Home Theater Accessories

Philips Launches Wireless HDTV Link

by jessica on Fri, 2009-10-23 05:31

Philips Electronics just announced the new Wireless HDTV Link. This device replaces the cables that connect the HD cable set-top box, HD satellite receiver, Blu-ray player and gaming console to a HDTV. Using the Wireless HDTV Link, you can move your HD devices up to 75 feet away from the TV without signal loss or degradation. Up to four AV devices can be connected (two HDMI connections and two component connections).

The Philips Wireless HDTV Link is now available at amazon.com and dell.com with an MSRP of $799. It will be sold at Sam's Club, samsclub.com and Costco.com beginning November 2009. It will then hit retail stores in late fourth quarter 2009 and early 2010.

New Hurricane Evo Ultra Flat Glass Loudspeakers

At the recent CEDIA Expo, Waterfall Audio unveiled the compact Hurricane Evo Ultra Flat glass loudspeakers.

Hurricane Evo loudspeakers have a beautiful design with glass baffles less than 3 inches in depth that make it appear as if the speakers are floating. Another element of the design is the Heatstream technology, which eliminates heat buildup that can occur during long listening sessions at high volume levels.

The Hurricane Evo features two drivers. The proprietary transducers are created for Waterfall by Atohm, a French manufacturer of high-end drivers. The Atohm LD100 Absolute Series bass/midrange driver features an FEA optimized motor that incorporates a 60mm neodymium ring and a copper eddy-current ring to reduce distortion. The stiff cone features Low Diffraction Surrounding (LDS) technology which gives you greater protection against harmonic and Doppler distortion. This driver extends the speaker's bass response to 95Hz which allows the Hurricane Evo to be used without a subwoofer in most multiroom installations.Read more

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New iLive Bar Speaker Systems Include iPod Docks

by jessica on Sat, 2009-09-12 05:00

iLive recently unveiled a new line of Bar Speakers which let you listen to your iPod, AM/FM radio, TV or DVD through the compact bar speaker system, while your iPod is charging.

The iLive iT319B Bar Speaker with Dock For iPod & DVD Player was designed as an all-in-one home audio system. The iLive iT319B measures 32-inches in length and is a 3.1 channel speaker system with built-in subwoofer featuring SRS TruSurround XT for a simulated 5.1 effect. With this system, you can connect your iPod and watch videos and photos on your TV, play your music library or simply charge your iPod. And, the built-in HDMI DVD upconverts to 1080p. The Bar Speaker System can either stand alone or be mounted on a wall. The iLive iT319B Bar Speaker with Dock for iPod & DVD Player is shipping now with an MSRP of $199.99.Read more

Logitech Harmony 700 Rechargeable Remote

by jessica on Thu, 2009-09-03 11:07

The latest remote control to join the Harmony series from Logitech is the new Harmony 700 universal remote. It declutters the coffee table by replacing up to six remotes and features a color screen, rechargeable batteries and one-click control of your favorite activities.

Setup is easy too. Connect the remote to your computer, go to www.logitech.com/MyHarmony, and download the software. The software will then ask you to enter the component and model number, and it takes care of the rest. Logitech's online database features more than 250,000 home entertainment devices with more added daily, so you can feel confident your device is listed.

Once you've completed the online setup all you have to do is push one button to watch TV or a DVD. The color LCD screen makes it easy to go to your favorite TV channel too. The LCD displays icons for your favorite channels, so you can automatically view shows with just one click –no need remember the channel number. Read more

Yamaha MusicCAST2 Network Music System

by jessica on Thu, 2009-08-27 11:32

The way people are listening to music is changing. More and more music is being listened to on the computer than ever before. Yamaha pays attention to this. The proof is their MusicCAST2 Network Music Distribution System. It is an expandable wireless system that allows you to listen to music throughout your home. What makes even better is the MusicCAST2 works with your existing audio system as well, unlike some other network music systems.

MusicCAST2 is a WiFi-based system that connects to your computer to allow you to listen to music files, Rhapsody online music service, Internet radio, and NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices throughout your home. MusicCAST2 Network Music Players can playback music from iPod and Bluetooth devices via optional accessories, as well as from USB thumb drives. Read more

Sunfire Theater Grand Processor and Amplifiers; Performance with Multi-Room Convenience

If you are looking to upgrade your home theater system, look no further than Sunfire, a company that specializes in luxury audio/video products.

