Click above for more information Welcome to another issue of rAVe Home! Another September, another CEDIA behind us. And what a great show. 500 exhibitors and 25,000 attendees — not bad at all in this economy. But, let’s be honest here, a lot of people decided not to show up. Attendance was down nearly 15% from 2007’s 29,000 record. Some cite the fact that it was in Denver three straight years, but the integrators we talked to said they simply sent a smaller group of people to the show because they were cost-cutting everywhere. And, manufacturers agreed. In fact, most of them sent fewer people as well. But, there was plenty of new technology, plenty of new products and we covered it all ON THE SHOW FLOOR via our live Blogging. If you want to see what we were blogging about while we were walking around the show floor, check it out at: www.ravepubs.com and click on the CEDIA 08 Archives. Did you hear about LG’s Blu-ray player/Netflix streamer? Check it out in our news today, and especially check out that price! And, Da-Lite’s new 3D screen technology? Amazing. And, finally, a 1080p projector breaks the under-2K price barrier! Way to go EPSON! Finally, have you joined rAVe [Nation] yet? We have set up a social networking area just for YOU as well as your ProAV counterparts. Come on in! Comment, complain, contribute and become part of the rAVe Nation. And enjoy this issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS
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The Countdown Has Begun…
CEDIAwire: Free Media Opportunities for CEDIA Members. Simply complete the CEDIAwire Member Form in the Members Only section of the CEDIA website at http://www.cedia.org/members_only and tell us about yourself, your story idea, or your areas of expertise. When the media contacts us with an inquiry, we’ll contact you if the reporter’s request matches up with your experience. Then just sit back and wait for the media leads to roll in!
Reach National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Members: Contribute to the HTA E-Newsletter Want to get your name in front of thousands of homebuilders while educating them on the electronic systems industry? If so, CEDIA is offering you the opportunity to contribute* to the Home Technology Alliance e-newsletter, sent to every NAHB member monthly. Only CEDIA Members gain free publicity with these opportunities. The Home Technology Alliance (HTA), established by CEDIA and NAHB: *Articles are 800-1000 words in length and are due the first Wednesday of the month you select. If you would like to participate or want more information, please contact Jamie Antcliff at jantcliff@cedia.org or (800) 669-5329.
Bringing Education to the Latin America Region In April, CEDIA hosted its first-ever training in Brazil in conjunction with Brazil’s Home Theater magazine. CEDIA President Utz Baldwin and Board of Directors member Eric Lee, along with CEDIA’s efforts in Latin America continue to grow, and attendees are very responsive to CEDIA’s offerings. For more information, contact Branden Camp at bcamp@cedia.org.
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New Sharp 1080p LCD TVs About an Inch Thick With Million-to-One Contrast At Sharp’s CEDIA press conference, the company showed a number of new flat-panels but most impressive among them were the new 1080p Limited Edition TVs. These are available in 52- and 65-inch sizes and use a new 10-bit Advanced Super View LCD panel that allows it to be just an inch thick at its slimmest section. Adding to that is Sharp says the RGB-LED backlight system yields 150 percent NTSC color gamut and get this: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. In addition, Sharp joined with Pioneer to develop a thin-design speaker system using Sharp’s 1-bit digital amplifier. Seeing these in person was quite a sight. They were positioned on either side of the stage with Sharp’s other panels between them on the back wall. These two new panels had such amazing color, it made the others look washed out. The thin form factor, too, had everyone at the press conference snapping side-view photos. One way they kept these slim are by providing a separate AVC system set-top box for the inputs. That connects to the TV via HDMI, or using an optional wireless connection. In total, these have five HDMI inputs and dual HD component terminals. Pricing and ship dates will be announced later. For more information, go to http://www.sharpusa.com/about/AboutPressKits/0,1108,820,00.html
