rAVe HomeAV Edition Volume 4, Issue 1 – January 11, 2007

Gary Kayye, CTS

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Observations from CES
By Gary Kayye, CTS

Gaming Projectors: I am convinced this newly emerging market will eventually dominate the projection display market in volume. And, I don't think it will take too long either – maybe 2-3 years TOPS. TI's leading the pack with their partners using their DLP technology to produce everything from hand-held, battery operated projectors that list for less than $600 to round, cylindrical and bar-shaped projectors that look like aliens. And, some of them are literally designed to lie on a floor and project on the ceiling. The coolest has to be the Philips Ujoy (an SVGA resolution game projector).

Blu-ray was everywhere: Barely any booth was promoting HD-DVD (other than the barely visible HD-DVD booth) whereas the Blu-ray logo was everywhere. I counted more than 23 booths with Blu-ray supporting signage – and that included everyone from Sony, to Sharp, Panasonic to Samsung. And, the count for HD-DVD? Two! There was one mentionable however – it was the HD combo player from LG. Although it worked, looks cool, even the LG execs told me privately that they believed Blu-ray would win the HD disc war.

It's not totally clear how, exactly, one acquires IPTV, but basically what it is is CableTV via the Internet. Using a set-top box, you connect to the Internet and stream all your channels (in NTSC and HD) via a broadband connection. It looks a like a cross between a cable set-top box and TiVo.

In all seriousness, these giant flat-sceen displays certainly make you wonder the effect these may, eventually, have on the front screen projection market. Right now, none, as they are 10-20 times the price. But, price always comes down…

Funny Sony Booth: I enjoyed the Sony booth for more than the product introductions – the most impressive of which was the new LocationFree boxes that allow you to watch your home TV, control your cable box or TiVo/DVR from either a PC or MAC. Aimed at Sling Media who currently owns darn-near 100% of that place-shifting TV market, Sony's new LocationFree series include different versions that allow you to watch your TV on anything from a computer, a phone and another TV in another home – all you need is a network connection.

InFocus enters projector/DVD combo market: While the big focus was on HD projection, InFocus debuted their IN1, a 480p-based DLP projector with a built-in DVD player and a cool videogame docking station. The 500-lumen projector is priced at $500, and that's an aggressive move for InFocus – a company trying to re-find its identity, again. One cool feature of the IN1 is a mirror adapter that attaches to the front of the lens that literally allows the projector to display anything connected on the ceiling – again, a

feature aimed at gaming/kids. But, it's not a bad idea for a bedroom – I'll leave it at that…

The worst-looking display award: That has to go to LG and their 102" LCD. It was noisy, choppy and had terrible contrast ratio. Now, some of that could have easily been source material, but, heck, they were debuting a combo HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc player so why not use that? Err, come to think of it, maybe they had an HD-DVD movie showing – that would explain the image quality. OK, so, I will reserve my judgment on the display until I see it again.

HDMI rules, but network's all the talk: Not a single HD product that I saw on the show floor was connected any other way than HDMI. It's clear that the concerns over the non-captive (in the same way that USB can slip out of its port) HDMI connector are not concerns anymore. Component video is close to dying as even many of the new HD-handicams had an HDMI port.

What is Apple TV: Well, imagine your entire iTunes library of songs, TV shows and movies made available to you anywhere in your house (on ANY TV) without having to move your iMac or MacBook – and all in 720p HD format! For $299.

Well, that’s it. Shipping in February, the Apple TV (originally called iTV) uses 802.11n wireless technology to receive content from iTunes (from up to five different computers in your home) and it can either play it in real-time (as it’s receiving the content) or you can store it on the 40Gig hard drive and play it back whenever or wherever you want.

This changes TV viewing and movie watching, forever. Sure, TiVo already did this, right? Well, that's assuming you remember to set your TiVo to record everything you want to watch. As Apple builds a huge library of readily available content from everything from 1980's-based TV shows to movies that just came out on DVD, you can watch pretty much whatever you want. Forget to record last week's episode of The Office? (Or maybe the football game ran over and your DVR – as it often does, recorded the end of the game as the first 8 minutes of The Office.)

Well, before Apple TV, you were out of luck. But, as Apple posts every episode of The Office every week, you can just go download it and watch it whenever you want, wherever you want.

