Talk about just what we need. I personally am sick of wires all around the apartment. Can’t knock holes in apartment walls and re-wire everything, but I would like a clean looking place. Wireless might be my answer.

SIGMA MAKES WIRELESS HOME THEATER A REALITY WITH NEW
DEVELOPMENT KIT

Demonstrations at CEATEC showcase new Windeo-powered UWB Wireless Home Theater
Audio Development Kit as well as CoAir-powered Ethernet-over-Coax and Wireless HDAV Kits

CEATEC Japan 2008
MILPITAS, Calif. & CHIBA, Japan — Sigma Designs (NASDAQ:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing and wireless system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for consumer electronics today announces the availability of the Wireless Home Theater Audio Development Kit based on the company’s Windeo® Ultra wideband (UWB) chipset. Sigma will be demonstrating the Wireless Home Theater Audio Development Kit along with its new CoAir™ solution, the industry’s first UWB chipset with combined wireless, coax and Ethernet capabilities, and Wireless HDAV™ reference designs at CEATEC, September 30 - October 4, in Chiba, Japan. Demonstrations are available by appointment in the Hotel Manhattan, Suite #705.

Developed for Home-Theater-in-a-Box solutions with surround systems, the development kit comes in three combinations: 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 that range over 40 meters LOS (Line-Of-Sight) and 20 meters NLOS (Non-Line-Of-Sight). This solution gives consumer electronics manufacturers the ability to design a reliable wireless Home-Theater-in-a-Box that does not interfere with microwave oven signals, WiFi, Bluetooth, mobile phones or other home appliances. It also once and for all eliminates speaker cabling problems, like too many wires, that consumers are ready to be rid of. (continued…)

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Company/press_releases/080930-1.pdf

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/index.html

Mr Peabody points out in the AudioReview.com forums some interesting news about Bain’s acquisition of D&M and what that means.

“I heard today for the first time from some guys back from CEDIA that Bain definitely bought D&M. This is from a Marantz dealer who is highly pissed about Bain going to distributorship with Marantz where it can be sold to anyone with a contracting license. Or, should I say possibly former Marantz dealer. I was shocked, I thought something of this magnitude would be all over the internet but I haven’t seen anything. I know there’s mixed views here on where gear should be sold but muddying up marketing is bad, take a look at TEAC for best, worst case scenario. I hate to see it just as Marantz has started making themselves known as a high quality product again……”

read the thread….

Comment and join the AR community.

We’ve Pulled Together the Best HDTVs for Your Dollar.

Why read five different reviews at eight different sites?
What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.

How to Choose an HDTV:

Pioneer PDP-428XD - ‘Kuro’ Plasma - $2500

Specs: Dimensions/Weight Product Type - Plasma Diagonal size - 42 in. Image aspect ratio - 16:9 Dimensions (WxHxD) - 1040×679x115 mm Weight - 30 kg Video Resolution - 1024 x 768 pixels HD formats - 720p, 1080i, 1080p Image contrast ratio - 16,000:1 Audio Output mode - Stereo Speakers included - 2 Total output power - 17 W Surround sound effects - SRS; SRS Focus; TruBass

Techradar.com says: With the PDP-428XD’s excellently clear and dynamic speakers proving that Pioneer takes sound as seriously as vision, really the only downpoint about the TV is its premium price. But then if you want the best, you usually have to pay for it. CNET.uk Says: On the promise of deep blacks this TV delivers completely. We did think at times that definition of the picture wasn’t as good as some other TVs we’ve seen recently. Some of the new 1080p LCDs, for example, and Samsung’s 1080p 50-inch plasma do add more detail to the picture. Turstedreviews.com Says: With really nothing bad to say about the 428XD’s pictures, perhaps we can find fault with the TV’s speakers? Um, no, ‘fraid not. In fact the speakers are terrifically powerful by TV standards, pushing out power galore together with near hi-fi levels of clarity and detailing.

Read more details and find out prices here.

Sony KDL-40W4000 - LCD - $1700

Specs: 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920×1080p) LCD Panel Motionflow™ 120Hz - clear, smooth motion for DVDs, TV DMex ™ compatible; allows seamless feature upgrades Enhanced XMB™ with 3D graphics incl. TV Guide HDMI™ x4, HD Component x2, PC Input Display Technology: TFT active matrix Display Size: 40 inches Speakers: 2 Height: 25.4 inches Width: 38.8 inches Depth: 4.3 inches Weight: 44.1 pounds

