Month: August 2021

What HDMI Cable Do I Buy For My TV?

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When looking at HDMI cables, you will find a world of differences between type and function.

If you are unsure of what you need then you must look at what devices you want your TV to handle.

Since 2002, the standard of transmitting audio and video simultaneously from components to display units, such as a TV, means the use of HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables to perform these functions.

Which Cable Should I Buy?

Don’t let the high price of a premium HDMI cable fool you into thinking that it will perform any better than an inexpensive one. Fancy packaging and words to describe the cable do nothing for the performance.

When considering which cable to buy keep in mind there are a few things to think about.

Are you incorporating audio components that are ARC-compatible? ARC is the acronym for Audio Return Channel. If your TV has an HDMI (ARC) port on it along with your audio system having the same port, this will return the audio to the transmitter.

Choosing The Suitable Length For HDMI Cables

The optimal length of any HDMI cable is 20 feet. If you want to be able to move your components around with ease then a 20-foot length is ideal, however, you may have to wrap cables in a cable organizer to save having the unsightly look of cables.

Most home theater HDMI cables are 6 feet in length and adequate for just about any configuration. With distances of over 20 feet then it’s best to invest in an HDMI Signal Converter or a wireless kit. More than 20 feet of HDMI cable can have a negative effect on signal quality.

What Are The Different HDMI Cables And What They Do

HDMI Cables come in 4 different guidelines. They are:

  • Standard HDMI: gives a refresh rate of 30Hzwith a resolution of 720p or 1080i; otherwise known as Widescreen HDTV.
  • High Speed HDMI: a 30Hz refresh but resolution up to 4k; a notable difference in audio and video quality.
  • Premium High Speed HDMI: refresh rate of 60Hz; generally known as 4K.
  • Ultra High Speed HDMI: 10K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 240Hz.

What Devices I Use With My TV

You have a gaming system, speakers, DVD, and laptop configured to your TV, so what kind of cable should I be using?

You need an HDMI cable that can handle the transfer of all that data. The refresh rate and color depth are what you need to take into consideration. The higher that you go with the refresh rate and color depth, more data is transmitted to the TV. Having a cable that has adequate bandwidth is what you need to look for. For example:

  • A resolution of HD 720p with a color depth of 8 requiring 0.81 Gbps will need a Standard HDMI cable.
  • Whereas a resolution rate of UDH 4K with a color depth of 12 requiring 40.1Gbps will need an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.

These are just 2 examples, there are many variances, so checking with your TV manufacturers’ guidebook, look at the specifications of your TV before investing in a cable that may not perform as it should.

Something to keep in mind with Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, they are backwards compatible. This means that you may have a cable already that will work with your system as they are compatible with some older HDMI devices. Plug in the HDMI cable that you already have and if everything works as it should, then you have no need to purchase a new cable.

Shop premium HDMI cables 4K, 8K, and more at PrimeCables.ca and always have the cables needed to get the picture you want.

What To Look For In A Pair of Home Theater Bookshelf Speakers

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When looking for home theater bookshelf speakers, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Budget is one aspect. Design, quality of manufacturing and compatibility in connectivity with the electronics that you already own. Let’s take a look at these aspects, and we can determine what you feel is the right fit for you.

Design of Your Bookshelf Speakers

Often, when anyone mentions bookshelf speakers, what comes to mind are tiny, boxy black pieces of wood and material that have unsightly wires running everywhere. This may have been what speakers were in the past, but today’s high performance bookshelf speakers have much more to offer the consumer.

The design is sleek, modern, and sophisticated, yet simple. Find speakers that are in line with what you already own for a home theater system.

What Is The Right Price for Home Theater Speakers?

Looking at some online magazines will give you a great idea on what may fit into your budget, along with a design that can fit into your décor and lifestyle. Before ordering a set of home theater bookshelf speakers, have a list of what features you are looking for. This way you can ‘feel’ what fits into your budget also.

Other Considerations To Make For Bookshelf Speakers

How a set of home theater bookshelf speakers looks has very little, if anything, to do with their performance. Ask yourself these questions.

  • Do you want a look that matches or co-ordinates with where you plan to place the speakers?
  • Are your home theater speakers going to be placed on a stand mount or mounted to the wall?
  • Are there certain devices that you wish to connect these speakers with, such as an amplifier or turntable?
  • Would you like to be able to wake up the people down the street with the volume or just rattle a few shelves in your own space?

These kinds of factors go into any purchase of any speaker set or surround sound system such as this.

Understandably, price with functionality, can be the deciding factor in many purchases of home theater bookshelf speakers. Prices can range from $150 to well over $10,000 for top-of-the-line speaker systems.

