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If you thought Blu-Ray was the last color you’d be hearing about with regard to your home entertainment, think again. The newest and most exciting color stands ready to change everything: Sony’s UltraViolet.

UltraViolet arrived on the market recently without a whole lot of fanfare. For some time, announcements of new Sony Pictures movies or television shows were accompanied by “Available on Blu-Ray or DVD.” To aid in the still-stubborn transition to Blu-Ray, the two types of disc were packaged together, leading to “Available in a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack.” And then, with little explanation: “Available in Blu-Ray/DVD/UltraViolet combo pack.”

So what’s the story with UltraViolet?

In essence, when you purchase a Sony Blu-Ray or DVD of a title, you’re given an UltraViolet redemption code. When you log in to your UltraViolet account and redeem the code, the title is added to your Digital Library. Since UltraViolet is cloud-based, once you have a title in your Digital Library, you can instantly stream it to computers, tablets, or smart phones, or download it to your PC or Mac. You can also share your collection with up to six family members.

With the proliferation of portable devices and the growing preference of some to watch shows and movies on their computers, the appeal of UltraViolet is clear. But will the technology catch on? Will other companies besides Sony develop their own UltraViolet? Only time will tell.

Are you interested in learning more about UltraViolet? Contact Certified Connection to learn more!

Certified Connection is the premier provider of custom-designed home control systems and home theaters to residential and commercial customers. For more than 10 years, Certified Connection has served homeowners and businesses in and around Boston, throughout the South Shore, and the entire Cape.

By Certified Connection

Not so very long ago, the biggest advance in home entertainment was the flat-screen TV, which was a real game-changer when it came to picture quality – not to mention placement – of the TV in the average home. This was followed quickly by HDTV, which allowed consumers to see details they didn’t even know were there. And of course Blu-Ray, which made watching a movie on an HDTV an experience in fidelity.

Something of a newcomer to the home entertainment experience is 3D. Video companies and research firms have been stating recently that sales of 3D HDTVs continue to climb, but critics are quick to point out that numbers are logically going to climb as more and more HDTVs ship with built-in 3D capability.

But here’s the main question: Is 3D TV worth it?

Well, that depends. If you’re in the market for a new TV anyway and the one you’re looking at has 3D built in, it’s an easy decision. But if there’s a price bump between the standard model and the 3D model, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

One thing to consider is that not everyone’s eyes react well to 3D. In fact, unless you have 20/20 vision and perfect eye alignment, you’ll still be able to watch 3D, but you’ll never see the “Wow!” 3D about which so many TV manufacturers brag. Also, there’s the glasses. Hey, not everyone wants to wear glasses when they watch a movie.

But the most compelling argument against 3D is that it’s on the wane. A New York Times article states that 3D has become less and less popular since James Cameron’s Avatar, and that Hollywood studios are beginning to ask if the extra expense is even worth it. If the studios abandon the technology, there’s going to be an awfully limited catalog of 3D movies to enjoy on your 3D TV.

Still curious if 3D TV might be worth it for you? Give Certified Connection a call!

Certified Connection is the premier provider of custom-designed home control systems and home theaters to residential and commercial customers. For more than 10 years, Certified Connection has served homeowners and businesses in and around Boston, throughout the South Shore, and the entire Cape.

Additional Reading

Think You’re Getting a Good Deal? Think Again

Getting the Most Out of Your Audio/Video System

Catchin’ Some Rays – Blu Ones

It started with VCRs. Hard as it is to believe, they were the absolute cutting edge of technology back in their heyday. And when you consider what VCRs offered, it was really a giant leap for home entertainment. One whirring plastic box allowed the movie lovers of the world to watch their favorite films over and over again, whenever they liked, and TV fanatics would be able to do the same with recorded programs.

Then, just as CDs supplanted records and cassette tapes, DVDs replaced videos. (This was after the quick hiccup of LaserDiscs, of which we do not speak.) DVDs seemed like they’d be the standard-bearer for quite some time. Enter Blu-Ray.

Blu-Ray discs are the victors in the short-lived HD format wars. Much like the VHS versus Beta scuffle of the early ’80s, Blu-Ray and HD DVDs went 12 rounds before Blu-Ray was embraced as the HD format of choice. Right now, the Blu-Ray market is almost identical to the early DVD market: Blu-Ray discs are comparatively expensive, as are Blu-Ray players. Portable Blu-Ray players, just on the horizon, are not here yet, and when they arrive, they’re bound to start at a high price point. And the Blu-Ray catalog of movies, while growing, is still relatively small.

So all of this begs the question: Should you step up to Blu-Ray?

The answer, of course, depends on what you’re looking for. If you’ve got a killer home theater setup (and if you don’t, talk to the experts at Certified Connection about hooking you up), then it’s probably already a moot point. You’ve already got your Blu-Ray player and discs and love it. But what about if you’ve got an average setup – HDTV, receiver, and a couple of solid speakers. Should you step up?

History holds the answer. Just as VCR tapes went the way of the blue suede shoes, so will regular DVDs. Eventually it will be all Blu-Ray all the time, and you’ll need to upgrade your system anyway. The good news is that prices are dropping all the time, and soon you’ll pay the same for a Blu-Ray player as you did for your DVD player. And more good news – Blu-Ray discs are amazing. The picture quality and sound are light years ahead of DVDs, so at least you’re getting that much more bang for your buck.

Cynics might point out that as soon as they upgrade their system to Blu-Ray, some other technology will come along and make it obsolete. Technology does have a habit of doing that. But if you think about how long you enjoyed your old VHS tapes, and then how long you enjoyed DVDs, you’ll see that Blu-Ray will be here for a good, long while.

By: Certified Connection

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