rAVe HomeAV Edition Volume 4, Issue 15 – August 13, 2007

Editorial

Magnavox: Stupid, Very Stupid.
By Gary Kayye, CTS

Did you notice that Magnavox was offering their latest 42" LCD monitor (1080p, in fact) at Costco for $999.99 last week? Yep, it's true.

I guess this offering at Costco is sort of a follow-up to their offering of a 42" plasma at Home Depot last fall (remember this picture?). It's a Magnavox package including a plasma, a DVD player and a mount for $1499.

Is anyone taking notice of this stuff?

Strike Two…

We are.

Magnavox, although certainly not the brand that Sony is, is certainly a recognizable name and has considerable mind-share credit left over from when we were all kids. I'll bet everyone reading this had something Magnavox badged when they were a kid. Maybe it was a clock radio or a CD player, who knows. Point is, they, along with Zenith, have somewhat of a special place in most people's hearts somewhere down deep.

Hey, I realize that someone has to be the low-end brand offering selling low-cost products at Costco. I get that. But, did it have to be Magnavox? Couldn't it have been Radio Shack or RCA or Norcent – or some name that we've never heard of?

Why Magnavox?

Well, they've made their decision and they've now got to live with it.

We, the CEDIA market, need to take note of this and act appropriately when choosing brands and product loyalty.

Now, who owns Magnavox again?

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Rock at CEDIA EXPO with the Goo Goo Dolls!

Saturday, September 8 – 10:30 p.m. (Doors open at 9:30 p.m.)

Sponsored by:

 

 

Live at CEDIA EXPO 2007 the platinum-selling rock band, Goo Goo Dolls. Let your CEDIA EXPO end with a bang! Join us for this private concert in the Wells Fargo Theatre. Free wristbands will be available onsite only in Lobby A on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning Thursday, September 6 at noon.

Win an autographed guitar or custom chopper – CEDIA EXPO Rock or Ride Giveaway!

Make CEDIA EXPO Rock! Participate in the CEDIA Rock or Ride Giveaway. Contestants must visit all exhibitors' booths that are listed on the game card received onsite. Collect all 10 stamps for a chance to win an autographed guitar by Ted Nugent and his Supergroup Band and another guitar autographed by Credence Clearwater Revival. Or you could win a custom CEDIA Chopper 2600cc Carefree Custom edition. Final drawing will take place Sunday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m.

**Terms and Conditions Apply. MUST COMPLY to these term and conditions to be eligible, click here for the complete version of the terms and conditions.

For more information regarding EXPO or to download a copy of the registration brochure, visit www.cedia.org/expo. Register today, and we'll see you in September!

Make Life Easier!

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Xantech Appoints New President

Xantech announced that Graham Hallett is the new company president. His background includes senior executive stints at McIntosh, Onkyo, and Harman/Kardon. He commented: "Throughout my career, I've been familiar with Xantech and its products. I must say I am very pleased to join an organization with such a well respected brand name and one that we can build to be an even more significant player in the marketplace. All of us look forward to bringing continued excitement and innovation to this well respected company."

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

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Sharp Files LCD Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Samsung

The complaint alleges that the following products infringe LCD-related patents that are owned by Sharp: liquid crystal display (LCD) modules manufactured by Samsung and sold in the US by Samsung; LCD TVs and LCD monitors which incorporate the LCD modules manufactured by Samsung and are sold in the US by SEA; and mobile phones which incorporate the LCD modules manufactured by Samsung and are sold in the US by STA. In the complaint, Sharp requests that the Court award compensatory damages to Sharp and prohibit the sales of the infringing products. Sharp also requests a jury trial, according to Sharp's announcement.

For more information and details about the particular patents, go to http://www.twice.com/article/CA6465951.html

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Chief Introduces HomeAV/ProAV Crossover Mounts

Along with the mounts, the company is also offering automated art accessories, automated swivel stands and automated speaker adapters.

For more information, go to http://www.chiefmfg.com/media_center/press_releases/

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Tripp Lite Binging Battery Backup System to CEDIA

The AV550SC includes an auto-restart feature, so there is no need perform an onsite startup, says the company. In addition, when a modem or router freeze-up occurs, the AV550SC relies on a one-touch, automatic recycle/reset button with sequential outlet startup – 1 min. delay for router – for proper modem and router rebooting.

The AV550SC Backup Power Block is designed to fit in the bottom left corner of a structured wiring enclosure without the need for mounting screws or brackets. Mounting screw holes are included on the back of the unit for convenient board, wall or ceiling mounting. The front of the unit also features customizable, front panel labels for easier cord/cable identification and maintenance.

For more information, go to http://www.tripplite.com/press/releases/release.cfm?lang=english&id=373

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Key Digital Introduces FatCAT Video/Audio Balons

The FatCATs can also be used to send analog audio or PCM audio along with your analog video signal. Mulitple FatCATs can be used to distribute any combination of audio and video signals throughout a location

For more information, go to http://www.keydigital.com/IW_Products.m4p.pvx?;ITEM?ItemCode=KDC5CWP&Company=KEY

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Inteset Integrates Blu-ray and HD DVD Drive Into Media Server

Blu-ray and HD-DVD playback uses CyberLink's PowerDVD Ultra software. All high definition 7.1 surround sound formats are supported without the need of a separate receiver or pre-processor, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS audio.

For more information, go to http://www.inteset.com/cnsmr/Company/press/News_7-26-07.htm

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Sony's New 300GB Living Room PC

Sony engineered this unit to be easy to use, connecting to a high-definition television by HDMI cable, delivering digital video and multi-channel audio to the TV through a single cable.

The 300GB suggests it will be capable of dealing with large entertainment files such as movies and games. The system comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Windows Vista Home Premium.

