AUDIO * VIDEO * NEWS * BUYER GUIDES * REVIEWS http://www.canadhifi.com/ canadahifi.com Headlining the new line-up is the 70" Crystal Series CX-70DHD, Runco's largest LCD flat panel to date. The CX-70DHD is perfect for rooms of distinction where a large screen size is desired, but where ambient light issues make front projection difficult and the glare of a plasma screen unacceptable. For true-to-life image quality, the CX-70DHD delivers an exceptional contrast ratio, superb gray scaling, and the ISFTM (Imaging Science Foundation) ISFcccTM calibration suite, including day and night modes for an optimal picture even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The CX-70DHD is the first LCD flat panel to feature Runco's proprietary external DHDTM video controller/processor http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=533 Here’s a link to a really neat website for all of you “Do-It-Yourselfers” out there: DIY Audio Projects  It contains detailed instructions on how to build just about any audio components yourself http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=532 Polish speaker manufacturer acuhorn has just announced the availability of its 5th anniversary nero125 loudspeakers.  This is a model from the company’s modern music line.  The speaker’s first version was granted Product of the Year 2004 Award http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=531 For those of you looking for new reference-quality demo material for your home theatres, you’d be hard pressed to find better than the long-awaited Blu-ray release of Michael Bay’s “Transformers”. Framed in 2.35:1 and presented in AVC-encoded  24 fps 1080p, Transformers visuals are absolutely stunning. Not to be left behind, the BD also features a Dolby True HD lossless audio track, a first for any video presentation of this film. The sound is, as can be expected, incredible, with first rate surround FX and deep, powerful bass.  All told it’s a perfect BD to use to show off your system http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=530 Sony unveiled two full high-definition 1080p BRAVIA® projectors (models VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10) offering more choices for customers looking for the ultimate home theater viewing experience. The new 1920x1080 progressive Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD™) projectors feature 24p True Cinema™ technology, delivering film-like performance. Built for the home theater enthusiast, the VPL-VW70 features 60,000:1 dynamic contrast, brightness of 800 ANSI lumens http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=529 Just in time for the holidays Sony will introduce two new BRAVIA flat-panel LCD high-definition televisions, the KDL-52XBR7 and the KLV-40ZX1M.   The BRAVIA KDL-52XBR7 LCD TV features 240Hz high frame rate technology, delivering exceptional motion detail in movies, sports and video games.   Meanwhile, the BRAVIA KLV-40ZX1M LCD monitor features a slim design measuring just 9 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=528 The new "Reference" line of high-end loudspeakers will consist of four models to be introduced between now and the end of the year. The Canton Reference 3.2 DC high performance full-range loudspeaker features Canton's first ceramic dome tweeter that sets a new higher standard for frequency response and power handling performance. The new Canton Reference 3.2 DC is a large floor-standing three-way bass reflex system with deep bass response and an exceptionally smooth high frequency response that is linear to 38.5 kHz http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=527   Looking for a Canadian-made device to protect your A/V gear from nasty power surges and the like? Look no further, as ULTRAPOWER®, a division of Ultralink/XLO Products, Incorporated, announces the introduction of the POWERSOURCE™ PS-103 to their ULTRAPOWER® line of AC power management and surge protection products. The PS-103 is rated at 1,080 Joules and provides an energy absorbing "shield" around components connected to the device, protecting them from dangerous and polluted conditions that can affect performance and even cause long term damage. The POWERSOURCE™ PS-103 features three AC outlets with high frequency filtering to reduce EMI/RFI interference and other noise in the AC line http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=526         DVDO announced today the introduction of a new video processor, the DVDO EDGE. The  EDGE upconverts all video formats up to 1080P output, and improves image quality through its full complement of Anchor Bay’s Video Reference Series™ (VRS™) technologies.  EDGE is also an A/V hub, with 6 HDMI 1.3 “Deep Color” inputs, 2 HDMI 1.3 outputs and a complete array of analog and digital A/V connections.  