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Grant Fidelity's $3,200 Impression II weds CD player, tube amp and overkill

by Darren Murph posted Sep 9th 2009 at 6:58AM

See that? That's a $3,200 CD player, which will be impossible to justify for pretty much anyone not featured on Joan Rivers' newest TV show. Designed and produced by Grant Fidelity, the CD-1000 Impression II packs a high-end Sanyo CD drive, tube analog output, tube headphone amplifier and a rather basic display screen, while the "anti-vibration aluminum chassis" tries as hard as it can to look both unorthodox and absurdly expensive. It's hard to say if your burnt MP3 discs will actually sound better on this thing (okay, so they won't), but at least you can rest easy knowing that shipping on this 50 pound beast is completely gratis.

[Via OhGizmo]

Video: Moldover CD case rocks a light theremin, our socks

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 19th 2009 at 3:22AM

When a tip comes in touting video of another so-called YouTube "musical genius" it's hard to fight through the blasé glaze in which we find ourselves entombed. Still, one indifferent mouse-click later and we're treated to Moldover's Awesome Edition CD. The awesome part is the custom-designed circuit board that accompanies the CD and lists the tracks while doubling as a theremin instrument with headphone jack -- all in a standard-size jewel case. Hit the on button and start making 'music' by waving your hand in front of the light sensors. Sure it sounds a bit like you're squeezing air through a pinched balloon and it costs $50 ($10 for CD-only or $25 for a Pocket Edition), but hey, give this guy some credit for innovation. Check the video after the break, you will believe at the 1-minute mark.

[Thanks, Rich DDT]

Continue reading Video: Moldover CD case rocks a light theremin, our socks

Millenniata's Millennial Disk should last longer than you, your memory

by Darren Murph posted Jul 18th 2009 at 11:09AM

Considering that we're still waiting ~~patiently~~ for any company (we're looking at you, Call/Recall) to produce a commercially viable holographic storage solution, we're required to tackle Millenniata's newest assertion with a sprinkle of skepticism. The claim? It's specially lubricated, fortified and homogenized Millennial Disk is said to last some 1,000 years, making it the world's finest and most longevous archive solution. If it's legitimate. We're told that digital information is carved into layers of hard, "persistent" materials, and somehow, those carvings are able to stay fresh and readable for more years than you care to count. Still, we reckon the robot apocalypse will be in full effect by the time 3009 rolls around, so even if it only lives up to half of its claims, we'll still be impressed.

[Via Slashdot]

Sony's newest remote control ships with a Z200iR compact music system (updated)

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 1st 2009 at 4:38AM

It's not often that a remote control becomes the centerpiece of a product launch, but man, would you look at that. That's the remote for Sony's NAS-Z200iR, a WiFi-enabled shelf audio system with slot-loading CD and iPod dock. The Z200iR is DLNA-certified so it works with any DLNA device in your home including NAS boxes and of course, your PC or Mac. The re-chargeable remote features a 3.5-inch LCD display that gives you full control over sourced media including Internet radio, integrated AM/FM tuner, or devices connected via the Z200iR's USB or audio-in ports. The sound comes courtesy of a pair of independent, 20-watt speaker enclosures with double neodymium magnets used to drive the bass. A simpler, WiFi-less CMT-Z100iR system will launch first in July with the Z200iR headed to Europe in mid September. Sorry, no prices announced so no joy.

Update: Ready for the pricing? The German press release has the Z200iR at €699. That's nearly $1,000 for a compact sound system that sits on a shelf. Way to go Sony, way to go.

Gallery: Sony's newest remote control ships with a Z200iR compact music system

[Thanks, Daniel O.]

Compact Disc turns 30, MP3 doesn't bother to send a gift

by Darren Murph posted Mar 9th 2009 at 7:47AM

We're not quite sure how much related celebrating went on this past weekend, but the iconic Compact Disc managed to hit the big three-oh. The IEEE was credited with presenting its prestigious IEEE Milestone Award to Royal Philips Electronics for its contribution to the development of the CD, and as the story goes, the award coincides with the 30th anniversary of the "historic demonstration of the first CD prototype codenamed 'Pinkeltje' on March 8th, 1979." While many would argue that the CD is on its way out in favor of smaller, highly portable MP3 files, the disc has definitely left a lasting mark on the industry. To date, over 3.5 billion audio CD players have been sold alongside 240 billion discs. Oh, and not to be a Debbie Downer or anything, but what are the chances that we won't be throwing an "over the hill" party for this here format?