All in all, you want to find the best sound, great connectivity, a solid build, and a system that fits into your lifestyle. Home theater bookshelf speakers do not need to be huge to give you a vibrant sound, small does not mean lower quality in all cases.

Take all these aspects into consideration when contemplating a purchase of speakers, as you will want to be able to experience the sound as though you were right there in the studio while the artist was creating. Shop premium high-quality bookshelf speakers at PrimeCables.ca today.

How To Build A Home Theater For Under $300

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“It doesn’t matter how amazing a home theater is, if we can’t afford it, we can’t afford it.”

That’s a sentiment shared by many. As fun as it is to dream up this amazing flat-screen setup, affordability really matters.

At PrimeCables.ca, you can build a home theater for under $300. It can take some minor adjustments but it’s more than possible. We say this because we’ve done it ourselves. It’s easy, assuming you’re prioritizing the right elements for you. Here’s how you do it.

Your Flat-Screen

A screen is, by far, going to cost you the most. You can buy a 1080P 43” for under $250 but it’s going to eat up a lot of budget. You can buy a 720P 32” TV for slightly less and still retain the HD image you want.

Try A Projector Instead

Another way to save money on the screen and free up some budget is to buy a projector or a mini projector. These can be slightly less expensive, take up less space, and still deliver a quality picture.

Home Theater Speakers

If you’re working with a budget under $300, you don’t need a set of speakers per se. If you’re prioritizing audio though, you can find some excellent quality speaker systems in the $50 range equipped to handle all the volume you want.

Home theater diy dream home theater

Android Smart TV Box

You need something to watch with your home theater system. If you don’t have a smart TV, convert what you do have into one with an Android smart TV box. It’ll connect you to your Internet and give you access to all sorts of apps and media.

HDMI Cables, Adapters, Etc.

You may have some things you want to hook up, like gaming consoles and the like. Buying new HDMI cables or adapters and switches can help retool your home theater to connect different devices and further expand its capability.

Should You Mount Your TV?

A TV wall mount can cost as little as $10 or under and adds a different dynamic to your home theater. It makes it feel a little more like a movie theater. A luxury, we know, but to some, well worth it.

Couches And Seating

Home theater spaces are all about comfort. That means where you sit. If you’re determined to remain under budget, spending money on seating is a no-go. Every day, people are moving. Couches and chairs are given away routinely. Find a decent and comfortable set you can recover and repurpose for your room.

It takes some compromise, of course, but anyone can create a home theater system with creativity for under $300. Shop all these items from PrimeCables.ca today and get your home theater set up!

Easy Tips for Organizing Your Cables and Wires

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These days, we’ve all got cool electronics and fun gadgets in our homes, especially when it comes to home theatres and entertainment systems.

However, more toys means more wires and power cords. They can look messy after a while, especially when they get tangled from being shoved behind consoles and tucked under tables and stands. Not to mention that a pile of cords can be a safety hazard.

Here are a few simple and inexpensive tips to help you organize your electronic jungle.

Label Everything

One of the first things to do when you get set up new equipment is label your home theater cables, cords and wires.

Write the information on a small piece of paper and tape it onto the cord. Especially if you have a lot of cables, this works. You never know when the cat is going to go on a wild rip and disconnect half your wires at once. Labelling the cords can save an enormous amount of hassle in the long run.

Use Cable Ties

A handy way to organize cords is to use cable ties.

Plastic zip ties can be found in any hardware store, or step it up a notch with reusable wire ties and velcro wrap ties. Whichever you choose, ties are a quick and easy solution to help manage the mess.

Secure Cables

When possible, securing cables discreetly along baseboards and walls looks better overall and decreases the chance of tripping over a stray cord.

Flat PVC tubes can be used to cover up the cables, and the tubes can be painted or decorated any way you like, either to blend in with your decor, or accent your decor. The choice is yours and the look can be changed up at will.

2a87a speaker system cables speaker system cables

Choose Short Cables Over Long Cables

When everything is set up in its proper place, changing your cables with shorter versions is another decent option for getting organized. Shorter wires are easier to manage and hide, and will present a neater overall look.

When you shop HDMI cables and more for your home theater, keep length in mind in your criteria.

Where Will You Put Your Cables?

For convenience, one might prefer to mount a power strips to the wall behind their gadgets. Make sure to keep them easy to get at in case any changes need to be made.

This trick boosts the safety factor due to a decreased chance of tripping. This also increases the comfort factor by making the cables easier to reach, rather than being forced to crawl around underneath cabinets or trying to squeeze behind consoles.

