RealNetworks announced RealDVD earlier this month as the first commercially available and legitimate method for ripping DVDs to computers and laptops. The software officially launched today, and while it has only been available for a few hours, already Hollywood studios have asked a federal court for damages and an injunction against sales of RealDVD.
According to the MPAA, which represents the largest film studios, the software’s ability to copy DVDs to a hard disk violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. RealNetworks, on the other hand, believes it has a strong case because its software does not break the DVD’s CSS encryption when copying it to the hard drive (and even adds a second layer of DRM) – of course, that won’t stop people from renting a movie, copying it and then returning the movie without ever paying for the unauthorized copy.
The software is now available for download from realdvd.com at an introductory price of only $30, or you could just search for one of many readily available free and paid tools that offer similar functionality.
Studios sue RealNetworks over RealDVD
Toshiba HD DVD Players Get Firmware Update [Firmware]
There is nothing wrong with your computer. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. You have not awaken in a crazy, alternate reality where HD DVD won the format war. But Toshiba has unrolled the firmware 4.0 update for its HD DVD players to improve playback issues like a pause bug. We'd make fun of Toshiba mercilessly for the update, but it's actually a classy move to support one's tech even when the market has declared it extinct. Nice work, Toshiba. [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Alienware cans Hangar 18 HD media server before its time
It was under two years ago when we initially caught wind of Alienware's Hangar 18, and while the outfit seemed pretty bullish about the thing just 12 months ago at CEDIA, things have apparently went south. As of right now, the Hangar 18 website simply redirects back to the company's homepage, and CSRs are now informing inquiring consumers that the HTPC is simply no longer available for purchase. We know, this thing was overkill in every sense of the word, but it's not like that's stopping Niveus, Exceptional Innovation and all those other guys from making headway. So long, Hangar 18 -- we barely knew ya.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: alienware, hangar 18, Hangar18, htpc, kill, killed, kills, media pc, media server, MediaPc, MediaServer ]
Archos 5 unboxing and hands-on
The Archos 5 has already been thoroughly torn apart in French by the cats at Archos Lounge, but there's nothing quite like getting your hands on a device for yourself, and while we found Archos' latest to be impressive in terms of raw ability and features, actually using all those features wasn't always smooth going. Although the 800 x 480 4.8-inch touchscreen is laudably bright and clear, it's still a resistive touch panel and feels like one, depressing slightly with each press and reacting a bit slowly in general. We used two different builds of the firmware, and while the second was an improvement, it still hung badly at times and occasionally crashed out hard, requiring a reset. The Opera-powered browser rendered fine, although it scrolled a bit choppily, and the mail client was functional, but obviously not capable enough to be used day-to-day -- it can't delete IMAP emails, for example. We were also a little annoyed by the constant come-ons for accessories and plug-ins -- plugging in the charger pops up an ad for a dock -- and we were left wondering why album art was downscaled so crappily with such a great display available. We also tried out the DVR station accessory, and while it upscaled the interface and content to 720p admirably, we were unable to get it to recognize component video in from a TiVo HD. That's basically the story here: the 5's got terrific potential but nothing's quite there yet -- too much seems missing, broken, or otherwise unpolished right now. There are more firmware updates scheduled, so we'll see how things go, and we may well be singing a different tune entirely when the plug-in enabling the 5g's built-in 3G modem is released, but for now we'd say we're a little disappointed in what should be a kickass little player.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: archos, archos 5, archos generation 6, Archos5, ArchosGeneration6, features, generation 6, Generation6, hands on, HandsOn, unboxing ]
Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC brings TiVo interface to the PC
Rejoice, HTPC fans -- that partnership between Nero and TiVo has finally borne fruit in the form of Nero's new LiquidTV / TiVo PC DVR package, which brings the TiVo interface and featureset to Windows. The $199 package comes with a year of TiVo service, a Hauppage USB ATSC tuner, an IR receiver, and a Nero-branded TiVo remote, and does exactly as you'd expect -- it's TiVo on your PC. There are some interesting PC-specific features bolted on the usual kit -- you can navigate using the keyboard and mouse (there are even some nifty contextual menus) and you can export directly to iPod and PSP-compatible .mp4 from within the interface -- but for the most part it's the same TiVo experience you're used to, including streaming shows to and from other TiVos and TiVo PCs. If you're already running an HTPC setup, you can get the TiVo PC software and a year of service for $99, but your Media Center remote might be a little wonky without a remap, and Nero reps didn't make any promises about CableCARD compatibility apart from "it should work if Windows recognizes it." Obviously we'd like to see that firmed up a bit -- and maybe get some tru2way support in the deal -- but it's definitely a start. Should be available now.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: dvr, htpc, liquid tv, liquid tv tivo pc, LiquidTv, LiquidTvTivoPc, nero, tivo, tivo pc, TivoPc ]
Lightning Review: Logitech's Squeezebox Boom All-in-One Network Audio Player [Review]
The Gadget: The Squeezebox Boom from Logitech streams music from your PC or the internet via an 802.11b/g or Ethernet connection. Unlike previous Squeezeboxes, the Boom also throws in a pair of 30-watt speakers.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Dell quietly introduces 7609WU DLP WUXGA projector
Just a day after rolling out its smallest SVGA projector of all time, Dell has quietly slid a new home cinema beamer into its accessories lineup. The 7609WU features a native 1,920 x 1,200 (WUXGA) resolution, DLP / BrilliantColor technology, 3,850 ANSI lumens, a 2,700:1 contrast ratio, twin stereo speakers, a lamp good for around 2,500 hours and a whole slew of ports including VGA (x2), component, S-Video, USB, RJ-45 and HDMI (x2). It'll set you back a stiff $4,999, but just think, you'll never have to spend another cent at the local Cineplex.
