At-Home Movie Premieres with PRIMA Cinema

The Hollywood Premiere finally comes home. Until PRIMA Cinema™, only a select few film industry insiders were able to premiere a theatrically released movie in the home. No longer. PRIMA Cinema presents opening weekend Hollywood films directly into your professionally-installed home theater.

Whether it’s an exquisite alien world in 3D, a mad chase through the streets of Paris or a steamy romance, your Private Cinema™ experience is presented in the finest audio-visual quality that awakens the senses.

PRIMA Cinema is your ticket to host your very own premiere party in the comfort and security of your private theater. Invite your family and friends to enjoy a unique Hollywood experience as you Redefine Movie Night™.

With PRIMA Cinema, you will be First in Line, Every Time™.

Kiwi Test Lab

One of the most important phases of a large, custom audio-visual installation is the in-house testing.  When Kiwi Audio Visual moved into its new building in Carlsbad, one of the first tasks was to get a test lab designed and wired so that future projects can be connected and tested fully.  This included testing the audio zones, video zones, touch panels, and other subsystems. 

In-house testing is instrumental in finding small bugs and other issues that might otherwise be found onsite halfway through an installation.  The efficiency with testing components and programming early also saves costly man hours later on during the project.

If you are interested in coming to the Kiwi facility and seeing our test lab, either give us a call (760-931-9922) or stop on by 1950 Kellogg Ave, Carlsbad CA 92008.

Breaking the Break-In Cycle with Home Security Integration

Data collected by the FBI in their Uniform Crime Report each year in the United States paints a clear picture – homes get robbed, and they get robbed on a frequent basis. In a typical year, 20% or more of the crimes reported to police are burglaries, and with the increasing number of homeowners who have expensive A/V and electronics equipment in their homes, security has become a paramount concern.

Technologically-forward systems are the first line of defense against a home break-in, and come in a wide variety of forms, including high-definition cameras and DVRs to live video feeds. Further, they have evolved significantly over the last decade. Cameras and video feeds have the ability to make a home feel safer and convince would-be burglars that their target is not worth the risk. But integrating these systems with existing electronics can pose a challenge, as they may not play nicely with other pieces of technology in a home.

Often, homeowners feel that they are left with two choices: a safe home or one that is designed for comfort and control. Cameras and video feeds are often seen as options that don’t mesh well with other whole-house systems, and are pieces of equipment that have to be run separately from other electronics in order to work properly. Fortunately, options exist for homeowners to find an electronics systems contractor that can work with their security provider of choice to devise an entire home system that not only incorporates cameras and lives feeds, but that does so in such a way that it works with existing electronic equipment.

High-end electronics providers like Crestron now offer in-home control panel systems that can be made to work seamlessly with a television system, stereo equipment, lighting controls and security options. When installed by a qualified and professional technician, cameras and video feeds can be run seamlessly throughout a house, allowing for easy viewing and recording, which gives a homeowner the ability to design the kind of system that best suits their needs. Style and security – you can, in fact, have it all.

Contact Kiwi A/V today for more details on how we can integrate and enhance your home security system.

Welcome to the Third Dimension

Sure, you live and work there every day, but it's not quite the same when it's not up on the big screen, jumping out, larger than life. For years, the future of the high-quality home electronics industry has focused on a 3D home experience that can rival those in theaters, and thanks to Runco and their line of 3Dimension projectors, that future is arriving.

Ask anyone what's great about 3D and they'll likely speak about realism and immersion. Ask what's not so hot and they'll mention headaches from LED glasses or the fact that the 3D images seem to stutter as they move. When it comes to 3D, options in the home haven't delivered.

This is partially due to the way current 3D technology works. Typical projectors display an image and rely almost entirely on what are known as “active” glasses to do the work of making the image 3D. These glasses require a power source, and must be in range of the projector’s transmitter to sync the frame rate of the video to the glasses. Other objects in the room, low batteries or another television can cause stuttering problems, and many users experience eye strain or headache.

Runco, a leader in projection technology, went back to the drawing board and created the 3Dimension Series. The 3Dimesnion systems use what is known as Constant Stereoscopic Video (CSV), a proprietary architecture that is based on actual eye depth perception and visualization in the real world. This allows for a streaming, seamless image that is delivered to a pair of passive glasses – allowing the projector to do most of the work.

