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The perfect home system
I am busy with it for a a while: the perfect home system set up.
I do believe we are busy integrating computers in the living room (saw a lot of those hybrid systems in hotel rooms around, with a keyboard next to the tv, enabling you to surf on the huge flatscreen)
I don't watch tv very often. Actually I watch it mainly to see series. And when I want to see them. So video on demand is a great invention...
So I tried to figure out the best set up:
My living room would contain wireless internet. There would be no cable available, but DTT is flying in the air, and I hate an ugly TV in a living room since it 'fills' the space and 'cries for attention'. In most living rooms I go into, the space is centered around the big box.
'Me don't like at all.'
I do like a nicely designed audio system. WIth very good sound if possible. And I do like the effect of Dolby Surround.
And a tv that is hidden, or doesn't feel like taking up the space. Or by preference, a projector.
Building such an living room used to be very expensive, but these days, prices dropped a lot.
As I see it, I would put a MacMini in my living room, connected to or a computer full HD screen, or a HD flatscreen, or a by preference this projector, using HDMI (computercable, flatscreenconnections). For audio there would be an optical connection with my surround system that allows me crystal clear sound. My iPod would be connected using a dock, towards the surround system.
For sure there would be wireless internet, and a keyboard.
My mac would have EyeTV for seeing DTT (that is Een and Canvas)
The Airport Expresses allow me to stream the audio from my different macs wirelessly toward the audio system while using shared music in iTunes to enable all available audio.
Plugin some extra Airport Expresses around the house would save me an expensive B&O system that I cannot (yet) afford :P
Streaming video wirelessly is still hard, but I would not need it because the files would be stored on the extra harddrive, connected to the MacMini using firewire, the fastest connection available.
The upcoming iTV from Mac might solve a lot of these riddles, but as one sees, my current setup is carefully chosen and can be extended. The MacMini is in the first place a home computer and upon arrival of the iTV, will become a home computer again.
As I am checking what I still need:
-The Cinema System
-The projector/TV (though I can manage with the 23 inch screen for the moment)
-The iPod Dock and some cables.
And someone who is willing to come and sit on the couch to enjoy the movie (and has to bring popcorn)
Mmmm, running to the nearest audio shop nearby...
Useful links:
Thisismobility
Macworld article
Technorati Tags: hdmi, home theatre, ht, set up
Posted on December 8, 2006
in Design, Living in Belgium, Technical stuff
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Comments (2)
Comments
Are you aware of iTV, the announced and soon te be released "airport for tv" by apple?
Probably in january. If I were you, I'd wait... see http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/hands-on-with-the-apple-itv-prototype/
for instance.
Posted by kristof | December 8, 2006 4:40 PMThe HT-XQ100 is an interesting setup but I would never buy it because the amplifier is integrated with the DVD/CD reader. The DVD/CD medium will be out-dated at middle-long-term and then you're stuck with a 'thing' that you'll only use for 50% (only the amplifier). Also if you break your amplifier or DVD/CD reader you need to buy a whole new 'thing'.
I prefer having the amplifier seperate and keep all other devices (DVD,...) external. An amplifier can be a one-life investment if it doesn't include technologies that are sensitive to trends.
Of course it won't ever look that great if you buy an amplifier with external devices! On top, you'll always end up with multiple remotes, one for each device, which is annoying.
Good luck, it looks a great system! Couldn't find any pricing info, kinda curious... :)
Posted by Bart | December 9, 2006 12:50 AM