Archive for the ‘AV Talk’ Category

World’s weirdest audio speakers

May 17th, 2013 by

Here at Big Brown Box, we like it when AV equipment is either cleverly designed or ridiculously over the top.  Preferably both.  Just look at our collections of extreme home theatres and weird headphones. But what about speakers and other audio systems?  After all, the sound is just as important as the visuals in a home theatre setup, and there's just as much potential for wacky customisation. Here's ... Read more

What the heck is UltraViolet and how will it change the way you buy and watch movies?

May 9th, 2013 by

The latest instalment in Big Brown Box’s “What The Heck” series (having covered noise-cancelling headphones, Freeview and PVRs), today we’ll be looking at UltraViolet – the latest development in digital distribution to arrive in Australia, and what it means for you and your home theatre. If like me, you’ve become a bit confused by all the DVDs being displayed near the checkout in the supermarket now having ... Read more

Alternative Mother’s Day gift ideas: here’s why we think mum will love a Smart TV

May 7th, 2013 by

Really want to spoil her this Mother's Day? Wanna make up for all those times you didn't get her anything (under the pretence that you reckon these "special" days are just a marketing con – when the truth is, oops, you just forgot)? Well, here’s where we think a Smart TV will be an AWESOME Mother's Day gift. And no, we don't think it's a bit O.T.T.. Smart TVs ... Read more

Ten milestones of TV history

May 6th, 2013 by

Looking back over the entire history of television, it's amazing how far it's come since its earliest days. It's just as interesting to see how innovations and changes in TV technology have influenced or been influenced by changes in society and culture. Of course, some things never change... Here’s Big Brown Box's short list of ten top TV tech triumphs (say that ten times fast) and what they meant ... Read more

AV for Avengers – what gadgets should superheroes use?

April 15th, 2013 by

As part of the marketing for upcoming super-sequel Iron Man 3, TCL is having its products featured throughout the film as the home theatre gadgets of choice for everyone’s favourite scene-stealing billionaire genius playboy philanthropist. He's starting to look more and more like an Oscar statue... And that’s a worthy endorsement, because a character that can build a walking tank in a CAVE with a box of SCRAPS ... Read more

What the heck are noise-cancelling headphones?

March 12th, 2013 by

This is another “what the…” article following hot on the heels of other genre (and ball) busting gems such as What is a PVR? … and What is Freeview? In this one, we’ll be getting to the bottom of a question that has dogged mankind since the dawn of time: “What are Noise Cancelling headphones”? Noise cancelling headphones are designed to cancel or at least minimise unwanted sounds. Does ... Read more

Ref-Cam shows Action Cameras in, well, action

March 11th, 2013 by

We've already given you glimpse of what Action Cameras, now available from Big Brown Box, can do.  Using one of these, you can give your loved ones a first-person view of your mountain biking odyssey, record an epic skydive, or show exactly what it was like to crash your canoe into the side of a rocky island (if you're me, that is). "...and that's when I skied ... Read more

Channelling Bob Marley … how the reggae legend lives on at the House of Marley

March 5th, 2013 by

Bob Marley – can you think of a cooler icon in musical history? Yeah yeah. You may accuse us of being hipsters making a token gesture slightly less lame than hanging a poster of Che Guevara on the wall. Hey, we’re the first to admit we are geeks with about as much street-cred as David Stratton. But, seriously, can you think of anyone else with the spiritual essence of ... Read more

Amazing new gesture control technology uses high-tech armband

February 28th, 2013 by

Revolutionary gesture control technology based around a high-tech armband is currently wowing the tech world - and info about the product points to some incredible applications ... ... meanwhile implicitly giving a two-fingered salute to those lagging behind on other forms of "intuitive control". While your typical gesture control works under the watchful eye of a camera, this uses sensor-technology located in the armband to read and then ... Read more

How to turn your TV into a tablet with Project Ophelia

February 27th, 2013 by

Now there’s yet another reason to invest in a Smart TV – you may soon be able to turn one into an oversized Android tablet, just by plugging in a dongle. A new gadget from computer manufacturer Dell is planned to essentially usurp the position of the tablet or laptop, allowing you to use almost any screen to take care of work or play. Source: Dell Project Ophelia, having ... Read more