CEDIA US EXPO

WALKING THE HALLS

With Cedia US in full swing, companies are unveiling new product by the truck load. Following on from IFA, Sony have introduced its first home cinema projector capable of displaying stunning 4K images. The VW1000ES 4K projector model has been designed to meet the needs of Custom Installers, with over 4 times the resolution of HDTV. The VW1000ES as well as handling native 4K images features an exclusive 4K up-scaler that will dramatically enhance SD or HD images, which is a great plus point especially for me as I have hundreds of Blu-ray disks that I have not viewed as yet.

Not only is front projection catered for at CEDIA US with Sony releasing their new range of Bravia LED LCD televisions with their intelligent Peak LED backlight, the blacks are deeper and the screens have improved brightness in lighter scenes. Again the CI guy will be overjoyed as ports are provided to the rear of the panel for IR and RS232. Sony are definitely doing their bit for moving technology forward with their next offering, the Internet ready TV NSX-GT1. This is the world's first internet TV powered by Google TV and by the looks of it is crammed full of features that allow the TV to interact with web content and never be out of date with an upgradable interface.

TIVO GETS UPGRADE

If you are a great fan of DVRs you will like what Tivo have on show with their new TIVO Premiere Elite, this nice box of tricks has 4 built in tuners allowing you to record 4 programs while being able to watch a fifth channel (just what I have needed for years in my house). With this amount of recording going on I am pleased to see a 2 terabyte internal hard disk included, which will give a whopping 300 hours of HD recording. Another great plus for custom installers is the support for control systems with code for Crestron, Control4 and RTI via RS232 and networking capability which is great for content streaming from popular sources such as Pandora. On this side of the ocean Virgin Media Tivo boxes now have a swish IPAD app available READ MORE AT TECH RADAR.

FOR MORE INFO ON TIVO

TAKE ME TO VIRGIN MEDIA TIVO APP

LOOK OUT FOR INVISIBLE SPEAKERS 

Speakercraft have announced several new products to be launched at Expo, they are adding many new models to their Profile series of in-wall and in-ceiling range. The main difference will be a flangeless appearance once the magnetic grill is in place and selected models will include the AIM pivoting woofer and tweeter technology, there is also an option to use either a round or square grill depending on customer preference. Another new product to be launched at the show is Speakercraft's invisible speaker range which are plaster over speakers using Live-Wall technology.  The series consists of rectangular satellites and subwoofers whose entire surface moves inside the wall like a driver cone.

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO

With more and more products going wireless, Proficient Audio has launched The PROFICIENT ZERO Wireless Music System which adds powerful new features that build on the success of the brand's AirFlex system. PROFICIENT ZERO transmits high-quality stereo sound up to 90 feet. The system consists of the PROFICIENT ZERO transmitter and amplified receiver. ZERO is ideal for retrofit applications where homeowners would like a whole-house sound system but without the mess and expense of getting into the walls to run cables.

New features include the capability to expand up to as many as eight receivers per transmitter. The transmitter input connections include three analogue audio channels plus optical audio and transmits them simultaneously. Transmitting all inputs enables the use of one transmitter to send "left and right" audio for "Zone 2" or "rear surrounds" as well as audio to a subwoofer for a home theatre. The PROFICIENT ZERO receiver comes with a high-quality 35 watt x 2 channel digital amp built in. All in all a great get out of Jail multi-room product if cables are impossible to install.

Watch now:
The 2013 CEDIA Awards show - all the winners, exclusive backstage interviews