A few days ago, we were testing the Sony VPL-260ES 4K home theatre projector at 1,500 lumens. Compared to equal priced projectors boasting 2,500 lumens and knowing that some projectors go up to 5,000 lumens that doesn’t sound like a lot these days. Yet, when we looked at the calibrated pictures on the screen in our –admittedly- dark home theatre room, we wondered how come that a projector with 1,500 lumens stated on their specs appeared brighter that another projector boasting 2,000 lumens. Basically, that’s because one reading of lumens is not the same as another reading of lumens….Let us explain.

Gone are the days were every self-respecting New Zealand household would have a vinyl library sitting there ready to show off to any potential visitors. Whenever a new person would walk into your home for the first time, they would inevitably be drawn to your collection, making comments on your taste (or lack off;-)). It was a sure way to measure up people and a very effective conversation starter for that matter.  These days, while some of us have not given up on the vinyl or CD collection, for a lot of us, our music collection is to be found on your PC. Be it as a subscription service like TIDAL or Spotify or stored on your NAS.  This new way of accessing music gave birth to a new hi-fi component: The Network Audio player or streamer.

Lately, some Ultra Short Throw projectors have entered the home theatre projector market. We at Rapallo think this is something to be excited about. This is because it opens the option of having a projector to people who previously simply did not have that choice because of the area where they have their home theatre set-up.So, the logical question to follow is: what is a (Ultra) Short Throw projector and why could it be the cats meow for you?

We know our blog readers like having a peek at other people’s set-ups. So far, we have tried to offer a variety of lay-outs and budgets, but the bottom-line has been that it was AV applications in people’s private homes. But that’s not where Rapallo installations stop. We have been dealing with a wide variety of  AV installations in businesses too. From shop outfits, to B&B’s, to restaurants. Earlier this year, we completed a large commercial AV  installation at FlexiGroup.

Some choices are easy: Do you want your speakers in black or white? Do you want big or small ones? Do you want expensive ones or cheap ones?  Do you want to buy them from Rapallo? (That’s a no-brainer…) But when it comes to what type of speakers you want, lately it can get a bit complicated. Most speakers are passive, but recently more and more active speakers seem to pop up. But what’s the difference? Why would you choose one over the other and what’s best for you?

It’s so easy to forget, but if we would take the clock back say 10 years and look at what home entertainment looked like back then, we’d be surprised at how fast things change. In 2007 you were starting to build a library of Blu-ray titles, thankful that HD had finally made its way to disc. 4K was a technology of the future. Streaming was a curiosity and Netflix was a hugely successful DVD mail-order company with a billion discs delivered. It’s CES in Las Vegas that has long been the platform for the launch of audio-visual novelties. Sure, not all products showcased made it into people’s homes (actually a fair amount didn’t), but isn’t it interesting to see what goes on in the heads of the AV powers that reign and what new AV products are to be expected for the new year.

Welcome to 2018! Another year another chance for much excitement on the AV front. And if paying more attention to do what makes your heart sing is one of the New Years resolutions, we have just the thing to start off the year. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. For many of us, the reality will be a litlle more modest, but the enjoyment need not be any less. It’s an oldie, but a goodie: the Odeon Home Theatre on our blog.