Its new user interface makes setup and operation simple, and there are a number of new customization features allowing users to personalize their own setups http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=525 Four new CM Series loudspeakers offer more choice to customers who desire stylish looks without comprising on performance. A seriously grown-up three-way floorstander, a larger stand-mount model, a new center channel and the range’s first dedicated subwoofer join the three speakers already available, while a stunning polished black gloss finish offers a fresh new look http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=524 Ultrasone has just announced the first headphone in the PRO Series with S-Logic Plus technology: the PRO 900. This new technology results in an impartial acoustic feeling that allows the listener even more of a spacious tonal perception, resulting in a headphone experience that is second to none. Ultrasone’s PRO 900s are closed-back headphones that boast a classic black design, velvet covered black and silver ear pads and a diamond-cut logo insignia. The PRO 900 features a new 40mm titan-plated driver and a new soft USC-Cable that is paired with Neutrik connectors http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=523 Tivoli’s latest radio uses WiFi technology to play back music and other audio content, like podcasts, wirelessly from a PC. By setting up the radio either via WiFi or Ethernet connection, you can listen to Internet radio stations from around the world, streaming tunes from your PC’s playlist, or your favourite podcasts, from anywhere in the home. In addition to utilizing WiFi for Internet radio, the NetWorks radio also has a USB and auxiliary input for playing back tunes from a connected portable audio player or other device. It functions as an alarm clock as well, with sleep and snooze functions; and can play back local FM stations from its internal tuner http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=522 Rotel's new flagship "15 Series" feature multichannel home theater receivers, a preamp-processor, and power amplifiers, as well as power amplifiers designed exclusively for custom-installation. (Additional 2-channel series and associated models, will arrive early in 2009.) Two new A/V receivers and a new preamp-processor, all feature HDMI v1.3 connectivity supporting , and the forthcoming video enhancements Deep Color and xvYCC and full compatibility with the high-resolution audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS HD™ Master. All three components incorporate onboard video processing that delivers 1080p scaling with 24 Hz capability for reference-grade performance http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=521 Samsung has announced its next-generation Blu-ray player, the BD-P2500. It is compatible with BD Live features and adds enhancements like HQV processing and 7.1-channel analog audio outputs. It is scheduled for U.S. release in October at an MSRP of US$499.99. Canadian availability dates have not yet been confirmed. In addition to BD Live functionality when playing back compatible Blu-ray disc titles, the BD-P2500 also works with Bonus View. It comes equipped with an Ethernet and USB port, as well as 1 GB of internal flash memory for storing extra available movie content http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=520 Stewart Filmscreen Corporation has just introduced the Stewart Media Décor, an innovative deployment system that lowers a piece of custom artwork over a fixed Stewart projection screen (or a flat panel TV) when they are not in use http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=519 SANYO has just introduced the PLV-Z60, a very affordable 720p LCD projector that features SANYO's innovative 3D color management system, a high contrast ratio of 10,000:1, an installation-friendly lens shifting function, and many of other features representing a step forward in price performance for a home theater projector.   The bright PLV-Z60 is equipped with three wide 16:9 HD LCD panels that produce a 1280 x 720 pixels (2.76 million) image http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=518 SANYO has just introduced a new full HD LCD projector for home theaters and media rooms. While the PLV-Z700 is SANYO's entry-level projector it is equipped with a state-of-the-art Full 1080p HD 3LCD panel, the most advanced lens-shifting technology in the industry, a new variable iris, and SANYO's 3D color management system. The PLV-Z700 will be shipping in October 2008 with a MSRP of $1,995.00 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=517 The S-Airplay wireless multi-room audio system for the iPod utilizes Sony's S-Air technology for transmitting audio from the main docking station to other rooms in the home. All that’s required for the S-Airplay to work is for a separate S-Air wireless speaker to be plugged into a power outlet in another room. The system works for up to 164-feet, taking obstructions into consideration. The main system also charges the iPod while it’s docked. In addition to playing back iPod tunes, the S-Airplay is also equipped with an AM/FM tuner http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=516 Samsung Canada announces two new series of LCD televisions to the Canadian marketplace which go on sale this autumn. Both series of televisions feature the Samsung Touch of Colour design, full 1080p resolution, 120 MHZ Fast motion technology, DLNA compliancy and Internet connectivity. Samsung Series-8 LCD HDTV The Samsung 850 features Samsung's Touch of Colour design and features a narrow rose-coloured bezel and built-in tuner and half the width of a conventional flat-panel television - only 1.9 inches in depth at its widest point http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=515 Toshiba of Canada has announced its new video enhancement technology for DVD with the introduction of its XD-E500  upconverting DVD player.  