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CEDIA 2013
A Cube Even the Borg Would Envy
John Sciacca  |  Sep 27, 2013
When you think Definitive Technology, you probably think large, monolithic tower speakers or giant cube subwoofers. While the company would be OK with that, they have branched beyond the large home speaker into the portable market. Definitive Technology launched its portable speaker line-up with the terrific sounding Sound Cylinder, and they expanded their offerings this year by introducing The Cube. The Cube is a 7.7-inch black, uh, cube using tri-polar technology to deliver big sound across a large listening area. The cube features five 1-1/4-inch mid-high frequency drivers, one 5-1/4-inch woofer and 80-watts of total power. It can run off AC power, but for hi-fi on-the-go, the built-in Lithium Ion battery can deliver up to 10 hours of listening. Users can connect a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack or beam music to The Cube wirelessly via Bluetooth aptX technology. Also handy is an integrated rubberized handle in the back of The Cube, meaning that you can easily take your music with you when you get assimilated.
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CEDIA 2013
Crestron Expands Automation to Samsung Smart TVs
John Sciacca  |  Sep 27, 2013
Crestron’s message this CEDIA is, “Don’t just interface…integrate” where the home is a single, integrated solution with all components designed to seamlessly work together, and the products at their booth speak to that at every turn. One of the coolest new features is a brand new integration with Samsung’s Smart TVs. Available as an app through the Samsung download store, people can now use their Samsung TV remote to control their Crestron automation system. By pulling up a translucent graphic overlay, there are options for controlling shades, lights, temperature, etc. Also, the Crestron system can send announcements to the TV that appear on screen such as “Front Doorbell Ringing.”
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CEDIA 2013
Rediscover Your Movie Collection With Cinema One
John Sciacca  |  Sep 27, 2013
Kaleidescape Brings Movies to Life With Cinema One Kaleidescape demonstrated their latest product, the Cinema One, which brings the movie and music streaming performance of the company’s regarded Premier line to a far more affordable – sub $4,000 – price point. (Expect a full review of the Cinema One from Darryl Wilkinson.) Kaleidescape also had one of the sweetest booth giveaways at the Expo, drawing a card each day at 4 PM and giving the lucky winner a Cinema One! Also new from the company is the addition of cover art view to their awesome iPad control app. Now users can browse through their movie and music collections using the same cover art view that had previously only been available on the on-screen GUI. Want to shuffle the titles around? Simply give your Pad a shake.
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CEDIA 2013
Z-Wave Delivers Automation from the Top of the World!
John Sciacca  |  Sep 27, 2013
Proving the you’re never too far away from home to be in control, the Z-Wave Alliance sponsored a Himalayan expedition where climber Mariusz Malkowski went to the top of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world. When Malkowski reached the 29,609 foot summit, he Skype’d in live to the Expo show floor on a satellite phone. Malkowski said it was midnight his time with local temps at minus 40-degrees! Using his satellite phone, he was able to check the status of several Z-Wave devices, and after speaking to the assembled crowd for a moment, he then unlocked a Kwikset Z-Wave enabled door lock, and turned on Fibaro Z-Wave enabled lights and then adjusted his Remotec Z-Wave thermostat. Definite proof that you are never too far away from home for technology to keep you in touch!
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CEDIA 2013
Roaming With TiVo
Al Griffin  |  Sep 27, 2013
TiVo, the savvy couch potato’s alternative to a cable company DVR, just rolled out its 5th-gen Roamio platform. Roamio comes in 3 flavors: Core ($200), Plus ($400), and Pro ($600). The difference between the three comes down to storage (the Pro tops things off at 3 Terabytes) and options (the core Roamio has just cable and off-air tuning, while the Plus/Pro add streaming capability). TiVo service will run you $14.99/month.
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CEDIA 2013
TiO Unveils StealthStream 1: “World’s Smallest” Audio Zone Player
Bob Ankosko  |  Sep 27, 2013
Orlando, FL based Automated Technology Control Partners introduced the TiO StealthStream 1 (AZSS1) digital audio zone player at CEDIA 2013. At 1.9 x 2.73 x 3.9 inches, the company calls the small black box (with a stubby antenna protruding from it) the smallest such player on the market and says it provides a simple, cost-effective multi-room music solution—one that is controlled and configured through the TiO Home Android App.
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CEDIA 2013
You’re A Pretty Little Minx, Aren’t You?
Fred Manteghian  |  Sep 27, 2013
Two new products from Cambridge Audio caught my eye. It’s got that certain je nais c’est quoi that says I’d like to find a place to put it! First up is the three piece speaker system, the Minx M5. While the tiny 2” speakers in the cubes probably don’t produce bass frequencies as low as my IQ, the 5-1/4” subwoofer, easily placed at the foot of your desk, will certainly fill things out. With 60 watts of amplification built in, 15 for each of the satellites and 30 for the sub, it should have plenty of headroom to play cleanly to its limits. Best of all, the $299 asking price seems well set!
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CEDIA 2013
PowerBridge Makes DIY In-wall Power Extension Easier
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 27, 2013
In addition to launching four new in-wall power-extension kits at CEDIA, PowerBridge announced that a new AV category is now recognized in the National Electric Code 2014 – and that PowerBridge is the only in-wall power manufacturer recognized by the International Association of Electrical Inspectors.
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CEDIA 2013
Tutti-Frutti All-Rooty
Fred Manteghian  |  Sep 27, 2013
Monster now makes headphones for the Skittles crowd, but unlike Skittles, these babies are $170 a pop (MSRP). Although there were none on display at Monster’s press event, Monster also announced their own tablet in matching, candy-licious colors. Little Richard and Teenage girls world-wide rejoice!
CEDIA 2013
HDMI 2.0’s Dirty Little Secret
Fred Manteghian  |  Sep 27, 2013
How much bandwidth is enough for the upcoming HDMI 2.0 standard? Well, if all you want to do is watch what you’re watching today, your current cable will work. Even if you want to watch 4K material, the standard developing HDMI Forum says you don't have to get new cable provided your cable meets the latest HDMI 1.4 spec. Step in Noel Lee of Monster Cable who is worried about future requirements for 8K and beyond. Monster announced their new cable will be capable of 31.5 Gbps, well over the 18 Gbps the HDMI forum says is required for 60 fps, 4K material. Nothing available yet, just the promise, but I’d believe the head Monster. Or else!

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