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Gift Guide: Sonos ZonePlayer S5

JP Mangalindan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Peripherals, Holiday Gift Guide

Sonos ZonePlayer S5 (Homebody; Under $1,000)

Ideal someone who wants to play their PC's music in the kitchen, living room or other room without having to configure a complicated media extender, the compact all-in-one Sonos ZonePlayer S5 ($399) is by far the most affordable wireless networkable speaker system in the company's lineup, with high-performance audio that rivals Bose's SoundDock and a user-friendly interface that makes maneuvering around music collections a cinch. There are a number of options for controlling it - a PC, Mac or a Sonos CR200 remote will do - but we recommend downloading the free Controller app onto an iPhone or iPod Touch. That way, users can access their iTunes collection or the thousands of free, searchable radio stations, all while taking calls and texts uninterrupted. Adding other ZonePlayers to the mix allows users to play different songs in other parts of the house at varying volumes, simultaneously. How's that for options?

Gift Guide: Sonos ZonePlayer S5 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gift Guide: Wadia i70i High-End iPod Dock

Chris Chiarella — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, iPod, iPhone, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Holiday Gift Guide

"High-end" and "iPod dock" are seldom combined, but Wadia Digital has made it so with its 170iTransport, a squat little component that can turn Apple's portable audio and video capabilities into a stellar home media server. The first product to offer iPod's native digital audio output--over SP/DIF coaxial cable, included--the 170i enables your compressed music collection sound purer than it ever has, enjoyed over a home stereo/home theater rig. Boasting component video, the i170 delivers your movie files to the TV or HDTV with exceptional clarity, too. In black or silver, with remote control and assorted docking inserts.

$379.99

wadia.com

Gift Guide: Wadia i70i High-End iPod Dock originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely

Tom Samiljan — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, iPhone, Switched Video, Mobile Software, Home Audio, Mobile Phones

The iPhone increasing lets you do many things, but playing a real piano in real time so far hasn't been one of them -- at least until this past week at CEATEC, the annual consumer electronics show held in Tokyo, Japan, which we were fortunate enough to attend. On display at the Yamaha booth was one of the more impressive iPhone apps we've seen to date: Called Finger Piano Share, since it lets up to 10 people remotely play a real piano from their iPhones via Wi-Fi (the piano must be of the MIDI-enabled Disklavier variety, of course).

You'll see a bit of what the app looks like in the above video. You tap a virtual key on your iPhone screen, and the real key plays on the piano. Finger Piano Share lets you play music of your own creation, improvise along with other folks simultaneously for some kind of abstract jam session, or play pre-programmed tunes by following onscreen prompts, a la 'Rock Band.'

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Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100?

Mike Kobrin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Reviews, Home Audio, Peripherals, desktops, Back to School, School Supplies

Question: I use my computer for most of my TV and movie watching and music listening, but my machine's built-in speakers sound bloody awful. I want a set of computer speakers that sounds good whether cranked up loud or turned down soft. And I don't want to spend a fortune.

Advice: The underpowered speakers built into laptops and desktops can suck the life out of any video or song. They're too small to handle bass, and not of a high enough quality to reproduce most of the detail and richness in the audio.

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What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best iPod-Enabled Alarm Clock Radio: Cambridge Soundworks i765

Tom Samiljan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Advice, Editor's Picks, iPod, iPhone, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews

A reader writes: I want a decent-sounding audiophile table radio that can not only handle my iPod, but also wake me up in the morning! The Bose Wave radio II looks nice, but I'm not sure I want to spend more than $300 on this. Just tell me what to get!

Sure, Bose's Wave radio II sounds great, but do you really want to shell out $350 for a high-end clock radio that doesn't interface directly with your iPod? Likewise, Tivoli Audio's $400 iYiYi looks and sounds as nice as it gets it gets for a table radio/alarm clock, but just don't count on it waking you up (its snooze button is hard to find when you're half asleep). And the other options - from companies such as Griffin, iHome, and iLuv - may look nice, but they don't stack up sound-quality-wise. So, which hi-fi table radio to pick? To us, the choice is clear: Cambridge Soundworks i765 'High Performance HD iPod/DVD Entertainment System' is every bit as feature-packed and aurally-satisfying as its pricier rivals, and yet can be purchase for as little as $200 (with the right rebates/mark-downs).

