Sep 11 Podcast #390: CEDIA 2009
Podcast 
CEDIA stands for "Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association". Each year they have an expo where manufacturers show off their wares. This year the show is in Atlanta. While the HT Guys did not go we have friends who did attend. Listen to the show for some first hand reports from the show. In the mean time we run down some of the announcements that came out of the show.
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
News:
- Redbox's $1 rental model could curb VOD market
- YouTube in talks with studios to offer movie rentals
- New Energy Star standards for energy-efficient TVs
Other:
CEDIA 2009
Epson America
Announced two native 1080p 3LCD(TM) home theater projectors designed for custom installers and home theater buffs, the PowerLite Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB. These projectors feature the latest 3LCD chips with D7 technology for amazing color and detail, and significantly higher contrast ratios - the Pro Cinema 9100 achieves a 36,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the Pro Cinema 9500 UB attains an unprecedented 200,000:1 in its class (i). With professional-level color tools including ISF calibration and color isolation, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB offer professional installers full-featured solutions.
Available for $2,599 and sub-$4,000 respectively, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB offer state-of-the-art image quality and performance in each of their respective categories with enhanced color reproduction capabilities and 3LCD technology to deliver bright and natural color, crisp image detail and reliability. As Epson's flagship home theater model, the Pro Cinema 9500 UB brings several technology enhancements to the market, including a new dual-layered auto-iris to control light reduction rates, Super-resolution(TM) technology for enhanced picture quality and improved FineFrame(TM) technology.
Available in October and November respectively, the Pro Cinema 9100 and 9500 UB can be purchased through authorized Epson projector dealers and select retail outlets. Both models come with Epson's industry leading service and support, including a three-year limited warranty with toll-free access to Epson's PrivateLine(SM) priority technical support, 90-day limited lamp warranty, and free two-business day exchange with Extra Care(SM) Home Service.
Epson also announced The Home Cinema 8100 is designed for home entertainment and AV enthusiasts with a budget in mind. With contrast ratio of up to 36,000:1 and brightness of 1,800 lumens, this projector delivers outstanding image quality in either a dark or lighted room – at the affordable price of $1,599.Gefen Uncompressed 1080p/60 Wireless HDMI
This sender/receiver system extends HDMI up to 30 feet (10m) using a radio based on SiBeam technology. A line of sight placement is recommended but not mandatory. The sender is
connected to the audio/video source, and supports all HDMI devices including gaming systems, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes. The receiver is connected to the extended display. Multichannel audio is delivered alongside 1080p full HD video in the HDMI format.
This uncompressed method of 1080p/60 full HD video transmission with multi-channel 5.1 surround sound audio makes it ideal for today’s most demanding systems, particularly gaming,
due to its low latency.
NETGEAR Introduces Digital Entertainer Live, Compact All-in-One Set-top Box for Playing Home Media and Streaming Internet Video on HDTVs
The new Digital Entertainer Live (EVA2000) is an easy-to-use and affordable Internet set-top box that enables viewers to play their digital media collections, YouTube videos and a wide range of other Internet content on big-screen TVs. Rather than having to watch downloaded movies and online videos on small computer screens, families can now enjoy media collections stored on USB storage devices, computers and network storage directly on their HDTVs, from the comfort of their couch.Backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Live (EVA2000) is available in the U.S. through leading retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers at an MSRP of $149.99. The Digital Entertainer Live Wireless USB Adapter (EVAW111) has an MSRP of $39.99. Worldwide availability of the Digital Entertainer Live is planned for the coming months.
SHERWOOD INTRODUCES THE NETBOXX R-904N HIGH-PERFORMANCE INTERNET A/V RECEIVER
- Connects to the Internet without a PC for video, audio and media streaming
- Content available from You Tube, Cinema Now, on-line TV channels, Shoutcast "Internet Radio", etc.
- Supports PlayOn to stream Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Amazon Video On Demand and more from a local network
- Streams audio, video and photo media files from a local network direct to the receiver
- High-performance audio/video in a new, highly compact form factor
- HDMI 1.3, Dolby and DTS Lossless Audio for the highest quality sound
- Dolby Volume eliminates volume fluctuations between channels, commercials and between Internet sites
- High-efficiency "Green" Ti digital amplifiers
SunBriteTV Introduces New 55-inch All-Weather Outdoor LCD TV
Model 5500HD is a 55-inch full-HD 1080p LCD TV with 120 Hz refresh rate that is engineered for permanent outdoor installation. The corrosion-resistant, powder-coated aluminum exterior protects the internal TV components from rain, dirt, insects and extreme weather conditions.With the company's proprietary Hex-Fan Airflow System, Model 5500HD remains cool and safe in temperatures up to 122ºdegrees. In extremely cold climates, the internal thermostatically-controlled heater activates automatically when the TV's internal temperature dips to 32º F, and safely remains outdoors in temperatures as low as -24º F. With variable fan-speed, controlled by the TVs internal thermostat, this system provides increased cooling as needed, therefore keeping fan noise to a minimum.
The 55-inch full-HD 1080p LCD screen displays a bright 1920 x 1080 pixel image with a 120 Hz refresh rate and delivers a 4000:1 contrast ratio. The anti-reflective, impact- and scratch-resistant window built into the exterior protects the LCD screen while reducing glare and improving picture quality
Model 5500HD includes two choices to simplify integration with control systems. RS232 serial is a full-featured command set with discrete on/off input select and volume control, and discrete IR control, provides codes for power on/off and input select.
