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CES 2009
Hitachi Super Resolution
Tom Norton  |  Jan 09, 2009
Both Hitachi and Toshiba were showing technology designed to upgrade the quality of program material. Toshiba's (Resolution+) is coming soon in some of its new sets and is being promoted as an upgrade for SD programming. Hitachi's Super Resolution is still in the prototype stage, but is designed to work with both HD and SD material. The effect was stunning and quite obvious in the photo, where the image on the left side is straight, unprocessed SD and the image on the right side has been processed by Super Resolution. We'll be anxious to give this technology a try when it comes with Hitachi sets.
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CES 2010
Laptop Sooloos
uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 09, 2009

Sooloos, manufacturer of server-based home entertainment systems, was recently acquired by Meridian, well known for their luxury AV products. The Sooloos has been considered one of the most intuitive and user friendly (as well as costly) media servers available. The merge with Meridian is a great fit for both companies.

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CES 2009
Accordian to Built
Tom Norton  |  Jan 09, 2009
Built (that's the company's name) apparently makes interesting accessories, such as a unique backpack for a laptop. But that wasn't my main interest here. Take a look at the odd-looking "wall" that was used to set off Built's exhibit. It consists of an accordian-like construct of stiff brown paper, and when stretched out becomes free-standing with an outside edge that resembles thin vertical ribs with gaps in between. I immediately thought "acoustic room treatment." Just a thought, of course, and it might not work at all, but it's perhaps an interesting idea for a cheap (perhaps--I don't know the price of the product) diffusor. The product itself is made by a Canadian company called Molo, the paper is fire-retardant, and it apparently comes in a variety of colors.
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CES 2010
Building on a Good Idea
uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

Last year, Wadia Digital introduced the 170 ITransport, a high-resolution audiophile iPod dock for playback on high-end A/V systems. A new companion piece is the 151 Digital Amp, which creates a miniature 2-channel system for listening to not only your iPod but other stereo sources as well. The 151 has 2 coax and one optical input, along with a USB port (for flash drives). The high-end DACs (which is what WADIA is well known for) coupled with the build-in 50 watt amp, creates a compelling high-end system that doesn't cost a lot (by audiophile standards) or take up much space. The iTransport sells for $379. The price for the 151 Digital Amp was not disclosed but would definitely be under $1K.

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CES 2009
Pioneer Blu-ray
Tom Norton  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009
Pioneer introduced two new standard Blu-ray players, the BDP-120 and the BDP-320. The BDP-120 is expected to sell for under $300. A new Elite player, the BDP-23FD, offers Kuro Link, a new feature said to sync up with Kuro HDTVs for optimum setup and operation. We'll wait to se on that one.
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CES 2010
Induction Dynamics S1.8 Speaker
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

Induction Dynamics showed its S1.8 3-way ported loudspeaker, a versatile model that can be used as a bookshelf or freestanding speaker. Based on my recent experience with ID speakers, they feature extraordinary construction quality, excellent sound quality and are well suited for multichannel music and movies. The secret to their sound quality lies in the 4th order crossovers, which provide 24dB per octave roll-off between drivers. The S1.8 has an 8-inch Kevlar woofer, a 3-inch soft dome midrange and a 1.125-inch soft dome tweeter.

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CES 2010
High End Extreme
uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

Distributed by Koetsu USA, Italian manufacturer Blacknote introduced a high-end solution for playing any type of digital file including Wav, Flac, AAC, OGG, DFF, WMA MP3, MP4, and M4O. The DSS30 (shown in foreground) uses a 24-bit DAC and features four USB ports (two in front, two in back) that accept hard drives as well as flash drives. It also accepts direct input from memory sticks and CD-Rom players. With both balanced and unbalanced outputs it can be integrated with a range of high-end audio gear. The Ethernet port allows it be integrated into a home network as well.

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CES 2010
CES 2009 Day One: First Impressions
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

New Products: Many speaker and electronics manufacturers are introducing 2.1-channel systems, indicating a perceived need for a simpler, less complicated home theater experience.

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CES 2010
Paradigm Is On the Edge
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

On the Edge of a cool idea, that is. Paradigm Electronics of Canada provided a sneak preview of its new Edge, a fully integrated 2.1-channel compact entertainment system. Product details are not finalized, but the model shown has an iPod dock, a DVD player, a built-in down-firing subwoofer, composite video inputs, S-video and component video inputs and a video scaler that improves resolution to 1080i. The demonstration room was very noisy but the bass sounded very compelling. The Edge is expected to sell for $499 and will be available in the spring of this year.

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CES 2010
Canton's Innovative 2.1-Channel Home Theater Solution
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 09, 2009

German speaker manufacturer Canton Electronics is showing the DM70, a 2.1-channel integrated system that incorporates a built-in amplifier and a powered subwoofer and is designed to be placed beneath a flat-panel television on a shelf or credenza. This innovative system presented a very convincing simulation of a full multichannel speaker system using Virtual Surround Sound and will likely appeal to many who don't want or have room for rear channel speakers. Looking at the photo it is difficult to believe that the DM70 has a 300-watt amp and a 3-way bass reflex speaker system and a subwoofer in such a small footprint. The DM70 is supplied with a remote control. Pricing is not finalized but is expected to be about $1500. For those not familiar with Canton speakers, read my recent <A href="http://ultimateavmag.com/speakersystems/canton_gle_speaker_system">review </A>of the very affordable Canton GLE speaker system.

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