HDTVTest.co.uk says: In addition to the inherited virtues of excellent blacks, accurate primary colours, exquisite fine detail portrayal and solid connectivity, the Sony KDL40W400 does show some areas of improvement over the outgoing W3000 series: calibrated black level is slightly deeper; standard-def scaling is better; and there’s no longer any black/ near-black auto-dimming. ZDNet Says: Somewhat surprisingly, Best Buy’s own Insignia brand of MP3 players has gained quite a bit of popularity among consumers lately. That’s not to say that the devices aren’t good (quite the opposite, actually), but in this image-conscious market, “cheap” electronics under generic brands usually don’t turn heads. Yet that’s exactly what the Insignia Pilot is doing, Anythingbutipod Says: First off the Pilot is more of the PMP of the two, sporting a 2.4” screen with playback of WMA and MPEG4 at 30 frames per second. On the audio side it will support MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, WMA DRM, WMA Pro, OGG, WAV, and Audible. Additionally it will support JPEG Photos. But that’s not all. The player also features, RDS (radio titles), SD slot, Bluetooth, and PC and Mac compatibility.

Read more details and find out prices here.

Samsung PN50A550 - Plasma - $1600

Specs: 50 in Plasma TV TV Tuner 1x digital, 1x analog Video Interface HDMI, Component, S-Video, Composite PC Interface VGA (HD-15) USB Port Yes HDCP Compatible Yes Dimensions With stand Width 48.4 in Depth 12.6 in Height 32.7 in Weight 91 lbs Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 Display Format 1080p (FullHD) Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 Color Depth 18-bit color Image Contrast Ratio 30000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio 1000000:1

CNET.com says: Highly accurate primary colors and color temperature; above-average video processing with effective noise reduction; oodles of picture controls and settings; friendly, intuitive menu design; handsome look. Subpar antireflective screen; black levels not quite as deep as those of the best plasmas; confusing picture mode arrangement. ultimateavmag.com Says: The Samsung PN50A550 is excellent all-around performer with no serious flaws. It’s a good deal at it’s list price of $2700, but you won’t have to pay that much—it’s widely available for hundreds less, making this well-equipped and attractively designed 50-inch plasma TV one of the best flat-panel values on the market right now. ConsumerSearch.com Says: Though some other highly rated plasma TVs have deeper blacks, most critics and users say that the 50-inch Samsung PN50A550 has one of the best overall pictures of any HDTV. Although the blacks are not the best available and the anti-reflective screen is a step behind the competition, those shortfalls are largely trumped by outstanding color accuracy and much better than average video processing.

Read more details and find out prices here.

Samsung SP-A800B - DLP Projector - $9995

Specs: Projector / Panel Image Brightness 1000 ANSI lumens Image Contrast Ratio 10000:1 Resolution 1920 x 1080 Native Aspect Ratio Widescreen Video Input Analog video signal: Composite video, RGB, S-Video, Component video Digital video standard: High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Digital Television Video Formats: 480p, 576i, 576p, 480i, 1080i, 720p

CNET.com says: Extremely accurate color including spot-on color decoding for both SD and HD, nearly perfect primary colors, and linear grayscale tracking; superb black level and shadow detail performance; plenty of light output; excellent lens; solid feature package with numerous picture-affecting options; beautiful styling. TrustedReviews.com Says: There’s a lot to like about Samsung’s A800B. The brand’s connection with Joe Kane has certainly helped the projector stand out from the pack in the shadow detail and colour tone departments, and the design is both practical (in that it’s terrifically quiet) and pretty enough to embellish any room. Home Entertainment Mag Says: With that one reservation aside, the SP-A800B moves to the top ranks of single chip DLP 1080p projectors, with a bright, vivid and colorful picture that never fails to impress. The projector runs very quietly even in the bright lamp mode, and on the lower lamp setting is still plenty bright on my 78” Stewart GrayHawk RS screen – using the lower lamp mode significantly extends the life of the projector’s bulb.

Samsung HL61A750 - Mp3 & Video - $1600

Specs: 1080p HD Resolution LED Light Source 3D Gaming Ready 1 Tuner PIP 3 HDMI Inputs, HDMI-CEC

CNET.com says: Excellent screen size-to-price ratio compared to big-screen flat-panels; solid black-level performance; very accurate color, with minor tweaking; plenty of connectivity options. HowStuffWorks Says: Pros: Reasonably good black levels, HDMI 1.3, nice design, LED light source | Cons: Only three HDMI inputs, all side inputs, underpowered speakers for set this size. ConsumerSearch Says: When it comes to rear-projection TV, critics and users are nearly unanimous in saying that the 61-inch Samsung HL61A750 is a top pick. Though more expensive than other rear projection TVs, critics say no plasma or LCD television can deliver this good a 1080p picture at anywhere near this price

Read more details and find out prices here.

I read over on Gizmodo.com about the Logitech Omnidirectional Speakers which, according to the press release (found at Logitech.com) “create a substantially wider sweet spot – an especially helpful feature if you often move your laptop around your home or office.”