Ok, I realize the buzz in the market right now is 1080i and the Apple box is only 720p. But, truth is, the bandwidth and resolution of the two is identical – one is interlaced and one is not (progressive). So, on TV shows this may not matter. But, I agree, Apple needs to get this up to 1080 as soon as technically possible – and I am sure they will. They're already taxing the current wireless standards getting 720p out of the Apple TV. But, I'm sure they know they need 1080 eventually.

But, before you count this a guaranteed success, remember that the HP Home Media PC that this entire system runs on is Windows-based (and according to Crestron, they recently won the coveted national contract to outfit Microsoft's conference centers with Crestron control systems). So, if they (Microsoft) don't have complete faith in their own OS, maybe we shouldn't either…

Food for thought…

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CEDIA Membership Dues Deadline Fast Approaching – January 31

CEDIA is well-known within the custom electronics industry – not only for their exceptional educational courses, motivating events that inspire and help your business, the extraordinary annual EXPO, but because of CEDIA's greatest attribute – its members.

In 2006 CEDIA's membership proactively made changes for the better. All full residential electronic systems contractor members are now required to employ at least one CEDIA Certified Professional, thus ‘raising the bar' for CEDIA. In doing this, CEDIA Members were able to draw a defined line between being a full CEDIA Member and everyone else – creating a solid foundation for their company.

CEDIA's Membership is stronger than ever, heading into 2007 with more than 3,500 member companies, and continuing to grow each month. Here are a few upcoming membership deadlines to be aware of …

Membership Dues Deadline – January 31, 2007

CEDIA Worldwide Directory – January 31, 2007*

*To update your membership information for accurate inclusion in the 2007 Worldwide Membership Directory, log on to http://www.cedia.org/renew

Be a part of an association who cares about you and the industry you're representing, by delivering members the tools and opportunities for success.

For any questions regarding CEDIA Membership or your membership status, contact CEDIA Membership department at (800) 669-5329.

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CEDIA's January 2007 Calendar

CES Hosts 2,700 Exhibitors

Keynote addresses have included Microsoft's Bill Gates, Motorola's Ed Zander, Disney's Robert Iger, Dell's Michael Dell and CBS' Leslie Moonves. The 2007 CES Industry Insider Series speakers included Cisco's John Chambers, Nokia's Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

For more information, go to http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11217

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ViewSonic Integrates iPod Dock With DLP Front Projector

The docking station connects the iPod directly so there's no need for a computer. It also charges the iPod while docked. The projector itself is specified at 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, 2000 lumens and 2000:1 contrast ratio.

Pricing was not yet announced.

For more information, go to http://www.viewsonic.com/companyinfo/pressrelease_detail.cfm?key_press_release=1620

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Optoma's New Anamorphic Lens, 720p DLP, New MovieTime Model

The complete kit includes the anamorphic lens, a bracket for the lens, ceiling mount adapter plate, a motorized, remote-control sled for the lens, as well as upgradeable firmware.

The Optoma BX-AL133 will be available in February 2007 for an estimated street price of $3,999, and Optoma is also offering an HD81 projector/BX-AL133 bundle for an estimated street price of $9,999.

The new MovieTime is the DV11 model. As its predecessor, it's a DVD player/projector combo with integrated speakers. The DV11 is a little brighter with 1300 lumens compared to 1000, and retails for $999.

For more information, go to http://www.optomausa.com/index.asp and http://www.optomausa.com/pressreleases.asp

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BenQ Brings Four New Affordable Projectors to CES

These projectors weight less than 6 pounds and measure 10.9" x 8.7". They will be available in mid January.

For more information, go to http://www.benq.com/

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InFocus Previews Gaming/Home Theater Projector, Reduces SP777 Price

Hmm.

For more information, go to http://www.infocus.com/Company/Overview.aspx

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Three New Sharp HD DLP Models

The DT-510 is specified at 1280 x 720 resolution, 4000:1 contrast ratio and 1000 ANSI lumens. It uses 6-segment 5 X Speed color wheel, I/P conversion, 3-2 pull down, Color Management System (C.M.S.), 3-step Bright Boost and HDMI. The DT-510 will be available in February for an MSRP of $2,499.99.

The SharpVision XV-Z3100 is a 720p projector also specified at 1000 ANSI lumens, but with 6500:1 contrast ratio. Other features include I/P conversion, 3-2 pull down, Color Management System (C.M.S.), 3-step Bright Boost, a 12-volt trigger and an HDMI interface. The XV-Z3100 will be available in February for an MSRP of $2,699.99.

