AV Magazines

Sonance has added the X6R SST 'single stereo' design speaker to its in-wall Architectural series.

Ideal for hallways, smaller rooms, alcoves and bathrooms, the X6R SST combines a meaty 6.5in woofer with dual mid/high frequency sections to create 'full, spacious stereo sound' from a single speaker. Also new is a trio of ThinLine models, engineered for shallow-depth installs.

The two-way speaker is available in three incarnations, the round X6R TL, square X6S TL and rectangular X6 TL.

All use audiophile-quality carbon-fibre woofers and extended response silk dome tweeters.

All of the new speakers share the Architectural trademark 'true flush' finish and have a choice of fine-cloth finishes to blend in with the no doubt designer surroundings.

All are available now, the X6R SST retailing at $700 each and the X6R TL, X6S TL and X6 TL at $975 for a pair.

www.sonance.com

Humax has introduced the Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR, a Freeview+ esque set-top box.

The HDR sports a 320GB hard drive roomy enough to hold 80 hours of HD programmes or 200 hours of lesser quality standard def.

There's an eight-day EPG that promises to make it easy to plan any future recording action, with twin tuners able to record two channels simultaneously.

They also enable pause, rewind and fast forward of live TV alongside series recording, schedule tracking and split recording. Digital text, Dolby Digital output, HDMI, parental control and a couple of SCART sockets round out the package.

Humax claims that on its November launch it will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV and access SD TV, radio and interactive channels.

Arriving in November, it will cost around £300, though satellite installation is obviously not included in that price.

humaxdigital.com/freesat

New to the ever-popular portable speaker market is Altec Lansing's Orbit iMT237.

Actually an upgrade to last year's iM207 model, the new Orbit promises improved functionality and a nifty new rugged design.

Designed to operate on the go alongside an MP3 player, the speaker is small enough to be carried in a pocket or handbag and is light, robust and shock resistant. It even comes with its own neoprene cover and karabiner.

On the tech side, Altec Lansing says its acoustic tailoring allows for a 360-degree spectrum of distortion-free sound from the single drive unit.

User-friendly add-ons include battery light indicator and integral cable management. Three AAA batteries will see you through 24 hours of sound from any MP3 player, laptop, iPhone and the like.

Available now, the Orbit iMT237 retails at £30.

alteclansing.co.uk

New from Philips in the Far East comes the GoGear LUXE MP3 player, which features Bluetooth compatibility with your mobile phone so you won't miss a call while listening to tunes.

The GoGear LUXE is a flash-based device with 2GB capacity, one-line LCD showing track info or the number of the person calling your mobile (when connected, obviously), FM tuner and ten-hour battery life from a single charge.

Sporting Bluetooth v2.1, it pairs wirelessly with your compatible mobile and automatically registers when calls come through, fading the music down and letting you decide to answer or not.

The LUXE benefits from Philips' in-house FullSound technology that promises CD levels of quality enhancement from digital tracks.

It launches next month in Singapore and in silver and red is certainly a unique looking device. No word yet on a European launch date.

philips.com

It was inevitable as the inexorable march of technology moves on, and it's finally been announced that shipments of High-Definition screens have now surpassed standard definition in 2008.

The current economic slowdown doesn't seem to have affected sales of HDTVs thanks to a drop in retail prices and increased availability, and the technology is enjoying a growth rate of 20 per cent annually.

The figures mean that by 2012 there will be more than 240million units shipped in comparison to 97million last year, while SDTV sales are expected to fall by around 27 per cent year on year.

As a result of this, by 2012 around 50 per cent of all set-top boxes will also be HD-enabled compared to the current figure, which sits at around 20 per cent.

Analyst for iSuppli Sheri Greenspan comments, 'The technology is everywhere these days, on broadcast television, on cable, on satellite, and on the internet. You can't escape hearing about something being broadcast in HD or getting the most out of your HD receiver or the most HD channels available'.

informationweek.com

The Victor Company of Japan is to immediately stop production of VHS video cassette players.

It's the final company still selling video players, and when existing inventories run out it will signal the end of global sales and the end of an AV era, as VHS finally slips into obsolescence.

The technology, which debuted (the year I was born) in 1976, brought 'cinema' into the home for the first time and signalled an explosion in the popularity of film.

