CEDIA2010
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Amulet voice-activated remote for Media Center demo
Although we scoured the CEDIA 2010 floor for products that use or are related to Windows 7 Media Center, we had a hard time finding anything. One of the only two booths we did find that wanted anything to do with Redmond's media software was Amulet Device's voice-activated remote for Windows 7 Media Center -- Vidabox was the other one. Overall it seemed to work, but didn't do what it was commanded on every attempt, which is what one might expect from beta software. As you can see in the video, the company has optimized many of the screens for voice control, but you can use the old favorites if you prefer too.
Sling founder concocts Crestron home automation app for Android, demos it on Galaxy Tab
Two years ago in Denver, we watched as a Crestron iPhone app wowed crowds at CEDIA. At this year's show in Atlanta, a similar app has been unveiled for a rival platform: Android. Blake Krikorian, better known as the founder of Sling Media, was recently able to demonstrate a new Crestron home automation app for Android, and he did it on Samsung's much-hyped Galaxy Tab. The program (codenamed 'R2') is the result of 1.5 years of work, and in large part, it was built to overcome the many limitations of iOS. Specifically, he wanted to bypass iOS' Slide to Unlock screen, and he greatly preferred Android's multitasking implementation and background notification system. Eventually, we're expecting the app to sell for around $99, but plans beyond that have yet to be made. Hop on past the break for a video demonstration, and stay tuned for any information we dig up regarding a solid release date.
Kaleidescape shows off a new kid-friendly remote/menu system, Blu-ray disc vault
Besides being a thorn in the side of the MPAA, Kaleidescape is all about letting its owners play back their movies as quickly and easily as possible, and showed off a couple of new products to that end this week at CEDIA. As promised, it showed off a disc loader due later this year designed to rip and hold on to your Blu-ray discs while it actually plays them back not from the disc, but as images. Convoluted, but necessary to work around the rules in place. Once you've got all those discs loaded up (up to 100 per vault) there's another new way to play them back, with its new kid-friendly interface (available as a free download for existing owners) and $39 remote that lets parents give kids their own limited list of movies to watch and a durable, nine-button IR remote to browse them with, perfect for keeping their grubby fingers off your remote and iPhone. Update: And now with video, direct from Kaleidescape's CEDIA booth, embedded after the break. %Gallery-103335%
HDI Dune's universal media player / home automation boxes show up at CEDIA
After making their debut at IFA earlier in the month, the HDI Dune family of media streamer / Blu-ray combo units appeared Stateside at CEDIA 2010. We spent most of our time checking out the HDI Dune Max, a $499 unit which includes a well-thought out menu system that pulls in info and box art from internet databases and features the ability to play back Blu-ray content from discs or image files equally well, but builds on that with additional streaming capabilities (we saw some Russian TV in action, but were told a Netflix app is on the way) and stream content to the company's HDI Dune Smart family of extenders, or integrate with an control Z-Wave compatible home automation setups with the HDI Dune Home add-on. Also present, but not connected, was the $1,999 HDI Dune Pro unit that builds on the Max with upgraded internal components at home in any high quality rack and home automation hardware built-in, check out a few pictures in the gallery and a press release after the break. %Gallery-103330%
Sonos Wireless Dock hands-on
What you have pictured here is the latest Sonos music device. In person the Sonos Wireless Dock is exactly what you were thinking when you read the press release yesterday. The demo unit had a special Sonos branded half case that left the bottom unaltered, because like many other docks, the cases get in the way of proper docking. The dock does accept the standard iPod dock inserts, so maybe there's still hope that a case manufacturer will ship it with a special insert made with the intent to simplify the life of one who like to use both an iPod case, and a dock together. %Gallery-103168%
Runco stays in the plasma game with 3D-ready Vistage flat panels
We understand, you can't just put a $50k 3Dimension series projector in every room, so Runco's continuing to develop its plasma HDTV offerings with the new Vistage series. Available in 63-, 58- or 50-inch sizes, the 1.7-inch think panels also include the company's latest scaler, the DHD-LS. Unlike that projector we just mentioned, these do 3D with the addition of active shutter glasses and an IR emitter, courtesy of an add-on pack shipping early next year. We got a quick glance at the screens which promise contrast and black levels "previously unachieved in the industry" and while they did look amazing, you may not be able to decide if cashing out for between $6,000 and $10,000 for one of these screens is worthwhile -- until you find out you can outfit the back of the panel with decorations including your college logo of choice.