For more information, go to http://www.sharpusa.com/about/AboutPress/0,1107,,00.html

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Toshiba's $849 Cross-Over

For more information, go to http://www.toshiba.com/tai/news/news.jsp

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New 70-Inch Among Sony HD LCD TVs, Sony Also Brings Internet Connection to Sets

The standard expands the current color data range of video by approximately 1.8 times (based on the “Munsell Color Cascade," a universal color chart defining the colors of natural objects and is used to evaluate color expression capability of displays). The result is the television's ability to display more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see.

It has a nice 178-degree viewing angle and contrast ratio of 7000:1. The set includes three HDMI inputs and a PC input which are 1080p compatible, as well as two high-definition component inputs

It will ship this February for about $33,000.

For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/television/flat_panel_displays/lcd/release/27466.html

Sony also found a simple way to bring internet content to the company's television sets. The BRAVIA Internet Video Link is a module add-on that will allow most of its new televisions to access free Internet video content, including high-definition, from providers including AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, as well as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG Music.

Sony's new Internet video-ready televisions will feature the ability to receive streaming broadband video, including high-definition content, via a small optional module that is easily attached and concealed behind the TV, even when the TV is on the wall.

The module links the television set directly to a user's broadband Internet service provider via Ethernet. The content can then be accessed directly on the TV without needing a PC.

For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/television/flat_panel_displays/lcd/release/27475.html

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Sharp Announces 108-Inch LCD, Brings New HD LCDs to CES

Sharp also showed new HD 1080p HDTV AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions, available in sizes of 42, 46, 52, and 65 inches. Sharp says these are specified at 15,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 120 Hz Frame Rate Conversion; pixel response time of 4ms and viewing angles of 176 degrees.

All units in this series include three HDMI inputs, two HD component terminals, one DVI-I input, and RS-232C. The come in a piano black finish with detachable bottom speakers and include a detachable table stand. Sharp also has a new 65-inch model.

The LC-42D92U will be available in April for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $3,499.99 and the LC-46D92U and LC-52D92U and will be available in January for MSRPs of $4,199.99 and $5,299.99, respectively. The LC-65D93U will be available in March for an MSRP of $10,999.99.

Sharp also has new 52- and 46-inch HDTVs in the AQUOS line. These are specified at 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, and the same refresh and response times as above. Both models will be available in March; the LC-52D82U will have an MSRP of $4,799.99 and the LC-46D82U of $3,699.99.

In addition, Sharp has new 720p models ranging from 26 to 52 inches and a new 1080p, the GP1U, designed for video gamers.

For more information, go to http://www.sharpusa.com/about/AboutPressRelease/0,1130,C631,00.html

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Pioneer Touts New Plasma Technology With Outrageous Claims

The company says that a year ago, when Tamihiko Sudo became president of Pioneer's global operations, he asked the engineering team to rethink their approach to product development and to create a new display that would change the viewing experience. The new technology, says the company, results in improved black levels, richer colors in dark scenes, and better performance in bright rooms.

The technology was originally slated for launch in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but Pioneer now expects to have product in the U.S. market this summer.

For more information, go to http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/press/release/detail/0,,2076_310069589_396277724,00.html

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DIRECTV Goes Mobile, DISH Goes Auto

DIRECTV launched a portable satellite and TV system called DIRECTV Sat-Go. The product includes a 17-inch LCD monitor with integrated DIRECTV Receiver, flat antenna and replaceable/rechargeable laptop-style battery. The customer turns it on and points it toward line-of-sight with DIRECTV satellites and receives DIRECTV programming within minutes (provided the user is within range of the DIRECTV signal). The company thinks this is an appropriate size for activities such as camping and hiking trips, RVing, tailgating, college dormitories, hospital rooms, hotels/motels, emergency response, and in-home as a second TV set.

Pricing is TBD.

DISH announced MobileDISH, an in-car satellite service. Customers can watch live satellite TV from vehicles, even while in motion.

The MobileDISH technology is compatible with existing vehicles including most cars, RVs and trucks and the company says it performs exceptionally well at highway speeds.

Pricing is TBD.

