If you know what this is, you may be old.

Chapter 1, where I give away just how old I really am

Do you remember going to your favorite record store (what are these records you speak of? Heck, what are these record STORES you speak of?) Do you remember spending hours searching through bins looking for your new favorite artist or an album that had slipped in under the radar? Back then we didn’t have the internet, so we relied on record stores and their knowledgeable employees for our music information. Do you remember racing home to play your new music, listening to every song, IN ORDER, while reading the album’s liner notes over and over until you had them memorized? There was something special about this whole experience. Collecting and listening to music was life changing for many people. It was for me. And it was fun.

Bins and bins of vinyl heaven.

Setting aside time to listen to music, an entire album, is something few of us do any more. We simply don’t have the time, partially because we are simply too busy. But I think another reason is that the way we collect music has changed. Record stores are becoming a thing of the past, as your favorite music is just a mouse click away. Now you can purchase a new album while sitting in your underwear, never leaving your house (if you do – put some pants on please) and enjoy it seconds later. This has revolutionized the music industry, for better and for worse. Better because a wider variety of music is now readily available, and smaller bands can have successful careers. I have discovered some fantastic music while surfing through iTunes, music I would have never been exposed to otherwise. Oh, and owning music has become cheaper. And I guess you could argue more environmentally friendly (fewer CDs in land fills.) So what could possible be bad about this? Read on.

Oh, I’m 47 by the way.

Chapter 2, where convenience trumps quality

Delivering music via the internet, and storing it on computers and iPods, requires that the music be compressed to smaller file sizes. Or so we were told. You see, back when music was first becoming digital downloads we had slow internet speeds. And hard drives were small and expensive. So the “powers that be” decided that music should become compressed into tiny little files called MP3s. For all intents and purposes, an MP3 is a compressed version of the original song. A song can be converted to an MP3 using different bit rates. The lower the bit rate, the smaller the file, and the more songs you can fit on your computer or iPod. However, the lower the bit rate, the lower the sound quality. And unfortunately, most music downloaded from the internet is at very low bit rates.

This little guy forever changed the course of music.

And so people became obsessed with owning as much music as possible, and loved that fact that it could be easily transported almost anywhere. I think if someone had told me when I was a growing up that I would one day be able to carry thousands of albums around with me on something the size of a pack of playing cards, I would have thought they were either insane or on drugs. Or both. And yet we do this everyday, and take it for granted! I use my iPods (yes – I have several of them) and could not imagine ever giving them up. But I also recognized what I had to give up for this convenience … mainly quality. And the magical experience of listening to an entire album while immersed in the liner notes.

The “high-end” audio community lashed out against this form of music. They tried to convince us that it sounded horrible. That we weren’t “listening” to music. That anyone who loved music would never be caught dead listening to an iPod unless it was in our car or while jogging. Which of course, according to them, isn’t “listening” to music anyway. They even created music formats that were much higher quality than the CD (DTS music CDs? SACD? DVD-Audio? Anyone? Anyone?)

Of course, we all realized how right they were, threw away our iPods and digital downloads, invested tens of thousands of dollars (or more) in high end audio gear, and got back to listening to music, right?

Chapter 3, where a few smart companies realize that music is music, no matter where it comes from

An iPod dock unlike any other.

So a few intelligent manufacturers (and one local retailer – see below) decided that if this was to be the future of music, then why not embrace it rather then fear it. Peachtree Audio is one such company that decided to focus on how to make the music we now have on our computers and our iPods sound better. And they have been very successful doing just that. From simple external DACs (digital to analog converters that breath new life into old equipment) to iPod docs (that make your music sound so much better) to complete integrated solutions (just add speakers and a computer for music nirvana) Peachtree has carved a nice little niche for themselves.

And you want to know a secret? A secret that much of the “high end” audio community does not want you to know? It’s this: that a computer can be the best source for high-end music. Better than CDs, LPs, anything. This is a fascinating topic that I will save for a future article. But suffice it to say that if you really care about the quality reproduction of music, high definition music downloads will be in your future soon. You already own a computer, so you’re part of the way there already!

That said, there are things you can do to improve the sound quality of music stored on your computer and iPod that cost little or no money. Start by increasing the bit rate at which you rip your CDs. 320 is the highest MP3 bit rate, and it’s the only MP3 bit rate I would ever consider. A better option is to rip your music in a “lossless” format. In the PC world this is called FLAC, and Apple uses Apple Lossless. These are interesting options that shrink the file size of each song to roughly half, but maintain the same sound quality as the original CD. It’s a shame that Apple didn’t just go ahead and support FLAC, and it’s for this reason that Hermary’s prefers AIFF as the best option for ripping your music. It’s basically a bit for bit copy of the original CD. Just realize that your music library will take up a lot more room on your computer hard drive, and you may not be able to get all your music onto your iPod.

iTunes getting a boost from Pure Music.

iTunes is one of the most popular programs used for ripping and playing back music on a computer. And it does a decent job. But there’s a wealth of programs available that you can use instead of, or in addition to iTunes to improve the sound quality of your digital music. One of my favorite ways to quickly and (relatively) cheaply improve iTunes sound quality is with a program called “Pure Music”. The main advantage of this program is that you still use iTunes as your interface to your music. But Pure Music takes over all of the sound reproduction, and simply sounds better. It also allows iTunes to play back FLAC files, and opens the world of high resolution digital music downloads to you. Come in for a demo, or download the program for a 15 day trial period for free.

