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Landscape Series Gets Subwoofer

2012-05-15T15:51:18Z

Sonance adds the HS10SUB 70V Hardscape subwoofer to the Landscape speaker series, ideal for incorporation with outdoor furniture or planter boxes.

It features a sealed non-corrosive enclosure with construction in brown-textured HDPVC (High-Density Polyvinyl Chloride). One installs the enclosure above the ground, and can also build it into outdoor furniture or underneath vented planter boxes.

The 254mm polypropylene cone driver has a rubber surround and delivers a frequency response of 35-100Hz (±3dB). Sonance claims the speaker delivers scaleable "high quality audio" in challenging hardscape environments.

The HS10SUB works in combination with the LS10SUP in-ground subwoofer in installations demanding a combination of landscape and hardscape products to achieve an even sound stage.

Go Sonance HS10SUB Hardscape Subwoofer

The Wireless HDMI Cable Replacement

2012-05-15T15:45:02Z

Marmitek launches the GigaView 811 A/V sender, a plug-and-play solution for the wireless connection of HDMI-compatible devices to HDTVs or projectors.

It sends signals from any device with HDMI output (complete with 3D support), with HDCP standard compliancy and zero compression.

The GigaView 811 comes in 2 parts-- transmitter and receiver. The receiver is small (95x95x32mm) and easily mountable beneath TVs or next to projectors.

Being plug-and-play it is also ideal for turning PCs into media centres without installation of software.

Operational range is up to 10m (with line of sight) or 5m (without LOS).

Go Marmitek GigaView 811

Beating Saturated Wifi Via Coax

2012-05-15T15:43:35Z

Asheridge Communications has a solution for saturated wifi networks-- the echoBox, using MoCA (Multimedia over Coax) to improve internet connections without the need for rewiring.

The echoBox sends ethernet signals across in-home coax networks (usually star wired from the aerial splitter in the roof), turning all coax points into useable ethernet sockets.

Maximum connection speeds reach up to 200Mbps (CAT5e quality) to 16 rooms in a house.

It needs no new cabling, making it ideal for retrofits and customers without access, budget or desire to re-cable the entire home.

The echoBox adapter is a discreet accessory, small enough to fit the palm of the hand and thus easy to hide behind display screens.

Go Asheridge Launches echoBox

Global Growth Flat for TV in 2012

2012-05-15T15:40:29Z

DisplaySearch reports 2012 TV shipments will decline by -11% Y-o-Y in W. Europe, offsetting growth in emerging markets-- with the result WW TV shipments will remain flat this year.

However the analyst predicts LCD TVs will at least see some growth (7% Y-o-Y) in 2012 with shipments reaching 220m, the result of capturing more market share from the declining CRT and plasma segments.

LCD TVs should make 88.5% of global TV shipments (up from 82.5% in 2011) before reaching 90% in 2013. In comparison plasma will account for 5.3% of 2012 shipments following a peak of 7.4% in 2010.

OLED will debut this year in large sizes, but DisplaySearch shipments will only reach around 50K units, if not less. Meanwhile following its shaky start 3DTV is growing in popularity, with shipment penetration in W. Europe to exceed 25% in 2012.

When it comes to TV sizes, bigger is the preference-- 2012 average TV shipped size will reach almost 35", up from less than 30" in 2008.

Go DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

The First BeoPlay TV

2012-05-15T15:37:51Z

Bang & Olufsen launches the BeoPlay brand with the V1, a side-lit LED HDTV available in 32- and 40-inch sizes.

It has a number of interesting features such as a front-built light sensor that dynamically adjust image contrast depending on the light in the viewing environment and a slot fitting an Apple TV2 inside the connection panel on the back.

Built-in 5.1 audio (supposedly "liberating the viewing experience from the wall" by limiting wires) features Class D ICEpower amplifiers.

Connections include x5 HDMI inputs and a USB port for playing media from external sources. Display refresh rate is 120Hz.

The V1 comes in black or white, and the company offers 5 different fabric sleeves (in gray, green, yellow, pink and black) allowing users to change the look of the TV.

It ships with the Beo4 remote and a floor stand.

