Bang & Olufsen today announced the launch of an all-new surround sound speaker system that combines compact aesthetics and outstanding acoustic innovation to deliver the thrill of high-end surround performance without filling up the home with boxy black speakers. Small in size but big in sound, BeoLab 14 builds on Bang & Olufsen acoustic engineers’ on-going achievements in packing stunning performance into surprisingly small volumes. The satellite speakers are diminutive circles of anodized aluminum with exchangeable fabric covers in a selection of colours, and integrate easily into even the most stringent interior design schemes.
LG today announced that its Google TVs will be updated with the latest version of the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. Available in the third quarter, the update will enable customers to enjoy more applications, including games that provide a greater level of interactivity and advanced graphics. In addition to boosting overall performance, the latest Jelly Bean update supports the Android-based Native Development Kit (NDK) so Google TV owners can have the widest, most diverse selection of apps to choose from. Smartphone apps designed using the NDK will run on Google TV with little to no modifications.
Creative today announced the new Creative Airwave HD and Creative Airwave portable near-field communications (NFC) Bluetooth wireless speakers, specifically designed with clever features that fit into and simplify users’ audio experiences. The speaker drivers are tilted up at a 30-degree angle, firing powerful audio straight at the listener’s ears. Bluetooth wireless audio quality is also ensured through support for both aptX and AAC codecs on the Creative Airwave HD, and aptX codec support on the Creative Airwave. Designed for use with iOS and Android devices, both speakers also feature an integrated microphone for convenient use of the speakers as a speakerphone.
NHK and Mitsubishi Electric have jointly developed the world’s first HEVC encoder for 8K ultra HDTV Super Hi-Vision. SHV is the broadcasting medium of the near future. It makes viewers feel like they are really at the heart of the action, with 16 times the number of HD pixels and a 22.2 multichannel surround sound experience. The high-volume SHV images are divided into 17 horizontal rows. The parallel processing of these rows makes it possible to achieve real-time coding of SHV images.
Around 40 executives at Sony and its group companies will forego their fiscal 2012 bonuses in a responsibility-taking gesture for the poor performance of its electronics business. Since the bonuses constitute 30 to 50 percent of their salaries, the move probably represents hundreds of millions of yen. The idea, proposed by Sony President Kazuo Hirai and the management, was approved by Sony’s outside directors. This is the first time for leaders from Sony’s corporate headquarters and its group companies to give up their bonuses in the same year, and the second consecutive year for its corporate officers to do so.
Samsung today announced the industry’s first production of ultra-high-speed four gigabit (Gb) low power double data rate 3 (LPDDR3) mobile DRAM, which is being produced at a 20 nanometer (nm) class process node. The Samsung 4Gb LPDDR3 can transmit data at up to 2,133 megabits per second (Mbps) per pin, which is more than double the performance of the preceding memory standard mobile DRAM (LPDDR2) with a data transmission speed of 800Mbps. This makes it possible to transmit three full HD videos, collectively 17 Gigabytes (GBs) in length, in one second over the new Samsung chip embedded in a mobile device. Samsung’s 20nm-class LPDDR3 mobile DRAM enables seamless display of full HD video on smartphones with five inch-or-larger screens.
At a special listening and audition event at Los Angeles today, Sony introduced its 2013 Home Audio product lineup, highlighting the STR-DN1040 Audio/Video Receiver. The STR-DN1040 AV Receiver delivers premium home theater performance with 7.2 Channel 1155 Watts (165 W x 7) of power and ten HD inputs (8 HDMI in). Even at low sound levels, features such as Sound Optimizer maintain the nuances of the complete sound field, perfect for watching effects-laden motion pictures. Sony’s innovative High Definition Digital Cinema Sound (HD DCS) adds auditory depth for dramatic cinematic sound that faithfully reproduces the movie theater experience. Spectacular sound is further produced through support of Dolby TrueHD, Pro Logic IIz and dts HD enhanced audio codecs1. For outstanding picture performance, video signals can be converted up to 4K Ultra HD HDMI. Sony offers consumers the only AV receivers with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay, and the STR-DN1040 receiver leads the way.
