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Priceless tapestries of Henry VIII now priceless projection screens

by Steven Kim posted Apr 14th 2009 at 6:56AM


Modern HD projection technology is being used to restore the grandeur of some of the 2,000 tapestries collected by King Henry VIII, which are starting to fade and deteriorate. These pieces aren't as easily replaced as that velvet Elvis you love so much, so researchers from Manchester University were called in. By analyzing individual threads from the less-faded backsides of the tapestries, they were able to simulate the original color of the dyes and then create a "color correction" image of over 2-million pixels (1920x1080, perhaps?) that when projected on the front restores the original brilliance of the artwork. Considering that the tapestries are woven with threads of gold and silver and originally cost as much as two battleships, it's safe to assume that these are the world's most expensive (albeit heirloom-quality) projection screens.

[Photo courtesy Inventory of Henry VIII -- Tapestries & Royal Wardrobe]

Genius soundshelf concept keeps speakers out of corners

by Darren Murph posted Feb 19th 2009 at 10:18PM


You know the deal -- unless you buy some $50,000 loudspeaker, chances are you'll be doing your best to hide those front towers in the corner. Designers Witek Stefaniak and Anielka Zdanowicz from Poland have a better idea, and it has come to life (or to render, anyway) as the soundshelf. Put simply, these speakers have hollowed out innards where DVD / Blu-ray racks can be installed, giving them dual purpose in life. Imaginative souls could even envision a bookshelf or a rack for components, all ideas which sound infinitely better than just draping a shroud over the thing and pretending it's not there. Commercialization, please?

[Via CyberTheater]

Media Dcor 's Ecco line hides your HDTV artfully & (relatively) cheaply

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 5th 2009 at 3:19PM


Media Décor focuses on but one of many ways to cover up your unsightly HDTV habit, and the new Ecco line has moved downmarket from the 110-inch crowd to a more reasonable 42- and 50-inch size. One of the cheaper means available (other than just admitting you watch television, $free.99) at $1,495 and up, buyers can pick from one of 38 limited pieces of artwork to install in this battery operated frame and promises an install time of less than half an hour. Check it out in action and see if this is just what you've been waiting for.

Draper's Fine Art for FlatScreens conceals your HDTV when not in use

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2008 at 11:45PM


Draper treated us earlier this year with a brilliant flatscreen lift made for those not exactly kosher (or allowed -- by the SO, landlord, etc.) with hanging their HDTV upside the wall. This piece, however, is for that sect who already has one mounted in or on their wall, particularly for the subset that can't stand the sight of it when not in use. The Fine Art for FlatScreens, part of the Reveal/Conceal line, contains a woven reproduction of an original work of art, and there are 39 Jacquard Tapestries to choose from. If none of those float your boat, you can also work up a custom design for the right price. Speaking of which, pricing for complete units runs from $835 right on up, with replacement tapestry's ringing up at around $326.

[Via WidescreenReview]

The Frame brings high-def art to Canadian HDTVs on Star Choice

by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 7:24AM

We'll go ahead and say it: Canada is in desperate need of some fresh HD channels, and while we're sure Canucks will take any one they can get, we have all ideas The Frame isn't high on their list of wants. Nevertheless, the all-HD-art channel that hit Shaw Cable back in August has finally arrived on subsidiary Star Choice, and as expected, it will provide a 24-hour feed of high-def art sans commercials. From "exclusive fine art collections to award-winning photographs," The Frame promises to give your HDTV a workout when there's absolutely nothing else on. Those somehow looking forward to this can catch it on slot 268 this Thursday.

[Via Digital Home]

Pea Speaker concept makes multi-room audio easy

by Darren Murph posted Sep 18th 2008 at 10:21AM


Look, we never said we meant multi-channel, multi-room audio, nor did we imply that these were the real deal, but the Pea Speaker concept would make it mighty easy to fill up to seven (tiny) rooms with audio sans wires. In theory, Lu Le's peas-in-a-pod-like creation would enable each speaker to play back audio that was streamed over Bluetooth, though just one would posses a global volume control. Oh, and unless these spheres are much heavier than they look, we can imagine your kids having an absolute field day.

[Via CyberTheater]

Stewart Filmscreen's Media Dcor covers your flat-panel with art

by Darren Murph posted Aug 28th 2008 at 10:22AM


If those other flat-panel concealers have left you wanting more, have a look at Stewart Filmscreen's alternative. The Media Décor deployment system "lowers a piece of custom artwork over a fixed Stewart projection screen (or flat-panel TV) when they are not in use," giving those with wall-hung sets the ability to see something other than a black expanse when glancing above the mantel. The device is available in sizes large enough to cover screens up to 110-inches diagonal, and of course, the entire thing can be remotely controlled for extra wow. If this sounds like just the thing to burn through that wad of disposable income you've recently happened upon, give Stewart a call to find out pricing details based on size. [Warning: PDF read link]

Shaw Cable launches The Frame HD channel: high-def art, all the time

by Darren Murph posted Aug 13th 2008 at 1:11AM

Apparently this whole "showing off HD art on the HDTV" fad is quite popular. Not only are certain HDTV manufacturers partnering with content providers, Canada's Shaw Cable is actually launching a 24/7 channel that broadcasts high-def art around the clock to entertain guests and show off just how pixelated pay-TV can be. The commercial free station, dubbed The Frame, essentially converts your set into an HD canvas that shows off art from Canada Collects, Animal Kingdom, Water World, Birds of a Feather, The Seven Seas, Canadian Horizons, City Lights, Sands of Time, Gardens of Delight, and many others. The galleries rotate every half hour and the images change every 30 seconds. As of now, the station is on slot 225 in Calgary, while the carrier intends to roll it out in more markets by September.