For more on this, go here

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120-Inch DLP Rear Projection TV From Optoma Just 40 Inches Deep

The new 120-inch model is 40 inches deep and is specified at 10000:1 contrast ratio. It is targeted specifically to the professional home theater installer market and ships as a modular system. BigVizion also comes with a customizable color scheme, so you can change the bezel color to match a customers' décor.

For more information, go to http://www.optomausa.com/PressRelease_Detail.asp?Press_id=50

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LG Slashes Price on 71-Inch Plasma, Announces New HD Plasmas

LG also announced its HD plasma line, which ranges in size from 42 to 71 inches. All new LG plasma TVs incorporate "LG Simple Link" connectivity, allowing control of other LG Simple Link compatible equipment, such as DVD players or home theater systems. The units are connected with a regular HDMI cable, and use the HDMI-CEC standard to enable the user to control other components via on-screen menus or directly from each component.

The PY3D series also features other enhanced connectivity including three HDMI inputs and USB Media Host to allow for easy playback of digital music and photos on the plasma set.

The 2007 lineup also offers three plasma models with integrated HD DVRs — the PB4 Series — with built-in 160-gigabyte high-definition DVRs capable of storing up to 13 hours of digital high-definition programming or 63 hours of digital standard-definition programming.

The company's LCD line now has models up to 57 inches and some with Full HD 1080p.

For more information, go to http://us.lge.com/index.jhtml

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JVC Announces Slimmer HD-ILA Sets

JVC's new sets have the same 10000:1 contrast ratio as other models. The sets also use JVC's Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing and Digital Image Scaling Technology, which up-scales any video source to display at full high definition 1080p.

The JVC HD-58S998 will be available in January and will sell for about $3,299.95. The JVC HD-65S998 will be available in March and will sell for about $4,199.95.

For more information, go to http://www.jvc.com/press/index.jsp?item=539&pageID=1

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Gefen Shows Four New Cable-Free Extension Solutions, Including Wireless HDMI

The Wireless USB Extender allows any four USB devices (1.1 or 2.0) to operate with the computer, connected with no cables, up to 100 feet in distance line of sight. Sender is a small, plug-in dongle connected to the computer's USB port. The anticipated delivery date is January 2007 with a MSRP of $249.

The Wireless Component Video+Audio Extender delivers HD audio and video up to 60 feet through two walls or 100 feet line of sight. Small sender and receiver units offer support for component video inputs and outputs, delivering HD video in resolutions ranging from 480i to 1080i. Based on 802.11, a, b, g and n standards, this sender/receiver system features an IR back channel for remote control. The ship date should be January 2007 with a MSRP of $1499.

For more information, go to http://www.gefen.com/

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Linksys Introduces PowerLine AV Line

The first adapter can connect with the included Ethernet cable into a broadband wired or wireless router via the LAN port on the router, then the adapter plugs into a power outlet in the wall. The second Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter can then be plugged into a networked device with the Ethernet cable via the Ethernet port and the other end of the adapter is then plugged into a power outlet within the home. Up to 16 other computers or devices on a network utilizing a PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter can access the Internet connection or each other.

The PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (PLK200) and single Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (PLE200) are immediately available throughout the US via major retail, online retailers and distributors. Estimated Street Pricing is $179.99 and $119.99 respectively.

For more information, go to http://www.linksys.com

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Apple Announces iPhone, Plans Apple TV Release for February

This is sleek and small – palm sized and less than a half inch thick. The phone runs on Apple's OS X software and includes the Safari Internet browser.

For more information, go to http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/01/09appletv.html

Best Buy Retails Home Automation!?!

The Best Buy solution is called ConnectedLife.Home and the bundle comes with the necessary hardware, software, routers, remotes, keypads, lighting switches and plenty more. Electrical is up to the consumer to handle themselves but after that's done, the consumer calls Best Buy and they send out an installer to do the rest.

This is a good news-bad news scenario. First the bad – that a very professional install product is now being offered up by a retailer gives the impression that HomeAV is point-and-click purchase proposition. Of course, the good news is that any time a big company such as Best Buy backs a boutique type of technology, the technology will end up more accepted, and on more consumer wish lists.

