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2007 CES Show Coverage
Our day started in the South Hall section of the convention center it was fairly crowded but we did get a chance to see some innovative new products. Our first stop was the Chief Booth where they were displaying some great new mounting solutions for front projectors and flat panel displays. The new RPA Elite projector mounts are truly innovative because they allow precise projector geometry adjustments with the use of just a Phillips bit screwdriver. For those that have ceiling mounted projectors using conventional mounting systems you know the frustration associated with getting projector geometry dialed in. The new RPA Elite removes the guess work and makes the job much faster.
Have you ever wondered how you were going to provide power, audio and video from the source and power line conditioner to your wall mounted flat panel display? Chief has a simple solution. The new PAC series installation boxes take the time and hassle out of flat panel installations. The box is installed prior to the flat panel and allows all the room you need for terminating and installing the flat panel.
One of the coolest products being displayed the Chief Booth was the new CM4 Automated Speaker Adapter. The CM4S57 replaces speaker stands, hides speaker wire and eliminates the need to cut into wall surfaces to run wires. The CM4 can be installed in any room and has the ability to extend out to 105-inches and then retract back with a simple push of a button. The CM4S57 will begin shipping early 2007. For more information visit www.chiefmfg.com
Looking for a new car? How about one that is THX certified! Well to be honest the whole car isn’t certified but the electronic audio goodies inside are. 007 himself would be envious of this baby, sitting behind the wheel you could say one would have a license to thrill.
Our next stop in South Hall was the HiVi Booth. HiVi is an industry leading manufacturer of high quality audio systems and the manufacturer of the highly regarded Swan speaker line. HiVi CES booth was meticulously set up with many different speaker systems but one in particular grabbed our attention right away. The V8 home theater speaker system is uniquely designed, stunning and absolutely gorgeous. The speaker’s front baffle is a mixture of gloss black piano finish and thick beveled glass. Grill coverings are available in six different colors to match any décor. The system comprised of the V8F front main speakers, V8C center channel, V8R rear channel and Sub50B subwoofer. All of the drivers used in the speaker system are the same to insure tonal similarity. The V8 speaker system looks more like art than a working piece of audio equipment and they are easily the sexiest looking speakers we have seen thus far. For more information visit Swan Speaker.
Think you can’t have a nice big Plasma because of wiring issues? Think again all you need with this beauty is an 110v outlet. Samsung has introduced a new plasma that is wireless. The new plasma utilizes 802.11n wireless protocol to transmit SDTV and HDTV content. The plasma also features three HDMI and two component inputs. The new 5894W has a MSRP of $5699 and is scheduled to ship the 3rd quarter of 2007. For more info visit Samsung's Website
Agoura Hills, CA – January 2, 2007 – DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSI) today announced that 9 major integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers have licensed, DTS-HD Master Audio and / or DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS’ high definition multi-channel audio technologies for the next generation optical disc formats, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. The manufacturers will incorporate DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio into chips they are currently designing for their customers in the consumer electronics industry that are producing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc players, A/V receivers and Home Theater In-A-Box components, as well as the PC and automobile markets.
In addition to DTS-HD technology, the IC manufacturers have also licensed DTS-HD LBR (Low Bit Rate) for Secondary / Sub Audio and /or the DTS encoder for transcoder usage within the next generation HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc players. The new IC licensees are: Analog Devices, Inc. Broadcom Corporation Cheertek, Inc. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. MediaTek Incorporation NEC Electronics Corporation Renesas Technology Corp. Sigma Designs, Inc. Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
“The overwhelming interest on the part of the IC manufacturers to incorporate DTS-HD technologies into their chips speaks to the demand for high definition DTS-HD audio to match the high definition video of the next generation products,” said Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Division at DTS. “The feedback from the industry has been extremely positive, and we expect to see many new players and A/V receivers in the next year that feature our HD audio technology.”
About DTS-HD Master Audio™ DTS-HD Master Audio delivers sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master. It can deliver audio at very high variable bit rates which are significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio can provide up to 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency / 24-bit depths that are identical to the original. The DTS-HD Master Audio bit stream also contains the DTS 1.5 Mbps core for compatibility with existing DTS-enabled home theater systems, and delivery of up to 6.1 channels of sound at twice the resolution found on most standard DVDs. About DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™ DTS-HD High Resolution Audio can deliver up to 7.1 channels of sound that is virtually indistinguishable from the original soundtrack. It provides audio at high constant bit rates superior to standard DVDs to produce outstanding quality. It can carry up to 7.1 channels at 96k sampling frequency / 24-bit depth resolution, thereby allowing content creators to provide rich, high definition audio on content where disc space may not allow for DTS-HD Master Audio. The DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bit stream also contains the DTS 1.5 Mbps core for compatibility with existing DTS-enabled home theater systems, and delivery of up to 6.1 channels of sound at twice the resolution found on most standard DVDs.
About
DTS DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
At this time of the day our feet really began getting tired walking around the show floor and we noticed an empty chair at the Guitammer CES booth. It was welcome relief when the manufacturer's representative asked us to sit down and try out the new ButtKicker Gamer. The small innovative motion actuator clamps easly to most office chairs and makes games being played on consoles, PC or Mac’s really come to life. The ButtKicker Gamer adds lots of impact and WoW as the chair you are sitting in becomes part of the action as it is occurring on the screen. The ButtKicker Gamer is currently shipping and has an MSRP of just $169.99 that is a lot of bang for your gaming dollar and we had an enormous amount of fun playing at the Guitammer CES booth. For more information visit www.thebuttkicker.com
Want to create a drive in type Movie Theater in your back yard? Sima has just the thing to make it happen with its Inflatable Home Theater Kit. The kit is available in two sizes of 96-inches (XL-8) and a whopping 144-inch version (XL-12) Both screens include 1-pair of 100 watt self amplified speakers with 8-inch woofers, volume control, ground hold down stakes and an inflation pump. Both kits are currently shipping. The XL-8 has an MSRP of $1199 and the XL-12 is priced at $1699. Get one of these beauties set up in your backyard and you can charge your neighbors admission to the movies. Just be sure to tell them to leave the cars at home. For more information visit www.simaproducts.com
How about a new truck to pull your boat or trailer? Well this one could probably pull the Queen Mary out of her dock. The huge International truck was a show stopper and had all the cool audio and video toys installed inside. When the representative turned up the volume to pant leg flapping volume levels it definitely had us grinning from ear to ear.
