AudioVideo News

July 31, 2009 – Marantz America, a world leader in advanced home entertainment solutions, is expanding its line of advanced Blu-ray players to include four Profile 2.0 models, all with Ethernet connectivity and features to increase flexibility in both playback and installation. Leading the new lineup is the company's highly anticipated flagship player, the ultimate-quality UD9004 (MSRP: $5,999.99), joined by the high-end universal UD8004 (MSRP: $2,199.99) and two high-value, high-performance players, the BD7004 (MSRP: $799.99) and BD5004 (MSRP: $549.99).

Noted Kevin Zarow, Vice President, Marketing and Product Development, Marantz America, Inc: "Marantz engineered every detail of our new Blu-ray players with both audio and video purists in mind. Whether a customer is looking to add to an existing Marantz home theater system or just looking for an ultimate-quality single-source component, Marantz now offers best-in-class performance at several price levels. With these introductions, we have clearly established our leadership in the growing Blu-ray arena. In fact, we are confident that the superior construction and circuitry of the UD9004 will quickly earn it the reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after Blu-ray players by home entertainment aficionados."Read more

• 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

Sprint Exclusive NFL Content Delivered Over America's Most Dependable 3G Network Gives Fantasy Football Players and Fans Unequaled Mobile Access to the NFL

July 27, 2009 – Just in time for the start of training camp for NFL teams across the country, Sprint today announced that its exclusive NFL Mobile Live application is now available on the Palm Pre phone.

NFL Mobile Live, the only wireless source for complete, live access to NFL action, was sent to Palm Pre customers as part of an over-the-air software update from Palm. When customers accept the update to Palm webOS 1.1.0, NFL Mobile Live is automatically installed. Once installed, customers can use Palm Pre's universal search to locate the application by simply typing NFL on their keyboard from the main screen or launcher, and then tapping the NFL icon to open the application.Read more

July 2009 – Want to hit the road – but don't think you can leave the job behind? Then take it along for the ride.

This summer, the "anywhere" office comes to life as Home Office Highway '09 reveals the technology, tools and strategies that make taking a vacation a guilt-free and productive adventure.

The two-week road show and social media event will bring "location independence" to the open road in a recreational vehicle equipped with the latest small office technology. Hosted and produced by technology, telework and home office columnist expert Jeff Zbar, the tour will take his family throughout the American South, visiting small towns and popular tourist destinations – and revealing just how productive a traveling family can be."In today's economy, many entrepreneurs and employees feel it's the wrong time to take a break," said Zbar, who will chronicle the adventure each day in blogs and videologues at HomeOfficeHighway.com. The trip will culminate in a presentation at Orlando's Disney Entrepreneur Center.Read more

Customers to Benefit from Enhanced Network Coverage and Broadband Data Speeds, Access to Touch Screen BlackBerry Tour and Latest Devices

July 21, 2009 – Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, including the nation's largest wireless 3G broadband network, announced today the completion of the South Area Alltel integration.

Verizon Wireless completed its purchase of Alltel in January and has spent the past six months integrating networks, preparing to convert billing systems, upgrading high-speed wireless broadband service, and re-merchandising stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Read more

New HT-BD3252 delivers cutting-edge video playback, HD Sound, and diverse networking

July 21, 2009--Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the introduction of its new HT-BD3252 home theater system to deliver an enhanced Blu-ray integrated home theater experience for consumers. The new HT-BD3252 combines a high quality viewing experience, with powerful audio and an array of advanced networking options in a boldly designed player that can help convert almost any living space into a premium HD showroom.

