TWICE RSS Feed http://www.twice.com/audio-video-rss.xml en Microsoft Unveils Xbox One Entertainment System http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-entertainment-system/107109 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Redmond, Wash. – Two months after Sony unveiled the first glimpse of its forthcoming PlayStation 4 console and 19 days before the start of E3 in Los Angeles, Microsoft formally announced here Tuesday its next “all-in-one” entertainment console – the Xbox One. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="730" height="548" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/12Xboxone.jpg?1369165897" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Redmond, Wash. &ndash; Two months after Sony unveiled the first glimpse of its forthcoming PlayStation 4 console and 19 days before the start of E3 in Los Angeles, Microsoft formally announced here Tuesday<br /> its next &ldquo;all-in-one&rdquo; entertainment console &ndash; the Xbox One.</p> <p>During a press conference that was broadcast live on the Spike channel and on the <a href="http://www.xbox.com/">Xbox</a> website, the company revealed the new platform will launch later this year, at an undisclosed price.</p> <p>This go-round, the Xbox is positioned more as an entertainment hub than a simple video game console, placing as much emphasis on movie and video entertainment, Skype video calling and second-screen interaction as it does on advanced (and in some cases exclusive) new gaming capabilities.</p> <p>The Xbox One console is said to offer eight times the graphic performance of the Xbox 360. It boasts 5 billion transistors, compared&nbsp;with 500 million on the predecessor, while the memory was boosted to 8GB&nbsp;from 512MB.</p> <p>Also included is a new 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray&ndash;capable optical drive, and a custom AMD 40-nanometer system-on-a-chip with both CPU and GPU processes.</p> <p>The &ldquo;soul&rdquo; of the Xbox One architecture was said to be its melding of three systems in one&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">&mdash;</font></span> the Xbox OS, the kernel of Windows and connecting the two for multitasking and effortless control.</p> <p>The system is comprised of three core parts&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">&mdash;</font></span> the console, the motion-sensing Kinect 2.0 device and a new controller.</p> <p>Microsoft also employs its Smart Glass technology that turns a mobile phone or tablet into a second screen to intelligently interact with the Xbox for enhanced, interactive viewing of TV shows, movies, music, sports and games.</p> <p>Xbox president Don Mattrick said that in developing Xbox One, the development team focused on making an &ldquo;entertainment console&rdquo; that lines up games, television and software and makes the user experience simple, instant and complete.</p> <p>The system is designed with voice and facial recognition as key input devices, with gesture and spoken control at the heart of the experience.</p> <p>Users can log into the system by speaking and the new system architecture can be audibly commanded to switch between content selections with simple spoken or gesture commands.</p> <p>Among the new system attributes is Snap Mode, which lets users play a game or watch a movie while calling up other content options in multiple windows on one viewing screen.</p> <p>The system fully integrates the Skype calling experience, using an advanced high-def camera in the Kinect 2.0 portion of the system. Users will now be able to have group chats using Skype on the platform.</p> <p>Live TV is now integral to the Xbox One experience, and Microsoft has teamed with ESPN to allow fantasy sports fanatics the ability to instantly call up players&rsquo; stats as they change in real time and to view clips of favorite players.</p> <p>Marc Whitten, Xbox Live corporate VP, said the platform will enable advanced capabilities for games, including monitoring a heartbeat during exercise activities.</p> <p>The new system controller was created with input from game players, Whitten said, and includes up to 40 design innovations. It also offers improved ergonomics and a new d-pad.</p> <p>The system will have DVR-like capabilities to record live gaming action and store memorable moments to post in the Cloud for bragging rights.</p> <p>The Xbox Live Cloud service has been vastly upgraded as well to support Xbox One with more than 300,000 servers, &ldquo;offering more computing power than existed in the world in 1999,&rdquo; according to the company.</p> <p>Microsoft Studios plans to launch 15 new games in the first year of Xbox One, including&nbsp;eight brand new franchises.</p> <p>Among some of the first games for Xbox One will be EA Sports&rsquo; &quot;FIFA 2014,&quot; &quot;Madden,&quot; &quot;NBA Live&quot; and &quot;UFC,&quot; which will all be released in the next 12 months.</p> <p>A new gaming engine called EA Sports Ignite was said to be able &ldquo;to blur the line between real and virtual.&rdquo;</p> <p>It will utilize the Xbox One&#39;s exclusive updates for enhanced game play.</p> <p>Phil Spencer, Microsoft Studios VP, said Xbox One games will also be &ldquo;more immersive, more personal and more connected than ever before,&rdquo; and revealed that the Forza Motorsport 5 racing game will be available at launch.