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Yamaha's NX-B02 Bluetooth speaker system hits the FCC
Don't look now, but a forthcoming Bluetooth speaker system from Yamaha has been discovered thanks to the oh-so-disclosing FCC. This unit touts a sleek, portable design, top-mounted controls, a pair of 45-millimeter Ti-cone full-range drivers, a 3.5-millimeter input jack, support for Bluetooth 2.0+EDR / A2DP, 12 total watts of amplification, frequency response of 90Hz to 20kHz, AC / battery power options, and a snazzy status indicator LED for good measure. 'Course, we've no idea how soon Yamaha plans to launch this here gizmo nor how much it'll cost, but feel free to click on through for a shot of the top.
Yamaha's CEDIA booth tour
Branching away from all that video hardware a bit, we swung by Yamaha's jam-packed booth to check out the new receivers, surround sound options, and in-wall speakers. As expected, there were more receivers than anyone cared to count, and while the selection of in-wall speakers didn't look all that enthralling, the firm's Digital Sound Projector did a mighty fine job of simulating surround sound in the likely tuned demonstration room. Check it all out in detail below.%Gallery-7078%
Yamaha's YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector adds HDMI upscaling
Yamaha's single unit surround sound bars have come a long way since the YSP-1 made its debut, and the company's latest entry, the YSP-4000, continues to up the ante, with 1080p HDMI compatibility, analog video upscaling to 1080i / 720p, XM Neural Surround compatibility, optional iPod dock, and a host of calibration modes, including one designed to make compressed audio sources sound better. Yamaha is being pretty coy with the frequency response numbers, suggesting that the YSP-4000 isn't an ass-shaking bass machine, but the 120W of power through six channels should provide plenty of clean sound for average TV and movie viewing. Available in October for $1,799.[Via Apartment Therapy]
Yamaha announces feature-packed RX-Z11 home theater receiver
Normally home theater receivers aren't considered anything special, content to switch inputs and power speakers, letting the plasma flat-panel take all the glory. But Yamaha has thrown all the goodies and features into the RX-Z11 receiver, with THX Ultra2 Plus certification for quality assurance, five HDMI 1.3a inputs and two outputs, four component inputs and two outs, and support for five audio and two video zones. It also supports the newest audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio. To finish off the features, the receiver also supports terrestrial HD and XM satellite radio, network capabilities and internet radio, and includes an iPod dock for external media. The RX-Z11 comes out in November, for an undisclosed (but surely expensive) price.
Latest Yamaha receivers boast HDMI 1.3a / Ethernet / 1080p upscaling
Shortly after Sony unveiled its newly revamped ES lineup of AV receivers, along comes Yamaha with a powerful new duo of its own. The RX-V3800 (140-watt x 7) and RX-V1800 (130-watt x 7) each support lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD / DTS-HD and feature Yamaha's Cinema DSP processing engine, video upscaling to 1080p, HDMI 1.3a, and an Ethernet connection that enables consumers to "access internet radio stations, music files stored on a PC, and the company's MusicCAST audio system server." Furthermore, the units are also compatible with your iPod and XM radio via optional adapters, include Burr-Brown 192kHz/24bit DACs, and will be on display at next month's CEDIA expo. As expected, neither of these devices can be classified as cheap, as the less powerful RX-V1800 will demand $1,299.95, while the higher-end RX-V3800 rings up at $1,699.95.
Hilton's Sight+Sound suites deliver DirecTV, HD niceties
As the HDTV movement continues to reshape the average hotel room experience, Hilton has made sure it doesn't get left behind. Recently, the chain launched 25 "home theater-like" Sight+Sound rooms at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare International Airport, while 30 guest rooms at the Hilton San Francisco received the makeover. Among the amenities are a 42-inch LG plasma, Yahama's YSP-800 Digital Sound Projector, Monster cabling, DirecTV programming including 14 HD channels and a number of XM radio stations, and a high definition menu system from LodgeNet. Additionally, guests can hook up their DAPs or external audio sources to a unique "connectivity panel," and just in case you forget to pack an extra bag of cables, the specially equipped rooms should provide all the copper you need. Notably, this here setup sounds like one of the most fully-featured HD offerings found in a "standard" hotel, and now that it's been available for a few months, have any of you had an opportunity to indulge?