These tips are easy to implement and won’t cost you a ton of money, while giving your home space some functional organization. Shop cable organizers and more at PrimeCables.ca today.

Do I Need A New HDMI Cable For A 4K TV?

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HDMI cables do not come with your purchase of a 4K TV, all manufacturers assume you will have an existing HDMI cable that you will attach to their brand of TV.

How will you know if what you currently have is going to be an efficient HDMI cable for your 4K TV? Read on to find out.

What To Consider When Buying Cables

When looking for an HDMI cable, there are a vast array of choices, both in-store shopping and online.

If you are not familiar with the technology, it is best to do some research. This way not only are you going to be able to make an informed decision but will be able to obtain exactly what you need at a price point you are comfortable with. Expensive does not necessarily mean the best quality.

What Specifications Should I Follow?

Your 4K TV will have technological specifications that allow it to function with the greatest resolution.

Should your TV require 48Gbps then an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is what you will need. Check your manufacturers’ guidebook for what is required. Standard HDMI cables can support your 4K TV, but you need to look at what you are expecting from your TV. Following the manufacturers’ guidelines will help to keep your 4K TV under warranty.

How to choose the Right HDMI Cables

Regular or Ultra High HDMI Cables?

You can use a standard HDMI cable to hook up all HD devices to your 4K TV. Something important to remember is that with some gaming systems and 4K TVs you will not experience the 120Hz that brings the game to life with such incredible clarity. The game can still be played, but the intense streaming will not be as high.

Not usually visible to the naked eye during play, this will not interfere with the game as such, but if you are looking to upgrade to an 8K TV soon, having a 4K HDMI Cable would be beneficial.

Will A New HDMI Cable Enhance The Image On My 4K TV?

The oldest upsell, “You need to buy this XYZ Brand cable, and you will receive better sound, quality and picture.” High-end stores, retailers and commissioned salespeople are famous for upselling you items you don’t need.

An expensive HDMI cable will not give you anything more than a less expensive cable will. There is absolutely no difference of the quality of the picture your 4K TV will obtain with an expensive cable. The only difference is the price that you will pay.

Look at your budget, determine what the manufacturer recommends, what components you are attaching to your 4K TV and this will guide you in what to purchase. A new 4K TV does not necessarily mean you have to purchase new HDMI cables. Shop high-quality HDMI cables at PrimeCables.ca.

Why Is A Home Theater Projector Better Than A Flat-Screen?

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Flat-screens are big business. Home theater builders and media lovers are bred into thinking they’re what’s best for any sort of home entertainment room. In actuality, a projector has a theatrical feel you can’t duplicate with any television or computer monitor. Here’s why home theater projectors are better than buying a new flat-screen.

Blow Up Your Image

Change the size of the screen according to how you like it, enlarging it for groups or keeping it smaller for more intimate watches.

Bring It With You

Have you tried taking a 72” flat-screen around with you – it’s a trip! A projector is a lot easier to carry. You can take a home theater projector with you and set it up at a friend’s place for an event, take it with you to work for a presentation, or use it outdoors for a little late-night movie projection.

You Recreate A Theater

If movies are your thing, skip the $20 popcorn and price of admission in favor of watching a theater-sized projector screen at home. Especially if you have a big family room, a projector’s ultimate.

The Price Is Worth It

Home theater projectors can be quite expensive. Even so, you get HD 4K quality images on projector models at less of a cost than what a similarly-sized flat-screen would cost you.

You Save Space

Even if you mount a TV, it’s going to take up a certain amount of wall space. A projector has to be mounted but it’s ultimately not going to take up very much space at all. In a lot of city apartments and condos, it can be a great investment if you’re dead-set on having as large a screen as the room will allow.

They Are Highly Adaptable

A 4K home theater projector can be connected to a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. It can be used for gaming as well which is incredibly fun. They’re very adaptable and doesn’t necessitate the same physical infrastructure as a flat-screen. This can annoy some home theater builders, however. It’s up to you what you feel is best.

You Won’t Have To Buy A New One

Projectors last a long time. Flat-screens do, too. With new flat-screens coming out every year though, it can be tempting to want to buy a new flat-screen seasonally. With a home theater projector, you’re getting a premium image from the get-go and it’ll stay that way.

There’s nothing like seeing an image blown up big and clear in quality on an HD projector. Whether you’re buying a 1080P or 4K projector for your home theater, find them both at PrimeCables.ca.

Why Bluetooth Sound Bars Are Better Than Surround Sound Speakers

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Bluetooth soundbars. Absolutely 100% necessary to modern home theater designs, many tech fans argue.

