About Electronics

GPS Business News: This week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, mobile navigation provider Route 66 introduced ¨Follow Me¨, an augmented reality feature available on Android phones. Follow Me shows video of the street in front of you using the camera of the phone or tablet and adds a virtual 3D car driving in front of you. Indicator lights flash to tell you where to turn left or right.

The solution is already integrated into “Drive & Walk”, the Samsung turn-by-turn navigation app developed by Route66 for the Android handset of the brand.

Watch the video clip below to better understand the concept of this augmented reality mode.

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Pioneer.eu: After 5 years, it was time for an update to the Pioneer DJM-800 club mixer. Enter the DJM-900 Nexus – the next level in creativity for the pro DJ. Headline features include ultimate computer connectivity, up-to-date effects, high performance features and sound.

Due for release late March 2011, the newest addition to the club-standard DJM range will retail at 1,899 euros inc. VAT.

The 4-channel 96kHz/24-bit soundcard streams all audio signals with no loss of sound quality – and being Traktor Scratch Certified, the DJM-900 Nexus unlocks DVS control. DJs can connect one USB cable and control Traktor with Timecode CD and/or vinyl, directly through the mixer.

6 stunning studio-quality Sound Color FX expand upon the previous 4 and add extra dimensions to any DJ set. With a dedicated FX processor for each of the 4 channels, it raises the bar once more. An overhauled Beat Effects section further enhances the potential for mind-blowing arrangements: 5 new effects, a revolutionary level of control and Pioneer simplicity will rival any other system.

The new built-in X-Pad brings instant one-finger Beat Effects performances. Users of the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 can hit the DJM-900 Nexus Quantize button to lock all these new effects to the Beatgrid of the playing deck.

The DJM-900 Nexus layout is the industry’s most intuitive, most widely used and most creative. With the new plug-and-play software connection that makes DJ transition a breeze, the result is a next generation mixer that is ready for professional DJ booths the world over.

Key features

Sound Color FX
Engineered to bring studio quality sound and sequencer style tricks to the club, six new beefed-up effects turn creative vision into a reality at the twist of a dial. In addition to the essential FILTER and CRUSH, the DJM-900 Nexus boasts four new modern effects.

• The massively popular Noise from the DJM-2000 is added by popular demand.
• The brand new and seriously lush Space reverb brings high-pass and low-pass ambiance to every channel.
• The new Dub Echo also has high-pass and low-pass control over a new tape delay effect to twist with your mind as you slip the timing.
• The amazing Gate/Comp strips back your music to the peaks, or beefs it up to seamlessly blend drastically different productions together in the mix.

Overhauled Beat Effects add a whole new level of control
On top of the 6 super-easy Color FX on each channel, the channel-assignable Beat Effects bring a whole new level of control – making extreme processing more reliable and creative with instant results. Let’s start off with the new control interface:

• rekordbox™ Quantize picks up Beatgrid data over the ProDJ Link. Simply connect the DJM-900 Nexus to the network and compatible CDJs send real-time BPM and beat position data to the effects, even as you adjust and bend the pitch in the mix!
• In addition to the Beat buttons that change the timing, the intuitive X-Pad is a touch-sensitive strip that simultaneously engages the Beat Effects, while adjusting things like the Reverb filter, Roll time, and Phaser LFO – using just one finger!
• Bringing a new approach to Filter, Phase and Flanger sweeps is a twin LFO. LFO1 is controlled by the Beat buttons, while LFO2 expresses further wobble factor using the X-Pad.

New High Quality Effects for a digital generation
These include Reverb, Spiral, Slip Roll, Melodic and Midi LFO.

Pro DJ Link functionality enhances performance
The DJM-900 Nexus joins the Pro DJ Link family with a LAN connection that brings three revolutionary new features: Now On Play, Beat Effects and Cue Link.

Fully TRAKTOR™ compatible for plug-and-play simplicity
TRAKTOR™ users can connect their PC to the mixer via a single USB port – conveniently located on top of the unit – to get direct input from Traktor’s 4 decks and enjoy all of its features.

Advanced design for accurate reproduction of audio sources
The DJM-900 Nexus is equipped with the same high-quality audio input and output circuits as the DJM-2000.

New high performance channel faders
New fader technology and fader caps will make the DJM-900 Nexus last for even longer between services in super-tough club environments.

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Crave: Panasonic’s new DMP-BDT310 and DMP-BDT210 Blu-ray players are as capable and great to use as always, but now the company has added another feature to attract your attention and spending power. So what is this new trick? It’s the ability to open the disc tray by waving your hand over the top of the player.

No, we don’t know why you’d want that either. But it is kind of cool, and does reduce the amount of time you have to spend looking for a tiny eject button. The only problem we could see is that most people will put the player somewhere that doesn’t make waving at the top of it all that easy.

