LATEST ADDITIONS

CES 2011
JBL Horns In
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
While it wasn't new, and didn't have the ultimate refinement of the Revel/Levinson system playing in the adjacent room, the imaging of JBL's massive horn-loaded Synthesis 1400 was striking and endlessly engaging. With two of these, you don't need a center speaker. With Mark Levinson electronics, the system weighed in at $44,500.
CES 2011
More on JBL
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
Here's the skinny on the JBL/Levinson system mentioned above.
CES 2011
Revel Does Ellis in Style
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
The Revel Ultima2 Salon2 speakers were driven by Mark Levinson electronics. Nothing new here either, but with a simple piano-bass-drums recording featuring Ellis Marsalis (not even an SACD, just a CD) the system sounded so natural we could have sat there all day. Total pricing just south of $122,000.
CES 2011
Meridian Makes Good on CEDIA Promises
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
The products Meridian promised at CEDIA 2010 are realities. They include the Media Core 200 (shown) whose "more accessible" $4000 price point will probably make you want to fling a whole bunch of these 500GB babies around your well appointed home. It combines Sooloos media server software with iWhatever or computer input, and we're not being sarcastic when we say that's a winning combination. Also shown were the Media Core 200 stereo preamp ($3000) with the DSP3200 powered speakers. The former includes a stereo width control: key in how far apart your speakers are, and it'll make the distance seen even wider (in a good way). After all, real people don't always put their speakers where they should go.
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CES 2011
Thiel SCS4T Now Shipping
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
That's it in the middle. As we've previously reported, it's the floorstanding big brother of the SCS4 stand-mount (left) with a slightly different crossover and outrigger feet that make it stable even in a house full of rocketing toddlers. Price $3690/pair.
CES 2011
(Mostly) Wireless 3D
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
IOGEAR took the wraps off a prototype of a Wireless 3D Media Kit that can wirelessly stream HD video and audio up to 100 feet and supports full HD 3D video with resolutions up to 1080p (24/30/60 fps) along with 5.1-channel digital audio. The transmitter includes four HDMI inputs, one composite, one component, and one USB. The receiver has one HDMI output and one USB port. The USB ports are to be used with wireless keyboards (which IOGEAR also happens to make). The receiver also has built-in IR that allows control of hidden source devices. Each transmitter can support up to four receivers. Price for one kit (includes one transmitter and one receiver) is projected to be under $500 when it begins shipping sometime in June of 2011.
CES 2011
iPico Projector Dock
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
Optoma introduced the Neo-I, an all-in-one AV iPod dock with a built-in pico projector, speakers, 16-watt amplifier, and an HDMI input. The promotional materials say it’s capable of projecting up to a 120-inch image, but I think that’s pushing it a bit. Skins will be available for the bezel surrounding the speaker grilles that will allow you to personalize the dock. MSRP is $449.
CES 2011: Glasses-Free 3D Deserves to Shine
Stan Horaczek  |  Jan 06, 2011

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Sony Press Conference
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
By far, the most entertaining press conference of the day was presented by Sony in its massive booth at the Convention Center. The event kicked off with Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer arriving on stage in the Black Beauty with Seth Rogan and Jay Chou, stars of the Green Hornet, which opens this weekend from Sony Pictures. According to Stringer, by March of 2011, over 50 million TVs in US homes will have access to the Internet via Sony PS3, IPTVs, and Blu-ray players, and 3D is going to be as much a part of TV as cable.

This year's TV lineup will include 27 new models with 3D and Internet access via Google TV. In addition, Sony has struck a deal with Time Warner to deliver cable programming via the Internet, so no set-top box is required. The flagship will be the HX920 series in 46- and 55-inch screen sizes, which will offer 3D capabilities and Internet connectivity in an LED-edgelit design with X-Reality Pro video engine and enhanced Motionflow frame interpolation. Also announced was the BDP-S780 3D Blu-ray player with WiFi, DLNA, and Skype.

(Click below for a couple more photos from this event.)

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Panasonic VT30 Plasma
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
The flagship of Panasonic's 2011 lineup is the VT30, with Infinite Black Pro 2, THX certification, and ISFccc modes along with 3D and Viera Connect.
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