[Via: Electronista ] [Tag: 1080p, 7609WU, dell, dlp, hd projector, HdProjector, pj, projector, WUXGA ]
JVC issues revised specifications, new details on D-ILA HD projectors
JVC has pushed out a release today clarifying some of the claims it made back at CEDIA 2008, and by and large, it's things that prospective buyers will want to hear. The company introduced an HD foursome of projectors in Denver earlier this month, but apparently, some of the specifications it included weren't, shall we say, final. Looking specifically at contrast ratio, we see the DLA-HD750 and DLA-HD20 jumping from 30,000:1 to 50,000:1, the DLA-RS10 going from 17,000:1 to 32,000:1 and the DLA-HD350 doubling up from 15,000:1 to 30,000:1. Also of note, JVC is now highlighting the 16-step fixed aperture in the DLA-HD750 and DLA-RS20 that "helps eliminate extraneous light that can reduce contrast levels and allows adjustment of brightness to suit user preferences." As for updated prices, you can expect to pay around $6,000 for the DLA-HD350, while the DLA-HD750, DLA-RS10 and DLA-RS20 come in at $8,000, $6,000 and $8,000 in order of mention.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 1080p, cedia, cedia 2008, Cedia2008, D-ILA, DLA-HD350, DLA-HD750, DLA-RS10, DLA-RS20, hd projector, HdProjector, JVC, pj, projector, specifications, thx, THX certified, thx-certified, ThxCertified ]
Sling Media starts shipping $300 Slingbox PRO-HD, Canada to get it soon
You already witnessed our unboxing and hands-on with Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD, and if you're anxious to know when you can grab one of your own, how's about right now? Sling has revealed that its $299.99 high-def box can be purchased this very instant from its website and other B&M retailers, and for Canadians feeling a touch left out, take heart -- you all will be able to purchase the unit "in the coming weeks" for $329.99. [Via: Engadget ] [Tag: canada, now shipping, NowShipping, pro-hd, ship, shipping, ships, sling, sling box, Sling Media, SlingBox, slingbox pro-hd, SlingboxPro-hd, SlingMedia, slingplayer 2.0, Slingplayer2.0 ]
Roku reaffirms desire to work with other content providers
We hear you loud and clear Roku -- now go prove to someone other than Netflix that your box is worth toying with. At the recent Streaming Media West conference, Roku CEO Anthony Wood reiterated details that we already knew: it really, really wants to work with companies other than Netflix. Said Wood, "We're opening up the platform to anyone who wants to put their video service on this box," and he continued by stating that "we're going to release the software developer kit, so anyone can publish any channel, and users can access web content on their TVs." Of course, both Netflix and Roku knew from the get-go that the relationship would involve other partners, though it remains to be seen who's willing to call for seconds at Roku's shindig.
[Via: CNET ] [Tag: content, internet, internet tv, InternetTv, media streamer, MediaStreamer, netflix player, NetflixPlayer, online tv, online video, OnlineTv, OnlineVideo, roku ]
Did you cheap out on a TV stand? It probably just got recalled.
Let's be honest -- after sinking a few large on a new HDTV, a few hundies on some overpriced cables and even more on HD programming, you weren't about to cough up another month's paycheck for a decent TV stand. For the 48,600 customers out there who purchased one of four different King Pao Enterprise TV Stands (likely sold and distributed by Studio RTA), you now have a product known for tipping over and ruining lives. The E Series, Fierro, Madison DLP and Madison 3000 -- all of which were sold at Best Buy and other big box retailers from May 2004 to August 2008 -- have been deemed unstable and unfit for use in your living room, and it's suggested that you cautiously remove your set and wait for a "repair kit" before it does the removing for you. Godspeed.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: best buy, BestBuy, china, chinese, danger, furniture, hazard, King Pao Enterprise, KingPaoEnterprise, recall, safety, Studio RTA, StudioRta, TV Stand, TV Stands, TvStand, TvStands ]
Sony DMX-WL1, DMX-DVD and DMX-SW1 Link Modules Shoot Content Wirelessly To Your BRAVIA HDTV [Sony]
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
MEdiaCOre sofaside Digital Lifestyle PC now on sale
When you think coffee table PCs, you probably think Savant. You probably also think: "I can't afford that." At least with the MEdiaCOre Digital Lifestyle PC, you can possibly pretend it's within reach, as creator Pearing Core Systems has it starting well below five figures. After digging a bit, we found that this HTPC / AV rack conglomerate starts at around $6,100, and obviously, you can take that figure about as far north as you please depending on configuration. A fairly novel concept, sure, but one we figure only a select few will realistically consider.
[Via: eHomeUpgrade ] [Tag: DLS, htpc, MECO, MEdiaCOre, MEdiaCOre DLS, MediacoreDls, Pearing Core Systems, PearingCoreSystems, table pc, TablePc ]
Squeezebox Boom review
Remember Kerbango? In the early months of the decade, 3Com's foray (via acquisition) into the then-nonexistent world of tabletop internet radios crashed and burned before it was ever even launched, a classic example of an arguably visionary product launching well, well ahead of its time. Over seven years have passed since the Kerbango Radio's untimely death, but for whatever reason, the concept really hasn't re-emerged on a grand scale. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer: everyone has an alarm clock, many have bedside or kitchen radios, WiFi has since emerged as a ubiquitous cloud of high-speed data, and more people are listening to streamed audio than ever before -- yet the market for these devices is still treated like a niche. What gives?
The perception that the market's still a small one has given rise to a small handful of radios, all of which are pretty rough around the edges. Sales apparently haven't been healthy enough to evolve these devices as briskly as, say, portable players are, so product lifecycles tend to be measured in years, not months. What's more, outside of the odd poorly-marketed, poorly-executed Philips, RCA, or Sony product, major players have continued to steer clear of the market altogether -- not necessarily a bad thing, but little guys like Roku and Tivoli can't light a fire under the tabletop market all by themselves, especially when Tivoli's cheapest model runs $600 (plus another $100 if you're into that newfangled stereophonic sound).
That being said, there have been some notable standouts. Roku's R1000 SoundBridge Radio has been considered a benchmark for the segment since its launch in 2005, thanks to its decent sound quality, decent appearance, a bright, usable display, and an open, non-proprietary philosophy that lets it play nice with just about any music source you can throw its way. Before launching the R1000, Roku cut its teeth on cylinder-shaped players designed to work with an amp or powered speakers, a market it continues to play in today with the venerable M1000.
It's this market -- speakerless players -- where Roku has classically done battle with Slim Devices. Like Roku, Slim has shown a tenacity and an attention to detail in the home media player world that very few manufacturers have, earning it (and its SqueezeCenter media server software) a loyal following. Besides its M1000-fighting Squeezebox, Slim's gone on to show just a little more hustle than Roku has, launching the Transporter for audiophiles and the Sonos-like Duet, slowing down just long enough to get acquired by Logitech somewhere along the way.
Now Slim Devices is circling back to fight Roku once again, this time with the Boom tabletop radio. Realistically, this is a product Slim should've gotten onto the market years ago; it's got a broader appeal than the $2,000 Transporter ever could, and in the meanwhile, Roku's been getting a free lunch out of the deal for its R1000. Never mind that, though; it's here now, so was it worth the wait? And perhaps more importantly, does it out-R1000 the R1000?
