CEDIA
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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.
VidaBox adds tablet control for its Media Center PCs, iPad is first in line
Tablet control for HTPCs is nothing new to VidaBox, but with users quickly buying up tablets of their own it's switched focus from the proprietary vPad and $2,600 TouchClient to wider compatibility through web apps. This iPad control interface demonstrated at the Asian Pacific CEDIA Expo, lets users browse and control their Media Center PC's videos and music with cover art and related information right in the palm of their hands. Built on the company's vAutomation 2.0 platform the software can control other connected devices including lights and cable boxes, while integration with online sources like Rhapsody and Pandora is also in the works. The iPad version is scheduled to make it to dealers and integrators in Q3 and its web based roots should make Android or other platform support a snap, though you will need to own one of the company's systems to take advantage. %Gallery-96269%
Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today
Scant hours after the SDV tuning, DRM-relaxing firmware update for Vista and Windows 7 Digital Cable Tuner users became available, Missing Remote let us know Microsoft has come through on the other half of its CEDIA promise by pushing the Digital Cable Advisor to Media Center Extras galleries everywhere. This half should enable all Windows 7 PCs to work with the CableCard tuners, sans-OEM requirement or inconvenient hacking. Sure we could ask for more from Windows 7 Media Center, but for now Netflix and these two (in less than 100 days) will have to do. Read - MCE: Digital Cable Advisor Tool Available Now! Read - ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings & are a go
Engadget HD reviews what's new in Windows Media Center after CEDIA
Yet another CEDIA has come and gone, and while some of our greatest hopes for Media Center came true (CableCard is no longer OEM only, Switched Digital Video support for the tuning adapter is coming) several more did not (Zune HD integration and any new CableCard announcements from ATI.) Peep the recap post on Engadget HD for the full rundown on what did and didn't happen in Media Center news from Atlanta, and what Microsoft's next plans for Windows Media Center could (& should) be. %Gallery-73742%
NuVision crashes the projector party with LED-lamp P2, 3-chip P3
NuVision has picked our favorite way to make a splash with a product sector entrance -- bring out models packing relatively unique tech. The P1, P2 and P3 DLP projectors should fit into NuVision's custom-centric product lineup quite nicely when they release early next year. Things start out pretty tame with the $8,999 P1, a UHP-lamped offering with (of course) 1080p native resolution. The P2 makes the game interesting with its LED lamp system that should pretty much cut the lamp exchanges down to zero if you can really control the ambient light in your theater; but then again, $18,999 would pay for a lot of bulbs. Finally, there's no denying the glory of a three-chip DLP setup, though, and P3 mates those three chips with a 300-Watt UHP lamp for the kind of no-compromise performance you'd expect from a $36,999 beamer.
JVC's trio of consumer-ish projectors still make wallets weep
Did we mention that CEDIA was a whirlwind of activity? There are a few bits of good stuff we didn't manage to get our HD hands on, including the new JVC projectors aimed at folks who just can't swing the mortgage-busting $175,000 for the company's pick o' the litter. The DLA-RS35, DLA-RS25 and DLA-RS15 are available through the "professional channels" CEDIA targets, but the equivalent DLA-HD990, DLA-HD950 and DLA-HD550 are in the consumer lineup. Everyone of the 1080p, D-ILA beamers gets the 120-Hz treatment, HQV Reon video processing, motorized lens zoom and focus, horizontal and vertical lens shifts and of course, ISF calibration modes so you can get things tweaked just so. Sounds great, but you can't expect JVC to deliver this feature set on the cheap -- $5,000 for the HD550, $5,500 for the RS15, $8,000 for the RS25 or HD950, and an even $10,000 for the RS35 or HD990.