This technology is only available at the top end of the Panasonic range. The BDT310 also has Panasonic’s twin-HDMI output system, which allows people with older AV systems to connect the 3D output to their TV, while using the second HDMI to send audio to their sound system.

The company has also managed to get disc-load times right down too. The test movie Coraline, in 3D, loaded in around 10-15 seconds. Panasonic can’t do anything about those horrific copyright warnings, but it can at least cut down on the rest of the waiting time before you watch the movie you’ve paid for.

Panasonic is also very proud of the fact that these smaller players use less power than before, take up less space on your shelf and can ship in tiny boxes. Two of these things are great for the environment, and one is great for your home-cinema system.

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Gizmag: TDK has announced the release of its Life on Record range. The new line of premium audio gear includes two- and three-speaker Boomboxes and a 360-degree Sound Cube. Each member of the line-up mixes retro styling with modern functionality, and even allows users to plug in an electric guitar or microphone for some play/sing-along fun.

Arguably the most noticeable of the forthcoming releases is the three speaker version of the Boombox. A modern take on the kind of audio blaster which sat on the shoulders of folks compelled to share the latest hip hop grooves with everyone in a three block radius during the 1980s, TDK’s flavor sports a 6-inch subwoofer and a couple of 6-inch coaxial drivers which knock out 35 Watts of full range power.

In addition to the built-in AM/FM radio, music can be sourced from media players like the iPod via the included 30-pin to USB cable or 3.5mm line-in jack. A guitar or microphone input jack also joins the party, which can be mixed in with other audio sources for impromptu performances. The retro rotary dials are joined by touch-sensitive controls, which can be used to access and play audio files on a connected external flash or hard drive, and there’s an innovative equalizer which “gives your music a visual heartbeat.”

The two-speaker Boombox enjoys similar good looks and operation, but loses the subwoofer. Consequently, the full range output is rated at 20 Watts RMS.

Both devices run on either AC power (adapter supplied) or battery power – not the rechargeable Li-ion kind as you might expect these days, but weighty D-class ones. Perhaps taking the retro design a little too far, the three-speaker system needs a dozen batteries and the two-speaker unit requires ten.

If room-filling, multidirectional sound is more your cup of tea then the 9.8 x 9.8 x 9.8-inch (250 x 250 x 250mm) Sound Cube could tick all of your requirement boxes. There are two 5.25-inch, high dynamic range drivers and two 5.25-inch tuned, passive radiators facing outwards from this neat little sound box.

The active left and right coaxial drivers are set 180 degrees to each other, and the same goes for the passive radiators, which results in sound coming from front, back, left and right. This unusual configuration is said to result in fairly wide sound stage possibilities, without the user having to give much thought to positioning.

It benefits from the same AM/FM radio setup, audio source connectivity and similar retro styling of the Boomboxes, but has a more compact design. It pumps out 20 Watts RMS and also runs on either AC power or 12 D-class batteries.

The Life on Record range will be available in the U.S. shortly. The three-speaker Boombox is priced at US$499, the two-speaker Boombox will cost US$399, and the Sound Cube comes in at US$299.

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Engadget: It’s no good plunking your precious iPhone into a little dock that tries to skitter away from you. You need something with mass. Something with presence. Something like the AuraSound Sound Station, which offers an “audiophile-class acoustic design” in something a little less… dirigible-esque than other high-end docks we’ve seen. It also sports a seven-inch touchscreen wedged in the middle there, enabling “unrivaled ease of use,” also letting you play videos and things. AirPlay support appears to be missing, but the device is said to be upgradeable to make it a “living, learning machine” that can grow with you. That and many, many more idealistic euphemisms are waiting for you in the press release embedded below — but no mention of price.

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Übergizmo: Onkyo has a spanking newhome-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) receiver-and-speaker model that intends to bring the audio pedigree of Onkyo in a convenient packaged home theater system, where it comes in the form of the 7.1-channel Onkyo HT-S5400. Offering the latest implementation of the HDMIconnectivity standard alongside support for 3D video, lossless audio from Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, it will also come with an Audio Return Channel that sends an audio signal “upstream” from a connected HDTV’s tuner, doing away with the need for a separate audio cable.

Connectivity options include a quartet of HDMI inputs and one output, where the receiver will also be acocmpanied by a generous selection of digital and analog A/V inputs to handle a wide range of playback devices. The HT-S5400 has one extensive feature set with a couple of extra audio channels to help it support Dolby Pro Logic IIz, where this audio processing technology enables users to reconfigure the two surround-back channels as “front height” channels, increasing the ambience of movies and games.

Expect the HT-S5400 to arrive this April for $599 a pop if you’re interested – at least it gives you a couple more months to save up.
 

