LATEST ADDITIONS

CEDIA 2010
CEDIA Honors Lutron’s Founder
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 22, 2010
CEDIA is giving Joel Spira, founder of lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., the organization’s 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award “recognizes an individual who has exhibited outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the growth and advancement of the residential electronic systems industry”. What has Mr. Spira done to deserve such an honor? For starters, he invented the world’s first dimming device back in 1959, which launched Lutron as a company, as well as helped revolutionize the lighting control industry. In the years since, Lutron estimates they have made it possible for owners of the company’s lighting control devices billions of dollars in energy costs – not to mention all the personal benefits of convenience and enhanced lighting ambiance.
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CEDIA 2010
Nothing to See Hear
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 22, 2010
Stealth Acoustics has a problem. They don’t want you to see their speakers, especially their newest models called the LinearResponse Series. Although I couldn’t see him, Stealth Acoustics’ representative says the new speakers are an improvement over the previous generation using similar custom carbon-fiber motor and cone-woofer technologies. But the really big enhancement is the use of a new face-panel material that provides a flatter front surface area, which means installers won’t need to pre-plaster or otherwise pre-treat the front face-panel before installation. The new design can be installed and painted or wallpapered over immediately. That’s a huge time-saver, and – as with anything as labor-intensive as custom install projects are – a big money-saver, too.
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Audio Video News
Netflix launches streaming-only service in Canada
SV Staff  |  Sep 21, 2010
Starting Wednesday, September 22, Canadian residents will be able to subscribe to Netflix's streaming video service, without receiving physical discs in the mail. While Netflix has offered its streaming video service for several years, it has...
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Robin Hood (Blu-ray)
David Vaughn  |  Sep 21, 2010
Following the death of King Richard in France, Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) and his gang are heading home to England when they encounter the dying Robert of Locksley who was tasked with bringing the King's crown back to London. Robin promises the dying man to return his sword to his father in Nottingham. When he arrives in Nottingham, his life takes a precarious turn as he assumes the identity of Robert of Locksley and helps the new King defend the country against a French invasion.

Reimaging a classic hero is a daunting task and unfortunately the screenplay from Brian Helgeland doesn't impress. With Crowe and director Ridley Scott reuniting I expected to be blown away by the production but I felt like I was watching Gladiator 2 instead of a prequel of Robin Hood. Furthermore, the first act is confusing as hell and I felt no emotional connection with any of the main characters.

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CEDIA 2010
Russound Sends the iPod to Collage
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 21, 2010
If you read our review of Russound’s Collage Powerline Media and Intercom System, you know I was extremely impressed with its ease of install, reliability, and potential capabilities. One of those capabilities – integrating with an iPod through an optional iPod dock – is now a reality because Russound is introducing the CPD1, which makes your iPod an available source on a Collage system. Since the Collage system uses Powerline technology for connectivity, there are no new wires and few additional wires that need to be run to install the system. Installing the CPD1 is just as easy (about as plug and play as you can get), and the dock adds a third source of music in addition to music stored on networked computers and each Collage Keypad’s built-in FM tuner.
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CEDIA 2010
Phase Tech Wants You to “Dance You’re A** Off”
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 21, 2010
Former Spice Girl “Scary Spice”, Mel B, and current star of both “Mel B: It’s a Scary Life” and “Dance Your A** Off” is getting some Phase Technology, Induction Dynamics, and SoundTube speakers in her (no doubt, plush) home in California. I’m sure as part of a quid pro quo, Mel B is going to appear at the Phase Technology/Induction Dynamics/SoundTube (all part of the MSE Audio Group) booth on Friday, September 24th, in order to sign autographs and attract as much attention to the booth as possible. I was never a fan of the Spice Girls, nor do I watch any of Mel B’s current TV efforts – but I will go by the booth; not on Friday, though, because they’re having free beer on Thursday. (I’d have gone by regardless of the free booze since Phase Tech is one of my favorite all-around speaker companies.)
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CEDIA 2010
CEDIA 2010 Show Report
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Sep 21, 2010
Scott Wilkinson will be reporting live from CEDIA Expo 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia starting September 22nd.

The CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Intallation Association) Expo is where many high end audio/video manufacturers preview upcoming products for the media, dealers, and installers of custom home theaters and whole-house audio/video systems.

CEDIA 2010
Show Report Coming Soon!
CEDIA 2010  |  Sep 21, 2010
We will be covering the show live from Atlanta, Georgia.
Power Amplifier ReviewsSurround Processor Reviews
Classé CT-SSP Surround Processor and CT-5300 Amplifier
Fred Manteghian  |  Sep 21, 2010

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $18,000 At A Glance: Audio is smooth yet highly detailed • Amp has power to drive cattle • Great ergonomics • Spartan video

HT editor Shane Buettner laughed at me when I told him I spent two months strength training before the Revel Salon2 speakers arrived at my home last year.

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Audio Video News
Denon names 5 big names 'Centennial Partners'
SV Staff  |  Sep 20, 2010
Denon is continuing its 100th anniversary proceedings by declaring its "Centennial Partners," a group of 5 home theater technology companies that Denon says has been vital in its projects. The partners read like a Who's Who in home audio, and...
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