Let's address the most important point first: this is an excellent sounding radio. The R1000 was lauded for its sound quality, too, and while the Boom might (emphasis on "might") come just shy of the R1000 for bass response, it's still got a beefy low end and a crisp, full delivery across the range. You won't mistake it for a Transporter connected to $50,000 worth of amps and speakers, but for a diminutive radio chilling on your nightstand, it'll give you more volume than you need (and besides, if you're bleary-eyed enough to be in bed, do you even care how precise the sound is?). Anyone absolutely demanding more bass is in luck, anyway -- the 3.5mm jack on the Boom's backside can be switched between headphone and subwoofer out.
Anyone familiar with Slim's other non-Duet products will feel right at home with the Boom's operation, which is both a good and a bad thing. We would argue that the classic Squeezebox user interface isn't really optimal for a device sitting next to your bed -- or anywhere else you may have it where you'd like to keep control-fiddling to a minimum -- because it's pretty involved. Very few operations involve a single click. Slim does this in the interest of maximum configurability and control (more on this in a moment), but that's little comfort when your trusty radio jolts you out of a peaceful slumber at six in the morning. A perfect example of this "overconfigurability" is the process of setting an alarm: by default, it'll take you no fewer than eleven -- yes, eleven -- clicks and wheel turns to set an alarm if you're starting with a powered-off radio. (Turning off an alarm that's going off, though, is as simple as pressing power or pause, thank goodness.)
Like every other Slim player, the Boom relies very heavily -- almost completely, in fact -- on its network connection to operate. That's a scary thought for a device whose job is getting you up in time for work in the morning. The good news is that the Boom features some internal wizardry that will at least keep the clock going and will preserve just the very next alarm that's scheduled to go off should it lose its connection to SqueezeNetwork or your local SqueezeCenter. After that next alarm, you're on your own. In other words, the Boom is a $300 paperweight without WiFi or an Ethernet cable feeding it bytes, so prepare accordingly.
Initial setup was relatively painless, although the Boom freaked out on us the first time we plugged it in and configure our WiFi connection because we were already running an older version of SqueezeCenter that we later found out is incompatible with the player. SqueezeCenter is Slim Devices' extremely powerful music server software that's capable of streaming and serving your local music library in a number of ways. It's free, it's open source, and it's also used as the nerve center for any Squeezeboxes, Booms, Transporters, or Duets you may have lying around. You go here (through a web interface) to configure how you want your Boom to behave, and the options are dizzying -- sure, you can stick to simple operations like adding favorite playlists and streams, but SqueezeCenter also lets you configure minutae like the number of pixels text jumps when scrolling, how ID3 tags are displayed, and what type of screen saver should be shown when the unit is off. If it doesn't do something you want it to (and trust us, it does a lot), there's a variety of third-party plugins available that can add nifty functionality both to SqueezeCenter and your players.
Of course, the daunting customizability here is a double-edged sword that could easily scare away the non-techie who's just looking for a way to listen to some smooth jazz as he gets dressed in the morning -- never mind the fact that not everyone wants to leave their computer running 24 / 7. That's where SqueezeNetwork comes into play, which is basically Logitech's SqueezeCenter in the cloud; it duplicates most of SqueezeCenter's functionality without the hassle of installing it on your local machine. Granted, you lose access to your local music library, but the proliferation of high-quality streams should be enough to entertain you -- and technically, SqueezeNetwork's integration with MP3tunes could still keep you connected to your own collection if you wanted to go that route.
Physically, the Boom looks and feels great. It's glossy black in all the right places, it's got a high-res VFD display that adjusts brightness automatically based on ambient lighting, and backlit keys and a navigation wheel all done up in soft-touch plastic (we might have liked cloth speaker covers instead of the metal grills, if we're nitpicking). Up top, you'll find a standard-issue snooze button, a must for any serious alarm clock. Smartly, only the power button is lit when the Boom is off -- and don't worry, both the backlight and the VFD get really dim on their lowest setting, so even the most light-sensitive sleepers should be okay. Overall, the button layout's fine, but we would've preferred a knob to a rocker switch to control volume; on a couple occasions, we found ourselves instinctively turning the wheel to juice it when Kenny Loggins' timeless classic Danger Zone started playing, to no avail.
The R1000 (pictured left) requires a remote control to do anything besides change volume, choose a preset, set an alarm, or cycle between AM, FM, internet radio, and the SD slot. By contrast, you can do anything directly on the Boom that you can do with the remote -- yet ironically, it's the Boom that offers a magnetic cradle to stow the remote when not in use (don't ask us where our R1000 remote is). To the R1000's credit, the Boom doesn't offer any terrestrial radio or a built-in SD slot, and we'll admit, an SD slot would've been a nice addition because it's a quick way to play a few tracks that aren't loaded into your master library. AM / FM, though -- well, if that's really a priority for you, there are much cheaper ways to get it just as effectively, and you can't really get great reception on either band without external antennas, anyway.
So is the Boom the tabletop radio to spark a revolution and put an internet-capable device on every nightstand in the world? Realistically, no, it's not -- we're still talking about a pricey, glorified alarm clock here. But does it set a new benchmark in the market? Yeah, absolutely. Roku's R1000 would still be attractive at, say, $200 -- but head to head at $300, the Boom wins for being the better designed, more capable radio.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: boom, features, hands on, hands-on, HandsOn, review, slim, slim devices, SlimDevices, squeezebox, squeezebox boom, SqueezeboxBoom ]
Toshiba launches three XDE upscaling DVRs
Toshiba's going to have to eventually wake up and realize that consumers want to watch actual HD content on their HD displays instead of just upscaled SD, but until that happens we'd better get used to seeing a lot more devices featuring the company's Super Resolution Technology / XDE upscaling tech -- we've already got REGZA HDTVs and the XD-E500 DVD player, and now it's three new Vardia DVRs. The ?140,000 ($1,339) RD-X8 (pictured) is the top of the line unit with Deep Color HDMI output, a 1TB drive, dual-layer burner, and MPEG-4 / H.264 support, while the ?100,000 ($956) RD-S503 and ?80,000 ($765) RD-S303 are 500GB / 320GB models that drop the Deep Color outputs. No word on whether these will make the jump to the States, but without CableCARD slots we doubt they'll be in huge demand.