Toshiba announced at CEDIA a new technology that upconverts standard definition to what Toshiba says will make content feel like high definition. Called Super Resolution Technology, or SRT, it will be included in the company’s REGZA REGZA RV535 and XV545 series LCD TVs. Standard content on HDTVs will be vastly improved if Toshiba has this right. (And Toshiba isn’t the only one doing this, as you will see further in the news today.) Those two models will also be equipped with the company’s AutoView light sensoring, which brightens or darkens the screen depending on the ambient light. Otherwise, the 11 LCD TV introductions cover a wide range of sizes, and 720p or 1080p resolutions. The top level among these is the 52XV545U 1080p 52-inch for about $2,800. For more information, go to http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=201
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New Epson 1080p Projector Breaks $2,000 Pricing Epson unveiled at CEDIA the company’s new Cinema 6100, a 1080p 3LCD projector priced at $1,999. Epson says this is specified at 1920 x 1080 resolution with 1800 lumens and 18,000:1 contrast ratio. Epson says this contrast ratio represents a 50 percent improvement over earlier models, with brighter and more accurate whites and darker blacks. Other technologies touted by Epson are the Dynamic Iris system, which the company says controls frame-by-frame the light output with adjustments of up to 120 times per second, a Cinema Filter for improved color, the OptiCinema multi-lens system developed with Fujinon, and a light source using uses a newly-updated E-TORL (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp), rated at 200 watts (compared to 170 watts with earlier models). This ships in November. For more information, go to http://epson.ipressroom.com/pr/epson/CEDIA_Expo/PowerLite_Home_Cinema_6100.aspx
Epson Introduces Two Higher End 1080p Projectors at CEDIA Epson announced at CEDIA two higher end 1080p 3LCD projectors — the PowerLite Pro Cinema 7100 and 7500 UB. These use the D7 technology for better contrast and brightness and also have ISF Certification. Epson has now, officially, taken the lead in 3LCD home theater projectors. Other shared features are the Dynamic Iris System, making automatic light output adjustments at up to 120 times per second, Cinema Filter, OptiCinema Multi-Lens Optics System developed by Epson and Fujinon, E-TORL (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp) with 200 watts, a new airflow system, more input options and a variety of mounting options. The differences between the two are mostly what the Pro Cinema 7500 UB adds: 75000:1 contrast ratio compared to 18000:1; C2Fine, UltraBlack and FineFrame technologies for color, contrast and video processing. These are expected to fall into the sub-$4,000 and sub-$5,000 price ranges when they ship in November. For more information, go to http://epson.ipressroom.com/pr/epson/CEDIA_Expo/PowerLite_Pro_Cinema_7100_7500UB.aspx
Runco 3-Chip DLP Shown at CEDIA Planar, which said at its press conference it will focus on the Runco brand of projectors as opposed to the Planar Vidikron brand in the future, announced a new 3-chip DLP. The new VX-8 is an upgrade to the VX-2. The VX-8 uses three of DLP’s SuperOnyx DMDs and Runco’s DHD video with Vivix video processing. Specifications are 1080p/24-compatible, 2.35:1 contrast ratio, and brightness and contrast aren’t revealed as yet. But the installer gets a choice of seven primary lens options — , three CineWide lens choices and two CineWide with AutoScope choices. Runco says this was also made with a low-noise cabinet, updated Proteus lenses and power AxiShift. The VideoXtreme VX-8 will ship in January 2009 at an MSRP of $19,995. We’ll let you know more about this projector closer to ship date. For more information, go to http://www.runco.com
Oops, despite some of the interpretations of Planar’s intent (read this: http://www.twice.com/article/CA6593903.html), Planar introduced a new home theater projector after all. But it’s not a Vidikron. This is called Viper. Planar says the Viper was specifically designed for screen sizes larger than 110 inches. It is specified at 1280 x 720 with 10,000:1 contrasts ratio, and 2,000 lumens. The Viper has “intelligent lens shift” that prevents lens shift outside the image area, and it has an RS-232 connection. The Planar Viper is available for immediate shipping but you have to be a dealer to learn the pricing, apparently. For more information on Planar, go to http://www.planarhometheater.com/
Chilin Shows Prototype Lamp-Free LED-Based 1080p Projector A Taiwan-based company in search of OEM partners showed an LED-based 1080p projector at a private suite at CEDIA. This is billed as a liquid-cooled lamp-free projector using the LED as the light source, and built for home theater in partnership with Luminus Devices and Texas Instruments, says the company. Specifications as of the prototype are 600 ANSI lumens with 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 128 percent NTSC color gamut and 1920 x 1080 resolution. The box was big and bulky, but the picture was apparently impressive. These LED-based projectors are definitely on the move this year (see next news item!) For more information, go to http://www.chilintech.com.tw/index.asp?le=english