Chapter 4, where listening to music becomes fun again

Apple's free ap REMOTE on the iPad.

So you’ve got your music on your computer and/or your iPod. But who wants to walk over to a computer to start the music playing? Not me. And I’m really not THAT lazy. Since most of us already have iPhones, or iPads, Apple has made it very easy to talk to your iTunes music library from these devices. It’s a free app called “Remote”, and if you are using iTunes, and have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, it’s indispensible. What a joy to be able to browse all your album covers, and with the touch of a button have said album begin playing instantly. Of course, it’s not the only option available. And this article has just scratched the surface of what is out there.

There are many options available, but suffice it to say that they all begin with music residing on a computer or, better yet, a networked hard drive. But where on Earth could you possibly go to help navigate the wealth of information and choices?

Chapter 5, where this somewhat informative article turns to blatant self promotion

A cool new home for your iPad.

So while many A/V retailers (no names please) continue to tell their customers that digital music is the devil’s doing, or have forgotten all about music and only focus on home theater, Hermary’s has quietly positioned itself to be your computer audio specialist. Need proof? Simply come visit our showroom. Is that an iPod doc in our 2-channel listening room? Why yes it is, thank you very much – but no ordinary iPod dock. This iPod dock will make the music on your iPod sound better than ever, no matter what bit rate it was recorded at. Don’t believe me? Bring yours in and we will prove it! Is that wall-mounted iPad really streaming music wirelessly to a pair of speakers, speakers sitting all by themselves with no receiver or amp hooked up to them? You bet. And what’s that Apple iMac doing over there in the corner? Is it possible that the music coming from a computer and small but gorgeous looking speakers can really sound that good? Yes. Absolutely.

How can something this cool looking sound so good?

Our staff can show you the many options that are available, and help you select that one that is best for your needs and your budget. Of course, this is what we’ve been doing for over 40 years, and why we are still around while other retailers have come and gone. Best of all, we will help fuel your desire to discover your music collection all over again. And if you love music, that’s really what it’s all about.

In a future installment, I will talk about manufacturers who have embraced high-end audio sound and build quality without the high end audio price tag. But next will be the annual report of what impressed us at this years Consumer Electronics Show, which is the second week of January in Las Vegas.

IN THE BEGINNING

I must begin this blog with a full disclosure: I have been a fan and a subscriber of both DirecTv and TiVo since the day they both became available. Actually, I was able to play with a TiVo DVR before it was officially released to the public. Oh, those were the days. DirecTv with its tiny 18” dish and 100 digital channels let me say goodbye to my mediocre cable service. TiVo, and its intuitive interface and hard drive capabilities forever changed the way many of us watched TV. No longer were we bound by the air times of our favorite shows, nor forced to watch endless commercials. And the day DirecTv and TiVo joined forces to create the ultimate TV viewing experience – well that ranks right up there with the birth of my son. I know … sad.

Times have changed. DirecTv broke ties with TiVo to create their own DVR, and after several attempts finally got it mostly right. TiVo, on the other hand, kept on surviving, despite the naysayers who predicted their demise over and over again. Which brings me to the point of this article: to discuss the latest release from the TiVo folks. They call it the TiVo Premiere Elite, which is one too many adjectives in my opinion. What’s next TiVo, the Premiere Elite Crème de la Crème For You And No One Else?

If you are reading this, you probably already know what a DVR is. But for those who still think VCRs are a technological marvel, allow me to get you up to speed. A DVR, or digital video recorder, allows television programming to be stored on a hard drive to watch at a later time. But this is just the beginning. A DVR can be programmed to record all episodes of your favorite show, or just the new episodes. Multiple shows can be recorded at the same time, depending on the DVR manufacturer. You don’t need to know what time or channel your shows are on, the DVR handles that for you. And when you do get around to watching them, you can skip over the endless commercials in a matter of seconds.

So what sets the TiVo Premiere Elite apart from the competition? In a word: more. More recording capacity. More tuners. More features. Perhaps a better name would have been the TiVo T1000 Steroid Edition. The TiVo Elite has 2 terabytes of recording capacity, which translates into over 300 hours of HD. That’s four times what DirecTv offers. And TWENTY times what Comcast offers in their typical HD DVR. Oh – and if that’s not enough for you, just hook up an external drive to its eSATA port. The TiVo Elite can record 4 shows at the same time, and you can watch a fifth previously recorded show while it’s doing this. It is not compatible with DirecTv or Dish Network, but rather uses a card called an M-CARD to receive cable programming. And in the case of the Elite, only digital channels can be received, no analog and no over the air channels. Sorry, Grandpa.