[Via: Electronista ] [Tag: rd s303, rd s503, rd x8, rd-s303, rd-s503, rd-x8, RdS303, RdS503, RdX8, toshiba, vardia ]
Sanyo's 120Hz PLV-Z3000 1080p projector: $3,295 for USers
Thanks to Sanyo's quick-fingered Japanese branch, you already know the basics on the PLV-Z3000. For those that missed out, it's being hailed as the industry's very first 5:5 pull down beamer with a 120Hz Full HD panel. Furthermore, it boasts a 65,000:1 contrast ratio, TopazReal HD 3D color management technology, a pair of HDMI 1.3 inputs and 1,200 ANSI lumens. The best news here is the US price -- the converted yen amount is actually a fair bit higher than what Sanyo plans on charging in greenbacks, though $3,295 will still be tough to part with come December.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 1080p, 120hz, hd projector, HdProjector, pj, PLV-Z3000, projector, sanyo ]
Memorex intros $269 MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player
Right, so we're pretty stoked about having one more option in the sub-$300 Blu-ray deck club, but the lack of Profile 2.0 (which is only the latest, most up-to-date Profile, you know) is a real bummer. That aside, the BonusView-enabled MVBD-2510 doesn't seem like a half bad attempt from Memorex. It features audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution along with Master Audio bitstream output. You'll also find 5.1 analog audio outputs, a white LED display and a few brushed metal accents to jazz it up externally. Look for it this November beside a whole host of new Memorex cleaning supplies.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: bd, blu-ray, blu-ray player, Blu-rayPlayer, Bonus View, BonusView, memorex, MVBD-2510, profile 1.1, Profile1.1 ]
Buffalo brings out internal / external MediaStation 8x Blu-ray burners
While Sharp's busying readying its 8x Blu-ray burners for a 2010 release, Buffalo's busy bringing its 8x Blu-ray burners to the US of A. The company is hauling both an internal and external 8x MediaStation BD writer to US soil, both of which will also toast CD-Rs and a host of other discs without any fuss. The external unit connects via USB 2.0 or eSATA and the internal drive connects up via SATA. As for speeds, they'll burn BD-REs at 2X, DVD-RAM at 5x, DVD±Rs at 16x, DVD-RW at 6x, DVD+RW at 8x, CD-R at 48x and CD-RW at 24x. Both units are set for release this month at $399.99 (external; BR-816SU2) / $349.99 (internal; BR-816FBS).
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: bd-r, bd-re, blu-ray, blu-ray burner, blu-ray writer, Blu-rayBurner, Blu-rayWriter, BR-816FBS, BR-816SU2, Buffalo, MediaStation ]
Mysterious Korean pocket projector spotted, mistaken for cheap webcam
It seems like it wouldn't be a Monday without another pocket projector sighting, no matter how fleeting. This specimen was recently spotted in Korea, and while we have no idea who the manufacturer is or what it's called, we do have some specs. This device features 640 x 480 resolution (scalable up to 1280 x 800), 4:3 aspect ratio, manual focus, accepts both NTSC and PAL sources, and projects a maximum of 70 inches. The projector sits on an adjustable tripod and gets up to 40 minutes on a single charge... now all it needs is a name, price, distributor, and release date!
[Via: About Projectors ] [Tag: pico projector, PicoProjector, pocket projector, PocketProjector ]
Sony Drops Three Other Stylish iPhone Docks [Sony]
Following our sneak peek at one of Sony's neat new iPod/iPhone docks last week, the company's now officially released three other sets to tickle our fancy. Pictured above is the boom box model (ZS-S4iP) with Mega Bass sound, for some old school on-the-go music blaring—the dock secures and charges your music player and it comes with a wireless remote for full menu control. It'll be available in October for $100. If that doesn't speak to you maybe these other ones will.
The XDR-S10HDiP a tabletop HD Radio with an iTunes tagging service. If you enjoy a song you hear on the airwaves, tag it for future download onto your iPod. Yours for $180.
The SRS-GU10iP is for fancy people. You can tell by the piano black wood finish and the lack of other more technical details. It retails for $150.
SONY DEBUTS IPOD AND iPHONE COMPATIBLE BOOMBOX, HD RADIO WITH iTUNES
TAGGING, CD CLOCK RADIO AND DOCKING SPEAKER SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19, 2008 - Sony today is taking the wraps off four
audio products that work with current dockable iPod(r) and iPhone(tm)
devices.
The new CD clock radio (model ICF-CD3iP), boombox (model ZS-S4iP), table
top HD Radio(tm) with iTunes Tagging (model XDR-S10HDiP), and docking
speaker (model SRS-GU10iP) let you enjoy music from either iPod or
iPhone. All four products are part of the Made for iPod and Works with
iPhone programs.
Rise and Shine
The ICF-CD3iP device is Sony's first CD clock radio with a
hidden dock for iPod and iPhone devices. It gives users multi-function
flexibility that enables them to listen, wake and fall asleep to their
iPhone or iPod, CDs or radio in the form of a small footprint.
Featuring a large, highly visible liquid crystal display, this clock
radio charges both iPod and iPhone devices. It also includes a remote
control that provides full access to the menu of music functions. It
has a compact, vertical "floating" design that hides the docking
station, offers CD R/RW playback, and has an AM/FM digital tuner.
Tunes On The Go
For iPod and iPhone users who want to experience their music out loud,
Sony is introducing its first boombox that works with both devices. The
ZS-S4iP boombox adds iPhone compatibility and enhanced sound quality
through its Mega Bass(r) Sound system.
The dock on this new boombox secures and charges your iPod or iPhone
while on the go, and features a removable cover so you can directly
control iPod touch and iPhone. A wireless remote allows full menu
control for your CD, radio and the music function of iPod or iPhone.
The unit also offers 20 AM and 10 FM radio presets.
HD Radio for Your Ears
The XDR-S10HDiP is Sony's first HD Radio with iTunes Tagging that is
compatible with the newest generation of 3G iPhone devices, as well as
iPod players. It solves a need for those who want to experience their
music out loud, with rich bass and simulated surround sound.
This new product also charges your device while providing the benefits
of HD Radio, including multi-casting (which offers new FM channels, more
music, news and sports) and clear, crisp sound - all subscription free.
The radio also includes iTunes Tagging, which lets you tag the songs you
like on the radio, for future download to your iPod player. It also
features auxiliary input, as well as 20 AM and FM radio presets.
Dock Me Up
Sony's elegantly designed SRS-GU10iP docking speaker offers high quality
audio and a piano black wood finish. Unlike most docking speakers for
iPod players, this new speaker system is compatible with the newest
generation of 3G iPhone devices as well.
The system also features bass sound and a remote commander for
convenient access. It charges both the iPod and iPhone units, includes
an auxiliary input, and supports AC/DC operation (batteries not
included).
