Meridian DSP7200 Digital Active Loudspeakers

Meridian Audio Limited has showcased its award-winning DSP7200 Digital Active Loudspeaker, combining state-of-the-art driver and enclosure engineering with multiple on-board amplifiers.
Designed for use as a centre channel loudspeaker, it uses Meridian’s new SpeakerLink interface with RJ45 connectors and RS232 interfacing for system control all run via a single CAT5 cable for simplicity of installation. It also features extensively re-designed internal electronics and advanced new software, along with upgraded transducer drive units and power amplifiers that bring it dramatically close to the performance of Meridian’s ‘legendary’ DSP8000.
Design wise, the DSP7200 uses digital signal processing (DSP) for crossover filtering and all other signal manipulation and multi-amplified active speaker topology where each driver is served by its own dedicated amplifier channel.
The advantages of such a set-up include ultra-accurate DSP that makes possible crossover characteristics and precision not achievable for passive, analogue systems.

Dane-Elec DaneDigital So Speaky PVR

SlashGear: The DaneDigital So Speaky PVR is a network-connected hard-drive media player and recorder, available with anything from 320GB to 1TB of internal capacity and capable of recording DVD-quality video.
Connections include two USB 2.0 host ports, one USB 2.0 port for hooking up the So Speaky PVR as an external hard-drive, one 10/100 ethernet port, A/V outputs, component outputs, HDMI, optical digital audio and a 5-in-1 memory card reader. 320GB, 500GB, 640GB, 750GB and 1TB drives are available.
Supported media files include MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (720p & 1080i), MPEG-4 (1080p), XviD, DivX 3/4/5/6 (HD), IFO, VOB, DAT, AVI, MPG, MPEG 2 TS, ISO, MP4, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, OGG (no DRM), AC3, JPG, JPEG (720p/1080i) and BMP.

Toshiba 37CV510U 720p LCD HDTV

The Toshiba 37CV510U, one of Toshiba’s esteemed Regza series, is stuffed with performance features from one side of the ThinLine bezel to the other. This 37″ LCD screen brings you full 720p high definition content in the best way possible. It’s built with DynaLight dynamic backlight control and a PixelPure 4G 14-Bit internal digital video processor. It has a 60Hz video scan rate, and is also built with Toshiba’s Cinespeed LCD technology, which gives an 8ms or less response time and a wider viewing angle, so you’re always in the perfect position to watch the ultra-smooth action sequences.

The 37CV510U is also designed to let you customize your settings to fit your needs. It features Theaterwide modes, to let you choose the best size formatting for the signal you’re watching. You can adjust the white balance, adjust the color using ColorMaster, or choose one of three different color temperature settings depending on your lighting conditions. Native mode ensures your picture is as close to the original as possible. All of these come together to provide you with one of the best-looking video displays around.

Sure, you can probably get a lot of different 37″ LCDs with HD capability, but when picking out your TV, it’s important to remember that not all TVs are created equal. Some, like the 37CV510U, just have a pre-programmed tendency to rise to the top in performance.

When designing the 37CV510U, Toshiba thought it was important not to overlook the everyday convenience features.

Yes, picture quality is tremendously important, but if you use your television much at all, some of the basic convenience features can determine how much you like your TV, great picture or not.

That’s why Toshiba included such things as their SoundStrip speaker system, a 4-device remote control, and built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning.

They added a game mode, for the Xbox junkie in your house, as well as a sleep timer, because you don’t always make it to the end of the movie before nodding off. They included input labeling, picture freeze, and a mute button, even though you may not use them every day.

REGZA LINK allows you to control your components through your TV, without ever changing which component your remote is set to control. Auto aspect control keeps your shows from looking like they’re in a hall of mirrors, stretched and distorted. A table-top stand was included so you can start watching right out-of-the-box. Finally, they included jacks for all your new or classic components. So not only does your new HDTV look great, it’s easy and fun to use, too.

LG 32LG40 32-inch LCD TV

If your looking for an affordable HDTV with all the features that you need, then you have to take a look at the LG 32LG40. It’s most attractive, and more importantly its money-saving feature, is is built-in DVD player that is hidden in its slim and sleek design. Now, you won’t have any trouble with all those wires as the 32LG40 takes care of that with a built-in, slot-loading DVD player that’s nicely hidden in the side of TV. This 32-inch LCD also features extensive picture control options, which contribute to its accurate color and natural-looking picture.

The set isn’t perfect though. Black-levels could be deeper but hey, you in this world, you can’t expect to have everything without paying for it.