For more information,go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/computer_peripheral/desktops/release/27168.html

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FUZE Media Systems Launches Whole-Home Media Solution

FUZE allows all media, including live or recorded TV, videos, music, pictures, etc, to be accessed at the touch of a button from anywhere in the home. The system delivers whole-home PVR (including HDTV) with multiple CableCARD tuners, offers built-in whole-home audio, and enables one-touch digital photo slideshows. The entire system operates with a single preprogrammed remote, and uses a single interface throughout the home. It centrally stores all media,

FUZE says this is unique in that it is neither a control-based system nor a Media Center PC. The company says it was designed from the ground up as a whole-home media system, and consists of all the necessary components for media storage and distribution — a primary media server, video clients, audio clients, and multiple interface optionsAdditionally, FUZE offers its own high-quality parallel gigabit network, offers remote monitoring to ensure continuous operation; DRM-friendly whole-home HD video; Internet-based content; whole-home capability for all media functions; and a simple, easy-to-use interface that the company promises even novices can understand.

FUZE will exhibit the system at CEDIA.

For more information, go to http://www.fuzeav.com/Home.aspx

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Netstreams, Belden to Offer IP Training for Integrators

The education is described as an industry primer focusing on the basics of TCP/IP. But it goes a bit deeper, offering information about best-in-class infrastructure and specific installation techniques for commercial environments.

For more information, go to Netstreams University at http://netstreams.courseinsite.com/login.html

Or read the press release: http://www.netstreams.com/newsroom.aspx

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Toshiba to Debut Third Generation HD DVD Players

Toshiba said that new leading enhancements in select models in the third generation line include an improvement in video performance with 1080p/24 frames per second (24p) support, or native movie film rate.

Also added to the line is "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC) connectivity. Using "CE-Link" with "One Touch Play," consumers will be able to turn on a CEC capable HDTV and a Toshiba HD DVD player, and start playing a movie, with a single touch of a button on the player remote.

Products include the entry level HD-A3 player featuring 1080i output capability. The other two new models, Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p) and can output signals at 1080p/24 frames per second. The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMI for improved video quality.

For more details, go to http://forum.hd-dvd.com/showthread.php?t=1364

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New Zeppelin for iPod Playback

Besides looking cool, the design's tapered ends house the midrange and tweeter drivers, similar to the way the "pods" of Bowers & Wilkins' 800 Series loudspeakers do, presenting a carefully curved profile for a smooth response and even sound distribution. Each pair of midrange and tweeter drivers is spaced as far as possible to left and right to maximize stereo separation. Low frequencies are handled by a single five-inch "subwoofer" located in the center, its bass performance is enhanced by the twin rear-firing ports. It has three channels of amplification, each incorporating proprietary digital signal processing, and power is 50 watts for the woofer and 25 watts for each two-way mid/high-frequency section.

For more information, go to http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2444

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Dell Plans to Acquire ZING Systems Inc.

Zing, founded in 2006 by an ex-iPod alumnus, provides the software for Sandisk's Sansa Connect wireless player.

Like many other observers, this suggests to us that Dell will develop its own iPod rival.

Terms were not disclosed, and Dell says ominously "the purchase will not be final until all closing conditions are met."

For more info, go to DELL buys Zing

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2007/2007_08_06_rr_000?c=us&l=en&s=corp

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Leon Bringing New Speakers to CEDIA

The Leon Seven will be available Sept. 2007 at $17,000/pr MSRP for the limited edition solid aluminum cabinet. Standard pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Horizon 616 Speaker Cabinet is a three-channel speaker for large rooms and oversized flat-panel displays. Available in LCR, LR, and center-only configurations, the Horizon 616 provides high-fidelity, full-range, three-channel audio from one custom-built cabinet. Each speaker is specifically tailored to exactly match any flat panel display, up to 120 inches wide.

This speaker provides a maximum power handling of 200 W per channel (260 W center channel) and a 55-Hz to 22-kHz range. It is also compact — just nine inches high and four inches deep.

For more information, go to http://www.leonspeakers.com/index.html

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THIEL Audio Delivering CS3.7 Loudspeakers

For more information, go to http://thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/Pages/news/hotnews.html#anchorA

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RBH Sound Announces Limited-Edition Speaker

As an RBH Signature Series product, the T-30LSE is available in one of 30 different real hardwood finishes.

The T-30LSE's woofers and tweeters are arranged in a dispersion averaging alignment which focuses the sound at the listening position for improved imaging. Another benefit of this alignment is reduced sound reflections from other surfaces in the listening environment.

For more information, go to http://www.rbhsound.com/t30lse.shtml

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ISE Makes Additional Organization Leadership Appointments

ISE appointed three new members to its Board of Directors. Each Board Member can serve a two-year term. The new members are Timothy Penn, Managing Director of AMX UK; Matt Teevan, International Director of Da-Lite Screen Company; and Thierry Ollivier, Sales Manager of projectiondesign. The trio replace A C Ter Meulen, President of Mitsubishi Europe Benelux; Susanne Seidel, Vice President, Sennheiser, and John Forney Vice President, Lutron, who have all just completed their terms of office.

Additionally, Ian Morrish has joined ISE as sales manager responsible for the UK, Benelux, Scandinavia and Latvia, as well as the residential sector of the US market. Ian comes to ISE after spending eight years working with CEDIA in the UK, the last four selling stand space at the Association's successful UK-based Expo.

Also joining this month is Dan Goldstein, formerly Editor of Installation Europe and The ISE Daily, who has been appointed to run the Press Office for Integrated Systems Events. From now on, Dan will be the media's main point of contact for all PR matters relating to IS Europe, IS Russia and the Roadshow.

For more information, go to http://www.iseurope.org/2008/home.php?navi=x1&news_ID=134