Able Planet Unveils New Gaming Headphones That Help Prevent Hearing Loss
Advanced New Headset for PC Gamers Extends Multi-Media Gaming to the Hearing Impaired

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., Nov 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Addressing renewed concerns about hearing loss among young people who listen to personal headphones for just five hours a week at a high volume, Able Planet today unveiled a new high-fidelity multi-media headset for PC gamers that is safer during playback and provides the optimal gaming experience. Able Planet’s new PS500MM delivers quality audio, convenient one-touch features for controlling volume and microphone functionality, and attractive styling at an affordable price.

Able Planet’s patented LINX AUDIO(TM) technology embedded in the PS500MM can help to preserve hearing by allowing users to lower the volume to safer listening while still receiving a full and rich audio sound. Originally developed for those with mild to severe hearing loss, all Able Planet products are based on the company’s breakthrough micro-technology.

“We designed this innovative new headset specifically with PC gamers in mind,” said Able Planet’s chairman and CEO Kevin Semcken. “Gamers tend to spend significant periods of time playing online games and such extended play of rich multimedia sounds puts a cumulative strain on the ears this can cause hearing loss and fatigue. Our technology minimizes this risk so that users no longer have to turn up the volume just to be able to drown out background noise.”  continued on Market Watch….

source: Market Watch

If the sounds on this is good at all this is a very nice little gizmo. Clean looking and to the point.

-AR

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Ultra-slender complete home theater system creates room-filling surround sound while virtually disappearing from sight as a base platform for flat-panel TV’s

Submitted to HomeToys.com on: 11/19/2008, 4:08 pm

Swampscott, MA. November, 2008— ZVOX is pleased to announce the Z-Base 550, a complete home theater system built conveniently into a base platform for stand-mounted flat-panel TV sets. Based on several design innovations from ZVOX, the Z-Base 550 sounds absolutely terrific–reproducing music and movie soundtracks with lifelike accuracy. But the entire system–speakers, amplifier, virtual surround technology and powered subwoofer–fits into a super-slim cabinet engineered to accommodate the heft of virtually any flat-panel TV.

“As the prices of flat-panel TV’s have come down, more and more people are buying them, however fewer and fewer mount them on walls,” explained ZVOX founder Tom Hannaher. “The Z-Base 550 has been designed specifically to address this trend in the marketplace—our extensive research indicates that the Z-Base 550 will accommodate almost all of the top-selling flat-panel TV’s between 32″ and 47″ in diagonal measurement,” Hannaher stated.  continued….

Stats:

Energy Star qualified power supply
The ZVOX Z-Base 550 HSD system uses an Energy Star qualified power adapter for increased efficiency and long-term energy savings.
Specifications
• (5) 2″ full-range speakers and (1) 5.25″ subwoofer
• PhaseCue virtual surround sound
• Auto-on/auto-off circuit
• Remote control included
• (2) Analog stereo inputs (mixing inputs)
• Power: 60 watts
• 28″w x 14.5″d x 3.5″h

source: hometoys.com

This is awesome. It uses low frequency to shake your butt when watching movie, video games and music. Can’t really see this being useful for the hi-fi folks, seeing as you should probably have equipment that can do this already, but for everyone else this is great. It cost $300 so it could even be a perfect gift this Christmas for your movie buff friends.

-AR

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All New Wireless ButtKicker® Kit to be Released by Amazon.com on Black Friday

Westerville OH, November 17, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — The Guitammer Company announces the release of the all new wireless ButtKicker® Kit for home theater, gaming and music. The new ButtKicker Kit is a complete, consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself product for home theater and gaming that quickly and easily transforms any type of furniture to become part of an affordable “4-D” theater, allowing viewers to literally feel sound… including movie soundtracks, concert quality audio and video game explosions, bumps and thumps. As more and more families satisfy their entertainment needs in their own homes, the ButtKicker Kit will provide an exciting tactile addition to basic setups and for home theaters already equipped with HDTV flat screens, surround sound, an Xbox and a Blu-ray player. It’s not expensive, but it is a first class performance upgrade.

