There are a number of different lighting options available to create the perfect ambience while setting up you home theater system. While selecting your lighting system for your home theater one must consider the total area allotted for setting up the home theater. There are wide range of lights available, from Hollywood disco lights to lights whose brightness can be remote controlled. These lights can be expensive but create the perfect mood. Also it goes without saying that all lighting work must be handled by a qualified electrician.
There are wall sconces available which of varying shapes and sizes. These also come in one bulb or multiple bulb options. They can be customized well with movie themed images such as popcorn or a movie projector. You can also go in for a galaxy dome for your ceiling to create the starry night effect. There is a cheaper option available for this too, its a fiber optic star kit. This kit consist of about 120 LED to create the perfect starry night look. It has an easy installation procedure also.
Also you can consider installing star tiles. These are special tiles and can create better night sky effect. These tiles have lights have in them LED illuminator inside and also the stationary LED lights create a much better and non-distracting night sky effect, to set the perfect mood.
Also your wall sconce can be used to create the effect to magnify a Hollywood scene you may have put on your walls. A lot depends on the type of sconce you choose. They come in various shapes and sizes. Most commonly available sconces come in square, circular, cone and half moon. Also popular are teardrop shaped sconces and angled sconces. Wall sconces can come in anything between $150 to $300. Ceramic sconces are also available which can be painted to match the color of your walls.
The doom lighting used for the ceiling also comes in combination with your wall sconce. These ceiling lights are manufactured of white bisque and can be customized with paint.
You can also add some personal touch to your lighting like having projector lamps in shape of film camera etc.
With all that said, it is very important to take note of your budget and the look and feel you want to go for. With right selection a dull room can be converter into a great movie place.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Home-Theater-Lighting-Options/33156
Monday, August 27, 2007
Selecting an LCD Television
Gone are the days of conventional television sets using cathode ray tube technology occupying a large chunk of your living room. Advances in television technology with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) now allows for sleek sets and life-like images which are fast replacing traditional TVs. The technology behind the production of these sharp images is quite complex, as it has to pass light through crystals in between two polarised screens and activate these crystals to produce images. Add to this advances in high definition television (HDTV) and you are now faced with a seemingly bewildering choice of models.
Selecting an LCD Television
While selecting an LCD television, the screen size is an important criterion. Screen sizes range from around 14” all the way up to 55”. Screens that are too small will not provide you with the full effect, while larger screens will dominate a small room making viewing uncomfortable by revealing the small pixels that make up the image.
A wide viewing angle of 170 degrees produces stunning picture quality from just about any given point in the room. Most models have built-in speakers and have multifunctional displays allowing you to connect your DVD player, game consoles, home theatre and other equipment.
Many current models are equipped with HDTV technology. The more expensive active matrix TFT sets produce sharper and crisper performance in comparison to the lower cost passive matrix sets.
Other Accessories
LCD TVs offers various options for viewing. With an average 3” depth, LCD TVs offer unparalleled flexibility in installation. They can be mounted on walls or even ceilings. Most also come with some form of stand for free standing applications. If you choose to mount your LCD TV, you will need to buy wall mounts. Some of these have an option to allow you to tilt the TV for viewing anywhere. There are also articulating mounts that allow you to fold away the unit when not in use if it is located in an obtrusive spot.
Advantages of an LCD Television
There are many advantages to LCD TVs in contrast with traditional models:-
• LCD TV is a great space saver.
• It is designed to offer excellent picture quality.
• LCD models are environmentally friendly, generating less radiation and performing well in low lighting areas.
• Limited depth allows for convenient installation.
• An LCD 15” flat panel offers the same effect as that of a 17” CRT monitor.
• The power consumption of a LCD TV is lower than its counterparts.
Conclusion
Selecting the right LCD television is important. There are so many factors to consider: price; active versus passive technology; screen size; connectivity and installation options among others. There is no doubt that LCD TVs are lighter with higher performance in comparison with traditional models. A well chosen set should therefore offer years of razor sharp entertainment.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Selecting-an-LCD-Television/33138
Selecting an LCD Television
While selecting an LCD television, the screen size is an important criterion. Screen sizes range from around 14” all the way up to 55”. Screens that are too small will not provide you with the full effect, while larger screens will dominate a small room making viewing uncomfortable by revealing the small pixels that make up the image.