Go BeoPlay V1

Amped Boosts Indoor Wifi

2012-05-15T15:20:32Z

Amped launches what it claims is the "most powerful, long range" indoor wifi solution-- the R20000G dual band router, ideal for use in either large homes or offices.

An upgrade of the earlier R10000G router, the R20000G covers an area of up to 930 square metres using dual 2.4GHz and 5GHz amplifiers to ensure unbroken wifi signals.

Boosting signals further are dual 5dBI detachable antennas and an internal processor reaching 620MHz speeds.

It features x5 gigabit networking ports and a USB 2.0 port for adding networked storage.

Go Amped Wireless Unveils Most Powerful, Long Range Indoor Wifi Solution

Rumour Watch: Apple to Buy Loewe?

2012-05-15T10:27:48Z

Apple is apparently going to buy Loewe for €87 million according unconfirmed rumours from AppleInsider, with an announcement to be supposedly made by 18 May 2012.

Speaking with German website Heise, Loewe denies any purchase-related rumours. On the other hand Apple is predictably silent.

Loewe is a familiar name over here as the German maker of stunning high-end TVs, speakers and integrated entertainment systems. Like other TV makers (at least non-Samsung ones) it is currently going through hard times, with operating losses for Q1 2012 reaching -€900000 and total 2011 losses worth -€2.9m.

The company is already familiar with Apple hardware-- it sells the AirSpeaker (a high-end AirPlay-compatible speaker), a number of iPod docks and an iPad TV remote app.

Record Lows for Panasonic

2012-05-15T09:46:08Z

Panasonic reaches record losses in 2011, following fellow Japanese TV makers Sony and Sharp-- -$9.7 billion, losses the company blames on ailing plasma and LCD TV divisions.

TV, camera and recorder sales are down collectively by 21% Y-o-Y. Projections for 2012 predict TV sales to fall further (from 17.3m in 2011 to 15.5m).

The company also admits making a mistake by investing heavily in LCD and plasma TVs back in 2006, which president Fumio Ohtsubo describes as "...an excessive investment, something which I regret." Ohtsubo's term as Panasonic presidents ends on June 2012.

Adding to the Panasonic deficit are writedowns for the Sanyo Electric unit. The company plans to continue a restructuring process cutting 17000 jobs.

Panasonic will also follow Samsung and LG into large screen OLED HDTV production. The company is also concentrating on selling solar panels, batteries and appliances, especially within developing territories.

Go Panasonic 2011 Annual Results

Wireless Audio for Windows Devices

2012-05-15T09:21:26Z

Aperion promises "Hi-Fi via wifi" with the ARIS-- a wireless speaker using the AirPlay-style Play To streaming feature sitting inside Windows 7.

The ARIS connects to your customers' home networks through either wifi or ethernet. It is DLNA certified and offers 100W RMS of power.

Handling wired streaming is an axuliary jack at the back of the speaker.

Inside the single-piece brushed aluminium enclosure are x6 speakers (x4 powered drives and x2 passive radiators) with x3 sound modes (natural, bass boost and enchanced stereo).

For wireless control, Aperion offers an ARIS music app (for Android or iOS), while the speaker is also compatible with most other DLNA apps.

Go Aperion ARIS Wireless Speaker System

A New Standard for Wireless Power

2012-05-08T15:30:54Z

Look out Wireless Power Consortium, a wireless power alternative is in town-- the Alliance for Wireless Power (or A4WP), a new industry consortium announced at CTIA Wireless 2012.

A number of major vendors form A4WP, including Samsung, Qualcomm, Powermat, SK Telecom, Ever Win Industries, Gill Industries and Peiker Acustic. Their aim? Nothing less than "an industry-wide wireless power standard" allowing "spatial freedom" between device and power source.

Currently the Qi inductive-charging standard from WPC transmits up to 5W of power from distances of 40mm.

The only technology details A4WP provides mention how the system will include a transmitter and receiver antenna design, a wireless power control system and the transfer of power through non-metallic surfaces.

A4WP is also looking for partnership opportunities with vendors from applicable segments.

Go Alliance For Wireless Power