</p> <p>Nancy Tellem, who heads Xbox TV studios, said, &ldquo;Xbox Live is about to become the next water cooler,&rdquo; and along with Bonnie Ross, who heads 343 Industries, revealed that Steven Spielberg will help produce a new live-action &quot;Halo&quot; TV series linked to the next iteration of the sci-fi shooter game.</p> <p>Microsoft also revealed an exclusive partnership with the NFL that will enable viewers to engage with live games in a new way, including making instant Skype calls with friends to talk smack as a favorite player scores.</p> <p>Activision also revealed that the &ldquo;Call of Duty: Ghosts&rdquo; game previously announced for the forthcoming Sony PS4 will also be available for Xbox One.</p> <p>This iteration of the game was designed around an entirely new engine, with advanced new graphics capabilities, more intuitive and reactive animation.</p> <p>Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg said all downloadable content for &ldquo;Call of Duty: Ghosts&rdquo; will launch exclusively first on Xbox One.</p> <p>Microsoft vowed to reveal more on the console and its related games at E3 next month.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-entertainment-system/107109" st_title="Microsoft Unveils Xbox One Entertainment System" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-entertainment-system/107109" st_title="Microsoft Unveils Xbox One Entertainment System" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-entertainment-system/107109" st_title="Microsoft Unveils Xbox One Entertainment System" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 3:47pm</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 19:51:46 +0000 Doug Olenick 107109 at http://www.twice.com Onkyo Builds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Into More AVRs http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/onkyo-builds-bluetooth-wi-fi-more-avrs/107105 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Upper Saddle River, N.J. — Onkyo increased its selection of A/V receivers with built-in stereo Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to four models. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Upper Saddle River, N.J. &mdash; Onkyo increased its selection of A/V receivers with built-in stereo Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to four models.</p> <p>The new additions are the $1,099-suggested 7.2-channel TX-NR828 and $1,399 9.2-channel TX-NR929.</p> <p>&nbsp;They join the $599 7.2-channel TX-NR626 and $899 7.2-channel TX-NR727, <a href="http://www.twice.com/../../magazine-issue-type/archive/onkyo-builds-bluetooth-wi-fi-avrs/105480">announced in March</a>.</p> <p>All four networked models feature Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, DLNA networking and Internet radio.</p> <p>The two new models and the NR727 are THX Select2 Plus certified. &nbsp;Onkyo is marking its 20th year participating in the THX program that certifies performance standards.</p> <p>In other feature changes, the 9.2-channel NR929 at $1,399 brings down the opening price of the full 11-channel implementation of DTS Neo:X post processing to $1,399 from the TX-NR3010&rsquo;s $2,299, thanks to the inclusion of 11-channel preouts, a spokesman said.</p> <p>A nine-channel implementation of DTS Neo:X was available in last year&rsquo;s line at $1,199 in the TX-NR818, he noted.</p> <p>With the launch of the $1,399 NR929, Onkyo also reduced the opening price of nine-channel AVRs from last year&rsquo;s $1,799.</p> <p>Both new models feature 4K Ultra High-Definition passthrough and up-scaling and Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz post processing. The $1,399 model features Audyssey&#39;s premium MultEQ XT32 room acoustic equalization, and the $1,099 model features Audyssey MultEQ room acoustic equalization.</p> <p>The top model features nine HDMI inputs, including a front HDMI input with Mobile High-definition Link (MHL). The $1,099 model features eight HDMI inputs, including one MHL-enabled input. Both feature dual HDMI outputs.</p> <p>With the $1,399 model, users can assign four of the nine available channels to power audio in zones 2 and 3. The $1,099 model offers powered zone 2 as well as zone 2 and 3 line outputs.</p> <p>The functions of both models can be controlled from the company&rsquo;s smartphone apps, including multizone functions.</p> <p>In this year&rsquo;s Onkyo lineup, features such as dual HDMI outputs, 4K Ultra HD up-scaling, and MHL HDMI inputs start at $599. MHL lets mobile devices send 1080p video with 7.1-channel surround sound to a home theater system. The port also charges the mobile device, and A/V playback can be controlled from the AVR&rsquo;s remote.</p> <p>InstaPrevue picture-in-picture previewing of connected video sources starts at $499 in the 2013 lineup.</p> <p>&nbsp;Dolby Pro Logic IIz post processing starts at $599, and Audyssey DSX post processing starts at $899.