It seems that everyone these days wants to get in on the CES action, heck even Kathy Ireland had a presence here with a new line of A/V furniture. The new line manufactured by Martin will feature many new attractive models to fit varying décors. Kathy Ireland's new line of A/V furniture will blend functionality and flexibility with elegance and attractive design cues.
San Diego, CA- November 10, 2006- San Diego based manufacturer Kathy Ireland Home® by Martin will exhibit at the 40th annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8 to January 11, 2007. Martin, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall #26606, designs and manufactures office and home entertainment furniture under the Kathy Ireland Home® brand. “This will be our first Consumer Electronics Show,” said company president and chief executive officer Gil Martin. “Our goal is to combine home furniture lifestyle designs with the function that the ever-changing home electronics category demands and put these products in a more accessible arena.” Named an Industry Leader by trade publication Furniture Style magazine, Martin will showcase new designs at the Consumer Electronics Show that will house full-sized audio components with High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cables and flat-screen television configurations with easy access to electronic components. These units also include power centers with overload protection and are built in a way that naturally reduces heat buildup. One television stand also includes occasional tables with speaker grills that house subwoofers. All of these features are accompanied by lifestyle driven designs that complement home décor. As for the gaming division of the electronics industry, Martin has developed a product built especially for avid gamers. Features include multi-height pull-out shelves, storage compartments for CPUs or game consoles, a multi-angle back for mounting several monitors and a complete power center with voice activated lights. In 1981 Gil Martin founded Martin Furniture, a premier producer of home office and home entertainment furniture. Twenty-two years later, in April 2003, Martin Furniture partnered with Kathy Ireland World Wide and became Kathy Ireland Home by Martin. In 2005 the company grossed over $63 million in sales. Martin products are sold through several retail channels all over the country including warehouse clubs, commercial office, catalogs, Top 100 Retailers and specialty stores. For more information please visit www.martinfurniture.com. As CEO and Chief Designer of Kathy Ireland Word Wide based in Los Angeles, California, Kathy began building her empire in 1993 with the mission of “finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.”™ By staying true to this commitment Ireland’s HOME line has received several awards including the Good Housekeeping Seal for her Home Collection. This Forbes Magazine reports that KIWW is a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars annually in retail sales.” There are now well over 10,000 pieces that are in line with her mission. Kathy’s home design efforts extend beyond Home furniture; for more information please visit www.kathyireland.com.
We have been patiently waiting for a manufacturer to step up and announce a dual format DVD player. It has finally happened at CES 2007 but surprisingly it was LG that took the bold move forward. The new BH 100 is scheduled to begin shipping early 2007 and will have an MSRP of $1199. The player will be full 1080p capable and will support various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio, and includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI out, component/composite video outputs, and optical/coaxial/discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs, among others. For more information visit www.lge.com
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2007 – Blending the latest technologies and offering unprecedented flexibility to consumers seeking the convenience of playing both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD high-definition content, LG Electronics (LG), a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications, today launched the groundbreaking “Super Multi Blue” Player at the 2007 International CES® (Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center). Launching in the United States during the first quarter of 2007, this advanced dual-format high-definition disc player, LG model BH100, will be the first player on the market with the capability to play both next-generation disc formats, addressing the challenge of the current format war. The new player is ideally suited to LG’s expanded lineup of Full HD 1080p plasma and LCD HDTVs, delivering best video possible in the highest display resolution format. “We’ve developed the Super Multi Blue Player to end the confusion caused by the current competition between Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. Customers are no longer forced to choose between the two formats,” said Dr. Hee Gook Lee, president and chief technology officer of LG Electronics. “As Full HD TV is already gaining ground, we are hoping that the Super Multi Blue Player will play the trigger role in expanding and advancing both Full HD TV and high-definition DVD market volume together.” LG Electronics also offers flexibility to consumers in next generation optical disc drives for personal computers. (See separate news release) The GGW-H10N, also available in the first quarter of 2007, is compatible with both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats. The Super Multi Blue 50GB drive is compatible with Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD read/write and HD-DVD-ROM (read), offering the most universal unit available. “We know our customers want high-definition content for their HDTVs. We also know a format war keeps people on the sidelines,” said Mike Vitelli, senior vice president of merchandising at Best Buy. “With this new dual-format player, LG is offering a viable solution to this dispute. This is the kind of customer-focused approach that Best Buy looks to bring to our customers.” Warner Home Video President Ron Sanders added, “We enthusiastically welcome LG’s introduction of the Super Multi Blue high-definition disc player. This is a great first step towards resolving consumer confusion and uncertainty due to the two high-definition formats. The Super Multi Blue Player will allow studios to better meet consumers’ growing demand for high-definition content in both the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats.” “By providing a high-definition player that supports both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD discs, LG is delivering a product that puts the customer first,” said Randy Wick, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of consumer electronics at Circuit City Stores, Inc. “We applaud the LG customer-friendly approach, as it will serve to alleviate customers’ confusion about the two formats.” Michael Ahn, president and CEO of LG Electronics North American Headquarters, echoed comments from Hollywood and leading retailers in support of LG’s dual-format approach. “The American consumers’ love affair with HDTV is now even stronger thanks to LG’s marriage of Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. What’s more, our player up converts standard DVDs to 1080i resolution, providing compatibility with consumers’ existing movie libraries while improving the picture quality of those discs, too.” In addition to offering Full HD 1080p picture quality from high-definition discs, the player incorporates interactive functions based on BD-Java, which allows advanced menus and functions to be displayed over the video of Blu-ray discs. And, while the same level of advanced menu interactivity is not available while playing HD DVD discs, the powerful combination of Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD audio-video playback technologies is like no other on the market. The unit supports various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio, and includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI out, component/composite video outputs, and optical/coaxial/discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs, among others. The strikingly designed unit incorporates elegant and easy-to-use backlit touch sensor buttons along with an ergonomic remote control that delivers an effortless command of the next-generation home entertainment experience. LG’s Super Multi Blue Player (BH100), available to U.S. consumers during the first quarter of 2007, is expected to sell for about U.S. $1,199.