Essentially an iPod-video-enabled version of the company's line of high-performance table/clock radios, the i765 has all the features you'd expect from the category, including two speakers and a built-in subwoofer that can handle stereo or wide/surround-sound-like configurations (as well as precise and deep bass, even at high volume levels). Output and input jacks let you play music from non-iPod devices (like your cell phone or computer) and plug in additional speakers, respectively.

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Best iPod-Enabled Alarm Clock Radio: Cambridge Soundworks i765 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System

Sean Captain — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Slideshows, Home Audio

At the risk of sounding like a crabby old man, let's just say that you kids -- with your little white iPod headphones and cheapie home theater systems -- have no idea what you're missing. And as for MP3s, oh, don't even get us started mister (or missie).

Okay, you can find top-notch audio gear with some amazing new capabilities these days. Yet even over forty years ago, audio engineers had already figured out how to make premium sound -- albeit with tubes instead of chips -- that is as impressive today as it was then. High-end audio maker McIntosh revived one of those classic systems with a limited re-issue of its C22 Tube Preamplifier and MC75 Power Amplifier. Yes, you needed three pieces of gear to do what a little receiver does now, and that's just for stereo. They are bundled together into what the company calls its 60th Anniversary System -- though that's the anniversary of the company, not the gear.

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Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched Download: Hulu Desktop Eases Up PC TV-Watching Experience

Sean Captain — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Windows Software, Reviews, Home Audio

What it is: Hulu Desktop is a free, Flash-based application for Mac and Windows that plays video from the Hulu Web site, including full episodes and clips from ABC, Fox, and NBC television shows, plus a smattering of movies.

What we like about it: Hulu desktop brings a high level of polish to what was already a fantastic video site. Once you get the hang of the left-to-right organization, the interface is very easy and intuitive to navigate. You start by searching for a series, selecting from the most popular videos, or hitting up a cue of programs you've already built in this app or on Hulu's Web site. Then you click to the right to select an individual episode to watch.

The process if far more straightforward than scrolling around the Hulu.com site. And you don't even need to use the mouse. You can also navigate by simple keyboard shortcuts (directional arrows to move around menus, the space bar to pause, etc); or you can wield remote controls for the Apple Front Row or Windows Media Center applications. There are plenty of options during playback, such as fast-forwarding or rewinding the video by sliding along a timeline that pops up at the bottom of the screen. And multitaskers can reduce the currently playing video to a preview window while searching for new videos to play or add to the cue.

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Switched Download: Hulu Desktop Eases Up PC TV-Watching Experience originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McIntosh Celebrates 60 Years With $15K Audiophile 'Classic System'

Thomas Houston — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:46:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio

Back in the analog days, dads across the land would come home after a long day at work and spend hours fiddling with their high-end audio equipment, attempting to coax the perfect sound from their vinyl collection.

To celebrate 60 years in the high-end audio business, McIntosh has released updated versions of two classic stereo components from the 1960s, the MC75 tube amplifier and the C22 pre-amp. If you really need that oh-so-rich sound that only a tube-based system can create, you should probably order now; only 120 of these "Classic Systems" will be sold in the U.S. In tribute to another bygone era--those pre-recessionary days of luxury spending--McIntosh's vintage redux is priced at a cool $15,000.

Hit up this photo gallery for more pics from the recent unveiling of these neo-classical hi-fi systems, as well as a showing of other retro-cool McIntosh components from.

Continue reading McIntosh Celebrates 60 Years With $15K Audiophile 'Classic System'

McIntosh Celebrates 60 Years With $15K Audiophile 'Classic System' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Launches on Roku Player

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Home Video

Amazon Video on Demand has been in private beta on the Roku Video Player for about a month now, but now everyone can stream rentals and purchases to their TVs. The free Roku update enabling the service will roll out this week, and once it's installed, you'll be able to browse, rent, and purchase any of Amazon's 40,000 movies and TV shows. The interface is an extension of the familiar Netflix interface, slightly re-jiggered for selecting content directly from the box instead of the web, and payments are authorized with a five-digit PIN so the kids can't go on crazy buying sprees. Not a bad little bump for the $99 box, but until Amazon gets HD and surround audio we don't know if it'll be enough to take on the competition. Full release after the break.

