“Retrofit” is the hot topic for many AV Installers. Why you ask? Just check out the stats below:

• New Housing Starts have been decreasing since October of 2005 and have now leveled off at almost record lows. See the graph below:Source
• It is not possible for all installers to go after the “higher-end” market for home theater renovations/installations. According to Rob Gerhardt, founding father and former President of CEDIA says, “The rich will always be uber-rich, but they don’t represent a future for you.” And, he adds, “…you don’t want to be one of the many now chasing the only millionaire home theater project in town.”
• Many homeowners are buying new 3D TV’s with new Blu-ray players and 7.1 sound systems.“By year-end 2011, the number of units sold will triple from 2010, to about 12 million. By 2015, it will reach 78.1 million, a growth rate of about 80.2 percent.”- iSuppli & International Business Times

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Now that school has started for most, we have a burning question – what’s in your backpack? This question was asked over at Lifehacker with interesting results, so we thought we’d do the same.

Here’s how it works: post a list of those items you have in your backpack here in the blog, or post a photo on Flickr with the tag “IOGEAR Backpack” (be sure to include the quotes) and we’ll offer some advice on how to reduce cables, extend the capabilities of the devices you carry or simply how to be digitally awesome!

Following are some backpacks we found on Lifehacker where we thought some improvements could be made. This is an example of the type of advice we will give if you participate.

Keeping it Simple, Keeping it Techie

Source

• While the BlackBerry and iPad may stay charged for the entire day, the Sprint Overdrive Mobile Hotspot could benefit from a spare Gear Power (or two), making sure that you stay connected when you need to most.
• Turn that iPad into a TV when you get back to the dorm room with a Composite AV Cable.

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Next week, AV installers, media, manufacturers and distributors in the AV space will spend a few days at the annual CEDIA Expo (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association Expo…phew, that needed a breather!) in Atlanta, GA. Every year, the CEDIA Expo showcases the latest and most innovative electronics and solutions for retrofitting homes, businesses and office spaces.

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If you have become accustomed to unlimited cable TV access at home, you may be in for a rude awakening once you hit the dorm room. The good news is that most of the content you would find on cable TV can be found online legally and at a fraction of the cost (in many cases, free). In addition, you will find much more content on the Internet than is available on cable TV for a truly enhanced viewing experience.

This post will give you the information you need to cut your cable TV ties, save money and enjoy your content through your high-speed Internet connection – all in the comfort of your dorm room.

Monitor / TV

The concept of a “TV” has certainly changed over the past few years, as traditional cable TV content is now viewed on computer monitors. Depending on your preference, your computer monitor may be all you need.

If you do choose to purchase a TV, this guide should help you make the right choice. We suggest that if you go the TV route, choose one that can also serve as a computer monitor, extending your laptop or PC’s viewing area.

Connectivity

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The next time you and your friends gear up for home movie night, make sure to grab the popcorn, candy, soda and… the Composite AV Cable? If you own an Apple mobile iOS device such as an iPod, iPhone or iPad, then you’re all set. Well, that and a decent sized TV at someone’s place.

Introducing IOGEAR’s beautifully streamlined Composite AV Cable. This light and portable cable allows you to connect your ‘i-anything’ directly to any AV system that has composite jacks. Music, movies and photos on your device may now be enjoyed in high quality on a grand scale. (more…)

With so many useful gadgets available to us, it can be difficult to determine which give us the best value. In this post we will look at the general types of items that are useful for a student on the move, along with some specific recommendations. As always, we would love to hear how you are making the most of your own digital toolkit, so be sure to drop us a comment about your experiences.

Smart Phone

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Yes, it’s that time again, out come the back to school checklists. Time to stretch out and brush the dust off of your study habits. This blog post is the first in a series of back to school posts that are designed to help you quickly readjust to school life using today’s technology to jump ahead. We’re kicking things off with these four tips to help you improve your note taking skills.

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Yesterday, the interwebs went into overdrive as Steve Jobs took the stage for Apple’s latest press conference in San Francisco.

Although the biggest announcements were of changes to Apple’s line of media products and services, what really grabbed our attention was the news of iTunes 10: Ping. The upgraded service, available as of yesterday, has taken the form of a music-centered social network, allowing users to follow people and their favorite artists. Using Ping, music fans can create a circle of friends, comment on their updates and find over 17,000 concert listings. Not only is it available on computers, but it’s also accessible on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Pretty awesome, if you ask us.

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