LG Goes 240
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 4:02 PM ET
By Tom Norton
Like every other LCD manufacturer, LG is doing 240Hz in its premier upcoming sets. These guys must all do lunch together.
LG and Mr. Mark Levinson
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:56 PM ET
By Tom Norton
LG showed a whole range of audio systems (upscale home theaters in a box) voiced by Mark Levinson. That's Mark Levinson the man (in LG's terminology, Mr. Mark Levinson), not the company which uses his name (he has not been associated with that company for many years).
The system shown here is a prototype, so few details, and definitely no pricing or shipping dates were given. But LG devoted a relatively large booth room to the demo, so it is most certainly a work in progress. It sounded pleasant at low levels with multichannel music videos from a Dolby TrueHD demo disc, but I'd like to hear it at more realistic sound levels, with a wide range of sources. Someday, perhaps.
The Egg and I
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:52 PM ET
By Tom Norton
Here's as closer view of the satellite in the systse described above. That's a ring radiator tweeter you see here, a tweeter design that's been popular in new speaker systems over the past couple of years.
Dolby Goes for Height
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:49 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
Tom Norton broke the news about Dolby Pro Logic IIz, the first surround standard from the surround standard setter to incorporate height channels. It's an enhancement process, like Dolby Pro Logic II; not an encode/decode process, like Dolby Digital or TrueHD. It extracts what Dolby calls decorrelated non-surround elements, so it'll operate on things that belong in height channels, as opposed to, say, footsteps. It can operate in 7.1 or 9.1 configurations, without/with back-surround channels. Dolby's now in discussion with various manufacturers about licensed products. What I have to say about it is that it's a great idea -- I'd rather see folks adding height channels to their systems than useless back-surrounds (Dolby wants to make real sure I label that as my own opinion). And the implementation in speakers may be quite interesting, I imagine, everything from vertical structures (same footprint) to in-walls to speakers with top-mount drivers that bounce off the ceiling. Details here. Oh, and the pic is the Acer Aspire PC, glimpsed at the Dolby booth, and I mention it only because as I walked up to it, it said Luke, I am your father.
In Other Dolby News
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:46 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
In other Dolby news, Dolby Volume, tamer of blaring ads and dodgy surround levels, is coming to Toshiba Regza TVs in both the U.S. and Europe, as well as in a Harman Kardon receiver. It's also built into the cool Airfonix transmitter/receiver device pictured above, which accepts two-channel sources both RCA and XLR. Dolby's mobile strategy is (of course) Dolby Mobile, which manipulates the soundstage in cells and other portable devices. Dolby Axon provides surround-like effects in online voice gaming applications. And Dolby Digital Plus is now being used in Italian as well as French television broadcasts.
LG Tuba Sub
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:46 PM ET
By Tom Norton
Shown here is the subwoofer that goes with the prototype LG audio system described above. The "tuba sub" name is my idea.
THX Goes Wireless
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:44 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
Room Caster is the name of a high-end wireless technology that connects devices within a room. THX is working on it with San Francisco-based Radiient Group. It works with high-bandwidth signals in the 5GHz band, with as many as eight channels and resolution of up to 24 bit, 192kHz. The only compression used is whatever's inherent in the source signal. The demo showed it working smoothly. Likely uses will be in surround receivers, source components, and docking devices. Prototype transmitter pictured.
DTS Revels in Multiple Strategies
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:42 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
What struck me about my DTS briefing is that the formidable licensor of surround standards has dual strategies in two areas. One is sound enhancement for portable devices. For high-end surround headphone use, there's Head Tracker, which causes the soundfield to follow your head movements -- just like in this pic of a dude turning his head. Head Tracker will be built into an Onkyo receiver. For lower-end portable uses, DTS offers Envelo, which deals with the problems of highly compressed audio formats. DTS's other dual strategy arrives with the acquisition of Neural Surround, a matrixed adaptation format, which overlaps a little on existing Neo:6 territory. But the DTS people say the two circuits will find different applications, with Neo:6 (again) as the high-end player and Neural focusing on low-bit-rate applications like broadcast and MP3 (it's already used in XM, or now Sirius XM, satellite radio). DTS will be among the surround licensors to offer height channels with Advanced Neo. It will adapt 7.1 sources to 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2 channels, and is now being discussed with a/v receiver makers.
LG LHX Does Wireless
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:37 PM ET
By Tom Norton
No, this is not a typo. LHX isn't a take-off on THX, but rather the designation for LG's top of the line flat panel LCD sets. See the vital stats above. Note the wireless capability. Wireless HD video is one of the big stories at CES this year, with most of the major manufacturers showing their own wireless solutions (generally for their top of the line sets) and add-on wireless devices from vendors such as Gefen and Radiient. But before you take the plunge, be sure that the wireless capability you're about to buy does not apply additional compression to the HD source.
Vizio Jumps on the 240Hz Bandwagon
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 2:56 PM ET
By Debbie Stampfli
Now that 240 has been designated the lucky number of this year’s CES, multiple companies are showcasing their own versions of the technology. VIZIO’s version comes in the form of its XVT series. The 55-inch VF551XVT LCD HDTV ($2,000) features 240Hz technology coupled with 1,000,000:1 Mega Dynamic Contrast with local dimming.