Though we at PrimeCables.ca might not go that far, soundbars have their place. If you love connecting your smartphone or tablet up to a speaker and letting the sounds of your favourite Spotify playlist blast out, this is the product you have to have.

As amazing as a high-quality set of surround sound speakers are, here is why many Bluetooth sound bars are often better.

Built-In Subwoofer

A major concern to a lot of audiophiles is how to replicate the bass in a soundbar. Many 5.0 Bluetooth soundbars are coming with built-in subwoofers which are surprisingly powerful, especially for family rooms and condo-sized master bedrooms.

They Can Be Cheaper

You can get a premium 2.1CH soundbar for less than a more developed surround sound system. Shopping at discount stores like PrimeCables.ca certainly can help with the cost, if that’s a noticeable barrier to a lot of your home theater shopping.

You Can Connect Wirelessly

You can connect anything with Bluetooth capability to a soundbar and do so wirelessly. When you’re getting ready to go out, getting ready for work, or making dinner, connect your smartphone to your speaker and let it play.

D46e9 portable bluetooth speakers portable bluetooth speakers

Loudness

Although a proper speaker set can deliver a pounding sound no doubt, soundbars can do the exact same. There is no loss in volume or power. They come with the wattage to deliver low-pitched, booming sounds if you so desire to use them as such.

Mount It, Save Space

A mounted soundbar looks sleek, stylish, and takes up almost no space. A soundbar itself is designed fairly economically as-is, even when it isn’t mounted. You won’t be scrambling to figure out how to hide all the wires from a speaker set and how to configure it for the correct sound image, either.

The Setup Is Much Easier

To tag onto that last point, have you ever set up a Bluetooth soundbar? It’s so easy! It’s just your basic plug-and-play design. There is not much more than that tied to connecting a soundbar to a home theater system.

They Can Be Surround Sound

The progression of tech has made it so that a lot of new Bluetooth soundbars have a surround sound design. This means you can have the same sort of audio experience as you would with standalone speakers.

As home theater tech continues to move forward and Bluetooth soundbars and Bluetooth speakers grow more advanced, this sort of wireless audio is likely to replace the classic home theater setup we know and love. Shop all types of speakers, soundbars, and more at PrimeCables.ca.

What Is The Best Home Theater System For You?

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The ultimate home theater setup is not just about a flat-screen and a set of speakers. It’s an atmosphere and a vibe. It’s the quiet place you can retreat to after a long day of doing work, watching whatever you like in solitude and comfort.

What the best home theater is can take a bit of thought to figure out but with the right home theater accessories, you can certainly answer the question for yourself and get it done on a budget.

Here are some important questions to ask when creating your ultimate home theater.

Do You Have A Smart TV?

If you have a smart TV, awesome. Move onto the next question. If you don’t, buying an Android smart TV box will convert any flat-screen with an HDMI input into a smart TV. It’s an important investment.

What Speakers Do You Want?

Classic surround sound home theater speakers exist. So do Bluetooth soundbars that are very dynamic and often smaller. If you are particularly low on space, a simple set of multimedia computer speakers may be enough.

Where Do You Want To Put Your Screens?

Thanks to TV wall mounts, you can more or less put a screen anywhere in your entertainment space. Hang them from the ceiling, over a fireplace, on a swing arm, or keep them flush with a wall. You can also choose to mount your speakers in a similar way, should you enjoy this presentation.

4b003 mounts stands ergonomics mounts stands ergonomics

What Does Your Home Theater Lighting Look Like?

Another way to recreate that sort of theatrical and immersive look is to use lighting, i.e. LED strip lights as backlighting or a dimmer to bring down the intensity of the lights to a faint glow. Homeowners spend months working away on how to light their home theater rooms. It can necessitate some experimenting to get just right but when you do, you’ll know.

How Many Remotes Will You Need?

When you start adding up the inventory of devices you have – PC, Android box, gaming consoles, Blu-Ray player, satellite dish, etc. – that’s at least two or three remotes. Simplify things with a wireless multimedia mini keyboard. A single remote to rule them all!

Do You Have Enough Home Theater Cables?

Cables are the unspoken element of every home theater system. It’s an inevitability that you’ll need cables. Lots and lots of cables. Most likely HDMI cables. With limited HDMI inputs on your screen, this can be a problem. Consider what’s possible with adapters and switches, or buy multiples when it comes to cables, ensuring it’s not a struggle plugging in different consoles or devices.

9bbda hdmi cables how to choose hdmi cables

Check in at PrimeCables.ca for the best home theater deals in Canada. See award-winning cables and home theater accessories to solve the problem of how to build a home theater system that’s right for you.

What Do I Look For In A Home Theater Projector?

