Multimedia center

For implementation of a full-fledged home multimedia center we will need a variety digital devices, which we will combine (transform) into a home entertainment center with a full-fledged local wired and wireless network. I love movies, my 8 terabyte video collection confirms this, but I rarely go to the cinema. I feel the greatest comfort in front of a modern screen LED TV with a large diagonal, not to mention video games. In this article I will try to select best devices For organizing a home multimedia system with optimal price-quality ratio.

Basic components of a home multimedia center

Equipment for HD video playback (projectors, TVs)

The choice of video display device is very important, as it will be the main component after purchasing and installing all the equipment. Regardless of whether you prefer a large screen diagonal or a multimedia projector, everything will depend on the size of the room and the distance from the viewer to the screen. To calculate the maximum possible dimensions of the display diagonal, use the rule: the distance between the viewer and the screen should be 3 times its diagonal.

Audio system

At the time of buying acoustics for home multimedia center there is room to roam, but the size speaker system The dimensions of the rooms impose restrictions, because not all of us live in a spacious private house. For those who are limited in space, I advise you to pay attention to acoustic sets in 2.0 and 2.1 formats. An excellent compact solution would be a sound panel - which will provide you with high-quality sound comparable to 5.1 sound acoustic sets, but consisting of one component. For lovers mobile devices I can recommend wireless soundbars for smartphones and .

Home wireless network

Home multimedia center, which includes a wide range of devices, must necessarily contain a wireless network with a fast multifunctional router and for storing multimedia content. It would be nice to think about purchasing, with which you can control any component of your home network.

HD video playback devices

It has already become the norm that modern televisions are used not only for watching TV channels, but also for playing multimedia content using the built-in media player. And models with the function allow you to use services on the Internet. I have a rather negative attitude towards “smart” TVs and always advocate “separate flies and separate cutlets.” I advise you to read the article.

Smart TV

I advise you to consider a Smart TV as the main means of display and not to shift all multimedia functionality onto its shoulders, because this is fraught with unnecessary problems during use. For most users, I would recommend the Sony KDL-40HX755 - a TV with an optimal diagonal size, excellent picture quality and 3D support. This smart TV is also quite stylish. I recommend reading about choosing a TV and the right approach to purchase it.

Sony KDL-40HX755 has a screen diagonal of 40 inches and has not only high picture quality, but also wide viewing angles. It is also worth noting the variety of interfaces; this fact will be especially important for those users who do not use a receiver as part of their home multimedia center.

As an alternative to a smart TV from Sony, I would suggest the Samsung UE40ES6907 - a good price/quality ratio, but unlike Sony, it does not shine with a variety of ports and connectors.

AV Receiver

For implementation full-fledged home multimedia center You will need . This device will facilitate communication for everyone possible components your entertainment center: from a video console to a projector. Believe me, if you have a wide range of equipment connected to a TV (projector) and acoustics, then a receiver is a must-buy. I advise you to take a closer look at the Marantz NR1602 AV receiver model.

A receiver is necessary because it turns all devices included in the home theater and not only in unified system. With the help of a multifunctional receiver you can unleash all the capabilities of your audio and video equipment. For example, the Marantz NR1602 is equipped with 4 HDMI connectors, supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio audio standards and an automatic acoustic calibration function. This model allows you to get very high-quality sound both when watching movies, and when starting games or listening to music. For those who prefer cheaper options, I can recommend the Onkyo TX-NR414 - a receiver with a “good price” that supports 7.1 acoustics and that’s it modern standards surround sound.

Blu-ray player

No Blu-Ray player will replace a receiver, but the functionality these days is impressive. You should not perceive them as a predecessor - the DVD player. Modern Blu-Ray players have all the necessary interfaces and integrated Internet services. They can even provide Smart TV functionality to almost any TV, not to mention the excellent image quality of Blu-Ray media.

As a recommendation for purchase, I suggest that it supports output signal resolutions of 720p, 1080i, 1080p. The player has all modern interfaces: USB, Ethernet and WLAN, and the Philips BDP7700 Blu-ray player supports Smart TV network services.