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Pioneer.eu: Pioneer has introduced 3 new NavGate systems, that offer improved map coverage with fast, accurate 2D and 3D route guidance and up-to-date traffic information to ensure that every journey goes according to plan.

The AVIC-F930BT, AVIC-F9310BT and AVIC-F30BT integrate the finest audio components, including Auto EQ and an improved tuner with heightened sensitivity, enhancing listening pleasure along the way. Wireless telephony and audio streaming are available with built-in Bluetooth technology, while the wide-ranging playback possibilities include direct control of iPod, iPhone and files from microSD and USB.

At a time when you can take your personal devices with you virtually anywhere, including the car, Pioneer is helping to make it easier and safer to integrate these devices into the car environment.

2011 NavGate features

The new devices offer a preinstalled map database from Tele Atlas covering 44 European countries and featuring millions of destinations and Points of Interest (POIs). Pioneer’s proprietary NavGate Feeds PC and smartphone applications have made navigation customisable. They enable you to find your own POIs from a range of sources, such as Google Maps mapping service, internet POI sites and geotagged images, and add them to your system’s maps using an SD card, USB device or Bluetooth. You can also add safety camera locations that warn you of approaching accident blackspots, and a Traffic Message Channel (TMC) receiver informs you about traffic jams and incidents on your route.

The units all benefit from MusicSphere technology, Pioneer’s new software application for iTunes which automatically analyses and profiles your iTunes library to create mood-based playlists that can be transferred to your iPod or iPhone.

New to the 2011 NavGate range are:

• A vehicle status display input: allows the use of CAN-bus functions such as Park Assist and Climate Control through the NavGate unit’s display.
• App Mode feature: lets you view a connected iPhone or iPod touch’s video content from Safari, YouTube and other select apps directly on the system’s high resolution screen. It can only be accessed when the car is in park and the hand brake is fully engaged.
• Practical theft protection: the bottom section of the AVIC-F930BT’s control panel, which is small enough to fit into a pocket, can simply be removed and taken along. While it’s gone, the headunit cannot be used by anyone else, removing the temptation for theft and giving extra peace of mind.
• Audio features: in addition to Advanced Sound Retriever that enhances audio playback of compressed audio files on CD sources and an 8-band graphic equaliser, new features include Auto EQ Measurement and Sonic Center Control which enable you to precisely calibrate the sound field in the car.

Custom built for Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat

The 2011 line-up also includes the AVIC F9310BT, derived from the AVIC-F930BT and custom built for Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat cars. The model is designed to perfectly match the shape, colour and texture of a car’s dashboard. It will have the appearance of an OEM unit while having all of the added benefits that NavGate brings. On many Volkswagen models, the AVIC F9310BT will display the status of the vehicle’s Air Conditioning System and Parking Sensors.

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Born Rich: Designed by Britt Ashcraft, the Aria headphones from Ashcraft Design combine the latest in audio technology with the environmentally friendly materials. While the headband is made from the wood recycled from acoustic guitars of musicians from around the world, the satin spun finished earcups have been carved from reclaimed aluminum. The leather used around the earcups and the quilted leather lining have been reclaimed from bags, jackets and other pieces of clothing. The use of leather offers a comfortable fit for the listener’s ears. The tuned 40-millimeter titanium-plated drivers guarantee high quality, clear sound for an optimum listening experience.

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Techradar: With a price that dips below £200 from some online retailers, the Yamaha RX-V367 is the cheapest AVR in our roundup and solid evidence that you don’t have to pay through the nose for 3D-readiness.

Support comes in the form of four HDMI v1.4 inputs and one output, which is generous enough to fit your 3D player, Sky box and games console, leaving one for future expansion. The look is classic Yamaha.

A moody black finish and sharp angled lines are the order of the day (it also comes in titanium and silver) while the front panel is a hive of activity, with buttons, displays and sockets aplenty.

Most noteworthy are the ‘Straight’ button, which bypasses the unit’s listening modes, and four Scene macro buttons. On the back, there’s evidence of cost-cutting in the shape of springclip terminals for the centre and surround channels and no iPod dock connection or surround back pre-outs.

But the lineup of other sockets is useful, with four digital audio inputs being a highlight. There’s no on-board HD audio decoding, though, which means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks have to be decoded by your player beforehand. This isn’t a major problem if you trust your deck’s own abilities, but does make you wonder how the others managed it at a similar price.

Redeeming factors

Yamaha makes up for this with an obscene amount of sound modes and virtual surround processing, plus the YPAO auto calibration that makes it a cinch to optimise.

The lack of onscreen menus is a shame, but the logically structured front-panel display makes it easier to set up than you might expect. And, aside from a few undersized buttons, the remote is also terrific.

