As most of us discover the joys of owning your personal home theater we find almost everything is operated by a remote control, quickly amounting to a collection that sits neatly in a basket on the coffee table, or in a drawer of the end table. Rarely are they all in the same place at the same time. One of the remotes in the pile might even be a multi-device remote allowing you to punch in a series of 4 or 5 digit codes, sorting through the codes until you find just the right one for your device. Now that you have tamed half of the system you can settle into the couch, fingers exhausted.

Acoustic Research has introduced a few new solutions to reclaim control of your home theater system and I recently had the opportunity to take the ARRX15G for a test drive. Their new X-sight remotes allow you to control up to either 15 or 18 device. The first is the ARRX15G Xsight Color which is capable of controlling up to 15 different devices also featuring a color LCD display and uses standard AA batteries. The second model, the ARRX18G Xsight Touch offers control of up to 18 different devices with a color touch screen LCD display, rechargeable battery system with charging dock, and an option to utilize RF (Radio Frequency) control with the optional ARRE433B RF receiver.

One feature of these remotes that really wowed me was the simple set up. Both Xsight remote controls offer easy set up using the on-screen display of the remote itself to will walk you through the different devices and add them to different macro functions such as Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Listen to Radio Etc. This is a process that few remotes that offer extensive control of your system include; usually this type of setup requires connecting the remote control to your home computer. However, if you prefer using your computer to program the remote control, that option is available. Acoustic Research offers the EZ-RC set up software allowing you to use a USB connection and follow a simple on-screen step by step set up guide on your computer. With this software your remote control’s programming information is stored directly on the EZ-RC website, so that you can make changes or add devices and not lose all of your programming information.

While using the remote controls I found them to be well balanced in the hand making it easy to navigate and operate with one hand. The back of the remotes is coated in a nice non-slip rubber ensuring the remote stays in your hand until you would like to place it down. I found that all of the buttons also had a reasonable click to them allowing you to know that they had been pressed. Dedicated buttons are used to turn the system either All On (Hello) or All Off (Goodbye), which helps cut down on devices getting out of sync in the start up or close down procedures.

My time with the Xsight remotes was a pleasing experience. They are a very capable system control option that will help you get the maximum use and enjoyment from your home theater system.

Lee R

Lee is one of our resident camera experts! Lee joined the retail division of Huppin’s Hi-Fi Photo & Video in 1999 and transferred to the OneCall mail order division in 2006. While Lee is well versed in all the products we carry, he favors cameras and home theater. He uses a Marantz receiver and a Canon SLR. Lee loves to talk to customers, so give him a call!

Read more: http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/detail.do?contentId=228249&companyId=3598&showId=53

Rachel Plut

1. Sharp LC-52LE700UN 52-inch AQUOS LED Backlit LCD HDTV using Sharp’s UltraBrilliant LED system high brightness and color purity.

2. Samsung UN46B8000 46-inch LED LCD HDTV features Wide Color Enhancer Pro to display full lifelike color reproduction.

3. Samsung UN46B7000 46-inch LED LCD HDTV taking TV further with Media 2.0 Internet@TV – Content Service, DLNA connection to compatible home electronics, Pre-loaded Content Library™ and USB 2.0 Movie right on your TV.

4. Samsung UN46B8500 46-inch LED Backlit LCD HDTV with Local Dimming LED technology achieves a stunning 7,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio.

5. Samsung UN55B6000 55-inch Ultra-slim Design edge lit LED LCD HDTV only 1.2-inches deep (without pedestal stand) and a wall mounted depth of less than 2-inches when combined with the optional WMN1000B low-profile wall mount bracket.

6. Samsung UN55B7000 55-inch LED LCD HDTV with motion blur virtually eliminated through Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz technology for smooth crisp picture quality.

7. LG 42LH90 42-inch LED Backlight LCD HDTV with Local Dimming and TruMotion 240Hz technology displays a sharp detailed imaged even with fast paced entertainment.

8. Sony KDL-46XBR8 46-inch LED Backlit LCD HDTV with Sony’s TRILUMINOS® RGB Dynamic LED Backlight produces significantly higher color purity and more accurate color reproduction.

