So you want a 4K television. You are not alone. It’s all anyone can talk about on social media. The terms 4K, HDR and UHD are everywhere. At four times the pixels of 1080p, about 8 million pixels, the picture is incredible! Consumers love the latest technology and want 4K televisions in their homes. But before anyone runs out and makes an investment in a 4K TV, here is what you really need to know to make an educated purchase:

Is it Really 4K?

The packaging and store display may say it’s a 4K TV, but is it REALLY? Does it support 4:4:4 color where every pixel in the television gets color info? Read the specs on the television carefully. Unless you can confirm that this is a real 4K TV, you shouldn’t move forward with your purchase.

Does it Have HDR?

HDR is the biggest change to come to television in the last 10 years. HDR aka High Dynamic Range takes the brightness and contrast controls to a radically new level of performance, this provides much greater detail and shading than ever before possible. To purchase a new TV that doesn’t support HDR would be a waste of money. Read the 4K TV specs carefully and look for HDR or High Dynamic Range. If it’s not listed, move on to the next TV!

A homeowner may think they know where their TV should be mounted but it’s up to the experts to guide them with the best decision. Being able to consult the homeowner with your installation expertise adds value to what you do as a professional. Mounting a TV can be a quick and easy way to change the look of any room but there are a few things to consider before any holes are drilled.

Determine the Proper TV Height

Just how high should the TV be? The basic rule of thumb is that the middle of the television should be eye level when seated. This is critical for bedroom TV screens, make sure that you are not looking through your feet or up too high, where you have to move your neck to look up. Since most people spend hours watching TV, mounting a television too high may cause neck strain. If your television must be mounted high, use a tilt mount (AS-TX86) to reduce neck strain by tilting the screen downwards. Be careful not to mount too low, as this will cause you to get tired and lethargic as you will be blocking airflow in your neck as you look downwards for a long period of time.

When setting up a home theater system with a new 4K Ultra HD television, one our customers came across the following message on their TV’s display:

“For optimal picture quality, connect your 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player to a Television that supports 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range.”

Integrator Dallas Dingle of Supercalibrations replaces Sony Qualia 004 with new $60,000 VPL VW5000ES 4K laser projector, plus complete 4K ecosystem, and … Wow!

I always get excited when Sony introduces a new flagship projector, the latest being the VPL VW5000ES, a 5,000-lumen 4K laser-based super projector.

I awaited this unit just as eagerly as I did earlier top-of-the-line designs from the venerable electronics giant — the VPH G90U CRT-based model sometimes referred to as "projector of the gods" and more recently the Qualia 004, the first in a long line of 1920 x 1080 SXRD projectors from Sony.

On this occasion, one of our favorite clients called to request a replacement bulb for an 004 we installed in 2005.

Considering Sony had just introduced their new 4K-capable VW5000ES, I suggested updating the projector instead of replacing the $3000 Xenon bulb in his now-elderly 004.

When it comes to installing a professional surveillance system, Digital Video Recorders are the heart of the security camera system and single most important component. Installers have many affordable options to choose from, but they aren’t always high quality or customer friendly. While our Spyclops brand of surveillance products has high-quality features, the latest technology and affordable pricing, we want you to understand what to look for in a DVR and how it affects your project. This will help you pick the best Digital Video Recorder for your customer’s needs.

Read Metra Home Theater Group’s recommendations for professionals on choosing the best DVR for a security surveillance system:

1. Check the DVR’s Recording and Playback Resolution Specs.
   The recording resolution and playback (live video) resolutions are not always the same quality. Commonly, the live video is of a much higher quality to free up video storage space. You may have a playback resolution that is the same as what the camera can record but notice a big difference when you review older footage, which is of lower quality. The recorded resolution is important when trying to look at previous footage to identify a license plate number, person’s face, or currency numbers on money. The details make the difference, and the specs like frames per second (fps) are a key indicator as to how clear the video footage will be, with 30 fps being the best frame rate. Pay close attention to the DVR’s resolution and frames per second when comparing models.
2. Don’t Pay to Access Security Camera Footage.
   Customers like having control of their security system from any high speed internet connection in the world. Most systems offer a smartphone app for remote viewing, as this is the most convenient way to check your system. This must-have service should also be free and secure.