Congratulations! You're richer than you thought!

 After attending two press conferences so far at the CEDIA Expo 2009, I have discovered that either, A: America is a lot richer than I thought, or B: I’m just, sadly, much poorer.

During SpeakerCraft’s launch of their new A/V distribution system (which sounds totally killer, by the way), they repeatedly described the system as “mass market,” and “a system for the masses.” The system, called nirv, offers unlimited sounding scalability and performance, distributing high def audio, video, control, data and communication signals all over a single wire. They also have developed a terrific guerilla marketing ad campaign (which has a very Command & Conquer vibe for you gamers) where users are encouraged to “break the chains of big control.” (See an example of the Web marketing here.)

However, after all of this terrific build-up, I ventured to ask what would the typical price of a nirv system would be. The answer: for an 8 source, 8 zone HD distribution, expect to pay about $20,000. Plus install and programming. Ouch!

Then stepping over to the Lutron press event, where they had a terrific launch of the second generation of their Radio RA lighting system (called RA2). The RA2 system does everything a second gen product should do: it has improved, desirable features, is more powerful, and it costs about 30% less than a similar RA system! However, I was surprised to hear that this is meant for “mid-market” homes. I always thought I had a mid-market home, until I heard the Lutron definition: $750,000 – 1,500,000.

So, see. You middle class, mass-market folk are doing better than you thought!

--John Sciacca "The Custom Installer"

My iPod is cooler than yours!

  A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to test drive the new Aston Martin DBS for an upcoming Sound & Vision feature. One of the coolest parts of the car's Bang & Olufsen audio system was the iPod integration. Once docked, this screen appears on your iPod, making it instantly cooler than 99.9% of other iPod's on the planet. Plus, the Aston Martin designers thoughtfully lined the iPod compartment with leather, meaning that it will also ride in style. Look for an in-depth look of the audio system in the April issue.--John Sciacca

CES 2009: New Harmony touchscreen remote

Logitech’s Harmony remote control division announced their latest remote, the successor to the Harmony 1000, their first foray into the true touchscreen market. The new remote, the Harmony 1100, has some cosmetic upgrades as well as some major behind the scenes software retooling that should make the remote both more user and programmer friendly.

The remote now features “soft buttons” that can be personalized to allow users to customize the remote to their exact specifications. Also touchscreen icons, images and buttons can all be personalized on the 3.5-inch, QVGA resolution color screen. Also, they have incorporated some tactile guides around the screen to help position fingers and locate buttons without looking at the remote.

The remote will be RF capable with an optional extender kit, allowing users to control gear even when it is out of in another room or behind closed cabinets.

The remote felt good in my hands, and comes in a cool matte-black finish. Look for the 1100 remote around February at a cost of $499.--John Sciacca

CES 2009: News Flash - Economy is down!

Wonder what LG, Toshiba, Sharp, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony all had in common at their press events yesterday? Besides launching new TV, Blu-ray players and describing Green initiatives to help save the planet, they all acknowledged the tough economy.

Throughout the day’s press conferences, we were continually reminded that the world’ markets have been posting a lot of red numbers lately. Comments like “we’re in the grip of global recession,” “it’s been a tough year,” “challenging economic times,” “market instability,” “staggering economic malaise,” and “the times in which we’re living” were heard throughout all of the 45 minute conferences. To bring a little levity to the potential doom-and-gloom, Toshiba’s Vice President of TV Marketing, Scott Ramirez, took the stage to REM’s “It’s the end of the world as we know it.”

Sharp gave some forecasted numbers of global LCD sales, which are expected to be down by 16% this year ($64 billion in 2009 versus $76 billion in 2008). However they expect to see sales rebound 10% to $70 billion by 2010.

Fortunately, the big six are all pressing forward making great new products, and with the digital switchover looming just days away, many out there will be looking to upgrade to newer technology.--John Sciacca 

CES 2009: Toshiba unleashes Cell TVs

  Unknown to many, Toshiba played a major role in co-developing the Cell Broadband Processing chip with Sony and IBM. This little piece of silicon magic happens to be the brains behind Sony’s PlayStation3 and forms the basis of IBM’s next-generation of Roadrunner super computers. The Cell processor featuring eight accessible Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) that can all be tasked to run individual program workloads that run in parallel. While Toshiba has hinted at using Cell technology in sets before, they have announced that they will demonstrate working prototype TVs featuring Cell processors.

News was sparse in their press release but here’s the info:

-Prototype Cell TVs
The high performance of the Cell platform brings superb picture quality and networking
interactivity to TVs. Demonstrations at CES will include real-time super resolution
imaging, using a 56-inch, 4k x 2k pixel panel to display images that the Cell platform
upconverts from 1920x1080p to 3840x2160p, and also upconverting of content such as
Internet video to high picture quality by application of “Resolution+” technology in
combination with newly developed noise reduction technology. In addition, a 55-inch
backlit LED panel controlled by the Cell platform will be showcased and demonstrate
high-speed control of all picture parameters, including an innovative local dimming
function. Visitors can also see how the Cell TV goes beyond breathtaking image quality
to deliver extremely fast and easy operation of networking functions.

