CES rocks the house: Final 2 days
It's the final 2 days at the Consumer Electronics Show 2005 in Vegas as we continue to bring you our coverage of the latest in home entertainment products.
Bass for your backside at CES 2005
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M Design Eleganza Divano Action Couch
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As its name suggests, the Eleganza Divano Action Couch isn't your typical sofa. M Design has placed a 300-watt amplifier and transducer into the couch's frame to provide the physical sensation from jolts and low-frequency rumbles coming from your favorite video games and action flicks. It also comes in a number of colors in either leather or microsuede and wirelessly picks up audio from your receiver, so it can blend into the decor of a contemporary home theater without adding cable clutter.
The price: The Eleganza Divano Action Couch's price may make you fall out of your seat: US$7,999.95.
Sony DVD recorder does HDMI and TV Guide
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Sony RDR-HX715 DVD recorder
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Among the flurry of HDMI gear released by Sony this year, the RDR-HX715 is perhaps the most versatile. This update of the RDR-HX900 DVD/hard disk recorder now includes an HDMI output--no, it does not have a matching input. HDMI (High-bandwidth Digital Multimedia Interface) provides a pure digital connection to HDMI- and DVI-equipped HDTVs, the latter via inexpensive adapters, that should slightly improve video quality with most high-def sets. The recorder also has a FireWire input, a 160GB hard drive, and the TV Guide electronic program guide (EPG), which has proven unreliable in the past.
- DVD/hard disk recorder
- 160GB hard drive
- HDMI output
- TV Guide EPG
Panasonic TH-42PX50U plasma promises potent pictures
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Panasonic TH-42PX50U plasma flat-panel
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Panasonic has been our favorite plasma manufacturer in terms of picture quality, and its new line of next-generation panels will offer even more improvements. The TH-42PX50U, successor to the TH-42PX25U/P, is the least-expensive HD-capable model in the line and includes picture-quality enhancements such as better color fidelity (the company claims 8.6 billion colors) and the best contrast ratio in the industry. Panasonic also says it has improved the panels' life span to 60,000 hours. Other sizes in the line include 37- and 50-inchers, and step-up models come with a built-in electronic program guide.
- 42-inch plasma HDTV
- 1,024x768 resolution
- Built-in HDTV tuner
- CableCard slot
Toshiba does TV Guide HDD/DVD-R combo
The TV Guide electronic program guide (EPG) is making serious headway among DVD recorders and DVRs at CES, and Toshiba's RD-XS34 is another example. Unlike earlier Toshiba combos, this combination DVD-R/hard disk recorder offers TV Guide's free EPG instead of TiVo's subscription-based one. The problem is, TV Guide hasn't worked well with digital cable systems in our experience. The RD-XS34 also features an Easy Navi portal menu to help make recording easier.
- Combination HDD/DVD-R
- 160GB hard disk
- TV Guide EPG
- Records to DVD-R and DVD-RW
Samsung unveils the "world's largest" plasma TV
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Samsung HPR8072 80-inch plasma TV
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CES is all about "mine's bigger" bragging rights in the consumer electronics world, and Samsung's 80-inch plasma flat panel is guaranteed to induce feelings of inadequacy in the Korean giant's rivals. If the 7.5-foot screen isn't big enough for you, don't fret: Samsung also has a 102-inch model in the pipeline.
- 80-inch plasma, flat-panel HDTV monitor
- 1,920x1,080 resolution
Philips's new 50-inch plasma is packed with features
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Philips 50PF9830A 50-inch plasma TV
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In an effort to differentiate its flat-panel TVs from the rest of the growing pack, Philips came up with something called Ambilight, which allows you to project a backlight on the wall behind a TV and in theory, produce what seems to be a better picture. For 2005, we get Ambilight 2, a more advanced and customizable version of the original that's built into a 50-inch plasma set, the 50PF9830A. Philips is also touting its Video Picture Quality enhancement and Pixel Plus 2 HD features, which it says will help produce sharper, smoother images, with better color saturation. More interestingly, the 50PF9830A is Internet ready (built-in Ethernet) and is designed to work with Philips Streamium products, which allow you to stream audio, video, and images from your PC. The 50PF9830A also has a Wi-Fi option and a media card reader.
