CEDIA 2009

Stewart Filmscreen is showing several new products. AcoustiShade is a motorized window treatment that is designed not only to provide blackout in residential and commercial applications, but is also claimed to reduce noise contamination. It consists of three layers: a sound attenuating blackout layer, a decorative and acoustically beneficial face fabric, and an air space. These elements are surrounded by a frame that uses Stewart's Magnetic Blackout and Attenuation assist (MBAA) system (patent pending), which holds the blackout layer tightly to the frame to eliminate light leakage. Prices will depend on size, as the product is completely customized to fit your windows.

LED-illuminated projectors look like they're going to be all the rage at this year's CEDIA. Digital Projection's entry into this field is the M-Vision Cine LED, a single-chip DLP model with 600 lumens of light output and 10,000:1 contrast. Pricing and availability are not available prior to the show.

Paradigm will be plumbing the depths at CEDIA with its new Seismic 110 subwoofer. Designed to meet today's demand for smaller subs, the Seismic 110 still delivers the goods with a 10-inch driver and an 850W UltraClass D power amp. It should be shipping by the end of October for $1500.

Digital Projection is slated to have a slew of high-end projectors at CEDIA this year. Among them is the M-Vision Cine 260, a high-brightness, single-chip DLP model said to output 2000 lumens with 3000:1 native contrast. Pricing and availability are not available prior to the show.

Like everything digital, LED-backlit LCD TVs are quickly dropping in price. Case in point: Sharp's new LE700UN series, which will make its debut at CEDIA next week. Available in four sizes—32, 40, 46, and 52 inches—prices range from $1100 to $2800, a far cry from the XS1U series, Sharp's first generation of LED-backlit LCD TV—the 52-incher listed for $12,000. The new series no doubt has fewer bells and whistles, but it's 1080p and 120Hz, it provides Internet access, and the company claims it consumes less power than any other available LCD TV.

We'll start with the new Signature Series, v3, because that's what's in the picture. But that's not the only news from Paradigm. Potentially even more earth-shaking is the all-new Special Edition Series. Not sure where it fits in, but the fact that the enclosures will be wood veneer is suggestive. Also forthcoming are a variety of new subs: Signature SUB 1, Signature SUB 2, DSP, and UltraCube. A 7.4-channel in-wall system will be demoed. Pricing? You want pricing? What is it with you people?

The latest subwoofer to hit the Bowers & Wilkins CM Series is the ASW 12 CM. Similar in design to the ASW10, it has a 12-inch Kevlar-paper-cone driver with a large three-inch voice coil to pound that driver into submission, and probably you as well. The 500-watt Class D amplifier should provide plenty of power, pummeling the driver only when needed, and resting energy-efficiently the rest of the time. The finish is gloss black, the ship date is September, and the price is $2000.