Scott Wilkinson

If 65 inches isn't big enough for you but 103 inches is too big—or too expensive—how about an 85-inch plasma? At CEDIA, the Panasonic Professional division is introducing the TH-85PF12U, which is equivalent in screen size to four 42-inchers, though the total resolution is still 1920x1080. It incorporates the company's new NeoPDP plasma panel that is said to exhibit a native contrast of 40,000:1. How much, you ask? Only $30,000, I reply.

Among the subwoofers being introduced at CEDIA this year are MartinLogan's Dynamo 700 ($700) and 1000 ($1000). The Dynamo 1000 sports a 12-inch driver, while the 700's measures 10 inches. These are ML's first subs to feature built-in wireless RF receivers, eliminating the need for unsightly cables, and both models can be oriented as down-firing or forward-firing

Runco will be showing over a dozen new products at CEDIA, including the VX-33i and VX-33d, the newest members of the Video Xtreme series. These projectors are said to pump out enough light to fill a cinema-size screen, and they offer a variety of lens options. The VX-33i ($50,000) incorporates Runco's Vivix video processing internally, while the VX-33d ($60,000) comes with the DHD 3 outboard box, which offers the same processing and more connectivity.

Long known for its high-quality audio products, Anthem is entering the video-projector business at this year's CEDIA with two models: the LTX 300 ($5300) and LTX 500 ($8000). Both are 1080p LCoS models—based on the JVC chassis from the looks of them—with motorized focus and zoom and Ultrawide True-Fit screen mode for 2.35:1 movies. The spec'd contrast ratio of the LTX 500 is higher than the 300 (50,000:1 vs. 30,000:1), though the peak light output of the 500 is slightly lower. Also, the LTX 500 is THX certified.