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/onkyo-builds-bluetooth-wi-fi-more-avrs/107105" st_title="Onkyo Builds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Into More AVRs" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/onkyo-builds-bluetooth-wi-fi-more-avrs/107105" st_title="Onkyo Builds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Into More AVRs" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/onkyo-builds-bluetooth-wi-fi-more-avrs/107105" st_title="Onkyo Builds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Into More AVRs" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 12:38pm</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:00 +0000 Doug Olenick 107105 at http://www.twice.com IHS Sees Positive Signs For 4K Success http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/ihs-sees-positive-signs-4k-success/107104 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Vancouver, British Columbia — Video display market analyst IHS said TV panel makers attending this week’s Society for Information Display (SID) 2013 Display Week are betting on a high rate of growth for UHD LCD TVs during the next four years. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Vancouver, British Columbia &mdash; Video display market analyst IHS said TV panel makers attending this week&rsquo;s Society for Information Display (SID) 2013 Display Week are betting on a high rate of growth for UHD LCD TVs during the next four years.</p> <p>These companies expect to ship nearly 943,000 UHD LCD panels this year, up from less than 33,000 units in 2012, according to the <a href="http://www.isuppli.com/">IHS&rsquo;s Display Materials &amp; Systems Service</a>.</p> <p>The next two years will see shipments ramp up even more quickly to 7.1 million units in 2015, on their way to reaching 20.8 million units by 2017, IHS said.</p> <p>The total rises much higher when including a type of lower-priced, lower-specification product called &ldquo;UHD-ready,&rdquo; panels, which mainly are targeted at the Chinese market.</p> <p>Suppliers collectively plan to ship as many as 4 million UHD-ready panels this year alone.</p> <p>&nbsp;The market research firm said TV manufacturers are looking to avoid the mistakes made with the launch 3D technologies a few years ago.</p> <p>&ldquo;Having learned from past mistakes, TV suppliers are gearing up to make UHD TV a success, determined not to repeat the mistakes they made with 3-D,&rdquo; said Sweta Dash, IHS display industry research senior director. &ldquo;However, the level of consumer demand for UHD is still not clear. Lower yields, higher costs, slower TV sales, lack of content and delays in production all will lead to lower shipments than many in the industry expect.&rdquo;</p> <p>IHS said the poor adoption rate of 3D was a wakeup call for major TV brands. By the end of 2012, only about 20 percent of all LCD TVs sold had 3D capability, according to IHS.</p> <p>Dash said 3D suffered from three major obstacles: content, price and technology. Regarding the latter, consumers didn&rsquo;t want to change their viewing behavior by wearing a pair of glasses.</p> <p>But unlike 3D, Dash said UHD does not require any change in consumer behavior, while providing greater depth to picture quality, giving a more immersive experience; while upscaling technology will improve even Full HD picture quality, without the need for a lot of available native 4K content solutions at launch.</p> <p>Still, IHS points out that many TV brands are actively working to provide native UHD content, either through upscaling or through the creation of proprietary UHD content solutions.</p> <p>Already, Japan has plans to begin UHD broadcasting as soon as 2014, two years earlier than originally planned. Also, 4K cameras and camcorders are now on the market, enabling creation of 4K content. Movies in 4K are likewise starting to show up.</p> <p>The increased focus on UHD LCD TVs comes in part from delays in commercialization for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs, an advanced technology that has encountered various challenges in manufacturing.</p> <p>As UHD is now taking over for the meantime, panel suppliers and brands are working aggressively to reduce prices, with lower-cost UHD TV sets expected later this year, mostly in sizes from 50-inch to 100-inch.</p> <p>Availability of low-end UHD LCD TV panels from suppliers, especially from Taiwan, may also help trigger UHD market growth, particularly in China, Dash said.</p> <p>Some brands are already planning to introduce a 50-inch UHD TV in China at a $2,000 price point.</p> <p>Pointing toward the prospects for long-term sustainability, IHS said top panel suppliers including: Samsung, LG Display, AUO and Innolux are&nbsp; introducing UHD TV panels, with TV brands like Sony, Sharp, Samsung, LG Electronics, Vizio and many Chinese brands planning to launch their own offerings later this year.</p> <p>The variety of products available, as well as the different price points and sizes for the sets, will help increase adoption rates, IHS believes.</p> <p>On the technological front, oxide thin-film transistor (TFT) is considered to be a superior technology compared to conventional amorphous TFT LCD for achieving higher-resolution products.</p> <p>But oxide TFT faces challenges in capacity and yield issues, whereas panel suppliers have been able to offer lower-cost UHD panels produced from conventional amorphous TFT LCD.