LATEST ADDITIONS

Viva Las Vegas
Steven Stone  |  Sep 16, 2006

Although exhibits at THE SHOW were primarily an example of how out of touch some high-end audio manufacturers are with reality, Magnepan's Wendell Diller demonstrated that given a deadline with a wad of money at the end a fertile mind can find a way to solve a technical problem. True dipole ribbon speakers don't lend themselves to in-wall placement, but when the owner of a large and well-heeled casino chose Magnepans for their high-roller suites Diller devised a way. He automated his panels so when the video display is turned on the panels swing away from the wall, ready for action. With an adjustable angle and automatic reset if bumped, these Maggies are ready to deliver more sparkle than a trough full of slot machine quarters

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The Cow as Metaphor
Steven Stone  |  Sep 16, 2006

See the cow. Is it half here or half gone? Just like true high definition home theater, depends on how you look at it. 2006 CEDIA opened the flood gates on 1080P display devices, be they projectors, plasmas, or LCD flat panel displays, but the format war between Blue Ray and DVD/HD drags on with not clear winners, only losers – the consumer. Will the situation be better by Winter CES? Most likely, not. Perhaps by 2007 CEDIA the format debacle will be past and we will all be happily watching 1080P source material on 1080P displays, but I fear we will still be stuck with only half a cow.

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12-feet Of 1080p Love With SIM2
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 16, 2006

On Saturday afternoon I made it to an off-site hotel suite to get a sneak peak at prototypes of two of SIM2’s new 1080p DLP projectors with Greg Nicoloso of SIM2 and .Gordeon Sell PR’s Raney Nelson. Fired up at the suite were a Domino single-chip 1080p DLP targeted to sell at around $10K in November, and the HT5000 ($50K, available in November), which is the big dog, three-chip 1080p DLP with an eye-searing 4000-lumen rated light output.

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What Goes On Behind Closed Doors?
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 16, 2006

Interviews are what go on behind closed doors at JVC, and demos for Shane are not. After getting the download on JVC’s demo of a new $7K D-ILA front projector, compared side by side with Sony’s highly regarded Ruby $10K SXRD projector, I motored right over to see the shootout only to be turned away at the door. Someone from JVC was being interviewed I was told, and could I wait outside just a few minutes.

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Optoma Goes Anamorphic
Tom Norton  |  Sep 16, 2006

Optoma was producing a terrific picture on a big screen (estimated at about 12-feet wide) using an add-on Schneider anamorphic lens on the company's new HD81 1080p single-chip DLP projector. The projector goes for $7000, the lens is a $4000 option (lens available in November)

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Optoma Stitches it Together
Tom Norton  |  Sep 16, 2006

Optoma took two of their pro projectors and electronically stitched together this widescreen image. The seam is barely visible here, but a bit more visible in the flesh. Engineers playing games. The image was much sharper than this available light image suggests.

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Further Revel-Ations
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 16, 2006

I know- that’s a badly overused pun. But at the insistence of editor Tom Norton and contributing writer/reviewer Randy Tomlinson I found Revel’s off-site demo of its new Salon2 loudspeaker, which is targeted to come it at around $22K/pr. And will be joined in the Ultima line by matched center and surround speakers.

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Epson 1080p
Tom Norton  |  Sep 16, 2006

Epson had this prototype of a new 1080p LCD projector on static display, but not on demonstration. The PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080p uses the company's newest D6 C2 Fine LCD panels. No price or availability date was announced.

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Artison Processor/Amp
Tom Norton  |  Sep 16, 2006

Artison chief Cary Christie describes the processor and amp designed to drive one or two if his new in-wall subs (background and in entry below). Each in-wall sub will cost $1000 and the amp/processor another $1000.

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Kama Chameleon
Fred Manteghian  |  Sep 16, 2006

Salamander's new Chameleon furniture line is going to thrill a lot of Suzi Homemakers who want to find a home for hubby's electronic toys. The Hampton model here sells for $1,899, and there are four other models available as well. Options (not included in the price) are rear mounted power strips and Plasma mounts. The optional fan cooling and IR repeaters will come in handy when those solid wood doors are shut too. This little company is located in my neck of the woods in Connecticut and you have to admire how they've grown. Their products are well engineered and assemble easily. I've had one of their Synergy racks for over three years and I love it. These look even nicer still.

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