They said that the massive processing horsepower will produce the clearest picture ever seen, with incredible control over local dimming. And in the time that a current flagship Regza set could analyze an image, the Cell could have done it multiple times ensuring that jaggies are totally eliminated. Additionally, it will offer advanced recording capabilities, such as simultaneously recording up to six HD channels.--John Sciacca

CES 2009: Toshiba Regza line-up reboot

With no mention whatsoever of the whole HD-DVD fiasco which dominated last year’s press conference, Toshiba pressed on with several announcements of interest.

As technology improves and better features continue to find their way ported down to lower priced models, manufacturers need to continue developing bleeding-edge technology to convince consumers to step up and part with more of their dollars for the higher-end sets. Toshiba is incorporating some unique features to its highest-end, Regza, models to do just that. Not surprisingly, the most exciting news of Toshiba’s event related to Regza announcements. 

Generally, manufacturers add just a few new features to a set, but Toshiba is essentially rebooting the entire Regza line-up with tons of new features and a full cosmetic redesign. Among the cool step up features, all Regza models will feature Instaport for faster HDMI switching, which should eliminate the often lengthy HDCP handshake that occurs when switching sources.

Additionally, all Regza sets will feature a new cosmetic design that Toshiba calls “Deep Lagoon” that creates a sense of depth to the frame, based on the concept of a beach disappearing into clear, ocean waters.

The ZV and SV series will feature ClearScan 240, which uses 120-Hertz scanning along with Toshiba’s new Backlight Scanning technologity to create smoother, less blurred moving images.

The ZV and SV series are also the first TVs to offer Dolby Volume, which addresses one of the biggest consumer complaints by reducing the wild volume swings and providing more consistent volume levels between channels.

The flagship, SV series (shown in the opening image) will feature FocaLight LED backlighting with local dimming to produce the blackest blacks without sacrificing peak whites.

While pricing wasn’t available, here is the entire Regza line-up with release dates:

 

REGZA XV645 Series
40XV645U (May 2009)
46XV645U (May 2009)
52XV645U (May 2009)
REGZA ZV650 Series
42ZV650U (April 2009)
47ZV650U (April 2009)
52ZV650U (April 2009)
REGZA SV670 Series
46SV670U (May 2009)
55SV670U (May 2009)

--John Sciacca

CES 2009: Toshiba names TV trends of 2009

Following up on their trends from last year's show (for those who don't remember, they prognisticated: Black is the new black, 1080p is the new 720p, 120 Hertz is the new 1080p and there is no significant volume over $3,000) Toshiba announced what they feel will be the TV selling trends of 2009. Namely, Gradation is the new black, 240 is the new 120, some will say you can’t be too thin, and there’s no real sales volume over $2,500 or in sizes over 55-inches. This prophecy seems to be playing out, as nearly every other video manufacturer today besides Sharp (Samsung, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony) announced 240-Hertz models and talked about ultra-thin sets.--John Sciacca

Rent-a-Rip-off!

  Nothing pisses me off more than seeing people getting ripped off. And few places have the ability to legally dodge usury and predatory lending like stores that sell merchandise on a "rent to own" basis. I received this ad in the mail today where one company is offering a 42-inch LCD for "only" $99.99 a month. In tiny print is the fact that you need to pay for this thing for 24 months and that your total cost is $2639.74. This is a massive RIP-OFF! You would be far better off to purchase the same TV on a credit card. Even if your interest rate is a wallet blistering 24%, if you made the same $99.99 monthly payments, you would pay the TV off in 18 months and save yourself over $830! Even more hateful is the fact that this company is selling this LG 42LG50 for $1499.99, which is $200 more than Best Buy's everyday price, and $450 more than their current sale price. Instead of "Wow!" the ad should say, "OUCH!"--John Sciacca

Iron Man vs Dark Knight: Who reigns supreme?

 Now that both the discs have dropped, the question must be asked: which superhero rules your theater?

Do you like the relatively upbeat, technology triumphs over evil themes of Iron Man or do you prefer the dark, gritty, sometimes bad things just happen reality of Dark Knight?

Which billionaire would you rather kick-it with?Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne?--John Sciacca

David Byrne: Same as it ever was!

  Last night, my wife and I saw David Byrne in concert in Charleston, South Carolina, and Byrne put on a rockin' show! 

In what was practically a two-hour love letter to fans, Byrne played a ton of Talking Heads material, as well as some solo work and some of his earlier "experimental" stuff. Since the show is dubbed "songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno," the Heads songs were nearly all from Eno-produced Remain in Light and Fear of Music, with the notable exception of "Burning Down the House" from Speaking in Tongues.

David was in great form and high spirits throughout the show, and seemed to be really digging it and feeding off the crowd's hugely enthusiastic vibe. The show highlight for me was "Once in a Lifetime" which was followed by a 3-minute standing-O from the crowd. I spent the 3-minutes high-fiving and chest-bumping 14-year old me, who still mourns missing out on 1984's Stop Making Sense tour.

Among the set list were "Crosseyed and Painless," "Take Me to the River," "I Zimbra," "Heaven," and "The Great Curve." My only criticism was that he should have ended the show on a more upbeat note than "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today."

We had some SWEET seats in the 8th row, and had an absolute killer time. While the tour has been going on for a while, you can check upcoming locations here. Highly recommended!--John Sciacca