For users who prefer digital copies of films to physical media, we would like to recommend WD TV Live - with support for the Smart TV function, has compact dimensions and supports all modern formats and codecs.

Where to download or find HD videos?

Having spent a tidy sum on equipment for home multimedia center, you must take care of the quality of the content being played in order to get maximum pleasure from the equipment you are using. Of course, video files in Full HD format (1920×1080 pixels) look best on a large, bright screen. This video, from physical media, is available on Blu-ray discs.

Also on the Internet, in addition to torrents with Blu-Ray rips, BDMV containers and Blu-Ray disc images, you can find many services that offer streaming HD video: YouTube or Vimeo. In addition, the source of high definition video is digital satellite cable and terrestrial digital television with high resolution pictures - High Definition TV (HDTV) (for example, Channel 1, Rain and Russia HD).

Projector

Another option for playing HD content is projector. As a rule, the living room is large enough to install a projector - this type of device is preferable for use as part of a home theater if you decide to equip your home “cinema” at the highest level. I suggest it as an optimal purchase.

Audio system for home multimedia center

Whatever one may say, a high-quality audio system is no less important than the video playback source, so I recommend not skimping on acoustics. Single-band satellites and, accordingly, a reduced frequency range and high level noise in this case is simply unacceptable. Buy systems only from well-known manufacturers who develop professional and semi-professional equipment. You should not spend money on acoustics like “computer speakers.”

Stereo systems (2.0 and 2.1)

The stereo system is rightfully considered one of the best Hi-Fi solutions in its price category. The two-way bass reflex design of these speakers is capable of creating a voluminous sound stage that is absolutely disproportionate to the size of the speakers. Of course, the sound quality of this system, like any other passive acoustics, significantly depends on the chosen AV receiver - the manufacturer itself advises using amplifiers with a power of 25 to 100 W.

JBL Creature III is an affordable 2.1 speaker system with excellent sound for its class, featuring not only rich low frequencies, but also a stylish design.

Surround sound systems (5.1)

I recommend considering purchasing Harman/Kardon BDS 770- powerful 5.1 audio system complete with media player. It is compact in size, but will easily fill a room with natural surround sound. The speaker material, which includes fiberglass, provides high sound quality due to increased heat resistance and compensation of extraneous vibrations. And the presence of an Ethemet connector in the media player allows you to play music that is stored on other devices on your home network.

As an alternative to good 5.1 format acoustics, a soundbar can serve. For example, Philips HTS 5120 - an affordable 2.1 soundbar will demonstrate acceptable sound quality.

Acoustics for mobile devices

Previously, this type equipment was not considered as part of a home multimedia center. But modern trends, thanks to smartphones and tablets, dictate different rules. Full use of the Internet on mobile gadgets has already become the norm, and the multimedia component of these devices is used more often than others.

Bowers and Wilkins A7

The Bowers and Wilkins A7 audio system is quite bulky compared to other solutions for wireless transmission music from iPhone and Android smartphones, but it has a 25 cm subwoofer. This system demonstrates excellent sound across the entire frequency range and deep bass. In addition to Bowers and Wilkins A7, consider JBL On Beat- a compact speaker system with excellent sound quality and the ability to be used as a charging dock for Apple devices.

Soundproofing the room

It may happen that after purchasing an expensive speaker system, you will be dissatisfied with its sound quality. The reason for this lies in the placement of audio system components. Multiple reflections from furniture, floors and ceilings give the sound an unpleasant echo and rattling. This phenomenon can be eliminated by using special acoustic materials, such as foamed sound-absorbing panels or acoustic foam.

Game console

I won’t talk about video consoles. Everyone knows about their purpose. I’ll just mention 2 useful articles: and.

Microsoft XBOX 360 and PS3 will not only be an excellent tool for spending leisure time, but will also take on the multimedia functionality of your home multimedia center, thanks to USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and WLAN interfaces. For children, the Kinect motion sensor will be useful, turning the human body directly into a game controller.

An excellent alternative would be Sony Playstation 3 with a 500 GB or 1 TB hard drive, which you can even install. The main advantage of the PS3 over the XBOX 360 is its large library of exclusive games. The best of them are Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 3, God of War series, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and Heavy Rain.

