NEWS FLASH:
Design Systems Ltd. receives award for the "Best Documented" System in the Nation from Lutron!

09/09/05

On With the Show!

The CEDIA EXPO and CONFERENCE Show Floor opened at 10 AM Friday to an eager crowd waiting to get in and see the newest, latest, and greatest products.

Stewart Filmscreen introduced the Cinecurve Screen to replicate the wider 2.35 to 1 cinema aspect ratio. This wider screen format is what most movies are shot in today. Runco has a new lineup of projectors that are capable of projecting a widescreen 2.35 to 1 image with full resolution as well as a 16:9 HDTV aspect ratio without having black bars above and below the picture when viewing 2.35 cinema-type movies.

Boston Acoustics introduced a subwoofer for backyard outdoor installations. No longer do you have to sacrifice great full-range sound when you are outside!

The Boston Acoustics subwoofer can be mounted overhead, under outdoor benches, or even in the ground.

iPod integration with whole-house music systems is HOT! This AudioAccess iPod dock allows integration of the iPod with an AudioAccess Central Music System. With an AudioAccess touchscreen located in a remote room, one can control the iPod and view what song is playing. Or with an optional IP control module, the iPod can be controlled from a laptop or handheld portable device with a browser.

The AudioAccess iPod screen shows iPod information and allows control on an AudioAccess touchscreen.

The AudioAccess IP Module provides control and information on a computer monitor via an IP connection to the AudioAccess Central Music System.

This is the AudioAccess WHEN. It's a new integrated surround receiver and 6-zone central music controller.

This is the keypad used with the AudioAccess WHEN Central Music System.

09/10/05

The new Crestron TPS-4L is a wall-mounted 3.6" color touchscreen with 5 backlit buttons on either side of the touchscreen. System communication is via ethernet or Crestnet — more and more devices are being shown with ethernet communication connections.

iPod integration with an entertainment system is everywhere at this show. There seem to be a couple of different philosophies in how to implement iPod integration. Crestron's approach is to use the standard Apple iPod dock which then connects to an interface "black box" and integrates with a Crestron system.

Here we see an iPod in its standard dock, the Crestron interface black box, and a portion of the Crestron user interface on one of their touchscreens.

This is a closer view of the Crestron interface "black box". Connection to your audio distribution system is via a standard audio interconnect, or balanced audio over CAT5 wire.The control and data connection is via ethernet.

Here is a close-up of a standard iPod and Apple iPod dock.

Here is a better view of the user interface on a Crestron touchscreen — the user experience on the touchscreen is very much like using an iPod. The name of the iPod shows up on the touchscreen, as well as all the data information as you would see it on the iPod itself.

The Crestron Adagio1 is a new, moderately priced, all-in-one-box, 6-room music system. A single gang audio keypad and double gang LCD display keypad are the 2 keypad choices that work out-of-the-box with NO programming.

The Adagio music system is also a complete Crestron control system — with additional programming, it can interface with HVAC thermostats, lighting control systems, etc. A built-in web server allows remote maintainance and control over IP from computers and PDA devices. This system is very competively priced at about $2600.

The MX950 is a new form factor remote from Universal Remote Control that is slimmer than previous one-handed styles. It offers improved labeling capabilities on the upper LDC display with selectable backlight colors for different sources to provide quick, clear confirmation of which source you are controlling.

The TX1000 is a new form factor remote from Universal Remote Control. The tabletop style has larger buttons, plus a larger LCD display to allow larger text.

09/11/05

McIntosh showed their new ultimate system! The cost is $182000 — and the sound is UNBELIEVABLE! This system includes their new speakers which combine extraordinary detail with incredible power handling.

Here is another view of the new McIntosh speaker giving you a better look at its multi-driver vertical array design — cost $80000 per pair.

This is the new Niles ICS Music Distribution System with 8 source input capability for 6 rooms/zones with amplifiers built in. Each source is enabled by the addition of an input card, whether it's a traditional analog card, and AM/FM tuner, or an iPod interface. Available ontrol options are flexible and include hand-held and wall-mounted keypad choices.