A wide viewing angle of 170 degrees produces stunning picture quality from just about any given point in the room. Most models have built-in speakers and have multifunctional displays allowing you to connect your DVD player, game consoles, home theatre and other equipment.
Many current models are equipped with HDTV technology. The more expensive active matrix TFT sets produce sharper and crisper performance in comparison to the lower cost passive matrix sets.
Other Accessories
LCD TVs offers various options for viewing. With an average 3” depth, LCD TVs offer unparalleled flexibility in installation. They can be mounted on walls or even ceilings. Most also come with some form of stand for free standing applications. If you choose to mount your LCD TV, you will need to buy wall mounts. Some of these have an option to allow you to tilt the TV for viewing anywhere. There are also articulating mounts that allow you to fold away the unit when not in use if it is located in an obtrusive spot.
Advantages of an LCD Television
There are many advantages to LCD TVs in contrast with traditional models:-
• LCD TV is a great space saver.
• It is designed to offer excellent picture quality.
• LCD models are environmentally friendly, generating less radiation and performing well in low lighting areas.
• Limited depth allows for convenient installation.
• An LCD 15” flat panel offers the same effect as that of a 17” CRT monitor.
• The power consumption of a LCD TV is lower than its counterparts.
Conclusion
Selecting the right LCD television is important. There are so many factors to consider: price; active versus passive technology; screen size; connectivity and installation options among others. There is no doubt that LCD TVs are lighter with higher performance in comparison with traditional models. A well chosen set should therefore offer years of razor sharp entertainment.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Selecting-an-LCD-Television/33138
Happy with M-Audio's Trigger Finger
M-Audio's Trigger Finger ($249) joins a growing a number of USB keyboards and other MIDI controllers that offer Velocity-sensitive MIDI pads. MIDI pads are ideal for triggering rhythmic sounds and samples that don't require a traditional keyboard layout to play. The Trigger Finger is multiplatform, portable, and suitable for stage and studio. And, like many M-Audio products, it is affordable.
Aim and Squeeze
Although the Trigger Finger's main feature is its bank of 16 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, it offers much more. Eight rotary knobs are located above the pads, and an LED display, four function buttons, and four sliders are on the left. The first two buttons let you select, edit, and save presets to 16 memory locations. Another button toggles between Control Mute and Note Mute modes, and the remaining button toggles between a user-determined locked Velocity and full Velocity. All the knobs, sliders, and pads are fully user-assignable.
On the back of the Trigger Finger are its USB port, MIDI Out port, and power connection, as well as a Kensington lock slot. Though the Trigger Finger is bus powered, an optional 9V DC adapter lets you use it as a standalone MIDI controller without a computer.
The Trigger Finger is a USB-class-compliant device, meaning it harnesses the built-in MIDI support of Mac OS X or Windows XP. Simply route a USB cable from your computer to the Trigger Finger, and you can immediately use the unit — there aren't any drivers to install. I tried hot-plugging and unplugging the Trigger Finger to and from my Apple Power Mac G5 and Dell Inspirion 6000, and my OS and audio applications always recognized it.
Unlike Mac OS X, Windows XP doesn't offer driverless multiclient USB support. Consequently, if you run Windows XP and want to use the Trigger Finger with more than one application simultaneously (using ReWire to connect Reason to Live, for example), then you will need to install the included multiclient Windows XP driver. Thankfully, M-Audio's MIDI Controller Series Wizard makes installation quick and intuitive.
Using the Trigger Finger is equally intuitive. The unit supplies numerous presets for Live, Reason, and iDrum, as well as for GM- and XG-format drums. To use any of those applications or formats, simply launch your application, select the preset, and start triggering sounds immediately. The package also includes Ableton Live Lite 4.
