Shane Buettner
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AV Receiver Reviews
Shane Buettner Jan 18, 2007 0 comments
  • $1,999
  • 125-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
  • Processing Modes: DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, DTS 24/96, SRS Circle Surround II, HDCD decoding
Features We Like: THX Select2-Certified, Four HDMI 1.2 inputs and two outputs with video upconversion and cross-conversion, four component inputs, Audyssey auto calibration and room EQ, three coaxial and four toslink optical digital audio inputs, one 7.1-channel analog audio input, XM Ready, 7.1-channel preamp outs, AV sync delay, multi-source/multi-zone
Projector Reviews
Shane Buettner Sep 12, 2006 0 comments
  • $19,995 (22,995 with optional long throw lens)
  • 1920x1080 single-chip DarkChip3 DLP
  • Key Connections: Dual HDMI and component inputs, one RGB/PC on 15-pin DSUB
Features We Like: 1080p!, full10-bit broadcast-grade processing by Gennum VXP, accepts 1080p signals, high-end lens assembly from Konica/Minolta, vertical lens shift
HE 2007
Shane Buettner May 11, 2007 0 comments

Yes, as a matter of fact all the news coming in for the next few days will be ground into show Blog fodder, including this. Marantz isn't among the exhibitors here at HE 2007 and I don't know if anyone will be using the VP-11S1 for demonstration. Nevertheless, the projector is getting a running change in production to HDMI 1.3, but the retail price will remain fixed at $20K. Deep Color and 12-bit color depth are being touted, but don't get too excited about that yet. Consumer HD sources aren't using either currently. Marantz will be offering upgrades to existing VP-11S1 owners (like me), but pricing for that isn't established yet. While I won't be jumping in for the Deep Color, my experience switching among the different species of HDMI suggests that as everything else moves to 1.3-spec that switching issues might be minimized being 1.3 all the way around. Stay tuned on that one- if Marantz talks me into upgrading my 11S1 I'll let you know what that gets me!

CES 2008
Shane Buettner Jan 06, 2008 0 comments
Ok, I know, that force reference was probably lame even when George Lucas actually was the principal owner in THX. But I'm running out of ways to hype new flat panels!
Shane Buettner Sep 13, 2006 0 comments
  • $397/ea.
  • Two-way with an 8" bass driver and pivoting tweeter, configurable as passive design powered by a conventional amplifier or as a "remote active" system driven by a proprietary Meridian crossover/amplifier
How about Meridian sound for your ceiling for about 400 bucks a pop? The new 200 Series in-ceiling speakers offer yet another option for high quality sound minus the room clutter. As we've come to expect from Meridian this system offer terrific flexibility being configurable as traditional passive speakers or as a "remote active" self-amplified speaker working in conjunction with Meridian controllers.
Shane Buettner Sep 13, 2006 0 comments
  • $2,395-$4,895/ea. Depending on configuration
  • 320: Two-way with one 6.5" bass driver and one ribbon tweeter
  • 330: Two-way with one 6.5" bass driver, one 8" passive radiator, and one ribbon tweeter
  • 350: Two-way with two 6.5" bass drivers, two 8" passive radiators, and one ribbon tweeter
Meridian's 300 Series in-wall/on-wall speakers use 6.5" bass drivers and ribbon tweeters and rigid, non-resonant cabinets and a white paintable grille and frame with rough-in boxes. And they come in a few different flavors. The 320 includes just a single bass driver and ribbon, while the 330 adds an 8" passive radiator and the 350 has two bass drivers and two passive radiators to complement the ribbon. Like the 200 Series these speakers are configurable as conventional passive designs set up for bi-wiring/bi-amping, or as "remote active" units that operate with Meridian's proprietary powered crossover/amplifiers.
CES 2008
Shane Buettner Jan 08, 2007 0 comments

Snuck into the HD DVD Group's presentation Sunday night was the explosive anouncement that true high-end is about to meet HD DVD- Meridian is releasing an HD DVD player!

CEDIA 2006
Shane Buettner Sep 15, 2006 0 comments

Meridian’s Bob Stuart presided over a demonstration of Meridian’s model 350 in-walls speakers. The speakers can be configured as more traditional passive speakers connected to traditional power amps at speaker level, and they can also be configured as full digital active speakers using all digital connections and onboard amps.

CEDIA 2006
Shane Buettner Sep 16, 2006 0 comments

OK, before reading any further you should know that I’ve purchased and used Vandersteen audio loudspeakers as a reference for the last several years, and that I’ve had many intimate and extremely satisfying experiences with Audio Research’s gear as well. So, when I rolled over to the Vandersteen-ARC-Kubala-Sosna room at the CEDIA off-shoot T.H.E. Show, these people were preaching to the already converted to be sure!

CES 2009
Shane Buettner Jan 11, 2009 0 comments
Now this is an IPTV. Or a PC TV. Or a home theater pc built into a TV? Or a TV with an HTPC built in? Who cares! Anyone who’s used an iPhone or an iPod Touch or a Sooloos knows the future of interface is in touch screens. Allio’s IPTV’s are built around a Vista Media Center platform and have touch screen options on their smaller models. The screen you see here has two Internet-driven streams playing on screen with a third window showing Hulk on Blu-ray (that’s the ever so lovely Jennifer Connelly there). I was able to move, manipulate and resize these windows, images and media using my fingers like Tom Cruise in Minority Report. It’s striking how much the PC gets out of the way when controlled by touch. Cool stuff.
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