Audio Video News

Audio Control has always been known to build some of the coolest, most useful home audio sound enhancement and distribution gear. The company continues the tradition with the introduction of the new Maestro M2e, an enhanced version of its earlier kick-butt theater processor.

The Maestro M2e includes the same processing package found in the Maestro M2 (Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS, DTS NEO, DTS ES Matrix, and Discrete 6.1) along with HDMI switching and upconversion of composite and S-video signals to component video. The new model, though, incorporates Audio Control's Active Balanced Technology (ABT), which allows high-definition video and digital audio signals to be sent up to 1000 feet over a single run of standard Cat5 cables.

Active Balanced Technology is an active, powered video delivery system designed to overcome signal losses that occur in long cable runs. After the high-definition signal leaves the Maestro M2e, a receiving unit (BVR-25 or BVR-20) is used at the other end of the cable run to convert the signal back to traditional component video. The system is capable of transmitting all 480, 720, and 1080 resolution formats.

The Maestro M2e also includes AM and FM tuners with support for RDS (Radio Data System) broadcasts. (RDS is a technology that allows analog radio stations to digitally broadcast small amounts of information concurrent with the audio signal, such as station ID or genre.) The new unit will begin shipping in October, 2006 and will be available through custom installation dealers for a suggested client selling price of $2,399. Alas, installation, calibration, and Cat5 cable costs are not included.