Their TGP-401 Processor is an audiophile-grade processor featuring three HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interfaces) v1.3a inputs and one HDMI output and is the only pre-amp that accepts the world's most advanced multi-room, multi-zone controller — the ELAN Olé. This 1080p-capable switcher carries uncompressed digital video transmissions between HDMI source components, the TGP-401, and HDMI-compatible display devices. With a user-friendly connector, the HDMI protocol supports standard, enhanced and high-definition digital video on a single cable.

The TGR-401 includes SIRIUS, AM and FM tuners, an eight-channel input for DVD-Audio or SACD, eight balanced XLR outputs, and a video format conversion system that automatically up-converts Composite video to S-Video, and S-Video to Component video. The system's LCD-based remote comes pre-programmed for the TGR-401, has full learning capabilities, and features optional RF capabilities for operating components that are hidden behind cabinet doors.Read more

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New HDTV Stands from Bell'O - No Tools Required!

by jessica on Wed, 2009-08-12 09:01

If you are like me and despise the task of assembling furniture, Bell'O comes to the rescue! They just announced a new line of ready-to-assemble (RTA) HDTV stands that require no tools. You read that right…absolutely no tools are required to set these HDTV stands up! Featuring their No Tools Assembly™ latch system, the WAVS-326, WAVS-333 and WAVS-321 HDTV stands take just minutes to set up! Three new wood HDTV stands are available and let you update your living room without breaking a sweat…or, in my case, a nail!

All three models will hold TVs of all kinds - Plasma, LCD, DLP, Projection and Micro-display, including related electronics and a center channel speaker. A CMS Cable Management System is also included to conceal the wires. Read more

Control Components Behind Closed Doors with the Logitech Harmony 900 Remote

by jessica on Tue, 2009-08-11 10:47

The new rechargeable Logitech Harmony 900 remote, announced today, features wireless RF control, a full-color touch screen, and can replace up to 15 remotes.

Setup is easy. The Harmony 900 features a setup wizard that prompts you to enter the make/model numbers of your components, and the software then programs the remote with the correct IR codes for your device. Then, simply place the included IR blaster and a mini blaster on the shelf near the devices you want to control. Unlike other RF remotes, you don't need to tape emitters to each of your devices. Then, use the remote's touch screen to choose which devices you want to control...it's that easy. Once setup is complete, you can close the doors on your entertainment-system, point your remote, and let the entertainment begin! Read more

NETGEAR's Home Theater Internet Connection Kit Now Available

August 10, 2009 – NETGEAR today announced the availability of its latest powerline networking kit for turning electrical power outlets into high-speed Internet and home network connections. As a 2009 CES Innovations Award winner, NETGEAR's Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (XAVB1004) makes it possible to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled entertainment devices - such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs and media streaming set-top boxes - to the Internet and the home network simultaneously. Through a high-speed powerline connection of up to 200 Mbps, this powerline kit enables high-performance applications such as HD video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), Internet gaming and large file transfers to networked devices in the home theater.

The kit contains one Powerline AV Adapter with 4-port Ethernet Switch (XAV1004) and one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101). This "no new wires" powerline technology enables customers to carry high-speed data network traffic on their existing electrical wiring - using affordable, simple to install adapters. Additionally, advanced energy management capabilities provide automatic port- and device-level sleep modes and wake-on-activity functionality to reduce overall energy usage. The kit also incorporates several ease-of-use features: port-based Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure that the highest priority applications are allocated more bandwidth; Push-N-Secure to secure the Powerline AV network with the push of a button; and Pick-a-Plug, a multi-color LED to determine the strength of the powerline connection without having to look at a computer.Read more

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Sonos Introduces New Touch Screen Controller for Sonos Multi-Room Music System

Wireless, full-color Controller features capacitive touch screen for state-of-the-art music control throughout your home
Search, find, play and discover a world of music at the touch of a finger
Available beginning today for $349 suggested retail price

July 28, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonos, Inc., the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems, today launched a state of the art music Controller for the home, the Sonos Controller 200 (CR200). The new full-color Sonos Controller features an ultra-responsive touch screen display making it easy to quickly find and play all the music you want, in any room of the house, and all with the touch of a finger.

"Finding and playing music all over the house needs to be so easy that anyone who walks into a home can pick up the Controller and start playing DJ," says John MacFarlane, CEO, Sonos, Inc. "Sonos has applied our seven years of experience designing wireless music systems for hundreds of thousands of customers in more than 60 countries to deliver the most innovative and intuitive way to find, play and control music anywhere in the home."Read more