More than 900million VCRs have since been produced globally, with JVC contributing 50million to that sizeable figure. But stats show that with over six million VCRs shipped in 2000, the 2007 sales had plummeted to only 280,000 units.

JVC will continue to produce some hybrid units with a DVD player.

tradingmarkets.com

Harman Kardon's DMC 1000 media centre has gone on sale in Blighty.

The 'sleek, single box' unit sports a 250GB hard drive and widespread compatibility. Content can be taken from portable media players including the iPod (via an optional 'Bridge' docking station), memory card, USB or from CD-R/RW for use on the hop.

It can rip CDs, be used as a DVD player, supports all video formats and upscales standard definition discs.

Harman assures it's easy to use via the supplied remote or touch-sensitive front panel.

Available now, the Harman Kardon DMC 1000 looks the business, but at £1,800 it's definitely for those not feeling the crunch.

harmankardon.com

Londoners could receive Freeview HD up to two years ahead of schedule if a proposal for a fast track scheme gets green-lighted, Ofcom has revealed. It could mean those opting to buy a Freeview HD box in the capital would be able to watch the World Cup in HD quality, for free.

In response to a request from the BBC, Ofcom has launched a consultation to look at reassigning some spectrum frequencies to cover certain densely populated areas sooner than originally planned.

Alongside London, Tyne Tees and Ulster were planned for a 2012 Freeview rollout, but the capital has been singled out for the fast track scheme because it is 'one of the metropolitan areas identified by the BBC and one of the most congested geographic areas'. Last week Ofcom announced that ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC were to launch Freeview HD channels in 2009.

The Ofcom consultation on the fast track proposal closes on November 19.

ofcom.co.uk

OmniMount has launched four new Echo models to its Moda 16:9 home entertainment furniture range with the Echo 63, 50, 50FP and A3.

Bedecked in real wood finishes and chrome accenting, the Echo 50 and Echo 63 tables are designed to accommodate TVs up to either 50in or 63in respectively, with areas below for storing your other AV kit.

The Echo A3 is a standalone designed tower, and the Echo 50FP features a cabinet with support posts on which to mount a flat panel screen.

Each Echo piece is benchmarked to hold up to 70kg in weight and sports indented channels on the rear to act as cable conduits.

Prices start from £250 and the range is available now.

omnimount.com

The market for mini projection is slowly starting to take off as the technology behind the 'Pico' projector develops, and this latest from Optoma will be the smallest and lightest in the UK on its November launch.

It can throw an impressive 60in screen and as it's the first to use DLP technology we have high hopes for the image quality.

Easy enough to use, you simply connect the Pocket Pico to a compatible media device and power it up - it's good for everything from a PowerPoint presentation to enjoying an impromptu film.

The first pocket projector to use Texas Instruments' DLP Pico Chipset, it delivers a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and even features a pretty pointless 0.5W mono speaker.

It weighs 115g and is battery operated to the tune of two hours on one charge - not bad, but not long enough for some films.

Available from November, Optoma's Pico Pocket Projector will retail at a reasonable £249.

optomapico.co.uk

Denon has unveiled its first reference standard Blu-ray player with the DVD-3800BD.

As you'd expect it's a bells and whistles model spouting 1080/24p, with upscaling to an image 'as near as possible to Full HD' and support for all of the major image improving technologies.

For imaging it sports a high-speed, high-precision 12-bit/297-MHz Video DAC and 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta chipset to deliver the highest resolution HD video available via its HDMI 1.3a connection. Denon Pixel Image Correction tidies up the edges on curves and there are myriad picture tweaking options.

Sonically, the player supports next-gen HD formats including Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, with Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit HD to wring the best performance from each circuit block.

God is in the details for Denon too, as it has gone the extra mile in terms of build quality and components as well as shielding and damping circuits and chassis to minimise interference.

The DVD-3800BD will be on sale in December in black, silver and 'premium' silver for a mighty £1,600.

denon.co.uk

Despite the ubiquitous credit crunch, Roberts is inviting us to 'indulge in some black magic' in the run up to Christmas with the launch of its shiny new - and admittedly rather lovely - piano black Revival DAB radio.

Alongside the standard DAB reception, 120-hour battery life, station presets and line-in for portable music player hook-up, the limited edition model is dressed in a 'fabulous' high gloss black finish replete with gold trim.