Pricing and Availability
The ZS-S4iP boombox will be available in October for about $100 in black
and white. The ICF-CD3iP CD clock radio will be available later this
month for about $100.
The XDR-S10HDiP HD table radio will also be available this month for
about $180, as will the SRS-GU10iP Sony iPhone/iPod docking speaker for
about $150.
Pre-orders for all four products are now being accepted at
www.sonystyle.com . The ZS-S4iP boombox,
ICF-CD3iP CD clock radio and SRS-GU10iP docking speaker will be
available at Sony Style stores across the county. All four products will
be available online at www.sonystyle.com ,
at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Cambridge Audio reveals iPod-lovin' Sonata / Fusion audio systems
Not content with sneaking a dedicated Blu-ray player into CEDIA, Cambridge Audio has just taken the plastic off of two new HiFi systems in Milan. The Sonata, aimed squarely at audio junkies, consists of a 2.1-channel DAB receiver (?299; $547), which offers 40-watts of amplification per channel and your choice of an upscaling 1080p DVD player or a Wolfson-DAC-loaded CD unit for another ?179 ($327). The all-in-one Fusion (?300; $549) includes 30-watts per channel, an integrated CD player, DAB / FM tuner, USB port, an SD slot and a customized iPod dock (which is also bundled with the aforementioned Sonata). Both units are slated to hit the UK in silver and black, though the November-bound Fusion will get a jump on the Sonata, which hits in February 2009.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: amplifier, av receiver, AvReceiver, Cambridge Audio, CambridgeAudio, DAB, Fusion, ipod accessory, IpodAccessory, radio, receiver, Sonata, uk ]
Sony rounds out its iPod dock offerings with three new models
We already caught sight of Sony's ZS-S4iP iPod dock / boombox when it turned up in Australia, but it looks like there's a few more Made for iPod devices where that one came from, with Sony now also debuting three more docks of various sorts. That includes the clock radio-style ICF-CD3iPSIL model pictured above, the HD Radio-packing XDR-S10HDiP (after the break), and the plain-old SRS-GU10IP (also after the break), which provides one big speaker and nothing else. From the looks of it, the XDR-S10HDiP and SRS-GU10UP are both available right now direct from Sony and will set you back $180 and $150, respectively, while the ICF-CD3iPSIL will only be available at the end of the month, though you can get a pre-order in now for $100.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: ICF-CD3iPSIL, ipod dock, IpodDock, made for ipod, MadeForIpod, sony, SRS-GU10IP, XDR-S10HDiP ]
Dell offers up Qflix drives to burn CinemaNow movies to DVD
It's been almost a full year since we first saw DataPlay's CSS-compliant DVD burner, so let's recap the model -- you download a DRM-protected movie to your PC, grab a piece of specially-keyed blank DVD media, use the DataPlay burner to commit the movie to disc and then enjoy your oh-so-legal fun on the run. For all of you who want to live that dream right now, Dell has brought out its $120 Qflix drive bundle so you can save your CinemaNow movies to Qflix DVD media using the included drive, software and two pieces of media (in case one coasters). Seriously, what else are you going to use for long-term archiving of your movies -- hard drives or something?
[Via: Electronista ] [Tag: cinemanow, css, dell, dvd burner, DvdBurner, qflix ]
Eizo's C@T-one remote control mouse: wheel, reinvented
It's a mouse, it's a television remote control -- really, besides a bag of chips and a great Belgian lager like Budweiser, what else is needed for a sedentary lifestyle? The C@T-one (get it, cat one?) ships with a 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle and should work with your PC-based media center or FORIS.HD TV. ?12,600 (about $120), problem solved.
Update: This little remote works with a wide variety of televisions, tuners, and video recorders from Sharp, Sony, Panasonic and many more. Full list after the break with a picture of the device in hand for scale.
[Via: Impress ] [Tag: cat one,CatOne,eizo,mouse,remote control,RemoteControl ]
Pioneer's KRP-500A and KRP-600A plasmas pose for the cameras
Pioneer got official with its 50-inch KRP-500A and 60-inch KRP-600A over in Europe earlier this summer, and just as each set got set to ship, the firm felt it necessary to bring 'em to Japan. Best of all, AkihabaraNews was able to see just how deep those blacks really were at a recent press event, and it was kind enough to host up a plethora of photographs for us common folk to gaze at. If we just rang your bell, pop down into the links below for specs and images galore.
Read - Camera flash, capture Pioneer's new plasmas
Read - Formal introduction in Japan
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: in the wild,InTheWild,KRP-500A,KRP-600A,KURO,pdp,pics,pictures,pioneer,plasma ]
Epson's PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB quietly comes to light
We actually spotted the PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB at CEDIA (see it there in the corner?), but given that Epson didn't make a peep about it, we didn't pay it too much mind. After all, that Pro Cinema 7500 UB was what was most interesting to us (and Epson, evidently). Nevertheless, the 1080p beamer is reportedly the successor to the Home Cinema 1080 UB, and while it should perform a lot like the aforesaid 7500 UB, it does arrive sans a mount and with no extra lamp. Still, you will find 1,600 ANSI lumens and a Silicon Optix Reon-VX video processor, and if that's good enough for you, it'll be available this December for around $4,000.
[Via: AboutProjectors ] [Tag: 6500 UB,6500Ub,epson,hd projector,HdProjector,pj,powerlite,powerlite Home Cinema 6500 UB,PowerliteHomeCinema6500Ub,projector ]
Sony brings 1080p BRAVIA VPL-VW80 SXRD projector to Europe
While we were just able to take a look at Sony's BRAVIA VPL-VW70 SXRD at CEDIA, it appears that the company is showing Europe a little love with the awfully similar VPL-VW80. The Full HD beamer includes High Frame Rate SXRD panels, a 100Hz Motionflow Dark Frame Insertion system, the BRAVIA ENGINE 2 processing tech and a 2.5-millisecond response time. You'll also find a 60,000:1 contrast ratio, Advanced Iris 2, electronic panel alignment, two HDMI connectors and a 1.6x motorized zoom lens. Unfortunately, there's no mention of a price and / or release date, but we'll go way out on a limb here and suggest you start saving up immediately.
