Hasta La Gadget!

Sony is releasing 3 new multi channel integrated amplifier models: STR-DN1040, STR-DN840 and STR-DH740.

“STR-DN1040″ and “STR-DN840″ have Wi-Fi, cable LAN, Bluetooth, Airplay, and USB terminal built-in. “STR-DN1040″ has an MHL compliant HDMI terminal. By connecting an MHL compliant mobile device with a dedicated cable, you can play a movie or photos, etc. saved in the mobile device on a TV screen with full HD (1080p) and maximum 192kHz 24bit 7.1ch high quality sound.

All models have Sony’s unique technology “D.C.A.C.” (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) that measures acoustic characteristics in a room and corrects and maximizes them.

All models feature newly-developed “Linear large-bandwidth power amp” technology and make 20% wider bandwidth than in previous models.

STR-DN1040
Release date: July 20
Price: 68,250 yen

STR-DN840
Release date: June 25
Price: 54,600 yen

STR-DH740
Release date: June 10
Price: 42,000 yen

The début Google TV device from ASUS included several firsts for the platform, but a feature that slipped by our Cube review is the built-in ASUS Movie Player app’s AirPlay support. GTVSource noticed it in the YouTube for iPad app and a few others, but in our testing YouTube and Netflix only displayed content via their own AirPlay-like features. We were able to watch videos from within the iOS Photos app (ones we took with the built-in camera) using standard AirPlay, but not still images themselves. Digging into the settings of the Cube reveals options to disable the service or to change the display name that shows up on AirPlay sources. Overall, more doesn’t work than does, like AirPlay mirroring from iPads or Macs. That sort of inconsistent compatibility probably isn’t enough to push it past downloadable options like Airtight, but it is a welcome out-of-the-box treat that we hope sees improvements over time.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, ASUS

Comments

Source: GTVSource

Given Sony’s heritage, it’s no surprise that the company loves its audio — but we can imagine that some might be overwhelmed when the company has priced and dated the cores of its 2013 home and shelf audio lineups in one sitting. Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down. On the home audio side, both the BDV-N7100W and BDV-7100W home-theaters-in-a-box (N8100W shown above) are already shipping at respective $599 and $699 prices with 1,000W 5.1-channel output, internet-linked Blu-ray players and both Bluetooth as well as OneTouch NFC pairing. TV watchers who can wait until June will also see the STR-DN1040, a $599 7.2-channel receiver with 4K upscaling, Bluetooth, WiFi and 165W per channel; the $449 STR-DN840 receiver, which scales back to 4K passthrough and 150W per channel; and the $399 HT-C660 soundbar, which adds NFC pairing to the same wireless mix as the receivers.

Shelf audio is simpler, with every new entry arriving May 27th. Both the LBT-GPX55 (below) and LBT-GPX77 mini stereos offer a respective 1,600W and 1,800W of output alongside Bluetooth, NFC, a CD player (!) and dual USB ports at a $499 starting price. Those who don’t need their walls rattled quite so thoroughly can spring for the $349 RDH-GTK37iP boombox, which puts out a still-substantial 420W on top of Bluetooth, NFC, an iOS dock and attention-getting strobe lights. That’s a lot to process, we know. If you’re not satisfied even after that deluge of information, however, Sony’s pressers await after the break.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, HD, Sony

Comments

Source: Sony

Pioneer is releasing 2 audio amplifier models: VSA-1123 and VSA-823. Responding to the increased demand for 4K compliant products, these new audio amplifiers are compatible with 4K.

Regarding maximum output power, VSA-1123 is 180W/ch and VSA-823 is 160W/ch. VSA-1123 has 8 input/2 output HDMI terminals and VSA-823 has 6 input/1 output.

They are compatible with high-resolution audio types such as WAV, FLAC, AIDD and Apple Lossless, and feature Airplay, MHL and USB connections.

Through a dedicated application, the amplifiers can be controlled through iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

VSA-1123
Price: 88,000 yen
Size: 435 × 168 × 362.5mm
Weight: 9.8kg

VSA-823
Price: 56,000 yen
Size: 435 × 168 × 331.5mm
Weight: 8.6kg

Friday Denon announced in Japan the launch of two new AV Amp with the AVR-X2000 and AVR-X1000. Announced at 84,000 and 55,560 yen respectively both models comes with DLNA 1.5, WAV and FLAC Support in 24bit/192kHz, Audyssey MultEQ XT, Apple Lossless, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, USB, iPhone support and on Screen GUI.

AVR-X2000 Specs
Fully discrete, identical quality and power for all 7 channels (150 W per channel)
The plenty of network capabilities and functions allow you to enrich your entertainment world including:

1. AirPlay
2. DLNA 1.5 certified
3. Windows 8 compatible
4. Internet Radio
5. Spotify and Last.fm Online service support(availability depends on country)
6. Photo streaming
7. flickr
8. FLAC-HD (192kHz / 24bit), High-resolution audio file playback
9. Gapless Playback for WAV and FLAC

Support 4K video to enjoy 4 times higher resolution videos than current HD on larger displays and screens. (upscaling, pass through and GUI overlay)
Pre-out for zone2
Horizontal colour-coded layout of speaker terminals for easy connection, and included label sheets for marking speakerwires and HDMI cables
Improved Setup Assistant, providing easy-to-follow setup instructions with Graphical User Interface (Hybrid GUI, 9-languages)
7 (including 1 front) x HDMI inputs with 3D, CEC and ARC support, and 1 x HDMI output
Optimised Bass redirection, for powerful bass performance in configurations without subwoofer
Upgraded front panel design with two knobs (source, volume)

AVR-X1000 Specs
Fully discrete, identical quality and power for all 5 channels (145 W per channel)
The plenty of network capabilities and functions allow you to enrich your entertainment world including:

1. AirPlay
2. DLNA 1.5 certified
3. Windows 8 compatible
4. Internet Radio
5. Spotify and Last.fm Online service support(availability depends on country)
6. Photo streaming
7. flickr
8. FLAC-HD (192kHz / 24bit), High-resolution audio file playback
9. Gapless Playback for WAV and FLAC

Horizontal colour-coded layout of speaker terminals for easy connection, and included label sheets for marking speakerwires and HDMI cables
Improved Setup Assistant, providing easy-to-follow setup instructions with Graphical User Interface (Hybrid GUI, 9-languages)
5 (including 1 front) x HDMI inputs with 3D, CEC and ARC support, and 1 x HDMI output
Optimised Bass redirection, for powerful bass performance in configurations without subwoofer
Upgraded front panel design with two knobs (source, volume)