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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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Panasonic ST30 & GT30 Plasmas
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
As you might imagine, Panasonic is bullish on 3D, claiming that 32 percent of TV sales will be 3D by 2014. And as echoed by many TV manufacturers, demand for Internet-connected TVs will increase dramatically in the coming few years. Panasonic's Viera Cast has evolved into Viera Connect, complete with a Viera Connect Market for apps.

Like Samsung, Panasonic has increased the size of its plasma screens this year—54-inchers grow to 55, and 58 becomes 60. Improved performance includes greater 3D crosstalk reduction, deeper blacks thanks to new louvre filters, 30 percent more brightness with new phosphors, and 25 percent lower power consumption. (No mention was made about incorporating more Kuro technology in the new sets.) A total of 27 new models in five lines will be introduced in 2011, including the ST30 series (pictured here on the left), an entry-level 3D model with Viera Connect and Infinite Black 2 panel. ON the right is the step-up GT30 with a thinner bezel than last year and THX certification.

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Samsung 3D Glasses
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
To address the complaints about heavy, uncomfortable 3D glasses, Samsung introduced a new design with wrap-around, flexible temples, and they weigh only 1 ounce.
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Samsung BD-D7500 3D Blu-ray Player
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
Samsung's new BD-D7500 makes a striking design statement as the world's slimmest 3D Blu-ray player at just 0.9 inches thick. Even better, it boasts a boot time of only 3 seconds.
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Samsung Plasma+1
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
In the realm of plasma, Samsung has reduced the size of the bezel while increasing the standard screen sizes by 1 inch, calling this development Plasma+1. Screen sizes are now 43, 51, 59, and 64 inches, while the outer dimensions remain the same as last year's models. Pictured here is the D6500, a super-slim 3D plasma with full Smart TV capabilities.
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Samsung 3D LCD Smart TVs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
Samsung began its press conference with an interesting statistic—in 2010, over one million 3D TVs were sold, more than the number of HDTVs, DVD players, and Blu-ray players in their respective first years. So much for those who say that 3D TV is a flash in the pan…

Like LG, Samsung is using the moniker "Smart TV" for its networkable models, which will comprise two-thirds of the 2011 lineup. (I guess such a term cannot be copyrighted.) And 3D capabilities will be found in 60 percent of this years offerings, with lots of overlap. Pictured here (L to R) are the D8000 and D7000 LED-edgelit LCD TVs, which feature ultra-narrow bezels only 0.2-inch thick; both are Smart TVs with 3D capabilities. There are now over 300 Samsung apps, which have seen over 1.5 million downloads, thanks in part to contributions from third-party developers.

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CES 2011
DTS Makes the Case for 11.1
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011
One of the few loudspeaker-related audio demos on the floor at South Hall was the DTS demo of 11.1 surround with extra channels for height and width enhancement. It actually started with a mere 7.1 movie demo and worked its way up to footage of two savvy musician slash sound designers using a combination of acoustic instruments and electronic processing to create a height- and width-enhanced soundscape. The instruments included one that combined the functions of bass violin, cello, viola, and fiddle. A tree was also used as a musical instrument. It was noteworthy that the demo relied on 11.1 more for aesthetic effect (hmmm, that sounds nice) than for realism -- that is, an evocation of something that happens in the real world and is reproduced convincingly. From our seat in the back and off center, the effect was pleasing but not something we'd cite as grounds for adding numerous speakers to a basic 5.1 surround system. However, our colleague Josh Zyber saw another DTS 11.1 demo at Nobu two nights prior and said it was very impressive, with strong imaging in places you wouldn't expect. The pic, incidentally, is what folks saw while waiting in line for the 11.1 demo: other showgoers in raptures over DTS headphone technology.
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