Just Add Power introduces Projector Connector HDMI-over-IP solution
It looks like the gang over at Just Add Power have cooked up a device that will let you manage multiple HDMI sources without the limits of traditional HDMI switches (and no, it isn't an HDMI Balun). The Projector Connector consists of an encoder unit that converts your HDMI source signal to IP packets and a networked receiver that decodes the signal at the display end. Add a managed switch and you can keep adding sources and display devices to your heart's content (up to 200 displays). Controlled by a PC over HTTP, this is definitely a product that will see more use in large organizations than it will in home theater setups. But still, what HD aficionado wouldn't love to get his hands on something this powerful and (relatively) inexpensive? The encoder (VBS-HDMI-308A) sells for $299, while the decoder (VBS-HDMI0108A) will run $250 -- you'll have to buy your own switch. Supports 1080p, HDCP, and up to 5.1 digital audio. Hit the read link to pick one up for yourself. [Via CE Pro]
DirecTV's CEDIA booth was all about multi-room viewing
When we were walking around CEDIA this past week we noticed a thing or two that we would've missed if we just focused on reader press releases. One of those things was the emphasis DirecTV put on multi-room viewing. This is good news to us, because we think that MRV is one of the next big things in the world of HD and DVRs. Most consumers just want to be able to watch whatever they want, wherever they want, so having the exact same experience on every TV in the house is key. Specifically DirecTV was showing its vision of the future including how the next generation of DirecTV HD DVR would work. What's interesting is that although DirecTV does allow customers to download beta software for the current HD DVR that enables MRV features, that isn't what these pictures are of. The current technology also isn't using the new RVU Alliance's technology, of which DirecTV promised to deploy next year. Overall we'll be keeping a close eye on the progress, but we were disappointed to hear the booth representatives describe the system without mentioning the full experience on the thin clients.
A up-close look at Yamaha's two new Blu-ray players
Press shots are great and all, but you really can't appreciate a great piece of hardware from the likes of Yamaha until you see it in person. Of course the two new players were just announced so unless you went to CEDIA -- not trying to rub it in or anything -- you'll have to live vicariously through us and enjoy our pictures. Contrary to what we originally reported, both BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 feature a detachable power cord, and in addition, the 1900 also offers a direct mode that will help the obsessive compulsive type rest easy knowing their Blu-ray player is just passing on the original bits from the disc untouched.
Universal Electronics intros the new Nevo C2 and C3 remotes
These two are the latest addition to the Nevo remote family. First up is the one of the left, which is the C3 and sells for $299. What's really cool here is that it not only works with an optional RF base ($99) but it will also directly control 3rd party RF hardware like the DirecTV DVR. What's also a welcomed addition beyond what the competition offers is that not only can program with a nice web GUI, but you can also program it directly -- so without a computer. The IR only C2 looks much like the C3, but is only $229, the 2.2 inch color screen isn't touch sensitive and it uses standard batteries rather than the rechargeable type included in the C3.
Video: Sony 400 disc Blu-ray changer with Gracenote in action
Ever since the we first heard about the Sony 400 Disc Blu-ray changer we wondered what it must be like to try and navigate through 400 movies to find something to watch. Sony was quick to tout its award winning XrossMediaBar interface, but you really never know until you see it first hand. We stopped by Sony's booth at CEDIA and we have to say it's pretty sad. We can't even imagine paying that much for something that is frustrating. The fact is that one user interface design does not fit all, and while the XrossMediaBar works for many applications, it is hard to beat the good ol' tile view for browsing movies. The Sony representative giving the demo was quick to remind us that you can use another piece of equipment to browse your movies, which will in turn control the changer, but that's no excuse. The good news though is that the big guy did manage to change discs pretty fast.
Thanks to Atlanta for the great reader meetup
We were really happy to see how many people showed up to our meetup in Atlanta during CEDIA -- especially when everyone didn't leave immediately after they enjoyed the free food. The local Georgia Tech chapter of the Association of Computer Machinery were awesome hosts and did an impressive job at organizing the event -- something we doubt we could've pulled off when we were in college. We also wanted to really extend our appreciate to everyone who participated including ZAGG who crashed the event with free headphones and gift cards -- and to think when we crash parties we usually don't bring anything. The pictures we took at the event are in the gallery below, but if you have some to add please post 'em on flickr with the tag EngadgetHD so everyone can find them, thanks. We were also happy to learn that a few of the participates were bloggers themselves, so to show our appreciation we wanted to share those sites with the rest of our readers. Thanks again, and we can't wait for the next one! CSinCS Makario Lewis Hillary Lipko: Frustrated Bunny Software development, brewing, and zombies WTFReview
VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA
With VIZIO's first LED local dimming backlit HDTV just days away from debut and its first Connected TV nearing production, we were able to lay eyes and hands on the television and its funky QWERTY Bluetooth / IR combo remote. Check the pics and videos (including looks at VIZIO's smaller LED sets ready to hit shelves this fall) for a look at our walkthrough; in the demos at least, the VIZIO Internet Apps platform was speedy and easy to use, however our experience with widgets so far has given us more than enough reason to wait for a full retail rollout before making any final decisions. One tidbit for those not ready to invest a whole new TV? The next iteration of VIZIO's Blu-ray player should pack not only integrated Wi-Fi, but also the full VIA / widget experience.