VIZIO is also highlighting the VF551XVT’s LED backlight technology. The company says this technology will give you higher color saturation, deeper blacks, and ultimately, a better picture. VIZIO’s VF551XVT even comes equipped with a built-in soundbar that has STS TruSurround HD and TruVolume technologies. Additionally, each model in the XVT series features Advanced Glare Polarizer, which VIZIO says will increase the set’s contrast ratio by 60% in bright environments.
Processing Gone Wild
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 2:12 PM ET
By Debbie Stampfli
Always ready to keep the home theater industry on its toes, Anthem has introduced a new and improved version of its popular AVM 50, the AVM 50v. The full-featured surround processor stands out in the crowd with added HDMI inputs and improved audio and video processing. Its processing abilities are increased through Sigma Designs VXP digital video processing and two dual-core Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engines for audio processing.
But what does this mean for your source material? Anthem claims the new technologies will guarantee deep color, improve noise reduction, and decode the latest audio codecs from Dolby and DTS HD. The company even has your back in the future, as they promise to provide a free software download to support Dolby Volume as well. When you add to that Anthem’s ARC-1 room-correction system, TruMotionHD adaptive deinterlacing, and Anthem’s reputation in the home theater biz, the AVM 50v looks like it will be a keeper.
Want to Buy an Experience?
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 1:57 PM ET
By Debbie Stampfli
SIM2 and Entertainment Experience are joining forces to unveil a new combination product that promises to give home theater aficionados the experience they’ve been craving. The All-in-One Digital Entertainment Media System combines SIM2’s Grand Cinema C3X 1080 (pictured) or HT5000E 3-chip DLP projector with an Entertainment Experience Media Center.
Along with the reputation of SIM2’s Grand Cinema C3X 1080 projector, the Media Center provides media management for a variety of sources, including Blu-ray, DVD, and HD Video. The Media Center incorporates an Audio/Video Signal (AVS) Processor that has 10-bit processing, adaptive de-interlacing for SD and HD sources, and adaptive noise reduction as well. If that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, SIM2 and Entertainment Experience will add digital movies from HDGIANTS to the system, so you’ll be able to start the experience right when you get this system home. Pricing for the All-in-One Digital Entertainment Media System has not been announced yet.
Easy Listening
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 1:54 PM ET
By Debbie Stampfli
For those days when your significant other tells you to turn the volume down, Audio-Technica has a new set of headphones that will make your home theater experience a much more private one. Its latest bunch of headphones are easy on the ears and eyes, and they come in both in-ear and on-ear varieties.
Audio-Technica says that its new headphones feature premium-quality drivers and components so your listening experience will be clean, clear, and accurate. The headphones range in price from $60 to $500. The latter price may make some wince, but the ATH-CK10 in-ear model promises to be worth the high price tag. The ATH-CK10 headphones feature advanced technology, such as separate low- and high-frequency neodymium-magnet drivers. Additionally, all of the headphones feature noise-canceling technology, so you’ll only hear what you want to hear.
Hitachi Super Thin
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:23 AM ET
By Tom Norton
Hitachi offered this prototype of an upcoming thin LCD. But wasn't their watchword last year, "1.5 is coming?"
Hitachi Super Resolution
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:13 AM ET
By Tom Norton
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.
Accordian to Built
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 3:04 AM ET
By Tom Norton
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.
Pioneer Blu-ray
Posted Fri Jan 9, 2009, 2:39 AM ET
By Tom Norton
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.
The BDP-23FD also offers PQLS (Precision Quality Lock System) said to provide jitter free operation with all formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio (when used with selected Pioneer A/V receivers). It also supports 48-bit Deep COlor (16-bits each for red, green, and blue). All of the new players will be released in March, at prices to be determined. (The Elite BDP-09FD, launched at last fall's CEDIA Expo, remains at the top of the Elite line of Blu-ray players.)
Thiel Juices the CS2.4
Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009, 11:52 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
The Thiel CS2.4 has been updated with a "radically redesigned" crossover, shown. It also comes in a new "vermilion maple" finish -- bird's eye maple with a deep red stain. Price: $8000/pair.
Focal Ennobles the Multimedia Speaker
Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009, 11:50 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
The Focal XS is one cool-looking 2.1-channel iThing-docking multimedia system. It has a 24-bit USB DAC, 30 watts times two, and 70-watt sub for $599. The price includes a card remote.
Totem Feels the Wind in its Hair
Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009, 11:49 PM ET
By Mark Fleischmann
Totem Acoustic has updated the 10-year-old Wind, which continues in the line in its original form, with a new variation called the Wind Design Series. It includes a improved crossover plus a high-end automotive-grade polyurethane lacquer finish in four shades: blue, red, white, and black. Pricing ranges from $11,000-12,500 for the new version ("we're still reeling from the cost of the paint") or $9000 for the conventionally veneered old version.
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