Accessories Category Emphasizes Variety Of Debuts At CEDIA Expo

By Jeff Malester On Sep 5 2005 - 6:00am

Consumer electronics accessories products are making a big splash at CEDIA this week, with representations from a variety of categories.

Philips comes to town introducing two new Pronto remote controls at CEDIA — the TSU7500 and the TSU3500.

The TSU7500, at a suggested $999 retail, has a 3.8-inch LCD-TFT touch-panel color screen. The infrared unit offers USB connectivity, four channels, ProntoProEdit NG, 20 programmable timers and maximum charging time of three hours. With over 65,000 colors, the unit offers near photo-quality images.

The TSU3500, at a suggested $499 retail, also has a 3.8-inch LCD-TFT touch-panel color screen and infrared capability. Display colors number 16. Other than color capability, the specs of the two remotes are mainly compatible. Both are powered by nickel metal-hydride batteries.

In furniture, Morganville, N.J.-based Bell'O International is offering two models. The AVSC-2517MC audio/video system table pumps up rich tones and enhanced grain patterns in a highly polished real cherry wood veneer. The table, with powder-coated scratch-resistant metal and tempered glass, will accommodate flat panel, DLP or LCD projection televisions up to 63 inches, plus, up to six or more A/V components and a center-channel speaker. Suggested retail is $600.

Bell'O's contemporary home theater furniture system, AVS-2752HG, is constructed of high-gloss black powder-coated steel and tempered glass. The design will accommodate up to most 52-inch (AVS-2752) or 63-inch (AVS-2763) flat-panel plasma or LCD TVs, DLP or LCD projection sets and most direct-view TVs. It also holds up to four or more A/V components and a center-channel speaker. Suggested retail is $500.

Cable-makerTributaries, based in Orlando, Fla., is offering new (HDMI) cables designed for transmission of high-definition video and digital audio via a single cable. Silver Series model SDCH and Direct Series model DCDH cables enable the interconnection of components so that audio, video and control signals all stay in the digital domain. These ensure a digital-to-digital transfer that provides consumers with a home-theater experience similar to the way Hollywood and cable/satellite companies intended, said Tributaries.

Two new Tributaries' adapters provide solutions for the transition from DVI to HDMI. HDMI to DVI-D and DVI-D to HDMI adapters have a suggested $50 retail.

The Power Manager from Tributaries is designed to supply the necessary power requirements for today's CE multifunctional systems. System requirement features include surge protection, AC line filtering, programmable outlets, external DC power on trigger, onboard AC polarity sensing and voltage-reading meter.

The TX500 Power Manager is an 1,800-watt, UL-listed device designed to integrate the AC requirements for a home A/V system. The company also is featuring its TX1000 Power Manager.

Cable-maker Gefen is increasing the bonus features and capabilities of its high-definition digital video cable many dozens of feet beyond its just-over 3-foot specifications. And at CEDIA its new Ex-tend-it DVI RS-232 extender goes out even further.

The unit sends high-definition DVD video up to over 90 feet, to an extended display over industry-standard CAT-5 cables, thus cutting the cost of long cable runs. It also enables standard in-home wiring to be tapped into for HDTV home automation systems. It also offers RS-232 inputs/outputs that support the remote control of HD extended video. The RS-232 extender, from Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Gefen, has a suggested $599 retail.

Gefen also has released a new version of an old favorite with its DVI-1000 ST high-definition video extender designed for rental and staging. It operates like the DVI-1000 HD video extender but is equipped with more durable fiber-optics cable connectors.

The Gefen DVI-1000 ST extends high-definition digital video up to 1,640 feet from source to display and is available in lengths of ranging from 33 feet to 330 feet. It supports high resolutions up to and including 1,080p or 1,920 by 1,200 for computers, and is equipped with DVI inputs and outputs to connect its sender and receiver units to the source and the extended display.

The cable is currently available at a suggested retail of $1,299.

A new mounting system for flat-panel TVs, from the Vogel's division of Audiovox, features “some of the most “beautifully designed and flexible-mounting systems on the market today,” according to Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Audiovox.

The Evolution 6000 line features optimally adjustable, adjustable and flat/fixed mounting solutions that can accommodate flat-panel TVs with screens ranging from 14 inches to 65 inches. The 6000 also includes Vogel's matching column for DVD and audio component display that “easily” guides and hides unsightly cables. Accessories for the 6000 include EFA6825 audio/DVD support at a $54.95 suggested retail, EFA6835 column system that holds 3 EFA6825 units also at $54.95, and the EFA6875 universal LCD adapter for 25-inch to 30-inch screen sizes at $69.95.

Two new power filters from American Power Conversion (APC) are an extension of the company's new line of dedicated A/V power management products. These two new models, the C5 and C10, are designed specifically for large retail chains.

The C5 provides 10 surge-protected and filtered outlets and the C10 offers 12 similar outlets. The units also offer EMI/RFI noise-filtering banks for digital, analog, video and high-current devices. Both will be available in North America during the fourth quarter from the West Kingston, R.I.-based APC. Suggested retail for the C5 is $99, while the C10 is $179.

Six UPS systems make up the new audio/video power protection being introduced by Chicago-based Tripp Lite at CEDIA. The systems feature “reliable” battery backup and surge protection.

Systems HTR22-2U, HTR15-2U and HTR10-2U provide the highest level of protection available, according to Tripp Lite. Three new line-interactive UPS systems — HTR07-1U, HTR05-1U and HT1000UPS — provide premium protection with automatic voltage regulation for A/V components.

In addition to the new UPS systems, Tripp Lite's audio/video power protection selection includes two power conditioning centers that take in rack-mount/console model HT3100PC and a model designed to protect flat-panel TVs and front-screen projectors, called HT500PC.

This Friday, Sept, 9, Brisbane, Calif.-based Monster will take over the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis to honor the Most Monsterous Custom Installation Dealers of the Year.

Called the CEDIA Monster Jam '05, the invitation-only event promises to be an “exceptional night of fun with entertainment and a prize raffle,” said Monster.

Noel Lee, head monster, will host the awards portion of the evening, presenting annual citations in four monsterous custom installer categories — retailer, specialist, installer and contractor.

Entertainment for the evening will feature the Monsterously funky sounds of the Rico Band and the San Francisco 49ers football cheerleaders.

The raffle giveaway is a trip for two to San Francisco for a 49ers home game during the upcoming National Football League season. Winners will hang out with Lee in his private luxury box — called the head monster's lair.

OmniMount is featuring its new glass and acrylic Twist LCD swivel at CEDIA. The highly portable mount supports 13-inch to 25-inch LCD televisions and can be placed virtually anywhere in the home for a 360-degree viewing vantage point, said the company.

The Twist allows consumers to place LCDs on a wider variety of home countertops, and offers a sleek and contemporary appearance, said OmniMount. Other features include 20-inch-wide bottom for stabilization, ability to support and swivel a maximum weight of 40 pounds and a fully assembled design. Suggested retail is $59.95.