Yamaha's BODiBEAT plays music in time to your workout
We haven't seen too many portable audio devices out of Yamaha (well, unless you count scooters), but the company's new BODiBEAT looks like it could be a big hit with runners. The arm-mounted DAP contains an accelerometer that links to the earphone-mounted pulse monitor, enabling the BODiBEAT to play tracks that match your running rhythm, switching songs as you speed up and slow down. It doesn't look the like unit actually changes the speed of your music, so Yamaha has thoughtfully included a range of preloaded beat loops that remix themselves at every tempo to cover any gaps. Good thing, too, since the puny 512MB of memory means you'll be out of music by the end of the block. Expect to see the BODiBEAT popping up at the gym later this summer for an astronomical $299.[Via jkOnTheRun]
Fujifilm introduces LabelFlash media to US
Yamaha and Fujifilm introduced their LightScribe competitor Labelflash nearly two years ago, but aside from random appearances in laptops and a firmware-flashed cameo in the Mac Pro, no manufacturer apart from NEC has supported the technology here in the States. That might be slowly changing, as Fuji announced today that it will finally start selling Labelflash media in the US market. The company is initially just offering 16x DVD-R media, but will expand the line in time. We've always been Sharpie people ourselves -- no burned disc lasts longer than a week around here anyway -- but Labelflash apparently looks better than Lightscribe, for those of you that demand the pro style.
Yamaha's PSR-S900 piano offers up USB, Ethernet ports
Electric keyboards have long sported hardware components more commonly associated with a desktop PC, but rather than cramming a 3.5-inch floppy drive in its newest device, Yamaha opted for a USB port and Ethernet jack. The PSR-S900 packs 392 "realistic instrument voices" and 305 accompaniment styles powered by MegaVoices, and aside from also playing nice with MIDI-related information, this 61-key piano sports a 5.7-inch 320 x 240 display and 1.4MB of internal flash storage. Of course, you can load up your excess data via a USB HDD or thumb drive, and tech-savvy keyboardist should enjoy the video out port, USB audio recording ability, and Internet Direct Connection access that "enables users to browse and download thousands of songs" as well as learn of product updates. Expect the flagship S900 to hit the market on June 1st for ¥220,500 ($1,815), while the two lesser-spec'd siblings (S700 and S500) hit at ¥131,250 ($1,080) and ¥78,750 ($648), respectively.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Yamaha's new RX-V861 1080p upconverting receiver for a grand
Yamaha has announced an upscaling 1080p receiver for just shy of $1000, with many of the features normally reserved for more expensive models, like microphone-based speaker optimization, HDMI output, and XM and iPod compatibility. The RX-V861 will upconvert HDMI, S-Video, or component, and output via HDMI to your display, while accepting audio formats such as DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD digitally for output over its 7.1 channels. Four preset buttons on the front of the unit allow for quick switching between audio modes, including the seventeen flavors of DSP processing. The optional iPod dock allows for playback of audio and video through the receiver's remote, which also controls XM satellite radio subscriptions. The RX-V861 will be available in May for a suggested retail of $999.95.
Yamaha's YSP-900 Digital Sound Projector: a 5.1 sound bouncer that works
The YSP-900 Digital Sound Projector joins Yamaha's high-end YSP-1100 in their digital sound projector line-up of simulated surround-sound speaker-bars. As a followup to the YSP-800, the YSP-900 comes in silver or black and introduces the "My Beam" and "IntelliBeam" functions previously found only in the YSP-1100. Just press and hold a button on the remote control and the My Beam function will instantly "beam" the sound in your direction -- useful for the hard-of-hearing or late-night movie fests while the rest of the household slumbers. IntelliBeam then, is the auto system calibration software which optimizes the unit's placement in the room. Just keep in mind that the sound will bounce best in a rectangular room with the couch offset from the center of the back-wall. That limitation aside, Yamaha's sound projectors come highly touted for quick and not-so-dirty home theater setup. Hitting Japan on February 22nd for ¥94,800 or about $602. Better yet, these will come Stateside soon enough.
Yamaha boasts world's most powerful USB speaker, the NX-U10
Question: what's the most common complaint about USB speakers? Answer: they suck. And why do they suck? They're woefully lacking in power because of the limitations of the USB port, which only outputs 5V/0.5A. Yamaha claims to have gotten around this hurdle by developing its flux capacitor "Charged Capacitor Amplifier" that, via the magic power of technology, throws out 10x the normal power to achieve 10W x 2. And to turn it up to 11, Yamaha added its SR-Bass technology to produce the "deepest bass ever" in proportion to its size. The speaker sports a stereo mini-jack and can also be battery-operated for those rare moments when you and your laptop need some "separate time." You'll be able to pick up the NX-U10 early this year for £149, or about $193 USD.