Used by Disney, IMAX, Universal Studios, The Kennedy Space Center, dozens of Grammy Award-winning musicians and thousands of home theater owners worldwide, ButtKicker brand low frequency audio transducers provide high quality low frequency audio and realistic special effects, without loud volume, adding a powerful and exciting effect to movies, music and games. But don’t let the name fool you… ButtKicker brand products are serious, award-winning pro audio “silent subwoofers” that provide powerful, musically-accurate low frequency effects… without airborne sound… perfect for apartments and close living quarters…. for more read here….

www.thebuttkicker.com

source: prnewswire

CHECK OUT THE CONSUMERREVIEW HOLIDAY GUIDE. CLICK THE IMAGE TO GET TO THE GUIDE

Check out the Budget holiday guide from ConsumerReview.  Audio stuff, Home Theather, Camera, Car gear, mountain and road bikes, the gold came of golf and more.

www.consumerreview.com

- AR

PowerLite Home Cinema 700 Offers Affordable Home Entertainment Experience for Gaming, Movies and More

Last update: 3:05 a.m. EST Nov. 10, 2008

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov 10, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — Expanding its leadership in the front projector market to the entry-level audio video consumer, Epson today announced the feature-rich, value-priced PowerLite(r) Home Cinema 700. The latest in Epson’s line of 3LCD home theater projectors, the Home Cinema 700 offers 720p high definition resolution, high brightness and superior image quality for only $799, delivering an amazing and affordable home entertainment experience to a new range of consumers.

As the number-one selling projector brand worldwide(i), Epson has packed the Home Cinema 700 with a wide variety of consumer-friendly features and benefits, making home theater projection simple and easy for first time buyers or do-it-yourself AV enthusiasts. Featuring industry-leading 3LCD technology for brilliant high-definition widescreen images and video with amazing detail and no possibility of color break-up or distracting “rainbow effect,” the Home Cinema 700 offers movie theater-like images with up to 2,000 lumens of brightness, seven pre-set color modes and HDMI connectivity.

Read the rest at MarketWatch….

HDTVExpert.com has a great review on the projector concluding this….

Epson’s Powerlite Home Cinema 720 is one of the better low-cost home theater projectors I’ve tested. It looks great when fed a steady diet of 720p and 480p content, but is a bit challenged with 480i and 1080i program material. Even so, the projector’s longer throw lens, full range of image adjustments, and two-axis mechanical lens shift (coupled with a good upscaling DVD player) make up for its shortcomings.

Read the review here…

source: Market Watch | HDTVExpert

Chris Iaquinta over at IGN has a bit of news on a new 3D projector from JVC.  This is a great step in an awesome direction. Think of the video games technology that could take advantage of this. Now some of my friends will never leave the house.

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November 5, 2008 - Ever since we first saw Michael Jackson spinning around in all his 3D glory with his Disneyland attraction Captain EO, we’ve been fans of the 3D experience. While the applications of the technology haven’t always been stellar (Yes “Superman Returns”, we’re looking at you), it’s definitely one of the future’s most appealing possibilities for total visual immersion. The latest 3D movie productions have been able to benefit from a new technology that doesn’t require the use of those stupid 3D glasses that make us look like a cross between a deer hunter and a bartender from “Johnny Mnemonic.” Looking to capitalize on the emerging interest in 3D entertainment, JVC has announced the first 3D projector marketed for home theater owners, the DLA-RS2.

Continued on IGN….

JVC

Gordon Kelly over at Trustedreviews.com is reporting on a new Sony technology that will use the blue lazer for higher quality CDs Audio. This is probably going to be cool, and released in Japan in time for x-mas ‘08. But are we really going to ditch are plethora of old recordings on CD in case we might hear something new? We’ll have to see.

-AR

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If you regularly read our comments sections you’ll tend to find plenty of audiophiles among us, a group who finds nothing less than lossless quality sound acceptable (yes, we’re proud of you all) meaning this could - quite literally - be music to your ears…

Taking its Blu-ray disc technology to the next logical step, Sony has announced a new standard it is dubbing ‘Blu-spec’ which uses the great accuracy of the blue lasers to write music to the humble CD. The result: audio quality should be vastly increased. Naturally enough, Sony hasn’t gone into any quantitive detail about how much better this already-most-subjective of matters but the kicker is Blu-spec CDs will be compatible with existing players around the world.

continued on trustedreviews.com…

Translated Press Release (via google)

We’ve Pulled Together the Best Home Theater In a Box for Under a Grand.