The new model retails at £200, with Roberts amusingly and aptly suggesting you 'conjure up' some cash in order to buy one.

robertsradio.co.uk

Pioneer has joined the list of manufacturers embracing the download age with the introduction of two DVD/CD writers for your computer in order to burn films and TV shows from the net.

Both the internal DVR-2910Q and the external DVR-X162Q DVD/CD writers come with Roxio Venue and Roxio CinePlayer software.

'With more and more Hollywood hits, television shows and independent movies becoming available in the near future, our burners will also provide consumers a convenient method to expand their disc libraries without the long search time and footwork', comments director of optical sales for Pioneer Electronics USA, Steven Cohn.

Release dates and pricing are as yet unavailable.

pioneerelectronics.com

Marantz has brought out a budget CD player in the shape of the CD5003, calling it the baby of the 'Range' line-up but promising it is packed with state-of-the-art engineering to deliver 'new levels of performance for the price'.

The CD5003 uses Marantz's M1 reference standard chassis with a design and construction solid enough to virtually eliminate mechanical vibration that can interfere with audio signals. Under the bonnet sits the company's current feedback HDAM SA-2 modules - the first time they have been used in an entry-level machine. The Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules replace single-chip 'off the shelf' amps, operating as a buffer amp and low pass filter to help preserve musical dynamism, structure, tonal quality, speed and timbral accuracy.

Also included is the CS4392 24-bit/192kHz DAC converter from Cirrus Logic, mirror image architecture to ensure symmetry between left and right channels for a perfect stereo image and a 'dependable' CD transport mechanism.

It can play CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA-enabled discs and displays CD Text like artist and track name on the display. Connectors include coaxial and optical digital outputs with high-grade gold-plated analogue outs.

The Marantz CD5003 is available now for £200.

marantz.co.uk

In what is claimed to be a world-first, Denon has added Audyssey's Dynamic Volume technology to its network-enabled AVR-3808, AVR-4308, AVC- and AVP-A1HD designs. Alongside this, owners of the AVR-3808 and AVR-4308 have the opportunity to boost their receivers with Audyssey Dynamic EQ as well as CES HDMI protocol support (these upgrades are already included on the AVC- and AVP-A1HD).

Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume level of whatever is playing millisecond by millisecond to ensure a constant listening level while optimising dynamic range to preserve the impact.

The system will also adapt the volume level for each source and for different material playing - so no need to change volume as you change album or film. Audyssey Dynamic AQ is a loudness correction technology that solves problems with deteriorating sound quality as volume decreases by taking into account human perception and room acoustics.

The upgrade service is available now, where 'owners can swiftly perform the upgrade, from the comfort of their homes, via the receivers' existing online firmware upgrade function'. The upgrade price sits at £75 for each model. Hit up the Denon website for details.

denon.co.uk

It was a long-raging debate between the world's favourite technology company - that's Apple by the way - and the record label of the world's favourite band - that's the Beatles and their Apple label, by the way.

But with relations thawed and disputes settled, there is hope that the Fab Four's music back catalogue may soon be sorted for the digital download market. In the meantime, for those who simply cannot wait any longer (and have a surplus of cash to spend), US department store Bloomingdales has unveiled a 'limited edition ultimate collector's box Beatles iPod set'.

Not quite what you may have hoped for however, the set consists of a numbered 120GB iPod in black etched with the Beatles logo on the front and Abbey Road on the back. So far so good. Rather than pre-loaded with tunes though, the set then features 13 Beatles CDs, alongside two masters, the Love CD and an engraved guitar pick. And it's all served up in a nice wooden box.

With 'only' 2,500 on offer, Bloomingdales must be confident of selling them all; otherwise it's hard to fathom the $795 price tag.

bloomingdales.com

Trust it to fall to the Italians to create something so eye-wateringly beautiful as this modern day redesign of the Radiofonografio, now monikered more simply (but less romantically) the RR226.

The groundbreaking original Radiofonografio was first designed by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965 kicked off a home AV revolution as 'musical component robot', featuring radio, amplifiers and record player (45s and 33s) in one designer package.

The 21st Century model has incorporated CD and DVD player into proceedings and has obviously upgraded the technology but otherwise remains as close to the original design as possible. The amplifiers are detachable and so can be moved around to create various configurations both for different sonic effect and also just so you can stick them where they look coolest.

