CES 2009

Bowers and Wilkins goes back to their roots and their original name. No longer using the abbreviated B & W moniker, the loudspeaker manufacturer is looking seriously at the lifestyle market. Using the prestige of their innovative reference speaker systems, Bowers and Wilkins is making inroads with a whole new generation of consumers. Last year, they came out with the ultimate iPod speaker system, that used trickle down technology from their Nautilus series. This year at CES, they are showcasing Liberty, an integrated 5.1 system featuring wireless cable-free speakers.

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance was formed in 2000, and the idea was to develop a unified home networking system that uses the existing power lines in your home to deliver power, internet access and other entertainment without extensive and expensive wiring. in the last seven years 75 companies have come onboard.

Sharp's newly announced Ethernet equipped LCD panels, like their top of the line SE94, provide customized Web-based content to their owner. In addition, Sharp technicians would have real time access to your TV for support situations or, well, if you were watching a ball game that was blacked out in their area. Sharp says there will be no subscription fees or ad-support requirements.

120Hz operation, to remove motion lag in LCD displays, is exploding all over. Olevia's demo was highly effective, showing that its system smoothed motion at various speeds and with a wide variety of program material, including these white bars which scrolled across the screen.

When playing an album, the interface shows the cover full screen.

Panasonic has announced a major initiative to bring true, full 1080p resolution on Blu-ray to the home theater. At their press conference they announced that they will be conducting demonstrations of 3D at their booth at the show. This demo will use active shutter glasses. No polarized lenses or glasses using funky colored filters. The company will work toward the adoption of an industry standard for the future of home 3D, and hopes to have such a standard in 2009 with consumer 3D products meeting that standard available by 2010. By February 1 of this year they plan to install a 3D disc authoring authority center at the Panasonic Hollywood Labs.

The big video story at this year’s show is super slim flat panels designs. None of them will be available immediately, but they should start trickling in later in the year. Panasonic showed three samples of its design, including one that angled out to show just how skinny it is.