The Runco line of 3D projectors, including the D-73d 3D Projector, also feature the largest color palette available, one that exceeds the standards of the Digital Cinema Initiative, and the Personal Color Equalizer, that allows users to precisely calibrate their color options. With awards from CEDIA, CE PRO and TechHome to name a few, the Runco 3Dimesnion line is the first to bring streaming, seamless 3D home.

Keeping The Peace

Every neighborhood has one, the guy no one talks to. Whether it starts with an unkempt yard, a house needing paint for three years or constant dog barking, this family puts bees in everyone’s bonnet without even trying.

No one intends to become that family, but circumstances intervene. Last week, having just finished a new home theatre, our homeowner tries it out with an action feature with tons of explosions and loud effects. This would be fine, except the new outside speakers remained on all evening, broadcasting every impact and detonation for the entire neighborhood, which, due to the sound proofing of the home theatre, our homeowner couldn’t hear. Next up: that visit from the local PD that no one wants.

Our homeowner shouldn’t feel too bad; it could happen to anyone. Anyone, that is, except the family that engages a reputable and capable electronic systems consultant to start the home theatre project. Our family got it mostly right. They got a great audio system (including the now infamous outside speakers), a nice, big HD flat screen, and a control system that gives them fingertip command of the entire system.

However, omissions often matter more than inclusions. In this case, a component as simple as visual indicators, showing which elements of the system remain active, would have helped our homeowner avert becoming a local pariah. An electronic systems consultant would have suggested this, among other solutions, thus enabling peace to reign uninterrupted.

Super Bowl Syndrome

Everyone needs a new TV for the big game, whether it’s to watch celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne and Justin Bieber awkwardly interact in yet another legendary commercial or to watch famous attendees feed each other (thank you Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez). So, shoppers flood the big box stores to find themselves staring at countless televisions with repetitive images. Relating these devices to a family's needs requires more than cursory examination. So, the smart shopper researches televisions leading to confusion over acronyms like LED, LCD, 3D, plasma, CRT, DLP, ICBM and FDIC. All of this information can overwhelm a shopper before he or she even enters the store.

Shoppers tend to rely on the knowledgeable associates who, they believe, will be ready to untangle the technology and confusing advertising claims for them. Although sales associates are indeed knowledgeable, all they really have at their fingertips are the two least helpful statistics available: the size of the screen and the price. There happens to be a great deal more to large screen televisions than screen size and price.

Scenarios like these, which result in regrettable choices, can be avoided by engaging the assistance of electronic systems contractors. Experienced A/V consultants protect clients by asking questions of substance; questions about the size and configuration of the room in which the TV will sit, the viewing habits of those expected to use the device, and any other equipment it may need to accommodate will all be handled by A/V professionals.

Further, consultants like the professionals at Kiwi Audio Visual can typically source various brands of equipment and demonstrate enough expertise to help clients choose the best device while simultaneously staying under budget using the technological specs they are familiar with.

The iPad Doesn't Program Itself

Home automation experts praise the iPad as a home controller. You probably already know that. On the other hand, you probably also know that the reality falls short of the promises the experts have made. Cutting through the hype and noise became a full time job months ago.

To begin with, the iPad has plenty to recommend it as a home control device. The form factor makes it ideal for wall mounting as well as moving effortlessly around the home. The on board battery allows for long term operation, and the touch screen shares the ease of use and accuracy of its smaller cousins on the iPhone and iTouch.

The problems lie with the software. As a homeowner you want a system that consolidates all of your home control systems: HVAC, lighting, entertainment and security. Multiple vendors have introduced systems that do this, including Crestron, Savant and Home Controls, to name a few. But even with these systems you need to program the iPad to control your environment seamlessly. Some people have designed their own systems, which is fine if you can crank out code.

The short answer is that you’re going to need some help. The best home automation dealers also offer consulting guiding their clients in making these decisions. Ask about what you need now while considering what you'll need in the future. For the best results, look to Kiwi Audio Visual, who listens to your needs and has expertise in working with the latest technologies.

Smart and Savvy Homeowners - The Price of Perfection

For professional A/V installers, some of the best jobs available come from savvy and well-positioned homeowners - those clients that have the means and the desire to purchase high quality A/V products. As home theater systems become more powerful and easier to access, more and more wealthy homeowners are looking to create a theater-like experience in their homes, complete with features like specialty lighting, Runco 3D projection systems, and whole-home control panels.

