Extreme CCTV Releases Industry’s First Intelligent-Infrared Illuminator

Extreme CCTV releases the new UFLED Intelligent-IR™ Illuminator powered by Constant Light™, designed to deliver a constant level of lighting performance throughout the illuminator’s life for uncompromised night-time surveillance. Patent pending Constant Light™ compensates for LED degradation, a natural occurrence with all conventional LED illuminators, ensuring high performance imaging over time – regardless of varying ambient temperatures. Award-winning Black Diamond™ night vision produces up to 720ft infrared illumination while an innovative Power-On-Board™ design eliminates the need for a dedicated power supply. Maintaining the integrity of security investments, the UFLED Intelligent-IR illuminator is ideal for a wide range of applications including defense, transit and critical infrastructure. Visit www.ExtremeCCTV.com for more information.

via [press release]

Denon’s DHT-FS5 X-Space Surround bar to take on Yamaha

Denon is stepping all over Yamaha’s game this morning with the introduction of their very own soundbar. The DHT-FS5 like Yamaha’s well-received boxes bounce “X-Space Surround” sound off the walls in appropriately configured, smallish, and squarish rooms. The 750 x 118 x 138-mm unit rattles 4 x 50W / 25W of power driven by 6 full-range speakers. It also looks the-sweet when wall mounted below your hanging flat-panel. Expected to pop for ¥65,000 (about $605) before the month is out.

via [Engadget]

Toshiba and Panasonic double OLED lifespan — exceeds LCDs

While we love the low power consumption and ultra-high contrast achieved by OLEDs, there’s one thing we hate: OLED’s short lifespan. Toshiba and Panasonic are looking to change the game by announcing a new technology today that doubles the life of OLED displays. We’re talking a bump from the stated 30,000-hour lifespan of Sony’s XEL-1 TV to somewhere beyond that of your typical 50,000-hour LCD panel. Tosh and Panny’s trick is to use a new metal membrane inside a prototype 20.8-inch panel to move light more efficiently. Let’s see if this new development brings forth Toshiba’s timeline for an OLED TV any. Please Toshiba, with sugar?

via [Engadget ]

AURALEX ACOUSTICS INTRODUCES FIRST TO MARKET ECO-FRIENDLY STUDIOFOAM® AT WINTER NAMM 2008

ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 24, 2008 – Auralex Acoustics, Inc., the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions, introduces the first “green” acoustical foam product on the market, Eco-Friendly StudioFoam®, at Winter NAMM 2008 (Hall C, Booth # 4295).
StudioFoam brand products now include soy components, reducing petroleum-based chemical usage by up to 60% and lessening dependence on fossil fuels, including foreign crude oil. This greener formula helps reduce global warming emissions, yet retains the longevity and acoustical properties that Auralex is known for.
Auralex StudioFoam is manufactured without harmful Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), which have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. In making the conversion over to the new Soy-based hybrid formula, these products now boast an improved performance and durability over conventional petroleum-based foams.
“Green initiatives are no longer reserved for environmentalists, consumers as a whole are moving towards ecologically-friendly life-styles and products,” says Dave Paxton, director of operations at Auralex Acoustics. “Auralex is proud to be doing its part in conserving the environment and reducing global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels. Auralex will continue to create products that are beneficial to the audio industry as well as those that are conducive to our environment.”
The new Eco-Friendly StudioFoam is available in the same great color choices and cuts as the original. There is no increase in cost to either the dealer or consumer. The new offering meets and exceeds the quality of product and testing data (acoustical and fire) that the professional consumer demands.
About Auralex Acoustics, Inc.

Located in Indianapolis, Auralex Acoustics was founded in 1977 with a mission to provide top-performing acoustical treatment products at the best value. Since then, thousands of satisfied Auralex customers have experienced improved acoustics, expert advice and exceptional customer service. Auralex products enjoy widespread use among prominent artists, producers, engineers, corporations, celebrities and government agencies.

more info auralexinfo@auralex.com

via [press release]

Bowers and Wilkins Makes First 8-Channel Wireless Stereo Setup

It has eight channels and no cables other than the one that powers it: Bowers and Wilkins Liberty offers 5.1 audio plus two more channels for speakers you want to put out in the yard, or upstairs, or wherever. It’s also got a slick, minimalist look to it, as well, suggesting that it’s made with a real interest in invisibility instead of mere gimmickry.

In real life, wireless speakers tend to sound kind of shabby. B&W says that it took an “uncompromising approach to quality” for this one, however, so when it appears later this year, we’ll get to match the marketing to the man.

