The real story of CEDIA Expo 2012, in my opinion, was the way in which the traditional forces of custom integration and installation continue to respond to the flood of ever-more-capable products coming out of the consumer electronics sector, from wireless video and audio to cheap-and-cheerful iOS and Android propelled appliances.
The CEDIA Expo is supposed to be a showcase for custom home theater, multiroom sound, and home automation, but this year a lot of manufacturers didn’t seem to have read the rules. Instead of focusing on in-wall speakers or 12-channel amplifiers, they showcased wireless audio systems, desktop systems, and even headphones.
As S+V tech editor Al Griffin and I were wandering the floor of the Indiana Convention Center Friday afternoon, we came across the Mozaex booth. The music server manufacturer had some of those on display, ordinary enough for CEDIA - but wait. . .
Both Sony and LG had 84-inch edge-lit LCD TVs on display at CEDIA. What distinguishes these sets from other oversized TVs from companies like Sharp, etc. is that they have a resolution of 4K (actually, 3,840 x 2,160, or “Quad Full” HD).
Kaleidescape has paired up with storied movie critic Leonard Maltin to offer their customers a specialized list of movies hand-picked by the man himself.
Even if you don’t have a Kaleidescape system, they’ve posted video interviews with Maltin on YouTube about the movies.
All the info and one of the videos after the jump.
At the 2012 CEDIA Expo today, KEF introduced a product that should have appeal for a great many real world audiophiles - the new X300A desktop powered speaker system.
New CEDIA, new JVC projectors. Seven, in this case. As we’ve come to expect, the new models offer a little better performance and new features at lower price point.
Starting at $3,499, and perhaps most interesting, JVC’s 4K e-shift technology will now be available at $5,000.
Even though soundbars were pioneered by midline speaker companies like Definitive Technology and Polk, TV companies such as Samsung and Vizio kinda took over the category with ~$300 self-powered models that you didn’t have to connect to a receiver.
I go into every major audio/video trade show thinking I won’t hear much in the way of new speakers, yet every time I encounter new designs that leave me surprised at least and sometimes downright shocked. This year at the CEDIA Expo, I heard what is certainly one of the best audio demos I’ve ever heard — and maybe even the best.
In a sign of the times, Sony and Control4 announced today that a pair of Sony's top-of-the-line ES receivers (the $2,099 9.2 channel STR-DA5800ES and the $999 7.1 channel STR-DA2800ES in particular), would include Control4 automation right out of the box (single-room, entertainment-center-specific flavor only), with upgradability to a full Control4 Activation License available for $300 through your friendly neighborhood system integrator.
When we looked at Ultralink's UCubes miniature desktop speaker system last year, we were, overall, impressed with how they sounded, but felt that those who wanted serious bass from the tiny desktop system might be somewhat disappointed. There's only so much a tiny 2.0 system can do. Physics, you know.
Well, it looks like Ultralink's been listening, because today they introduced the $220 USub - what they claim is the world's smallest powered subwoofer.
Under-TV speakers should have taken off years ago. They give you all the benefit of a soundbar but they’re a lot easier to install. Just place one under a flat-panel TV, connect a cable or two, and you have a reasonable facsimile of home theater sound in a matter of minutes.