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Bring a premium movie-going experience home with you when you get set up with a home theater projector.

Although it can feel like a big investment and a detour from flat-screens, a projector is a distinct style choice that pays off. It harkens back to classic cinema, yes, but it also a fun and totally captivating way to enjoy sports, concerts, family movies, and more.

If you’re buying a projector, here are the things to look for.

Cost Of A Projector

Projectors are an expense. Like buying a flat-screen, you definitely want to find the best home theater deal on a projector because it can easily add up to being the most expensive thing in your room.

Projector Resolution

A 4K projector is arguably equal in value to a 1080P home theater projector. A lot make the mistake of going for the ‘best projector’ aka the most expensive and it really isn’t necessary. Differences between 1080P and 4K in a dark room are minimal. You can also knock off a fair bit from the price by going with 1080P over 4K.

Dc100 projectors cables projectors cables

Home Theater Speakers

Most projectors have very low sound quality. Once again, it’s similar with a lot of flat-screens. Designing a loud home theater system, if you want that rumbling bass and soaring highs, a Bluetooth soundbar or set of home theater speakers is what you need.

Short-Throw v. Long-Throw

A short-throw projector is what a lot of home theater projectors are. They can be held closer to the wall without issue in terms of getting a clear picture. Comparatively, a long-throw projector comes designed for bigger rooms, i.e. those that require at least ten feet of distance for a clear image.

Connectivity And Ports

Buy a projector with the ports you need, i.e. HDMI, USB, etc. Most home theater projectors have multiple ports you can use just like a flat-screen. This shouldn’t be an issue. They are also able to connect to the Internet in many cases.

Brightness, AKA Lumens

How many lumens your projector has is what will determine its maximum brightness. A home theater projector should have at least 1,500 lumens. Many you will find are 2,000 lumens and certainly that’s more than enough. If your room isn’t totally dark, go for more lumens. This will increase the visibility of the image.

Projector Screen

Just as an added detail, don’t forget about a projector screen. If you have a free white wall, it’s workable. For a more premium experience though, you can’t mistake the value an actual projector screen brings.

Shop the best home theater projectors in Canada, projector screens, and more at PrimeCables.ca.

HDTV Antenna 101 – Your Guide To Free Over-The-Air TV in Canada

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It’s a smart choice to cut off your cable bills and jump on the HDTV antenna bandwagon. Combined with Internet and streaming services, a TV antenna is a perfect accessory. Tap into real-time TV signals aired for free 24/7. No more monthly bills. HD-quality images and a range of programming.

Where Do I Buy A TV Antenna?

There are two differences in how HDTV antennas are built. There are antennas for indoor and outdoor use. There are also antennas differentiated by reach. The longer the reach, the more channels and signals you are likely to receive.

Some will say outdoor antennas are the best but, in most regions, you can buy an indoor HDTV antenna and more or less receive what you would receive outdoors. With how technology’s progressed, indoor antennas have come a long way.

The best place to buy an HDTV antenna for the best price is online through shops like PrimeCables.ca.

B3cb7 tv antennas outdoor indoor antenna

How Do I Set Up My HDTV Antenna?

Direction is everything when you set up an HDTV antenna.

You may need to aim your antenna towards different directions, scan for channels, and see what it picks up. Experiment with it.

Experts will tell you that you lose about 50% of signal when it’s an indoor antenna but as stated earlier, this hasn’t exactly been our experience. If you do have an outdoor HDTV antenna, reconfiguring it can take a lot of work. You may want to research where the nearest broadcast towers are and to aim there as best as you can.

A lot of the channels you receive will be in Full HD quality though some may be less. It depends on the station as to whether they broadcast in HD or not and is not tied to the quality of your TV antenna so long as you do have a high-definition design.

What TV Channels Are Available Free Over-the-Air in Canada?

There is a long list of free over-the-air TV channels in Canada that may or may not be available to you. They include NBC, CBS, CBC, ABC, LAFF, GRIT, ESCAPE, CTV, CHCH, PBS, PBS Kids, FOX, MyTV, Global, YesTV, WNED, The CW, TVO, and others.

The amount of channels you can get varies on where you are located in Canada. It all relates to proximity to the nearest broadcast tower. Some cities get as many as 20-25 channels while rural regions may only receive 1-2 signals.

If you become a cord-cutter, you might miss live TV. With an HDTV antenna, you don’t have to anymore. Buy an HDTV antenna from PrimeCables.ca today and get free TV in HD quality you don’t ever have to pay for. It’s the perfect way to accessorize an existing home theater or entertainment setup. Find small indoor TV antennas starting at under $10 on sale for a limited time.