- 1,366x768 resolution
- Ambilight 2 technology
- Two HDMI and one DVI inputs
- Built-in HD tuner
- Built-in Ethernet for Internet connectivity
- Memory Card reader
- Optional Wi-Fi connection via built-in USB 2.0 port
- Compatible with Philips Streamium products
- Wall-mount bracket included
Panasonic's next-gen hard drive DVD recorder
Panasonic has been at the forefront of consumer DVD recorders since the category's inception, and the company continues to refine its lineup with every successive generation. The latest models--spearheaded by the DMR-EH50, which can also record video to its internal 100GB hard disk--now record on DVD-RW and DVD+R discs, in addition to DVD-R and DVD-RAM.
- DVD/hard drive combo recorder
- TV Guide onscreen EPG
- 100GB hard disk stores up to 177 hours of video
- Records on DVD-R/RW, DVD+R, and DVD-RAM discs
LG's 23-inch LCD TV with built-in DVD player
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LG RU-23LG10P 23-inch LCD TV
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We liked last year's 23-inch LCD HDTV from LG, and this year, the company is adding a DVI input and an integrated DVD player while lowering the price. LG also makes a 17-inch LCD TV/DVD player combo.
- 1,366x768 resolution
- Built-in DVD player
- 176-degree viewing angle
- DVI input
Acoustic Research's high-def media streamer
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Acoustic Research Digital MediaBridge
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Whether you call them digital media receivers, network media devices, or network media extenders, the category has gone from obscurity to maturity in the past couple of years as nongeeks become increasingly interested in accessing their digital media--audio, photos, and videos--away from the PC. Acoustic Research's Digital MediaBridge covers all the basics, plus it offers true HD video output (720p) and premium (pay-per-view) downloaded movies from CinemaNow.
- DVI output
- Supports resolution up to 720p
- Built-in 802.11g and Ethernet
- Supported codecs include MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, XviD, and WMV
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RCA's "floating" 61-inch rear-projection HDTV
RCA's latest DLP HDTV is another looker. The HD61LPW175 crams all the electronics into an integrated base, leaving the 61-inch screen to "float" above. The TV also packs all the HD basics: it boasts a 1,280x720 resolution, and it's CableCard-equipped (digital cable ready).
- 1,280x720p resolution
- HDMI input
- TV Guide onscreen EPG
- Built-in ATSC tuner and CableCard slot
Pioneer plasma incorporates incremental improvements
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Pioneer PDP-43A5HD plasma
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Last year's version of Pioneer's 43-inch plasma, the PDP-4340HD, earned an Editors' Choice award for its excellent video quality, and the company's newest models promise more of the same. Pioneer added a First Surface Color filter to help improve black levels and reduce ambient light reflection, although the company admits that the filter may increase video noise. Also new for this year, the 43A5HD does away with the external media box and incorporates all of the connectivity into the panel itself. Pioneer is also offering a 50-inch version, as well as two others in identical screen sizes that keep the external media box.
- 43-inch plasma HDTV
- 1,024x768 resolution
- HDMI input
- Built-in HDTV tuner
- CableCard slot
Philips's supercompact MP3 boombox
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Philips PSS110 MP3 Personal Surround System
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Several companies, including Bose, have put out Apple iPod speaker accessories. Now Philips ups the ante by building MP3 playback right into the speakers, no iPod necessary. The PSS110 MP3 Personal Sound System is a supercompact stereo boombox that comes with 256MB of built-in memory but, alas, no slot for an additional memory card. Features include:
- MP3 and WMA playback
- Weighs 350 grams
- Can be used as speakers for any music player
- 10 hours of battery life from built-in rechargeable cell
- Connects to PC via USB
- FM tuner
- Traveling case included
- Firmware upgradable
- Built-in clock/alarm
Samsung's 46-inch, LED-powered, LCD flat screen
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Samsung LNR460D 46-inch LCD TV
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Samsung's new 46-incher, the LNR460D, is the first LCD flat-screen HDTV to incorporate LED (light-emitting diode) backlight technology, which according to the company, offers better color reproduction and a longer lifespan than current LCD units.