[Via: AboutProjectors ] [Tag: 1080p,bravia,europe,global,hd projector,HdProjector,pj,projector,sony,SXRD,VPL-VW80,vw80 ]
Sony debuts hard drive-equipped, network-capable stereos
Sony has been cramming hard drives into its Netjuke stereos for quite a while now, but if you still haven't found one to your liking, you now have three more to consider from the company, two of which also boast the added bonus of networking capability. On the top-end, the NAS-M700HD (available in black only) packs a 160GB hard drive along with a CD player and a MiniDisc player, as well as some beefier speakers and a higher-quality S-Master amplifier that's not found in its lower-end counterparts. The NAS-M500HD, on the other hand, also boasts a 160GB hard drive and network-readiness but drops the MiniDisc player, while the pink CMT-E300HD takes things all the way down to 80GB and drops the networking capability as well. Like Sony's other similar systems, however, these ones are exclusive to Japan, where they'll set you back between ?45,000 and ?85,000, or roughly $420 to $790.
[Via: Electronista ] [Tag: cmt-e300hd,nas-m500hd,nas-m700hd,netjuke,sony,sound system,SoundSystem,stereo ]
Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD / SlingCatcher up for pre-order
Check it, placeshifters -- two new must-have boxes have just popped up for pre-order on Sling's website and Amazon's online marketplace. Sling Media's awfully exciting SlingCatcher and the sleek Slingbox PRO-HD are now ready to be loved for $299.99 apiece, though neither site gives any indication of ship dates. Still, with the holiday season just around the bend, we'd expect to see 'em both out before too long.
[Via: ZatzNotFunny ] [Tag: pre-order,sling,sling media,slingbox,slingbox pro hd,slingbox pro-hd,SlingboxPro-hd,SlingboxProHd,slingcatcher,SlingMedia ]
Vudu Testing Blu-ray Quality "HDX" Flicks [Vudu]
Apparently some Vudu beta testers are being asked to check out new HD downloads that are supposed to match Blu-ray quality. These new HDX flicks are so data heavy, you've gotta wait two to three hours just for the flick to start. This actually jibes with what we heard a few months ago—that Vudu was looking at offering two tiers of HD movies, though there's no guarantee that this is anything more than market research. That's a long time to wait for a quality (and likely, price) bump that your average Joe probably wouldn't be able to tell distinguish from their standard HD stuff. [Engadget]
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
VUDU readying Blu-ray quality rentals
While rumors have been flowing hot and heavy about VUDU's possible demise, it seems the company has other plans in mind. We've received word that select beta team members are now being asked to try out new downloads that are intended to rival Blu-ray quality. Dubbed HDX movies, these ultra-high-def flicks are currently being watched by folks willing to wait a number of hours (two to three) for a film to start, but there's no guarantee that we'll ever see this hit the masses. Sure, we totally dig the idea of BD-quality content on-demand, but we could almost scoot down to Blockbuster, rent a bona fide Blu-ray Disc, watch, and return it before a so-called HDX title even begins.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: beta,blu-ray,films,hd,hd rentals,HdRentals,high-def,movies,rental,rentals,set-top-box,vudu ]
Movea's Gyration Air Music Remote doubles as a wireless mouse
While you may be more familiar with the word Gyration paired with mouse, Movea has decided to combine its excellence in cursor-pointing with its knowledge of remote-making. The HTPC universal remote, christened Gyration Air Music Remote, includes a backlit LCD that can display music choices from WMP / iTunes, a motion sensor for inputting mouse commands from your couch (up to 100-feet away) and RF / IR support. If all that fits your bill, you can grab one now for $179.99 or $229.99 when bundled with a wireless portable keyboard.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: Air Music Remote,AirMusicRemote,Gyration,motionsense,mouse,Movea,remote,universal remote,UniversalRemote ]
$7,100 CD Player Probably Isn't Worth It [CDs]
At this point, audio CDs are essentially a dead medium, with digital files clearly taking over in terms of popularity and use. Which makes it a strange time to introduce a $7,100, belt-driven CD player. But that's just what CEC has done. Beyond the fact that CDs are yesterday's news, the idea of paying so much money for a CD player is kind of bananas to begin with. I mean, who needs a belt drive in their CD player? This isn't a record player, it's not like the music plays too fast or too slow on crappier CD players. I'm sure this thing does a great job of stabilizing the disc during the rotation, but you won't notice that when you listen to it. Really, it's understandable for audiophiles to prefer CDs to digital files just because digital files are usually compressed and sound like crap compared with CDs. But any CD player will read your CDs as good as any other. Save your $7,100 for something more worthwhile. [New Launches]
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Dealzmodo: $230 Insignia Blu-ray Player, No Rebates [Deals]
It looks like some of those price drops we alluded to last month are finally taking effect, but even more drastically than predicted. The Insignia Blu-ray player has been reduced to $230 sans rebates and includes a $100 Best Buy coupon book if you buy it from there (anyone know if the coupons are actually worth anything?). We haven't breached $200 yet, but Blu-ray is getting mighty close. [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Wilmington, NC kills analog dead as broadcasters go all-digital
Wilmington, NC had the pleasure of being the nation's first DTV transition test market, and now it has officially become the first market in the nation to flip the kill switch on analog. As of noon ET today, the Wilmington area entered the digital frontier, and initial reports suggest that things are going fairly swimmingly. Granted, "a few" viewers were still "struggling" to see the signal (read: not at all prepared for the change), but at least the world didn't completely implode or anything. Not like we can really avoid that scenario come Wednesday, but hey, an extra 24 or so hours to live it up ain't half bad.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 2009,analog shutoff,AnalogShutoff,cutover,digital tv,digital tv transition,DigitalTv,DigitalTvTransition,dtv,dtv transition,DtvTransition,nc,north carolina,NorthCarolina,WECT,wilmington ]
Samsung predicts Blu-ray to dry up in five years
Even the largest supporter of Blu-ray, Sony, has admitted that it is the end of the road for optical technology. At the same time they also claimed it would be around for years to come, providing plenty of capacity and versatility for quite a while. Given how long CDs and DVDs are lasting, you might assume that to be 10 or even 15 years. Maybe even more.
Not Samsung, they have a much gloomier picture of Blu-ray. They are also members of the Blu-ray disc association along with Sony, and concur that it's the last optical technology around. Where they differ from Sony is in how long Blu-ray will last. They claim it may have as little as five years. Even if it does manage to survive five years, Samsung thinks that it “definitely” doesn't have 10 left in it.
Some of the cited reasons include increased distribution of high-def content over the Internet, hardware pricing and more. It's interesting when even two big supporters of Blu-ray predict its downfall in the near future.