Sound without the use of speakers? Believe it or not there was sound emanating from either side of the plasma. Can you see the speakers? We couldn’t see them either but a quick peek around the back of the wall revealed the magic trick.
The Induction Dynamics SolidDrive SD1 produces sound from solid surfaces utilizing very high-powered neodymium magnets and dual symmetrically opposed motors to convert audio signals into powerful vibrations that are transferred into solid surfaces by direct contact. Full-range sound is then radiated from the entire surface. Although the sound that the SolidDrive SD1 produced wasn’t exactly audiophile, it did sound fairly good and we thought such a novel concept should be included as part of our CES coverage. If you have an architectural design that doesn’t include speakers as part of the plan check out the SD1 because now you can have surround sound without visible speakers. For more information visit www.inductiondynamics.com
Wiring for a complex multi-channel home theater system in an already built home (retro fit) can be challenging. Hiding wires in this type of installation can be down right impossible without tearing into wall surfaces until now. Acoustic Research introduced a new series of flat speaker wire that can be installed on the wall then either painted, drywall mudded or wall papered over. When painted the Pro II MicroFlat wire disappears into the wall surface. The Pro II MicroFlat wire has the equivalent gauge of 16 AWG round wire. The new wire will be available in various lengths and we think the new MicroFlat wire is an innovative new product that will provide an alternative for those that don’t want to place wire in the wall. It appears CES agrees and presented Acoustic Research with an innovations award for design and engineering. For more information visit www.araccessories.com
We have all heard of the popular For Dummies book series and now the series has found its way into flat panel HDTV mounts and hardware. Bell’O International, a manufacturer that produces elegant A/V furniture for the discriminating audio/videophile has teamed up with the publication in a joint effort and will offer a new line of flat panel mounts and hardware. The new line of mounts will feature easy to read instructions, mount template and installation DVD. We were able to get a first hand look at the installation instructions. If you can hold a tool in your hands, you will have no trouble installing your own flat panel HDTV. The new high quality mounts will be available early 2007 and pricing is TBA. For more information visit www.bello.com
The Pioneer booth was buzzing with onlookers as they displayed new audio and video products for 2007. Among the stand outs was the new line of Pioneer receivers, DVD players and Plasma displays. The Pioneer VSX-917V and VSX-1017TXV A/V receivers provide HDMI video switching for fast, smooth toggling between video sources (DVD, Blu-ray Disc, game consoles and more). For high resolution picture or audio quality performance, the new Pioneer receivers utilize 192 kHz/24-bit digital to analog (DAC) converter that helps maintain a pure signal from input to output for all seven audio channels resulting in a true reproduction with the finest clarity and fidelity. A new Freescale 80MIPS Processing DSP provides unparalleled speed and efficiency for multi-channel decoding of various theater and music sources for superior audio performance. Each receiver offers full sound processing for Dolby® Digital DTS®, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and Windows Media Audio 9 Professional™ for supreme audio playback of movies, home movies, portable music and more. Pioneer’s top-of-the-line VSX-1017TXV A/V receiver has THX® Select 2 certification and processing to deliver high-impact sound performance for an array of sources in rooms up to two thousand square feet.