Luminus Announces Inclusion in Two Additional Lamp-Free Projectors Luminus just announced the company’s PhlatLight LEDs are included in ultra-compact projectors from Samsung and LG, and one is even shipping now! These lamp-free projectors are reported to give images bright and clear enough to deliver a 40-inch picture, even in a well-lit room. The two projectors are the Samsung P400 Pocket Imager and LG Electronics’ HS-102 Ultra-Mobile Projector. Both projectors weigh less than two pounds and fit in the palm of a hand. These projectors consume approximately one-third the power of comparable lamp based projectors and produce an instant-on image at full brightness without the cost and inconvenience of lamp replacement. Both projectors were recently demonstrated at IFA in Berlin and are launching to world-wide distribution. The Samsung P400 is now shipping in the US. For more information, go to http://www.luminus.com/
Da-Lite Demonstrates 3D on New Virtual Grey Screen, New HD Screen Technology At CEDIA, Da-Lite did a similar 3D in-theater presentation as the company did at InfoComm, but this time it was done using the new 3D Virtual Grey front projection screen as opposed to rear projection. And even though the InfoComm demo film was excellent, this was even better. The images (using stereoscopic projection technology and Da-Lite’s polar retention technologies) were quite clear and appeared very close when appearing to be one’s nose, and provided lots of depth in 3D scenes. For more, go to http://www.dalite.com/whats_hot/ Da-Lite and Joe Kane Productions also demonstrated the new high-definition screen they developed jointly. The way Kane tells it, he helped develop a projector that he knew was superior, yet but hadn’t yet found a screen that showed the potential of that projector. “I didn’t even know what I had in this projector until I saw it with the Da-Lite screen,” he told the audience. “It’s like seeing this projector for the first time. Kane showed a few movie scenes but also a scene from the TV show Boston Legal, and it was clearly superior to the way I’ve ever seen that show, even though it was apparently just recorded at his home. I think he likes it, Mikey. We asked Da-Lite after the demo about the price on that screen and the company says it’s only about 25 percent over normal prices. Sweet! For more information, go to http://www.dalite.com/whats_hot/index.php?wID=178
Extron Introduces New HDMI and DVI Matrix Boards for the SMX System MultiMatrix One of the more popular of Extron’s new products at CEDIA was a new range of HDCP-compliant HDMI and DVI matrix boards for the SMX System MultiMatrix, Extron's modular, field-configurable matrix switching platform. These new matrix boards, available in I/O sizes from 4×4 to 8×8, bring the total number of SMX matrix boards to 35, covering all common analog and digital A/V signal types from composite video and wideband RGB to 3G-SDI, DVI, and HDMI, as well as stereo audio. The SMX System MultiMatrix is especially suited for use in a wide variety of residential entertainment and media distribution applications where multiple signal types, such as high-definition and standard definition video, computer-video from game consoles or media center PCs, and stereo audio, must be routed to different rooms or zones. The SMX HDMI Series Matrix Switcher Boards are designed for routing HDMI video signals with embedded audio and control signals. They support computer video to 1920×1200 and HDTV to 1080p at data rates up to 1.65 Gbps. SMX HDMI matrix boards are HDCP-compliant and, like the SMX DVI and DVI Pro matrix boards, provide +5 VDC, 250 mA of power on each output for external peripheral devices. They are available in four I/O sizes: 4×4, 4×8, 8×4, and 8×8. The SMX DVI Pro Series Matrix Switcher Boards are designed for routing single link DVI-D video signals with HDCP to one or more displays. These HDCP-compliant matrix boards support computer video to 1920×1200 and HDTV to 1080p, and provide +5 VDC, 250 mA of power on each output for external peripheral devices. They are available in four I/O sizes: 4×4, 4×8, 8×4, and 8×8. For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/
