Audio Video News

Got four or five HDMI components but only a couple of HDMI inputs on your TV or projector? No problem. Accell’s UltraAV lets you manually switch between up to five HDMI sources using buttons on its front panel or the supplied remote control. If you prefer autopilot, the switcher will detect the active input and switch to it automatically. Resolutions up to 1080p are supported, and maximum throughput is 6.75 Gbps.

Bonus Booster: A built-in signal repeater regenerates the audio/video signal, allowing it to be shuttled over a cable up to 49 feet long—perfect for when your component stack is on the other side of a huge room or tucked away in a basement closet. Price: $90

Accell • (877) 353-0772 • accellcables.com

LG LM9600 LED-BACKLIT LCD TV

The heart of LG’s super-streamlined LM9600 is an upgraded Smart TV package that offers a fast HTML5 Web browser, one-stop 3D movie shopping, access to 1,200 apps, and a cutting-edge remote that lets you control the set by talking, gesturing, pointing, or using a scroll wheel. The TV employs Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology for flicker-free 3D viewing and supports the Mobile HD Link (MHL) connection standard for displaying A/V content from compatible smartphones and tablets.

Nano Technology, Too: LED particles distributed on a thin film behind the screen facilitate more uniform light distribution, which is said to improve clarity, contrast, and color accuracy. Prices for 47-, 55-, and 60-inch versions: $2,900, $3,600, and $4,200, respectively.

LG • (800) 243-0000 • lg.com

OREGON MACRO DISC DOCKER

Art meets function in the Disc Docker, which provides a unique way to display and store favorite CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs close at hand. Each disc holder is adhesive-backed for easy mounting on any clean, flat surface and comes with a positioning template for artistes who want to make a squiggly design statement.

Quick Release: No futzing with jewel cases—discs can be quickly mounted or detached with one hand without risk of scratching. Perfect temporary storage for discs fresh out of the player. Price: $6.95 each, $14.95 for a three-pack, $24.95 for a six-pack.

Oregon Macro • (541) 683-1541 • discdocker.com

LEGRAND AIRQAST WI-FI SPEAKER SYSTEM

With airQast, you can wirelessly stream music on your PC to speakers that can go anywhere in the house and use your smartphone or tablet to play DJ—or stream directly from the mobile device. One of the speakers houses a 40-watt stereo amplifier and has a USB port (for setup), a line-level input, and a subwoofer output.

It’s the App, Stupid: Setup is simple. Run a USB cable from the speaker to your PC to download server software and download the free airQast app to your iOS or Android mobile device so you can select and play music, adjust volume, create playlists, and stream tunes from the Internet. Price: $399, available late summer.

Legrand • (877) 295-3472 • legrand.us

OPEN AIR CINEMA H-12 OUTDOOR MOVIE SCREEN

Who says drive-ins are extinct? With this 12-foot-wide inflatable screen, you can create a drive-in in your backyard. And if you don’t want to drag your A/V gear outside, spring for the CineBox Home package, which includes a projector, audio mixer, and DVD player in a carrying case; a pair of PA-style powered speakers, and cables.

No Huffing and Puffing: It takes less than 20 seconds to inflate the nylon screen using the supplied air blower. Once it’s standing tall, tie it down using adjustable straps and stakes and you’re ready to invite The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo into your outdoor man cave. Price: $899 for screen; $2,699 for standard-def package, $5,849 for 1080p package with PS3 console.

Open Air Cinema • (866) 802-8202 • openaircinema.us

PIONEER VSX-1122-K A/V RECEIVER

Features abound in Pioneer’s 7.2-channel VSX-1122-K receiver, which can reproduce high-resolution WAV and FLAC files and offers four virtual speaker modes to enhance realism for 3D movies and gaming. Highlights include five Dolby and DTS surround decoders, direct access to thousands of Internet radio stations, 1080p/24fps video conversion, automatic system calibration, and seven HDMI inputs.

Cutting-Edge Connectivity: Built-in AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream music from your favorite Apple device to your home theater and display album artwork on the big screen. A front-panel USB input expands your connection options and, with an optional adapter, you can stream stereo music from Bluetooth-enabled devices and create group playlists with Pioneer’s free Air Jam app. Price: $599

Pioneer • (800) 421-1404 • pioneerelectronics.com

PSB M4U 2 ACTIVE NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES

Drawing on 40 years of speaker know-how, PSB’s first-ever active headphones offer two sound-enhanced listening modes—one with noise canceling and one without. Cleverly, the foldable headband sports an input jack on each side to avoid tangles, and PSB provides two cables with adapters to accommodate various hookup scenarios; an in-line monitor button activates built-in microphones (used primarily for noise cancellation) so you can hear what’s going on around you. The M4U 2s weigh only 12.8 ounces (with two AAA batteries), and battery life is rated as 55 hours.

Sound of Speakers: Room Feel technology developed by PSB’s founder and chief designer, Paul Barton, promises sound so natural you’ll think you’re listening to a pair of good speakers. Price: $400

PSB • (905) 831-6555 • psbspeakers.com