The RR226 was first unveiled in its latest incarnation at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April, but as yet is not available for sale. We'll let you know exactly when we here it is however, along with what we expect will likely be a heart-stopping price tag.

brionvega.it

The Beeb has announced that its ultra successful iPlayer free download service is now available via Sky's online TV service, Sky Player, warming what were once frosty relations between the two media giants.

Sky's version of Auntie's catch-up service, which has been available on Virgin Media for a while now, will include a series of BBC branded sections including listings info and links to all of the shows available on the home iPlayer site.

So Sky Player now delivers access to live and on-demand content from numerous channel providers including all of the BBC TV channels, where viewers will be transferred to the BBC iPlayer home site.

Commented the Beeb's head of online media Anthony Rose, 'We are delighted to be able to offer access to BBC TV programmes to Sky Player users… This deal further underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many key platforms as possible'.

Sky's director of on-demand Griff Parry was equally as effusive on the 'partnership': 'Access to BBC content along with improvements to the user experience will further support the ongoing success of Sky Player... The addition of links to content from BBC channels further demonstrates Sky's role as a leading online aggregator with access to one of the broadest selections of online video'.

The Beeb's service goes from strength to strength.

sky.com

Samsung has announced it is working on and has near completed a new line of televisions featuring DivX compatibility.

The South Korean company has signed a multi-year deal with DivX to deliver a slew of DivX playing displays, with the first slated to arrive early next year.

The televisions will be able to play back DivX files directly via incorporated USB ports or Ethernet connection. Samsung already offers a range of DivX certified products, from DVD players to mobile phones, and there are already over 100million DivX playing devices worldwide.

More details should be available soon, so we'll keep you posted.

samsung.com

In a bid to boost its Christmas sales cable manufacturer Ecosse has announced an across the board 20 per cent reduction in prices of its HDMI Picture Perfect Ultra+ (pictured) and also Ultra Interconnects ('while stocks last', apparently).

Now, Ecosse HDMI Picture Perfect Ultra+ 1m length costs £95. Also available in 3m,5m,8m 10m,and 15m lengths. Their HDMI Picture Perfect Ultra in 1.5m length is now reduced to £79. Also available in 3m,5m,8m,10m and 15m lengths.

ecossecables.co.uk

Pioneer has teamed up with SIRIUS XM Radio to develop and launch the XMp3 'wearable' satellite radio and MP3 player.

Claimed to be the lightest and most compact wearable live satellite radio, it is the first to offer simultaneous multi-channel recording.

Using a MicroSD card upon which to store its media, it can record up to ten hours of individual songs from its live music channels, with listeners able to schedule up to five channels for simultaneous recording up to a maximum of 75 hours of content.

Also included are a programme guide, buffering to enable pausing, auto-record function and the XM2go Music Manager software for organising MP3 files. Complete with a good-sized screen, the XMp3 weighs a feathery 3.1oz and is available - you guessed it - in the States for $280.

xmfanstore.com

Apple CEO Steve Jobs may well have described Blu-ray, quite hilariously, as a 'bag of hurt', but despite the Thin White Duke's assessment of the next-gen disc format, there are plenty of us keen to watch Blu-ray quality flicks on our shiny MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Which is where Amex steps in with its new USB-equipped external and eminently portable multi-drive that serves up CD, DVD and Blu-ray playback and burning for any USB-compatible PC or Mac - which is pretty much all of them nowadays.

The drive will burn BD-RE/-R (single layer) discs at double speed, with dual layer at real time speed. Slot loading to keep the footprint to a minimum, the Amex drive measures 140x143x16mm and weighs 360grams, so isn't the end of the world to lug around with you.

It comes in black or white (not aluminium encased sadly for those early adopters of the latest gen MacBook), and is on sale across the pond at $289 for the BD playback only model and $389 for the playback and burn version.

amexdigital.com

A new companion as you go about your manly duties is being released by Intempo with the WorkMate digital radio.

The WorkMate is promised as a reliable and rugged splash-proof DAB/FM radio with a 'tactile' rubberised finish, making it perfect for your weekly Sunday afternoon DIY duties. Pretty basic looking in black with orange details, it's powered by four AA batteries and offers 20 presets to your fave radio stations.

