OTHER TECH

Hidden Power Two drawbacks of multiroom audio have always been the space required for amplification and the mass of wiring. Atlantic Technology's Systemline system ($1,825 for two zones, $3,995 for six zones) solves both problems by building a Class D digital amplifier into the in-wall/in-ceiling speaker and connecting everything using Category-5 cable - which also cuts down on wiring costs. An infrared (IR) receiver built into the speakers means you don't have to use a keypad to control the volume. Just point the supplied remote control at a speaker, and you're done.

Looking Good A/V receivers often handle video-switching chores, so they would seem the ideal place for advanced video processing. Harman Kardon's AVR 7300 receiver ($2,199) does just that, using Faroudja processing to convert incoming 480i (interlaced) video signals to 480p (progressive-scan) and improve the look of fast-moving images shot on video. The 7.1-channel AVR 7300 also has Dolby Pro Logic IIx, which can create 6.1/7.1-channel playback from stereo sources, and digital bass management for its eight-channel analog input from sources like DVD-Audio and SACD. Mix and MatchOnkyo addresses the fear of instant obsolescence head-on with a line of open-architecture, card-based receivers. The TX-NR1000 ($4,500, due in June) comes with nine modules, while the higher performance, built-to-order Integra DTR-10.5 (also June, $3,500 base price, $4,600 fully loaded) lets you add features like FireWire and HDMI digital inputs or Onkyo's Net-Tune system for easy access to streaming audio from networked PCs and the Internet. Both models are THX Ultra2-certified and feature upgradable software to accommodate new formats as they're introduced. Tune TowerKnown for its guitars and guitar amplifiers, Gibson moves into home entertainment with its Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox ($1,899, due in September). Combining a CD-R drive, 80-GB hard drive, and Klipsch audio system in a slick cabinet, the Jukebox also includes an ultra-cool Wi-Fi color touchscreen remote that lets you browse tracks by artist, album, genre, and so on, download new music, or listen to 100 channels of digital radio. Put a CD in the tray, and the Jukebox rips it to the hard drive while going online to pull down the album art, track listings, and other information. It can also control and broadcast via Wi-Fi to "client" units located throughout the home.

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