CES 2009

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CES 2009
The Sound of Blu
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 08, 2009  | 
The world of Blu-ray just keeps getting bigger and better. This time around, Samsung has introduced the first Blu-ray-equipped soundbar, the HT-BD8200. Designed to coordinate with the Touch of Color series of flat panels, Samsung’s innovative soundbar features a sleek design to complement its virtual surround sound technology. But what sets this one apart is its integrated Blu-ray player.
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CES 2009
The Sweet Sound of XS
Tom Norton  |  Jan 10, 2008  | 

Focal's XS 2.1 system is designed to match the look of the latest iMac computer, right down to the metal trim. There is an iPOD dock on one of the satellite bases and a small, separate sub. $749 for the package shown, including the sub (not visible) but excluding the iMac!

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CES 2009
The Third Dimension
Tom Norton  |  Jan 11, 2009  | 
3D was a big story at CES. Or at least with several manufacturers, apparently looking for the Next Big Thing. Most of the demos were dismal. The best was from Panasonic. It used shuttered glasses and claimed full HD resolution. More on Panasonic's 3D initiative near the bottom of this blog file (it was posted on the first day). Even Panasonic's however, conducted on their big 103" plasma, suffered from motion lag, uncharacteristic of that form of display, on some of the clips. Much of the material, however, looked stunning.
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CES 2009
The Ultimate WOW Factor
uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 09, 2008  | 

Snell Acoustics new Illusion reference monitors are the ultimate LCR, selling for $10,000 a piece. The Illusion series speakers incorporates a new concept in enclosure design that significantly reduces resonance and spurious vibration.

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CES 2009
There Be Pirates Here
uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 07, 2008  | 

No sign of Capt. Jack Sparrow but the Black Pearl was the center piece of Blu-Ray's extravagant display, showing off what appears to be the dominate high definition format.

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CES 2009
They're Baaack
Tom Norton  |  Jan 08, 2009  | 
Turn your back for a second and they're here again. Mutating everywhere. Be Afraid. Be very Afraid.
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CES 2009
Thiel Juices the CS2.4
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009  | 
The Thiel CS2.4 has been updated with a "radically redesigned" crossover, shown. It also comes in a new "vermilion maple" finish -- bird's eye maple with a deep red stain. Price: $8000/pair.
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CES 2009
THIELnet
Tom Norton  |  Jan 10, 2008  |  First Published: Jan 11, 2008  | 

Thiel demonstrated a system that is said to produce audiophile quality audio either through a wireless connection or "wired" via Ethernet. As demonstrated, the package consisted of five full range SCS4D speakers plus an SS1D subwoofer (all powered via class D amps—like most "wireless" systems the individual pieces still require a connection to the AC line) and a dB1 THIELnet Audio Distribution Processor.

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CES 2009
Thin Again Out Again
Tom Norton  |  Jan 10, 2008  | 

Hitachi joined the parade of manufacturers showing ultra slim flat panel models with this 1.5-inch thick concept design.

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CES 2009
Thin and Wireless
Tom Norton  |  Jan 11, 2009  | 
The Panasonic Z1 series should be in a store near you come June. The TC-P54Z1, shown here, is not only roughly 1.5" thick, but can wirelessly transmit a full 1080p/60 image up to 30 feet in the same room without adding additional compression to the image data. Moreover, it weighs just 67 lbs. The inputs are located in a separate box together with the wireless transmitter (shown below the screen, along with the receiver box which must sit near the set.
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CES 2009
Thin is In: Redux
Tom Norton  |  Jan 09, 2008  | 

Is this really the world's thinnest television with a built-in tuner? According to JVC, it was as of January 6, 2008. That was the day before the start of CES! This design is 1.5" deep at the thinnest point, but 2.9" at the thickest. While that's svelte, it isn't the thinnest now, by a long shot, based on what has been shown at CES.

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CES 2009
This Guy Won't Let You In Without A Badge
Fred Manteghian  |  Jan 07, 2008  | 

No really, he won't.

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CES 2009
This Just In: DTV Transition Delayed
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009  | 
The Obama transition team has asked that the DTV transition be postponed beyond its previously scheduled February 17, 2009 deadline. We'll cover this story in our News section next week when we have time to breathe.
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CES 2009
THX Goes Wireless
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2009  | 
Room Caster is the name of a high-end wireless technology that connects devices within a room. THX is working on it with San Francisco-based Radiient Group. It works with high-bandwidth signals in the 5GHz band, with as many as eight channels and resolution of up to 24 bit, 192kHz. The only compression used is whatever's inherent in the source signal. The demo showed it working smoothly. Likely uses will be in surround receivers, source components, and docking devices. Prototype transmitter pictured.
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CES 2009
THX Robo Select
Tom Norton  |  Jan 10, 2008  | 

A THX regular, famous for several THX trailers including the famous Moo-cow, was on hand to help draw attention to THX's latest efforts in audio and video certification.

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