Downtown Syracuse to see artwork blasted onto walls via projectors

by Darren Murph posted Jul 20th 2008 at 12:52PM


While we've certainly seen more extravagant uses of walls as art canvases, we have all ideas this will be plenty radical in downtown Syracuse, New York. Syracuse University is aiming to add permanent (but not, you know) imagery to a number of walls by "projecting artwork onto some of its most visible areas." The institution is currently asking the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency "for permission to install projector equipment on one of its buildings," and if its wish is granted, the Urban Video Project will be well on its way to becoming a reality. Keep an eye out (not like it'll be hard to miss) for the installation to go live this October.

[Via AboutProjectors]

ChauhanStudio's Jetsons-esque HAL LCD TV gets real

by Darren Murph posted Jun 13th 2008 at 1:12PM


Alright, so we're not really any closer to determining whether or not ChauhanStudio's HAL LCD TV is headed for commercial production, but we do know this: at least one of these bad boys are real. Yep, the mockup we saw a few months back has somehow made it into reality, though we can't say for sure that there is anything more than rarefied air packed within the glossy white enclosure. Regrettably, specifications are still unknown, but you can peek a shot of the back in the read link below should you be so inclined.

[Via Unplggd]

Digital Masterworks Art-TV could switch between TV and art display

by Darren Murph posted Jun 4th 2008 at 5:54PM


Oh sure, GalleryPlayer enables your HDTV to instantly turn into an art display, but it doesn't even pretend to be anything classier than a multifaceted television. Samsung, however, is looking to change the game by partnering with Thomas Kinkade on a new 46-inch prototype Digital Masterworks Art-TV. The unit was recently showcased to news media, and it's said to be "housed n a Thomas Kinkade frame designed to accentuate the fine art theme." From what we can gather, it's being aimed at folks who'd love a nice piece of art sitting above their mantel, but when the time comes, they can switch off the paintings and throw on a day's worth of NFL in HD. The wild thing here is how important the actual art aspect is to the display, with hidden touch controls planned to enable viewers to flip through artworks and zoom in / out as they please. Heck, there's even integrated WiFi, a 40GB hard drive, 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time and 500 nits of brightness. The set is due out exclusively through Thomas Kinkade's Signature Gallery later this year, with iffy plans to release it to other retailers in 2H 2009.

[Via CNET]

Paul Scarfe's Aura classes up speaker looks

by Steven Kim posted Mar 30th 2008 at 5:47PM

Paul Scarfe's Aura speakers
We've seen some interesting loudspeaker designs, even ones employing glass. but the Aura speakers from Paul Scarfe have looks that set a high bar for un-speaker appearance. Though they look more than a little like a blender, these definitely fall on the "art" side of the fence, and specs are unfortunately thin. We're a little skeptical on how the upward-facing tweeter will do for soundstaging, despite the sketches that indicate the glass cone will project sound in a headward direction. Similarly, you'll probably want to add in a subwoofer unit as the enclosure on these beauties is a bit small. But seriously, good looks are the real reason to buy these speakers, and we've got a feeling that if you can afford them then springing for an entire second set of "high performance" gear is within your budget.


[Via HDTVReviews]

Conceptual remote could slip right into Bang & Olufsen's lineup

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2008 at 2:57PM


Although we're seriously concerned that this concept wouldn't play nice with our current stack of components, we're still willing to let it into our hearts based on beauty / design alone. Dreamed up by Joris van Gelder, this wannabe Bang & Olufsen remote simply stays put on one's table and controls volume by being lifted up or down and manages channels by sensing when someone flicks their fingers up / down in the middle. Honestly, we can't see this thing gaining traction in all but the art deco sect, but be sure and check out the demonstration video in the read link below before passing judgment.

[Via textually]

GalleryPlayer's HD artwork coming to Mitsubishi flat-panels

by Darren Murph posted Mar 24th 2008 at 3:44PM


Given the last time we heard that GalleryPlayer was sinking its teeth into a major television brand was nearly two years ago, we're a tad surprised to see it actually attempting to sashay back into the limelight. Nevertheless, the company that aims to deliver "rights-protected" imagery to your HDTV when not tuning into HD programming, HD gaming or HD movies (um, and this is when, exactly?) has inked a new deal with Mitsubishi. Reportedly, the partnership will enable GalleryPlayer to embed its proprietary technology in 2008 Mitsu HDTV models launching this Spring, giving owners the ability to purchase and display 1080p art galleries from its expansive library. Still, we'd rather snap up a DSLR of our own and toss up a slideshow to be really proud of, but to each his / her own.

New Gallery HD series teaches you to paint like the masters

by Darren Murph posted Feb 28th 2008 at 8:24PM


Tired of spending way too much loot on art classes? If so, it's time to make good use of Gallery HD (part of the VOOM HD collection), as it's gearing up to air an all new series that aims to teach aspiring painters "how to emulate the style of the world's greatest artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and many others." The Forger's Masterclass series is scheduled to include ten half-hour episodes starting on March 3rd, and will be hosted by John Myatt, whose "stunning forgeries of Matisse, Chagall and Klee notoriously fooled the art world in the 1990s." If you're already anxious to grab your brush, make sure you're tuned into channel 9472 (DISH Network) or 714 (Cablevision) at 8:30PM just under a week from now. Oh, and lay down some plastic first -- things could get messy.




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