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. This time we are money conscience.  These are the best picks over the past year or so for under $1000.00.

Quick Top Picks: Panasonic SC-PT750 JVC TH-L1 Samsung HT-BD2 Onkyo HT-S990THX Sony DAV-IS10

Editor’s Choice Best HDTVs Editor’s Choice Best Blu-ray Player

How to Choose a Home Theater in a Box:

Home Theater in a Box Building Up Your Own Home Theater System Pros - Easy as plug and play. Someone else has pieced together the components so they all match. Typically HTiB save space and money. Cons -Not going to impress any audio snobs, but who cares? Not everyone has time, energy or money for a individually hand picked theater system. Pros - Your bank account is the limit in hi-fi heaven. You’ve done your research and know your stuff, you shouldn’t be displeased at all. Cons -Where did your time and money go?

Choosing a Home Theater in a Box is pretty simple.  There are a couple things that you really only need to keep in mind. - The more you spend, the more likely the sound, options, and design will be of higher quality. Though you don’t have to spend a lot to get a good home theater experience. - That you may have trouble upgrading your speakers at a later point, if you so choose.  You might want to ask around in our forums for suggestions for your own room size. - The larger a room you are trying to fill with quality sound the more power you’ll want from your HTiB Experts may all agree on the advantages or shortcomings of any product they review but, at AudioReview.com, we believe that the average consumer can best summarize all the details a product has to offer… So read what users have to says!

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Panasonic SC-PT750 - $339

See the Specs

CNet.com says: While it’s short on inputs, Panasonic’s affordable SC-PT750 delivers DVD upscaling, wireless surround speakers, an iPod dock, and some surprisingly decent sound quality for a great price. How Stuff Works.com Says: The Panasonic SC-PT750 is a small and sleek home theater system with wireless surrounds that works great for smaller rooms. The main unit is not only the amplifier, but also a 5-disc DVD and CD changer. Included with the SC-PT750 are five main speakers, a subwoofer unit, the wireless receiver for the rear speakers, remote control, iPod dock, and cables for connecting various components. Audioholics.com Says: Panasonic produces several low cost home theater products and the SC-PT750 includes many features for the price. This package is very similar to its little brother, the SC-PT650 , but we feel the black color matches a better with most newer flat panel displays and the wireless rear speaker receiver is included, along with slightly larger front left and right speakers.

Read here for more details and find out prices.

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JVC TH-L1 - $260

See the Specs

DigitalTrends says: The JVC TH-L1 is an adequate system for first-timers, starving students and people who want a multi-faceted system but who are on strict budgets. It’s also good for smaller home theater rooms with good acoustics. The TH-L1 is easy to set up, looks decent and works consistently. CNet.com Says: While the sound isn’t overpowering, the wealth of connectivity options and features bundled into the JVC TH-L1 home theater in a box makes it well worth the inexpensive price tag. Techradar Says: Setup is quick and easy, thanks to the use of labelled speaker cables while the onscreen setup menu is well designed and smartly presented. The remote is cluttered but doesn’t take long to master. Despite its diminutive speakers, the system is capable of producing a surprisingly muscular sound with our test DVD of Finding Nemo.

Read here for more details and find out prices.

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Samsung HT-BD2 - $899

See the Specs

CNET.com says: 7.1-channel all-in-one home theater system with built-in Blu-ray player; built-in support for latest Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio surround processing; elegant styling, with four tallboy speakers; full-size subwoofer; upscales DVDs to 1080p. HiFi-ring.com Says: Consumers can now enjoy the full HD 1080p with Samsung’s Blu-ray player from the HT-BD2 home theater system. The HT-BD2 7.1 channel HD receiver speaker system provides richer and powerful sound with its industry leading Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio format support. With its sleek, piano black design the HT-BD2 augments both the audio presence and visual aesthetics of home theatre. UltimateAVmag.com Says: Excellent spec for the money, including fine Blu-ray pictures and sounds, plus 7.1 speakers; very stylish looks / Treble is a bit harsh, whilst bass isn’t quite deep enough; could do with a little more sonic solidity

Read more details and find out prices here.