Surprisingly Gizmodo.com missed the obvious issue with these. They are still connected to your laptop via USB. So, guess you’ll only be moving around your home or office as far as your USB cable will go. Which with the included cable is only 6ft.

First I’m on this side of my desk, now I’m this side of my desk, watch me roam! Freebird!!

These seem like a great idea if they were matched with wireless technology but a speaker system that is supposed to provide omnidirectional sound and allow you to hear “great” sound while moving around the house but actually keeps you anchored is like a Porsche with a throttle limiter set at 65mph. Lame.

The Next Evolution of PC-Speaker Acoustics: Logitech Introduces Omnidirectional Speakers for PC, Mac Computers

Logitech Z-5 Omnidirectional Stereo Speakers Deliver Great Sound Throughout Your Room

FREMONT, Calif. – Sept. 16, 2008 — Attaching speakers to a PC has always improved on the sound quality of built-in PC speakers. But now, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) introduces the next evolution in PC-speaker acoustics, unveiling the Logitech® Z-5 omnidirectional stereo speakers – for PC and Mac® computers – which deliver great sound throughout your room.

Read the rest at Logitech.com

Lets hope the “host” of new options aren’t just aimed at getting your money. How about added an EQ back into the Zune and a drag and drop feature from the desktop. Some one really needs to take on Apple’s iPod in a smart and functional manner, but I don’t see MS doing that any time soon. Guess we’ll find out next week.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Come next week, owners of Microsoft Corp’s portable music player Zune will be able to download music wirelessly and tag and buy songs they hear on the device’s built-in FM radio, Microsoft said on Monday.

The software company is introducing a host of new features on September 16 for the Zune, its answer to Apple Inc’s iPod digital music player, which dominates the market and has sold more than 100 million units since its 2001 launch.

Microsoft will also introduce Zunes with storage capacities of 16 gigabytes and 120 gigabytes, with two new color schemes — blue on silver and black on black.

The news comes one day ahead of an Apple event, where the maker of the Mac, iPod and iPhone is expected to roll out a new iPod Nano and may give an update on iPhone sales.

The new Zune feature, called “Buy from FM,” lets customers tag and purchase songs they hear on FM radio stations using the FM tuner and the device’s wireless capability.

The 16-gigabyte Zune will be priced at $199 and the 120-gigabyte Zune has a price tag of $249.99. Microsoft already sells Zunes in 4GB, 8GB and 80GB sizes.

(Editing by Richard Chang)

source: Reuters

I got to admit - I love statement like this “expanded color range that covers 120% of the HDTV color standard”. Too bad it comes from a technology company. :(  The new TH-65VX100U sounds like it will be one hell of a HDTV.  Especially if the “Dynamic Black Layer” can take on the Kuro.

SECAUCUS, NJ, Sep 09, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — At the 2008 CEDIA Show in Denver, CO, the Panasonic Professional Display Company (PPDC), a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry leader in professional plasma displays, unveils its new Premiere Series line of high-end home theater plasmas. The Premiere Series launch kicks off with the introduction of the first model, the TH-65VX100U, a 65-inch full high-definition plasma display targeting the high-end custom home theater enthusiast. This model is scheduled for a January 2009 release and recently received a positive “first look” review from recognized HDTV industry veteran/expert, “HDTV Guru” Gary Merson on his popular website, http://www.hdtvguru.com/.

The TH-65VX100U is a full 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) plasma, employing Panasonic’s new “Premiere Panel,” which produces a stunning 60,000:1 contrast ratio with an industry-leading gradation level of 7,160 steps — a combination that results in a picture unmatched by any other plasma display currently on the market.
The TH-65VX100U incorporates a number of Panasonic’s proprietary, world-leading technologies. The deepest, richest blacks are achieved by using Panasonic’s latest-generation panels with a new Dynamic Black Layer on the front end, reducing pre-discharge to one-sixth that of conventional plasma models, while boosting the contrast ratio to 60,000:1. A newly designed phosphor material process technology and optical filter allows for an expanded color range that covers 120% of the HDTV color standard.

Panasonic’s world-leading 18-bit digital signal processing produces a detailed gradation from light to dark, with faithful expression of subtle color differences, while enhanced moving picture resolution results in clearer, crisper, and smoother moving images.

Each model in the Premiere Series line will be equipped with outstanding customizable functions for high-end home theater connoisseurs, including 16 adjustment menus covering items such as six gamma curve options and white balance settings, and an advanced memory function that makes it possible to name and save equalized data.