As for the television’s design, the 32LG40 stands-out a little when placed inside a room. The bezel surrounding the screen is glossy black, and along the bottom there’s a thick strip of deep red plastic, similar to that Samsung’s other set. The set sits on top of a circular swivel stand, with a distinctively skinny stem that connects to the TV.

The most interesting feature of the 32LG40, as mentioned before, is its built-in DVD player. DVD playback can be controlled with the same remote as the TV. The LG 32LG40 has a native resolution of 1,366×768, which is perfectly fine at this particular screen size.

Like other 2008 LG HDTVs, this LCD features tons of picture adjustments in seven different picture modes, all of which remember settings independently per input.

The 32LG40 includes a healthy five manual aspect ratio modes and a sixth that detects incoming content and attempts to adjust aspect automatically. LG chose to call its zero-overscan mode Just Scan, just like Samsung, and works really well HD content.

Connectivity on the 32LG40 is mostly comprehensive. The back panel includes a pair of HDMI inputs, a PC input, a component-video input, one AV input with composite and S-Video, an analog audio output, and an optical digital audio output. The side panel adds a third HDMI input as well as another AV input with composite video.

As for its overall performance, the 32LG40 is pretty solid. As mentioned, black levels aren’t really all that black. The black levels on the 32LG40 were about a shade lighter than the other sets in this same category. However, the 32LG40’s picture quality was greatly enhanced by its abundant controls. You can even improve color temperature accuracy and grayscale tracking by calibrating the set.

As a PC monitor, the LG 32LG40 performs excellently over HDMI. There’s no overscan in 1,360×768 mode, and even small text is clear and readable from several feet back. Using VGA it displays the same resolution but the image is slightly off-center. It also looks a bit softer, although small text is still readable from several feet back.

Sony KDL-52V4100 52″ 1080p BRAVIA V

I’m sure most of us are looking for a set that would enhance our home video experiences and at the same time take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc and PlayStation content. Well, the RAVIA KDL52V4100’s full HD 1080p LCD screen is probably the right set for you. It does this by displaying 1920 x 1080p images — the highest resolution available as of the moment. Sony’s BRAVIA Engine technology is a fully digital video processor that employs a collection of unique algorithms to significantly reduce video noise and produce sharp, vibrant, lifelike images through which a 1080p-resolution panel reaches its full potential.

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Sony’s KDL52V4100 features four HDMI connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p.

Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components.

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI.

Distortion and variance caused by interference from other electronic components are inherent characteristics of any electronic signal. Such minor disturbances in a signal’s integrity can result in flaws in the signal’s output — like a video image on an HDTV — and these flaws are often referred to simply as noise. Sony designed this LCD with Dynamic Noise Reduction. This technology intelligently identifies and dramatically reduces signal noise according to the motion and brightness of each scene for clearer, crisper images, frame after frame.

Using real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels, the KDL52V4100’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer reproduces improved contrast for deep blacks in darker scenes and fine detail in shadows, revealing all the details that the director intended for you to see.

There are a few more words that can be added to the list describing the KDL52V4100, like expandable and interactive. First, Sony’s Xross Media Bar user interface offers easy and fast icon-based navigation of all your KDL52V4100’s functions. Second, Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMex) offers system expandability via a digital connection: add optional modules, like the BRAVIA Internet Video Link, or upcoming modules for optimal future compatibility. Finally, an integrated TV Guide on-screen interactive program guide delivers continually updated program listings so that you never miss your favorite shows.

KDL52V4100 with 24p True Cinema is fully capable of displaying 24fps video thanks to specific video processing that reproduces film-based images as video content. This can be a tremendous help with films recorded at 24 frames per second. High definition video like that recorded onto Blu-ray Disc contains 24p (or, progressive-scan 24fps video content) that brings true film into your home.

As a leader in products with HDMI connectivity, Sony has created BRAVIA Theatre Sync technology to go beyond simple audio and video transmission. When you combine your new KDL52V4100 with a select number of other BRAVIA audio and video products, control functions will also be transmitted via the HDMI cable. With One Touch Play, operations that took several steps are reduced to one. Press the PLAY button on the remote, watch the audio and/or the video components turn on then the BRAVIA KDL52V4100 television will turn on and switch to the correct video input.

Toshiba 42RV535U 42″ REGZA 1080p LCD HDTV

If its sports you want, then its sports you’ll get. With the Toshiba 42RV535U, it feels like you’re actually there. Toshiba’s REGZA 42RV535U LCD panel delivers such an advanced video image, you’ll be able to enjoy all 1920x 1080 pixels of its HD resolution, no matter the source of your video content. SRT Super Resolution Technology upconverts and enhances 480i, 480p, and 720p input signals for an improved and more detailed picture. Now you can experience all your favorite DVDs and TV channels in near-HD picture quality.

