John Sciacca

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Other Tech
Niles IntelliControl ICS Multiroom Audio System
John Sciacca  |  Oct 03, 2006  |  0 comments

the listAudio distribution is the custom-installation industry's bread and butter. Sure, home theaters are sexier, but with only five or seven speakers, they can't compete with the ten, 20, 30, or more that need installing for a housewide music system.

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CEDIA 2016
Niles Updates to Auriel 2.0 with Home Control
John Sciacca  |  Sep 18, 2016  |  47 comments
Niles Audio, a member of Core Brands, released a major update to its MRC-6430 (Auriel) audio distribution platform with the roll-out of Auriel 2.0. The new upgrade is will include a lot of performance enhancements such as streaming audio, climate and lighting control, plus remote access features and will be available for free to all existing system owners.

A single MRC-6430 chassis can deliver audio to six zones through seven input sources, and two chassis can be linked together to create a 12-zone system. With the 2.0 update, the chassis now natively supports streaming from Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn “and other popular Internet radio services.”

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Other Tech
Now Playing: The Man Who Invented Home Theater
John Sciacca  |  Jul 07, 2008  |  0 comments

The home theater industry is so young and varied that it hasn't produced many people that can be considered legends. But there is one man who actually created the concept of home theater as we know it today, and who continues to push the boundaries and redefine what home theater can be.

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Now Showing on Two Screens
John Sciacca  |  Jul 27, 2008  |  0 comments

For most A/V enthusiasts, owning a dedicated media room is the ultimate dream. A place sealed away from the many distractions of the rest of the house.

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CES 2017
Nucleus Demonstrates 21st Century Intercom
John Sciacca  |  Jan 05, 2017  |  0 comments
When you think “intercom” you probably think of that large, clunky, multi-buttoned contraption that took up like three-free of real estate in your parent’s kitchen that no one really knew how to use. In fact, if there is one “technology” that has been sorely overlooked by progress, it is the lowly intercom. Nucleus looks to help keep families in touch no matter if they are on the other side of the home or the world with its Anywhere Intercom which adds and HD video camera and IP communication to the mix. It also happens to be the world’s first touchscreen device with Amazon Alexa built-in.

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CEDIA 2014
Nucleus: Reach Out and See Someone
John Sciacca  |  Sep 13, 2014  |  0 comments
Reach Out and See Someone Video calling is certainly nothing new, in fact with iPhone and Android devices most of us carry the ability to video chat with someone around in our pocket. But the home intercom is still a popular request, especially in larger homes where you want a more elegant way to find everyone than, “HELLO?!? WHERE ARE YOU?!? HELLO!!!!” New company, Nucleus, has one of the coolest intercom systems I’ve seen in a while and at a price that is pretty startling.

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Other Tech
NuVo Technologies Grand Concerto Multiroom Audio System
John Sciacca  |  Oct 05, 2007  |  0 comments

The 21st century is giving us numerous ways to listen to and control our music. Not only can we now distribute tunes around our homes with the touch of a button, but the wonder of metadata feedback actually lets us know what's playing as well.

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Other Source Component Reviews
Nuvyyo Tablo DVR
John Sciacca  |  Jun 03, 2014  |  0 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $220

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Terrific interface
Fast and simple setup
Stream shows to anywhere via Internet
Minus
No direct HDMI output
Must add your own hard drive
Long buffer time for channel surfing
No “resume play” function for recordings

THE VERDICT
Tablo offers cord cutters an affordable option to enjoy DVR features and view TV from anywhere in the world.

Cord cutting is a trend that continues to gain momentum. And why not? With low-cost/free services like Netflix and YouTube accounting for more than 50 percent of Web traffic in the U.S., it’s obvious that people are happy to get their content from any place that doesn’t require a monthly pound of flesh. Even TV networks have started accepting the streaming mentality by offering shows online, typically a day (or more) after they have aired live but still giving viewers an alternative to the traditional cable or satellite pay-to-view option.

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The Connected Life
Old Electronics Get New Life
John Sciacca  |  Feb 18, 2014  |  1 comments
As a custom installer, I’m routinely asked, “What should I do with my old stuff?” It’s a great question, because with all the recent advancements and price drops in technology, lots of people are upgrading and ending up with older gear still in working order but with no idea what to do with it. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some suggestions that I give to my clients.

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Olive 4HD Music Server
John Sciacca  |  Aug 04, 2010  |  0 comments

Many companies seem to have lost sight of the fact that, at the end of the day, their products are supposed to be fun. This is especially true for music servers, which by definition are supposed to serve up enjoyment. But complicated setup and clunky interfaces bog down most models.

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