Thermaltake showed a new HTPC case – the Mozart iP – to go with their already released Mozart Sx. The new addition incorporates a front door that opens to reveal an iPod dock (hence the iP name). The iPod nav wheel is still accessible through a hole in the chassis and there are adapters depending on which iPod model you own. It should be available Q2 with pricing TBA.
JBL's new ES Series will include a tower with six-inch woofers ($500/each), plus a center ($329), surround ($329/pair), bookshelf ($400/pair), larger bookshelf ($500/pair), and a couple of subs ($450 and $550). I'm still waiting to get my hands on the cute bottle-shaped CS 6100 unveiled at CEDIA in September 2006. It's on the way!
Meridian showed off an iPod video dock (MV-D1) that upconverts the 320-by-240 or 640-by-480 video to 1080p via HDMI or 1080i via component. For either video when you’re on the go or on the go video in your home. A neat idea, though admittedly odd coming from a ultra-high-end audio company like Meridian.
The ProCinema 600 sat/sub set replaces the same-sized ProCinema 60 for $799. In a more ambitious mood, DefTech also showed the mythos ST SuperTower ($1799/each) with a built-in powered SuperCube subwoofer. New in-ceiling and in-wall speakers were also announced.
Cambridge SoundWorks attempts to out-Tivoli Tivoli with a traditional AM/FM radio (none o' yer fancy digital stuff) including a six-in-one tuning dial (that is, it moves faster than your hand). It costs $120. Analog chic? Priceless.
HK's CP 55 home theater package consists of the AVR 146 receiver ($349 when bought separately) with the DVD 38 player and a lovely 5.1-channel sat/sub set in gloss black. The price is $1199 and it's shipping soon. Definitely a contender.
Replacing the value-oriented Beta Series, Infinity's new Classia Series starts with the C336 tower ($899/pair) with three six-inch woofers, a 3.5-inch midrange, and one-inch tweeter, all in the company's composite aluminum/ceramic CMD material. There's also a C225 center ($499), C205 bookshelf ($329/pair), C255BS dipole ($499/pair), and 12-inch PS-12 sub ($799). The classily shaped MDF cabinet looks like the extruded aluminum in the higher-end Cascade Series. Fed a brassy big band, the system showed off its extended treble and overall naturalness. In development: a wireless sub!
In the deep dark recesses of the Texas Instruments booth was a tech demo of something their engineers cooked up. It’s a DLP with an LED light source, but unlike the Samsung LED that we reviewed in the January issue, it has an impressive contrast ratio (a claimed 100,000:1). They’re doing it by modulating the LEDs with the video signal, along with some other tricks. It’s not a real product, but it shows off what’s possible.
Sharp revealed a 108-inch LCD panel. It was 1080p of course, and while no price was mentioned, you can bet on it costing more than a little. It should be available this summer.
At the end of January Epson will release the PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080, a 3 LCD 1080p projector that has horizontal and vertical lens shift for only $4999. Not enough of a bargain for you? It will also come with a spare lamp and a ceiling mount.
Sony revealed the KDL-70XBR3. It’s 1080p, has LED backlighting, and has what Sony calls “x.v. Color.” This means it is capable of the xvYCC color space, a first. To let you take advantage of that, Sony also released four new HD video cameras that are also xvYCC capable. The TV will be available in February at the low, low bargain price of $33,000.
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