This LCD sports a variety of design features and innovations that deliver nothing short of an impacting home theater video experience.

First, a 1080p panel resolution offers not only the highest video resolution currently available (1920 x 1080) but also offers progressive scanning for smoother, more natural motion images. Second, PixelPure 4G 14-bit internal digital video processing fuels your video experience with fast, accurate video processing that keeps pace with your favorite fast-action scenes. Third, the DynaLight dynamic backlight control — delivering enhanced black levels for sharp, lifelike detail — teams up with ColorMaster color control, color-temperature control, and Deep Color support for a range of colors and clarity of detail that are startlingly vivid and real. Finally, because this REGZA HDTV features a Cinespeed LCD panel, you know you’re getting a super-fast panel-response time (8ms or less) and a wide viewing angle that deliver a stunning picture to everyone in your viewing area, no matter where they’re sitting.

The Toshiba 42RV535U’s 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio and HD 1080p resolution are great for watching high definition video content. All DVD video has a 720 x 480 resolution, and most DVDs can be purchased in a standard or widescreen format. Toshiba’s TheaterView allows the 42RV535U’s panel to display enhanced widescreen television and DVD video. Three different modes adjust and optimize DVD video based on different recording and formatting methods for a truly theater-like home DVD experience.

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Toshiba’s 42RV535U features four HDMI connections.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format.

Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI.

Coming to the rescue in this multiple-component, integrated-system world, the Toshiba 42RV535U serves up an extra helping of connectivity with a PC input. Surf the net, download online movies, play games or get a little work done, all on 42 inches of stunning HD LCD.

Geared up and ready for the up-and-coming digital transition, the new Toshiba 42RV535U comes equipped with digital ATSC and QAM tuners. These digital tuners make receiving and enjoying digitally broadcast content — whether from the air or from cable or satellite — easy and worry-free.

As you go about deciding which flat panel HDTV technology is best for you — LCD or plasma — an important factor to take into consideration is the level of ambient light in your viewing area. If your home theater area has higher levels of natural or artificial ambient light, and LCD flat panel will deliver the best viewing experience, as compared to plasma.

However, as you know, ambient light changes throughout the day, and if you’re watching a movie in the late afternoon or evening, light conditions might change dramatically even while you’re watching. If only your LCD panel could adapt its performance for optimal viewing in any conditions. Discover the 42RV535U with AutoView. This innovative technology uses an external light sensor to monitor ambient light levels. Then, AutoView technology automatically adjusts various picture-quality settings based on both the level of ambient room lighting and the type of video content you’re watching for a customized viewing experience.

High definition home theater is a huge part of the modern home theater experience, but it’s only part of that experience. The other part is audio.

The 42RV535U’s SoundStrip speaker system uses a thin-line speaker design with enhanced dynamic range to deliver big home theater sound without big, obtrusive home theater speakers. Additionally, a StableSound feature maintains television volume within a preset range regardless of the source signal. This eliminates the annoyance of normal program volume being followed immediately by extremely loud commercial messages or drastic volume fluctuation while changing channels.

LG launches Mac-friendly CD/DVD rewriter With 8x read speeds

LG Electronics has launched its "ultra sleek" Mac-compatible portable Super Multi Drive, the GP08-NU10, in the UK.

Designed for use on the go, this CD/DVD re-writer plugs in via a USB so will work with new MacBooks and PC laptops alike.

Available in glossy white, LG says it's small and light, measuring 21.4mm in height, 165.2mm in length and 156mm in width and weighing 380 grams.

The GP08-NU10 has the ability to read data at 8x and gets "SecurDisc" content protection as standard, which allows users to secure and prevent the loss of data.

Other specs, pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed.

LG W2284F monitor launches iF award-winning 22-incher

LG has announced the UK launch of its iF award-winning 22-inch widescreen monitor, the W2284F.

Winner of the iF Product Design Award 2008, LG says the monitor is "an outstanding example of design perfection."

On the design side, the W2284F has a glossy black finish and a "soft" blue power button inspired, apparently, by a drop of morning dew.

Equipped with a 30,000:1 Digital Fine Contrast ratio in movie mode, it has a 2ms response time (grey-to-grey), brightness of 300 nits, 160 degree viewing angle and 16.7cd/m.

Powered by LG's picture enhancing chipset, F-Engine, the W2284F has a resolution of 1680 x 1050.

UK pricing and exact availability to be confirmed.