World's first "no lamp replacement, liquid-cooled" 1080p projector lands at CEDIA
If your friends ever cracked a single joke on you for having a liquid-cooled gaming rig, watch real close and see if they don't end up swooning over this one. Taiwanese OEM / ODM supplier Chilin Technology has introduced the planet's first "lamp-free 1080p projector with liquid cooling" at this year's CEDIA Expo. The firm has partnered with Luminus Devices (for its PhlatLight LED) and Texas Instruments (for its 1080p DMD tech) in order to produce the device, which will boast 600 ANSI lumens, a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 128% NTSC color gamut and a lamp good for around 50,000 hours (or, in Chillin's view, forever). As for a release date, we know it'll be demonstrated here in Denver, but there's no word on how quickly it'll begin shipping out to customers.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: cedia,cedia 2008,Cedia2008,chilin,chilin technology,ChilinTechnology,lamp free,LampFree,liquid cooled,LiquidCooled,luminus,pj,projector,texas instruments,TexasInstruments ]
Sony trots out 1080p SXRD BRAVIA VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10 projectors
We already knew that Sony's VPL-HW10 was well on its way to retail shelves, but now you can mark it down -- it, along with the VPL-VW70, are officially official here in Denver. This 1080p SXRD two-fer offers up 24p True Cinema technology and the BRAVIA Engine video signal processing engine. As for the VPL-VW70, it checks in with a 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 800 ANSI lumens; the VPL-HW10 offers up half the contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens for use in brighter areas. Full specifications are just after the cut, but if you're anxious for pricing: the VW70 will hit this November for a staggering $8,000, while the HW10 can be had later this month for around $3,500.
SONY INTRODUCES TWO NEW 1080p SXRD FRONT HOME THEATER PROJECTORS
DENVER, Sept. 3, 2008 (CEDIA Booth #600) – Sony Electronics today unveiled two full high-definition 1080p BRAVIA® projectors (models VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10) offering more choices for customers looking for the ultimate home theater viewing experience.
The new 1920 x 1080 progressive Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD™) projectors feature 24p True Cinema™ technology, delivering film-like performance.
Built for the home theater enthusiast, the VPL-VW70 features 60,000:1 dynamic contrast, brightness of 800 ANSI lumens.
The model can accept an external anamorphic lens (sold separately) that, when paired with Sony's Anamorphic Zoom Mode, allows users to take full advantage of panel resolution and screen size while watching a movie with native aspect ratio of 2:32:1. When Anamorphic Zoom is selected through the remote, the VPL-VW70 will output a trigger signal that can be used to activate the optional lens and screen transition to maximize the theater experience with a 2.35:1 movie.
For customers looking to enter the full HD home theater at a value, Sony's VPL-HW10 model features a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 1000 ANSI lumens for brighter room applications.
Specifically designed with the custom installation market in mind, the projectors are also equipped with a panel alignment adjustment function that aligns each red, green and blue pixel for precise images. The adjustment range is +/-1 pixel in 1/10 pixel steps. The VPL-VW70 takes it a step further with panel zone alignment allowing users to further calibrate the picture. The model also adds a unique automatic lens cover that helps protect the lens from dust.
Both models feature the BRAVIA Engine™ all-digital video signal processing engine with unique algorithms for noise reduction and color enhancement to deliver sharp, vibrant images.
The VPL-VW70 projector will be available in November for about $8,000, while the VPL-HW10 unit will be available in September for about $3,500. Both models will be offered direct at Sony Style® retail stores nationwide and authorized dealers around the country.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 1080p,1080p projector,1080pProjector,BRAVIA,CEDIA,CEDIA 2008,Cedia2008,hd projector,HdProjector,pj,projector,Sony,SXRD,VPL-HW10,VPL-VW70 ]
Sony introduces $2,000 BD-Live-capable BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray player
While some other manufacturers are churning out Blu-ray decks with price tags closer to the magical $200 mark, Sony's bucking that trend by aiming squarely at those with bulging wallets and even fatter egos. The November-bound BDP-S5000ES one-ups the BDP-S350 by being BD-Live-capable (as opposed to BD-Live-ready) and boasts an Ethernet jack, external flash memory port, a 1GB Sony Micro Vault Tiny (gee, thanks!), Quick Start mode for getting those BDs spinning quicker and an ultra-special 14-bit HD video processor, which "improves standard-definition and high-definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies." Infringing on Toshiba's latest playground is the highly-touted Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology, which unsurprisingly upconverts DVDs to 1080p in order to make the most of your splendid DVD collection. You'll also find niceties such as an RS-232C / IR input, BRAVIA Sync and an XMB-inspired user interface -- now, if only we could find the secret sauce that makes this package worth the $2,000 asking price. (Psst... full release after the cut.)
SONY DELIVERS ULTIMATE A/V EXPERIENCE WITH NEW ES BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER
BD-Live Enabled Model Features New Technologies for Unsurpassed Picture Quality
DENVER, Sept. 3, 2008 (CEDIA Booth #600) – Sony today announced the new BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc™ player, featuring the company's newly developed HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies that deliver even sharper and more vibrant images from today's Blu-ray Disc movies.
The model, which is fully BD-Live™ capable, features an Ethernet connection that allows users to connect to the Internet via their existing service provider to access BD-Live features and easy firmware updates. It also is equipped with an external flash memory port and includes a 1GB Sony Micro Vault™ Tiny flash storage device.
The BDP-S5000ES also features Quick Start mode, improving boot-up times to approximately six seconds, which is seven times faster than previous models.
"Sony's Elevated Standard, or 'ES' products stand for the very best Sony has to offer, and the BDP-S5000ES is no exception," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Home Video Division. "Featuring the incredible build quality found on all Sony ES products, the S5000ES goes above and beyond traditional Blu-ray Disc players to deliver the ultimate home theater experience."
Unique to the model is Sony's new 14-bit HD video processor, which improves standard definition and high-definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies. HD Reality Enhancer continually analyzes bit by bit of the original source, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain. Super Bit Mapping delivers smoother color gradation realizing true 14-bit equivalent color tone from 8-bit sources connected via HDMI.
Holding true to Sony's ES standard, the BDP-S5000ES was designed to match pristine video performance with exceptional audio. The model's analog audio circuit board is isolated from the video board to avoid interference. Additionally, the unit's rigid frame and beam chassis helps to reduce vibration and a low-leakage R-core transformer minimizes the interference of digital noise.
Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-S5000ES incorporates Sony's new Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI. The model even improves analog component video output thanks to 14-bit/297MHz video D/A conversion.
Additionally, the model adds Sony's new Precision Drive™ HD, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, stabilizing playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
The model offers 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS® -HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit-stream output, as well as analog 7.1 channel output with Advanced Current Segment Audio D/A converters for legacy AV receivers and decoders.