Pioneer previews its trio of 3D Blu-ray players at CEDIA
Not quite as good as an actual announcement, but at CEDIA Pioneer was previewing its BDP-430, BDP-43FD and BDP-41FD 3D Blu-ray players which are expected to cost the same or less than the current models at $299, $399 and $499. The look and feel is pretty much what we've come to expect from Pioneer and the line includes the usual suspect of streaming options, with one yet to be announced option that should be revealed before they hit the street this December. The Entertainment TAP and Manage Copy demos from last year were no where to be found, sadly, but Pioneer did have a new line of HDMI cables and entry level home theater speakers they were very proud of -- and for good reason considering the price and quality of the items. %Gallery-103159%
Mitsubishi America offers up two new 3D projectors
The first new projector for the US is the HC4000 (pictured) which is touted as a great price for the performance DIY HT projector and features the 1080p DarkChip 3 DLP light engine. It is capable of 1300 lumens and provides up to 750:1 ANSI contrast ratio. It has support for an optional anamorphic lens for those 2.35:1 movies and is rated at a very quiet 25dBA in low mode. The estimated price is $1495 and should be available immediately. The bigger brother is the Diamond 3D which evidently has no price, but does use the 120hz Sony SXRD light engine, has an auto-iris function for easy setup, only musters 19dBa of noise while it is running and features two HDMI 1.4 inputs and an RS232 port for control.
Epson rolls out new 3LCD projectors for budgets big and medium
Since it's CEDIA time, Epson has seen fit to unveil several new 1080p projectors, ranging from price brackets in the (reasonable for this crowd) sub-$7,000 category with the new Pro Cinema 6100 to the Home Cinema 8350 which comes in at less than $1,300. The Pro Cinema 6100 (above) debuts the company's new 3LCD Reflective and UltraBlack tech courtesy of a dual-layered auto iris that is its first to reach dynamic contrast ratios of up to 1,000,000:1, while the Pro Cinema 31000 and Home Cinema 21000 beamers feature similar lens technology with appropriately lower-end chipsets, stats and prices when all of them ship in December. The next jump down is the Home Cinema 8350 and 8700UB models that eschew the new HDMI 1.4 ports and more exotic lens technology of the higher end models while still bringing improved specs over last year's lineup to retailer shelves when they ship later this month. Detailed specs follow after the break if you're wondering just how far an extra dollar or two will go.
FloBox, FloBox Mini and Vital amp all include an iPad dock
It was only a matter of time before someone released a speaker system with an iPad dock, but there is more to Speakercraft's new lineup than a way to listen to music. The FloBox, its miniature version, and the Vital amp can also stream music via Apple's AirPlay, DLNA or Speakercraft's own Nirv system. The two FloBoxes also include a mini USB port to sync your i-device with iTunes. The Vital 250 is only available in black and will sell for $699 when it hits in the forth quarter. The two FloBoxes will be available in a black, white, silver, red or yellow high-gloss, piano finish with no word on price, but are also expected in a few months.
JVC intros new entry level D-ILA projector plus several 3D models
Even outside of its budget busting $175k 4K projector, even JVC's "consumer" lineup of D-ILA projectors have remained outside the price range of most, but that changes with the DLA-HD250 line (pictured), which brings its LCoS technology home for less than $3,000. Its more typical $5k and up crowd will want to cast an eye towards the other projectors announced today at CEDIA 2010, most of which include 3D capability with IR synced active shutter glasses and preset 3D profiles to match whatever screen you happen to already be using. The lamp and optical technology has also been reworked for 2010 to provide plenty of brightness when you're watching 3D and up to a 100,000:1 native contrast ratio, and the more expensive models have even more settings for color management. Specs and pricing information are in the press releases after the break.%Gallery-103117%
Speakercraft's BoomTomb brings subharmonics under ground
The company that invented in-wall speakers wants to make sure your sound system in your backyard looks and sounds as good as the one in your house. The BoomTomb subwoofer with integrated 250 watt amp gets buried in the ground with only the port exposed -- and hopefully somewhere it isn't likely to be tripped over -- where it can accompany your Ruckus speakers that look like rocks. It'll start shipping in the fourth quarter for a yet unannounced price, which means you might have to wait until the spring for the ground to thaw for those in the colder parts of the northern hemisphere.
Runco's first 3Dimension projector uses passive glasses
The Ferrari of the projector world kicks off its version of 3D at CEDIA with the 3Dimension Series projectors which surprisingly use passive glasses instead of the battery operated active ones. The big catch of course is the price of $49,995 for the D-73 pictured above, and the fact that the glasses are proprietary and not the standard RealD glasses you've used at your local cinema. Obviously there are a wide range of inputs and controls including HDMI 1.4 (no 1.4a?) and RS-232 for the home automation fans. The D-73 starts shipping in the fourth quarter for those lucky enough to afford such luxuries and the full press release is available after the break while you wait.