Trigger Happy
The Trigger Finger is surprisingly deep. Striking a pad with your fingertip will transmit an assigned MIDI Note, Velocity, and a user-definable MIDI Control Change (CC) value (but not Aftertouch) that responds to pressure. With the Velocity Lock feature, you can set up all the pads to trigger the same MIDI note at a different Velocity level. Twisting knobs and moving sliders will also send MIDI CC values. You can send Program Change or Bank Change messages by pressing the Program/Bank Change button and a corresponding pad. To minimize parameter jumps, pressing the Control Mute button lets you move sliders and knobs within the ballpark of your onscreen parameters without sending any values.
You can create your own pad, slider, and knob assignments using either the hardware's user interface or the included Enigma editor software. Because the Trigger Finger has only a 3-character LED for visual feedback, I recommend using Enigma, which offers convenient, graphical, drag-and-drop editing.
I enjoyed using the Trigger Finger. It is simple enough to get up and running quickly, and yet deep enough for even advanced MIDI tweakers. I used the built-in Live and iDrum presets, and I also used the unit to trigger Apple Logic's Sculpture plug-in. I wish it had a better display and perhaps some LCD windows above the sliders and knobs, but those features would increase its cost. In addition, instead of settling for Control Mute mode, I'd rather be able to move a knob or slider without changing its assigned parameter until it reached the current value. Even without those extras, though, you will have a blast with the Trigger Finger.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Happy-with-M-Audio-s-Trigger-Finger/33853
Aim and Squeeze
Although the Trigger Finger's main feature is its bank of 16 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, it offers much more. Eight rotary knobs are located above the pads, and an LED display, four function buttons, and four sliders are on the left. The first two buttons let you select, edit, and save presets to 16 memory locations. Another button toggles between Control Mute and Note Mute modes, and the remaining button toggles between a user-determined locked Velocity and full Velocity. All the knobs, sliders, and pads are fully user-assignable.
On the back of the Trigger Finger are its USB port, MIDI Out port, and power connection, as well as a Kensington lock slot. Though the Trigger Finger is bus powered, an optional 9V DC adapter lets you use it as a standalone MIDI controller without a computer.
The Trigger Finger is a USB-class-compliant device, meaning it harnesses the built-in MIDI support of Mac OS X or Windows XP. Simply route a USB cable from your computer to the Trigger Finger, and you can immediately use the unit — there aren't any drivers to install. I tried hot-plugging and unplugging the Trigger Finger to and from my Apple Power Mac G5 and Dell Inspirion 6000, and my OS and audio applications always recognized it.
Unlike Mac OS X, Windows XP doesn't offer driverless multiclient USB support. Consequently, if you run Windows XP and want to use the Trigger Finger with more than one application simultaneously (using ReWire to connect Reason to Live, for example), then you will need to install the included multiclient Windows XP driver. Thankfully, M-Audio's MIDI Controller Series Wizard makes installation quick and intuitive.
Using the Trigger Finger is equally intuitive. The unit supplies numerous presets for Live, Reason, and iDrum, as well as for GM- and XG-format drums. To use any of those applications or formats, simply launch your application, select the preset, and start triggering sounds immediately. The package also includes Ableton Live Lite 4.
Trigger Happy
The Trigger Finger is surprisingly deep. Striking a pad with your fingertip will transmit an assigned MIDI Note, Velocity, and a user-definable MIDI Control Change (CC) value (but not Aftertouch) that responds to pressure. With the Velocity Lock feature, you can set up all the pads to trigger the same MIDI note at a different Velocity level. Twisting knobs and moving sliders will also send MIDI CC values. You can send Program Change or Bank Change messages by pressing the Program/Bank Change button and a corresponding pad. To minimize parameter jumps, pressing the Control Mute button lets you move sliders and knobs within the ballpark of your onscreen parameters without sending any values.
You can create your own pad, slider, and knob assignments using either the hardware's user interface or the included Enigma editor software. Because the Trigger Finger has only a 3-character LED for visual feedback, I recommend using Enigma, which offers convenient, graphical, drag-and-drop editing.
