Have you thought about how you’ll keep yourself entertained at home overseas? If music and movies rank high on your list, you’ll need to consider that your current home theater system probably won’t work abroad.

Expat Home Theater Systems Combat World Conversion Conflicts Abroad

Welcome to the confusing world of voltage conversion, foreign video conversion, DVD region codes and Blu-Ray region codes. Click on these links to understand how this world coding system can impact your ability to play your favorite media. For example, a DVD disc from Region 1 (USA and Canada) won’t play on a DVD player from Region 2 (Europe and Japan.) And there are a total of 6 regions worldwide. The good new is, there’s a simple solution to all the confusion.

Multisystem, Region-Free Home Theater Systems Solve The Problem

The best home theater systems for expat living are multisystem and region-free for use worldwide. They’re manufactured by top brands like Panasonic, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Samsung, Klipsch, LG and Bose. But they’re not available through most retailers. The model choices and brand selections may be limited (if you can find them at all) in your foreign expat destination. Specialty retailers’ online stores typically ship worldwide. And in many cases, shipping may be free.

Modern home theater systems require at least one display device and a sound system. Sounds simple, right? But CEPro, a leading trade publication for professionals involved in the custom electronics business, cites these 6 Hot Home Theater Trends for 2016:

6 Hot Home Theater Trends

1. Multiple Screens: Gives you more than one viewing option in a media room.

2. Hybrid Space: Includes family room, game room, media room in a single space.

3. Social Networking: Post social network updates while watching television.

4. Networking Media: Internet-connected Blu-Ray Players, Gaming Consoles, Apple TV and other.

5. Floor Standing Soundbar Speakers: Fills your room with the clearest audio.

6. Value: Get high performance, feature-rich components at a lower cost.

The typical expat living scenario may not call for multiple screens. But the trend for creating a "hybrid space" seems pretty spot on, wouldn't you say? And free-standing speakers and soundbars accommodate your flex space better than built-ins. Not to mention you get much higher quality sound from your speakers when they're not enclosed.

Once you've agreed how to configure your media room, you can focus on how to configure your home theater. Regardless of the sizes and numbers of screens and speakers you choose, there are a few standard features you should make sure you include for the best electronic experience abroad.

5 Top Standard Features In Home Theater Systems For Expats

1. Region Free Coding: Plays Blu-Ray DVDs, Standard DVDs and CDs from anywhere in the world.

2. Multisystem support. (Supports NTSC, PAL, SECAM)

3. 110-240 volts 50-60 hertz

4. USB input (Play media from external devices, like your phone or camera.)

5. HDMI Output (Connect HDMI compatible devices, like a Blu-ray player.)

Add Smart Features For The "Most Flexible" Media Experience

• 3D Blu-ray Playback: View 3D movies with special 3D glasses.
• Wifi Built-in: Avoid the cable clutter with wireless connectivity.
• Internet Streaming capabilities:  Stream from Youtube, Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Picasa, Pandora and a multitude more apps.
• Bluetooth capabilities:  Stream audio wirelessly from your cellular phone, tablet, computer or any other Bluetooth compatible device.
• Networking Capabilities: Connect external streaming devices like Apple TV or Fire TV. Or gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation

"By 2019, more than 50% of TV households in Japan, the US, the UK, France and Germany will have smart TVs [ according to IHS]," writes a Broadband TV news correspondent.

Add Surround Sound & Ultra HD 4K For The "Ultimate" Media Experience

The butter on the popcorn? Powerful multi-channel surround sound speakers and Ultra HD 4K simulate a live cinema, coliseum or auditorium experience. Home theater systems are “giving way to soundbar/subwoofer systems because they offer an easy way to fill a room with audio,” says Peter Tribeman of Atlantic Technology, an audio engineering company. And according to TechRadar.com, “4K Ultra-High Definition will define the future of television.”  

When you invest in electronics for expat living, it only makes sense to invest in technologies that are here to stay awhile. Likewise, investing in region-free multi-system components is like buying global insurance. You can take your investment anywhere you go. 

Don't limit your entertainment choices abroad. Seek the advice of a region-free, multi-system electronics expert before you purchase. Request a free consultation online or call 220 Electronics at 847-640-9000 (International). Dial 877-578-0587 in the U.S.

View Our Multisystem/Region-Free Home Theaters.

View Our Multisystem TVs.

With an ever-increasing number of people leaving North America to live abroad, the business of international electronics is constantly expanding. Some of these people are ex-pats seeking a better life in a more enjoyable climate, others are relocating to foreign countries for promising career opportunities, and others are simply traveling the globe while working remotely from home thanks to the age of the internet. Whatever the case may be, the growing number of globetrotters has created an increased demand for convenience, compatibility and simplicity in the personal and home electronics industries.

 

As any seasoned traveler would likely know, there are many differences in electronics around the world. From compatibility to pricing, you might find yourself in a world of disbelief if you haven't educated yourself on the subject before engaging in international travel or relocation.

 

First is the issue of compatibility. To put it simply, most continents (and their respective countries) utilize 220 or 240 volt electricity. This is standard, and is literally double that of the 110 or 120 volt standard in North America. Since the voltage is higher, electronics and appliances designed for use in North America are not compatible. Plugging a 110/120 volt electronic device into a 220/240 volt outlet is truly a recipe for disaster. The internal components cannot handle double the volts that they were designed for and instantaneous failure is quite common, rendering the device useless; it's been "fried".

 

A damaged device is, in many ways, the best case scenario. Why? Because it's very possible that an attempt to use a 110/120 device with the incorrect voltage can result in a fire or even electrocution. Let's face it, nobody wants to phone home to touch base with friends or family and have to explain that their house burned to the ground or that they're calling from the hospital because they suffered electrocution. To avoid an undesirable situation like this, it's critical to have one of the following: Electronics intended for use with 220/240 volts, or, a voltage converter that can safely regulate the electricity and allow for the use of your 110/120 volt devices in a 220 volt environment.

 

The second issue with foreign countries is one of pricing and availability. If you've been living in the US, surely there is no shortage of personal and home electronics to choose from. Visit any electronics store and you'll probably be overwhelmed with the choices in products due to the multiple models available from a wide-array of competing brands. Additionally, in the US we purchase electronics like it's nobody's business. We have a huge demand and therefor a huge inventory. With China as one of our largest trade partners, we literally have access to practically every brand and model in the world - at very competitive prices. However, even just south of the border in Mexico the prices for electronics are as much as 50% higher. Why? Because Mexico doesn't have the same trade agreements and access as the US and 95% of the electronics in Mexico are shipped in after arriving in the united states. The cost of shipping these products down to distributors in Mexico means the prices increase, and since there are less consumers of expensive electronics, the decreased demand means the prices are higher. This rings true anywhere in many places in the world. Generally speaking, you're going to have a smaller selection and you're going to pay a higher price.

 

So what can be done to avoid the stress and confusion of purchasing and using electronics in foreign countries? Well, a little research always helps. However, it's not necessary because there exist specialists in the electronics industry who are devoted to making your life easier when traveling or moving abroad. And guess what - we're one of them!

 

220 Electronics has over 35 years of experience in assisting our customers with information and providing the right products for their needs. From the sales of 220 volt electronics and appliances to voltage converters and plug adapters, we have the experience required to make the transition a simple one. We offer free relocation consultations to aid you in making the proper choices for the purchase of electronics and appliances, and better yet, we will even bulk ship your purchases directly to your future location overseas. It doesn't get much easier than that!

 

Save yourself time, money and stress by giving us a call today or by visiting our website to see how we can make your transition to a foreign country as smooth as possible.