[Thanks, Sylva]

Psion Teklogix sending out cease & desist letters to netbook-centric websites

by Darren Murph posted Dec 24th 2008 at 8:02PM

Wow, talk about spreading that holiday cheer. Psion Teklogix has apparently hired a legal team to write up cease & desist letters that are being sent out to select netbook enthusiast websites. One particular letter is pictured above, and we can only assume the URL is hidden for the safety of those involved. jkOnTheRun dug a little deeper into the matter and found that the outfit did indeed produce a Netbook and Netbook Pro back in the day, and while the surprisingly netbook-like devices (imagine that, right?) have since been discontinued, it is still making compatible accessories. Something tells us Psion waited a touch too late to pick this fight, but just in case Engadget is next in line for one of these letters, we'll be utilizing the term smallcheap(er)book for the foreseeable future. Hope that's okay.

Portable CD players see a resurgence in the UK

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 at 5:12AM

Unless you have some unexplained obsession with gadgets of yesteryear, you probably haven't been paying close attention to how many brands of portable CD players your local retailers have been stocking. According to Currys over in the UK, however, it's being pressured to order up truckloads of 'em to satisfy the 50 percent uptick in demand compared to last year. Moreover, John Lewis (a department store) has begun stocking the units again some four years after originally putting them to rest. Analysts are asserting that the lagging economy is leading people to select these devices as stocking stuffers, with their ease-of-use and rock-bottom prices making them highly attractive in the current market. Word to the wise, though -- chances are that special someone would much prefer a low-end 1GB DAP over something they probably already have. Or, you know, a Pizza Express gift card.

Maxell to no longer manufacture discs, blow customers away

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 4th 2008 at 7:37AM

Though the Maxell brand name will live on, the company announced it is ending production of CD, DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD discs at the end of the month. It plans to outsource to other manufacturers (like Mitsubishi perhaps?) and though the name on the packaging will be the same, we just don't see how anyone else can provide the rather unique experience of Maxell ~~tape~~ discs.

[Via Impress]

Marantz wises-up, offers two remotes with CR101 CD player

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 14th 2007 at 3:03AM

What's so interesting about another vertically oriented CD player? Well, besides the fact that Marantz's CR101 looks like a programmable thermostat, it also features a pair of remote controls: a mini, 8-button remote along side the giant slab of input-clutter we've all grown woefully accustomed to. Bravo Marantz, bravo. Otherwise we're looking at a 2.1ch (10W sub and 2x 5W speakers) with AM/FM tuner for ¥38,000 or $331 when these hit Japan later in the month.

[Via Impress]

Music industry has another death-spasm, coughs up "ringles"

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 10th 2007 at 10:45PM

It seems like every couple months one of the major labels announces yet another harebrained scheme to entice consumers to purchase CDs, regardless of what people actually prefer, and right on schedule, Sony BMG and Universal have announced their latest three-martini-and-a-cocktail-napkin plan: the "ringle," a $6 CD single featuring a remix and ringtone. There's really not much more to say -- trying to revive the CD single by adding in something that consumers are used to getting over-the-air seems like it speaks for itself -- but it's certainly interesting to see the labels desperately try and nab as much of the ringtone market as they can, even as their partners try and move forward. We'll see you at the funeral, boys.

[Image courtesy of Boy Genuis Report]

Happy 25th Birthday, compact disc!

by Evan Blass posted Aug 16th 2007 at 11:55AM

Has it really been a quarter-century since the first compact disc was pressed, finally freeing us from the infernal routine of rewinding our mix tapes? Well sure enough, Philips was kind enough to inform us that its very first CD rolled off the production lines on August 17th, 1982, which history will forever remember -- perhaps unfortunately -- as a copy of ABBA's The Visitors. Nonetheless, this first widely-produced optical disc format would end up changing our lives forever, ushering in the era of lossless copies, easy music sharing, and an unwanted little friend we've come to know as DRM. Now with some 200 billion discs having been sold worldwide -- and probably twice as many distributed gratis by AOL in its dial-up heyday -- it would seem that the original shiny little platter is unquestionably in its golden years, with more convenient or capacious formats replacing it on almost every front. So Philips, the readers and editors of Engadget are proud to join you in saluting the revolutionary product you helped pioneer -- and also offer our condolences that things, um, haven't worked out quite so well for you in the transition to MP3. If you want to learn some of our (mostly embarrassing) first albums on disc, keep reading after the break...