9. Samsung UN55B8000 55-inch LED LCD HDTV designed with convenience in mind includes a second, pebble shaped secondary remote control designed to handle the basic operations of the TV.

10. LG 42SL90 42-inch LED LCD HDTV is easy to setup and optimize with LG’s Picture Wizard enabling easy self-calibration for black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels helps take the guess work out of picture adjustments.

11. Toshiba 46SV670U 46-inch REGZA LED Backlit LED LCD HDTV with Toshiba’s new FocaLight™ LED Backlight technology achieves impressive black levels without sacrificing brightness and white levels.

12. LG 47SL90 47-inch LED LCD HDTV uses Clear Voice II to enhance audio dialog for improved audio performance and a more enjoyable TV viewing experience because it’s not just about the picture.

Matt P

Home audio/video enthusiast and merchandising specialist at OneCall.com

Samsung has the thinnest LED Backlight LCD TV’s out there and they are using “side lit” LED’s to create the light which illuminates the picture. The advantage is the screen can be VERY thin 1.5 inches . The significant advantage of the side light LEDs is the thickness of the TV, side lit LED screens do not really add any improvement picture you see on the screen.

Then there is the LED backlighting with local localized dimming. This helps improve the black levels considerably and approaches what plasma technology can offer. Sony and Samsung were the first. Toshiba , LG, and Sharp have now come out with their sets that use LED with localized dimming. They look fantastic and are less expensive than the hard to find Samsungs and Sony’s. Here are the models so you can check them out.




Samsung LED Side Lit models available at OneCall

UN55B8000	UN46B8000
UN55B7000	UN46B7000	UN40B7000
UN55B6000	UN46B6000	UN40B6000

Samsung LED backlight models with Local Dimming available at OneCall

LN46A950
UN55B8500	UN46B8500

Toshiba LED Backlight models with Local Dimming available at OneCall

55SV670U

46SV670U

LG LED Backlight models with Local Dimming available at OneCall

55LH90

47LH90

42LH90

Sony LED Backlight models with Local Dimming available at OneCall

KDL-55XBR8

KDL-46XBR8

Sharp LED Backlight models available at OneCall:

LC-52LE700UN	LC-46LE700UN
LC-47LE700UN	LC-32LE700UN

Check them out I think you will be impressed.

Have questions? Call our friendly, factory trained sales team at 1.866.919.4773 or post your comments and questions here on the OneCall Blog.

Patrick G

Patrick is our most experienced sales person, and has worked at OneCall longer than any other sales associate. He is a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of the electronics business and is a great go to guy for those tough questions that come up on a daily basis. Patrick was born and raised in Washington State, growing up in the Bellingham area before relocating to Spokane where he has lived for well over 12 years….he is a true Washington State native. When he’s not selling Electronics and helping our customers at OneCall, Patrick enjoys working in his garden, cooking and playing video games on his Sharp TV. If he could have any electronics product available, at the moment, he would go with the 65” Panasonic 3D Plasma TV and if he could go anywhere in the world on an ultimate vacation he would go to Australia.

The Toshiba Regza SV670 Cinema Series is Toshiba’s first foray into the back lit LED technology. The advantage of the back lit LED technology is that it can provide deep blacks without compromising the whites.  The fluorescent lit LCD and the side lit LED technologies are capable of excellent contrast ratios, but they steal from Paul to give to Peter.  A deeper black will dim the whites; brighter whites lighten the blacks.  The Toshiba LED’s use “local dimming” which controls the contrast ratios throughout zones on the screen.  The result is an excellent contrast ratio without compromise.  During a recent demonstration, the transition from the screen to the black bezel of the set was seamless.  The shadow detail and color rendition were excellent.

Though you do not get internet widgets or built in memory with menus, the SV670 Cinema Series is loaded with useful features including:

My favorite feature, besides the outstanding picture quality, is the Dolby Volume Sound Leveler.   This is a non- prescritive remedy for the millions of Americans who suffer IRRITABLE VOLUME SYNDROME  when an advertisement shatters whatever peace and tanquilty you have earned at the end of the day by raising the volume 20 decibels. The Dolby Volume Sound Leveler cannot eliminate advertisements, but it prevents the advertisers from shouting at you.