You can also choose the latest gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft - and, respectively.

home network

Now all components need to be networked. For this we need a fast router and a NAS drive. You can also build your own to store terabytes of multimedia content. Some devices can be connected via a wired connection (Ethernet), while those remote from the router can be connected via Wi-Fi. About setup and wi-fi connection You can find out the router from . To build a home wireless network I would recommend the following router models: Asus RT-N56U, D-Link DIR-645 and TP-Link TL-WDR4300. These models have optimal technical characteristics: long range, support for gigabit wired networks and the ability to work as a file server. I especially note the data transfer speed of the D-Link DIR-645 router.

network storage

In general, I am a supporter of home servers assembled with my own hands or serious ones. For network devices for small data storage, I recommend WD My Book Live - compact network storage 3 TB capacity for storing files with a favorable price-quality ratio.

Universal remote control

For a comfortable remote control everyone home multimedia center components I advise you to purchase a remote control with a monochrome LCD display and a backlit keyboard. Database of this universal remote control The remote control contains information about more than 120,000 devices. With Logitech Harmony 555 you can simultaneously control all the equipment in your home, from the TV and audio system to the media player and game console.

MULTIMEDIA CENTER MULTIMEDIA CENTER

MULTIMEDIA CENTER (home media server, media center; home media server, media center), multimedia Personal Computer (cm. PERSONAL COMPUTER) with the ability to play and record digital images, music and video, including television programs, as well as broadband access to Internet resources, regular and satellite television high definition, FM radio broadcasts. Communication equipment of media centers contains Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports 2.0, FireWire. PC manufacturers install software on media centers wireless communication. The first PC of this class entered the sales markets at the end of 2002. It was Hewlett-Packard's Media Center PC, which used Microsoft's version of the OS - Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE). Since 2007, multimedia centers have been produced based on Windows Vista.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what "MULTIMEDIA CENTER" is in other dictionaries:

All-Russian Children's Center "Orlyonok"- located on the Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar Territory, 45 kilometers from the city of Tuapse. Its area is 217 hectares, the length of the coastline is 3.7 kilometers. Eaglet accepts teenagers aged 11-16 years all year round for recreation and recreation... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

This term has other meanings, see Mayakovsky Square. Central City Public Library named after V.V. Mayakovsky ... Wikipedia

The Central City Public Library named after V.V. Mayakovsky opened on January 7, 1868 at 54 Nevsky Prospekt. The library was named after V.V. Mayakovsky in 1953. The library is the center of international information in the city. In her... ...Wikipedia

Multifunctional genie in a double din bottle

The time immemorial has long passed when the roar of an engine and the rustle of tires were perceived as the song of the road. Few people remember when cars were equipped with modest receivers and began to delight the driver’s ears with hoarse but recognizable radio broadcasts.

Won't you watch a movie while driving? Then let the screen show the map, and when you engage reverse gear, broadcast from the rear view camera. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the device to learn how to brew coffee and scratch the driver between the shoulder blades as the need arises...

However, the functionality of modern 2din multimedia center the car is such that its reluctance to serve as a coffee maker and inability to massage stiff muscles can be forgiven.

Why 2din?

It's all about size. More precisely, in the standardization of sizes. Even more precisely, in the ability of the Germans to introduce a standard where it is certainly useful.

Back in the 1970s, radios and other audio devices for cars came in an endless variety of sizes. Motorists got out as best they could, equipping the interiors of their cars with massive receivers, miniature short-wave set-top boxes, and various cassette recorders.

In the 80s, many interchangeable models began to appear, differing not so much in size as in functionality.

The German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung, abbreviated as DIN), a distinguished and authoritative organization, noted that it is easier for vehicle manufacturers and manufacturers of car radio equipment to find a common language if the size of the instrument module is 178x50x180 mm.

Grateful manufacturers immortalized the standardizers by classifying a device of similar sizes as 1din.

In modern conditions, the greatest demand is for car audio-video equipment measuring 2din (178x100x180 mm), which is due to the physical dimensions of mass-produced liquid crystal monitors.