Specifications:
Pioneer Features Industry’s only 1080p 24Hz Home Theater Design The Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS and VSX-84TXSi A/V receivers feature sophisticated engineering and several HDMI inputs for the specific purpose of transferring large amounts of high definition signals like that of a 1080p signal. When connected to a 1080p HDTV, the entire signal can be passed in its purest form straight to the display. Pioneer's Home Entertainment Division is a leading marketer of plasma televisions and monitors, Blu-ray Disc, DVD players and DVD recorders, A/V receivers, speakers and other audio and video accessories. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment™. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Elite brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Elite products. For more information visit www.pioneerusa.com
Well known speaker manufacturer, JBL, introduces new flagship loudspeakers at CES 2007. The new Project Everest DD66000 features horn loaded compression drivers and the manufacturer claims frequency response beyond 50 kHz. The new flagship speakers have an MSRP of $30,000 to $35,000 depending on the finish. The JBL Project Everest speakers may be out of the Average Joe budget, but one can dream. The Project Everest speakers are currently shipping. For more information visit www.jbl.com
The Project Everest DD66000 is stunning and unique in appearance. Evocative of JBL’s legendary Hartsfield and Paragon loudspeakers, the DD66000 combines classic JBL design elements with refined contemporary styling, featuring curved and angled surfaces and a contoured horizontal midrange horn that enhances the loudspeaker’s striking visual appeal. The DD66000 is available in elegant rosewood finish. Premium wood finishes – ebony, cherry and maple, all exceptionally crafted – are also available. The Project Everest DD66000 incorporates a host of innovative loudspeaker technologies. Its 045Be-1ultrahigh-frequency driver uses a 1-inch beryllium diaphragm and 2-inch neodymium magnet to produce frequency response beyond 50kHz. The 476Be high-frequency compression driver utilizes a 4-inch, pure-beryllium diaphragm with a 4-inch aluminum edge-wound voice coil, and JBL’s rapidflare, coherent-wave phasing plug. A high-efficiency neodymium-magnet motor structure features refinements such as a pure-copper-sleeved polepiece that maintains maximum magnetic-gap flux and delivers superior sound quality at any volume, with exceptional clarity and resolution. These leading-edge transducers operate in conjunction with Bi-Radial® horns that are made from dense and inert SonoGlass® material, eliminating unwanted sonic colorations. The horns are shaped to provide optimum dispersion in the horizontal and vertical planes, for smooth frequency response and precise imaging. The 1501AL 15-inch woofer utilizes an Aquaplas-treated-pulp cone that preserves sonic neutrality while damping internal resonances and providing controlled and articulate bass response. The crossover network is designed to allow the woofers to operate in different frequency ranges, a configuration that provides optimum directivity and high output. The crossover network employs a DC battery bias system that keeps the capacitors operating in Class A mode, yielding maximum sonic purity. The DD66000 features front-mounted control panels that enable precise tuning of low-frequency and high-frequency level and other characteristics, to achieve maximum sonic performance in any system and room. The DD66000 is built to the highest standards, utilizing premium internal components such as polypropylene foil capacitors, and wire-wound and metal-oxide resistors and air-core inductors. Extensive internal bracing provides additional rigidity to eliminate unwanted internal resonances. The measured performance of the DD66000 is exemplary. The frequency response of the system is extremely smooth and extended. Directivity and power response are highly uniform, harmonic distortion is reduced to inaudible levels, and dynamic linearity is unparalleled. The JBL Project Everest loudspeaker will be available in the United States in spring 2007 at a suggested retail price of $30,000 each for the rosewood finish and $35,000 each for premium wood finishes.
Media players are becoming very easy to use and with the introduction of the HDcodex DML-1600 player they are starting to enter a mainstream price category for home theater use. The new DML-1600 will do just about everything you could possibly want in a high performance stand alone media server product. The DML-1600 is ISF- Certified and enabled with AMG’s LASSO media recognition system. The new DML-1600 organizes any collection of DVDs, CDs, home movies, pictures, and metadata media files. It provides high quality video in SD and HD formats at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080p. The DML-1600 can deliver 5.1 and 7.1 high resolution digital audio and be configured to be a powerful networked whole house media server that can provide multiple streams of on-demand content simultaneously to any room in the house. The unit will support MPEG, AVI, TS, MP2, MP3, AC3, WAV, AAC, HTML, SWF, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF and JPEG formats and media files. The HDcodex DML-1600’s storage capacity of 1.6 terabytes can be upgraded and expanded by adding more disk storage. The DML-1600 has an MSRP of $6999 and is slated to begin shipping January 2007. For more information visit www.codexnovus.com
Atlantic Inc. was displaying a very unique, new media storage cabinet called the Revolution. The Revolution is an innovative storage system that pulls out and then spins to provide easy access to additional media. The Revolution can hold up to 672 CD’s or 320 DVD’s/Games with six adjustable storage shelves. The Revolution has very attractive contemporary styling to fit into almost any décor. The Atlantic Revolution received a 2007 CES Innovation Award for Excellence in Engineering and Design. The Revolution will have an MSRP of $249 and will be available early 2007.For more information visit www.atlantic-inc.com
JVC announced a new D-ILA front projector at CES 2007 that will have an industry leading 15,000:1 contrast ratio without the use of an iris. The new DLA-HD1 is able to achieve its high contrast ratio with the incorporation of a new 0.7-inch full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel D-ILA device and new optical engine. The new DLA-HD1 will use three D-ILA devices like all the rest of the JVC D-ILA based products. The projector will feature a 2x zoom lens, vertical and horizontal lens shift, front fan intake and exhaust, and easy access lamp assembly. The new projector will also feature a powerful Gennum Corporation video processor. The DLA-HD1 will ship with a full function remote control with back lighting. The DLA-HD1 has an MSRP of $6299.95 and is slated to begin shipping in February. For more information visit www.jvc.com
Popular and highly regarded manufacturer, Sunfire expanded its XT-Series speaker line at CES 2007 with its debut of the Cinema Ribbon Trio. Sunfire also introduced a new highly anticipated line: in-wall and in–room subwoofers called SubRosa. The new Cinema Ribbon Trio is comprised of two models the CRS-3 and companion CRS-3C center channel. The CRS-3 features a front firing 6-inch high efficiency ribbon and three 4.5-inch High Back- emf woofers. The CRS-3 is rated to handle up to 450 watts of power, has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms and a 90dB sensitivity rating. That is a very impressive power handling capability considering its small compact size. The CRS-3C incorporates the same 4.5-inch High Back-emf drivers in a 2-1/2-inch tapered array as well as the same 6-inch ribbon. The use of the same driver components insures tonal similarities between the CRS-3 and CRS-3C. Both of the speakers are finished in hand-rubbed ebonized rosewood and both models feature a boundary compensation switch for placement flexibility. The CRS-3 has an MSRP of $1000 each and the CRS-3C will have an MSRP of $1250. Both the CRS-3 and the CRS-3C are scheduled to begin shipping March 2007. The new line of SubRosa in-wall and on-wall subwoofers will feature new technology that Sunfire calls StillBass. This new anti-shake technology is said to dramatically reduce unwanted wall vibrations resulting in cleaner, tighter bass. The SRS-210W is the in-wall version and features a mind blowing 2700-watt Mono block amplifier that features Tracking Downconverter for cool efficient operation. The SRS-210W in-wall subwoofer has custom High back – emf 10-inch woofers and will install into a standard 2 x 4 stud bay. The SRS-210R is the flat panel version that is just 3.5-inches deep. It utilizes the same 2700-watt amplifier and 10-inch woofers. The Sunfire engineers came up with the innovative design for installations where high performance is required but in-wall or free standing cabinet style subwoofers is not practical. The SRS-210W will have an MSRP of $3000 and the SRS-210R will retail at $3500. Both SubRosa subwoofers are slated to ship March 2007. Given Mr. Carvers reputation for huge power in small compact designs, we believe these two subwoofers will have tremendous Wow effect and pant leg flapping ability.