Victor-JVC UX-Z2 Mini Audio System

I’m currently looking for a compact, yet cheap audio system for my office so that my staff won’t get bored during office hours. This one from Victor-JVC, UX-Z2 Mini Audio System, might not be on my consideration list since it’s expensive (€300, $404), but it looks really cool and has quite a great features, so I probably get one if I ever need a new audio system for my own. Features include an output power of 20W x 2, support for MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC audio files, USB port, CD/MD reproduction, and the ability to record audio tracks directly from CD to your USB flash disk.

Canon WUX10 LCD Projector

Canon officially announced the release date of its upcoming WUX10 LCD Projector. Coming to store in December, WUX10 adopted LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) technology that allows the projector to provide high-resolution images on the screen. It supports a resolution of 1920 x 1200, as well as 1080p video content. Furthermore, the projector also has an aspect ratio of 16:10, a contrast ratio of 1000:1. a brightness of 3,200 lumens, and AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System).

Priced at €11,300, Canon WUX10 projector is equipped with HDMI, two DVI-I ports, and an Analog RGB input.

Casio Exilim EX-Z20 - Doraemon Digicam!

Unlike other Doraemon’s gadgets, this one does not come from his pocket and can do anything “futuristic”, but at least, if you’re one of Doraemon’s fans outthere, this Doraemon-pimped Casio Exilim EX-Z20 digital camera is worth buying. In addition to the cute Doraemon design, the camera boasts an 8.1 megapixel CCD sensor, a 38 ~ 114mm lens with 3x optical zoom, a 12.4MB of onboard storage, a 2.6-Inch display, a MMC/SD/SDHC media card slot, and a face detection function. Moreover, it is also able to record video in H.264/AVC (848×480 resolution). Too bad it doesn’t have those see-through-anything or see-what-happen-in-the-future shots…

Casio Exilim EX-Z20 digicam will hit the store in December.

Pomera DM10 - Portable Notes Storage

Korean manufacturer King Jim presented an interesting gadget named Pomera DM10. It comes with a compact 4-inch display and a mini QWERTY keyboard, but it’s not a UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC), Netbook, or even a MID (Mobile Internet Device). Yes, Pomera is a simple, yet very handy portable notes storage. With this device, you can easily write important notes (or anything you have in mind). Everything you wrote will be kept inside its built-in memory (128Kb) as a txt file. I know, that 128kb limit is too small. Thankfully, the company also understand that and include a microSD media card slot on the device.

Later, you can import or move your notes onto your PC via USB port. But note that only Windows Vista and Windows XP-powered computers are compatible with Pomera DM10 at the moment. Hopefully, the device will support both Linux and Mac-based computer in the future.

Measures 250 x 158 x 45mm, Pomera DM10 Portable Notes Storage is retailed for 27,300 yen or about €200 ($256).

Panasonic Develops 3D Range Sensor Operable in Sunlight

Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd developed a 3D range sensor that uses a CCD image sensor and can be used at 100,000lx, a luminance equivalent to sunlight on a bright day.

The sensor is slated for release in spring 2009. It is expected to be used for FA, distance measurement, robots, user interfaces (motion capture), security systems (to count the number of people or to detect flow lines) and other applications.

The company released a "distance image sensor" in February 2005, but it can only be used at a luminance of 3,000lx or lower, which is equivalent to a fluorescent lamp. The new sensor is free from this limitation and takes a shorter time to measure the distance.

The range sensor irradiates a signal light on the measurement target and observes the reflected light. However, when the measurement is conducted in extremely bright ambient light such as direct sunlight, the CCD sensor is saturated with only the ambient light, making it almost impossible to detect the signal light.

In the new sensor, the amount of the electric charge corresponding to that generated by the ambient light is removed from the charge generated in the photosensitive unit so that only the charge generated by the reflected light remains.

Specifically, the sensor performs the following processing. (1) It forms a separation area for the charge component with a capacity variable depending on the intensity of ambient light. (2) The charge generated by the ambient and signal light components is accumulated in a photosensitive area. (3) The accumulated charge is transferred to the separation area to separate the signal light component corresponding to a supernatant portion. (4) The ambient light component is discarded (removed).

The sensor has a resolution of 16 (horizontal) x 120 (vertical) pixels and the view angles of 50° (horizontal) and 36° (vertical). The sensor comes in two models, the standard type with a measuring range of 1.0-1.5m and a response speed of 20fps, and the high speed type with a measuring range of 0.4-1.2m and a response speed of 56fps.

The sensor outputs 11 bits of distance data and 8 bits of grayscale data. It operates on a 24V power source, and the output data is transmitted through a USB 2.0 interface. The sensor measures 150 (W) x 60 (D) x 80mm (H) and weighs 740