Opportunity for Advancement – The Creation of a Custom System

The creation of a home theater system for tech-smart customers can be a significant milestone for a business, as a satisfied customer can mean free word of mouth advertising as well as reputation gains. The opportunity to build a high-quality system also gives an installation technician the chance to shine, to bring their skills at creation and artistry to the forefront. Many wealthy homeowners will have an idea of what they would like that goes beyond the simple “home theater” model and will speak to specific product lines such as Creston and their whole-home U-Panel control options, along with options such as Digital Media. Homeowners know what they want - the best - and options such as the new Creston line are both impressive and versatile.


Easy to Avoid Pitfalls – Making the Best of a New Client Relationship

First are the issues surrounding the quality of the products being installed. Techs need to be certain that they are using the exact products asked for, and if these are not available or cannot be used, they need to communicate why. It is, after all, the client's hard-earned money that is paying for the system, and it is in the best interest of both technician and homeowner to know exactly what types of products are being installed and when.

Next, be aware of questions concerning how products operate. A technician must be careful to confirm with homeowners what they expect from the system when it is finished. Often, technology companies advertise their products in such a way that they appear to be capable of more than they are. A professional technician will meet with the homeowner to discuss how the end system will look, as well as how it will perform when it is first utilized. A superior service technician will be able to craft a system that not only comprises the elements requested by a homeowner, but that also performs exactly as stated, bringing the theater experience directly into a home.

Communication as King – The Rise of the Savvy Homeowner

Technicians can easily ensure they side-step these problems by remembering that homeowners are now tech-savvy, and need only the basics of home theater details in order to understand their functioning. Superior communication gives techs the freedom they need to create a theater system that is a work of art while simultaneously providing homeowners with the peace of mind that they deserve.

How Apple Integration Can Enhance A Home Theatre Atmosphere

The new face of high-quality A/V and home theatre includes not only a focus on green technologies such as automation and solar power, but also on complete synchronicity of all system parts. Consumers have high standards for the products they purchase not only in terms of overall quality and installation, but also in terms of ease of functionality. Two devices that are now frequently becoming home theatre integrated are the iPad and iPhone.

iPads are gaining home theatre functionality with the emergence of apps such as the one from Creston. Creston offers a free app download in the form of Creston Mobile which turns the iPad into a 2-way touch panel that can be made to work with any Creston product. This instantly gives the user the ability to create a self-designed remote control layout that can wirelessly turn on and manipulate all aspects of their home theatre experience – from lights and sound to video and action.

The integration of Apple devices into existing home theatre systems means greater ease of control for users and a broader range of functions for the iPhone, iPod and iPad.

Multi-Use Rooms Vs. Dedicated Theatres

Whether your project involves renovation or new construction, including a home theatre begins a series of other decisions. In order to specify and install optimal systems, all involved need to understand what the space will be used for. If the home theatre is dedicated only to movie watching, some things to consider would be control of the light in the room and seating distances from the display; however, if it will also accommodate family time or gaming, then more room would be needed in front of the seating for activities and game controller connections.

As design professionals, then, you need to consider the ability of your partners to anticipate these questions and ask them at the right time, before the design is final. It is okay to not have all of the answers to technical questions as long as you have the right people standing in the wings ready to help. Tackling these issues now may prevent an additional renovation later. Beyond having asked the right questions, you’ll also need an expert on your design team to propose resourceful, economic, and versatile solutions.

While the challenge may be as simple as finding a location for a projector in the home theatre, even that can be accomplished in many different ways and not all of those solutions will prove successful over time. You need a partner who understands what the trade-offs look like and can help you and the client navigate them to the right conclusion. The Kiwi Audio Visual web site illustrates the level of expertise in high quality audio visual installations required to ensure successful projects.

Future proofing your home for new technologies

When building a custom home, there are many things that go into making sure that it will stand the test of time. While most people think about the framing of the house and the exterior handling the challenges of Mother Nature, we in the Audio Video Industry are always thinking about having enough wire run throughout the home to handle the newest streaming video or extra channel of audio. The technologies are constantly changing and getting better and better. There is nothing better then knowing that you are prepared for anything when it comes to installing a new pair of speakers or new HDTV.
When you are sitting down with your Electronic Systems Contractor and have some decisions to make, never take out the wire. If you haven't decided on a distributed audio system, or trying the newest streaming video server, ALWAYS make sure that the wire is still run to all of the possible locations. This makes your decisions easier in the long run because the wire will have been sitting patiently in the wall, awaiting the purchase of that new high definition plasma TV just in time for the big game.