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stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:43 am Post subject: |
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I would have to say that the best thing I've done for my theater and home in general was the addition of a Crestron system. Well thought out automation of a complicated theater system really puts the finishing touch on a fine home theater. I also added a giant APC smart UPS to my theater rack. When the power fails the theater continues to run for ten minutes, then goes into a automated shut-down of the system. The Crestron system is tied in with the UPS. It monitors it's status and battery condition and displays that info on a Crestron touch screen. There's nothing quite like the freedom from all those hand held remotes. No fumbling in the dark to find them or batteries to change. A nice big table top touch screen. Yep, that's the ticket 
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Chip
A Barco is only a AmPro with training wheels
Card carrying member of the AVS chain gang.
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:20 am Post subject: |
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HTPC was the biggest upgrade for me. As for remotes it's fun to walk around to every seperate component and turn it on manually. It impresses people too. Makes me look like a mad scientist. 
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stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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| AnalogRocks wrote: | | HTPC was the biggest upgrade for me. As for remotes it's fun to walk around to every seperate component and turn it on manually. It impresses people too. Makes me look like a mad scientist. |
Not me baby. Just call me One button push Chip. You touch the screen once to bring it to life then push the system on button. Everything powers up to the last source you were watching at the previous volume level and channel you were watching.
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Chip
A Barco is only a AmPro with training wheels
Card carrying member of the AVS chain gang.
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VideoGrabber
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:16 am Post subject: |
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Chip commented:
> You touch the screen once to bring it to life then push the system on button. <
TWO button presses!? Wow, that's SO antiquated. 
> Just call me One button push Chip. <
That would be a misnomer. "Two-button push Chip".
> A nice big table top touch screen. <
I suppose you also have to walk all the way over to it, to operate it as well? Sheesh! Why do people put up with these burdens?
With an HTPC and voice-activation, just announce, from wherever you happen to be, "computer, resume" and it picks up operation just like the scenario you described, without the burden of all the work involved your way.
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Anderssh
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Posts: 9
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:15 am Post subject: |
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| VideoGrabber wrote: |
With an HTPC and voice-activation, just announce, from wherever you happen to be, "computer, resume" and it picks up operation just like the scenario you described, without the burden of all the work involved your way. |
Dude, five syllables? I just bellow "OI!" to start the movie, turn down the lights, pay the taxes and walk the dog.
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stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:45 am Post subject: |
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| VideoGrabber wrote: | Chip commented:
> You touch the screen once to bring it to life then push the system on button. <
TWO button presses!? Wow, that's SO antiquated.
> Just call me One button push Chip. <
That would be a misnomer. "Two-button push Chip".
> A nice big table top touch screen. <
I suppose you also have to walk all the way over to it, to operate it as well? Sheesh! Why do people put up with these burdens?
With an HTPC and voice-activation, just announce, from wherever you happen to be, "computer, resume" and it picks up operation just like the scenario you described, without the burden of all the work involved your way. |
OK you got me two button. But as soon as the touch screen is activated, all operations are one touch. It's such a bitch to bend forward to the coffee table to do it. As my programming skills increase, I'm expecting a one button take a crap for me and one button beer delivery
But really, it is kind of nice when you have multiple devices with different aspect ratios and signals to push the DVD button from the source selection page and the switcher diverts the DVD video signal to the projector. The projector switches to the correct memory location for that source, the sound system switches to that source and if a scaler is required for that signal, it does it's thing all from on button press.
My system is designed so that a complete stranger could walk into my theater, turn it on, select a source and use it without the chance of screwing anything up.
How many here can honestly say they could trust a stranger in their theater with the remote? 
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Chip
A Barco is only a AmPro with training wheels
Card carrying member of the AVS chain gang.
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Well if your place ever get's broken into then maybe the theif will get so engrosed in a movie the police will arest him waith a popcorn bucket in his lap, reclining in your favorite chair.
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VideoGrabber
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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Chip wrote:
> But really, it is kind of nice when you have multiple devices with different aspect ratios and signals to push the DVD button from the source selection page and the switcher diverts the DVD video signal to the projector. The projector switches to the correct memory location for that source, the sound system switches to that source and if a scaler is required for that signal, it does it's thing all from on button press. <
I agree completely (I was just kidding with you). Sometimes operating our A/V systems can be like Mission Control at NASA. Way too complicated. Having automation can make it possible to use and enjoy your system... even when you're inebriated. 
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| VideoGrabber wrote: | Chip wrote:
> But really, it is kind of nice when you have multiple devices with different aspect ratios and signals to push the DVD button from the source selection page and the switcher diverts the DVD video signal to the projector. The projector switches to the correct memory location for that source, the sound system switches to that source and if a scaler is required for that signal, it does it's thing all from on button press. <
I agree completely (I was just kidding with you). Sometimes operating our A/V systems can be like Mission Control at NASA. Way too complicated. Having automation can make it possible to use and enjoy your system... even when you're inebriated. |
Funny you should mention that. I was at a local HT shop a few years back and there was a customer that couldn't decide on Pioneer or Yamaha. I asked if he liked to entertain while watching movies. He did I recommended the Yamaha for the bigger buttons that are easyer to use when enebriated. He bought the Pioneer 
I did hear he exchanged it for the Yamaha though. So I guess he just had to find out for himself.
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