SurroundSensation
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ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theatre nabs DTS Surround Sensation
No matter how you slice it, there will come a day when you'll be forced (or coaxed) into watching a Blu-ray flick with just two speakers or a set of cans. For those using ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theater, however, the audio playback should be pretty darn close to 5.1. Said Blu-ray playback application has just become the first in the software industry to grab DTS Surround Sensation certification, which promises to bring 5.1(ish) surround sound to listeners "using just two speakers or stereo headphones." A tad gimmicky, sure, but it's a feature we'd rather have at our disposal than not at all.
Onkyo intros WAVIO GXW-2.1HD expandable HTIB in Japan
Once again, Onkyo is teasing us with a Japanese-market HTIB designed with an upgrade path in mind. This really looks like a multichannel version of the company's 2.1-channel HTX-22D, and that's not a bad start. The WAVIO GXW-2.1HD features 5 x 30-Watts for the speakers, with 60-Watts set aside for the integral subwoofer. The pair of included bookshelf speakers feature 8-cm and 2-cm drivers, and the subwoofer is a 16-cm affair. There's a pair of HDMI 1.3a inputs and a single output, and onboard processing includes Audyssey's 2EQ and Dynamic EQ tweaks, DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD; Onkyo has even kindly included DTS Surround Sensation to keep you virtually, um, surrounded until you add in more speakers. All in all, a pretty good way to start your system. Again, it's only for Japan right now, with a price of ¥54,800 ($506 US). [Warning: PDF Link][Via TVSnob]
Onkyo shows off build-as-you-go BASE-V20HD HTIB in Japan
Seriously, Onkyo's recent flurry of HT-related releases should be able to satisfy most anyone's requirements. But greedy gadget-hounds that we are, we'd like to see the BASE-V20HD system announced for Japan arrive here in the US. It's a HTIB starter system with an upgrade path already planned out. Start yourself out with the core of the system: your entry fee of ¥92,400 ($880) nets a compact 5-channel, 30-Watt receiver with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA support, DTS Surround Sensation and Audyssey DynamicEQ; a 60-Watt sub unit; and two small bookshelf speakers. Then, when you get the yen (ahem) for true surround, add in a D-108C center channel (¥12,600 / $120) and two additional D-108M speakers (¥9,450 / $90) for rear channel duty. Sounds interesting to us, but we'll just have to keep hoping Onkyo brings this setup stateside.
Onkyo 2.1 HTX-22D sound system taps DTS' Surround Sensation
Not content with dropping a few new HTIB systems and an all new receiver, Onkyo is apparently delivering a 2.1-channel home audio system, too. The HTX-22D, while not adequate for surround sound purists, may be just the thing for apartment dwellers and movie lovers on a budget. It's said to be the first system to feature DTS' CES-announced Surround Sensation feature, and it also boasts a built-in display on the powered subwoofer. You'll also find a trio of HDMI ports (two in, one out) and support for a smattering of audio codecs. Head on down to the read link for the full list of specs, and keep an eye for these to land across the pond in May for £300 ($590).[Thanks, Steve]
DTS showing off latest tech at CES
If your cred hangs on being up on the latest audio formats, listen up. DTS is showing off its latest tech, named Surround Sensation at CES. It's all about creating virtual surround sound for headphones. The company is also giving out Blu-ray and HD DVD demo discs at their CES booth. These discs have some really great content showing off DTS-HD MA, so be on the lookout for them showing up at your local HD boutique as demo material. And if you haven't jumped into the format war yet, DTS has you covered there, too -- this week will the company will detail its collaboration with HD satellite upstart XstreamHD.