However, supporters of diversity in form factor can find car DVD players measuring 0.5din (that is, 178x25x180 mm), or full-fledged media centers 1.5din (178x75x180 mm).

What can car multimedia centers do?

First of all, entertain the driver and passengers. Radio broadcasting is the most popular function of a multimedia center. Playing recordings with the ability to remember the last played file helps the listener not to get confused in the chapters of an audiobook and the tracks of a music album.

Videos and live television programs often find interested viewers in cars. Qualitative car multimedia center is capable of providing display not only on the screen of the head unit, but also in the “second zone” - that is, on additional monitors. Moreover, each user is free to choose a program to their liking.

Ensuring traffic comfort and safety is the second (or main?) role of the multimedia center. Equipped with a Bluetooth system, the center allows you to use mobile communications while driving.

Many head units are equipped with monitoring units technical condition tires: rubber temperature, air pressure in the chambers are not the last safety factors.

The unit for displaying information received from parking sensors makes it easy to park in reverse. Even more useful is the function of automatically turning on the rearview camera, which transmits a video signal to the monitor.

Displaying images from several cameras mounted around the perimeter of the car body is a real help to the driver in cramped city corners. True, so far such a function is not often included by buyers of multimedia centers in the list of required options.

However, the most interesting functions for the modern motorist are navigation and Internet connection. Displaying a detailed map of the area with a route map on the screen of the head unit, giving the driver voice prompts, the multimedia center does not forget to monitor Internet data streams dedicated to traffic management.

Information about traffic jams, news about incidents and congestion, text and voice messages from loved ones transmitted over the Internet become available to the driver of a car equipped with multimedia center with navigation and the Internet.

Standard multimedia centers

Some terminological confusion arises with standard multimedia centers. In the common understanding, only the device that is equipped with the car during assembly can be called standard.

However, in the automotive multimedia environment, a common situation is when several manufacturers offer standard multimedia centers for cars of the same model. At the same time, it is not at all necessary for the electronics manufacturer to constantly (or even occasionally) participate in the serial configuration of the car. The main thing is that the proposed head unit fully corresponds to the mounting dimensions and plug connectors used in the car.

The aesthetic component of the device is also important: the design of the device, which claims to be a standard one, cannot be dissonant with the stylistic originality of the car interior.

Level - on the right flanks!

Among the manufacturers of 2din multimedia centers there are recognized leaders. The Phantom multimedia center is deservedly recognized as one of the most multifunctional and structurally advanced .

It must be admitted: the ability of the company’s designers to fit their products into the interior of any car is a reference. When purchasing a device designed for a specific car model, you can be sure: the phantom multimedia center will look better on the dashboard than a jewelry set on a beauty phone.

The popularity of the brand, however, is to the least extent determined by the external advantages of the head unit. The lineup Phantom's multifunctional automotive electronics are extremely rich and varied.

Bearing the proud title of a car navigation center, the Phantom DVM-130G HDi is a leader in the variety of tasks it can solve and the quality of its implementation. The touch screen, equipped with nearly four hundred thousand pixels, provides the highest image quality and at the same time is sensitive to finger touches.

The built-in TV tuner makes it possible to watch TV programs received by the antenna unit. Speakerphone Bluetooth standard, a truly highly sensitive AM and FM radio tuner, a CD player with the ability to read several recording formats, an audio amplifier worthy of Hi-End equipment - this is the standard set of functions of the device.

As a navigator, the Phantom DVM-130G HDi is excellent: three-dimensional (3D) terrain images allow you to freely navigate even in unfamiliar environments. Routed Russian maps of GPS/GLONASS navigation systems are pre-installed, and the buyer has the opportunity to choose between Avtosputnik, City Guide or Navitel.

Like any self-respecting electronic device for people, Phantom DVM-130G HDi has a remote control, the ability to connect to steering wheel buttons, inputs and outputs for connecting additional equipment.

Producing multimedia centers for various cars, the company addresses its products to owners of seventy-five car models of twenty different brands.

Competitors are not asleep

The Clarion brand positions itself as a manufacturer of audiophile equipment. By releasing 2din multimedia centers, Clarion talks about revolutionary achievements in automotive electronics. However, many practical characteristics of the device do not reach those of the Phantom.