- 1,920x1,080 resolution
- 100,000-hour rated lifetime
- 170-degree viewing angle
Tube TVs go on a diet
Despite offering better performance, tube-based (CRT) HDTVs don't inspire the same lusty appeal as the sexy flat-panel plasma and LCD models. Samsung's TXR3079WH aims to reverse that trend by squeezing a 30-inch wide-screen HD tube into a body that's just 15.5 inches deep--one-third smaller than earlier tube-based models of the same screen size.
- 30-inch CRT HDTV with shallow 15.5-inch depth
- Built-in ATSC tuner
Roku showcases a slimmed-down SoundBridge at CES
Joining Roku's US$499.99 SoundBridge M2000 and US$249.99 M1000 wireless music players, the M500 is a cut-down version for the cost-conscious. While the same size as the M1000, the new unit trades in the other versions' vacuum fluorescent display for a two-line LCD. Like its older siblings, the M500 can stream a wide variety of audio file formats to your home stereo system, including secure Windows Media files purchased from online services such as Napster and Musicmatch.
- Built-in 802.11b wireless networking support
- Supports AAC, WMA, MP3, WAV, OGG, and AIFF file formats
Logitech's learning remote gets smarter
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Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote
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After the success of the Logitech Harmony 680 remote control that introduced the Web-programmable universal remotes to the world of Windows Media Center PCs, it doesn't surprise us to see Logitech add more to its Harmony PC family. Available in early Q2, the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote adds a color screen, a low-profile docking station with battery-recharging capability, and a case design that's more in line with the rest of Logitech's input devices.
Sharp's 65-inch Aquos HDTV LC-TV
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Sharp Aquos 65-inch LC-TV
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Not to be outsized by the competition, Sharp, a leader in LCD production, has announced a 65-inch LC-TV with ultra-HD resolution (1,920x1,080 pixels). Available in two finishes--Titanium and Piano Black--this wall-mountable whopper is slated to ship with a full suite of connectivity options, including HDMI, DVI, and FireWire (IEEE-1394), as well a CableCard slot. The company is also touting the fast response times that cut down on fast-motion blurring, a downside to many LCD TVs.
Monster 57-inch LCD flat panel from Samsung
Plasma has held the size advantage in the flat-panel wars, but LCD is coming on strong in the form of Samsung's 57-inch LNR570D. While it carries an exorbitant price tag, the LNR570D's 1,920x1,080 resolution bests that of similarly sized plasma panels, so it can display every pixel of the most detailed HDTV broadcast.
- 57-inch flat-screen LCD HDTV
- 1,920x1,080 resolution
- Built-in ATSC tuner and CableCard slot
Panasonic HTIBs go wireless
Sony, Pioneer, and Samsung were among the big-name manufacturers that launched home-theater systems with wireless rear speakers in 2004. Now Panasonic joins the club. Unlike its competitors, however, the industry giant is offering its wireless speakers as separate add-ons to new, "3.1" versions of earlier, popular HTIBs. The SC-HT930, for instance, is nearly identical to the well-regarded SC-HT920, except that it includes only three front speakers and a subwoofer.
Linksys debuts IPTV-friendly media receiver
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Linksys WMLV54G Media Link
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As a division of industry stalwart Cisco, networking is old hat for Linksys. But rather than offer up yet another network media receiver, the company has teamed with Intel to add some serious gravitas to its new WMLV54G Wireless-G Media Link. In addition to handling all the usual stuff--streaming audio, video, and photos from a networked PC into your living room--the Media Link uses the new DTCP-IP standard (Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP) to stream high-quality video straight from the Net. That means you'll be able to get pay-per-view movies from Linksys's content partners--including Movielink and Starz--without having to deal with your cable or satellite provider. Other features include:
- Built-in 802.11g wireless
- 720p HDTV output
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