Extron Introduces ENERGY STAR Qualified Power Supplies With ZipClip Mounting Another of Extron’s new product announcements at CEDIA was the PS Series of External Power Supplies. These ENERGY STAR-qualified power supplies raise the efficiency WAY up to reduce operating costs. In fact, Extron says the design provides more than 10 times the life expectancy of traditional power supplies. The PS Series also offers the ZipClip mounting system for quick, secure mounting in a variety of locations for residential and home theater installations, including in cabinets and equipment racks. PS Series products are available in the voltages Extron usually offers — 9, 12, and 15VDC. They are in a one-eighth rack width enclosure that can be rack-mounted when used with an Extron basic or universal rack shelf kit. Channels in the body of the enclosure allow the power supply to be securely mounted to cylindrical structures, such as projector poles, with wire ties. Each PS series product comes with a 6-foot detachable IEC power cord, a 6-foot output cable terminated in either captive screw or DC plug, and a ZipClip 100 mounting kit. For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/
ISCO Releases Motorized Sled for Home Theater at CEDIA ISCO is shipping the company’s the ISCOSCOPE II Motorized sled, which automates the movement of an anamorphic lens into and out of the light path of a projector. The company says it operates quickly and with repeatable precision each time. This is specifically a home theater product. ISCO says it weighs 12lbs, and can move light or heavy lenses such as the 10lb ISCO 1.33x Anamorphic Attachment IIIL, the heaviest high-end home cinema projector lens on the market according to the company. ISCO also says the quick-change slide on/off lets consumers change a scope aspect in 1.2 seconds. The sled flat main body dimensions are around 20 x 4 x 1 inches. The company says it can be universally adapted to any anamorphic lens. For more information, go to http://www.isco.eu/index.html
THX Offering Gray Screen Testing THX announced at CEDIA that the company has developed new testing techniques to measure the effectiveness of gray projection screens to improve visual performance in home theater environments with varied lighting conditions. The THX contrast enhancing tests, a new addition to the THX Certified Projection Screen program, is designed to improve the contrast of projected images. Some have asked rAVe how THX is certifying visual products. Here is their explanation: “Every THX Certified Projection Screen is tested to ensure that the optical properties do not impact the chrominance, luminance or uniformity of the projected image. In addition to the contrast enhancing tests, THX analyzes the micro-perforations and screen materials to make sure that it is manufactured in such a way that it's invisible to the eye when viewed from your seating position. This acoustically transparent material makes it possible to place the loudspeakers behind a THX Certified screen, allowing for a smooth sound experience in relation to the picture.” For more information, go to http://www.thx.com/
New Sony NHS Rack Systems Designed for Whole-House HD Control — Validates Control4 Sony announced at CEDIA pre-integrated, pre-racked, and pre-wired NHS rack systems for total home automation — delivery of whole house HD entertainment and control for music, movies, lighting, temperature and security. The new models, NHS-A30C and NHS-70C, are fully integrated racks, are pre-built, wired, tested and ready for professional installation, according to Sony. They offer functions such as iPod connectivity and control, satellite radio, whole-home high-definition video distribution and advanced home automation from Control4. Could this indicate a potential partnership between Sony and Control4 that might end in an acquisition? The new NHS-A30C rack system provides 5.1 channel, high-definition home theater with a Blu-ray Disc player, plus a second zone of distributed HD video and a third zone of audio. The system is integrated with Control4, offering automation of lighting, temperature control, and security systems through an on-screen display. The new NHS-70C system incorporates 7.1 channel surround sound high-definition home theater for the living room, plus distribution of six zones of HD video. The NHS-70C also adds a 400-disc DVD/CD changer with a disc management system, a 160GB music server, and the ability to add three auxiliary devices for connecting additional components like a high-definition cable box or a PlayStation. The system integrates Control4's HC-500 home controller, which organizes and allows users to stream music throughout the home while also offering automation of lighting, temperature control, and security systems through a large onscreen display. Sony says typical installations will range from $15,000 to $30,000 for the NHS-A30C and $30,000 to $50,000 for the NHS-70C. The systems will be available later this year.