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/ihs-sees-positive-signs-4k-success/107104" st_title="IHS Sees Positive Signs For 4K Success" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/ihs-sees-positive-signs-4k-success/107104" st_title="IHS Sees Positive Signs For 4K Success" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/ihs-sees-positive-signs-4k-success/107104" st_title="IHS Sees Positive Signs For 4K Success" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 12:36pm</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 16:37:43 +0000 Doug Olenick 107104 at http://www.twice.com Vizio Ships 42-Inch, 5.1 Home-Theater Soundbar http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/vizio-ships-42-inch-51-home-theater-soundbar/107098 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Irvine, Calif. — Vizio reports it has set pricing and begun shipping its 42-inch 5.1 home-theater soundbar with wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="3000" height="3000" alt="Vizio’s 42-inch 5.1 home-theater soundbar with wireless subwoofer and satellite " src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/12VizioSoundbarpix.jpg?1369146938" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Vizio’s 42-inch 5.1 home-theater soundbar with wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Irvine, Calif. &mdash; Vizio reports it has set pricing and begun shipping its 42-inch 5.1 home-theater soundbar with wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers.</p> <p>Introduced during International CES in January, model S4251w is now available at Amazon.com, Costco, Costco.com, BestBuy.com, Walmart.com, Vizio.com and in-store at Best Buy the week of May 27 for $329.</p> <p>The system features a wireless subwoofer that can sit up to 60 feet away and rear satellite speakers that connect to the subwoofer. It also has features Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround audio technologies, Vizio said.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/vizio-ships-42-inch-51-home-theater-soundbar/107098" st_title="Vizio Ships 42-Inch, 5.1 Home-Theater Soundbar" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/vizio-ships-42-inch-51-home-theater-soundbar/107098" st_title="Vizio Ships 42-Inch, 5.1 Home-Theater Soundbar" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/vizio-ships-42-inch-51-home-theater-soundbar/107098" st_title="Vizio Ships 42-Inch, 5.1 Home-Theater Soundbar" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 10:34am</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 14:36:12 +0000 Doug Olenick 107098 at http://www.twice.com Sherbourn Reenters A/V Receiver Market http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/sherbourn-reenters-av-receiver-market/107093 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Franklin, Tenn. — Component-audio supplier Sherbourn Technologies returned to the A/V receiver (AVR) market with the launch of the $899-suggested 7.1-channel SR-8100. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="251" height="101" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/SherbournSR-8100.jpg?1369141627" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Sherbourn’s $899-suggested 7.1-channel SR-8100 A/V receiver </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Franklin, Tenn. &mdash; Component-audio supplier Sherbourn Technologies returned to the A/V receiver (AVR) market with the launch of the $899-suggested 7.1-channel SR-8100.</p> <p>&nbsp;The SR-8100, available for a limited time at $799, is also the first new product available since the launch earlier this year of the company&rsquo;s&nbsp; <a href="http://www.twice.com/../../articletype/news/sherbourn-sell-av-components-direct-consumers/105200">new distribution strategy</a> of selling direct to consumers and direct to systems integrators. The company does not use reps or distributors to sell to integrators.</p> <p>&nbsp;The direct-sales strategy also enables the company to significantly reduce the price of its products. The company, for example, dropped the price of one component under the new strategy from $4,999 to $2,799. Likewise, the previous AVR available under Sherbourn&rsquo;s previous distribution strategy was priced at a suggested $2,999.</p> <p>&nbsp;Key features of the new model include embedded Bluetooth 3.0 with ability to stream the AptX codec over Bluetooth for enhanced sound quality.</p> <p>&nbsp;The new AVR also features steel chassis and solid extruded-aluminum faceplate to withstand installation rigors, 7x80 watts of amplification with all channels driven simultaneously, four HDMI 1.4 inputs with 3D support, HDMI output with audio return channel, and second- and third-zone audio outputs.</p> <p>&nbsp;It also comes with a trigger input and output, an IR remote input and output, RS-232 port for control, four stereo analog inputs, two digital coaxial and two digital optical inputs, 7.1-channel analog direct inputs for connecting an SACD player,&nbsp; balanced and unbalanced subwoofer outputs, and integrated headphone amplifier.</p> <p>&nbsp;Other features include vacuum fluorescent display, full-color onscreen user interface over live video, and Sherbourn Advanced Room Correction System to automatically calibrate and optimize performance.</p> <p>&nbsp;The receiver also features quadruple bass management with 12dB or 24dB per octave crossover filters configurable in 5Hz steps below 80Hz and 10Hz steps above 80Hz. It also features a parametric equalizer with multiple separate EQ banks, each of which feature 11 bands for each main channel and three bands for the subwoofer.