Sony today unveiled its complete Home Theater lineup, including the BDV-N8100W and BDV-N7100W home theaters in a box. Both products feature 1000W, 5.1 channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Full HD 1080p playback, with built-in Wi-Fi to stream Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, the Sony Entertainment Network and more , and wireless rear surround sound speakers. Additionally, NFC or Bluetooth enabled devices connect seamlessly with one touch.
Designed to bring the TV experience back to life, the Sony HT-CT660 Soundbar is a 330 Watt system producing exceptional audio marked by rich, natural sounds and incredible clarity. The 2-way, 4-driver mica reinforced speaker system delivers exceptional sound clarity with detailed highs and lows, with big sound and minimal distortion, all complemented by a wireless subwoofer that brings feeling back to the low end, along with an added convenience of being able to be placed anywhere in the room. The three HDMI inputs allow easy connection to up to three devices. Movies are presented as directors intended, with Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Master Audio modes the reproduce high definition sound for uncompromised quality.
Samsung announced the availability of its first-ever 2013 Evolution Kit in Korea, making Samsung Smart TVs the only Evolutionary TV available to consumers. Through the installation of the Evolution Kit, consumers can now upgrade their 2012 Samsung Smart TV to enjoy the latest Smart TV features and technologies, without the need to purchase a new TV. The 2013 Evolution Kit will upgrade 2012 Samsung Smart TV’s to include latest features and functions included in 2013 Samsung Smart TV models. By simply installing the Evolution Kit, consumers can now enjoy simplified content discovery, more natural ways to control the TV and faster speeds via Samsung’s 2013 Smart TV features including Smart Hub, S Recommendation with Voice Interaction, enhanced Smart Interaction and a new quad-core processor.
Toshiba today announced the availability of an app that simplifies and enhances wireless data transfers between an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch (iOS devices) and FlashAir, the SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality. On opening the app, it displays a list of photo files and folders stored on the card, and they can be downloaded selectively or as a batch. The app, FlashAir, is now available free of charge for iOS Devices through Apple’s App Store.
The Thermaltake 8400mAh Portable Power Pack is part of the new line of portable external batteries designed for the current modern mobile age. High capacity power and compact designs make these batteries a reliable power companion on the go. A fully charged Thermaltake 8400mAh Portable Power Pack can recharge an iPhone to 3.5 times. The Power Pack is equipped with a premium quality rechargeable battery cell with 8400mAh power capacity and up to 500 + recharge cycles over its lifetime. In addition, the powerful speedy 2.1A Output is ideal for charging tablets and another device at the same time.
Creative today introduced the Creative T3150 Wireless 2.1 speaker system with Bluetooth wireless technology at the CEP EXPO 2013 held in Moscow. Engineered to pump out smooth audio wirelessly, this compact speaker system is designed to meet the needs of music lovers and movie fans alike. Compatible with most mobile phones and laptops that feature Bluetooth stereo profile, the Creative T3150 Wireless speaker system offers wireless connectivity in addition to wired connection. It comes with a wired remote control that powers ON/OFF and adjusts volume for ease of use.
JVC Professional will demonstrate its new PS-840UD Professional Series ProVérité 4K 84-inch LCD monitor at the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nev. With a native screen resolution of 3840×2160 – four times the resolution of full HD – and 60p display capability, it is one of the world’s largest professional-grade 4K monitors. Developed specifically for rigorous commercial use by broadcast, production, and other AV professionals, the JVC PS-840UD features an IPS LCD panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 10 bit color depth. Housed in a slim bezel with a 178-degree viewing angle, the ELED Illuminated monitor produces vibrant, natural images from a variety of HD and 4K input sources, including HDMI 1.4a (single cable 4K up to 30p) and HDMI 1.3 (four cable 4K up to 60p).
JVC today announced the launch of five new XX by JVC headphones, with around-ear, on-ear and DJ-style models joining the current line-up of inner-ear models in JVC’s XTREME XPLOSIVES series. The new JVC headphones feature the series’ signature rugged styling, high gloss finish and durable construction, plus heavy-duty Neodymium driver units and Extreme Deep Bass Ports, that together have made the XX series by JVC a favorite among music fans who like their bass delivered with a punch.
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