The BDP-S5000ES supports Deep Color video output and AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology. The players also feature compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.
The player also features Sony's XrossMediaBar™ (XMB) inspired graphic user interface for easy menu navigation, Sony's BRAVIA Sync™ for Theatre that connects select Sony home theater and television products for easy operation and a backlit remote control. For custom installation, the model also features RS-232C and IR input.
The new BDP-S5000ES will be available in November for about $2,000 at Sony Style stores, online at sonystyle.com, and at authorized retailers nationwide.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: bd-live,BDP-S5000ES,blu ray,blu-ray,blu-ray player,Blu-rayPlayer,BluRay,CEDIA,CEDIA 2008,Cedia2008,profile 2.0,Profile2.0,quick start,QuickStart,S5000ES,Sony ]
Sony's STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES receivers do HD streaming over CAT5e
Sony's got a smorgasbord of new kit comin' atcha from the heart of Denver, so we'll get things started with two new ES-series receivers. Just when you thought you'd seen the last of Sony's 2008 ES lineup, along comes two more making their US debut. Both the STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES offer up second room high-def video / audio distribution via CAT5e wiring, meaning that you can zip along HD content over your existing home network. Additionally, the former unit packs two CAT5e inputs and is DLNA-compliant. Wondering what that means for you? It means that Sony now has an AVR that can stream music, photos and video from a DLNA-compliant PC while accessing online music content from Rhapsody and Shoutcast sans a PC. Beyond that, there's the Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips, support for x.v.Color / Deep Color, Direct Stream Digital decoding, BRAVIA Sync and a 120-watt x 7 internal amplifier in each device. Catch the full release after the jump, and catch whichever unit suits your fancy within the next month for $2,500 / $2,000.
SONY'S WIRED AV RECEIVERS SERVE AS HUB FOR MULTI-ROOM HIGH-DEFINITION ENTERTAINMENT
Can Also Connect to DLNA PCs and the Internet for Access to Photos, Music and Video
DENVER, Sept. 3, 2008 (CEDIA Booth #600) – Sony today introduced two new ES A/V receivers with a CAT5e port, allowing them to provide high-definition video to a second room.
The STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES models offer second room high-definition video and audio distribution via CAT5e wiring. The CAT5e output shared by both models provides an inexpensive option in sharing HD video in a second room.
Additionally, the STR-DA6400ES features an extra CAT5e input and is Digital Life Network Alliance (DLNA) compliant. The combination makes the STR-DA6400ES Sony's first network A/V receiver. Now there is a Sony A/V receiver that can stream music, photos and video from a DLNA-compliant PC plus it can access online music content from Rhapsody® and Shoutcast® Internet Radio without a PC.
"High-definition and other digital content is no longer limited to the living room and Sony's new ES receivers have been designed to be the hub of this change in entertainment options," said Tyler Ishida, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging and Audio Division. "Backed by 25 years of expertise, Sony's new ES products not only deliver high quality audio and video, but offer the ability to connect new types of entertainment while distributing them throughout the home."
Designed to provide the highest audio and video performance, the new receivers are fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc™ format by supporting 1080/24p video signals and the latest audio formats (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS® High Resolution Audio and DTS® HD Master Audio).
Both receivers add a second Faroudja DCDi Cinema® chip allowing standard definition video sources to be up-scaled to 1080p in the main room (zone 1) when connected via HDMI™. The second Faroudja DCDi chip upscales standard definition video content in a second room (zone 2) to 1080i. This latest chassis innovation insures an outstanding picture no matter where you are watching your content. Both receivers also support x.v.Color and Deep Color enabled sources.
The dual Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips also allow Sony's xross media bar™ -inspired graphical user interface to be shared in both the main plus a second room for easy navigation and control of content. The Faroudja chip can also blend the onscreen GUI over 1080p sources via HDMI and provide picture-in-picture monitoring of another room or second room (zone 2) source.
The models decode Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio sources such as that from Super Audio CD players, and feature Sony's D.L.L. (Digital Legato Linear) audio scaler. The proprietary technology works much like a video scaler, analyzing standard definition (compressed) audio signals like MP3 audio files and upscales them to 192 KHz resulting in higher quality audio.
Dual Digital Media Ports adds control and connectivity options for music playback through more than one accessory, including a cradle for iPod®, a Network Walkman™ cradle, a PC client device and a Bluetooth® adapter (each is sold separately). The models are also Sirius® and XM Connect-and-Play™ ready and offers RS-232C, 12 volt triggers and IR repeaters for custom installation solutions.
Other features include Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration™ for simple surround sound setup and BRAVIA® Sync™ for Theatre for easy synchronization of compatible home theater components.
The STR-DA6400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 120-watt power amplifier x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs (five rear, one front) with Direct Stream Digital and two HDMI outputs.
The model's Ethernet port allows it to connect DLNA-compliant PCs via CAT5e wiring. Not only does this connection allow users to stream photos music and video, it provides access to Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody Music Service. Additionally, the Ethernet connection provides easy access to firmware upgrades and service.
The model also distributes HD video to a second zone via CAT5e wiring and offers audio distribution to three zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output or an external video source.
The STR-DA6400ES also features Sony's High Quality Audio Transmission System (H.A.T.S.) that efficiently manages the robust digital signal insuring a consistent, high quality exchange.
The model will be available in October for $2,500.
The STR-DA5400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 120-watt amplifier x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs with Direct Stream Digital and two HDMI outputs. The model's CAT5e port allows it to distribute high-definition video to a second zone. It also offers audio distribution to three zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output or an external video source.
The model will be available in September for about $2,000.
Sony also announced a new Super Audio CD and compact disc player complementing the new ES receivers. The single-disc SCD-XA5400ES incorporates an uncompressed digital output for DSD signal via HDMI. Leaning on Sony's ES heritage, the model incorporates audiophile-grade discrete components such as twin R-Core power transformers and gold-plated outputs to maintain the utmost performance.
The SCD-XA5400ES will be available in October for about $1,500.
Both ES receivers and the SCD-XA5400ES are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty and will be available online through www.sonystyle.com, at Sony Style stores nationwide and at authorized Sony dealers across the country.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: av receiver,avr,AvReceiver,cat5,cat5e,cedia,cedia 2008,Cedia2008,DLNA,es series,es-series,EsSeries,hd streaming,HdStreaming,receiver,sony,STR-DA5400ES,STR-DA6400ES ]
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