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Amazon Launches on Roku Player originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Sirius XM Preparing to File for Bankruptcy

Ross Miller — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Portable Audio

Sirius XM is preparing to file for bankruptcy and could do so within days, the New York Times reports. According to the article, the move might be a calculated act to pressure Dish Network and EchoStar owner Charles Ergen into making an offer for acquisition. The Wall Street Journal says he offered to purchase the merged satellite radio group late last year and was then brushed off. Despite previous rejections, he's recently reaffirmed his desire try again. If it wasn't before, the honeymoon is now officially over.

Read - New York Times
Read - Wall Street Journal

Report: Sirius XM Preparing to File for Bankruptcy originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ludacris Talks About 'Theater of the Mind' in HD Surround Sound

Lee Bains — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, Switched Video, Home Audio, CES 2009

Rapper, actor and, now, high-fidelity pioneer Ludacris will release his latest album 'Theater of the Mind' on DVD in high-definition surround sound next month, Monster Cable Products CEO Noah Lee and the Atlanta MC announced earlier today at CES. As you'll see in the video after the break below, we were able to sit down with the multi-talented star to discuss his latest project.

Explaining his decision to put out the first rap album in this format, Luda had this to tell us:

I'm always looking to do something different, to be innovative, of course. Since [the record]'s named 'Theater of the Mind,' and it's themed after movies and great quality sound, I teamed up with Monster Cable, who has this thing HDS -- high definition surround.

While he deferred to "Head Monster" Lee for the mixing and mastering decisions, Ludacris was more than pleased with the results and plans on recording his forthcoming projects with the DVD format in mind. Speaking on the opportunities HDS affords, Luda told us, "You can bring in more instrumentation. Once you put it in surround, you hear more and more things without it being cluttered. Organized noise is the best thing."

We were given a brief demo of the disc and were summarily impressed by that "organized noise." On the hit single 'I Know What Them Girls Like,' the chatter preceding the track bounced around the five speakers, making us feel like we were in the middle of a house party (and a particularly cool one, at that, with Chris Brown, Sean Garrett and Luda in attendance). Shouted refrains and hand claps jumped from every corner. During the "lady in the street, but a freak in the bed" hook from 'Nasty Girl,' Ludacris spat directly at our grills, while synth pads leapt out at us from our left. Nasty, indeed.

As this release puts Ludacris at the vanguard of technology in the hip hop community, we wondered whether he might next embrace the most recent tech trend in rap: auto-tuned vocals. "Me personally, I haven't dabbled with it," he said, adding with a chuckle, "I'm cool on Auto-Tune. I'm good."

At least we know that Luda hasn't let high tech get in the way of good taste.

Continue reading Ludacris Talks About 'Theater of the Mind' in HD Surround Sound

Ludacris Talks About 'Theater of the Mind' in HD Surround Sound originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 Holiday-Themed Blu-ray Discs

Tom Samiljan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, TV, Home Audio, Holiday Gift Guide 2008

So you're either giving, or you're about to receive, an HDTV and want something to keep the whole family busy this holiday? Well, you're in luck (sort of), since HD versions of some holiday classics have started to make their way onto Blu-ray discs. Surprisingly, there isn't much in the way of TV classics like 'Rudolf, the Red Nose Reindeer' or 'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' but here are five solid holiday movies that will feel brand new in stunning 1080p high-definition.

'A Christmas Story'
Sure, this classic about the cute, bespectacled kid who wants a rifle from Santa is played over and over on TV every Christmas, but not in full, 1080p HD, which is why you'd want to invest in the Blu-ray disc. The release also includes commentary by director Bob Clark and Peter Billingsley (who played 'Ralphie'), a documentary on the 20th anniversary of the film, script pages, and, of course, the de rigueur trailer. A limited edition version comes in a retro cookie box and is big enough to wrap, making it a decent last-minute gift.

