John Sciacca

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CEDIA 2017
Dynaudio In-Walls Excel at Installation Flexibility
John Sciacca  |  Sep 10, 2017  |  0 comments
Founded in Denmark in 1977, Dynaudio is celebrating 40 years crafting audio products, now with a focus on the custom install market with its Studio Series. What makes the series so cool is not how great it sounds — which I’ll have to just take at their word, as the display at CEDIA was static — but the intelligent thought that went into the installation problem-solving design.

Most in-wall speaker designs give no thought to the installation process, namely that there very well could be a stud located right where you want to position the speaker. While it is usually possible to position the left and right speakers equidistant from the screen, the center channel is often a different story, with a stud usually located right where a speaker would need to be cut in.

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The Connected Life
Easy Does It: Home Automation For All
John Sciacca  |  Nov 05, 2014  |  1 comments
The biggest annual event on a custom installer’s calendar is the CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) Expo, which took place September in Denver. This year’s Expo was brimming with new technology, namely the overwhelming rollout of Dolby Atmos, a new surround format that I discussed in my previous column, along with several other exciting introductions like a new laser-powered projector from Epson and several very cool new wireless music system such as Denon’s HEOS and DTS’s Play-Fi.
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Other Tech
Elan System 8.6AV multiroom audio/video controller
John Sciacca  |  Oct 14, 2008  |  0 comments
The Short Form
$2,000 (as tested) / ELANHOMESYSTEMS.COM / 859-269-7760
Snapsho
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CES 2020
Elite Projector Offers Outdoor Theater Solution
John Sciacca  |  Jan 07, 2020  |  0 comments
I stopped into the Elite Screens suite in the Venetian to check out whether the company was offering any new video projection screens at CES (spoiler: there were! Two, in fact!). But the coolest thing in the suite turned out to not be one of the two new video screens on display, but rather the complete MosicGo outdoor theater entertainment system under the new Elite Projector brand!
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CES 2020
Enclave Unveils THX-Certified Soundbar Killer
John Sciacca  |  Jan 08, 2020  |  0 comments
Soundbars are perfect problem solvers for many as they provide a greatly improved listening experience over the anemic audio offered by nearly every modern flat-panel display. Many opt for a soundbar because they require no additional hardware like an AVR, usually require just a single-wire connection to the display, need no extra controls, and are affordable. But what if there was a way to get all of these soundbar benefits while still enjoying far better sound, with actual front channel separation and true surround sound? That’s the promise Enclave Audio is delivering with its new CineHome wireless audio systems.
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CEDIA 2015
Encore Takes Kaleidescape to the Stratosphere
John Sciacca  |  Oct 15, 2015  |  0 comments
Kaleidescape, the company that literally invented the movie server category, is looking to remain on top with the launch of a new product line called Encore. This new line-up of movie players and servers will target aggressive price points designed to attract new customers as well as feature cutting-edge, industry leading performance in the new Strato Movie Player; the world’s first 4K Ultra HD, HDR player for the home to cement the company’s position at the top of the luxury home cinema market.

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Other Tech
Escient FP-1 iPod Music Manager
John Sciacca  |  Jun 02, 2007  |  0 comments

When historians mark time, there are always pivotal technologies that clearly define watershed changes in how society functions: the printing press, the automobile, the airplane. And quite possibly, for future historians to consider, the iPod.

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CES 2016
Eve Wants to Make Your Home an Automation Paradise
John Sciacca  |  Jan 06, 2016  |  0 comments
“Works with Apple HomeKit” was a common theme among many of the new automation companies demonstrating at the International Consumer Electronics Show, and Elgato’s Eve family of devices offers some very affordable options to quickly and easily bring smarts and Siri-based control to your home.

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The Connected Life
Evolution of the App
John Sciacca  |  May 11, 2021  |  3 comments
The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 — or, more specifically, Apple opening its App Store to third-party developers in 2008 — turned out to be one of the most consequential developments ever to hit the home automation market. It was mind-blowing to watch this small, handheld device being used as a full-blown system controller to operate all manner of equipment and it became clear that this was a game-changing technology. Fast forward to 2021: Here are some key categories where app-based control has made an impact.
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The Connected Life
Evolution of the App Part 2
John Sciacca  |  Jul 19, 2021  |  2 comments
My previous column covered ways to control both a modern A/V system and a smart home using various manufacturer-supplied apps. With smartphone and tablet use now widespread, and smart devices capable of being controlled via free iOS and Android apps proliferating, app-based control has also surged. Whether you’re streaming music, controlling your A/V receiver, or managing your home’s energy or security systems, there’s now an app that can help you to do it smarter, better, and more easily. And since most people are now in the habit of carrying their phones 24/7, they basically have a full-blown system controller in their pocket at all times.
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