I enjoyed using the Trigger Finger. It is simple enough to get up and running quickly, and yet deep enough for even advanced MIDI tweakers. I used the built-in Live and iDrum presets, and I also used the unit to trigger Apple Logic's Sculpture plug-in. I wish it had a better display and perhaps some LCD windows above the sliders and knobs, but those features would increase its cost. In addition, instead of settling for Control Mute mode, I'd rather be able to move a knob or slider without changing its assigned parameter until it reached the current value. Even without those extras, though, you will have a blast with the Trigger Finger.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Happy-with-M-Audio-s-Trigger-Finger/33853
Stay Ahead on Cool Electronic Gadgets and Get It before Anyone Else
Every day new electronic products are coming out on the market. These are ideal for the person who loves gadgets and likes to try new things. For someone hard to buy for, find a new gadget and get it before anyone else. They’ll love being among the firsts to have it!
New Gadgets Every Day
There are numerous products available for all different lifestyles. Companies are constantly upgrading and redesigning products to interest all ages. It is easy to get excited about something that is smaller, better and more fun than previous models. These new gadgets are hard to resist and make cool gifts.
In our modern times it is easy to stay ahead on the new products as they hit the market. There are various websites that cater to those interested in gadgets. If you want to get it before anyone else, these sites offer you the first look at new products.
Get It before Anyone Else
If you enjoy buying gadgets, bookmark the sites that interest you. Check on these sites frequently to see what they are offering. Watch for accessories to gadgets you already have and keep a watch for innovative products that are just coming out. Get it before anyone else by staying updated through the Web.
Take time to browse websites to find the best deals and lowest prices on electronic gadgets. This will give you a chance to find gift ideas and innovative devices not found in other places. Get it before anyone else by finding the latest unique electronic gadgets and accessories.
Gadgets for All Ages
Buying electronic gadgets can make everyone's life more enjoyable and less stressful. There are products for babies and children to learn with as well as play with. All ages of children and teens enjoy electronic games, computers, cameras, phones, etc. These products are always being upgraded and improved. They make great gifts, and the next generation will be even more dependent on them than presently.
Adults are making use of electronic gadgets every day. In the same way as computers and calculators have evolved, electronics are being improved. Every-day language now includes references to all manner of electronic gadgets. Senior adults down to the young adults use these devices to communicate, work and relax. Keeping up with the new products will give you new gadgets to make your life more interesting.
Don't miss out on the newest electronic gadgets! For original gifts or a treat for your self, watch for those new gadgets that are "must-haves." Be the first, and get it before anyone else!
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Stay-Ahead-on-Cool-Electronic-Gadgets-and-Get-It-before-Anyone-Else/36053
New Gadgets Every Day
There are numerous products available for all different lifestyles. Companies are constantly upgrading and redesigning products to interest all ages. It is easy to get excited about something that is smaller, better and more fun than previous models. These new gadgets are hard to resist and make cool gifts.
In our modern times it is easy to stay ahead on the new products as they hit the market. There are various websites that cater to those interested in gadgets. If you want to get it before anyone else, these sites offer you the first look at new products.
Get It before Anyone Else
If you enjoy buying gadgets, bookmark the sites that interest you. Check on these sites frequently to see what they are offering. Watch for accessories to gadgets you already have and keep a watch for innovative products that are just coming out. Get it before anyone else by staying updated through the Web.
Take time to browse websites to find the best deals and lowest prices on electronic gadgets. This will give you a chance to find gift ideas and innovative devices not found in other places. Get it before anyone else by finding the latest unique electronic gadgets and accessories.
Gadgets for All Ages
Buying electronic gadgets can make everyone's life more enjoyable and less stressful. There are products for babies and children to learn with as well as play with. All ages of children and teens enjoy electronic games, computers, cameras, phones, etc. These products are always being upgraded and improved. They make great gifts, and the next generation will be even more dependent on them than presently.
Adults are making use of electronic gadgets every day. In the same way as computers and calculators have evolved, electronics are being improved. Every-day language now includes references to all manner of electronic gadgets. Senior adults down to the young adults use these devices to communicate, work and relax. Keeping up with the new products will give you new gadgets to make your life more interesting.
Don't miss out on the newest electronic gadgets! For original gifts or a treat for your self, watch for those new gadgets that are "must-haves." Be the first, and get it before anyone else!
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Stay-Ahead-on-Cool-Electronic-Gadgets-and-Get-It-before-Anyone-Else/36053
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