Sharp might be late to the 3D game, but it's going all in with TVs, a projector, and two Blu-ray players, the BD-HP90U ($500) and HP80U ($430). Both models can be used in a horizontal or vertical orientation.
Sharp has finally introduced a 3D LCD TV in its Quattron line, which adds a yellow color filter to the conventional red, green, and blue filters. The LE925 will be available in two sizes52 and 60 inchesfor $4200 and $5300, respectively. Several technologies, including the separate yellow color, are said to almost double the brightness of 3D content compared with 3-color LCDs. The demo did look relatively bright, but Sharp's use of Despicable Me as demo material was unfortunate, since the 3D in that particular movie is very unimpressive. A different disc of custom content looked much better.
A 3D-capable, single-chip DLP projector was on static display at Sharp's press conference. The XV-X17000 boasts a contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and 1600 ANSI lumens of light output. It will ship in the first quarter of 2011 with two pairs of active glasses.
Famous for in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, SpeakerCraft decided to go back to its founders' roots with the new Roots standalone speakers, which include three 2-way satellites and two subwoofers (one of which is shown in red here). A similar design aesthetic was applied to the FloBox, which combines the Vital 250 integrated amp with a speaker system that includes a 5.25-inch woofer, two 3-inch midrange drivers, and two 0.75-inch tweeters.
I've seen plenty of integrated amps with iPod docks, but the Vital 250 from SpeakerCraft is the first I've seen with an iPad dock. It provides 50Wpc and a Cirrus Logic upconversion chip intended to improve the sound of compressed MP3 files for $700.
Digital Projection will be making quite a splash at the CEDIA Expo this year, with at least four new DLP projectors and a new media server. The company also promises a couple of surprises and a kick-ass party at the Hard Rock Cafe.
One of the more interesting press releases to hit my inbox in anticipation of the CEDIA Expo next week was one announcing the Programmable Modular Amplifier (PMA) from Pro Audio Technology (formerly Professional Home Cinema or PHC). Aimed mainly at custom installations, this thing packs a highly configurable punch.
A/V raconteur and Home Theater reviewer Fred Manteghian talks about his reference system, products he's reviewed recently, some favorite Blu-ray titles, the advantages of iTunes and Internet radio, automatic room correction, speaker placement, tubes versus solid-state electronics, electrostatic versus dynamic speakers, and answers to chat-room questions.
3D Quandary I'm looking for a 3D TV in the 55- to 65-inch range. I was leaning toward the Panasonic TC-P65VT25 until a salesperson at Best Buy told me the Samsung PN63C8000 is better, plus it includes a Blu-ray player. I thought Panasonic made the best plasmas. Also, which is better for 3DLCD, LED, or plasma? Is Sony, Samsung, or Panasonic the best brand?