TiVo’s Awesome New Recorder — 150 Hours of HD! And, an Agreement, again, with DirecTV This has all the tech bloggers abuzz. A new 150-hour HD recorder from TiVo called the TiVo HD XL Digital Video Recorder. As one of many whose TiVo fills up faster than bad sitcom gets cancelled, this is great news. It has the same features as the TiVo HD, such as dual tuners for recording two different shows in HD and still allowing the user to watch a third pre-recorded show. It has the TiVo Season Pass, and Swivel Search and WishList searches. Exclusive to this new model are the 150 hours of HD recording space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote control and an included HDMI cable. Finally, DirecTV and TiVo are going to work together again! Rumors are abound that DirecTV agreed to give TiVo access to its network to avoid a potential patent-infringement lawsuit over DirecTV’s DVR technology, but we don’t care what drove the deal — we’re just glad there’s a new deal. Under the deal announced at CEDIA, TiVo will build DirecTV DVR starting some time by the end of 2009! Yea!!! For more information, go to http://www.tivo.com/
Arkados, IOGEAR Introduce the Powerline Stereo Audio System The new Powerline Stereo Audio system, developed by IOGEAR and Arkados and introduced at CEDIA, is designed as a multi-room home audio system that connects directly to an iPod of other source and delivers whole-house music. This uses existing electrical lines in the home and Arkados' HomePlug powerline technology and its Direct-to-Speaker software to stream the audio. Details on pricing and delivery are not yet available but we’ll keep you informed as we learn more. For more information, go to http://www.arkados.com/Press-Releases/2008-09-04-iogear-cedia.pdf
The MP3tunes Music Locker from MP3tunes is now available on the new Logitech Squeezebox Boom network music player. The Squeezebox Boom is an in-home, networked music player that includes an integrated amplifier, speakers and a simplified setup. With the addition of the MP3tunes Music Locker (which stores the music library in a cloud), the Squeezebox Boom lets users listen to the Squeezebox in any room without running a computer or docking an iPod. Through September 30, you can go on the Squeezebox website and play with an online interactive replica — pushing buttons, turning knobs, etc. The virtual Squeezebox Boom is preloaded with music. The MP3tunes and Logitech Squeezebox has an MSRP of $399.94. The interactive demo is at http://www.mp3tunes.com/cb/promoboom
ZeeVee Demos Internet Content Delivery to HDTVs ZeeVee showed at CEDIA the ZyBox, a new CE product designed to allow the end user access to any Internet TV, online video, music or computer content from all HDTVs in the home. ZvBox uses what they call "localcasting" stored local media from hard drives or network-attached storage (NAS) devices to any HDTVs on the premises. It leverages the home's existing coaxial cable wiring, so it requires no additional set-top boxes, Ethernet cables or wireless transport. The included ZvRemote is Windows Media Center compatible and works with select local media players and an increasing number of Internet video portals. Basically, it promises that anything you can watch on your computer, you can watch on any HDTV in the house. Priced at $499, ZvBox is being offered as a bundle including the ZvRemote and is now available to authorized re-sellers from ZeeVee's distribution partner, D&H, and consumers can get it at various electronics retailers or direct from ZeeVee. For more information, go to http://www.zeevee.com/products/zvbox
New Niveus Media Servers Deliver up to 11 Independent Zones Niveus unveiled at CEDIA its 2009 lineup of media servers. All servers, including the passively cooled Summit Series’ Rainier, Denali Limited Edition and the rack mountable Pro Series, have been upgraded The most significant upgrades include HDMI 1.3 support, improved connectivity and new Seagate Pipeline HD hard drives. 2009 Niveus Media Center — Rainier Edition is now completely fanless and uses an external power supply, so it’s cooler and quieter. It has up to 1TB of internal storage, Niveus Pro Audio featuring 8 channel analog & digital out and 116db signal-to-noise ratio, and the new Intel G45 Express Chipset with Intel Clear Video technology for 1080p video. The rack-mountable Niveus Media Center — Pro Series line has enhanced cooling and airflow, and offers up to 4TB of internal storage, a 32GB dedicated solid state drive for the operating system, Niveus Pro Audio featuring 8 channel analog and digital out and 120db signal-to-noise ratio, and support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. It uses Nvidia’s GeForce Series 9 graphics featuring PureVideo HD technology for better video scaling up to and beyond 1080p. It also uses the Intel Core i7 processor for the ultimate in high-definition, multi-zone entertainment. The flagship Niveus Media Center — Denali Limited Edition has undergone a complete facelift and also has 2TB of storage, a 32GB dedicated solid state drive for the operating system, a slot load Blu-ray Disc player, Niveus Pro Audio featuring 8 channel analog & digital out and 120db signal-to-noise ratio and support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. It has Nvidia’s GeForce Series 9 graphics featuring PureVideo HD technology for 1080p and beyond and the company says this server is one of the quietest on the market. Niveus’ 2009 product line will be available in Q4 2008. For more information, go to http://www.niveusmedia.com/collateral/Niveus%20Media%20-%202009%20Media%20Servers.pdf
LG Hits it Out of the Park with Blu-ray-Netflix Player One of the hands-down best products at the show was LG’s new BD300. What makes it so great? Well, an affordable Blu-ray player is certainly welcome. An affordable Blu-ray player that is also networkable and ALSO streams Netflix’s Watch Now library instantly is just fantastic. But what makes this the product of the show is the price of $399.95, which is less than just about any other Blu-ray player that does nothing else but play Blu-ray discs. LG says this upscales standard DVDs to 1080p, and it offers BD Live content, such as movie scene extras, new previews as well as the ability to read synopses and rate movies. Also included is BonusView which provides picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray disc special features allowing consumers to toggle between their favorite movie scenes and bonus features on the disc. Users can instantly watch TV shows or movies from Netflix’s library of 12,000. Netflix members access this feature directly from the on-screen menu (rather than having to line them up using the computer) and simply select the movie or TV episode from their instant Queue to watch in as little as 30 seconds. The BD300 enables fast-forwarding and rewinding of the video stream from Netflix, or simply stopping it to resume watching at a later time. This ships in October.
