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VIDEO
TV manufacturers had a unified battle cry: "1080p! 1080p!" With the highest high-def resolution being touted almost universally as "Full HD" and "True HD," last year's sets can feel like chopped liver.
• Among front projectors, Sony's sub-$5,000 VPL-VW50 (above), based on the company's SXRD technology, stood out. DLP fans will want to check out Optoma's $7,000 HD81. But the award for lowest-priced 1080p projector goes to Mitsubishi's $4,499 LCD-based HC5000BL. (If you can "slum it" with 720p resolution, Optoma's HD70 is a downright steal at $999.) Proving that quality is important — and measurable — Runco and Vidikron announced the first-ever THX-certified front projectors.
• For the most cinematic experience, the trend is to add an outboard anamorphic lens like those used in actual movie theaters, totally eliminating black bars while retaining full resolution. Runco, Vidikron, Marantz, Sim2, and Digital Projection all showed models, and once you see a true widescreen demo, nothing less will do.
• "More is better" resolution was the theme for flat-panel TVs. For instance, Sharp hit a new price point in 1080p with its Aquos LC-42D62U, a 42-inch LCD for $2,499.
• Although a lot of companies used Blu-ray and HD DVD for demos, there was surprisingly little hype about either. But Toshiba did announce second-generation HD DVD players — the entry-level HD-A2 ($499) and the $999 HD-XA2 (both due in December). The XA2 will have 1080p output capability and be the first player to support the new HDMI 1.3 standard.
WHOLE-HOUSE AUDIO
Distributed audio remains the driving force behind custom installations, and there was no shortage of new gear on display. Standouts include Audio Access's Whole-House Entertainment Network (W.H.E.N). Its AVR21EN system controller ($2,199) not only handles audio distribution but is also a full-blown 7.1-channel A/V receiver, including Faroudja video processing. Crestron showed a similar upgrade to its excellent Adagio system (see our review). The Adagio Media System combines all the original's great audio-distribution features with a full-blown theater receiver that includes HDMI switching.
• Both NuVo and Elan incorporate Organic LED (OLED) technology in their next-gen audio controllers. OLED is great for controllers because it offers bright graphics that are easy to read from extreme angles. NuVo's Grand Concerto system ($3,499) provides two-way interactive control, while customization is the theme of Elan's new Olé ($390), the first Film Interactive Touchpad (FIT). The 4-inch controller features 108 different slide-in films to ensure that it — wait for it — fits with any décor.
CONTROL
Philips revamped its esteemed Pronto line with the new, sexy-as-hell TSU9600 ($1,299). Beyond full system control and Wi-Fi capabilities, the TSU9600 supports Escient servers and Lutron Radio RA lighting systems out of the box. Being able to browse music collections with full metadata, including cover art, without having to turn on your TV is a huge plus.
• Not to be out-remoted, Harmony joins the touchpanel crowd with its new, aggressively priced Harmony 1000 ($500). Universal Electronics teamed with Sirius to produce the Sirius Conductor (November, $150), which includes a Sirius home tuner, an antenna, and a nifty universal remote that displays channel/artist metadata.
• One of the hallmarks of control systems in the past — I'm looking at you, Crestron and AMX — has been proprietary system architecture. But open-architecture systems allow for more integration and easier programming, saving tons of dough in install costs. Savant used this Expo as its launch site, showing some preliminary products that hold the promise of fast integration. Think giant, interactive touchpanel screens — on the fronts of your A/V components!
• Monster Cable demoed its "home of the future" control system, "Einstein" (due in March). Monster has incredibly ambitious plans for Einstein, using all manner of communication: Wi-Fi, IP, infrared, serial, Bluetooth, contact closures, and telephony.
SERVERS
Microsoft has finally broken through with its Media Center Edition (MCE) as a viable, affordable server solution. MCE navigation screens and sounds were commonplace around the show floor — and most important, I didn't see anyone needing to reboot! Lots of excitement and speculation surround the upcoming Vista operating system, which will incorporate HD DVD functions.
• The most intriguing MCE demonstration was in Exceptional Innovation's Lifeware house, where it was used as a complete house-wide control and distribution solution, interfacing with lighting, HVAC, security, and other subsystems. Most impressive were the Lifepoint 720p in-wall touchpanel controllers (8.9-inch screen, $6,000; 12.1-inch screen, $7,000) and the Lifevision digital TV server ($6,000), which offers four analog or digital TV channels with full DVR control. All will be available in December.
• Managing thousands of CDs can be a chore, but newcomer Sooloos has developed a super-cool interface that provides more metadata and tools to browse your collection. Plus, the cost of importing all your music is included with the system. A single-source, 1-terabyte setup with fully mirrored drives and the gorgeous Control:One touchpanel will sell for around $12,000.
• ReQuest's new iQ Intelligent Music System takes its server-based distribution system to every room of your home. The iQ line will include servers in multiple capacities, a 16-channel x 80-watt power amplifier, and a multiroom AM/FM/XM tuner, as well as wired and wireless touchscreen controls. Due in November, the system features an upgraded interface and will sell for less than $10,000, including server, amplification, and touchpanels.
• Escient launched its next-gen FireBall media-management products with the MX-Series. The 160-GB MX-111 ($1,999), 500-GB MX-531 ($3,999), and 750-GB mac-daddy MX-752 ($5,999) all combine hard-disk storage with DVD/CD-changer management. Escient also showed its FP-1 iPod solution (November, $599) to seamlessly integrate your Pod with the company's slick interface. (Could the FP stand for FirePod?)
AUDIO
An in-wall is an in-wall is an in-wall, right? Wrong! The style of in-walls hasn't changed much since they were introduced in 1982, so Sonance is giving them a radical makeover. The Architectural Series (due early in 2007 for $900 to $3,500 a pair) presents a bold new look with trimless and micro-trim models. With 19 variations — small, medium, or large, and round, square, or rectangular — finding the perfect look will be easy.
• SpeakerCraft updated several models in its highly acclaimed AIM series, and Niles introduced more than 100 new products, including 24 in-wall speakers. Definitive Technology rounded out its Reference Architectural Series lineup with the UIW RCS II ($599), designed as a ceiling LCR, and the UIW RSS II surround ($499).
• Made from the same woods as its $100,000 pianos, Yamaha's Soavo Natural Sound speakers look nearly as good as they sound. The series, due in November, includes the Soavo-1 tower ($1,799), the Soavo-2 bookshelf ($999), the Soavo-900M surround ($999), the Soavo-900C center ($999), and the Soavo-900SW sub ($1,299).
• While everyone has their panties in a bunch for 1080p video, few people are talking about the next-gen sound that will accompany these pictures. After sitting through a private demo in Dolby's suite of its lossless TrueHD, I can confidently say that you should be just as excited about next-gen audio. Individual sounds are better defined and the overall mix has greater impact — it will definitely take the theater experience to the next level!
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