LATEST ADDITIONS

Now you can ISF calibrate each of the four HDMI inputs on Integra's new flagship DHC 9.9 pre-pro. Differences between your setup box, BD player and gaming machine can be leveled before hitting your display device. Prior to this, your choices were calibrate your device for the "best" of your sources., or calibrate them all in your display device and remember to switch between the memories manually (remember, they're hitting your display via a single HDMI cable), and that's only if your projector or flat screen had that many memories! Integra worked extensively with Joel Silver of the ISF to make sure this worked right and the DHC 9.9, as well Integra's two top AVRs, the DTR-9.9 and DTR-8.9, get this ISF capability and that elusive seal of approval.

Cool new device to hang your plasma. Four of these slip in, pop-up modern versions of a molly bolt will hold a 150 lbs of high definition plasma heaven. Cost is only $16 a pair, but they'll only sell to your dealer. So with labor, permits, taxes, that comes to /. . .

Canadian audiophile speaker manufacturer Totem has a new in-wall and in-ceiling line called Totem Tribe. The ceiling mounted speaker caught my eye, as its angled woofer-tweeter-woofer array nicely aims at the listening area while three dual-stage passive radiators help extend bass performance down to 57 Hz. The sound of the single playing unit was remarkably alluring.

Here's another product I learned about months ago but couldn't write about under embargo. Mitsubishi's 149 line of LCD TVs includes an innovative speaker system called the Integrated Sound Projector (ISP) at the bottom of the screen. This sound bar has 16 drivers with beam steering for a convincing simulated surround in an enclosed room. The user interface includes a very cool control screen for the ISP (pictured here), and the demo was actually quite impressive, way better than conventional TV sound. The 149 is available now in 46- and 52-inch sizes that list for $3100 and $3600, respectively. Finally, a TV audio system that I could listen to with pleasure.