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Sony debuts iPod / iPhone-friendly ALTUS multi-room audio line
We haven't seen a new S-AIR product since Sony outed a few wireless HTIBs back in March, but it looks as if the outfit is hopping back on that horse with a new line at Best Buy. The ALTUS audio product range gets going with the "premium" ALT-SA31iR multi-room iPod package, which is comprised of an iPod / iPhone docking station and a pair of wireless speakers; it also touts an AM / FM tuner as well as an LCD-equipped S-AIR remote commander. The AIR-SW10Ti iPod docking station adds in a wireless subwoofer, while the ALT-SA32PC multi-room audio package consists of an S-AIR transmitter that connects to one's PC via USB and a pair of wireless speakers. Finally, the ALT-A33PC package has an identical USB S-AIR transmitter, but includes a universal receiver with analog audio inputs. As for prices? Try $700, $400, $500 and $200 in order of mention, with each up for pre-order today through Sony and on sale in Best Buy locations starting next month.
Sony talks up latest DVD HTIB sets
Also checking in at Sony's Las Vegas showcase are these DVD upscaling-based HTIB systems. If those Blu-ray packing all-in-ones are a bit too much for you, the top of the line DAV-HDX589W and DAV-HDX589WC systems, featuring either S-AIR wireless speakers or S-AIR multiroom listening station, respectively, with 1000 watts maximum power to their 5.1 speakers for $430 later this month. The next models down drop features like auto calibration and audio enhancement on their way to a $300 price tag leaving a few lonely new portable DVD players, but really, like the rest of this line, it may be time to look upmarket.
Sony rolls out new AV receivers for 2009
Along with new Blu-ray players and HTIB systems, Sony's bumped up the specs on its latest receivers, including S-AIR wireless audio support on its 7.1 channel STR-DN1000 and STR-DH800 models. The $500 STR-DN1000 has similar features to last year's line, with 110 watts per channel, Digital Media Port, 1080p/24 x.v. Color support, four HDMI inputs and Sirius radio service support, while S-AIR can be added through the $50 EZW-T100 transmitter and $120 AIR-SA10 speaker systems. The STR-DH800 drops the piano black finish, icon driven menu system and $100 from the price of the higher end model, both expected on shelves in June. The STR-DH700, STR-DH500 and STR-DH100 also offer slightly less power, features and HDMI inputs for $200 and $150, respectively, when they go on sale later this month. Hit the read link to get more details on each, there should be something for everyone to like (unless you prefer an ES model.)
Sony outs BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 Blu-ray players, new BD HTIBs
Hope you didn't just pull the trigger on a BDP-S350, 'cause we get the feeling Sony's two newest standalone BD decks are going to make you yearn for the next best thing. Here in Las Vegas, the company has just come clean with the Profile 2.0 BDP-S360 and BDP-S560, the latter of which includes integrated WiFi for tapping into BD-Live content and downloading future firmware updates sans an Ethernet cable. Also, the unit is fully DLNA-ready, handles DVD upscaling, bit-streams audio via HDMI, decodes Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio and plays nice with external media loaded up on a USB drive. As predicted, the lower-end BDP-S360 is essentially the same player sans WiFi. Moving on, we've got a new pair of 5.1-channel Blu-ray HTIB systems: the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. Both bundles include a BD-Live-capable (Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player, while the BDV-E500W sports integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities. In other words, your rear speakers will get their signal sans cabling, and those who opt for the BDV-E300 are getting a kit that's S-AIR-ready, meaning that you can add modules in the future to get the same wireless support. Both sets also include Sony's Digital Media Port for controlling peripherals like Apple's iPod and Sony's own Walkman line, and the BRAVIA Sync technology ensures that HDMI-CEC lovers are taken care of. The models also bring along the firm's Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface, a USB port for loading up media and an easy-to-follow setup DVD. As for pricing and availability, we've broken all that down below. BDP-S360 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $300 BDP-S560 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $350 HT-SS360 component home theater system : shipping in May for around $350 BDV-E300 Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $600 BDV-E500W Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $800 Catch the release in full just after the break.%Gallery-46043%
Sony's iPod-lovin' AIR-SA20PK S-AIRPLAY music system reviewed
We'll just cut to the chase: if you've been cautiously eying Sony's S-AIRPLAY system in hopes of it solving your multi-zone audio desires, you'll be sorely disappointed at how it performs in real world use. The AIR-SA20PK showcased just decent audio quality, odd design choices, unintuitive controls and a wireless range that was less-than-stellar. 'Course, the unit was being held to some pretty high standards, but given the $400 sticker, we can understand that. In the end, critics determined that the unit wasn't an outright failure, but for four bills, they'd prefer it to be much easier to use and sound quite a bit better. Good thing you didn't pull the trigger already, huh?
