It's one thing to craft a home theater that keeps guests coming back weekend after weekend, but it's another to create one that keeps them rolling (literally) in by the dozens. Kevin Van fulfilled what we can only imagine was a mid-20s fantasy by building his very own backyard theater, complete with an Epson 77c projector, homemade 6-foot retractable screen and 8 vintage drive-in speakers rigged up to deliver 5.1 surround sound on his deck and 2-channel stereo around the pool. There's also a concession stand, a homegrown outdoor subwoofer being pushed by 1,100 watts and a whole slew of other audio / video components. Those cruising through Fraser, Michigan should seriously look this guy up -- sounds like a great way to spend a few hours.

[Via UberReview]

Sure, getting some premium in-wall speakers is one way to maximize your speakers' sonics while minimizing their visual impact, but for many rooms just getting a different finish on the cabinets and grills is all that's needed. To that end, online speaker retailer Axiom Audio has launched a custom service that can churn out any of its speakers in one of more than 2,000 styles. If you order one of the six real wood veneers you get your choice of: six stains, three gloss levels, three feet/logo metals and six grill colors. Those who order one of the 16 matte vinyl finishes get to choose from six grill colors. Surely, you should be able to find something that will fit your fashion sensibilities, right? Pricing is (obviously) variable, but Axiom has made a name for itself when it comes to value, so don't be afraid to check out the website to configure that next speaker of yours.

Custom installers and everyday consumers don't always have the same requirements for A/V gear. As we've mentioned before, HDMI has had some problems, but it is taking off. Follow the "read" link to get CE Pro's suggestions on what HDMI can do to help win over installers; we've got a feeling the proposed changes would make Joe and Jane Six Packs alike happy, too. We'll start off with our biggest HDMI pet peeve -- captive/locking connectors! Simply put: HDMI needs 'em. Next up, the major teething problems associated with HDMI versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 seem to be behind us and 1.3 seems to be a stable spec; the task at hand is to spread this info among installers (especially ones who were bitten by earlier version problems). To CE Pro's list, we'd add that all the various flavors of HDMI-CEC need to be brought under control -- when units like the Onkyo TX-SA606X get singled out for interoperability, it means lots of consumers aren't enjoying any ease of use. What would you like to see in the HDMI spec?

When asked about color coordinating HT gear is brought up to us, our first response is simply to get all the components in black. It's a high tech color and it's got a slimming effect as well. Or so we hear. But if the absence of color isn't going to fly in your abode and you've got to get everything "just so," check out the aptly named Hu service provided by the Home Technology Store. Any of the displays, speakers, display mounts and speaker brackets that the vendor has tagged with a "Hu" stamp can be colored to match a paint swatch you provide. It's a new service, so we're sure that the absence of any designated speakers on the website is just an oversight. Pricing is pretty reasonable: $299 for TVs up to 42-inches; $399 for larger TVs; $159 for TV mounts; and $175 for a pair of speakers. But really, how can you put a price on your HT being so "well groomed?"

[Via Cybertheater]

FUZE Media Systems is back, this time shrinking its "whole-home" media PC system to a more "whole-apartment" media PC system. Dubbed the Mini Edition, its brings together the FuzeBox HTPC and is setup for two video and four audio zones, specifically configured for residences with 2-3 TVs. Upgradable to a full FUZE Media System, the server includes 4GB of memory, 750GB HDD storage and a 2.2GHz processor. Of course, like its big brother this is meant to be sold through a network of installers, but they'll be able to get a look at EHX starting tomorrow (hopefully this time at a system that's been turned on), with systems available some time in the second quarter.

So you're looking at that new LCD television on the showroom floor, but you think, "I could totally get into this if only it had three component inputs, and two high-def tuners." Well, AVING brings us news that Korean value added reseller A1display has the solution for you, with new "DIY" 1080p LCD models you can have custom built to your specifications. It seems that you come to the company's store, select your components, and then engineers gather all the parts and assemble it for you, with in-home service options available once the set has been delivered. From our machine-translated Korean page, we deduce that the company is using some stock LG glass and various internal parts to assemble the unit, implying that you can choose your tuner and input options, while keeping much of the bezel casing and other hardware the same. Still, keep in mind that your options are somewhat limited by the pre-configured parts, so your dream of a 4K set with 5 HDMI inputs and 2 built in subwoofers will have to remain just that.

I used to get so bored at my grandparents house. Who didn't (or doesn't) The best thing most people had to play with was some random plastic toy from the '60s but not the Shaw family from Connecticut. These loving, and understanding, grandparents built a 12,000 square foot barn for their 20 grandkids. This thing is loaded! Check this out: a 20-seat home theater, basketball court, a stage, a bowling alley, a golf simulator, a game room, a gym, lounge, an ice cream bar, a master suite, seven bathrooms, a kitchen and boys and girls bunk rooms. Amazing. We have included the pic of the theater that seats 20 and has a 130-inch screen. The picture is generated by a Digital Projection projector and paired with a JBL Synthesis II audio system. It is all controlled by a Crestron system and the entire "barn" is wired for audio with Bay Audio speakers.

ElectronicHouse.com has a few more pictures of this place and you really should go check it out. The third pic is of the gym that really shows the scale of this place.

[thanks for the tip Julie]

So you're a small content producer who wants to release high definition video, but can't pick a format for fear of alienating half your customers? No problem. CustomFlix (who also just announced deals to provide DVDs of niche TV shows) will store a digital copy of your content, and burn it onto Blu-ray, HD DVD or WMV-HD disc whenever a customer wants to buy one. They also provide services for customers who choose their own set of clips from the database, and burn a DVD with whatever you want on it.

You can already buy some HDNet programs from Amazon via this service, with the other two formats to be added "soon". Hopefully this type of service can alleviate the situation detailed in The Clicker, where smaller providers are locked out because they can't afford to support HDTVs.