La Scala participated in the 2011 IDS West Show to an audience of enthusiastic designers, architects, builders and to the general public.   The Art Video Wall was the first eye catcher, with four displays creatively mounted showing stunning shots of both black and white movie frames as well as abstract colour mosaics.  It was hard to pass this monolith.  If you are interested in video walls check out our partner web site for more details on this exciting platform: http://www.runco.com/_webapp_2981053/Runco_WindowWall or read this blog for another innovative idea. http://www.runco.com/_blog/This_Minute_at_Runco/post/Fusion_Kitchen/

Once in the booth it was hard to believe the dynamic, clarity of the Runco 63” Vistage.  Runco is committed to producing the absolute best picture anywhere.   It wasn’t a difficult message to deliver as passer’s by stopped and fixated on the screen.  Black levels were so deep it was virtually impossible to distinguish the bezel.  http://www.runco.com/_webapp_3412334/Vistage_V-63HD  This unit won CEPro 2011 best in flat panel displays. Simply amazing.

The La Scala booth focused entirely on design centric solutions.   Using silent, robust technology, we demonstrated the use of a lift to reveal the video display only when viewing.  With living spaces shrinking, the need for multi-purpose areas that completely transition with use is growing. There is no need for electronics to be visible in entertaining or private spaces; no need to compromise quality or design.  The solution should be elegant, easily serviced, accessible and simple.

Other elements in the booth included: Lutron’s dynamic keypad. This small footprint allows users to customize their keypad, save energy and to integrate for total home control.   Check it out here:  http://www.lutron.com/Products/WholeHomeSystems/Homeworksqs/Pages/Overview.aspx

While we love Lutron’s innovation, sometimes it makes sense for the bezel to completely disappear.  Trufig is an amazing solution, when the design elements dictate, it affords a completely seamless wall surface uncluttered by plating or hardware.   Download a brochure here:  http://www.trufig.com/home.php

Of course the booth would not have been complete without articulate, high impact audio and Steinway Lyndorf was there with an incredibly small footprint.  The sound that these small speakers produced is unbelievable.   In an open environment we literally heard jaw dropping sound…  check out Steinway Lyndorf’s new “S” Series.  http://www.steinwaylyngdorf.com/

Lastly we demonstrated some very cool home control solutions from Crestron including both IPAD and Android applications.   Crestron doesn’t limit users to a particular platform.  Using an industrial backbone, they are one of the most robust, stable platforms on the market.  Crestron introduced their new operating system in September which we also showcased. This allows users an Apple familiar interface, up to nine separate video sources, on a 24” touch sensitive display.   http://www.crestron.com/about/press_room/press_releases/show_release.asp?press_release_id=1555

Stay tuned for a lot more innovation…..

This marks the first time in the history of Steinway& Sons that it has ever backed a speaker system, the sound reproduction of these speakers is so exacting and powerful that Steinway& Sons has agreed to an uncompromised endorsement of the D Series Sound System.

Starglas is truly a unique video screen. The Starglas video screen is a suspended rear projection glass screen that can go virtually anywhere. Starglas video screens provide unparalleled picture quality in both indoor and outdoor environments.

For more information click here.

“The Steinway Lyngdorf S Series is an interior decorators dream because the S Series offers so much leeway in speaker placement.  The days of trying to decorate your home around a pair of gargantuan free standing speakers are gone.” – The Wall Street Journal

It appears Microsoft is back in the game. The company’s Kinect add-on for the Xbox 360 gaming console has become the fastest-selling device. Ever. According to reports, 10 million units have sold in just four months of availability. What will Steve Jobs have to say about this? With gaming becoming a rising focus for the tablet and smartphone markets, who knows what will happen in time. For now, Microsoft is ruling the roost on the full-fledged gaming end.

One brand that stands out as a true innovator in merging audio visual electronics and lifestyle products is Séura.  Séura offers a unique line of stylish HD displays that fully integrate into the decor of your home.  Their flagship product is known as a TV mirror.  TV mirrors are LCD displays mounted behind mirrors that vanish when powered off.  These make excellent hidden TVs in non-traditional spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens or powder rooms. TV mirrors offers an elegant solution for accessing television in many rooms of the house.

In addition to TV mirrors, Séura manufactures the hydra waterproof television which is perfectly at home in places like your shower or Bath suite.  With a TV mirror in the bathroom you gain the ability to catch the morning news in the shower or even pipe in music and movies from your favorite streaming media device.

With the limitless possibilities of home integration and elegant design, Séura TV mirrors are amongst our favorite options for hidden TVs.

Creating the right atmosphere by highlighting architecture, design and art can enhance your home. With the phase out of incandescent light bulbs it can be confusing to know what brands of bulbs will work with your dimmable lighting. Below is a handy chart you can use to cross reference which light bulbs will work for you!

In these technological times, we rely on a home network to bring the world to our doorstep. Where the computer was once king, home networks are now connecting the latest generation of TVs, video game consoles and audio systems with a wide selection of Internet content. As the importance of home networking is growing, the quality of the home network has a large impact on a homeowner’s lifestyle.

One of the most exciting trends gaining momentum in home entertainment is access to a wide variety of streaming media through a home network. With the rise of such services as Netflix, Pandora, Zune, Qriosity and iTunes, many devices now have the ability to stream movies, TV shows and music on demand. For a small fee, these content providers are available on your Blu Ray player, Xbox, Playstation 3, Wii and even direct to some TVs!

Added: March 22nd, 2011

Integrating a Mac Mini into your home theatre system opens up a whole new world of media features and offers the convenience of having a fully functional Apple computer on your television. Having a direct connection to your music, movie, and photo library on an HD system is truly an immersive experience. In addition to your media library, you gain access to other exciting features such as YouTube, video games, and other streaming video services.

With a few peripherals such as a wireless keyboard and mouse you can easily browse the internet, manage your photo library, and even shoot out emails all from your couch. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. With the addition of a web cam, you can even set up video conferencing via Skype, all from your media system.

With its small form factor, ease of operation, and input/output options, the Mac Mini makes a perfect companion piece to your media system.

Added: March 22nd, 2011

>> Contact La Scala for more information!

The electronics industry is the economic backbone and pride of the nation of Japan. It was with great urgency and necessity that on Sunday, March 13, 2011, the Japanese Government asked several major companies to reduce electronic consumption in an effort to preserve electricity and other resources for the continuing relief efforts underway in the regions impacted by the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck the country on March 11th. Among the companies to comply with the government’s request are the producers of microchips, semiconductors and electronic devices. Many of these companies have opted to completely shut down production factories in an effort to fully support the rescue operation underway in Northeastern Japan.

Japan’s microchip factories are at the forefront of the worldwide electronics industry. Currently, 20 percent of all semiconductors and 40 percent of all flash memory chips are produced in Japan. These are the chips that allow us to have smart phones, tablets, personal computers and GPS systems. Some of the companies that have closed production facilities include; Sony, Epson, Texas Instruments, Sharp, Toshiba and Yamaha. In the days following the first factory closing, the price of flash chips had already spiked 17 percent on the world market. Experts expect this rise in price to continue for the next 5-7 days, until production facilities are re-opened and fully operational.

Added: March 22nd, 2011

>> Contact La Scala for more information!