Sony Announces High-End New Blu-ray Player at CEDIA — a Reference Standard Player Sony’s new BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc player is quite pricey, at $2,000, but it’s obviously targeting the most discerning of viewers. It uses the company's newly developed HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies for improved images. It is networkable via to access BD-Live features and get firmware updates. It also is equipped with an external flash memory port and includes a 1GB Sony Micro Vault Tiny flash storage device. An improvement over previous generations of players is this starts up quickly — just six seconds (which is seven times faster than previous models). This has a 14-bit HD video processor (wow), and the HD Reality Enhancer continually analyzes bit by bit of the original source, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, says Sony, while reducing the effects of film grain. Sony explains that the Super Bit Mapping delivers smoother color gradation realizing true 14-bit equivalent color tone from 8-bit sources connected via HDMI. The BDP-S5000ES incorporates Sony's new Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI, says Sony. The company says the model even improves analog component video output thanks to 14-bit/297MHz video D/A conversion. Additionally, the model adds Sony's new Precision Drive HD, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, stabilizing playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. The model offers 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit-stream output, as well as analog 7.1 channel output with Advanced Current Segment Audio D/A converters for legacy AV receivers and decoders. The new BDP-S5000ES will be available in November for about $2,000 at Sony Style stores, online at sonystyle.com, and at retailers. For more information, go to http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/home_audio_video/home_video/blu-ray_disc/release/36743.html
Sony Introduces Two Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems The first introductions to Sony’s ES brand HTiBs are the BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-IS1000, single-disc 5.1 channel surround Blu-ray Disc systems with S-Air wireless technology delivering full HD 1080p. The BDV-IT1000ES 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater system features a new, thin speaker design. The combination of a flat voice coil, light weight and highly rigid composite diaphragm, neodymium magnet and rolled type straight damper allow the full range speaker to measure approximately 3/4-inch wide by 22 inches long. The thin, lightweight and solid stainless punch grill gives the speaker a wide aperture and high transmission to avoid sound distortion. The system features a 700W (100W per channel x 7), and a 200W subwoofer. The other, the new BDV-IS1000 is a micro home-theater-in-a-box system featuring five tiny speakers that are approximately the size of a golf ball and offering 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc surround. Integrated with Sony's S-AIR technology, both systems deliver a practical wireless multi-room solution without complicated set-up requirements. Wireless audio can be transmitted from the main system in the living room to wireless rear speakers for simple surround sound as well as separate audio devices throughout the home — up to 164 feet — by connecting a separate S-AIR AirStation receiver/speaker into a power outlet (sold separately). The models are BD-Live capable (firmware update will be available later this fall), featuring an Ethernet connection allowing users to connect to the Internet to access BD-Live features and firmware updates. They are also equipped with an external flash memory port for optional flash memory. The BDV-IT1000ES will ship in October for $1,999. The BDV-IS1000 also ships in October for about $1,000. For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/5uf7qe