Sony's BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-IS1000 HTIB systems hands-on
Sony's CEDIA booth was stocked with the outfit's latest pair of Blu-ray HTIB systems, and for those looking to dive into the Blu and get into surround sound at the same time, neither set is a bad choice. Each BD deck is actually customized specifically for these packages, and while the innards are likely similar to the those found in the BDP-S550, the inclusion of an internal amplifier makes 'em special. See which speaker style suits your fancy in the gallery below. %Gallery-31208%
Sony's BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-IS1000 HTIB systems do Blu-ray
Sony's BDV-IT1000 HTIB was outed late last month, but that's not stopping the powerhouse from making it official alongside the BDV-IS1000 today at CEDIA. As you likely know, these two are Sony's first offerings in the burgeoning Blu-ray HTIB market, as both packages come bundled with an elusive BD-Live-capable deck (the BDP-S350, we presume?) along with integrated support for the firm's S-AIR technology. Each set packs a pair of HDMI inputs, XMB menu navigation, 5.1-channel surround sound, Digital Media Port (for hooking up your PMP), BRAVIA Sync and even an IR repeater on the IT1000ES. The aforesaid BDV-IT1000ES ($1,999) includes oh-so-slim drivers (pictured after the jump), while the $1,000 BDV-IS1000 includes the same "golf ball-sized" speaks as the HT-IS100. Both sets are shipping next month, or so says the release waiting after the break.
Sony intros iPod-friendly S-AIRPLAY multi-room audio system
You know how it goes with Sony -- proprietary just seems to rule the roost. Thankfully, the outfit is at least recognizing a trend in the market by trotting out an iPod-friendly version of its S-AIR wireless audio technology. The new S-AIRPLAY system (formally known as AIR-SA20PK) comes with one iPod docking station and a pair of S-AIR wireless speakers, though there is an AM / FM tuner built in should your stored jams get stale. Sony suggests that music can be beamed some 164-feet away from the dock sans cabling, and so long as your S-AIR speaker is plugged into a power outlet (and within the aforementioned range), it'll pick up the signal and start talkin'. Look for the kit to land next month for around $400, while additional S-AIR wireless speakers will set you back $130 apiece. Full release after the break.
Checking out Sony's S-AIR, BDP-S350, and S550 at EHD
Those at all curious for some thoughts and initial reactions to Sony's new S-AIR wireless system and their first big Blu-ray player launches since the end of the format war, head on over to Engadget HD! We'll have more for you from Sony's Open House 2008 shortly.Sony BDR-S350 and S550 profile 2.0 player hands-onsSony S-AIR hands-on
Sony S-AIR hands-on
We sat down with Sony's new proprietary S-AIR wireless music distribution system and came away, well, what do you think? It's 5GHz, which is nice, but it's not mesh and the whole setup is pretty rudimentary, especially given its bulky interface cards. If you buy nothing but Sony products this might do, but we have a feeling unless they make a huge blitz in the market to get other companies to adopt S-AIR people will probably forget this thing as quickly as it came.%Gallery-16969%
Sony launches S-AIR multi-room wireless audio standard, gear
It's clear what we all need is yet another proprietary wireless standard for streaming media around our house, so thank God Sony swooped in to launch S-AIR, their new system for configuration-free multi-room audio. Just provide power to your redundantly-named S-AIR Air Station receiver speaker and new S-AIR enabled Sony audio gear can stream to it up to 164 feet away. Thankfully, Sony will also start selling S-AIR EZW-T100 transmitters, WHAT-SA10 wireless speaker kits ($150 -- wait, "what"?), and independent S-AIR AIR-SA10 Air Stations ($120) -- all due in March.
