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Anamorphic lenses explained.

So for some curious reason (I’ve searched the internet to try to find out why but with no luck) the powers that be decided to adopt a 16:9 format when the domestic TV market moved away from the traditional 4:3 “square” TV image to the “new widescreen” format most of us now enjoy. Launched along with a huge marketing budget explaining how it would mean no more black bars when watching movies on our TV screens. And yet, here we are years down the line and when I watch a DVD at home I see black bars at the top and bottom of my screen. Why?...

You need to start at the beginning really. Let’s take a trip to Hollywood in 1953 when 20th Century Fox launched to a huge fanfare their CinemaScope technology. This was essentially the adoption of methods used in photography since the early 20’s where a lens fixed to the front of the camera was able to capture a much wider field of vision – similar to wide able or “fish-eye” lenses used today – on 35mm film with any loss in definition and still using the entire frame space available. A similar lens was attached to a projector which reversed the distortion to give a natural proportioned image on screen.

Cinemas loved it as it was reasonably inexpensive to upgrade their existing projectors and the technology caught on. The process is still in use today under the name Panavision which uses the same method to produce 2.40:1 images.

Today’s widescreen TV’s and screens are 16:9 – that means for every 16 pixels across there are 9 pixels up. Yet as we’ve just discovered, most films are filmed in 2.35 pixels across to every one pixel up. Hence, black bars at the top and bottom of my screen.

So what’s the problem with this then? Well ,on my plasma screen at home it’s a little annoying but that’s about as far as it goes. If, however, I had a high quality projector – JVC’s HD750 for example or Meridian’s 810 reference projector I would have essentially spent a lot of money on some super technology that will only ever be used to project black bars!

So what’s the answer? A new lens. In just the way Cinemascope used lenses all those years ago, so we can use exactly the same techniques today. With a bit of digital jiggery-pokery the image from your DVD/Blu-Ray player is stretched and the black bars masked, the projector then projects this stretched image. Placing an anamorphic lens on the front squashes the image back to the correct ratio. The result... your expensive processing chips aren’t working hard to produce black bars and you get to see the full image you were intended to see. Projected onto a 2.35:1 screen means you are truly getting a cinema experience. The image will fill the screen, no black bars and you see the full image as intended by the film maker.

So which is best for you? Well, most people looking at a projector and screen for general purpose viewing 16:9 offers a good compromise that will allow viewing of all available formats. If however you are considering a dedicated cinema room for movie viewing, my advice is to definitely consider 2.35:1 The movie Fifth Element was filmed in 2.35:1 format and projected on a screen of the same format would fill the screen.

The downside is that watching TV the image is commonly 16:9 nowadays and so the image on your 2.35:1 screen would still have black bars

The decision is of course yours and will depend on what the majority of your viewing is going to be. Audio 7 can, of course, demonstrate 2.35:1 and we will be holding an open evening to do exactly that very soon. To receive an invite please email or phone us.

Audio 7 awarded Installation Of The Month

We love doing what we do, but as with anything it’s great when your efforts get some official recognition. So, we were thrilled when we got an email through from Artcoustic congratulating us on winning their international award. Systems from every country where Artcoustic is present are entered with the only criteria being that Artcoustic speakers have to be present somewhere in the setup.

Dedicated Cinema Room
This was a system that we installed earlier this year to a home in Essex. A dedicated cinema room recreating the thrill of visiting a multiplex cinema, tiered cinema seating, curtains drawing back to reveal the screen, lights dimming, you name it – the client had it, right down to a popcorn machine.

CEDIA Awards
Audio 7 are also entered into several categories for the CEDIA Awards including Best Home Cinema under £40,000, Best Home Cinema £40,000 - £100,000 and the prestigious Best Home Cinema over £100,000 the prize every installer wants to add to their trophy cabinet. The results are announced in April and you can be sure we will let you know how we got on.

To see a full case study with images click on Audio 7 Case Study

Artcoustic, the world leader in modern and contemporary wall mounted high-end speaker systems, recently launched the SUPERSTAR iPod® Music Centre. This all in one high-end stereo amplified speaker system creates flawless sound reproduction and features endless design options.

Expanding the Artcoustic award winning speaker range, the SUPERSTAR incorporates state-of-the-art technology while maintaining Artcoustic’s signature clean, elegant lines. The SUPERSTAR is the embodiment of Artcoustic’s wealth of experience and know-how in speaker design and is beautifully implemented in this all in one unit. Artcoustic uses the same technologies developed for their high end speaker range applying them exclusively to an iPod® compatible system delivering detail and atmosphere that standard docking stations miss. With the sleek and elegant SUPERSTAR your music will sound amazing every time you play it, hearing every detail as the recording artist intended, combined with the ease of use of your iPod®, this system performs like no other iPod® dock. This new system establishes a new benchmark in design, technology integration and performance.

Design – Form flows with Function

Artcoustic understand that speakers should be as good looking as the interior design and furniture in a project. Speakers are often unattractive and functional but the SUPERSTAR, with its unique interchangeable screen system ensures that it will complement any interior. This gives you the freedom to choose the look of the front of the speaker, to personalise your SUPERSTAR then change it whenever you like! The SUPERSTAR is extremely powerful and dynamic, whilst maintaining clarity and accuracy, integrating beautifully both in terms of performance and the interior design of the room.

Kaleidescape join with Audio 7 to deliver movie and music storrage to homes throughout London and the South East

Audio 7 are pleased to announce that they have just become dealers covering the South East for Kaleidescape, the American based music and movie server system. With digital streaming becoming the hot topic we thought it was about time we had a robust product that could store and organise DVD’s as well as music. Kaleidescape are the leading authority on doing just that and so it made perfect sense that we join forces and become Kaleidescape dealers and installers.

The Kaleidescape System redefines home entertainment by transforming the way movies and music are enjoyed throughout the home. The Kaleidescape System combines a compelling user interface, outstanding industrial design, and services that set new standards in the consumer electronics industry.

Kaleidescape have been around for quite some time now (formed in 2001) and currently are recognised as the only legal movie server/storage device available (copyright issues make all other offerings less that legal), their popularity stemming from their commitment to build quality, and system robustness. It’s a simple concept executed close to perfection. Your DVD’s and music are all ripped and stored on a hard drive then served up on demand to your screen so you can browse them, sort them by various criteria and play them. But the great thing is, you don’t have to watch all those trailers and warnings before the film, you simply press play and the movie starts.

The interface that appears on your screen is incredibly intuitive. Cover art is displayed or you can browse through a list. Sorting by Title, Genre, Actor, Director, even playing time is easily achieved allowing you to find the movie or music you want to play, and once watching your favourite film you won’t be disappointed with the quality. The movie player is capable of 1080p resolution and BluRay capability is planned to be launched soon.

Their products start with the entry level Kaleidescape Mini System, an all in one box that takes care of up to 75 DVD’s or 825 CD’s and is expandable top 225 DVD’s or 2500 CD’s by adding more storage and offers additional zones so that music can be listened to in two other rooms while a movie is being viewed in the main room. Additional zones can be added by adding more Mini Systems. It’s a cracking product and one we couldn’t wait to get our hands on.

To see for yourself how great the Mini System is, for a limited time we are offering a two day home demonstration throughout June so you can get to grips with how easy this system is. Availability is on a first come first served basis and available to our local area only. Please call our office to discuss booking – 01306 621144

For more information on Kaleidescape visit their website www.kaleidescape.com