So what happens if there’s nothing on TV worth watching? Well, TiVo has you covered by giving you access to streaming content from Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, Amazon, YouTube, and more. In the mood for music? No problem. TiVo gives you access to Pandora, Rhapsody, and other streaming internet music stations. Oh – and because your favorite music is the music you already own – TiVo can stream your music from iTunes. The goal was to create a single entertainment hub. Did they succeed? Read on.

HOUSTON, WE HAVE LIFT-OFF

I unboxed my TiVo, and installed and activated in a matter of minutes. Activated? Oh yes – did you think all of this TiVo goodness was free? Nope – in addition to the cost of the box, you must pay TiVo $19.99 a month for the TiVo service. Or you can pay $499 for a lifetime subscription. While this may sound steep, you break even at 25 months, so it makes a lot of sense to me. Anyway, TiVo suggests hooking the unit up and getting it going before your cable guy comes out to install the M-CARD. And I agree, as it downloads a lot of program information when first activated. Even without the cable card, you can still enjoy all the other non-TV features the Elite offers, such as Netflix, Pandora, etc.

Because I am a trained A/V professional, or at least play one on TV, I decided that I would pick up the M-CARD and handle the install myself. I returned my 1 week old Comcast DVR to a local branch and asked for an M-CARD instead. I was hoping that the representative would ask me why so I could launch into a tirade about how poor their DVR was, but instead she smiled, and said “Oh, you must have purchased a TiVo.” Darn! Needless to say, the person at Comcast was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I almost felt bad for returning their DVR. Almost.

Bruce Cockburn sings a song called “Wondering Where The Lions Are”, and that’s exactly what I was doing. But thus far everything had gone smoothly. As a matter of fact, the only speed bump I encountered was getting the M-CARD and TiVo to be friends. The unit stayed on the “Downloading channel information” screen all afternoon. Re-booting the TiVo did not help. Several calls to Comcast did not help. Unplugging the unit, then plugging it back in solved the problem. When all else fails …

Several hours later, way past midnight, I was done setting up my new toy. All my season passes were set (a season pass is when you tell the TiVo unit to record all or just new episodes of a favorite TV series.) Channels that I do not subscribe to or watch were deleted. Options that I will never use were made to not show up on the screen. It’s what I like to call “dialed”, and it was very easy to do. Not once did I need to consult the owners manual. Here are some early impressions:

THE GOOD:

Excellent picture quality, far exceeding that of a normal Comcast DVR, and perhaps better than DirecTv. The unit is THX-certified, the only DVR to have such certification, and it shows.

4 Tuners and 300 hour HD recording capacity should be more than enough for 99.9% of the TV viewing population.

Netflix and Pandora load quickly and function perfectly – with well thought-out GUIs.

A fantastic way to get your music and podcast content that resides on your computer over to you’re a/V system – even wirelessly.

Very quiet – no audible fan noise.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD:

You will not be able to access Comcast Cable’s extensive library of on-demand programming. Then again, with 300 plus hours of HD recording capacity (or 2000 SD), you can create your own on-demand library!

You have to purchase it, but for an avid TV viewer the $499 price tag is acceptable. (TiVo does make $99 and $299 units, but these have less recording capacity and only two tuners.) And then you have to pay a monthly fee or purchase a lifetime subscription.

Only about one-third of the menus are high-def. The majority are the same standard def menus TiVo has had for years. Hopefully this will be corrected with a future software update.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

I love DirecTv. But I am unable to have it at my new residence. Comcast DVRs are, how can I put this mildly … lacking? I am told that they are working on a 4 tuner model with a larger hard drive, but who knows when that will become available. If you are a serious TV watcher, and are using cable as your provider, this TiVo Premiere Elite is just what the doctor ordered.

Sony VPL-HW30ES

So what if you don’t have a spare room, or a spare half million dollars, but want something bigger than a 65” flat panel? Fear not, Hermary’s has a solution for you. We start with Sony’s brand new 3D SXRD front projector. The model VPL-HW30AES is based on Sony’s revolutionary SXRD technology, which produces stunning 1080p hi-definition images that are bright, sharp and very realistic. And with the addition of 3D, well … you’ve never seen anything like it. As a matter of fact, this projector can even turn standard 2D television programs and DVDs into 3D viewing experiences.

But the problem with all projectors is that they need a dark room to produce a life-like image. Well, not any more. Enter Screen Innovations. This company makes some of the best projections screens out there, and developed a new screen material that produces bright vibrant pictures, even with the lights on! The screen actually absorbs unwanted ambient light in a room, and only the projector’s light is reflected back to the viewer’s eyes. You really have to see it to believe it.

Come in today for a demonstration of this remarkable combination. Oh, and don’t worry if you fall in love. The new Sony 3D SXRD and a fixed 110” SI Black Diamond screen will only set you back around $7000, excluding sales tax and installation, leaving you $493,000 to do other things with, like buy a second house.