Furthermore, the TV uses a fiber optic light path that makes it possible to install an IR emitter behind the water-tight cable door to conceal it from view. And, it is equipped with a water-resistant detachable speaker module that can to be removed when the TV is integrated with an external sound system.
The 5500HD will be available Oct. 1 with a MSRP of $6995
Dolby Labs
- Dolby Volume starting to roll out. 18 products will be announced at CEDIA with Dolby Volume from companies like:
- Anthem, ARCAM, AudioControl, Bryston, Emotiva, Harman-Kardon, Integra, Onkyo, Sherwood, and Parasound
- Toshiba will introduce TVs with Dolby Volume as well
- Dolby Pro Logic IIz - Technology is compatible with existing content. It works with content that has a spatial mix. You'll get nothing out of dialog but scenes with outdoor elements will benefit. No need for a special mix. The processor does all the work. Of course content can be encoded with IIz in mind. Denon, Marantz, and Onkyo. Video games will really benefit from this technology.
- Vudu - 2000 movies with Dolby Digital +. Dolby is really getting into online delivery of content.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. announced availability for its latest CCFL-backlit LCD TV– the 65" LCD 650 Series (LN65B650) with 1080p resolution
Availability: September 2009
Reader Comments (12)
I really would like to have gone and given it some coverage. Hopefully by next year I'll have the resources available to do it!
I enjoy hearing you guys do the personal "catch-up" at the top of the shows. I also really appreicate how the titles come across with the show# and then a short description.
Keep up the good work!
Just a point of clarification on the Vudu coming to LG bluray players. Their current flagship player, the BD390 will be getting this feature by way of a firmware upgrade at the end of the month. And Ben Drawbaugh over at Engadget HD did an article on it with a video while talking t a rep. Should be easy to find on their page.
the BD390 just keeps getting better. Another great feature they just added is the ability to stream content from your computer without using any server software. You just use the "Share" feature already in Windows and the 390 will see the files and stream them.
Between the Netflix and the streaming (including mkv support), and the upcoming Vudu, the bluray has almost become a secondary feature. It is a bluray/popcorn hour/Roku/Vudo all rolled into one shiny piece of goodness!
I just found your website today. I will definitely be visiting it often. I may post reference to you podcasts on my blog from time to time.
Todd
I never had a problem with your audio levels before but last show was way too loud and this one was too quiet.
Hi Rick,
The issue is more pronounced on some devices and less on others. I upgraded some software on my recording setup so I am trying to dial it back in. So if the previous show was too loud and the last one was too quiet you know the next one will be just right. Can you please do me a favor? Listen to the show in iTunes and let me know if you notice any difference. On my computer the audio sounds at the perfect level. Email me back at ara@htguys.com
Thanks for the feedback!
Ara
It's really a shame that the "shutter glasses" version of 3D was so unimpressive :( Considering both Panasonic and Sony - likely the two biggest Blu-ray companies - are both developing and pushing this method, it seems highly likely to me that this will end up as the official 3D standard for Blu-ray.
Y'know, I'm fine with putting on the glasses for 90 minutes at a theater, but I'm just not going to do it at home; let alone force everyone who comes over to put on glasses just to watch a movie! So 3D at home? Not until it can be done without any sort of glasses.
Hi Ara,
I download this and all my pocasts via itunes and the levels all sound the same to me.. in the car going to and from work.
Love the show..
Excellent coverage of CEDIA. Big thanks. Things are looking up.
I always chuckle when manufacturers start quoting outrageous refresh rates - I could never bring myself to buy a 100Hz CRT television back in the day (we have PAL in Australia). They never looked as good and to my eye, couldn't keep up with the 50Hz television beside them in the shop (the picture was "better", but inconceivably at a lower frame rate, which destroyed the illusion). I guess the U.S. is yet to learn that consumer lesson, so you'll be bombarded with 120Hz and 240Hz until the manufacturers get the message - that people won't buy it.
The reason these faster speeds are quoted is because the screens can't actually keep up with 30p or 60i properly, so the manufacturers 'do some digital processing' attempting to get around the fundamental technological limitation. You never can, of course. Apple Trinitron monitors were hideously more expensive, but their 640x480 always looked sharper (and with zero flicker) compared to any PC's 1024x768 70 Hz (and better) - because that's how much a good monitor really costs. (When Sony brought out Trinitron computer monitors, their dot pitch was wider and they didn't look as good as the ones they made for Apple. But they were cheaper…)
I guess if you're trying to watch video off the internet, you'll try anything to make it look better. Good luck. You gets what you pays for. If you pay all that money for your television screen, you'd think you'd shell out a couple of hundred extra to watch Blu-ray in glorious 24p & you know what ? It looks way better. Don't let the numbers fool you. Many of the television show Blu-rays are 24p, thankfully. Support the rental model or you'll be stuck with compressed internet vidoe on your 60" televisions & you don't want that now, do you?
Fantastic podcast guys, keep it up. I get through about 40 podcasts a week and HTguys are #3 on my must-listen list.
As always, great show...
Sound levels, you have consistantly had the best sound quality of any of the podcasts I listen to.
This show, though, was so low a level that I could not hear it in my car and had to listen at work instead.
The previous show, I didn't notice any issues with level. It's weird how different people get different levels??
Thanks again! Chris
I could barely hear this show in my car either yet the level was fine on my computer.
Mark
I could not attend that show. So thanks for sharing its nice information here. I would like to attend it in next year. Well it is nice to post here. I like this site and will visit this site in future too.