LATEST ADDITIONS

CES 2011
iPhone iR iRemote iCase
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011
There are quite a few add-on devices that will turn your iPod touch into a remote control, but most of them are cumbersome or require some sort of obtrusive dongel. The most interesting one I’ve found so far is the Surc, which is an iPhone case with a built-in IR emitter. The case isn’t much larger than the iPhone itself, and it’s easily removable if you only want to use it at home. A free app is available that lets you customize the remote by adding in remote control code sets already in the Surc database – or you can teach the remote codes that aren’t yet available. Multiple rooms and macros can be easily programmed into the iPhone/Surc combo in minutes. It’s extremely easy to set up, and the UI is configurable (buttons can be moved, added, or removed). Availability is targeted for early 2011 with pricing yet to be determined. Surc cases for the iPod touch and iPad are in development. You can learn more at www.getsurc.com.
CES 2011
No Need to Download This App
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011
I thought I’d seen just about every variation of an iPod case by now, but a quick walk-through of the section of CES devoted to all things iPod brought me to this booth. Beaheadcase has combined a bottle opener with an iPod case because you never know when you might be using your iPod and need to open a bottle of beer. Just remember, don’t drink and download.
CES 2011
Will Rude Hand Gestures Be Part of Your AV System?
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011
Xbox Kinect users already know how cool it is to use motion control. PrimeSense, the folks who developed the technology behind the Kinect, are now actively licensing it to other companies and hope to have it built in to TVs in the near future. Computer maker, Asus, will be the first computer company to develop a product that will allow you to stream content from your PC to your TV and control it using hand gestures.
Audio Can be 3D, Too
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011

GenAudio's AstoundSound 3D-audio system is explained by inventor Jerry Mahabub; download a free 30-day trial of the consumer application here.

CES 2011
GoldenEar
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011
CES 2011
IOGEAR
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2011
CES 2011
JVC Front Projectors
Shane Buettner  |  Jan 09, 2011
Sony SS-AR1 Speaker
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2011
Every few years or so, Sony makes a splash with audacious speakers aimed at audiophiles, and this is one of those years. The SS-AR1 is a 4-driver, 3-way speaker with a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter, 5-inch sliced-paper cone midrange, and two 8-inch aluminum-cone woofers in a vented enclosure made of laminated Hokkaido maple that's harvested only in November. This model costs the equivalent of about $27,000/pair in Japan, but no firm pricing has been established for the US market.

The demo system I heard included an EMM XDS1 CD player, Pass X20 preamp, twin Pass 600.5 monoblocks, and Kimber cables throughout. Listening to Take 6 singing "I L-O-V-E U" from So Much 2 Say was astonishing in its clarity and definition of each sound in the dense mix.

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Meridian Media Core 600
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2011
For multi-room custom installations, Meridian is introducing the Media Core 600 audio server with two hot-swappable hard-drive bays, conveniently located in the front, and outputs for six independent zones, each including S/PDIF, SpeakerLink, and fixed and variable analog. The Media Core 600 replaces the Ensemble and eliminates the latency between zones playing the same content by slaving multiple zones to one clock. Even better, a new House Sync feature slaves multiple units to the same clock, eliminating latency in very large systems. Pricing and availability are to be determined.
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Meridian Media Core 200
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2011
The Sooloos audio-server system from Meridian is an audiophile favorite, but the Control 15 with touchscreen interface is pretty expensive at $7500. New at CES is the Media Core 200 server, which uses the iPad or iPhone as the control interface and sells for $4000. That's still a lot, but it includes 500GB of hard-disk space—enough for 1000 uncompressed CDs—and access to Rhapsody and Internet radio. Outputs include S/PDIF, SpeakerLink for Meridian digital powered speakers, and fixed and variable analog.
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