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/sherbourn-reenters-av-receiver-market/107093" st_title="Sherbourn Reenters A/V Receiver Market" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/sherbourn-reenters-av-receiver-market/107093" st_title="Sherbourn Reenters A/V Receiver Market" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/sherbourn-reenters-av-receiver-market/107093" st_title="Sherbourn Reenters A/V Receiver Market" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 9:06am</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 13:07:46 +0000 Doug Olenick 107093 at http://www.twice.com GoldenEar Expands Custom-Speaker Series http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/goldenear-expands-custom-speaker-series/107086 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Stevenson, Md. – GoldenEar Technology shipped the newest models in its Invisa custom-install series of speakers, said to be virtually invisible because of their magnetically attached flat micro-perf grilles that hide the speaker flange. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="1271" height="715" alt="GoldenEar’s reference in-ceiling Invisa HTR7000 home theater speaker is said to " src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/Invisa%20HTR%207000.jpg?1369138579" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> GoldenEar’s reference in-ceiling Invisa HTR7000 home theater speaker is said to provide imaging that appears to come from across the front wall rather than from the ceiling. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Stevenson, Md. &ndash; GoldenEar Technology shipped the newest models in its Invisa custom-install series of speakers, said to be virtually invisible because of their magnetically attached flat micro-perf grilles that hide the speaker flange.</p> <p>&nbsp; The two models expand the Invisa series to four models following last year&rsquo;s launch of the Invisa 525 and Invisa 650. All four feature the High-Velocity Folded Ribbon Tweeter (HVFR) tweeters used in the company&rsquo;s in-room speakers to deliver the dynamic range and smooth extended response of long flat ribbon tweeters, the company said.</p> <p>The two models include the Invisa MPX multipolar in-wall/in-ceiling speaker, a rectangular two-way model at a suggested $499 each. It&rsquo;s said to combine the advantages of a direct-radiating speaker with the spaciousness and dispersion of bipolar speakers. The MPX speakers can be used as front-main speakers or as surround speakers in a home theater system or as multiroom-audio speakers, the company said. Wide dispersion is delivered by two 5-inch bass/midrange drivers, both of which feature wide-dispersion characteristics that are further enhanced by canting one woofer left and the other right, the company said. It comes with rectangular grille and features high-frequency equalization switch.</p> <p>The MPX&rsquo;s frequency response is 27Hz-35kHz with 90dB sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance. Recommended amp power is 10-250 watts/channel.</p> <p>The other Invisa speaker is the HTR 7000 in-ceiling reference home theater speaker, also at a suggested $499 each. The round speaker is intended mainly for use as a left, center and right speaker in a home theater, though it can be used as a surround speaker or as a multiroom-audio speaker. An optional square grille is available.</p> <p>&nbsp;The HTR 7000 features 10-inch round grill with 7-inch bass/midrange driver used in the in-room Aon 3 speaker, but the driver and tweeter are angled at 28 degrees towards the listening position &ldquo;so that they acoustically align directly at the normal listening position for exceptional imaging, superior frequency response, remarkable clarity and precise focus,&rdquo; the company said.</p> <p>To achieve open, &ldquo;boxless&rdquo; imaging that appears to come from across the front wall rather than from the ceiling, the company said it minimized deleterious diffraction effects and used multiple designs to optimize wave-launch into the room.</p> <p>The HTR 7000 delivers a frequency response of 25 Hz-35 kHz with 90dB sensitivity and nominal 8-ohm impedance. Recommended amp power is 10-250 watts/channel.</p> <p>The previously available two-way $249-each Invisa 525 and $299-each Invisa 650 are designed for in-ceiling and in-wall use for multiroom-audio applications. They feature wide-dispersion design and 5.25-inch and 6.5-inch woofers, respectively, and come standard with a round, paintable grille and an optional square grille. The tweeters pivot to further optimize performance, and a high-frequency equalization switch allows precise matching to any environment.