home theatre

The AV Division of Yamaha has introduced five low to mid-market home theater systems, called the HTiBs (home-theater-in-a-box). Standard across the range is front panel USB connectivity for other digital media systems and 100W subwoofers. Some models offer network connectivity with AirPlay to extend the flexibility and connectivity Apple base systems plus Yamaha’s CINEMA DSP 3D home theater experiences. They are also eco-friendly with the ability to reduce power consumption by 20 percent.

Your home Audio/Video system can now be controlled through the same HAI Snap-Link software. The new version of Snap-Link when used in conjunction with its Home Theater Extender (HTX) will allow you to use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (iOS devices) as a remote control. Also available is the HAI’s HTX2 mobile designer software, a tool that allows you to customize the user interface of your remote control – the different devices.

Last year at CEDIA Sony released its first 3D home projector, this year they launched the world’s first 4K home front projector, the VPL-VW1000ES.  The projector offers the highest resolution for a home theatre projector, over four times that of a HDTV.  The VW1000ES also employs an entirely new SXRD 4K panel, which produces outstanding deep blacks; when combined with Sony's Iris3 technology, the projector can achieve an incredible 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast.

Canadians with Samsung’s SMART Televisions, Blu-ray players and Home Theatre systems will soon be able to stream entertainment services from Zip.ca, a provider of on-demand movie and television content.  According to Samsung Electronics Canada, a Zip.ca application is coming soon to Samsung’s home entertainment systems which allows Zip.ca members the ability to instantly watch movies and TV episodes from Zip.ca.

Sony has introduced a new range of Blu-ray players and Blu-ray Disc Home theater systems for 2011. There are four standalone Blu-ray Disc players (BDP-S780, BDP-S580, BDP-S480, and BDP-S380) and three home theater systems (BDV-E780W, BDV-E580, and BDV-E280). Both ranges of systems are designed with the latest connected solution to allow access to the latest in online entertainment and in home connectivity. They have also introduced a 5.1 channel audio system to complement the Blu-ray player and home theater system.

Recently launched DivX TV is now available on LG Electronics Home Theater Systems LHB335, LHB535 and LHB975 and Blu-ray Disc Players BD550, BD570 and BD590.  The new systems are available to US shoppers from Best Buy and Amazon. Through the DixX TV platform owners of any of the above LG systems can now access on demand content such as internet videos, customized content and original web programming.

Netgear this month released its version of a wireless 3D HD networking home theater solution as part of its Netgear AV Series.  According to Netgear the new 3DHD Wireless Home Theater Networking Kit (WNHDB3004) is capable of delivering jitter-free 1080p high-definition video streaming throughout a home. The transmitter and receiver are built with MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output) technology to offer the best possible performance from some of the most demanding applications and systems.

Panasonic  who earlier this year in partnership with Best Buy released a new range of VIERA Plasma HDTV and 3D Blu-ray Disc Players; this month debuted what it said is it’s first full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc home theatre systems. The new models (SC-BTT750 and SC-BTT350) allow users to experience full 3D HD entertainment experience from the comfort of their home. Both systems deliver 5.1-channel sound and virtual 7.1-channel surround to reproduce the dynamic sounds that further enhance the enjoyment of 3D entertainment.

Onkyo has release two new HT-RC home theatre receivers (HT-RC260 and HT-RC270). Both models feature the latest in surround sound with a High Definition high performance 7.2-channel via Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. For inter components connectivity they both have a 3D-Ready HDMI-1.4a port, and are DLNA 1.5 and Windows7 compatible.  Both models have Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Onkyo's proprietary WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) amplifiers.  Onkyo HT-RC260 and HT-RC270 are available at retailers for $499 and $849 respectively.

Available in the shops this July is the Sony BDV-HZ970W Blu-ray 3D Home Theater Systems. The new BDV-HZ970W features Sony’s new full HD 1080p 5.1 channel; 802.11n USB wireless LAN adapter for access to the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Qriocity; two HDMI inputs with 3D pass-through, HDMI repeater function, and a universal remote. Owners of iPhone® or iPod® touch devices can control the players using “BD Remote” a free downloadable app from the Apple App store.  Also announced as part of the BDV-HZ970W introduction are three new 3D capable BRAVIA HDTVs (XBR-LX900, XBR-HX909 and KDL-HX800). These are available for pre-sale at the Sony Style stores.