Smart Home Cinema News - The Electric Playground

Sky Glass and Stream get firmware boost

26 November 2022

Sky Glass and the new Sky Stream puck have enjoyed a major firmware upgrade that has brought a number of big usability upgrades to the Sky Entertainment OS. These include changes to the Playlist and Bluetooth connectivity, although the expected improvement to Sky Glass picture quality is not part of the drop. The Playlist function, which replaces local recording on both devices, has moved further up the homepage, to improve access to movies and programmes

Why Matter matters – is interoperability a possibility

4 November 2022

There’s a new standard coming to shake up the smart home device world. Matter is something I’m sure you’re starting to hear more about at trade events, conferences, and through conversations with industry colleagues, but what is it and why should you care? Formed in 2019, companies including Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung joined the Zigbee Alliance – now known as the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) – to create the ‘Connected Home over IP’ project,

Control4 debuts Vibrant Linear lighting line

15 October 2022

Control4 has introduced a new Vibrant Linear Lighting line that enables integrators to create personalised lighting experiences. The new range made its debut on the Snap One booth at CEDIA 2022. With Control4 Vibrant Linear Lighting, installers can design scenes that can be activated with a voice command, manually, or through automation. The line supports circadian health, a growing wellness concern that mimics nature with bright, cool light during the day that slowly dims and

Control4 unveils next-gen Halo Remote Controls

6 October 2022

Control4 has announced Halo, a next generation remote control range. The two new models sport backlit buttons, a new graphical interface, dual-band Wi-Fi support, and a push-to-talk voice button. The new remotes were unveiled at CEDIA 2022. “Remote controls are one of the key interfaces customers use to control and interact with their system, and that experience influences their perception of the system as a whole. Therefore, we’re focused on improving performance and ease-of-use, connectivity,

Sky Stream TV Box launches in October with rolling pay plan

6 October 2022

Sky Stream, the IP-delivered premium pay TV channel service from Sky, will be available in the UK from October 18. Using the same platform as Sky Glass, the compact 4k HDR media streamer can be used with any TV, and connects over Wi-Fi with no dish required. Sky Stream is to be offered with the choice of a £29 31-day rolling plan that can be cancelled at any time, or with an 18-month contract. The

Great article about Smart Home Technology

27 September 2022

Check out this article from Build It Magazine about Choosing the best tech for your property. Interesting ideas but we would always advise more of a centralised approach rather than lots and lots of individual apps, all too confusing. Smart Home Technology – Choosing the Best Tech for Your Property Source: BuildIt

Freeview Play adds new content discovery tools

1 August 2022

The Explore Freeview Play TV channel app has received a major update, introducing new content discovery tools which bring new recommendation genres, and a new dedicated Box Sets area. The move is designed to offer viewers improved access to Freeview’s extensive on demand library. Explore Freeview Play is available on Channel 100 on Freeview Play TVs. Alongside over 80 live TV channels, the platform is home to over 40,000 hours of on demand content and

Apple TV+ and Paramount+ win big as viewers churn

25 July 2022

US subscription viewers are churning to Apple TV+ and Paramount+ as they service hop, according to new research from Ampere Analysis. These second tier streamers are now the most popular destinations for grazing goggleboxers. The definition of a Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD) switcher is someone who moves from one subscription service to another contract within 60 days. 11 per cent chose Apple TV+ and Paramount+. Netflix was third according to the Ampere survey.. The

Onkyo, Pioneer and Integra set for UK return, made by Sharp

18 July 2022

Some of the UK’s most familiar Japanese AV brands are set for a return. Premium Audio Company, a subsidiary of VOXX International Corporation, has announced that Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer will soon be available for order through its existing network of distribution and retail partners in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The first products will be available this autumn, details yet to be announced. In September 2021, Premium Audio Company, through its joint venture

Sony A90K and A75K OLED TV’s now available for preorder

25 May 2022

Sony’s new XR Master Series A90K and XR A75K OLED TVs are available to pre-order in the UK and Europe, with the manufacturer confirming UK pricing. The 48- and 42-inch A90K (pictured above) sell for £1,899, and £1,799, and ship June 20 and July 11 respectively, while the 55- and 65-inch A75K are priced at £1,999 and £2,799, out June 15. The new OLED TVs pair Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR technology and XR OLED Contrast

Denon embraces future with streaming Multiroom Hi-Fi Amp

25 May 2022

Denon has unveiled a trio of new Hi-Fi components at the Munich High End Show.The new 900 Series includes the first Denon HEOS built-in integrated amplifier in a standard size chassis, the PMA-900HNE (pictured top), alongside the matching DCD-900NE CD player with USB playback. With streaming convenience to the fore, the PMA-900HNE has Wi-Fi network connectivity, as well as AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and multiroom audio capability. Completing the brand’s new line-up is the PMA-1700NE, a

Virgin Media debuts 4K Stream TV Player to Counter Sky Puck

3 May 2022

Virgin Media has launched a new, non-contract IP TV streaming service, appropriately named Stream, for users of its high-speed broadband service. The compact box supports 4k HDR10 and HLG, and offers TV channels, video apps and streaming subscriptions. It’s available from today. Designed primarily for voice control, it allows users to chop and change their subscriptions on a monthly basis; all billing is handled by Virgin on a rolling 30 day contract, so there’s no