Sony network Blu-ray player spied at CEDIA
Why wait 'til October to get a peek at Sony's BRAVIA Internet features come to Blu-ray on the BDP-N460? Check them out right now in the following gallery, we got a good look at the future on the CEDIA show floor, though whether Sony delivering all new hardware or everyone else's strategy of upgrading existing players for Netflix, Amazon and other forms of streaming is the path to follow remains to be seen. The BDP-N460 should hit for about $250 starting next month.%Gallery-72636%
Samsung 65-inch LCD observed in its unnatural habitat at CEDIA
Just when you thought it was safe above 60-inches, Samsung's showing off a new LCD at CEDIA with the best old-school CCFL tech has to offer. It may not have the sexy side profile of its edge lit-LED brethren or the cachet of certain plasmas but with the sheer size of the LN65B650, even shrouded by foliage in Samsung's booth setup, we're more than ready to catch a game on this baby.%Gallery-72627%
Ceton is set to take over the CableCARD PC tuner market
We can't say we saw this coming, but a little technology company we never heard of until CES '09 is going to not only be the first to market with a multi-stream quad tuner CableCARD device, but will probably be the only one for some time. It is for good reason too, as Ceton (pronounced sē-tən or seaten) has been able to pick up where AMD left off with its ATI Digital Cable Tuner for Windows Media Center and improve it in the best way we can think of. This startup seems to have some special sauce that no one else has, we can't even start to think of how hard it would be to decrypt four HD streams at the same time and re-encrypt them at the same time -- and apparently that is just the beginning. We say this because we sat down with Gary Hammer, the president and CEO, and to say he is on the same page with the Media Center market, is an understatement.
Yamaha shows off its RX-V2065 network AV receiver
Yamaha has introduced a new top-end RX-V2065 model to its RX-V65 receiver line. Connecting the receiver to both the home network and the internet at-large is coming on strong, and the RX-V2065 definitely got the memo. Starting with the basics, the RX-V2065 is a 7x130-Watt receiver featuring Yamaha's ToP-ART amp design with a 5/2 HDMI in/out complement. Yammy then adds its home-cooked assortment of DSP modes, packing 17 flavors of sonic manipulation into the new receiver. Networking is where this model really sets itself apart from the similar RX-V1900 model, though, with the ability to pluck streams from Rhapsody, internet radio, DLNA, and files around your home network. Heck, even sneakernet is supported courtesy a USB port up front. To be sure, there's a lot more acronyms and add-on accessories for this unit that the custom installer crowd at CEDIA can use to round out their sales pitches (and to help bring up the margins on this $1,400 AVR), but we'll leave that for you to decipher by hitting the link.
Antenna's Direct steps up its indoor DTV antenna offerings
We've always been big fans of Antennas Direct, in fact our love even goes back before we wrote our still popular how to get free OTA HD where we showed you how to use a couple of the site's antennas to maximize our HD reception. But maybe you aren't living somewhere that you have the luxury of mounting an outside antenna, and your significant other isn't down with those ugly things. If you fit the picture we just painted then the new ClearStream Micron is just what you've been waiting for. The UHF only antenna has a range of 25 miles and is only 9 by 11 inches square and a mere 15 mm thick. Obviously we can't vouch for the capabilities of this antenna ourselves, but we can for Antennas Direct and at a price of $50 it is probably worth your time if you are in the need for an indoor antenna.
