Maybe I'm a heathen, or I've been hanging around Apple gear for too long, but I wouldn't necessarily say that Sharp's new AN-PR1500H is a "revolutionary design" in audio furniture. Then again, it's not ugly, and it certainly saves on space.
Sony builds upon its BRAVIA range of home theatre systems with the launch of three new products designed to make setting up a home system simple.
The DAV-IS50 is a sleek, compact home cinema system comprising gloss black control centre featuring slot-loading DVD/CD/MP3 player with surround-sound processing and an RDS FM/AM radio tuner, plus wireless rear speakers, Sony's Sports Mode which puts the announcer's voice in the central speaker, upscaling of standard definition pictures to 1080p, auto calibration system, and 450W of total power.
Onkyo has announced the availability of its £350 entry-level home cinema system, the HT-S5105, offering surround sound and high definition audio for those on a budget.
The system comprises a home cinema receiver and 5.1-speaker package which pushes out 5 x 130W of power with a 90W subwoofer. It's easy to set up, featuring colour coded inputs, cables, and aerials, and comes with the Audyssey microphone-based set-up system.
Other features include Audyseey Dynamic EQ which improves sound quality and intelligibility at low volumes, three 1080p HDMI pass-through inputs and one output, Music Optimiser for enhancing compressed MP3 audio files, and magnetically-shielded speakers.
Available now in silver or black, Onkyo's upscaling DVD player can be added for £50.
Sony has announced its latest STR-DG820 AV receiver, featuring high definition audio decoding of Dolby True HD, dts Master Audio and eight-channel Linear PCM, four HDMI 1.3 ports with 1080p/24 and DeepColour/x.v.Colour support, enhanced surround sound modes, 7 x 100W amplification, portable audio enhancement, and BRAVIA Sync.
For set up, it features Digital Cinema Auto Calibration and Digital Cinema EX which automatically sets up the optimal settings based on speaker positions.
Also newly available are the STR-DG720 and STR-DG520 receivers, with the STR-DG520 offering 5.1-channel surround sound.
Available now, prices to be confirmed.
Harman Kardon has announced a range of new AV receivers which will all have HDMI 1.3a connections, and several which will handle advanced high definition audio codecs.
The entry level AVR 154 will offer 5x30W of power, and retail for $399, followed by the 7x50-watt AVR 254 at $649, and 7x75-watt AVR 354 at $899, all with three HDMI inputs.
The two top models can decode all Blu-ray audio bit streams, feature HDMI Deep Colour support, Faroudja DCDi Cinema processing, and 1080p upscaling of all video sources.
All units have an ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier section, 192kHz/24-bit DACs, bass-management, Logic 7 processing for creating a 7.1 channel output from stereo audio input, plus lip sync correction.
Units will be a mix of glossy black, graphite, with while illumination. Details of UK release and pricing to be confirmed.
Pioneer has announced a range of new AV receivers designed to complement their 2008 KURO TV and Blu-ray player lines.
The SC‑LX81 and SC-LX71 feature the same ICEpower Direct Energy HD Amplification employed on the flagship SC-LX90, plus legacy sound-tuning in collaboration with AIR Studios in London.
Pioneer has announced its SC-LX90 flagship amplifier, incorporating a Direct Energy HD amplifier and up to 140W of continuous power across up to 10 simultaneous channels.
The amp supports Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio formats, "HD digital film direct - 24 frames per second" for reproducing accurate audio from 24fps content, THX Ultra2 Plus certification, and construction which supports an ideal separation of the pre-block and actual amplification block in one body.
The SC-LX90 also complies with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines and Microsoft PlaysForSure.
Exact specs, availability, and pricing to be confirmed.
Virtual surround sound systems are becoming increasingly popular as consumers with smaller living areas, or who just don't want lots of speakers and cabling in their main room, elect for stereo systems offering advanced audio technology.
Sony has introduced its BRAVIA DAV-F200 home theatre system, a 2.1 channel unit offering virtual surround sound, HDMI output with 1080p upscaling, BRAVIA Sync, and a 405W S-Master digital amplification system.
Sony's S-Force Front Surround technology creates enveloping, rich and detailed virtual surround effects from just the two speakers.
Available from June, price to be confirmed.
Onkyo must be on a roll. No sooner have they pushed out three AV units then along comes a 2.1 receiver boasting "Surround Sensation".
"Surround Sensation" I just about hear you mutter? If you haven't been keeping up with advances in sound technology, and the silly names given to them once perfected, then allow me to explain.
Onkyo has announced the launch of three new, high definition capable home cinema receivers.
The TX-SR576 and TX-SR506 models, costing £300 and £250 respectively, are full 7.1-channel home cinema receivers which don't skimp on quality but have a pared down set of features.
Both feature seven channels of 130W power output, three HDMI ports (only v1.2a) and one output, audio decoding of Dolby Digital Plus/DTS ES on the TX-SR576, plus Dolby Digital EX, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, and DTS Neo 6, MP3/AAC music optimiser, Audyssey Dynamic EQ loudness correction, and iPod compatibility.
The TX-SR606 home receiver succeeds Onkyo's popular TX-SR605, released last year, and offers seven channels of 140W power output, four HDMI v1.3a inputs and one output, 720p/1080i upscaling, onboard audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, bi-amping capability, music optimisation and Audyssey Dynamic EQ.
Available for £400 from May.
Denon has announced the availability of its AVC-A1HD home cinema integrated AV amplifier, based on their AVP/POA-A1HD separates, and offering a wealth of features.