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/goldenear-expands-custom-speaker-series/107086" st_title="GoldenEar Expands Custom-Speaker Series" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/goldenear-expands-custom-speaker-series/107086" st_title="GoldenEar Expands Custom-Speaker Series" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/goldenear-expands-custom-speaker-series/107086" st_title="GoldenEar Expands Custom-Speaker Series" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 8:15am</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:50 +0000 Doug Olenick 107086 at http://www.twice.com Cambridge Adds Wireless Hi-Fi Media Speakers http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/cambridge-adds-wireless-hi-fi-media-speakers/107085 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Champlain, N.Y. – High-end component-audio supplier Cambridge Audio has diversified into the tabletop media-speaker market with the launch of two high-power models incorporating Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth and Internet radio streaming. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="1000" height="750" alt="Cambridge Audio’s $449 100-watt Minx Air 100 and $599 200-watt Minx Air 200 tabl" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/CambridgeMinxAir200-and-100.jpg?1369138501" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Cambridge Audio’s $449 100-watt Minx Air 100 and $599 200-watt Minx Air 200 tabletop media speakers feature Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Bluetooth. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Champlain, N.Y. &ndash; High-end component-audio supplier Cambridge Audio has diversified into the tabletop media-speaker market with the launch of two high-power models incorporating Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth and Internet radio streaming.</p> <p>The single-chassis stereo speakers are the $449 100-watt Minx Air 100 and the larger $599 200-watt Minx Air 200. Both feature Ethernet ports and embedded Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for network connectivity. They use Apple&rsquo;s AirPlay to stream music from Apple&rsquo;s mobile devices and from iTunes-equipped computers. Bluetooth enables music streaming from other mobile devices in the AAC, aptX and standard Bluetooth SBC codecs.</p> <p>The speakers also stream music from UPnP- and DLNA-equipped PCs and servers when used with the Minx Air control app and with a UPnP control app installed on a mobile device. The mobile device streams music and redirects the music from a PC or server to the speakers via AirPlay or, if the mobile device is Android, via Bluetooth, the company&rsquo;s web site shows.</p> <p>The Minx control apps, available for Apple and Android tablets and smartphones, also let users choose from more than 20,000 Internet radio stations that the speakers can stream. The app also lets users choose Internet radio stations to store into preset buttons on the speakers, on their supplied remotes, and on the control apps. Five preset buttons appear on the speakers and 10 preset buttons appear on the supplied remote and control apps.</p> <p>The control apps also open the mobile devices&rsquo; music player and control the speakers&rsquo; volume, EQ, and bass response.</p> <p>Both models also feature RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs for wired connections to mobile devices and to TVs.</p> <p>The speakers also feature Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) flat-panel driver design, which combines elements of flat-panel and traditional pistonic-driver design to deliver wider frequency response, wider dispersion and a wider sweet spot compared with traditional drivers while overcoming the lack of bass in other flat-panel designs, the company said.</p> <p>The Minx 100 packs two 4-inch BMR drivers and a 100-watt Class D amp into a chassis that measures 13.9 inches by 7.2 inches by 4.6 inches.</p> <p>The Minx 200 packs two 2.25-inch BMR drivers and a 6.5-inch subwoofer into a chassis that measures 17.7 inches by 8.7 inches by 6.9 inches.</p> <p>The products, designed and built by London-based Cambridge, are marketed in the U.S. by Champlain, N.Y.-based Audio Plus Services, which also imports and markets multiple other home audio brands.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/cambridge-adds-wireless-hi-fi-media-speakers/107085" st_title="Cambridge Adds Wireless Hi-Fi Media Speakers" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/cambridge-adds-wireless-hi-fi-media-speakers/107085" st_title="Cambridge Adds Wireless Hi-Fi Media Speakers" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/cambridge-adds-wireless-hi-fi-media-speakers/107085" st_title="Cambridge Adds Wireless Hi-Fi Media Speakers" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 8:14am</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 12:15:32 +0000 Doug Olenick 107085 at http://www.twice.com Voxx, SuperTooth In Distribution Pact http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/voxx-supertooth-distribution-pact/107084 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Las Vegas – Bluetooth accessories maker SuperTooth entered into a distribution agreement with Voxx Accessories to market a co-branded line of portable audio equipment under Voxx’s Acoustic Research name. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="300" height="300" alt="VOXX’s Acoustic Research ARS60 Bluetooth speaker made by SuperTooth." src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/ARS60.png?1369138419" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> VOXX’s Acoustic Research ARS60 Bluetooth speaker made by SuperTooth. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>CTIA 2013</strong> Las Vegas &ndash; Bluetooth accessories maker SuperTooth entered into a distribution agreement with Voxx Accessories to market a co-branded line of portable audio equipment under Voxx&rsquo;s Acoustic Research name.</p> <p>&nbsp;The first product under the agreement, on display here at CTIA 2013, is the $119 ARS60 portable single-chassis Bluetooth speaker, which features a 16-watt RMS amplifier, two front speakers in its vertically oriented chassis, bass-reflex design, 3.5mm aux in, and ability to stream the aptX codec over Bluetooth to improve sound quality. Its NiMH rechargeable battery plays for three to 10 hours depending on the volume level per two-hour charge.</p> <p>&nbsp;The ARS60 is available in black or red at <a href="http://www.store.acoustic-research.com/">www.store.acoustic-research.com</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;Paris-based SuperTooth, which also makes Bluetooth headphones and portable Bluetooth hands-free speaker kits for car visors, will continue to offer Bluetooth speakers under its own brand, a spokesperson told TWICE. The company&rsquo;s Bluetooth speaker offerings include the portable Disco Twin speaker pair at $199/pair with aptX through <a href="http://www.supertoothstore.com/" target="_blank">SuperToothStore.com</a>. The Disco Twin consists of two vertically oriented powered 16-watt RMS speakers, which can be set up as separate left-right speakers each equipped with amp.</p> <p>They can be set up as separate left-right speakers without a wired connection between them to reproduce stereo, the company said.</p> <p>&nbsp;Yves Le Reun, SuperTooth sales and marketing VP, said his company teamed with Voxx Accessories because of Voxx&rsquo;s &ldquo;expertise and breadth of products&rdquo; in portable audio. He said the companies &ldquo;look forward to a long-lasting partnership.&rdquo;</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/voxx-supertooth-distribution-pact/107084" st_title="Voxx, SuperTooth In Distribution Pact" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/voxx-supertooth-distribution-pact/107084" st_title="Voxx, SuperTooth In Distribution Pact" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/voxx-supertooth-distribution-pact/107084" st_title="Voxx, SuperTooth In Distribution Pact" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 21 2013 - 9:00am</span> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 May 2013 12:14:17 +0000 Doug Olenick 107084 at http://www.twice.com Planet Audio Enters Bluetooth Speakers http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/planet-audio-enters-bluetooth-speakers/107080 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Oxnard, Calif. — Car speaker manufacturer Planet Audio is expanding into portable Bluetooth speakers with the launch of its new Lynx brand. Six models will make up the line initially. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-article-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_article_image" width="300" height="185" alt="The PA600B has a splash-resistant design. " src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/12PlanetAudio_LynxPA600B.jpg?1369077953" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-image-caption"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> The PA600B has a splash-resistant design. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Oxnard, Calif. &mdash; Car speaker manufacturer Planet Audio is expanding into portable Bluetooth speakers with the launch of its new Lynx brand. Six models will make up the line initially.</p> <p>The Lynx PA100B pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker features auto pairing, track and volume controls, a 3.5mm port, included aux-in and USB charging cables, LED indicator, and four hours of playback via lithium-ion battery. Suggested retail is $29.95; it will be available in May.</p> <p>The PA200B speaker ($39.95, June) has a fold-out design and the same features as the PA100B, but it adds a built-in mic so the device can double as a speakerphone. The PA300B ($44.95, May) and PA400B (price not available) have same features as the PA200B but have different designs.</p> <p>The PA500B adds an AC adapter (price not available), while the PA600B ($79.95, June) has a splash-resistant design and adds a MicroSD slot, bike clip and a carrying bag. It also ups the playback time to five hours.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/planet-audio-enters-bluetooth-speakers/107080" st_title="Planet Audio Enters Bluetooth Speakers" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/planet-audio-enters-bluetooth-speakers/107080" st_title="Planet Audio Enters Bluetooth Speakers" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/planet-audio-enters-bluetooth-speakers/107080" st_title="Planet Audio Enters Bluetooth Speakers" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 20 2013 - 3:24pm</span> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 20 May 2013 19:27:14 +0000 Doug Olenick 107080 at http://www.twice.com Panasonic Rolls Out ZT60 Plasma Series At Magnolia http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/panasonic-rolls-out-zt60-plasma-series-magnolia/107051 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-head-text"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Secaucus, N.J. — Panasonic officially announced suggested retails for its Viera ZT60 FullHD 1080p plasma TV series with advanced smart-TV capability. </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-upload-image"> <div class="field-label">Upload Video Image:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_upload_image" width="358" height="200" alt="" src="http://www.twice.com/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/256640-Bluray.jpg?1343954366" /> </div> </div> </div> <p>Secaucus, N.J. &mdash; Panasonic officially announced suggested retails for its Viera ZT60 FullHD 1080p plasma TV series with advanced smart-TV capability.