'Home Alone'
Finally on Blu-ray, this 1990 John Hughes classic starring Macaulay Culkin as the kid that gets left behind by his parents on their way to a Christmas vacation includes a load of (unfortunately SD) extras, including deleted scenes, bloopers, where the stars of the movie are now clips, and a brand-spanking new 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack.

'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Tim Burton's creepy Christmas tale - an Dia-de-los-Muertos-esque musical featuring sons by Danny Elfman - came out on Blu-ray earlier this year and looks stunning in HD. The remastered 7.1 soundtrack also breathes new life into the movie. Extras galore include everything from the previous DVD releases of the movie, as well as new content such as re-edited and new commentary by Burton, the original poem that inspired the movie, and D-Box code, which works with D-Box motion simulators that you can attach to your chair or couch (and annoy neighbors).

'Fred Claus'
The 'Wedding Crashers' director David Dobkin's humorous tale of Santa Claus's less accomplished brother (played by Vince Vaughan). While it's not quite a classic, it is funny. The Blu-ray release includes the usual extras such as director commentary, interviews with cast members, and a nice looking HD picture and 5.1 surround soundtrack.

'Elf'
Will Ferrell plays an oversized human adopted by Santa's elves who figures out he's not like the rest of them and heads down to New York. Bob Newhart is deadpan funny as Ferrell's elf Dad. The Blu-ray release includes directory commentary, a funny making of featurette with Will Ferrell, and generous deleted scenes and bloopers.

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5 Holiday-Themed Blu-ray Discs originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-On Review: i2i Stream Wireless Music

Chad Mumm — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Switched Video, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews, Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Ever wish you could make any audio setup wireless? We checked out the i2i Stream wireless audio system that essentially takes the place of a cord and allows you to stream audio from nearly any source. The kit comes with two combination transmitter/receiver devices and when you want to make a music source wireless, you simply connect the output to one of these small devices using the included 1/8-inchcable, turn the unit on, and press the "send" button. Then you can connect the other device to headphones or speakers, press the "receive" button and you're free to roam around your house with your iPod pumping tunes from your pocket to your living room stereo.

Since you have to charge each battery powered unit by USB, the i2i Stream doesn't seem to be a permanent solution for wireless audio, but the convenient size of the devices make it perfect for quick plug and play. We found ourselves streaming songs from our computer to show our friends in the living room, then using it with an iPod in the kitchen as a sort of music remote, and finally to play some late night 'Rock Band 2' with headphones (with the help of a simple RCA to 1/8" adapter from Radio Shack).

Once you get the units linked, you'll find that they work really well, but we had some occasional problems getting them to find each other when syncing for the first time. One of the units mysteriously turned off one time, and for $119 MSRP, we would like to see much more sturdy construction: The i2i Stream devices are plastic and feel cheap. Still, the system delivers what it promises, and the simple input/output design gives you an incredible number of options for linking your audio devices through the ether.

Hands-On Review: i2i Stream Wireless Music originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on Review: Boston Acoustics iDS-2 iPod Speaker Dock

Tom Samiljan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:14:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, iPod, iPhone, Reviews, Home Audio, Peripherals, Holiday Gift Guide 2008

It seems that not a day goes by when some new iPod speaker dock doesn't come out, but only so often do such products come from loudspeaker companies that have been around since the days of cassettes and LPs. Bose and B&W have offered up their models, but only now is Boston Acoustics getting into the iPod speaker game with this week's release of the i-DS2, a simple, one-piece iPod speaker dock from Boston Acoustics -- it's the first iPod dock from the company, in fact.

We got to try a model out this week and were impressed. Side-by-side with the much more expensive Bose SoundDock (which has been our favorite shoebox-sized iPod Dock until now), the i-DS2 actually sounds better (at least on the bass end) and louder -- and only costs $180.