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Onkyo HT-S990THX - $999

See the Specs

WiredMag Says: With 7.1 surround capability and no built-in DVD player, the not-so-compact HT-S990THX isn’t your typical home theater package. But what it lacks in onboard video it more than makes up for in audio quality. The bookshelf speakers are boxy, but they produce a more accurate soundstage and wider dynamic range than the other, less homely systems in this category. CNet Says: The Onkyo HT-S990THX is the world’s first THX-certified home-theater-in-a-box system. The package combines seven large two-way, multidriver speakers; a 12-inch, 230-watt powered subwoofer; and a full-size A/V receiver that offers generous connectivity, component video conversion, and ample power. It’s also XM Satellite radio-ready with the latest XM HD Surround. About.com Says: Fortunately, there are growing number of all-in-one home theater systems that can deliver the goods, and the Onkyo HT-S990THX is one that is designed to do just that. With a THX Certified Receiver, loudspeakers, and subwoofer, everything in this system is a good match.

Read more details and find out prices here.

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Sony DAV-IS10 - $399

See the Specs

HiFiRing.com says: This 5.1-channel home theater system from Sony wouldn’t take so much place in your house with these tiny satellite speakers measuring about 43mm x 43mm. Also note that you can get optional speaker stands (WS-FV11) for a retail price of $155/pair. The A/V receiver includes an on-board DVD player compatible DivX, JPEG, MP3 and a built-in AM/FM tuner is present. Review WhatHiFi Says: ‘Outrageous’. While that might seem a strange word on which to begin a review of a home cinema system, it’s an appropriate epithet to pin to a product that induced in our reviewing team varying degrees of gob-smacking, jaw-dropping shock. We’ve long been accustomed – especially in this more style-oriented part of the market… CrunchGear.com Says: Overall this is a pretty hot-looking product that fits in best in tight quarters. At $800, it’s even a bargain given the surprising sound quality and versatility. The home networking adapter is an essential extra if you’re using this as your main music system, since it lets you stream tunes from your computer wirelessly, though the optional speaker stands seem hilariously out of place for a system this small.

Read more details and find out prices here.

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This little, pricey, piece of equipment is so awesome. Voice command, link up to 4 projectors for a larger multi-screen image. The Toshiba TLP-X200U might cost you an arm and a leg at $1739.00 for the projector, but if you have the green you will get some great new technology.

-AR

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IRVINE, Calif., Nov 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — A leader in creating innovative mobile computing products, Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, today announced the launch of the lightweight TLP-X200U wireless 3LCD projector, the world’s first projector with voice guidance. This innovative feature provides ease of use, preventative maintenance updates and a lower total cost of ownership. The slim TLP-X200U network compatible projector also incorporates closed captioning, a unique multiscreen function for large venue use and is covered by Toshiba’s three-year standard limited warranty(1) for $1,739 (MSRP)(2).

“Toshiba has designed, engineered and manufactured the TLP-X200U projector with its special voice guidance to help reduce projector maintenance costs,” said Jane Poon, product marketing manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “The voice guidance system conveniently directs users with an audible message through the projector’s operating instructions and system warnings, such as the on/off status, lamp life, air filter checks and cooling fan status.”

Continued on MarketWatch….

On explore.toshiba.com

source: MarketWatch

This might be a bit over kill for home AV but this piece of equipment is something to drool over. The Digital Binloop HD can give eight channels of high definition playback. It plays MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 from CompactFlash cards at high bitrates. Each track can operate independently, or can sync with others.

-AR

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USA - Alcorn McBride has introduced the Digital Binloop HD, a product that provides playback of up to eight HD video channels in only three rack units. Designed for themed entertainment, museums, and other applications requiring high-resolution video playback, the Digital Binloop HD stores video on CompactFlash so it has no moving parts to wear out and handles video resolutions of 1080i, 720p, 480P/576P, or 480I/576I.

Read more on LSI Online…

www.alcorn.com

source: LSI Online