</p> <p>Panasonic said the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/PanasonicUSVideos">Viera ZT60-series</a> plasma models, which include 65- and 60-inch screen sizes, will be available through approximately 400 Magnolia locations inside Best Buy stores beginning on May 20 through July 31.</p> <p>The ZT60 models include the 65-inch TC-P65ZT60 ($4,100) and the 60-inch TC-P60ZT60 ($3,500).</p> <p><a href="http://www.panasonic.com/">Panasonic&rsquo;s</a> smart Viera ZT60 plasma series features a &ldquo;Beyond the Reference&rdquo; Studio Master Panel that produces deep black levels for stunning picture quality, the company said.</p> <p>An Ultimate Black Filter delivers improved external light shading, clarity and light transmittance to reduce reflections from ambient light, sharpen pictures and provide higher contrast in bright environments.</p> <p>Panasonic said the ultimate black levels, contrast and picture clarity quality are achieved using a newly developed panel driving method and panel structure featuring its Air Gapless technology.</p> <p>The front glass is attached directly to the plasma panel itself by Panasonic&#39;s proprietary crafting methods. As a result of the improvement, dim and double images are averted by eliminating the air gap layer between the front glass and plasma panel.</p> <p>&ldquo;We are excited to bring to market Panasonic&#39;s best-ever plasma HDTV with the debut of our smart Viera ZT60 series introduced exclusively at Magnolia inside Best Buy,&rdquo; said Henry Hauser, Panasonic consumer marketing merchandising group VP.&nbsp; &ldquo;Panasonic&#39;s ZT-series plasma HDTV represents a new frontier in high-definition picture quality and reaffirms Panasonic&rsquo;s leadership in plasma TV development.&rdquo;</p> <p>&ldquo;This is a prime example of how we deliver our customer promise to offer the latest and greatest technologies available,&rdquo; said Amy College, Best Buy home theater merchandising VP. &ldquo;Our customers can maximize their home network and enjoy sports, movies and other entertainment in a new way with this extraordinary viewing experience from Panasonic.&rdquo;</p> <p>The smart Viera features in the sets include My Home Screen, which offers advanced personalization capabilities for quickly calling up apps and content by user preference.</p> <p>Swipe &amp; Share 2.0 connectivity creates a media hub for streaming and sharing photo and video content seamlessly with smartphones and tablets, while voice-recognition guidance executes spoken commands and provides voice guidance using text to speech functions to verbalize text content as it appears the TV screen.</p> <p>Panasonic also packages a Smart Viera touchpad controller and provides apps for smartphones to input searches.</p> <p>Also included is Viera Connect Cloud-based IPTV functionality that delivers access to a wide range of Internet-based video-on-demand content and applications; an enhanced&nbsp; dual-core Hexa processing engine; a web browser; DLNA connectivity; and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.</p> <p>An electronic touch pen enables handwriting or drawing electronically across the screen, to leave memos on photos on screen and transfer them back to smart devices. The pen (TY-TP10U) is an optional accessory.</p> <p>The ZT60&#39;s 3000 Focused-field Drive produces image resolution of 1080 lines for 2D images, delivering a wider color gamut (98 percent DCI color space) through a newly reformulated pure red phosphor.&nbsp;</p> <p>The ZT60 features THX certification in both 2D and 3D modes as well as ISFccc Calibration Mode with Advanced Calibration.</p> <p>Calibrators adjust the detailed picture setting with calibration software (CALMAN) provided by SpectraCal.</p> <div class='sharethis-buttons'><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/panasonic-rolls-out-zt60-plasma-series-magnolia/107051" st_title="Panasonic Rolls Out ZT60 Plasma Series At Magnolia" class="st_twitter_hcount" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/panasonic-rolls-out-zt60-plasma-series-magnolia/107051" st_title="Panasonic Rolls Out ZT60 Plasma Series At Magnolia" class="st_sharethis_hcount" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span st_url="http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/panasonic-rolls-out-zt60-plasma-series-magnolia/107051" st_title="Panasonic Rolls Out ZT60 Plasma Series At Magnolia" class="st_fblike_hcount" displaytext="Facebook Like"></span></div><div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-post-date"> <div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">May 20 2013 - 10:57am</span> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 20 May 2013 14:58:16 +0000 Doug Olenick 107051 at http://www.twice.com