Olevia had more than 20 active displays at their booth at CES 2007. The new Olevia T series 742i and 747i 1080p LCD HDTV’s were really looking good. The new LCD HDTV’s feature Silicon Optix Realta processing and are ISF calibrated from the factory. The manufacturer also had a very impressive demonstration of their new 65-inch 1080p LCoS HDTV and it will also incorporate Silicon Opix Realta processing.
After reading the press release, we were anxious to see the new Vantage Point evo system. Vantage Point unveiled this ingenious new modular installation system at CES 2007. The evo system is the complete solution for mounting flat panel televisions, rear projection televisions, and all electronic components onto the wall while freeing up valuable floor space. It consists of an aluminum frame and track system that expands to support unlimited equipment configurations. The frame is hung on independently mounted rails and extends 4” from the wall creating a hollow space for power and wiring distribution, so there’s no need to cut into the wall! 16”x16” removable real wood veneer panels are available in Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Black Ash and Espresso, allowing easy access to wiring and power connections while creating a true furniture quality appearance. Tempered glass shelves, flat panel mounts, and speaker mounts are also available as an option to support components and TVs. The evo system is so easy to install; you don’t need to be a professional. The system offers easy access for running wire and equipment upgrades are a breeze. For more information please visit www.theevosystem.com
As previously stated the folks at Polk Audio have been very busy. The manufacturer announced eight new product and product lines at CES 2007. Among the numerous stand outs is the new updated RTi Series. The new RTi speakers feature new updated drivers, a new tapered enclosure and new contemporary styling. Three new floor standing models and two new bookshelf models will be available from authorized Polk audio dealers in May 2007. For more information visit www.polkaudio.com
RTi Feature/Price Comparison Chart
AVR-2307CI
RS-232C system control 12 volt assignable trigger outputs XM Radio Ready (Connect and Play antenna sold separately) Serial IR ports Dedicated iPod port for optional ASD-1R D-dock Auto setup and room EQ with included DM-S205 microphone
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For
our next stop we decided to visit our friends at Radiient
Technologies where they were showing their new proto type 1
into 6 HDMI distribution switcher. We had the opportunity
to review the Select-4 HDMI switcher last year and we were
very impressed with its performance and usability. Now
Radiient plans to improve upon the Select-4 with the new
HDMI distribution switcher. The new distribution switcher
will have all of the great usability features that the
Select-4 has but with expansive output capabilities.
Will Bush, the Radiient representative, also indicated that
the manufacturer will begin shipping the 1 to 6 HDMI
Distributor/Switcher early Spring 2007.. For more
information please visit
Sherwood
Newcastle finally jumps on board the HDMI bandwagon in a big
way with the introduction of four new HDMI switching
receivers. The flag ship R-972 is rated at 100 watts x 7
channels followed by the R-872; both will have HDMI 1.3
switching capabilities and video scaling to 1080p. The R-972
and 872 will also incorporate DTS Master Audio HD and Dolby
True HD. The R-772 and R-682 are also rated at 100 watts x 7
channels with the R-772 offering HDMI switching and PCM
Audio and the R-672 capable of HDMI switching only. The
flagship R-972 will also feature Audyssey MultEQ XT advanced
room correction. For more info please visit
Klipsch
had a huge booth where they were demonstrating their new
multi-room wireless entertainment systems featuring
KlipschCast technology. Starting with the CS-700 DVD is a
virtual 2.1 surround sound system with wireless subwoofer.
Additionally the CS-700 serves as hub for wireless
transmission of CD- quality sound to not only the wireless
subwoofer, but also to other KlipschCast products like the
RoomGroove Music Center that is sold separately. The CS-700
features a progressive scan DVD player, AM/FM tuner, three
auxiliary inputs including HDMI. The RoomGroove Music Center
incorporates dual 2.5-inch high-output woofers in a ported
enclosure and dual Tractrix tweeters. The RoomGroove also
features a hidden iPod dock and is compatible with all MP3
players via the auxiliary input. Shipping for both is slated for
April 2007. The CS-700 will have an MSRP of $1,299 while the
RoomGroove will be just $349. Klipsch will offer a three
room system featuring a CS-700 and two RoomGrooves for under
$2000 For more information visit
Our
next stop in South Hall was at the DTS booth where we heard
a very impressive demonstration of the new DTS-HD format.
DTS is also updating their logo design to reflect the new
formats. Additionally DTS announced that they have licensed
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS high definition
multi-channel audio technologies for next generation disc
formats like HD DVD and Blu-ray. The new format is scheduled
to be incorporated into DVD players, receivers, pre-amps PC
and automobile audio products. 
