Rob Medich

Dolby to TV: Shut Up!

CEDIA Quick Take: Is there finally a weapon to stifle those blaring TV commercials and even-out TV channel audio? We get a demo of the new sonic equalizer, Dolby Volume.

By Rob Medich
Posted September 5, 2008

Really, there should be a law. Oh, sure, the F.C.C. has a regulation that TV commercials can't be louder than the programming surrounding them, but the advertisers skirt around that with some kind of compression trick. So ultimately, the commercials still sound . . . loud. And as for why so many TV stations come in at different sound levels . . . anyone?

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Dress-Your-Gear Contest! Win 007 Blu-rays!

Costume your home theater for Halloween, then email us photos! Best entry wins a James Bond Blu-ray Collection Six-Pack.

By Rob Medich
Posted October 21, 2008

If we can do it, anyone can! We created Sarah Palin (right) by employing an mStation 2.1 stereo orb (top left) and a Boston Acoustics tower speaker (bottom left).

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Tech Trends '09: Special K

Take a peek past 1080p into the world of 4K ultra high-def — and beyond

By Rob Medich
Posted April 7, 2009

In a wintry scene on a certain Blu-ray Disc I'm watching, I can see subtle shadings in the whites of the snow-covered yards. All around, contrast is crisp, and color is stunning - such as the perfect-hued skin tones of the leading man's face. Not to mention the brilliant shade of azure in his matching scarf and hat. (Has such a tint ever appeared onscreen before?)

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The Great High-Stool Debate

“Gadget Gary” Dell’Abate has finally added a home theater to his A/V dream house — but will Howard Stern ever let up about those “bar stools” in the back?

By Rob Medich
Posted June 15, 2009
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I am sitting in a chair - mock-jock Howard Stern would call it a "stool" - in the rear of a new home theater. The chair is made of sturdy wood (perfect for Stern show lap dances), is cushioned in fine leather, and boasts Mediterranean-style carvings that would be a natural in my parents' living room. It does not swivel.

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Working with a Pro

10 tips for finding and working with a custom installer

By Rob Medich
Posted October 16, 2005

Guy walks into a Tweeter (no, this isn't a dirty joke) and asks if they can design a multiroom entertainment system for the house he's building. So an installer visits the construction site and comes up with a plan. But then the guy blows him off, taking the installer's ideas and having his own electrician do the work instead.

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