Continue reading Happy 25th Birthday, compact disc!

Where's the digital jewel case?

by Ryan Block posted Apr 10th 2007 at 10:12PM

Physical media may be on its long way out, but if Cover Flow has taught us anything, it's that having album art is still a crucial part of experiencing records. We definitely missed the big, bold album art of 12-inch vinyl when we made the jump to CD, but living in digital audio has only recently started to get decent in last couple of years, between devices with larger color displays and automatic cover art downloads in Windows Media Player and iTunes. So what's the next generation? Ironic Sans proposes the digital jewel case, a throwback to simpler times when we bought all our music on easily scratched plastic discs that came with colorful paper inserts. The scary thing is we'd totally buy one, provided it did all the things we're still missing, like display liner notes, lyrics, album art, and everything else in the CD insert. It'd also have to serve as a controller for the music, naturally, but we'll take what we can get for now. So, who's going to standardize the album art / insert digital format?

Sony officially announces $600 BDP-S300 Blu-ray player

by Evan Blass posted Feb 27th 2007 at 4:19PM

That sound you just heard? It was silence -- the silence of thousands of BDP-S1 Blu-ray players sitting unsold on warehouse shelves, gathering dust and wondering why they did to deserve the wrath of the dreaded Osborne Effect. Because unless retailers do some serious price shaving off of the first-gen machines, Sony's official promise today of a cheaper, smaller, and more functional box landing this summer will likely convince all but the most impatient consumers to drop the S1 right off their radar. On the plus side, those of us who haven't yet picked sides in the "format war" will be treated to a much more attractive product in the BDP-S300, from its CD friendliness and Bravia Theater Sync to bonuses like AVC-HD support for playback of conent that employs x.v.Color (Sony's version of the wide color space xvYCC technology). Keep reading to check out the remote that comes paired with the S300, then forward this post to your buddies who blew $1000 on its lonely predecessor.

Gallery: Sony officially announces $600 BDP-S300 Blu-ray player

Continue reading Sony officially announces $600 BDP-S300 Blu-ray player

When good toys go bad IV: explicit CD player triggered during mass

by Darren Murph posted Feb 23rd 2007 at 10:53AM

While we've seen quite a few toys pulling stunts that they should definitely be ashamed of, the latest edition ups the ante by doing its dirty deed in a Roman Catholic cathedral. Following the "if it blinks, obliterate it" mentality so well exemplified at various Boston transit arteries, a team of Santa Fe bomb squad experts were called onto the scene after three CD players were triggered to start blasting "sexually explicit language in the middle of an Ash Wednesday Mass" at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Reportedly, the players were "duct-taped to the bottoms of the pews," apparently causing the innocent church dwellers to assume the worse -- you know, like C4 explosives camouflaged as a mid-range driver. Nevertheless, the bomb squad removed the devices, took them outside, and probably had a thrilling experience whilst detonating two of the players as a safety measure. Once the crew realized the only explosive tendencies were captured in the inappropriate lyrics, they salvaged the third unit to comb for fingerprints and hopefully arrest the perpetrator(s). Now, which cop is going to cave in and post the fireworks on YouTube?

[Via BoingBoing]

SeaGrand's GENESOUND rips vinyl to CD / MP3

by Darren Murph posted Feb 8th 2007 at 1:19AM

SeaGrand isn't exactly a well-known brand here in the US, but the company known for crafting nifty devices to rip one musical format to another is dropping one in for the retro crowd. Whether you've got 33s or 45s, SeaGrand's forthcoming GENESOUND should make ripping vinyl to MP3 a lesson in simplicity, and if you're stuck back in the days of compact disc, it'll burn to CD for you as well. The mini-system includes a pair of stereo speakers, brushed aluminum face, a hint of vintage styling, headphone out, CD / LP playback, and there's even USB / SD ports to carry your freshly ripped tunes on flash media. As expected, there's no word on how much this useful invention will run you, but folks in Japan can start ripping through that vinyl collection (and reminiscing about the days of DRM-free music) later this month.