The
APC booth was our next stop and we were anxious to get a
first look at the new APC S20 Power Conditioner with battery
back up and networking capability. The new power conditioner
enables sophisticated remote management and environmental
monitoring for custom A/V installs. The S20 is currently
shipping and has an MSRP of $1999 for the Power Conditioner.
Additional batteries are priced at $499 and the temperature
humidity probe will retail at $59.99 for more information
visit
We
couldn’t very well attend the CES 2007 show and not stop by
to say hi to our friends at Silicon Optix. At their booth
they were demonstrating their soon to be released HQV HD DVD
evaluation DVD. Silicon Optix also indicated that they were
introducing a new cost effective chip called the Geo. The
new chip enables RPTV’s to compete with LCD and Plasma
displays and ensures pixel- by pixel brightness and color
uniformity for both projection and LCD panels. The Geo chips
are currently being tested by manufacturers and will be
available for implementation in volume early 2007. For more
information visit
RBH
Sound located at the Venetian hotel introduced a 30th
Anniversary Loudspeaker. The new 3-way T-30LSE features
three 1-inch Ferrofluid® liquid-cooled Scanspeak tweeters,
four 6-1/2-inch mid-woofers and two 10-inch subwoofers.
RBH’s aluminum cone technology is utilized in the
fixed-phase plug 6-1/2-inch woofers and the two 10-inch
subwoofers. The T-30LSE’s extensively-braced 60-1/2-inch
tall cabinet design provides additional air-space for the
high performance 10-inch woofers, which extends the
frequency response to an earth-shaking 18Hz! The new
speaker will weigh in at a hefty 160 Lbs. each and will be
available in 30 different hardwood finishes. The T-30LSE
will have an MSRP of $14,999 per pair. Only 100 pairs of the
special Anniversary speaker will be produced. For more
information visit
We viewed some great
looking new LCD TV’s at the Westinghouse booth and the new
TX Series looked fantastic. The new TX Series was very sharp
and vibrant, had great color, decent black levels, and
performed fairly well with fast motion video content. The
new 1080p LCD HDTV’s are a step up from the manufacturer’s
very popular SK series. The new TX series will be available
in 42-inch, 47-inch and 52-inch screen sizes. The TX-42F430S
will feature 5000:1 contrast ratio and 8-millisecond
response time and has an MSRP of $1999. The TX-47F430S will
also feature 5000:1 contrast ratio and 8-millisecond
response time and will have an MSRP of $2499. The top of the
line, TX-52F480S, will feature 5000:1 contrast ratio and
will have a little faster response time of 6.5 milliseconds.
All TX Series will incorporate ATSC, NTSC and Clear QAM
tuners. The TX Series LCD HDTV’s will start shipping April
2007. For more information visit
After
viewing the new 8th generation D82U and D92U 1080p LCD
HDTV’s from Sharp, all doubt was removed from our minds that
we had just seen the best image from an LCD HDTV at the 2007
CES. The 120 Hz frame rate conversion and contrast ratio of
10,000:1 for D82U and 15,000:1 for the D92U looked stunning.
Detail, color, black level, and the overall image looked
absolutely gorgeous. The new 120 Hz panel and fast
4-millisecond response time made fast motion content look
fluid and natural. The D82 series will be available in
52-inch and 46-inch screen sizes and will have a sleek piano
black cabinet and bottom mounted speakers. The new LCD
HDTV’s will feature Multi-Pixel Technology, which divides
each pixel into two sections and adds advanced driving
system to provide 60 percent improved color reproduction at
wide viewing angles. Both the LC-46D82U and the LC-52D82D
will incorporate built in ATCS, NTSC and QAM tuners. For
maximum flexibility the new series will include three 1080p
capable HDMI inputs and two component video inputs. The new
LC-46D92U will be available in February 2007 and has an MSRP
of $3,699.99. The LC-52D82U has the same ship date and is
listed at $4,799.99. The D92 Series will be available in
four screen sizes starting with the LC-42D92U available in
April 2007 with an MSRP of $3,499.99. The LC-46D92U has an
MSRP of $4,199.99 and the LC-52D92U has an MSRP of $5,299.99
and are available now. The LC-65D93U will be available in
March 2007 and will have an MSRP of $10,999.99. For more
information visit
Pioneer
will introduce two new value priced DVD players in 2007. The
DV-300V and DV-400V DVD players will be format flexible by
being able to play back DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, CD-R/RW, SVCD and
VCD. Both DVD players will also be able to offer
compatibility for WMA and MP3 compressed audio files, as
well as JPEG files with PhotoViewer. The DV-300V and DV-400V
will have official DivX certification and playback of DivX
media files. The players utilize Pioneer’s PureCinema 2:3
Progressive Scan technology and both players use a
108MHz/12-bit video digital to analog converter (DAC). The
DVD players utilize a 96 kHz/24-bit digital to analog
converter, with Dolby® Digital and DTS® decoding. The
Pioneer DV-400V-S DVD player features an HDMI output for a
single cable connection to an HDTV for quick and simple
set-up. HDMI maintains an all-digital connection between the
source and display to eliminate unnecessary processing steps
to deliver an improved audio and video experience.
Eliminating video conversion from analog to digital and back
permits standard DVD to present a picture quality that is as
close to HDTV as possible. For consumers with music, photos,
or video stored on a USB key, the DV-400V features a USB
port on its front panel for enjoyment of digital audio files
in superior playback quality. A silver version of the
Pioneer DV-400V will also be made available for shipping in
May 2007 at a suggested price of $99. The Pioneer DV-300V is
also available in silver and will be available in April 2007
for a suggested price of $69. 