It's THX Ultra2 rated, with 7 channels x 150 watts of full bandwidth high-current power, has an HDMI 1.3a repeater with six inputs and two outputs, 1080/24p passthrough, REALTA sxT2 HQV processing, Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoders, Deep Colour and xvYCC support, auto lip sync, 12 channel preamp, fully networkable for media streaming, Internet radio, and auto set-up and room EQ.
As usual, there's a whole host of specifications about the sound quality and futureproofing, which can be picked up at Denon's web site.
Yours for £3,799.99.
Perhaps Sony's use of the word "invisible" is the reason why it was so difficult to find a product image of these two new home cinema sound racks, adding to the RHT Series. Pictured is the GHT-800 from last year, which I'm hoping is similar looking. If not, I'm sorry.
Aimed at those with a flat screen telly who don't want a proper surround sound system, Sony have packed all the audio stuff -- processing, amplification, and speakers -- into the TV and component stand.
Onkyo has unveiled its latest AV amplifier, the TX-SA606X, and the first to implement several other manufacturers' "one remote" control systems.
Panasonic has the VIERA Link, Sharp has AQUOS, and Toshiba has REGZA Link -- all technologies which are supposed to help you control various home cinema equipment with just one remote control.
Jamo has released a bevy of sleek black AV units, with its 5.1-channel DVD receiver -- the DMR 70 -- first on the menu. Offering 5 x 65W power, plus Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Pro-Logic II decoding, upscaling of DVDs to either 720p or 1080i HD resolution via its HDMI output, plus support for DivX, WMA, SVCD, MP3 and JPEG formats, it's no pushover. It's sleek too, measuring just 55mm high, thanks to its Class D amplification system that allows component sizes to be reduced.
Now, pair that up with one of Jamo's speaker sets. The entry-level system comes with the DVD player plus A 102HCS5 speakers, for just £549.99. Stepping up, the midrange, premium and flagship packages offers Jano's A 400 series speakers with a powered 200W subwoofer, with prices ranging from £699.99 to £899.99. Speakers are available in black, silver, or white. The DVD player on its own costs £449.99.
Jamo has announced a 2.1 receiver system incorporating virtual surround sound, for those who can't install a complete 5.1 speaker system in their living space.
The DMR 45 is a compact unit capable of 2 x 75W of power output plus the ability to drive one of Jamo's separate subwoofers.
Utilising Dolby's Virtual Speaker technology, a wider two-channel sound stage is produced when playing CDs and MP3s. It also combines with Dolby Pro-Logic II processing, Dolby Digital and DTS decoding.
Its inbuilt DVD player offers high definition upscaling to 720p and 1080i resolution, plus the unit offers a 40-preset AM/FM RDS radio tuner.
An entry-level package containing the system plus two black A 102 Satellite Speakers and a SUB200 subwoofer costs £499.99, while a midrange package containing two A 402 speakers and a 400SUB subwoofer will set you back £599.99
Sony has introduced four home theatre systems in its DAV-DZ BRAVIA range, offering a range of features, plus styling and integration with other Sony BRAVIA equipment.
All units feature 1080p upscaling, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for ease of setup, a dialogue enhancer which keeps speech clear while limiting volume spikes, a digital media port for communicating with portable appliances, and BRAVIA Sync.
The BRAVIA Theatre DAV-DZ260 offers a total power output of 850W, features compact satellite speakers, and will play most standard optical disc formats and files. Available from March.
Denon has rolled out the AVP-A1HD and POA-A1HD two-box high definition home cinema system, claiming a huge array of features and top-end specs.
The AVP-A1HD is a THX Ultra2 reference class AV pre-processor, featuring a high current discrete pre-amplifier with balanced XLR out, advanced AL24 multi channel, compressed music enhancer, Audyssey XT auto-calibration, support for all current high definition audio and video standards, inbuilt Wi-Fi, six HDMI inputs and two outputs, and much more.
A North Carolina company, United Plastics, has been exhibiting "My Theatre Acoustic Panels" which are supposed to improve speaker sound quality by reducing reflective sound waves that bounce off hard surfaces like walls, floors, and tables. Reflective sound distorts the true sound frequencies emitted from the speakers, greatly reducing sound quality. These innovative acoustic panels improve speaker sounds, creating a rich listening experience.
Installation of the system is said to be very easy. The ideal location for the panels is hung on the wall at ear level directly behind or in front of the listener.
"We enhance the customer's listening lifestyle by applying industrial technology used in a better way for their homes," said Nick Antonecchia, President and CEO of United Plastics.
Philips has shown off two new Ambisound Home Theatre systems. The HTS6100 and HTS6515D systems feature advanced audio technology, multi-channel amplifier, DVD player, and iPod dock.
Both units feature Philips' Ambisound technology, HDMI connectivity, and video up-conversion. They offer virtual 5.1 channel surround sound from a single, central receiver and separate subwoofer.
For maximum audio quality and clarity, the Ambisound system has DoubleBASS, which results in deeper bass performance, FullSound features for improved MP3 audio quality, and Smart Surround feature, which automatically ensures correct surround-sound settings for movies or music.
Available from May, the HTS6100 will cost $599 and the HTS6515D $499.
Panasonic has shown off its latest Home Theatre in a Box (HTIB) system, now integrating a Blu-ray player. The SC-BT100 looks to be a 5.1-channel system offering two wireless rear speakers. However, it can also be upgraded to a full 7.1-channel wireless surround system, with the optional purchase of two side speakers and a transceiver.
The Blu-ray Disc player features Final Profile for picture-in-picture and audio mixing functions.
The subwoofer is Kelton-design with a passive radiator and a driver anchored to the cabinet to reduce vibration and noise while delivering more dynamic bass.
From: Battle of Bannockburn educational film to be made in high definition