10
Nov
2011
Electronista: The just-revealed 2012 CES Innovations Awards gave us a glimpse of what to expect from LG at this year’s CES show. They include three new HDTVs, including the 55-inch Cinema 3D TV 55LM9600, with the company’s Nano Full LED backlighting and a major visual redesign. There is also a Cinema 3D 55LM8600 set that should be identical, but forego the advanced LED tech. Both have LG’s thinnest bezel. (more…)
04
Mar
2011
iPodNN: Sony on Wednesday revamped its AV receivers for 2011 with four seven-channel models that lean heavily on the purely digital side of media. Aside from the entry DH520, the DH720, DH820 and DN1020 all take in iPhone or iPod audio through at least USB and, with the DH820 and DN1020, through a bundled dock. The DN1020 as the flagship is also designed for Internet radio from the start and will pipe Slacker or vTunes when linked up over Ethernet.
The Internet connection gives the range leader support for Sony’s iOS and Android remote control apps.
Features scale rapidly between models and spread from basic home theater support. The DH520 puts out 100W of power per channel through its 7.1-channel output and will take in 3D and standby mode delivery through any of its four HDMI inputs; two component inputs are also available. Along with iPhone and iPod USB support, moving to the DH720 ups the power per channel to 105W and adds upgraded sound processing, auto calibration, as well as a Faroudja DCDi Edge that upscales analog video to 1080i.
The DH820 increases power again to 110W per channel and can support a second subwoofer. It bundles the expected dock and adds a third component input. Output is improved a second time with a Digital Legato Linear audio component, automatic phase matching and support for a second zone of audio with synchronized output for parties.
At the top, the DN1020 has the same power as the DH820 but brings in the networking and a sound optimizer.
All but the DN1020 will be available in March at prices of $230, $300 and $400 starting from the low end. Sony is anticipating shipping its best model a month later for $500.
08
Oct
2010
iPodNN: Panasonic has introduced an iPhone-friendly digital photo frame in the MW-20. Its satellite dock can also accommodate an iPod touch and playback its video, photo or audio content. The screen is large enough for typical photos at nine inches, while a 5.6mm semi-dome speaker with DSP processing sits underneath.
The MW-20 can be hung on a wall or placed in either portrait or landscape orientations on a desk or table. An SD memory card can be plugged into the frame as well, and it has 2GB of built-in storage space. There are 15 display patterns for photos, or users can show a calendar, clock, photo or any combination of either. A luminance sensor can automatically adjust the screen brightness or turn off the display depending on ambient light levels.
The frame ships late in November, priced at $250.