Remember the car above? At one point, it was touted as a "fantastic value" and people thought that it was a much better deal than a comparably-sized Honda or Toyota. Fast-forward a few years and the Yugo morphed from being a great deal to the worst car in history. Now let's compare this with our industry.

Here's a little secret...there are no real "deals" in audio/video. All pricing for equivalent solutions are roughly the same, regardless of what business you buy it through. If someone offers you an audio/video solution for $2000.00 and someone else offers a package for $1000.00, it doesn't mean that $1000.00 is a great deal. It may be that the lesser-priced option is missing components that you need. It may be that the $1000.00 package is a temporary solution and isn't equipment that is built to last. The $1000.00 solution may be the equivalent of the audio/video Yugo. How do you determine if you're being sold a Yugo or not?

1) Compare bids and make sure apples are apples for comparison. This will ensure that you are making an informed decision and that you are actualy getting what you need and want.

2) If you want equipment that will last for years and that can support your future gear or needs, make sure that you ask for equipment that can accommodate this. Many of the inexpensive solutions on the market are built as temporary solutions and aren't meant to last for years or to be hooked up to future components.

3) Want your system to be easy to use? Many of the cheaper solutions on the market aren't meant to be controlled by a single, simple-to-use universal remote. If you don't want to be frustrated with your new system, stay away from the cheapest options possible. 

4) Make sure that the business you are dealing with is licensed, bonded and has workers compensation for all employees. this info can be found on the Contractor's State License Board at:

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/HireAContractor/

If the company you are getting bids from doesn't have workers compensation or a contractor's license, they are doing business illegally. Do you think they will do the right thing with your project if they aren't following the basics to operate a business the right way?

5) Meet at the company's storefront or office. If the company doesn't have an office, what are the chances of the business being around in the future to help you out with future questions or warranty work?

 At Aire Theater Designs, we don't sell Yugos. We sell high-quality products and we hold a firm commitment to providing excellent customer service. Give us a chance...you'll be glad you did.

Your local San Diego Home Theater company, Aire Theater Designs, proudly serves all of San Diego County especially the communities and cities of Central San Diego County which includes Darnall, Cerritos, Del Cerro, Talmadge, Kensington, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, Lake Murray, Friars, El Cajon Blvd, North Park, Balboa Park, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Pt Loma and Downtown San Diego. We also gladly serve those in North San Diego County which includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Santaluz, La Jolla, Poway, and Rancho Bernardo.

"Got a power outage? No problem... Poindexter with the Power Outage Police is here. You may be experiencing issues with your audio/video systems after SDGE's 12 hour snafu last week. If your cable box seems to be going through the channels much more slowly than usual, here's what to do:

1) Go into the SETTINGS on the box (press button that says SET or SETTINGS)
2) Press A (or yellow triangle) to go into "More Settings"
3) Go into "Audio/Video" and choose "Video Output Formats"
4) Make sure that only the setting for 1080i is checked
5) Exit out of menus and continue watching TV

Your cable problems are now solved. If you have further questions, touch base with my brethren at ATD. I need to go... I hear a cat somewhere stuck in a tree. Up up and AWAY!!"

"Hi... Poindexter here. Whereas I am normally jovial and ready to extol the virtues of audio/video, technology, Comic-Con, banana slugs and more, today I'd like to talk about something equally as important... supporting good local businesses when you come across them.

Our favorite service business TechExpert Express just announced that they are closing their doors. They have provided San Diego with audio/video repairs for a number of years. In our opinion they were head-and-shoulders above the competition. They were friendly, timely, professional and they handled business the right way. Unfortunately, not enough people knew about this gem and it made for their demise.

Have any problems with businesses lately? Try walking into any big-box store and let me know how happy you are when you walk out. How often do these businesses provide you with the right solution, call you back when they are supposed to, remember your name, etc? I guess my point is that when we find a local business that does a great job providing a service, be it automotive repair, selling ice cream or like us, providing audio/video and technology solutions, we should do everything possible to tell all of our friends and family about these companies. If we don't, we may not have these businesses as a resource when we need them.

I love ServiceRite electric, Scott Kroll (Sun and Sea Realty), Simpson Construction, Willy's Electronics, Angler's Arsenal and Techmate computers. If you're a raving fan of any businesses (hopefully us), let someone know. Now back to banana slugs."

Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Oh MY! All of these different forms of social media can seem very confusing. We'll make it easy for you. If you like learning about today's technology AND you like free stuff, please visit our Facebook page and "like" us. You will then be connected to our portal of information regarding today's technology, special deals and free stuff. Today's freebie is a Samsung Blu-Ray player. Interested?
Check out our Facebook page and we'll see you soon!

P.S. Check out this blog for additional audio/video troubleshooting, sales information and general nonsense.

"Hi friends! We have received a lot of questions lately about this whole Hz thing with today's televisions. Here's the scoop and an analogy to clarify things.

When we watch TV, we don't see a constantly flowing image (as it appears). What actually shows up on screen are a series of snapshots that are streamed so quickly that they appear as fluid motion. The more of these pictures (or frames) that are shown per second, the better motion-filled scenes will look (action movies or this strange thing that large, muscular ignoramuses perform called "sports" comes to mind). These are typically advertised as 60 Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz and 600Hz. This refers to 60, 120, 240 or 600 pictures (or frames) a second. Here's how it works.

