ll cut the industry some slack for not restoring a 1929 horror classic, but since the likes of The Wizard of Oz and Snow White have already been restored, we’re hoping the same… View this story
Movies and Music • Info and Answers • Slideshows

It’s always fun to curl up on the couch with that leftover candy and pop in a few movies over Halloween weekend. This year the scary night is even on a Saturday, so you don’t have to worry about getting up early the next morning (plus there’s that extra hour of setting the clock back). Of course it’s even more entertaining when you’ve got a big-screen TV or dark dedicated… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Info and Answers • Slideshows

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) hails the smart grid as one of “5 Technology Trends to Watch” in 2010. The CEA’s annual list is a barometer of emerging technologies. CEA research finds that 70 percent of Americans are concerned about the cost of their monthly electricity bill, which is predicted to rise with growing demand. In writing on the smart grid, Chris Ely states: “Energy efficiency and green-energy production (including… View this story
Industry • Power Management • Green Technology • Info and Answers

Gotta hand it to our tech-savvy readers, you’re coming up with very creative ways to answer our “What Do You Want to Control?” contest question. The Electronic House and Control4 home automation contest is still ongoing — click here to enter — and remember it will require a little storytelling on your end. So what exactly do you want to control? Here are some more of your hopes and requests:… View this story
Home Control • Home Control Systems • Info and Answers

The owners of this New Jersey home are downsizing their lifestyles and investing in green building techniques and clean energy sources like geothermal (heat and cooling from ground sources). But that doesn’t mean they’re not going to enjoy the conveniences of home electronics. In fact, home technology will help them be even greener. “We’re doing it for ourselves,” says this homeowner. “We want a healthy house to live in and… View this story
Miscellaneous • Green Technology • Enhancements • Info and Answers