"Samsung has been offering Blu-ray video and HD audio as an integrated and powerful home entertainment package for the last two years, and our continuing drive to bring premium and extraordinarily designed products into consumers' homes is underscored by the HT-BD3252," said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing, Samsung Electronics America. "The HT-BD3252 builds on the success of the HT-BD1250 and adds several performance and ease of use enhancements including rear wireless speakers and built-in wireless access to the latest streaming and PC-based multimedia content." Read more

July 20, 2009 – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 11-time Grammy Award winner, Carlos Santana, is set to appear as an exclusive in-game artist in the upcoming Guitar Hero 5. Santana's accomplishments span four decades and more than 40 albums including the self-titled album, Santana, that launched one of the most recognizable Latin-infused classic rock anthems, "No One to Depend On." The live version of the song will be featured in Guitar Hero 5 with Carlos Santana jamming on stage as a playable character.

In addition to music from Santana, Guitar Hero 5 features a wide variety of today's hottest rock 'n' roll bands mixed with classic tracks. Brand new game features let fans tailor their experience to meet the evolving ways consumers are interacting with their favorite music and allows them to challenge themselves as a solo act or band member, or kick back with friends and enjoy their personalized set list.Read more

Twelpforce ™ is a new service from Best Buy for people to ask tech questions to Best Buy employees via micro blogging site Twitter. Staffed by Best Buy employees from across all operations, including Blue Shirts and Geek Squad, Twelpforce will answer product questions, troubleshoot technology challenges and solve customer service issues, all from the comfort of the users' keyboard or mobile phone. Twitter users attempting to reach Twelpforce should address their questions to @twelpforce, to alert Best Buy employees of their problems or questions.

July 20, 2009 -- Best Buy just unleashed a new service that enlists the passion and knowledge of Best Buy's vast employee base to bring assistance directly to customer computer screens via micro blogging site Twitter http://twitter.com. Staffed by Best Buy employees from across all operations, including Blue Shirts and Geek Squad, Twelpforce ™ will answer product questions, troubleshoot technology challenges and solve customer service issues, all from the comfort of the users' keyboard or mobile phone. Read more

July 2009— Sennheiser, known around the world and in virtually every professional sound studio for its reference-standard headphones and microphones, recently kicked off a unique new marketing initiative. The Sennheiser Sound Tour started on July 2, 2009, at Milwaukee Summerfest, the world's largest music festival. The promotional tour puts the company's highly regarded consumer headphones and headsets into the hands—and onto the heads—of thousands of music and technology fans, in a fun, fast-paced, light-hearted setting.

The Sennheiser Sound Tour has two road-ready teams setting out, one heading east, one west, on a mission: to put Sennheisers on as many heads as possible. The two intrepid sextets compete to determine which can Sennheiser-ize the greatest number of unsuspecting civilians. Oh—and did we mention that one team is composed of girls; the other of guys?

While the resultant Sennheiser-centric battle of the sexes is sure to be outrageous in person, the Sound Tour promises just as much fun online. Both teams are posting their progress in sound, pictures, and video to "webisodes" on the dedicated site www.sennheisersoundtour.com. This in turn links up connected sites on social-media destinations Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and all of these will encourage consumers and Sennheiser fans across North America and around the world to join in, even to mount a team challenge such as to Sennheiser-ize people in a particular place, specific individuals, or even celebrities.Read more

July 1, 2009--Raising the bar on high power A/V Receiver performance, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveils four A/V Receivers designed to bring enhanced clarity, detail and dynamic "quick response" from uncompressed Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks used in Blu-ray Disc entertainment. The new Pioneer Elite SC-25 and SC-27 A/V Receivers incorporate a Direct Energy HD Class D amplifier featuring ICEPower technology to ensure unprecedented reproduction of high resolution multi-channel, stereo as well as compressed audio and provide premium home entertainment that rivals the movie theater experience. Pioneer pushes the limits of A/V Receiver innovation with the Elite SC-27, which leverages the full advantages of this emerging amplification technology to become the industry’s first Class D amp design to achieve THX Ultra2 Plus as well as AIR Studio monitor certifications. Together, these achievements undoubtedly affirm the company’s position as the preeminent home entertainment manufacturer for the most critical home entertainment enthusiast. Read more