Sonos Wireless Dock for iPod and iPhone launched at gdgt party
See anything new in that picture Sonos fans? If you look closely, you'll spot some new Sonos Wireless Docks on the table. The scene is last night's gdgt party in Boston. The device is the WD100 that streams the music collection stored on your docked iPod / iPhone throughout your Sonos multi-room music system. Look for it launch at the end of October for $119. With any luck, we'll be hands-on with it later today. Official press shot after the break.
Sharp unveils AQUOS Quattron 3D for the States
Sharp made US 3D fans very happy today by announcing the immediate availability of its new 52 and 60-inch AQUOS Quattron 3D TVs at CEDIA. The LED backlight side-mount scanning LE925 series starts at $4199 with the bigger brother going for $5299, feature two pairs of 3D glasses bundled in, a dynamic contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1 and IP control plus RS-232 for home automation fans. The Ethernet port or optional WiFi adapter can also be used to stream Netflix, VUDU or a variety of other over the top video services. What's interesting is that Sharp is claiming its 4th color (yellow) Quattron technology offers a brighter image which can overcome the dimming, that 3D glasses are known for. Also, a first is that the 3D glasses can convert the 3D signal to 2D for that one 3D hatter in your party (not to be confused with the TV's ability to convert 2D material to 3D). The full release with many more details after the jump. %Gallery-103056%
Sharp adds two 3D Blu-ray players to its lineup
What self respecting consumer electronics manufacturer doesn't offer a 3D Blu-ray player? None we can think of. So obviously it was only a matter of time before Sharp joined in. The BD-HP80U and BD-HP90U will both be available in September and offer a slew of streaming features like DivX, AVCHD, Netflix, Pandora and VUDU, in addition to their 3D Blu-ray playback abilities. Both are wall-mountable using VESA-standard mounts, but the BD-HP90U brings more -- it can operate horizontally or vertically with its included stand and adds RS232. Look for them on store shelves for $429 and $499 respectively. %Gallery-103056%
Sharp prepares XV-Z17000 3D DLP projector for 2011 release
Sharp just announced its first 3D projector, the XV-Z17000, at CEDIA. Due early next year, the company is holding back pricing information until CES but wasn't shy about mentioning mentioning it works with active shutter glasses using either DLP Link or IR syncing technology by bouncing an IR signal off the screen the picture is projected onto. It packs two HDMI 1.4a inputs and specs include a measured 30,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 ANSI lumens brightness. Check the press release after the break for the rest of the details currently available, we'll be taking another careful look at this one in January.
Sherwood tosses two new receivers into the CEDIA fray
Sherwood's jumping in the game with a couple of new receivers to highlight during this week's CEDIA event, the RD-7505 (pictured) and RD-705i. Similar except for the 705i's addition of WiFi and network (DLNA, UPnP) streaming features they bring all the HDMI 1.4, 3D ready, dual zone control and lossless audio codec support we've come to expect, even with just three HDMI inputs. Both ship in November for $499 and $399, press release is after the break.
Disney launching calibration disc for pros and novices alike at CEDIA
Offering calibration patterns on Pixar flicks is one thing, but Disney is leaping wholeheartedly into the calibration and test market with its WOW (World of Wonder) Blu-ray disc launching November 2. We don't have details on all 35 calibration tools for audio and video packed in, but other bonuses include tools to reverse stuck pixels, test viewing angles and encoder performance and a second disc called VISIONS: Inspired By Nature full of real and imagined landscapes to demo all those equipment and settings. Expect to see this on shelves in DVD and Blu-ray form in one or two disc sets, or packed with a "high performance HDMI cable" in a home theater pack that could include an unspecified Disney flick. Real pros will probably leave the HDMI cable on the shelf, but if Goofy can get people to sort out their home theater settings, all the better -- all the details are in the press release after the break.
Crestron iPanel controller for iPad does twice as much for half the price
Crestron is a name synonymous with two things in the world of home automation: cost and quality. So it's always good to the see the company shed its proprietary nature and embrace an off-the-shelf consumer product. Take its new iPanel for example. Instead of dropping a few thousand dollars on a Crestron touch-panel that does just one thing, you can purchase this $500ish snap-on case with thirteen dedicated buttons for home, lights, guide, and info functions. In other words, for the half the price of a typical touchscreen Crestron touchscreen controller you also get a WiFi-connected iPad. Sounds like a winning combination to us. Look for the iPanel to get official at CEDIA next week.