One of the most
pristine images we viewed on a display device at CES 2007
was the 1080p/24Hz demonstration at the Pioneer booth. The
system included the new and beautiful Pioneer Elite Pure
Vision 50-inch 1080p plasma display, BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player
and VSX-82 TXS Elite receiver. This was one of the most
crowed demonstrations at CES 2007 and we had to wait until
just before show closing to get a good look at it. All we
can say is that it was well worth it to see the spectacular
image. Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is making it easier
for home theater enthusiasts to bring the movie theater
experience into their living rooms with a trio of audio
video products that faithfully deliver 1080p/24Hz picture
performance. The Pioneer Elite® PureVision™ 50” 1080p plasma
display, Blu-ray Disc® player and A/V receivers work
together to handle the 1080p/24Hz rate needed to preserve a
feature film’s original sequence. Pioneer is the only
manufacturer with this trio of products that provide audio
video enthusiasts the cinematic picture performance of
1080p/24 Hz in the comfort of their own homes. “Every piece
of technology and engineering that goes into Pioneer
products is created with the intention of providing a high
definition entertainment experience in its purest form”,
said Paul Meyhoefer, vice president of displays for Pioneer
Electronics (USA) Inc. “We’ve continued to refine each
generation of plasma and have reached the pinnacle with the
combination of a PRO-FHD1 plasma display combined with a Blu-ray
Disc player and A/V receiver.” The majority of feature film
titles are mastered on discs at 24 film frames per second
(fps or Hz) with a 1080p signal. Since most televisions are
unable to accept the 1080p 24Hz format, many employ a
technique known as Inverse Telecine. Also known as 3:2
pulldown, this process converts 24fps into 30fp by inserting
six additional film frames per second. While there is an
improvement in the playback performance, the scene sequence
is compromised and a slight jitter may appear during motion
action. Pioneer delivers a new dimension in high definition
with its high end audio video products that resolve and
improve feature film playback. Advanced PureCinema:
The HD Solution Industry-leading
technologies and refined engineering have made Pioneer
plasmas the only HDTV able to showcase 1080p
24Hz.Specifically, the PRO-FHD1 takes advantage of exclusive
Advanced PureCinema or 3:3 pulldown. With Advanced
PureCinema, each film frame is shown three times every 24
InFocus
introduced a new portable DLP multimedia projector with
built in speakers. The projector is designed for quick set
up and for use with gaming consoles such as PS3, XBOX and
DVD players. The native resolution of the projector is
800x600 and according to the manufacturer’s representative
will have a very low cost replaceable bulb. The portable
compact projector has one composite input, one S-Video input
and Right/Left analog inputs. The projector has another neat
trick: with the installation of the supplied adapter mirror,
the image can be projected onto the ceiling. Pricing is TBA
and the projector is slated to begin shipping early next
year. For more information please visit
The
Hitachi booth was brimming with excitement with the news
that the manufacturer will introduce a 50-inch 1080p plasma
at a price the Average Joe can afford. The new P50H401 is
slated to ship in February and will have an MSRP of just
$2,500. That is an incredible price for a 1080p plasma. We
had the opportunity to view all of the new displays at the
Hitachi booth and they looked very good but we noted all of
the displays content was near static. We would really like
to see the new displays handle full motion content before we
comment on their performance capabilities. “Hitachi has
produced a unique, high-performance offering for 50-inch
flat screen consumers," said Bill Whalen, director of
product development at Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous
Platform Systems Division. "This new 50-inch television is
engineered to be a better match for the dominant 1080 HDTV
format and packs more pixels on screen than comparable
products. Hitachi Plasma technology offers superior motion
resolution, color depth and viewing angles for flat screen
television viewers. All models include Hitachi's fourth
generation 1080p PictureMaster IV video processor that
analyzes and optimizes the picture with dynamic histogram
processing, 16-bit clarity, and new for 2007 MPEG noise
reduction. All of these mean that the viewer will see a
clean and vivid picture. All 2007 flat panel models include
three 1080p-compatible HDMITM inputs with SimplayHDTM
certification so that consumers can have confidence that
they will be able to display the latest digital content with
state of the art reliability. New for 2007, Hitachi includes
3 picture setting memories and 3 timers for each input for
the ultimate in performance and picture tuning flexibility.
Since every set top tuner and disc player is different, and
lighting conditions vary from morning to daytime to
nighttime, Hitachi offers 3 discrete picture setting
memories for each input. The presets will allow the image to
be customized according to source and room lighting
conditions and can be customized to change automatically.
