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CES 2009
Dynamite Audio
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 07, 2009
If you want to take your home theater audio to the next generation, Dynaudio has the right speakers for you at CES. Dynaudio just unleashed its latest loudspeaker in the triumphant Focus series, the Focus 360. A result of the company’s own research, the Focus 360 pledges to bring a superior sound environment to all of your favorite movies. It includes two 8-inch die-cast frame woofers that incorporate 3-inch voice coils. The innovative voice coils are created from lightweight aluminum and house a center magnet system which contributes to its efficient sound reproduction overall.
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CES 2009
Taking it up a Notch
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 07, 2009
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of techy terms that go into the latest speaker systems and A/V receivers. But Onkyo takes the guesswork out of choosing a quality HD-capable system with its HT-S9100THX HTIB ($1,099). The model features a tonally matched 7.1 speaker system and an A/V receiver with 130 watts per channel. Onkyo’s quality A/V receiver boasts THX’s Integrated System Plus certification and claims to be compatible with just about any component you can connect it to. It features four HDMI v1.3a inputs and a number of legacy connectivity options. The HT-S9100THX also has Faroudja DCDi video upscaling along with Audyssey 2EQ and Dynamic EQ, and it provides decoding for the latest audio codecs.
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CES 2009
Monster High Def Music- A Ludacris Idea
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 07, 2009
Monster Cable’s Head Monster, Noel Lee, announced today that Monster Music will be releasing “Theater of the Mind,” the new album by hip hop superstar Ludacris. The “HDS” format of Monster Music allows their discs to be played in any DVD player producing high performance surround sound. The new Ludacris offering will be released on Blu-ray Disc in high definition lossless 7.1 surround sound that can be played on a Blu-ray player without the need for special audio decoders.
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Audio Video News
CES 2009: Wireless, 240 Hz, LED-backlit, and media-streaming TVs from LG
SV Staff  |  Jan 07, 2009
Rolling out 12 new TV lines is no small feat, even for a big manufacturer like LG. But that’s what happened this morning at CES. Here are a few of the highlights:•LHX Slim Wireless LED Backlight HDTVThis 55-inch model hits all the points on our...
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CES 2009
Sharp is High on Blu
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009
As with all manufacturers, Sharp announced a pile of new sets. But the BD series, available in five sizes (32-, 37-, 42-, 46-, and 52 inches) is the first we've heard of to feather built-in Blu-ray players. The three larges sizes offer 120Hz operation, 10-bit panels, and a Pure mode that selects the optimum settings for a program—including the correct aspect ratio for BDs and DVDs (if this works well, it will be a first, and a welcome one, but no claim was made that it will do this on broadcast sources). The set's cosmetics also feature a touch of blue (red was taken). The two largest models, will be available in February at $2599 (52") and $2299 (46").
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CES 2009
More A/V Receivers, of Course
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 07, 2009
NAD’s latest offering to CES is another pair of A/V receivers, the T 747 and T 737, which the company says offer stellar performance and unbeatable value. The T 747 in particular decodes both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, a must for any high-quality receiver. It also provides Faroudja DCDi processing, auto calibration, and it can reach sound levels of up to 60 watts per channel.
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CES 2010
Sharp's World First
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2009

Among nine new models of LCD TVs on display at Sharp's press conference, the company introduced the world's first models with an integrated Blu-ray player, including the LC-46BD80U pictured here. In addition to the side-mounted, slot-loading player, members of the BD80 line offer Pure Mode, which senses the content format and automatically sets the TV's aspect ratio and other parameters. Three screen sizes will be available in February: 52" ($2600), 46" ($2300), and 42" ($1900). LCD/DVD combos have been around for quite a while, so I've been wondering who would be first to market with an LCD/BD combo; now I—and you—know.

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CES 2009
Show Off
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 07, 2009
Pass Labs is showing off its SR1 loudspeaker at this year’s CES for good reason. The $25,000/pair model doesn’t fall under the inexpensive category by any stretch of the imagination, but its driver technology aims to please the fiercest critic. The SR1’s drivers incorporate Nextel-coated cones and a Crescendo tweeter from the Seas of Norway. With this unique craftsmanship, the SR1 promises to deliver unparalleled performance.
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CES 2010
Turn it Up...No Wait, Turn it Down...
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009

Toshiba announced that it will add Dolby Volume as a feature in its 2009 Regza line of LCD televisions. Dolby Volume delivers a consistent volume level by automatically bringing down the volume of louder stations or commercials or
raising the volume of lower channels or commercials to maintain the desired listening
level. It's a welcome feature since loud commercials can be very annoying.

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CES 2010
Flash! DTS Acquires Neural Audio
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009

Seeking to expand its presence in the broadcast, satellite radio, automotive and gaming markets, DTS announced the acquisition of Neural Audio of Kirkland, Washington. The acquisition also brought aboard several executives from Neural who were instrumental in the development of the AAC and MP3 digital formats. It's encouraging to see aggressive business strategies like this in difficult economic times.

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