LATEST ADDITIONS

While wandering the aisles of the recent Audio Engineering Society show in San Francisco, I found a great little measurement rig for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that deserved inclusion in my recent article on DIY audio measurement in the January 2011 issue of S+V [on stands now]. Unfortunately, the article had already gone to press, so I thought I'd report on the system here.

The new service will operate via subscription, like Rhapsody, versus download, like iTunes. It will enable owners Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, HTiBs, and PS3 gaming consoles to enjoy a catalogue of six million songs. Eventually it will also cover Android phones, Sony portable devices, and other things.

While the service is making its debut in the U.K. and Ireland, it will expand in 2011 to the U.S. and other countries. Pricing will be four euros a month (about $5) for basic service and 10 euros a month ($13) for premium service. The latter lets you hear every song on demand, create personal playlists, and access the premium Top 100 channels.

Blu-ray disc production is up sharply over the past year. Within four more years it is expected to rise to billions of units.

Futuresource, a research firm, says that BD production is likely to hit 400 million discs in 2010, a 60 percent increase from 2009. By 2014, two billion discs are likely to be shipped worldwide.

The analysts say growing ownership of players and falling disc prices have both played a role in Blu-ray's current growth. They say 3D is likely to give it an additional boost. In particular, the expiration of Panasonic's Avatar exclusive in February 2012 will give the format a shot in the arm.