New Speakers From Induction Dynamics Induction Dynamics showed at CEDIA a few new speaker lines for home theaters. The ID1.15 measures a whopping 62.5” in height and incorporates a 1.125” high-power soft dome tweeter, a 3” soft dome midrange, an 8” woofer with Kevlar cone, and dual 15” subwoofers with laminated cones. As with the even larger ID1.18, the ID1.15 provides very high power handling and creates the lowest possible audible frequencies. Then, the new S1C1.iw and ID1.iw are in-wall or on-wall loudspeakers. The ID1.iw features a three-way speaker plus dual 10” subwoofers. The subwoofers are located in dedicated back boxes, with the woofer, tweeter and mid-range driver in their own cabinet. The lightweight back boxes come as one piece and can mount directly into the wall or on the wall using Induction Dynamics’ low-profile, custom painted B1 box. Once the back box assembly has been installed, the speaker’s one piece baffle with pre-installed drivers is simply bolted to the front. Unique to the S1C1.iw is that it solves the problem of locating a center channel loudspeaker so that the sound is coming from the proper spot. With many center loudspeaker installations, the users are forced to place the speaker too high or too low in the room, making dialogue sound like it is coming from the wrong location. The S1C1.iw comprises two loudspeakers, with the top half acting as a standard right or left channel and the bottom half as the center. When the lower halves of two S1C1.iw speakers are wired in parallel, center channel sound effectively comes directly from the viewing screen, right at ear level. As with the ID1.iw, this product can be mounted in-wall or on-wall. For more information, go to http://www.inductiondynamics.com/
Phase Technology Introduces PC9.5 and PC Surr II Loudspeaker Models At CEDIA, we heard demos of both the Induction Dynamics and Phase Technology speakers (they are owned by the same company). Even movies we’d seen before became a new experience with the incredibly detailed sound. The new Phase speakers are the Premier Collection PC9.5 and PC Surr II loudspeakers. The Premier Collection uses Phase Technology’s new patented 3 layer composite RPF Solid Piston woofer, new patented soft dome tweeter and the company’s proprietary Absolute Phase crossover for minimizing distortion and providing balance throughout the room. The new PC9.5 tower loudspeaker is a 4-way design with three 6” woofers, a 1.5” soft dome midrange and a 1” soft dome tweeter in a stylized wood cabinet offering radius sides and a sloping front baffle. The PC9.5 is available in a high gloss black or (a really lovely) cherry finish. The PC-Surr II surround loudspeaker is a 3-way design in an attractive thin enclosure only 5” deep. The unit has a slim design and is available in high gloss black or white. Its switchable dipole/bipole design allows the user to select an ambient (diffused sound) or cohesive sound. Phase also introduced a soundbars in the Teatro line for the front three channels. It has a level mounting system allows you to adjust the tilt and height to line up with the display. These also have a front panel switch that allows the user to engage Phase Technology’s EVTTM Enhanced Voice Technology circuitry in the speaker to make voices clearer. For more on Phase Technologies speakers, go to http://www.phasetech.com/
Pioneer Targets Custom Installers With New Speaker Line Pioneer introduced some great looking new speaker lines, and we’re told they were designed exclusively with the custom installer in mind. This is the architectural loudspeaker line, developed for multiple room environments and applications, with 16 new speaker models with four floor-standing subwoofers. The are, of course, designed to match up with Pioneer’s KURO displays, Blu-ray Disc players and A/V receivers. The new architectural speakers come in three different performance levels — Elite EX Series, Pioneer CST and Pioneer. The Elite EX Series includes two in-wall, two angled in-ceiling, and a left/center/right speaker option that join the current S-W1EX subwoofer. The Pioneer CST line uses Pioneer’s Coherent Sound Transducer (CST) and includes three in-wall models, including a 3-way left/center/right option, two in-ceiling speakers, and three matching subwoofer options, this series provides dynamic entertainment for those who seek high-end performance at an attractive value. The Pioneer Architectural Loudspeakers are especially for multi-room applications and include three in-wall models and four in-ceiling options, including two single-point stereo models. They are available in various driver sizes and there are three matching subwoofer options. For full specs, go to http://tinyurl.com/6n32vw Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial: Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison at denise@ravepubs.com A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry. rAVe ProAV Edition was launched in February 2003. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Copyright 2008 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: denise@ravepubs.com rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.
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