More than just an upconverting DVD player, eXtended Detail Enhancement (XDE) takes picture quality to a whole new level,  providing upconversion from 480i/p to 1080p with 24 frames per second capability for greater detail, more vivid colours and stronger contrast that brings standard DVD quality closer to the HD experience http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=514 Parasound's Halo P7 preamplifier is designed for low-noise performance from classic stereo sources. The Halo P7 is both a two-channel and 7.1-channel analog preamplifier that can be an alternative to a surround processor if the TV used in the system switches video inputs and the user has multi-channel analog sources. It has analog bass management for stereo sources to enable subwoofer and small speaker integration. There is also volume control bypass for those who use home theater receivers to decode digital sources http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=513 Axiom Audio has just announced the availability of its new T2 in-wall loudspeakers, a breakthrough in performance and value for homeowners who enjoy the clean, low profile look of today’s wall-mounted plasma, LCD and projection HDTV systems.  Axiom’s T2 speakers nearly disappear into the wall—yet deliver the same high fidelity sonic signature found in the company’s immensely popular and critically-acclaimed M2 bookshelf units http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=512 Gemme Audio has just announced the availability of its new generation VFlex Extreme Katana, Tanto and Vivace loudspeakers.   The new generation VFlex loudspeakers are now shipping to resellers and clients across the world and will soon be available in showrooms in more than 20 countries. This coming September, Gemme Audio will attend the Top Audio Show in Milano, to present its new line at the Audio Point Italia booth, our exclusive importer for Italy http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=511 Sony’s next-generation Blu-ray Disc player, model BDP-S350, will be available later this month at Sony Style retail locations across Canada, sonystyle.ca, and other authorized Sony retailers.   The BDP-S350 supports BonusView (picture-in-picture), which is featured on select new Blu-ray Disc home video releases, and is also BD-Live ready, with an Ethernet port for easy firmware updates and access to Internet-based interactive content features http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=510   The MX-450 is Universal Remote's latest addition. It can be programmed and set it up in minutes without a PC or Internet connection. URC’s “MacroEdit” firmware enables full macro editing on the MX-450’s screen. With other remotes, should one programmed step prove problematic in a macro (because a delay is too short, for example), the entire macro must be deleted and completely re-programmed. With the MX-450’s MacroEdit on-screen setup, the macro steps are clearly displayed on the remote’s screen, and can be fine-tune, re-ordered, adjust delays and add steps to macros without deleting previous work http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=509 Elite Screens is introducing its Raptor projection screen, an electric floor-rising screen that conceals itself in a furniture cabinet. The motorized cross-rising system has variable height settings to accommodate different viewing environments. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and will be available in three sizes: 72, 84 and 100 inches. The cabinet that houses the Raptor Screen is available in matte black or cherry wood finishes. It also features Elite's MaxWhite FG fiberglass-backed material for a flat surface in 1.1 gain http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=508     Gamers get your controllers ready! Cineplex Entertainment and Xbox are pleased to bring the Xbox 360 gaming experience to the big screen in surround sound exclusively at select Cineplex Entertainment theatres across Canada. Beginning August 15th, gamers will be able to experience their favourite Xbox 360 games on the big screen outside of regular movie showtimes http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=507   Two new ZonePlayers have been added to the Sonos line-up of products that provide wireless, multi-room music listening, controlled from one, central location. The new models include the amplified ZonePlayer 120 (ZP120), which can be placed anywhere that you want to listen to your collection, and the non-amplified ZonePlayer 90 (ZP90) that can be connected to any home theatre or stereo system for streaming music http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=506 The re-vamped Monitor line retains all of the same technology as the v.5 series while adding updates such as modified phase-coherent crossovers, redesigned magnetic grilles and a luxurious new finish. For individual product updates, the Titan Monitor gains a new rear port as well as an updated voice coil for even better bass response.   In response to customer and dealer feedback, Paradigm did a complete re-design of the Monitor v.6 grilles http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=505 Not to be left at the gate, Sharp has also introduced its own line of LED-backlit LCD HDTVs. The SB series (LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U and LC-42SB45U) feature full 1080p resolution in 52- 46-, and 42-inch sizes (diagonal 52 1/32”, 45 63/64 and 42 1/64” respectively). All three feature a glossy piano-black bezel. The large-screen 1080p SB models feature Sharp’s Spectral Contrast Engine for deep blacks and crisp images. All three models also feature an impressive pixel response time of 6ms (6 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=504