Currently available in 55 and 46-inch screen sizes as the 55SV670U and 46SV670U models from Toshiba.

Want more information? Call our friendly, factory trained sales team at 1.866.919.4773 or post your comments and questions here on the OneCall Blog.

Rob N

*Free Subwoofer offer expires September 7, 2009

Chad G

How long have you been working with OneCall? 5 yrs What do you think has been the greatest consumer electronic advancement that has come in your lifetime? Wireless internet What is your favorite thing about working at OneCall? Learning about new technologies.

We here at OneCall have all been asked this question more times than any of us can count. “Which is better Plasma or LCD” Everyone seems to expect an answer to this question as either an LCD Television is better, or a Plasma Television is better. Unfortunately neither is the answer for everyone. With large television sets at an all time low, consumers are ready now to gear up for the long haul with digital television. So let’s take a trip through some of the basics for both Plasma and LCD.

Benefits of Plasma Televisions

Plasma televisions generate their image by electrically charging phosphorus gas to generate their image. Contrary to popular belief, this gas does not have to be and cannot be recharged. It’s a permanent part of the television unless the screen was to become cracked or damaged (No raucous parties or throwing things at the television). Here a few of the major benefits of plasma:

Greater contrast is a standard. Better definition between the whites and blacks.
Smoother motion handling for sports and action. It’s made of glass and metal so, they are of a heartier construction and a little easier to recycle.

Benefits of LCD Televisions

LCD televisions are well known for how bright they are. In well lit rooms, they can easily be seen. Most of the sets have very little glare issues, another perfect fit for a well lit room. LCD’s by their very nature I feel do exceptionally well with computer generated content. The rigid structure of each of the cells makes eaking out every last bit of detail quite easy.

Round 2: Drawbacks

Here is where both camps start flinging the venom.

Plasma TV Drawbacks

You can end up with this little thing called burn-in with very rare situations. Most manufacturers have a solution in place to help eliminate this possibility. Over the last few years we have just about seen this issue disappear. Another huge issue is one that cannot be overcome at least not as of yet. Altitude. If you live over 6500 feet above sea level you may want to stay away from plasma. The further up in altitude we go, the less atmospheric pressure exerts force to keep the plasma gas together. This means that the plasma now has to use more power to keep the gas excited and pulled tightly together to generate the light for the image. As you can imagine this causes an unusually excessive amount of noise or humming from the power supply. Does the TV still work? Yes, if you don’t mind the above annoyance.

LCD TV Drawbacks

Well they are getting faster all of the time, but they still quite haven’t caught up. Most people probably won’t notice at first, but you will occasionally see the set almost freeze in place. It does so rarely that you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you. Here is also where that additional sharpness comes to back to play havoc. Regular definition programming looks incredibly soft on an LCD display. Not so much a failing of the set, and hopefully not an issue that we are going to continue to have.

Round 3 – Connectivity

If this were a prize fight this round would really have to go to you the judges. Everyone now seems to offer just about every level of connectivity on their sets. 3-5 HDMI inputs is now just about the standard jack package. With integration of web widgets and internet connectivity also entering the picture, Ethernet and Wi-Fi options abound. Even if you don’t want that as an option, the manufactures have you covered. So at this time we will have to conclude that this portion is an even draw.

Conclusion — The Fall out.

There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to purchasing either one of these technologies. The best way to really tell is with your own two peepers. Perception of value of the technology that you purchase will make watching your new set the most satisfying experience and provide all out happiness when watching the latest hi-def TV show, or the latest blockbuster on Blu-Ray. We truly live in the best of times.

Lee R

Lee is one of our resident camera experts! Lee joined the retail division of Huppin’s Hi-Fi Photo & Video in 1999 and transferred to the OneCall mail order division in 2006. While Lee is well versed in all the products we carry, he favors cameras and home theater. He uses a Marantz receiver and a Canon SLR. Lee loves to talk to customers, so give him a call!