For more information, go to http://www.bestbuybusiness.com

You can also read a very thorough article at

http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/16769.html

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New Control4 Software Release Puts More Control in Users' Hands

With Composer HE, homeowners can modify the way their home functions through Composer's drag-and-drop interface that includes custom programming of unlimited events and actions. For example, a user can program the system to automatically dim the lights before a movie or create a custom wakeup scenario with lighting, media and temperature control. Composer HE also dynamically discovers and indexes movies, music and channels, says Control4, providing the homeowner with a simple, consolidated interface to browse and select all media available.

Additionally, Composer Home Edition can be paired with 4Sight, Control4's remote home automation tool. 4Sight gives homeowners the ability to monitor their home or adjust key settings, such as turning off the lights or changing the temperature, in addition to receiving email notifications about events occurring in the home. The combination of the two products lets users monitor and adjust settings inside and also from anywhere else that has an internet connection.

For more information, go to http://www.control4.com/index.htm

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D-Link Exhibits 802.11n Media Streamer at CES

The D-Link Draft 802.11n MediaLounge HD Player (DSM-750) is expected to ship in early Q2, 2007 to the company's network of retail outlets, value-added resellers and distributors. Pricing will be announced when the product ships.

Not coincidentally, D-Link also introduced its first high-powered Dual Band Draft 802.11n Wireless Router, the DIR-855.

For more information, go to http://www.dlink.com/press/pr/?prid=312

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Microsoft Determined to Route Home Media

Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides a central location for storing content. Using a personalized Windows Live(TM) Internet address, people will also be able to remotely access digital content on Windows Home Server when they are away from home.

To watch the keynote, go to http://www.microsoft.com/ces/

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Sling Media Slinging to TV Sets, Too

Sling Media also announced the first key applications that will be a built-in part of the SlingCatcher platform at launch: SlingProjector and SlingPlayer for TV. The SlingProjector application – bundled with every SlingCatcher – lets the consumer wirelessly project any web site or digital audio/video format onto their TV. Essentially, anything that can be viewed or played on my PC can now be slung to the TV via the SlingCatcher's SlingProjector feature.

SlingPlayer for TV is a TV-to-TV application that lets consumers access content on or connected to one TV from another. The company says this has been a common request.

The SlingCatcher also has the ability to download or stream content directly from the Internet and display it on a TV without the need for a PC to serve that content. Sling is currently discussing partnership opportunities with both large and small content owners to create and deliver their offerings directly to the TV via the SlingCatcher. The add-on storage capability (via hard disk drive attachment) could be used for direct delivery of such content. More details will be announced closer to the launch of the SlingCatcher.

By the way, congratulations to Sling Media for their Technology & Engineering Emmy award for the Slingbox. The company was honored in the “Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms" Category.

For more information on SlingCatcher, go to http://us.slingmedia.com/object/io_1168286861787.html

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Klipsch Introduces Wireless Multi-Room Audio Distribution

The CS-700 is capable of playing up to two separate sources at the same time. For example, the CS-700 can play a DVD movie in the living room, while the RoomGroove broadcasts the CS-700's AM/FM tuner in the kitchen.

The RoomGroove can also play music locally utilizing its retractable iPod dock, or through its auxiliary input for other MP3 players. Since the RoomGroove is a transceiver, it can transmit as well as receive, allowing it to send this MP3 music signal to other RoomGroove units throughout the house.

Both the CS-700 and RoomGroove will become commercially available in April. The CS-700 carries an MSRP of $1,299.99 and the RoomGroove will cost $349 each.

For more information, go to http://www.klipsch.com/news-center/press-releases/details/klipsch-introduces-family-of-multi-room-entertainment-products-with-wireless-klipschcast-technology.aspx

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Blu-ray Looks Like a Winner

Driving demand for high definition content, more than one million Sony PlayStation 3 units, each featuring a Blu-ray Disc drive, were shipped to the United States in 2006, from launch through the end of the year, as reported by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

In 2007, consumers in the U.S. will continue to see a pouring of Blu-ray Disc products on retail shelves, including new arrivals such as Pioneer's next generation BD-ROM computer drive, the BDC-202, Samsung Electronics' second-generation Blu-ray Disc player, the BD-P1200, Sony's VAIO XL3 Digital Living System, and movie releases from seven of the eight major movie studios supporting the format.

The Blu-ray Disc Association also announced that Blu-ray software sales have now surpassed HD-DVD for the first time the week of December 24 and they did so by 20 percent.

For more information, go to http://www.blu-ray.com/

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