Hitachi
FHP,
a joint venture of Fujitsu and Hitachi, has donated some plasma to Hitachi's
UltraVision TV line. Inconveniently designated the CMP4120HDUS, the 42-inch,
3 1/2-inch-deep widescreen HDTV can accept 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i
signals through its high-definition inputs, which include RGB+H/V, wideband
component video, and VGA. The screen has a resolution of 1,024 x 1,024
pixels, and its contrast ratio is rated as 700:1. Three color-temperature
presets (6,500, 7,600, and 9,300 K) and three aspect ratio settings (Normal,
Full, and Zoom) let you adjust the picture to your taste or the program
material. Price: $10,000.
800-448-2244, www.hitachi.com/tv
Denon
If
you're ready for DVD-Audio, Denon's DVD-3300 is ready for you. The single-disc
player has six 24-bit/192-kHz digital-to-analog converters to decode DVD-Audio
discs as well as an audio-only mode that turns off all video circuitry
for interference-free playback. Of course, it's also a fully functional
DVD-Video player and has onboard Dolby Digital and DTS decoding for movie
soundtracks. Component-, composite-, and S-video outputs are your video
hookup options. The player also features virtual surround sound for headphone
listening. Price: $1,199. 973-396-0810,
www.del.denon.com
Definitive Technology
The
new PowerMonitor series from Definitive Technology gives full-range-speaker
shoppers a lot to choose from. The PowerMonitors 500, 700, and 900 are
all three-way speakers with built-in powered subwoofers. With 8-inch drivers
for the PM 500 and 700, and a 10-incher for the PM 900, low-bass capability
is rated all the way down to 22, 20, and 19 Hz, respectively. They all
have 1-inch tweeters rated out to 30 kHz, and their midrange drivers range
in size from 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches. Cabinets are between 143/4 and 18
1/4 inches high and finished with black piano-gloss top and bottom and
wraparound grilles. Prices per pair: PowerMonitor 500, $850; PM 700, $1,200;
PM 900, $1,600. 410-363-7148, www.definitivetechnology.com
JBL
You
can jump from a simple TV to a 5.1-channel home theater system just by
adding the JBL Cinema ProPack 600. The system comprises a five-disc DVD
changer, a digital surround receiver, five satellite speakers, a subwoofer,
and a full-function remote control. The DCR600 receiver is rated to deliver
100 W x 5 and can decode MP3 signals. The two-way satellite speakers have
1/2-inch titanium tweeters and 3-inch woofers (the center speaker has
two of the woofers), while the powered sub has an 8-inch driver and a
100-watt amplifier. CDs and CD-RWs will play in the DVD changer, and the
programmable remote can control up to eight devices. Price: $1,199. 516-496-3400,
www.jbl.com
JVC
You
don't have to be afraid of the dark with JVC's GR-DV915 MiniDV camcorder.
The cam's NightAlive function (keep working on those names, guys) is said
to let you shoot in full color even when light is scarce through a combination
of signal processing and a slow shutter speed. There's also a built-in
Auto Light that can turn itself on in darkened conditions. You can transfer
video through the IEEE 1394 digital input/output or via composite/S-video
connections. The cam has a 31/2-inch LCD viewscreen and a color viewfinder.
Its 680,000-pixel image sensor can capture still photos, too, storing
them on the supplied 16-megabyte MultiMediaCard. Price: $1,196. 800-526-5308,
www.jvc.com
Zenith
One
of the most reliable sources of high-definition TV programs is a satellite
service, and Zenith's IQCDTV1080 tuner can bring DirecTV's high-def programming
to you. It receives standard- and high-def digital satellite and terrestrial
broadcasts and can supply 1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i format signals, with
automatic aspect ratio correction, through its VGA or wideband component-video
outputs. It passes multichannel soundtracks through its optical and coaxial
digital audio outputs. Price: $699. 847-391-7000, www.zenith.com
Cerwin-Vega
Besides
an 8-inch rear-firing powered subwoofer, Cerwin-Vega's floor-standing
RL-18P power tower has a 6-inch midrange and a 1-inch tweeter. Rated frequency
response is 35 Hz to 20 kHz ±2 dB, sensitivity 92 dB. The sub has
both line-level and speaker-level inputs, and its amp is rated at 100
watts. Magnetic shielding prevents interference with video monitors. The
RL-18P measures 10 x 431/2 x 141/2 inches and is finished in black woodgrain
vinyl.
Price: $1,000 a pair. 805-584-9332, www.cerwinvega.com
Onkyo
Dolby
Pro Logic II, intended to simulate 5.1-channel depth with Dolby Surround-encoded
and plain stereo program sources, is onboard Onkyo's TX-DS595 digital
surround receiver. Rated to deliver 75 W x 5, the receiver also has nine
ambience modes. Its extended frequency response, rated out to 100 kHz,
is said to accommodate DVD-Audio discs and Super Audio CDs. On the back
panel are four assignable digital audio inputs (two coaxial and two optical),
video and audio tape loops, four S-video inputs, and a six-channel analog
audio input. A backlit universal learning
remote control is supplied. Price: $530.