Towing the slightly sexist stereotype line, marketing manager at Intempo Katie Richards comments, 'It's the perfect gift for dads and granddads so they can tune into talkSPORT while washing the car'.

If you've got some urgent DIY to tackle and need a new WorkMate, hit up Amazon and prepare to shell out £40.

intempo.co.uk

NEC has unveiled a new 'all-rounder' LCD display in the shape of the 24in MultiSync 24WMGX, part of the MultiSync GX series.

This third-gen model sports an A-MVA panel serving up 1920x1200 resolution, dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000:1, 500cd/m2 brightness rating, 6ms response time and 178-degree viewing angle. Connectivity is pretty comprehensive with VGA, HDCP-equipped DVI-D, two HDMI ports, and component and S-Video connectors.

The screen itself has a narrow piano black bezel, with OSD function, headphone hook-up and integrated 5+5W speakers. A fancy stand offers myriad tilting and height to suit the environment it's used in.

Available now, the NEC MultiSync 24WMGX will set you back £565 plus VAT.

nec.co.uk

Marantz has relayed news of its totally revamped mainstream 'Range' series of hi-fi kit with the flagship SA8003 Super Audio CD spinner and PM8003 integrated amplifier.

The SA8003 benefits from 'lessons learnt' during the construction of the £5,000 SA-7S1, and thus is bestowed with the new Marantz solid metal, reference-standard chassis and new front panel design. It's certainly meaty and claims to virtually eliminate mechanical vibration and significantly reduce electromagnetic radiation that buggers up the signal.

Inside there's a Zylon loading mechanism, a 24-bit/192kHz CS4398 DAC with DSD support from Cirrus Logic. Also in there are bespoke film capacitors, Shottky diodes and the proprietary Feedback Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules.

All components are housed in a symmetrical circuit with short, direct and mirror imaged signal paths for precise stereo imaging. Gold-plated connections complete the quality, while a USB port allows audiophiles to connect lossless digital files directly to the player's DAC for the best quality playback.

The SA8003 is available in October for £700.

Next up is the Marantz PM8003 integrated amplifier, 'sitting pretty' in the new MI chassis. Capable of delivering over 200 watts across its two channels and has a bespoke toroidal transformer as its beating heart. The low-impedance, wide-bandwidth power supply ensures huge energy reserves with instantaneous current delivery to drive massive speaker loads 'with absolute ease'.

A new dual-mono circuit topology as in the SA8003 provides improved stereo imaging, and features Current Feedback amplification for handling any speaker demands. The PM8003's feedback impedance is so low it means excellent frequency response and range and the 'best possible sound'. Componentry and build mirrors the SACD spinner above in quality, with a current feedback MM phono stage directly plucked from Marantz's £2,500 SC-11S1 Premium range pre-amp.

The PM8003 goes on sale in November for £630.

marantz.co.uk

New from the bods at BenQ are two short-throw projectors designed for the delivery of big pics in small spaces.

The higher end of the two is the MP771 XGA, which is capable of delivering a 74in image from only a metre away at 1024x768 pixel resolution. The MP771 delivers BrilliantColor technology, 3D Colour Management and Wall Colour Correction tech, with a 3,0000 ANSI lumens brightness rating and 2,000:1 contrast ratio.

The second model is the MP552ST XGA, which projects a 55in image from one metre distance also at 1024x768 pixel resolution. It too features Wall Colour Correction technology alongside a quick cooling function, 2,000 ANSI lumens brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and five-watt speaker. It also boasts a 'super-quiet' operating noise of 26-31dB depending on the running mode.

The MP771 retails at just under £860, while the MP552ST comes in at £500, both are available now.

benq.co.uk

IXOS has brought out a new eight-way power distribution unit with mains surge protector in the shape of the XHP280 AV PowerStation.

Designed with room for transformers and power supplies and featuring a mains power switch and LED indicators, it can protect mains, phones, networks and aerials.

The unit sports IXOSAFE.T Level 1 Circuitry with a 3,528-Joule capacity to ensure protection against voltage spikes, with all outlets disconnected if the voltage reaches 330 volts. The RFI and EMI Noise Filter decreases the noise floor by 70dB from 100kHz to 10mHz, preventing 'noise' from entering a connected AV system, which would hinder image and sound quality. With a two-metre mains lead, the IXOS XHP280V can be tucked out of sight, and is available now for £70.

ixos.co.uk