“Our new Premiere Series line further demonstrates a commitment to providing the professional and commercial market with plasma solutions for a wide range of applications,” said Andrew Nelkin, PPDC president. “This new line addresses the market’s need for a superior digital home theater display, one that produces an image that is unrivaled in the industry. We are truly excited to launch our new Premiere Series Iine of high-end home theater plasma displays at CEDIA with the TH-65VX100U, and are looking forward to even more Premiere models as the line continues to roll out.”

A 50-inch Premiere Series model, the TH-50VX100U, will be introduced first quarter of 2009, with a plan for additional screen sizes after that.

About Panasonic Professional Display Company
Panasonic Professional Display Company, a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, is responsible exclusively for the professional digital display business. Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan, and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic’s exclusive Panasonic Plasma Concierge program for professional and consumer owners of Panasonic Plasmas is administered through its Virginia-based Call Center which has been recognized as a Certified “Center of Excellence” by the Center for Customer-Driven Quality(TM) at Purdue University. For more information on Panasonic Professional Display Company, please visit www.panasonic.com/proplasma.

source: Market Watch | Panasonic

JVC Announces THX® Certified Home Theater Projectors Plus New Models That Bring D-ILA Technology To A Broader Audience
Four new front projectors offer brighter images, deep black levels, ease of use and flexible set-up

DENVER, September 4, 2008 - JVC expands its award-winning line of D-ILA home theater projectors with the launch of four new full high-definition models, including two THX® Certified* models. The new JVC projectors establish new benchmarks in performance and value, breaking new ground in color accuracy, black levels, ease of use and flexible adjustment. Like current highly-acclaimed JVC projectors, they achieve unprecedented contrast ratios without the use of an auto iris, and in fact the two THX Certified models offer a 30,000:1 native contrast ratio — the highest among all currently available home theater projectors.

The new projectors are the DLA-HD750 and DLA-HD350, to be marketed by JVC’s consumer group, JVC Company of America, and the DLA-RS20 and DLA-RS10 from JVC’s professional group, JVC Professional Products Company. The DLA-HD750 and DLA-RS20 are both THX Certified (for all worldwide markets) to ensure accurate and exceptional picture quality in the home theater environment. A trusted cinema and consumer brand, THX certification provides JVC a means to further differentiate its projectors from competitive offerings and communicate a clear message about quality to customers.  read the rest at JVC.com

EWOO Announces iPod(R) Audio Solutions with CABASSE Speakers and Screen Display Remote

GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 9 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — EWOO S.A. today announced their audio solutions for iPods: eFizz(R), eFizz Travel(R) and HandMusic(R). eFizz and eFizz Travel speakers were developed by EWOO through an unprecedented collaboration with CABASSE; the high fidelity speakers manufacturer for over 50 years, revered by audiophiles everywhere. The HandMusic remote instantly browses and displays all iPod and iPhone content from up to 500 feet away (line of sight). HandMusic also features a 1.8″ LCD TFT screen that displays album cover art and more and TouchWheel(TM) navigation to browse iPods and iPhone content. continued…

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With the advent of computer-based music systems, Cambridge Audio’s DacMagic upsampling digital to analogue converter is the most affordable and effective way to upgrade any PC, network music device, games console or standard CD/DVD player to truly high end sound quality.

This incredible device dramatically improves sound quality to enable the digital music generation and gaming fanatics to appreciate their collection immediately in a totally new light. Cambridge Audio has a passion for faithfully reproducing music as those in the recording studio intended and with the DacMagic, the company has once again set a new benchmark for audiophile excellence at a more than affordable price. The DacMagic is expected to take the market by storm.

The DacMagic has a variety of simple connections including S/PDIF, Toslink and USB inputs which mean it can be used to improve a wide range of devices with digital outputs such as soundcards, portable media player docks or networked music devices including sound bridges. Twin Wolfson DACs provide outstanding stereo imaging while a choice of digital filters is available for individual preference and flexibility. Key to its abilities is Adapted Time Filtering (ATF™) upsampling technology developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland which converts 16-24 bit audio data to 24 bit/192kHz dramatically improving musical reproduction. A 32 bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) eradicates jitter which is especially effective with hard disk playback from PCs.

See the specs from Cambridge’s site.

source: Cambridge Audio .com

Company’s First ‘ES’ Branded HTiB Features Incredibly Thin Speakers and Amazing Sound

DENVER, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ — (CEDIA Booth #600) — Sony today introduced the company’s first home-theater-in-a-box systems with integrated Blu-ray Disc(TM) players. Both models offer outstanding full HD video performance, HDMI inputs, advanced audio codecs and a striking design.

The BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-IS1000 are single-disc 5.1 channel surround Blu-ray Disc systems with S-Air(TM) wireless technology delivering full HD 1080p video performance and distinctive speaker designs perfect for the demands of today’s modern home decor. continued…

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