The picture memories are designated as "Day," "Day Dynamic"
and "Night." For more information visit
Industry
leading multi-room audio manufacturer, Russound, announced
at CES 2007 that they will soon ship a new series of on-wall
speakers. The Complement On-Wall LCR7 is designed for front
L/C/R and surround applications and will feature patent
pending technology called Super Bessel Array (SBA). Russound
claims that the new technology provides better uniformity in
rooms. The Complement On-Wall LCR7 consists of an array of
six 3.5” mid/low-frequency drivers coupled with a 1”
audiophile-grade high-frequency driver housed in an extruded
aluminum cabinet, with each driver housed in a separate sub
enclosure. The speaker measures 25.5” x 4.6” x 4.6” (H/W/D)
and weighs 17.7 lbs. The LCR7 includes both black and
silver grilles and the mounting bracket is included. The
On-Wall LCR7 is scheduled for release in the second quarter
of 2007, at a US MAP of $625
The
manufacturer that introduced the world to in-wall speakers
announced another world’s first line of in-wall speakers at
CES 2007. The new patent pending Architectural Series are
the first ever true flush mounted speaker. Consumers will
have the ability to select finish, grill, and driver
configuration to fit their room’s décor and performance
criteria. The new Architectural Series consists of 19
different models offering consumers and installers a variety
of installation configurations. The Sonance Architectural
Series product line begins by offering customers and
installers a selection of 8-, 6-, or 4-inch designs. Each is
available in a choice of shapes: rectangle, square, or
round layouts. (The 8-inch models are 3-way designs with a
4-inch cone coaxial mid/tweeter; the others are 2-way.) The
round 4” and square 4” speakers are specifically designed to
match today’s most popular upscale flush mounted ceiling
lights. Next, the customer or installer can choose the type
of driver based on desired performance specifications and
price point: Sonance reference-quality Beryllium or Carbon
Fiber driver sets. Finally, the exterior finish style is
chosen with options for: trim-less (no flange), trim (with
micro-flange) or fascia (n
JVC
introduced and launched a new series of shallow cabinet D-ILA
1080p HDTV’s at CES 2007. The new shallow cabinet is made
possible by the development of a new optical engine, and
will be offered in two new HD-ILA televisions – the 58-inch
HD-58S998, due this month, and the 65-inch HD-65S998,
available in March, with cabinet depths of 10.7 and 11.6
inches, respectively. Both the new slim HD-ILA HDTV’s will
use JVC’s proprietary D-ILA technology – three-chip LCOS
(liquid crystal on silicon). JVC’s new slim HD-ILA TVs
feature side heat dissipation, side connectors and a
completely flat back, allowing them to be placed flush
against a wall or even hung on the wall for further
placement and décor flexibility. Each uses three JVC D-ILA
devices and a new JVC-developed optical engine that combines
a new concave mirror with the refracting lens to provide a
wider projection angle, thus reducing the projection
distance and allowing JVC to slim down the set considerably.
The 58-inch HD-58S998 will sell for about $3,300 and the
65-inch HD-65S998 will sell for about $4,200. For more
information visit
The
Dolby booth at CES was a very popular stop among attendees
at CES 2007. Dolby had an excellent demonstration of their
two new formats Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD. Dolby
TrueHD is a lossless audio technology designed for
high-definition DVD’s and is truly impressive. The format
will support up to eight channels (7.1-channel surround
sound) of 24-bit/96kHz audio. For fewer channels Dolby True
HD allows for higher sampling frequencies up to 192 kHz.
Dolby TrueHD will offer expandability to accommodate more
channels in the future while retaining compatibility with
all Dolby TrueHD decoders. For more information visit
Proton
located in the South Hall this year introduced a new premium
42 and 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV’s. The new Premier P42D5 and
P47D5 will feature built in analog and digital tuners, HDMI
inputs and dual picture functions such as picture in picture
and picture on picture. Contrast ratio is specified at
1200:1 and brightness will be 500 lumens. Both LCD’s will
feature Protons proprietary video enhancement technology,
Puriti Advantage. Puriti-enhanced LCDs possess a wider color
range than conventional LCD or CRT displays. A built-in
artificial intelligence system analyzes color frequencies
and intensity to assure the screen displays the most natural
skin tones and the best blacks by compensating for picture
detail lost to poor contrast. Puriti processing converts
analog signals to a pure digital format, while filtering out
noise artifacts. It delivers extraordinarily broad
horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 176 degrees,
enabling viewers to enjoy a crisp, clear picture while
sitting almost anywhere. Puriti’s 3D De-interlacing and Edge
Enhancement capabilities eliminate jagged edges from
interlaced video formats, providing smooth edges for moving
objects. Its speedy refresh rate empowers LCD panels with
the fastest response time in the industry, virtually
eliminating delay or ghosting effects. Puriti processing
also delivers the brightest LCD images in the market
producing vivid colors even in brightly lit rooms, and
extremely high contrast ratios for rich color
representation. Additional Puriti features include a Motion
Lagging Correction Engine for seamless screen action, 3D
Color Management, 3-2 Pull Down to accurately convert and
display content originally shot for film, and adjustable
color temperature. The new 42 and 47-inch Premier LCD HDTV’s
are shipping now. For more information visit
Polk
Audio is a name long associated with high performance
loudspeakers. I may be showing my age but I can remember
spending many Saturday afternoons with my dad in the 70’s
salivating over the latest model offered by Mr. Polk. It is
very evident that Polk Audio is not a manufacturer that
rests on its laurels, in fact this manufacturer refines and
introduces so many models its hard to keep up. We had the
opportunity to get a demonstration Polk Audio’s new THX
Ultra2 in-ceiling speaker and we were very impressed with
its performance. The new RTS100 is the world’s first THX
Ultra2 in-ceiling speaker. The speaker measures 14-inches in
diameter and features dual 5-1/4-inch midrange drivers and a
1-inch tweeter mounted between the drivers. The front baffle
is shaped to increase directed performance toward the
listening position while dramatically improving imaging. The
RTS100 utilizes an integrated high performance enclosure
that improves driver loading and minimizes sound
transmission through the ceiling. The enclosure is the same
size as the speaker cut out and that makes the installation
process easy and placement flexible .Just like the LCi
Series the RTS100 features “Wall Distance” toggle switches
that optimize the speaker’s response depending on the
location. The RTS100 THX Ultra2 in-ceiling speakers are
shipping now and have an MSRP of $1200. 
HAI
(Home Automation Inc) is a manufacture that has been
producing automation products since the mid 1980’s. The
manufacturer is well known in the custom installation world
for producing quality products at value price points. At CES
2007 HAI was presented with a CES Innovation Award for
Design and Engineering for its Snap-Link USB key. The USB
key plugs directly into any computer through a secure
Ethernet port on an HAI home control system. When connected
the homeowner can check and adjust lights, security systems,
HVAC, webcams and much more. The Snap-Link is very secure,
is a breeze to use and the best part of the system is there
are no monthly fees. The Snap-Link is currently shipping and
has an MSRP of $99. For more information visit
100
watts x 7 channels