It didn't quite outshine the much bigger, Hindenburg-shaped B&W Zeppelin, which can really fill a large room, sound-wise, but it's also about $400 less expensive (the Zeppelin is about $600).

Besides the all-white model we saw, the i-DS2 has customizable speaker grilles thanks to the Boston Acoustics Personal Options Plan (P.O.P.), which offers about six or seven different color options with ridiculous names like Chocolat (for brown) and Chili (for some kind of hot red). It also comes, of course, with adapters for all types of iPods, including the iPhone. Our only beef is that this thing is plug-in-only, so you can't really take it out to the yard or deck with you.

If you're looking for a sub-$200 compact iPod speaker dock with the ability to blast clear mid-range and thumping bass at high levels, you won't go wrong with the i-DS2, which is ideal for dorm rooms, small apartments, offices, or the den.

Hands-on Review: Boston Acoustics iDS-2 iPod Speaker Dock originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best iPod Docks for Your Dorm Room

Evan Shamoon — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, iPod, iPhone, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews, Back to School

With the possible exceptions of ramen and the occasional sixer of Natty Ice, there's nothing quite as essential for the scholarly life as music. And with all your music on your iPod, a quality dock can be just the thing to give your dorm room the moodiness it so desperately needs. Check out this handful of winners.

Next >>

Best iPod Docks for Your Dorm Room originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dr. Dre's Headphones Bring the 'Beats' for $350

Darren Murph — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:42:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Back to School

You can't put velvet in these earcups and call 'em nice headphones! As Mr. Chappelle would likely attest, there are no better headphones in which to drop the beat into than Dr. Dre's "highly anticipated" Beats. The master of chronic himself has slapped his all-but-forgotten name onto a set of cans (which we covered a few months ago), and is now ready to introduce 'em to the world.

Starting on July 25th, the crunk-inducing headphones -- which Switched reviewed back in January -- will be available exclusively at Apple and Best Buy (both online and in-store), though the buying experience would likely be way more gangsta if checking out at BeatsByDre.com. Still, for $349.95, we'd recommend looking at more respected names in sound, but if your street cred is sitting at rock bottom, you may have no other choice. Thug life, fool. [Source: Business Wire]

Related Links:

Hands-on With Monster's Dr Dre Beats Headphones

Dr. Dre's Headphones Bring the 'Beats' for $350 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Movies in Your Personal, Air-Conditioned HomeTheater Pod

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:06:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Home Video

As with quite a few things unveiled at CEDIA Expos, the Ovei is also aimed squarely at folks with wallets so fat they can hardly contain themselves. This home cinema pod made its most recent debut at the CEDIA UK show, where the creators explained that users could slip into the air-conditioned capsule and control their home theater and / or gaming experience via the built-in touchscreen.

We are told that it was designed by Lee McCormack and engineered by McLaren Applied Technologies, but aside from that, pretty much everything else remains a mystery. The Ovei can be ordered up now for around £50,000 (that's 100,000 of those depreciating greenbacks), but if you get 'em to toss in some foot pedals and a steering wheel (or whatever else you dream up), count on that figure heading north in a hurry.

[Via KanYeWest Blog]

Read - Ovei pod details
Read - Ovei pod live shots, video

Watch Movies in Your Personal, Air-Conditioned HomeTheater Pod originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, Vinyl is Back! (Again)

Christine Whitney — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Home Audio, Summer Fun

Hooray! As we reported last year, vinyl, our favorite music format, is rumored to be making a comeback. A recent CNN article asserts that from 2006 to 2007, manufacturers' shipments of LPs increased by 36%, while shipments of CDs dropped over 17%. In your face, CDs and MP3s!

Hard-core music aficionados laud the analog sound delivered by records as more continuous and superior to digital recordings like those found on CDs. And LPs are so much more handsome and charming! Case in point: Our first LP was Iggy Pop's 'New Values' but our first CD was Ace of Base.

With the advent of MP3s, we've trashed most of our CDs [full disclosure: we held onto 'The Sign'] but the LPs remain. DJs and other eccentrics like ourselves have long been faithful to the LP format, but lately it's starting to make an incursion into the mainstream, as many mega music retailers such as Amazon.com and Best Buy have started offering LPs.

