New Products

Like so many other things in this upside-down world, CES 2021 is a casualty of the pandemic. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) decided months ago to transition from the usual mega gathering in Las Vegas to an all-digital virtual experience. The show must go on — just not in person this time around. So instead of walking an expansive show floor and visiting company booths to check out new wares firsthand, the staff of Sound & Vision will be logging onto the official CES portal to seek out news and information relevant to our readers. (Sorry, the portal is available only to media and members of the trade who have registered for the show.) Though the virtual show officially goes live on Monday (January 11), A/V-related news is trickling in with high-tech TV leading the way.

Ringing in the New Year has new meaning as we say good riddance to a year besieged by a deadly virus and transition to what we all hope will be a fresh start in 2021 — new beginnings without tragic loss, social isolation, and economic devastation. While you contemplate the better world that awaits us, here’s a peek at the latest news and products AV companies have to offer.

Definitive Technology today announced the addition of a compact soundbar system to its lineup. The Studio 3D Mini features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing, 4K/Dolby Vision video pass-through, and HDMI eARC connectivity. It’s also the first Def Tech product to feature HEOS Built-in, letting users stream audio from multiple services as well as link the soundbar wirelessly to a HEOS-enabled multiroom setup.

With Thanksgiving only two weeks away, the 2020 Holiday Season is well underway as pandemic-wary shoppers scramble to place online orders to ensure gifts are delivered before Christmas. Whether you plan to shop online, mask up and hit the stores, or opt for “contactless delivery” or curbside pickup, there are plenty of new A/V products to consider. From a newly ISF-certified projection screen to a hi-res music streamer that can be had for $129 to a unique speaker that finds a crazy new application for the tried-and-true acoustic diffuser, we take a look at some of the new gear A/V makers have introduced in recent weeks with high hopes of making your holiday list.

Canadian A/V electronics maker Anthem has announced a comprehensive refresh of its AVM processor, MRX receiver, and MCA amplifier lines. Estimated to ship in December, the new arrivals consist of a pair of preamp-processors, a trio of receivers, and power amps in 2-, 3-, and 5-channel configurations.

Do your existing HDMI cables support 8K? Maybe that’s not something you need to panic about right now, but if you are putting together a system and need cables, you may want to consider Ultra High Speed certified ones like those in AudioQuest’s new 48Gbps lineup.