(Poindexter goes back in time to 3rd grade...his Advanced Quantum Physics college course)

I'm bored today so I just started drawing pictures of a stick figure in the corner of each page of my textbook. On each page I draw a picture of this figure jumping and running. Just like animation, as I flip through the pages, the stick figure becomes alive and appears to be running and jumping. The animation looks better when I have more pages of drawings to flip through per second. If I flipped through 600 pages a second (600Hz), the motion would look more natural than if I flipped through 120 pages a second (120Hz).

That's how this whole Hz thing relates to today's TVs. There are other considerations than just shopping by Hz though. If you have questions about what is best for your room, call your favorite ATD project manager and we'll set you straight."

If you haven't heard, Sony got a hacker angry and he reacted the way hackers do...he hacked Sony's server. Unfortunately, the servers that were hacked contained 102 million accounts of gamers, movie viewers and the like. Sooo...if you currently use a PS3 and have it networked you should:

1) Change your password ASAP.
2) Change your e-mail address and/or password.
3) Put a flag on your CC if you had your Sony account set up for Auto-Pay.
4) If you use your Sony account login and password for any other services (e-mail, banking, bills, etc.), change those user names/passwords ASAP.

Keep on the lookout for e-mails or phone calls that may be asking for account information and/or passwords. We'll keep you abreast of new information as this situation unfolds.

"Hey all! How long have you had your current audio/video receiver? If it a year or longer you are probably behind the times. No need to be sooooooooooooo 2010. Here is why you need a new receiver.

A Blu-Ray player...many of you have one now. In addition to the amazing picture that you see now it also can provide the best format of audio available. These formats are called Dolby True HD and DTS-HD. Without getting into too much technology these formats provide sound that is just like you hear in the theater. It provides less distortion and has greater clarity than anything that we've ever heard before from home systems (it is a bit-for-bit copy of the master studio mixes for my fellow geeks). The catch is that you have to have a receiver that supports these formats in order to achieve this acoustic alchemy at home.

If you are into movies and would like to get the best sound possible, see my friends at ATD and have 'em hook you up."

P.S. Update as of 01/17/2019. If you are interested in Dolby Atmos, the newest and most immersive sound format EVER, you're in the right place. Let us show you our Dolby Atmos home theater set-up!

"I am never going outside again...well maybe for SlugFest 2011 and ComicCon but that's it. I will not leave my Living Room after seeing my new Samsung LED. The Samsung UN46C8000 for those in the know. This TV is insane! The insanities include:

1) 8 MILLION to 1 contrast ratio: This makes for the best blacks and whites that I have ever seen on a TV.

2) 240 Hz refresh rate: This makes for fantastic motion-processing. "Life of the Ant Colony" and those thousands of appendages have never looked clearer.

3) 3D: There are differences in 3D from TV to TV. The 3D on this TV looks better than I saw in the theater and better than any other set I have seen.

4) Style: As you can tell by my get-up, I know fashion. This aluminum-bezeled, 1 inch thick beauty is AMAZING looking and would be my new sweetheart if it wasn't for my girlfriend in Canada that no one has ever seen.

CePro magazine just took my advice and rated this TV an Editor's pick for 2010. Check out the link: cepro.com/slideshow/image/7455

Questions about this Mona Lisa of the electronic world, give ATD a call and tell 'em Poindexter sent you."

P.S. POINDEXTER WASN'T IN TO MENTION THIS BUT ANY PURCHASE OF THIS SET COMES WITH A FREE 3D BLU-RAY PLAYER, 2 SETS OF GLASSES AND A FREE 3D MOVIE. GOOD UNTIL 1/31/2011. Let San Diego's Samsung dealer of choice show you what god TV is all about.

Our resident geek likes to muse over the latest and greatest that comes into the office. We’ve gotten tired of hearing him, so we’re letting him vent to you.

“Hi friends...Poindexter here. I LOVE computers. Aside from being able to pretend that it is a member of the opposite sex to ask it questions, it lets me access a world of music. Here are some new options that are available.

1) Sonos: This gadget acts as my personal music assistant. It lets me listen to any type of music that I want to. What’s super cool is that I control it with a special remote that works anywhere in the house and that shows me pictures of what is playing. I get feedback of the artist, songs, albums and more at all times. It’s too cool to describe adequately but we have it on display in our office if you are interested in a demo.

2) AppleTV: This neato device can transfer any movies or music that are on your computer to your home theater. You can also use it for slide-shows of photos for friends or family. Perfect for highlighting your pictures. Photos of this year’s Star Trek convention look GREAT on a 60” TV (as opposed to your computer monitor). Of course, James T. Kirk always looks fantastic.

You can also access services like Pandora internet radio, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and others with the aid of your computer and networking. Man's best friend, the dog? I don't think so, my friends...I don't think so."

P.S. Since this article's inception, wireless networking has become much more relevant. Need help with your WiFi, San Diego? Let San Diego's WiFi and networking experts help you to get robust, whole-house WiFi throughout your house and property.