800-229-1687, www.onkyousa.com
Harman Kardon
Digital
convergence now gives us Harman Kardon's DMC 100 Digital Media Center,
combining a DVD-Video player, a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and Internet connectivity
in one 171/4 x 43/8 x 131/8-inch chassis. Controlled by a 566-MHz Intel
Celeron processor, the device can play MP3 or Windows Media Audio files.
Broadband and dial-up connectors enable Web browsing and e-mail using
the wireless keyboard. A subscription to the ZapMedia service ($9.95 a
month) is required for full functionality. There's a front-panel USB port,
and the back panel has a coaxial digital audio output, composite- and
S-video outputs, and a VGA output. Price: $899. 516-496-3400, www.harmankardon.com
Parasound
Does
your music need to get out more? Parasound's Outsiders can get it at least
as far as the yard. There are two speakers: the Outsiders S (small), with
a 41/2-inch Kevlar woofer, and the Outsiders L (large), with a 51/4-inch
woofer. Both have 1-inch aluminum-dome tweeters. Rated frequency response
extends to 22 kHz, though the S bottoms out at 58 Hz while the L gets
down to 50 Hz, both ±3 dB. The durable cabinets are made of mineral-filled
polypropylene, with stainless steel grilles and mounting hardware. Prices:
L, $450 a pair; S, $250 a pair.
415-397-7100, www.parasound.com
Kenwood
Part
of Kenwood's premium Sovereign line, the VR-5900 receiver is THX Ultra-certified
and features Dolby's improved Pro Logic II surround decoding. It also
has onboard video-conversion circuitry to handle all video formats - even
HDTV - which means you need only one connection to your TV set. The amplifier
is rated to deliver 130 W x 5, and decoding circuitry can handle Dolby
Digital, Surround EX, and DTS-ES Discrete surround sound formats. There
are seven coaxial and seven optical digital audio inputs and a six-channel
analog input. An RF/infrared touchscreen remote is supplied. Price: $3,000.
310-639-9000, www.kenwoodusa.com
Jensen
Besides
including a CD player and an AM/FM radio, Jensen's IC8010 Intellicar in-dash
head unit has a single auxiliary input on the back. But add the optional
Source Selector ($180), and you can control up to four separate A/V components
and feed video signals to up to three monitors (ideal for families who
really can't agree on anything). The onboard amp is rated to deliver 60
W x 4, and there are two pairs of preamp outputs. A multicolor LCD readout
and flip-down detachable face give the Intellicar beauty as well as brains.
Price: $250. 800-677-6863, www.jensenaudio.com
Lightning Audio
The
Bolt line of amplifiers from Lightning Audio comprises five models: the
B.150.2, B.200.2, and B.300.2, which can be configured for one or two
channels, and the B.300.4 and B.400.4, which can feed two or four channels.
Rated power ranges from 50 to 200 watts per channel. Every Bolt amp has
a variable crossover filter switchable for high-pass, low-pass, or all-pass
operation. An optional cooling turbine plugs into the top of your amp
to keep the circuit board from frying. Prices: $119 to $229; cooling turbine,
$30. 480-966-8278, www.lightningaudio.com
Bose
Alone,
it's a simple AM/FM table radio, but once connected to your computer's
serial port, the Bose Wave/PC system opens up a whole new world of digital
music. Its credit-card-size remote control lets you choose from regular
AM/FM stations, Internet radio, CDs in your PC's CD-ROM drive, and music-file
playlists. The supplied software lets you create MP3s and burn your own
CDs. The Wave/PC requires at least a Pentium II-based PC running Windows
98. A USB- equipped version is slated for the fall. Price: $449. 800-444-2673,
wavepc.bose.com
Rayovac
The
Rayovac 1-hour charger can put energy back into your batteries almost
as fast as you can use it. In the time it takes to watch 60 Minutes, the
Rayovac can recharge four drained AA or AAA nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)
or nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. It can refresh 9-volt batteries, too,
but they take 2 to 3 hours. Detection circuitry makes sure there is no
chance of overcharging, and green LEDs will flash if you put in nonrechargeable
batteries by mistake. A DC car adapter is supplied. Price: $30.
800-237-7000, www.rayovac.com
Imerge
Need
a high-tech way to listen to your ever-growing CD collection? Sounds like
you could use a digital music server like Imerge's S1000 SoundServer.
It includes a CD player, but its 40-gigabyte hard drive can hold hundreds
of hours of MP3-encoded music (you can also store your music uncompressed
if you prefer). You control the 171/8 x 41/4 x 153/8-inch device through
onscreen menus via the supplied remote control. In addition to its USB
and RS-232 interfaces, it has a built-in modem to access online CD title/artist
information. Price: $1,400; wireless keyboard, $160. 703-481-9815, www.imerge.co.uk
Aiwa
When
is a portable MP3 player not an MP3 player? When it's playing a Windows
Media Audio file, as the Aiwa MM-RX400 can do as easily as MP3 playback.
Tunes in either format can be added through the USB port to the 32 megabytes
(MB) of internal memory or the supplied 32-MB removable MultiMediaCard.
If you get tired of listening to them, just switch on the built-in AM/FM
tuner. The player weighs only 11/2 ounces, measures 11/2 x 31/2 x 3/4
inch, and comes with headphones. Price: $400.
201-512-3600, www.aiwa.com