IPTV for Spain

Coming to Spain soon will be a new IPTV platform called Woomi. It aims to make streaming movies and television shows as simple as channel hopping. At first it will be available as an app for Samsung’s Internet@TV and Smart TV televisions, which Future Lifestyle are great fans of. Woomi corrals a diverse collection of content channels for easy browsing and uses metadata for dynamic, intelligent searching.

The  founder Ian Valentine has said. ‘Woomi is the engine that enables a wide variety of content providers to stream directly to your TV. Small film labels and content owners that don’t have the resources to develop their own apps (as well as larger brands that don’t feel a need too) will use Woomi. We make it very easy for them to build a business. For viewers this means a broad selection of free and low-cost PPV TV shows and movies available with just a few clicks of the TV remote control.’

The company says it is currently in advanced discussions with other portal owners to take the service. One TV maker which has signed up is Vestel, the largest OEM supplier of TVs in Europe. Vestel is responsible for manufacturing screens and set-top boxes for a wide range of household brands including Alba, Grundig and Bush. Vestel product manager Chris Jones told HCC that Woomi would be included on its upcoming connected TV models. Vestel is partnering with Yahoo to usher in a new Yahoo Connected TV platform to more than 40 countries this year. In addition to Woomi, these sets will also include Facebook, Twitter, Sky News and Ebay apps.

So what’s Woomi have to offer?
Woomi may not be the place to go for the latest blockbuster movie releases, but the service does offer a diverse range of content for those with more eclectic tastes: EZ Takes offers long-forgotten horror movies, foreign material and animation; Disclose.tv is dedicated to weird WTF news; Box Office 365 offers classic TV shows, including cult favourite The Prisoner, while Sail TV specialises in nautical programmes. TV rentals start at 99p, with most films pegged at £1.99. All content is standard-definition, but quality varies. Some providers offer so-called HQ streams with higher bitrates. These have the potential of approaching DVD clarity. 'It’s entirely up to the content provider at what quality level they intend to stream,' says Valentine.

One aspect of the Woomi service which is compelling is its cross-channel recommendations. For example, choose to rent (for 24 hours) the 1939 animated version of Gulliver’s Travels and in the main menu’s recommendation bar you’ll be given the option of watching the trailer for Jack Black’s recent remake.

As the year progresses we will see the lines between the TV and the internet blur even more. More and more flat screens have the capability to surf the internet (although not always easy with the remote) and as bandwidth gets larger we will still increase in service like this. We say bring it on!!!.......the days of the satellite dish may be drawing to a close.........

Why do some people insist that home automation just doesn´t work?

This attitude is becoming more common as our industry matures. The problem lies with peripheral tradesman trying to muscle in on the home automation explosion... electricians, satellite engineers and even computer technicians have all tried to get in on the act... people that do not have the appropriate skill set have been short changing the customer by installing a system poorly... 

you wouldn´t ask dentist to take a look at your feet now would you?? 


We have been to meet potential clients only to be put on the back foot because of the integrator of his previous installation hadn't properly designed and carried out the job. We explain that the home automation systems that he will be purchasing for this home are different and better than his last one. Manufacturers and integrators alike have learned from (and listened to) clients just like him to make the current products enhance his lifestyle effortlessly, rather than serve as a source of aggravation. We have met clients who felt the same way he does and now regrets his decision to not at least pre-wire for resale value. The pre-planning of the design, materials and installation of just the tubework alone for such a system is a worthwhile exercise. It can be used as an added feature of the house when it comes to sell it, even if you do not use the pre-installation yourself.

Systems continue to become more reliable and robust as each generation is refined.

Architects in Spain are slowly understanding that houses of a certain standard should at the very least have some kind of control. Whether is be for the lights, air conditioning or a complete entertainment system. So if you are about to build a new house or renovate your existing home now is the time to think about at least pre-installing for a home automation system.  And if you do want to move into the future, go with a company that has experience in such installations. True, the electrician or even your mate from the pub may be able to do it cheaper, but a well thought out design is the key to a good and secure system. 

 Installations that will grow & adapt to your wants and needs.

In truth 'you can´t win 'em all.....' Some people get their fingers burnt by inexperienced installation companies and understandably do not want to go down the same road again. We feel for these people, they have spent good money and have been sold short and now wonder what all the fuss is about with things such as, HD and 3D content, surround sound amps set ups and Blu-ray DVD. If you are one of those then maybe now is the time to give our industry another try. With the right installation company you will not be disappointed.

Words like simple, improved, dependable, enhanced, easier, stable, trouble-free, less complicated best describe a Future Lifestyle installation.

If you would like to know more about designing a home of the future or you need help with an underperforming installation, give the Future Lifestyle team a call and book a free consultation. Let us help you put your faith back in technology.......

email info@futurelifestyle.es or call +34 902 107 227

Broader than broadway.....

In 2009 Philips released a flat screen with a unique 21:9 (2.40:1) aspect ratio. Its appeal to home cinema aficionados was immediate and obvious. Your favourite movies would no longer be displayed with black bars top and bottom – instead, every inch of the TV would be used to display your hi-def movies in all their glory.

Now Philips has revisited the concept, but this time adding controllable LED backlighting, 3D playback and a couple more inches of screen size to boot. And what do we think... Wow!!

The Philips 58" Cinema 21

The Cinema 21:9 Platinum leave even the most 3D-skeptical boggle-eyed. But in a good way. Real-world contrast was measured at an exceptional 259,853:1, and only minor calibration was required to achieve class-leading picture performance – including 3D visuals that are pretty much free from crosstalk.

Impressive, too, is the Philips' audio and Smart TV features - in fact, it's only really the lack of a Freeview HD tuner that lets this set down.

At around €4,000 for a 58” it's not for nothing, but quality like this never comes cheap. Philips' Cinema 21:9 platinum is undoubtedly the most technologically advanced screen you can buy and challenges Samsung's UE55C9000 as the most desirable. It takes superb pictures, boasts solid audio and extensive features and wraps them in a gorgeous, uniquely-shaped frame.

Really, the only thing wrong with it is its lack of a Freeview HD tuner – but that doesn't stop it bagging full marks. It's not a question of should you buy one, it's just whether or not you can afford to.

To find out more about the latest in flat screen technology or to find out what size TV and type of screen would best suit your home, contact the Future Lifestyle team to book a free consultation.....