New Products

Lightpack TV Ambient Lighting System
Videophiles have long sung the praises of having ambient lighting behind a TV screen to reduce eyestrain and (potentially) create a more immersive experience. The Kickstarter-funded Lightpack is a dynamic backlighting system for TVs or PCs that’s sure to provide better results than dusting off an old lamp and putting it behind the screen.
In-Sync: Backlighting is created by 10 adhesive-backed red, green, and blue LEDs affixed around the rear edges of the screen. The LEDs feed into a small AC-powered module that connects via micro USB to a computer running Prismatik software, which analyzes the video signal and illuminates the wall behind the screen with the same colors displayed on screen. Check out the tutorial at lightpack.tv/science to learn how backlighting reduces eyestrain. Price: $99
Woodenshark • lightpack.tv

Zvox Ultra-Wide Platinum SoundBase Soundbar
Soundbars are a godsend for anyone who wants a simple path to surround sound, but what if your TV is 60, 70 or, heaven forbid, 80 inches? Then what? The audio masters at Zvox have you covered with pedestal-style SoundBase soundbars designed to support those very screen sizes while providing solid bass without a separate subwoofer: the 30-inch-wide model 570 ($400), 36-inch model 670 ($500), and 42-inch model 770 ($700).
Sleek ’n Sturdy: The MDF cabinets are only 3.5 inches tall yet house a row of five drivers plus up to three 5.25-inch woofers (the model 570 has only one) and 65, 105, or 125 watts of power. All models support CD-quality Bluetooth/aptX streaming and include proprietary PhaseCue virtual surround processing and AccuVoice dialogue enhancement, automatic output leveling to tame obnoxiously loud commercials, and three analog and three digital inputs.
Zvox • (866) 367-9869 • zvoxaudio.com

Definitive Technology W9 Wireless Speaker
The W9 is one of a growing number of wireless speakers based on the Play-Fi open standard that enables music to be played over any Wi-Fi network. With Def Tech’s free mobile app, you can stream music from your phone/tablet or from streaming services like Pandora to speakers around the house. You can play different songs in every room or rock the whole house with the same killer track.
Super Soundstage: Pairs of side-firing 2-inch drivers and forward-firing 1-inch aluminum-dome tweeters and 5.25-inch woofers are arranged in a “tripolar” configuration that radiates sound off nearby walls to broaden the soundstage. Total power output is 180 watts and a 5 x 8-inch passive radiator gives bass a boost. Price: $699
Definitive Technology • (410) 363-7148 • definitivetechnology.com

iHome iBN48 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
From the company that made a name for itself in iPod/Pad/Phone docking systems comes a versatile Bluetooth speaker that you can pick up and take with you. In addition to wirelessly streaming music from any Bluetooth-enabled device, you can use the iBN48 as a speaker phone: It has a built-in microphone, voice-echo cancellation, and controls for answering and ending calls so you don’t have to reach for your phone.
Instant Gratification: For even more flexibility, the 10-inch oblong speaker has a 3.5mm auxiliary input and supports NFC (near-field communication) so you can skip tedious Bluetooth pairing routines and “instantly connect” NFC-capable Android devices. The iBN48 weighs 2.5 pounds and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Price: $100
iHome • (800) 288-2792 • ihome.com

Slingbox M1 Place-Shifting Media Player
The original Slingbox started a “TV place-shifting” revolution by allowing consumers to access cable or satellite TV programming wherever there’s an Internet connection. A decade later, the company is still slinging away with the M1, which streams real-time video from your cable/satellite box to PCs, tablets, phones, and (Roku or Apple TV) media players so you can catch local games when you’re out of town, watch CNN at Starbucks, or “sling” favorite shows to spare TVs around the house.
Simple Setup: Dual-band (2.4/5-gigahertz) Wi-Fi simplifies connection, but there’s also an Ethernet input if your router happens to be nearby. The box supports resolutions up to 1080p and uses built-in IR emitters to turn your mobile device into a virtual remote. Price: $150 plus $14.99 per mobile app
Sling Media • (877) 467-5464 • sling.com