Product Page [Bowers & Wilkins via Audioholics; Photo from Audiojunkies]

Tripp Lite Introduces HDMI Version 1.3-Certified Connectivity Products

Tripp Lite Introduces HDMI™ Version 1.3-Certified Connectivity Products
Chicago, IL (January 23, 2008)—Tripp Lite, a world-leading manufacturer of power protection and connectivity solutions, has introduced a line of new HDMI™ Version 1.3-certified connectivity products: a 3-to-1 HDMI Switch with Remote (Model B119-303-R), an HDMI Active Wall Plate (Model P166-001-A), an HDMI Passive Wall Plate (Model P166-001-P) and an HDMI Signal Extender (Model B123-001). The switch permits users to select from one of three HDMI sources for display on a single monitor. The wall plates permit efficient and hidden connection between an HDMI source and a display device. Use either the Signal Extender or the Active Wall plate with built-in signal booster to connect an HDMI source to a display device up to an incredible 150 feet away. These new products complement Tripp Lite’s already extensive line of HDMI Cables.
HDMI Version 1.3 increases single-link bandwidth from 165Mhz to 340Mhz (or 10.2 Gbps) to meet the needs of newer high-definition display devices. This higher speed provides support for “Deep Color” (color depths up to 48 bits), higher resolutions and higher frame rates. The result is unprecedented vividness and accuracy of colors. Version 1.3 also supports the new lossless audio formats, providing theater-quality sound. Many new LCD TVs, plasma displays, hi-def DVD players, A/V receivers and game systems including the Sony PLAYSTATION® 3 make use of the capabilities embodied in Version 1.3. And since Version 1.3 is backward compatible, these products will work with all HDMI systems, new or old.
“With so many new HDMI Version 1.3-compliant products coming onto the market, the need for Version 1.3-certified connectivity solutions is great and growing,” said Tripp Lite Cables and Connectivity Product Manager David Posner. “Tripp Lite was quick to recognize this need, and we’ve responded with four new connectivity products that will enable end users to make the most of HDMI Version 1.3’s tremendous potential.”
For more information on Tripp Lite’s new HDMI Version 1.3-certified connectivity solutions, go to:

http://www.tripplite.com/HDMIproducts

via [press release]

Colored orbs of light and sound

(Credit: Moonlight)

From the bathtub to the bed, it’s usually not hard to make sport of pointless mood-lighting products. Much to our surprise, however, we’ve encountered one that we might actually like.

Moonlight’s “360-Degree Sound System” does more than just add a Barry White atmosphere; it also has speakers that can handle up to 200 watts of amplification in all directions, according to Technabob. If you combine these with Grundig’s “Audiorama” speakers, you’ll have sound in every molecule of your abode. As if that weren’t enough, the audio orbs can also be equipped with LED bulbs–qualifying them for Caroline McCarthy’s color-changey status.

via [crave]

INTELIX RELEASES ENHANCED DVI EXTENDER

 

Middleton, WI- Intelix, U.S. manufacturer of audio/video equipment and software, recently announced the release of the DIGI-DVIT2R-F system, which transmits DVI video from a single source to two remote destinations over twisted pair cabling.

“DVI signals are typically very difficult to distribute—DVI cables are limited in length and DVI distribution amplifiers often choke on EDID and DDC signals,” explains Steve Cohan, Intelix C.E.O. “The Intelix DIGI-DVIT2R-F solves both problems with a convenient, integrated solution.”
The Intelix DIGI-DVIT2R-F system transmits high-definition, 1920×1080 resolution DVI-D signals up to 220 feet using a single shielded Cat 6 cable. The system includes one dual output send balun, one receive balun, and two power supplies. The send balun effectively splits a single DVI input to two twisted pair outputs. In addition, the send balun also features a local monitor output for local viewing or daisy chaining. At the remote end, the receive balun converts the signal from twisted pair back to DVI format.
The DIGI-DVIT2R-F features built-in automatic EDID (extended display identification data) and DDC (display data channel) detection to ensure the source and destination devices properly sync without the added expense of third party detection hardware.

Retail price for the DIGI-DVIT2R-F balun set is $580.95.
Retail price for additional DIGI-DVI series receivers is $314.95.

via [press release] more info www.intelix.com

Hitachi leaves Oz: goodbye yellow brick road

As Hitachi continues to streamline operations, we get word that it is pulling out of the consumer electronics and whitegoods market in Australia. Announced over the weekend, Hitachi will no longer sell their appliances or flat-panel TVs, camcorders, and other CE-class goods in the land down under. ACs, industrial, and electronic goods will still be available. The move brings along 40 job cuts from its Sydney HQ. Hitachi claims that the Australian market is just too small and too competitive to warrant the effort. A sentiment backed by Sharp Australia’s deputy managing director, Denis Kerr, who claims that Australia is under, “a siege mentality that has forced pricing to ridiculous levels that cannot be sustained.” He surmises that if the trend continues, “Brand names are going to withdraw from the market place.” Of course, all this leaves us wondering… who’s next?

via [Engadget]

Polycom intros HDX 7000 HD video conferencing solutions

Although Polycom just got around to shipping its HDX 4000 / 8000 HD video conferencing systems last month, you won’t catch this firm resting on its laurels — oh no. Instead, it’s pushing out an entirely new series in its HD video portfolio, the HDX 7000. This one, which caters to small and medium-sized conference rooms, features 22kHz StereoSurround for “natural voice clarity,” Lost Packet Recovery (LPR) technology, 720p video support, a 16:9 EagleEye HD camera and the ability to adjust bandwidth for content. You’ll also find an RS-232 control port along with DVI, USB 2.0 and a number of audio inputs and outputs. Supposedly, to-be owners can expect the HDX 7002 to land in March for $9,499, while the HDX 7001 (SD version) lures in the bargain hunters at $7,999

via [Engadget]