One control choice for the new Niles ICS Music Distribution System is this hand-held remote. It is a moderately priced Radio Frequency remote that can show iPod text data information on the display.

Here are some keypad control choice for the new Niles ICS Music Distribution System. On the left is a single gang simple keypad — cost $200. In the center is a larger gang display keypad that shows control and song data information from an iPod — cost $400. At the far right is a larger color touchscreen which can display iPod song data information — cost $750.

Here is the iPod interface/control module for the new Niles ICS Music Distribution System. This system requires that the iPod be connected at the main equipment location. The iPod connects via a dock connector cable from a standard Apple dock to the Niles iPod interface module. This module is plugged into one of the module slots in the ICS Music Distribution System component.

Control4 showed this iPod interface. Control4's approach to integrating the iPod into their system is by connecting the iPod via a standard Apple dock via the USB 2.0 port to their Home Theater Controller, or other Control4 controller with a USB port. The music is then digitized and distributed via CAT to a main music distribution point. Music data information is not taken off the iPod. Control4 takes the ID tag off of the music and gets the data on the song from a database server.

This is the Sonance iPort in-wall dock shown mounted flush in a rack panel. The Sonance iPort brand has flexible ways to get an iPod into a music system — both in-wall and tabletop docks with IR extended control function, or RS232 control and bidirectional data information for control and feedback from the iPod in remote rooms.

The Sonance iPort tabletop dock for the iPod allows you to select the iPod to be controlled from remote locations, or synced to your computer without reconnecting cables.

This Denon DVD mini-system includes an iPod interface and a great-sounding speaker/subwooder for 2.1 channel surround sound. It's ideal for a small, simple 1-room system, a bedroom, or a kid's room.Plug your iPod into the USB port on the front of this Denon system and you have an on-screen display of the iPod user interface, plus control of the iPod.

Large LCD flat-panel displays are finally here! Sharp introduced this 65" widescreen flat-panel LCD display. Picture quality is great, and this model will start shipping within the next 2 months at a price of $21000.

Mitsubishi was promoting this rear projection micro-display set with a high- resolution 1080P image engine. While there is currently no program material that can take full advantage of this resolution, the picture was great!

Sony introduced the VPLW100, a new video projector utilizing the same XSRD high-resolution technology as used in their rear projection GrandWega, but now in a front projection configuration. The picture had tremendous resolution and great detail. The cost is about $10000.

Sony also introduced a new version of their 12.1" LocationFree TV. It features revised cosmetics, and smaller base station, and greater range (the TV can now be located farther from the base). This is a battery-powered display that gets its TV signal or DVD from the base station via a wereless WiFi signal.

Escient showed updated software (coming either this month or next) for all E-series Fireball Music Management Systems. The update includes:

• PDA user interface
• 16x9 widescreen interface or 4x3 interface on screen
• Customizable User Interface skins
• Faster web interface
• No delay in playback between track
• WMA format audio playback
• Shoutcast internet radio

The ADA iHome MultiCenter is a high-end music server with iTunes syncing and MediaCenterXP capabilities. Storage capacity is provided by two 200 GB or 400 GB hard drives. One mirrors the other so your music is backed up. You can also have two of these in different homes and ensure that both servers have the same music. Pricing starts at $7000.

Premier Mounts introduced this new flat-panel swivel mount that is slimmer and provides cable management within the mount for a clean appearance when extended.

The Triad Mini LCR speaker is available in in-ceiling, in-room, and in-wall versions. The in-ceiling version is approximately 12" square, and priced at $600 each. Great sound (as is always the case with Triad) and compact packaging will make this speaker very popular.

This is the Crestron Adagio MultiZone Music System, a 6-source, 6-room music distribution center with amplifiers for each channel and built-in AM/FM tuner. Control choices include the LCD display keypad with iPod interface capability via the scroll wheel interface (far right) and a basic 12-button single gang keypad. The keypads don't require programming. Front panel features include custom labeling for rooms and music sources. This system is competitively priced at about $2600 for the system, and $260-600 for keypads. Available next March, this new music distribution system from Crestron is sure to be a winner!