LATEST ADDITIONS

CES 2010
Listener Listens
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
Job one at the CES Venetian audio exhibits is listening. This listener was doing his job in the NVS Sound room.
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CES 2011
DEG Awards
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2010

One of the highlights of CES for me is the DEG (Digital Entertainment Group) awards event, at which content providers, hardware manufacturers, and retailers are recognized for their excellence and innovation. There are three awards for hardware—Sight (video displays), Source (Blu-ray players and the like), and Sound (electronics and speakers). As a side note, I've suggested more than once to the DEG that the Sound category should be split into two—Sound (electronics) and Speakers. Otherwise, one or the other type of product goes unrecognized each year, yet both are essential for a complete home-entertainment experience.

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CES 2010
iR for iPod
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2010
NewKinetix Re (the e is supposed to have a line over it, but I don't know how to generate that character - basically because I'm alphabetically challenged) is a plug-in accessory for an iPhone or iPod touch that turns either device into an IR remote control. Other such IR-enabling products already exist, but as far as I can tell the NewKintetix unit is the first one that does not require a separate box to generate the IR signal. One can be yours soon for $49.95.
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CES 2010
Video Hat Trick
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
The TV Hat people say it's "the next revolution in video viewing". That's quite a statement for a modified baseball hat that includes a pouch for most sizes of portable video players and a built-in magnifying glass to make the picture seem larger. Some important warnings:
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CES 2010
You Should See the Matching Sofa and Love Seat
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
I heard TiVo was going to be big this year, but I didn't realize this is what they meant.
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CES 2010
Panasonic Infinite Black
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
Panasonic's new "Infinite Black Pro" technology will appear in many of the company's new 2010 sets this year (from the G-series up), including all the 3D models. A new filter has been devised which is said to minimize reflective light and increase through-the-glass transmittence from the pixels. A native contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1 is claimed.
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CES 2010
Panasonic Bigger on 3D
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
Panasonic has two samples of its 152" (diagonal) plasma at the show. This one is showing 4K source material in 2D on the 4096 x 2160 pixel screen (that's 17:9, slightly wider than standard widescreen). The set is made from a full; Panasonic plasma mother glass, in its latest generation. This 2D picture was stunning. No price was announced, but if you have to ask...
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CES 2010
3D Sans Glasses
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
3D is great for those of us with highly advanced photographic skills. This photo only makes sens if you put on your 3D glasses.
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CES 2010
Here Comes the Sun
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
This Tokai Challenger, using Sharp solar cells, won the 2009 Global Green Challenge, an 1864 mile race across Australia. The weather was clear and sunny throughout, which was probably why they chose to race in the Australian Outback instead of from Juno to Seattle. The single seat, three wheeled car comes in any color as long as the underside is white and the top is plastered with 2176 black solar cells.
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CES 2010
Plug and Play Wireless Music
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2010
The Eos Converge Wireless Multi-room Audio System is a CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree and a "Best of Innovations" winner in the Computer Accessories category. The three new models include a standalone transmitter ($99) that accepts standard analog audio or an audio signal from your computer via a USB connection, a standalone pre-amp out only receiver ($99), and a receiver with a built-in 15 watts x 2 amplifier ($149). The system uses 2.4GHz frequency transmission, has a range of approximately 150 ft, and requires virtually no setup other than plugging in the power cords (and the speaker wire, and USB cable, and audio cable).
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