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Big Screen Decisions
When I started out as a custom installer back in 1998, a “big screen” was a 60-inch rear-projection TV, with high-end models available from the likes of Mitsubishi and Pioneer Elite. These were 4:3...
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You’ve Got to Hide Your Screen Away
No matter how large and thin your TV is, you have the equivalent of a giant black hole on the wall when the set is turned off. Here are five ways to hide your screen.
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Big Screen Dilemmas: TV or Video Projector?
When I started my career as a custom installer, getting a cinema-size image meant a front projection system in a light-controlled room. But technology has since developed to the point where you can now...
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Big-Screen Duality: A 2-in-1 TV/Projection Solution
When I began this series of columns earlier this year, I had no idea it would turn into a four-part, treatise on the evolution and current state of choosing a big-screen TV for your media room or home...
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Working With a Custom Installer, Part 1
If you’re looking to hire an installer for a job — or really have any trade come and work in your home — here are some suggestions for making the project go smoother for everyone, starting with things...
View ArticleWorking With a Custom Installer, Part 2
After repeatedly encountering the same issues working with customers at my custom installation firm, I decided a series of columns on working with an installer might help. While this is written through...
View ArticleWorking With a Custom Installer, Part 3
After encountering the same issues repeatedly when working with customers at my CI firm, I thought a series of columns on working with an installer might help. While this is written through the lens of...
View ArticleWhat Is the Future of Custom Installation?
I’ve worked in the custom business for over 20 years so I’m always looking ahead to see what’s on the horizon. I’m happy to report that there’s plenty to keep me optimistic and excited about the future...
View ArticleUltra-Short-Throw Projectors: What You Need to Know
Ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors that can produce 100-plus-inch images when placed only a foot or so from a wall are gaining popularity. In addition to being way easier to install than traditional...
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Creating an Audio Oasis in Your Backyard
When you think of “entertaining” with your AV system, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is your home theater or media room. And while having friends over for dinner and a movie is a great...
View ArticleOutdoor Entertaining, Part 2: Creating a Video Oasis in Your Backyard
Summer may be over but there’s still plenty of time for outdoor entertaining before the winter sets in. In Creating an Audio Oasis in Your Backyard, I discussed outdoor audio solutions, ranging from...
View ArticleOutdoor Entertaining, Part 3: How to Take it to The Next Level
Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how and where you will entertain outdoors. In my previous two blogs I discussed ways to improve outdoor entertainment. Whether you...
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How to Prepare for Your Next Big A/V Purchase
I can remember sitting in the hospital room writing that month’s edition of this column (called “The Custom Installer” at the time) after my daughter, Lauryn, was born in November 2006. Fast-forward to...
View ArticleThe Big Clean: How to Keep Your A/V Gear in Good Working Order
Chances are you probably don’t think about the state of your electronic devices too often. Oh, you might think about all the upgrades you would like to make; where you would put those new tower...
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Thanks For a Great Ride!
October/November 2024 is the final print issue of Sound & Vision, which, sadly, also means this will be the end of this column. For 21 years I’ve had the privilege of sharing some advice and...
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