Stacey Spears and Don Munsil, acclaimed creators of the DVD Player Benchmark and Progressive Scan Shootout at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, announce the release of the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark, Blu-ray Edition. This disc is filled with test material and calibration patterns to help home theater enthusiasts evaluate displays and players and adjust their home theater systems to get the best possible picture.
Building upon the success of the SA-7S1, the UD9004 is Marantz's next offering to play back not just Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs but also SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) player.
Utilizing previous design cues such as a high-capacity toroid transformer entirely shielded by an aluminum shorting ring and a copper-plated case to protect from RF/EM interference and a double-layer, copper shielded chassis.
The output buffer amps are fully balanced HDAM-SA2. Other components such as the D/A converters, filters and clock are all the highly precise, meticulously engineered electronics expected from Marantz.
Naim is releasing the NAIT XS integrated amplifier to North America. The NAIT XS shares both its preamplifier and power amplifier design with the SUPERNAIT. The NAIT XS preamplifier versatility comes from six analogue line inputs on a mix of DIN and phono sockets and a front-panel mounted auto-switching mini-jack.
NAIT XS versatility extends also to the inclusion of a subwoofer output, a phono preamplifier power output, a preamplifier output and power amplifier input, automatic input switching and an AV bypass option for simple integration with AV processors. NAIT XS power supply upgrade is also possible through the addition of a FlatCap, HiCap or SuperCap to take over preamplifier power supply duties and lift performance yet higher.
Booming flat panel TV sales of the last few years combined with the increasing popularity of the Blu-ray disc format have sparked consumer interest in A/V receivers, among first-time buyers and those looking to upgrade an aging model.That’s because in order to get the most out of your flat panel TV, Blu-ray player and other video sources you’ll need a modern A/V receiver to tie it all together.Although today a good A/V receiver that has the most essential features can be had for just a few hundred dollars, if you want a powerful model with the latest advancements, you’ll have to look at the higher models in each manufacturer’s receiver line-up.
The HT-S5200 and HT-S3200 are both HDMI-equipped receivers supporting 5-7 surround sound loudspeakers.
Both systems offer 1080p resolution, HDMI Pass-Thru, Deep Color and x.v.Color. The feature four DSP gaming modes: rock, sports, action, and role-playing.
The HT-S5200 is a 7.1-channel system that uses 130W per channel amps and a 10" 290W bass-reflex subwoofer. It's also Sirius satellite radio ready, includes Onkyo's Music Optimizer to enhance MP3 and AAC files, an iPod dock and charging station, and can process Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix surround sound. MSRP is $599 USD.
It doesn't matter whether you spend two thousand or fifty thousand dollars on your home theatre - if your gear isn't positioned and configured properly - you're not enjoying the full potential of your home theatre.Before throwing in the towel and getting new gear, try the basic (and free!) sound improving tips described below.You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much better your existing setup can sound.It's not always about bigger and more powerful equipment - it's just as important how you use it.
Atlantic Technology has just announced immediate deliveries of three StreamNet-enabled in-wall loudspeakers designed to use NetStreams whole-house internet-protocol (IP) technology. Remarkably, these loudspeakers take further advantage of IP technology for significantly improved audio performance, sound quality, and adaptability to local acoustic conditions.
As the first installment of its 2009 product line-up, Onkyo has introduced three new home theater receivers, including the world's first to offer Dolby's new ProLogic IIz processing, which can produce sound effects above the listener's head. Theses models, which range in price from $299 to $599 US, also include an array of advanced HD audio and video technologies from Onkyo, Dolby, DTS, Audyssey, Faroudja, and others that were previously only available at higher price points. The TX-SR607 features six HDMI inputs, and is the first AV receiver with a front-panel HDMI input.
Anthem announces the availability version two of its award-winning Statement D2 audio/video processor. The next-generation model builds upon the previous with significant upgrades.
The Statement D2v is equipped with 4 additional HDMI 1.3c inputs (for a total of eight) and one additional HDMI 1.3c output (for a total of two), delivering unprecedented connection capabilities for a preamplifier/processor. All inputs and outputs offer Deep-Color support (36-bit) and high-definition audio streaming.
Sony announces four new Blu-ray devices: a stand-alone player with WiFi capability for easy BD-Live access and Blu-ray Disc home theater systems with S-AIR wireless audio.
The BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 stand-alone players and BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W BD home theater systems deliver full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output, decode the latest advanced audio codecs, and are BD-Live capable with a broadband internet connection and purchase of external memory.
The W-Series is Sony's new economical option, with lowering pricing while still includng the Internet-enabled features of its higher-end sets. It consists of the 52" KDL-52W5100, 46" KDL-46W5100 and 40" KDL-40W5100. They are fully equipped with an Ethernet jack and a Yahoo!-powered widgets engine as well as support for Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Sony Pictures content, and other Internet-connected media. The new family also includes Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, DLNA compatibility, a USB port for loading up external media, BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC), four HDMI inputs and the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. The LCDs should hit retailers later this Spring.
When one thinks of consumer electronics products, one country generally comes to mind: Japan.Home to industry giants such as Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic and Sharp, chances are you have several A/V devices from a Japanese manufacturer somewhere in your home.
The flagship STR-DN1000 receiver features a new piano black gloss design. The 7.1 channel model (110W power per channel @ 8 Ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD) supports full HD 1080/60p and 24p video signals via HDMI, as well as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio and LCPM. It also features four HDMI and three component inputs. The receiver utilizes its analog connections (component, S-video and composite connection) to upscale all incoming sources to near HD quality.
These two power conditioners deliver a cumulative power availability of up to 1800 watts and feature a new Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) surge suppression technology that provides faster response time and increased absorption (up to 60% more current during a spike) over traditional MOVs.
Ceramic casing adds to the protection, aids in the heat dissipation, and keeps accumulated temperature down.
Blue front-panel LEDs show the on/off condition of each outlet, and a digital voltmeter shows the AC line voltage (the T200 adds a digital ammeter too).
Bell today announced it has agreed to acquire national consumer electronics retailer The Source to further enhance the growth of Bell’s wireless, digital TV, Internet and home phone services.
“The Source is a respected leader in consumer electronics retailing right across
Italian-based manufacturer Goldenote's Koala Tube CD Player is meant to be a true audiophile's CD player.
Goldenote’s Zero-Clock filter gets rid of jitter and clock errors for precise audio and is aided by an Electro-Power self-adjusting voltage supply that checks itself 50 times per minute to maintain stability. Laser pickup and motor mechanics for the disc rotation are maintained with speed fluctuations of less than 0.0001 percent.
Fully balanced, the player includes balanced XLR outputs, a balanced analog audio output stage featuring two Electro Harmonix 6922 mini-vacuum tubes, and separate transformer.
Gefen is now shipping its UWB (ultra wideband) Wireless HDMI Extender. The unit, designed for ceiling mounted displays and outside applications, sends HD resolutions (up to 1080p, 24fps) and 5.1 surround sound up to 10 meters (33 feet).
It has three video inputs (two HDMI, one component) with two-channel audio.
With support for three A/V sources, it also acts as a source switcher between three devices from the same flat-panel TV. The sources are selected by using the infrared remote control.
Yamaha introduces a new line of budget and entry audio/video receivers. The RX-V665 is the successor to the RX-V663, the best selling A/V receiver in 2008.
All five new Yamaha models offer iPod compatibility and a full complement of surround sound audio decoders including Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
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