In general, there can be few complaints about the RX-V367′s sound quality for the money, although it inevitably lacks the sonic polish that turns a good receiver into a great one. The sound is dynamic and detailed; the receiver digs out the subtleties during Avatar’s many rainforest scenes, filling the soundstage with distant cries and swirling ambience.

Fluid rear-channel steering and crisp separation makes for an absorbing listen. Voices are prominent and cleanly detached from the rest of the action, while punchy bass response lends decent depth to the explosions and gunfire during the Battle for Pandora scene.

However, this scene also exposes brightness in loud high-frequencies that betrays its budget price tag. But if you can tolerate this and work around the lack of HD audio decoding, then the RX-V367 makes a decent purchase.

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DVICE: Who wants a separate DVR? With three new models of Sony TVs, you won’t need one, as they come with 500GB hard drives built right in. Not enough? You can expand them via external hard drives.

All three models are 1080p LED LCD TVs and come in 40-inch, 32-inch and 22-inch varieties. Those hard drives will be able to store up to 65 hours of HD programming, which should keep you set for a while. They’re coming to Japan first, but they may end up on these shores soon enough as well.

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Techradar: KEF’s new T-Series range of home cinema speakers are definitely a sign of the times. They’ve been designed with a clear purpose in mind – to be an aesthetic match to newer, thinner, flatscreen TVs, enabling buyers to couple their hi-def movies with authentic 5.1 sound without their living room looking like a branch of Sevenoaks. (more…)

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Pioneer.eu: Pioneer introduces 5 new in-car multimedia stations designed to offer the widest multimedia possibilities. The top 4 models allow not just high-quality CD, DVD and video (DivX) playback, but connection to all portable sources, including iPod, iPhone, USB and SD (now with high capacity 32GB compatibility).

The AVH series consists of two single DIN models, AVH-6300BT and AVH-5300DVD (available in March), and three double DIN units, the AVH-P4300DVD, AVH-3300BT (available now) and AVH-2300DVD (also March). The AVH-6300BT, AVH-5300DVD and AVH-2300DVD feature a new tuner chipset, optimised for usage in cars with an active antenna.

All new models come equipped with clear graphical interfaces and large LCD touch screens to make communication and control simple while on the road. The compact 1-DIN AVH-6300BT and AVH-5300DVD units have a motorised display that folds out at the touch of a button, revealing a 7-inch touch screen that can easily be stowed away when not needed.

The same 7-inch (17,8 cm) touch screen can be found on the double DIN AVH-P4300DVD, whereas the AVH-3300BT and AVH-2300DVD feature a slightly smaller 5,8-inch (14,7 cm) touch screen. Customisable button illumination, personalised menus and a variety of background designs allow you to perfectly match your system to your car interior or mood.

With an integrated Parrot Bluetooth module, the AVH-6300BT and AVH-3300BT are hands-free communication capable. Bluetooth is also available on the AVH-P4300DVD with the addition of an optional Bluetooth adapter.

iPod/iPhone Direct Control lets you control your portable device directly from your AVH headunit: all the content stored on the digital media player becomes accessible via an intuitive user interface. With Quicklinks you can jump to your source menu or songs, artists and albums lists with one touch of the screen. Simply sliding a finger over the screen to browse through media lists or using ABC search to jump to the first letter of a song make it easy to navigate around the system.

The App Mode feature (which can only be accessed when the car is in park and the hand brake is fully engaged) lets you view a connected iPhone or iPod touch’s video content from Safari, YouTube and other select apps directly on the hi-res screen. Audio from these video sources and compatible apps can be heard through the vehicle’s speakers while driving.

Each unit features built-in connectivity to USB storage devices, SD memory cards, now both with high capacity 32GB compatibility (except for the AVH-2300DVD), and devices with mini-jack AV outputs for diverse media playback capabilities. Dual Zone technology in the top four models allows passengers to watch a DVD in the back of the car while the driver listens to music and navigation guidance in the front.

Audio output for the top 4 systems is enhanced by Pioneer’s MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplification, 4-Volt pre-amp outputs, High-Pass/Low-Pass crossovers for subwoofer integration and Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever which restores the musical details lost in the creation of compressed music files.

With an 8-band Graphic Equaliser (GEQ) audio can be tuned to your personal taste, whereas an Auto Equaliser enables automatic tailoring of the sound to your car (optional microphone required). Additionally, the top 4 AVH series receivers feature Pioneer’s Sonic Center Control, which adjusts the timing of selected speakers to shift the sonic centre of the system to a specific area of the car.

The AVH-6300BT and AVH-5300DVD come with built-in anti-theft protection. Part of the face plate is detachable, leaving a blank panel in the dashboard which makes the unit useless to thieves.

All Pioneer’s 2011 AVH multimedia receivers are NavGate ready, allowing you to enhance your AV system with fast and precise navigation capabilities by connecting Pioneer’s AVIC-F220 NavGate upgrade unit.

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