Yamaha's YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector
Yamaha is set to roll with their new YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector unveiled at CEDIA. Like the YSP-1000 it replaces, the YSP-1100 is said to do a decent job of creating the illusion of surround-sound by bouncing sound off the walls via 40 built-in beam drivers and 2 built-in woofers with 42 corresponding digital amplifiers. However, the YSP-1100 brings a larger sweet-spot than its predecessor, an RS-232 port, IR in/out, component-video in/out, and an improved version of Yamaha's IntelliBeam automated system calibration to adjust the sound for best effect. Yours for $1,699 starting September, if you dare. [Thanks, Mike P]
Yamaha's new 1080p up-scaling lineup -- from receivers to DVD players
Yamaha just released a slew of new high-def products on the A/V world: two new receivers and three new up-scaling DVD players. The receivers both have the HDMI 1080p inputs and output along with an new and improved video processor. The big brother of the two, the RX-V2700 up-scales analog and digital video to 720p or 1080i on all three of its HDMI ports while neither one of the V1700 does. They both are sporting XM and iPod interfaces plus, the V2700 has an Ethernet port for Yamaha's MusicCAST music service. The three DVD players start at $999 for the S2700, then $449 for the S1700 and then Yamaha dropped the price on their older DVD-S659 from $749 to $179. The two new ones are powered by Faroudja DCDi and can scale video sources up to 720p, 1080i, and all the way up to 1080p. The new DVD player's sound great but that DVD-S659 price drop sounds a little more tempting. [Via HDBlog]
HomeTheaterMag Reviews: Yamaha DPX-1300
Home theaters are all the rage these days and despite everything that Mark Cuban can do, they are keeping people out of normal movie theaters. Front projectors can easily surpass the picture quality that is found in many theaters and this new one by Yamaha is a great example. This is a single chip DLP setup that sells for $12,499 and is only 720p. (we will get to that) Home Theater sat this guy down on their bench and walked away very impressed. How impressed you say? "Well, to be sure, the DPX-1300 is the pinnacle of single-chip 720p DLP performance." That's a quote right from the horse mouth. Sure, this projector is only 720p but my goodness, Home Theater loved it. If you are in the market for a high-end projector, this is a must read for you.[Via HDBlog]
Introducing Tenori-On, from the mind that brought us Electroplankton
Toshio Iwai has been busy designing a musical instrument for the future. Dubbed 'Tenori-On,' Iwai's creation is a melding of light and sound contained in a portable matrix of LED switches used to draw musical compositions -- there's even a 2-player mode (with two Tenori-Ons).Reception of Iwai's previous project, Electroplankton, was a mixed bag. But will distancing himself from his 'gaming' identity help Iwai and his latest invention appeal to the mainstream?
Music Thing: Monome Controller
Each week Tom Whitwell of Music Thing highlights the best of the new music gear that's coming out, as well as noteworthy vintage equipment: "The wonderful thing about this device is that is doesn't do anything really," say the developers of the Monome, a minimalist-but-clever button-covered box. "It wasn't intended for any specific application. We'll make several applications, and others will make more. We hope to share as many of these as possible. Drum machines, loopers, 1-bit video transformers, physics models, virtual sliders, math games, etc." Like all the best new interfaces, it’s pretty much impossible to describe, but once you watch the demo video, it seems to be surprisingly flexible and fast to use. I can’t help thinking that something this (or the similar, but different, Tenori On box developed for Yamaha) has huge commercial potential as a cheap and funky sound toy. At the moment, though, it’s a tool for high-end supergeeks, like the wonderful Jazz Mutant Lemur (which is now in production and sells for $2,495).
Yamaha's YSP-800, YSP-1000 virtual 5.1 sound projectors
Flat panel speakers to match flat panel HDTVs are all the rage these days. And why shouldn't they be? It's no fun to have a nice Panny plasma hanging on the wall with those big Fisher speakers ya got back in college. Yamaha came out with a single-speaker solution back in September that allowed flat panel owners to get quality surround sound from just one speaker and now it's time for a refresh on the line with the YSP-800 and YSP-1000.This time around they come in a variety of color...er...shades of black. If the black one doesn't look good with your silver TV, just pick up the silver one. These units have built-in amps and you can plug your DVD player and HDTV receiver into them just like any other surround sound receiver. The YSP-800 is 32-inches wide and pushes 82 watts, while big brother YSP-1000 is 42-inches and has 120 watts of simulated surround sound.Would you consider putting one of these speakers under your flat panel? We would.
