Liquid Media
The Internet is fast becoming the number one source for media (music, photos, movies, television). Network-based technologies including iPods, Media Servers, and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) are becoming an integral part of home entertainment systems. Consumers can access media from Web devices (TV’s computers, smart phones) installed throughout the home, or from content stored on hard drives (iPods or computers) that is distributed throughout their entire home via their home network. The accessing of content from anywhere in the home is an approach we call "liquid media". This is because the media content itself is like a “liquid”, the storage device (hard drive or internet) acts like a “reservoir”, the network is the “plumbing” , the TV’s and/or speakers in a given room are “faucets”.
The most common liquid media system is designed for listening to music throughout the home and/or outdoors. The simplest example of liquid music is an iPod connected to an amplifier that is connected to several rooms of speakers. While not very flexible, it does allow for many hours of continuous music with little to no need for operator attention. The most capable liquid system is a Media Server that can send all types of media (music, photographs, movies, and television) to multiple rooms all operating independently. Each of the liquid media systems Home Entertainment Inc. sells can be controlled by iPod, iPhone, iPad, or Android apps for the ultimate in simplicity.
We even carry a Home Automation product that allows you to control your entire home with smart phone or tablet (Apple or Android based).
Entertainment Center Cluster
The fast growth of these types of products emphasizes why it's so important to choose a company on the leading edge of AV (audio/video) and IT (information technology). Home Entertainment Inc. has over 35 years of AV experience and is also a licensed Microsoft OEM Hardware Solutions Partner, and through our Fluid Digital division, a manufacturer and distributor of the latest media servers.
Click on the “Whole House Audio” or “Media Server Systems” below to see the capabilities of Liquid Media System Design.
These days, many people have a vast amount of music stored on their computers. But typically, in order to hear it, you have to be at your computer. How do you listen to the music on your computer if you are in your kitchen, bathroom, or on your back patio, without adding speakers and a bunch of wiring?
The solution is simple with Sonos. Sonos is a multi-room music system that will allow you to access your computers music library (or your iPods) from any room in your house. It will also allow you to access music from internet radio stations and other music services like Pandora, Rhapsody and many more.
Simply add a Sonos zone player in any room in which you wanted unlimited access to your music options. Sonos zone players come in several options. You can add a zone player that has speakers and amplification already built-in (Model S5). Already have a favorite pair of speakers? You can add the ZP120 zone player that has built-in amplification and use the speakers you already have. There is even a zone player that you can add to your existing home theater or stereo receiver (Model ZP90). As long as one of the zone players or a zone bridge (Model BR100) is hooked to your router, the rest of the zone players can operate wirelessly. It’s that simple.
Sonos iPhone App
As far as controlling the music you want to listen to, Sonos provides a free app to use on your Android smart phone, iPhone or iPad. The app will allow you to control any of the zones throughout your house and even allows you to play different music selections simultaneously.
Imagine one device that will hold all of your music, movies, photos, videos, and TV. Then make it accessible throughout your home via a standard home network. What makes a Media Center server so revolutionary is that it provides complete media control from a single device with an extremely simple user interface. Use a "point & click" style interface from your smart phone or tablet from any area in your home.
Server Basics
The media servers from Home Entertainment Inc. are Windows 7 based and are manufactured by us. As a Microsoft OEM Hardware Solutions Gold partner, our machines are specifically designed and built for media use. Though any PC can run Media Center at some level, the hardware in these machines has been optimized to provide high-definition video and audio performance, as well as provide years of trouble free service. We even provide remote login assistance at no charge to help you if you do have a problem. We have had so much success with these servers we distribute them to professional AV integrators across the United States under the Fluid Digital brand name. A home media server is connected to your A/V system just like any other component, but it also connects to your home network and through it, to the Internet. It can stream content (music and movies) from sites like Hulu, Pandora, Rhapsody, or Netflix or download from iTunes, Amazon, Vongo, and VUDU for permanent storage. These servers can copy DVD’s and Blu-rays as well. They have the ability to store large numbers of movies and videos, thousands of songs, and hundreds of thousands of photographs. It can also access local weather, traffic reports and other web content.
HDTV and the Ceton InfiniTV4
The Media Center Server can also replace your current Cable TV DVR with the addition of the Ceton InfiniTV4 Cable Tuner. It is the world's first multi-tuner TV card designed to plug into your home computer or media server. It enables you to play or record up to four channels of high definition television at one time, from a single cable connection, and stream them to multiple TVs throughout your home using the X-Box extenders! Of course, it also provides normal DVR capabilities such as freezing, rewinding and pausing live HDTV. Replace your cable set-top boxes and DVRs and their costly monthly rental fees while you enjoy premium cable television throughout your home. A Media Center-based home media server is one of the most powerful, yet cost-effective media distribution systems available. Unlike more expensive systems, it's a modular platform that requires no custom programming and allows for periodic upgrades and hardware installations to enhance the server's capabilities. It also has the advantage of having thousands of companies writing many different types of software applications to support new hardware and new features as they become available.
How much can I store on...
| 500 GB | 1 TB | |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Photographs (670 HQ per GB) | 335,000 | 670,000 |
| Blu-ray Content (36GB per movie avg.) | ~14 Movies | ~28 Movies |
| Standard DVD (8GB per movie avg.) | ~62 Movies | ~125 Movies |
| Windows Lossless Audio (3.3 hours per GB) | 1660 Hours | 3330 Hours |
| 128/KbPer Second MP3 (16 hours per GB) | 8000 Hours | 16000 Hours |
Other Rooms
Since the Media Center Server is a Microsoft based system, you can use a Microsoft X-Box video game console ($199) as a low-cost extender to bring the Media Center experience to multiple rooms. Up to five X-Box locations can access all of the content stored on the Server, and you can control each using a Media Center handheld remote control. Each X-Box has the ability to play any music or movie selection independently of the other locations. This is liquid media on steroids since it literally makes ALL media available anywhere at anytime!
Call Us Today
Home Entertainment Inc. can provide any level of liquid media entertainment from an iPod dock to a full blown Media Server in your home. And we will configure it for your needs and, if you wish, install it in your home. Our extensive experience in these areas has been recognized by the most respected manufacturers in the AV industry, CEPro magazine, and by Microsoft, who awarded Home Entertainment status as an OEM Hardware Solutions Gold Partner. Check our list of Honors, Awards, and References. Call us or come into our store and tell us what you enjoy watching and listening to, what type of entertainment system you have now, and what you think you might like. We'll recommend the components we think you need, demonstrate them, and help you decide what makes sense for you. We make home entertainment easy and affordable!