Mosaic Records Returns to Vinyl – Mosaic Records – who do audiophile-quality CD reissues of the most legendary jazz recordings, together with detailed notes and photos – is going back to its beginnings by starting a new series of 180-gram audiophile LP versions of some of their Limited Edition Boxed Sets. One of the first was “Thelonious Monk, Live at the It Club,” which we reviewed Here. Each of the HQ Vinyl Series will be comprised of from two to five LPs in a boxed set limited to 5000 pressings and accompanied by an 11” x 11” booklet with original session notes, captivating essays and rare photos. Just as with the Mosaic CD reissues, the original analog tapes will be restored with the highest quality remastering. www.mosaicrecords.com
Holiday Electronics-Buying Tips – The smartphone and app revolution have made it possible for shoppers to instantly do comparison-shopping while in the stores. You can compare both online retailers and local stores. For iPhone users, RedLaser is the app to get, and Barcode Scanner for Android phone users. They also let you quickly check reviews of the item to see if it seems as good as it looks in person. Some people feel that the extra delivery charges are an unnecessary expense if they’re not buying something like a sofa or washer. But that doesn’t mean you should try to lug a big flat-screen TV into your car or truck. Some screens may be thin but sets can still weigh up to 100 lbs. When you get it home, plug it in and let it run for 48 hours. Then let it cool for a day and see if it turns back on without problems; that’s how to stress-test equipment. If you have a problem, don’t be afraid to call the manufacturer.
Growth of Home Networking – The connected home is happening in spurts, now constituting between 40% and 55% of the overall broadband-connected homes in leading markets. According to Gartner market research firm, many consumers do not yet see the need for a digitally-connected home and its associated services. The survey also revealed that broadband is much stronger in Europe than in the U.S., and setting up basic home networking represents a major opportunity for vendors. Most consumers set up their own network installation and do not purchase subscription-based tech support for it. The important attributes of a home network are reliability, easy installation, cost, troubleshooting and branding. Potential customers perceive customer service to be important. A Parks Associates study found that 52% of consumers in U.S. households with broadband are interested in using their cell phone to catch up on primetime TV programming, and the firm’s VP predicted that by 2015, 80% of the seven billion connected nodes worldwide will be connected to consumer electronics and mobile devices.
Microsoft Getting Into Living Room Entertainment – Microsoft has decided to make an effort to compete with Apple and Google in the home entertainment market. Several of the TV manufacturers are also starting to deliver IP-enabled TVs that can stream video content. Microsoft wants to create a new subscription-based TV service using their Xbox gaming console. One idea would be to become a “virtual cable operator” – offering access to networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc. for a monthly fee thru the Xbox. Other options could include more interactive functions, such as messaging with friends while viewing their favorite shows.
