Audio Video News

The Optoma HD7100


Optoma's latest flagship projector has me playing Old Man River again. I remember a time (not long ago) when a single-chip DLP front projector with a high-def pixel count and premium-ish feature set cost a lot more than the $3499 that's pegged for Optoma's new top-of-the-line HD7100. And don't get me started on CRTs!

The HD7100's light engine is built around TI's DarkChip3 DMD, with a 1280x720 native pixel count. A four-way lens shift is included for installation precision with an unusual degree of flexibility. It offers adjustment in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Zoom ratio is specified as 1.25x.

Two HD-compatible component video inputs are included, as is a single HDCP-compatible DVI input. Light output is specified as full 1000 ANSI lumens, and contrast ratio is spec'd as 5000:1 full on/off. And the HD7100 is styled a little slicker than the Optoma projectors I've seen in the past. Available now.

Canton's New Speakers Made For Flat-Panels, Home Theater


Canton's CD-200 series home theater loudspeakers feature slim cabinets of brushed aluminum that are ideal for use with plasma and LCD flat-panel displays. The line's three models can be purchased separately or in complete 5.1-channel systems with matching subwoofers.

The CD 200 floorstander is the top of the line, followed by the CD 250, which can be mounted vertically or horizontally for center channel duty, and the CD 220 mini-speaker. All three models include Canton's aluminum-manganese tweeter and a 4" woofer that's similar to those used in the larger CD-300 series speakers.

The CD 200 uses four of the 4" aluminum woofers and a "2 1/2" way crossover network that employs all four woofers for bass duty, but only the top pair for upper-bass and midrange duties. This speaker is just 5.5" wide, 4" deep, and 43" tall. Retail price is $1500/pr.

The CD 250 uses a similar crossover, but features only two woofers in a 17" long (or wide) cabinet. It includes both a wall-mount bracket and tabletop stand, and can be mounted horizontally or vertically, making it versatile in being able to perform left and right and/or center channel duty. Suggested retail price is $500 each.

The CD 220 is a compact, two-way with a 4" woofer and a1" tweeter in a cabinet just 9" tall. It is tonally matched to the CD 200 and CD 250s, making it an obvious surround candidate in such a system. I'd also add that at that size it might be an outrageous desktop computer speaker. MSRP is $250 each.

Canton has also packaged two 5.1-channel home theater speaker systems with these speakers. The Movie CD 201 system is comprised of four CD 220s, a CD 250 center speaker, and 150-watt powered subwoofer for $1999. Moving up, the Movie CD 205 uses five CD 250s, and the AS 100SC powered subwoofer for $3099.

All of these speakers are available at retail now.