Mega-chains are not expected to cause competition for indie record stores, as their clientele and musical persuasions are dramatically different. Top sellers from the corporate end include Madonna's latest 'Hard Candy,' and everybody's parents' favorite standby, The Beatles' 'Abbey Road,' which you'd be loathe to find at the neighborhood record exchange. [Source: CNN]

Yes, Vinyl is Back! (Again) originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Unveils New LCD-TVs, YouTube-Enabled TV, and Tiny Speakers

Will Safer — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, TV, Home Audio, Home Video

Sony revealed a few cool home theater displays and components Thursday, revealing pricing and specs on some LCD displays, free content from YouTube and other online content direct to the TV set and a home-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) setup that features tiny but powerful speakers. All in all, a good day for tech watchers and home theater aficionados.

The seven new Bravia LCD TVs introduced are all HD models and feature Triluminos LED backlight and local dimming, which matches LED color backlighting to the LCD color display. The dimming feature helps reproduce better black levels, something the plasma TV makers have always claimed they're a bit better at reproducing with their technology.

The Web content is delivered by a new module Sony introduced that will fit onto the back of many of its 2007 and 2008 LCD panels, called the BRAVIA Internet Video Link. YouTube, CNET and C-Spot content is added to offerings from Yahoo!, AOL, Sports Illustrated, blip.tv, CondéNet's Style.com, Men.Style.com, Epicurious.com, Concierge.com, Sony Pictures' Crackle, The Minisode Network, Inside Sony Pictures, FEARnet, Ford Models, SingingFool, and VideoDetective. That's plenty to watch. The module costs $299 but since the content is all free we are certainly intrigued. (Note: Sony's not the only company to offer up Web content on its sets. For example, Panasonic's got content streaming on some of its top end units with VIERACast.) Other modules announced include a DVD Link (which attaches at DVD player onto the back of the TV) and and Input Link (more inputs onto the back of the TV. The Internet Link is available now, but the other modules will be out by the end of the year.

Finally, that HTiB with tiny drivers, called the HT-IS100 BRAVIA Theatre Micro System, has five speakers each about the size of a golf ball or a large strawberry (see the image above). It's designed for high-def input with three 1080p HDMI inputs with repeater functionality and support for eight channels of uncompressed audio, which means your Blu-ray Disc player, your PlayStation3 and other HD sources will work hand-in-hand with the system. Look for a price tag of about $700 on this system.

The new Bravia LCD TVs will be shipping this fall but pricing is not yet available. The lot includes the 55-inch KDL-55XBR8 and 46-inch KDL-46XBR8 models, which incorporate the outfit's TRILUMINOS three-color LED backlight technology, 10-bit processing, BRAVIA Engine 2, Motionflow 120Hz and Advanced Contrast Enhancer PRO. The 70-inch KDL-70XBR7 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR7 headline the XBR7 lineup, while the XBR6 features sets range from 32- to 52-inches in size. [Source: Sony Electronics.]

Sony Unveils New LCD-TVs, YouTube-Enabled TV, and Tiny Speakers originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back Up All of Your CDs with Ripserver

Thomas Houston — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Home Audio

Ripfactory's Ripserver could be the perfect first step in cutting down on CD clutter. Available in 500 gigabyte and 1 terrabyte (1000 gigabytes) configurations, the Ripserver automatically rips and converts CDs to either MP3 or FLAC. The RAID storage option means there are two identical hard drives built into the Ripserver for backup purposes, and extra USB connections allow you to add additional external drives to increase your storage space.

The Ripserver runs a version of Linux and can run stand-alone or interface with many popular systems: XBox 360, PS3, Mac OS X, Windows, and more. As long as you have the Ripserver connected to your home network, you'll be able to access your music from everything from iTunes to your home stereo.

We're disappointed by the pricey £599 starting price and lack of video support, but we like the Ripserver's sleek design, expandability and ability to connect with many of our other home devices.

From Engadget

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Back Up All of Your CDs with Ripserver originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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