Clarion NX700E is the company's advanced model. The range of functions is wide and does not go beyond the standard. Only 4 GB of flash memory is impressive (the Phantom DVM-130G HDi has only 1 GB), which can only be explained by the need to copy music files High Quality recordings (DTS, WAV, FLAC and others formats).

Clarion's desire to amaze the motorist with sound of incomparable quality is expressed by the presence of an extensive software and hardware toolkit for sound customization. Experts have no doubt: the Clarion NX700E - if the machine is properly equipped with sound equipment - is capable of providing the effect of presence in a concert hall. Despite the complex acoustics of the car interior...

The Prology brand, popular in our country, pleased domestic consumers with the release of a multimedia head unit model DVS-240. High specifications centers are complemented by an important and rare function for 2din devices. The front panel of the device is removable, and it comes with a special case for storage and carrying. In modern Russian realities, such a memory of the dashing 90s seems appropriate.

Trying to get ahead of the leaders (Pioneer, JVC, Alpine, Kenwood, Blaupunkt), Flyaudio attracts the user with ultra-high image quality on the monitor. True, the resolution of 800 X 480 pixels is typical for screens from other manufacturers, and soon, there is no doubt, it will become another quality standard.

However, there is no particular point in comparing devices produced by recognized giants. Being at approximate price parity, they keep pace in high quality areas. Minimal technological and functional differences, and a subtle advance in the pace of product renewal equalize the value of purchasing smart devices from different manufacturers.

Thanks to special technology, which allows you to broadcast a 360-degree image (across the entire internal surface of the dome) and surround sound, the viewer finds himself in virtual reality, becoming as if a direct participant in the events shown to him.

A portable dome multimedia center is a mobile dome equipped with a modern surround image and sound transmission system. It finds application in a range of educational and entertainment installations:

Mobile planetarium
Interactive school center
Multimedia attraction
Interactive media platform

Areas of application of dome multimedia centers

Mobile planetarium

It embodies all the advantages of a traditional planetarium, plus mobility and compactness, making it possible to reach the farthest viewer.
The mobile planetarium, thanks to its rich base of video materials, allows for a wide variety of astronomical installations, from colorful educational films for children to serious astronomical presentations that visually introduce the latest discoveries in the field of starry sky research. Software The mobile planetarium is compatible with popular astronomical applications for ordinary computers.

Interactive school center

Provides young students with the opportunity to be not just listeners, but to become direct participants in events. Revived pages of history, a journey into the depths of the earth or to the starry distances, a mysterious world internal structure a person who becomes possible to “see from the inside.” Thanks to the resulting “presence effect”, the interactive school center contributes to the development of socialization of students, increases interest in the subject and improves its assimilation.

Multimedia attraction

A dome multimedia center can act as a virtual attraction. Surround sound and images will allow its visitors to fully experience the beauty of traveling through the vast depths of space, become a brave traveler rafting down a fast mountain river, or simply feel the dizzying speed of a roller coaster.

Interactive media platform

Stepping under the canopy of the dome, you seem to find yourself in the future and an ordinary disco, party or show, thanks to full-scale sound and image, turns into an exciting and unforgettable event. And the DJ has at his disposal not only music, but also control of voluminous video content, incomparably increasing the impact of his art on viewers.

Equipment for dome multimedia centers

The dome multimedia center allows for diverse mobile installations and presentations based on three-dimensional image and sound. The multimedia center is easy to use and can be quickly delivered and deployed almost anywhere (both outdoors and indoors - the size of the installation space is limited only by the size of the dome itself).

The dome multimedia center equipment package includes:

Single channel wireless receiver with internal antennas and handheld wireless microphone transmitter, Wi-Fi router, controller

A wireless headset microphone is convenient for conducting classes in the confined space of a dome.

Dome

The durable mobile inflatable planetarium dome is easy and quick to install and easy to operate. It is ideal for transportation, use in small classrooms, at various exhibitions and open air installations. The special internal matte surface of the dome is optimal for projecting video images onto it. The dome is made of high-strength, fire-retardant material and meets the necessary certification requirements.