What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision - Shows and launches

Sharp majors on 'Quattron' TV technology, but no 3D models yet

Andy Clough — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:31:00 GMT

It's been a busy evening, with news ed Joe Cox over at Stamford Bridge where Samsung is unveiling its 2010 UK model range, while I've been up at the top of Centre Point in London admiring the view of the capital and getting the lowdown on Sharp's new Aquos 'Quattron' range.

Compared to the mammoth ranges recently unveiled by Sony, Panasonic, Samsung et al, Sharp has kept things fairly simple with three series and a single flagship model. You'll find no 3D TVs here, as Sharp remains more cautious about the 3D TV revolution than most of its rivals.

New Aquos Quattron sets are just 39mm deep

That's not to say the company won't make 3D tellies. It will, with a launch planned for IFA in Berlin in late August. But it's happy to watch and wait to see how the market develops between now and then. Sounds eminently sensible to me.

It's backing Freeview HD too, with the introduction of two Freeview HD set-top boxes in April, one a simple receiver, the other a 320GB PVR (personal video recorder). They'll cost £179 and £299 respectively.

Perhaps more surprising was the complete lack of any new Blu-ray players or Blu-ray home cinema in a box systems, both of which we saw at CES back in January.

Sharp UK managing director Paul Molyneux says a 3D Blu-ray player is "under consideration", but not until the second half of this year.

For now, the focus is entirely on Sharp's new Aquos Quattron TVs, with a £5m ad campaign kicking off in May. So here's the line-up in full:

Sharp LC-40LE811E

Sharp LC-LE811E Series

• Freeview HD built-in
• X-Gen panel with 'Quattron' technology
• Edge LED backlight
• Mega contrast
• Slim design
• HD-ready 1080p
• 100Hz
• Available in 40in and 46in
• USB application for video, music and pictures
• 4 HDMI terminals
• PC input
• Automatic picture control
• Eco picture control
• Dolby Digital Plus

Sharp LC-46LE821E

Sharp LC-LE821E Series

• Freeview HD built-in
• X-Gen panel with 'Quattron' technology
• Edge LED backlight
• Mega contrast
• Slim and full flat seamless design
• Time shift function
• HD-ready 1080p
• 100 Hz
• DLNA for photos and music
• Available in 40in and 46in
• USB application for video, music and pictures
• 4 HDMI terminals
• PC input
• Automatic picture control
• Eco picture control
• Dolby Digital Plus

Sharp LC-40LE921E

Sharp LC-LE921E Series

• Freeview HD built-in
• X-Gen panel with 'Quattron' technology
• Edge LED backlight
• Mega contrast
• Slim and full flat seamless design
• Time shift function
• HD-ready 1080p
• 200 Hz
• DLNA for photos and music
• Available in 40in and 46in
• USB application for video, music and pictures
• 4 HDMI terminals
• PC input
• Automatic picture control
• Eco picture control
• Dolby Digital Plus

Sharp LC-60LE920

Sharp LC-LE920 Series

Tech specs as LE921E, 60in screen only

Freeview HD boxes

Sharp TU-T2 receiver £179 (above left)

Sharp TU-T2HR32 320GB PVR £299 (above right)

Both on sale from April 2010

The Bristol Sound & Vision Show 2010

Andy Clough — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The doors are open and the Bristol Sound & Vision Show is underway at the Marriott City Centre Hotel, Lower Castle Street, Bristol BS1 3AD. We've got a brand-new demo room in the Bristol Suite, with a much bigger reception area for you to come and meet the team, see our 3D TVs in action and enter our show competition with £10,000 worth of fabulous prizes.

This year promises to be the biggest show yet, with the organisers confirming that a whopping 200 brands will be exhibiting – an all-time record.

Join us here and you'll be able to see hundreds of new hi-fi and AV products, plus the legendary What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision demo. This year we'll have our first ever demo of 3D TV, using a pair of 47in 3D TVs and 3D Blu-ray player, in conjunction with a KEF Reference 9.2 surround speaker system and Onkyo amplification. We'll also have a 46in Samsung 3D TV and Blu-ray on display at the front of the stand (see below).

And of course the entire editorial team will be on hand throughout the weekend to help solve your technical conundrums.

There will also be some great discount deals at the show, and a chance to win some great prizes in the annual Bristol competition.This year we've got £10,000 worth of prizes to give away, including a top-of-the-range Philips TV and Naim hi-fi.

Win one of these fantastic prizes!

The show will be open from 10am to 5pm every day, and tickets cost £8 (adults) or £4 for students/senior citizens on the day. Accompanied children under 16 are free. Full details on the show website.

To give you a taste of what's in store, we'll be bringing you daily updates here on whathifi.com in the run-up to the show. Keep checking the site for the latest details.

See 3D TV in action in our demo room in the Bristol Suite

Acoustic Energy – 102 & 104

Acoustic Energy will launch its new high-end Reference Series loudspeakers at the 2010 Bristol Show. Spiritual successors to the AE1 and AE2, the new Reference 1 and Reference 2 models feature advanced engineering and are finished in piano lacquered ebony (with matching stands).

The company says they have "new main drivers featuring massive under-hung magnets, a new tweeter, new high-end crossover and new cabinet featuring laminated acoustic rubber".

Adam Audio – 422

The major attraction this year will be the newly designed Compact, Pencil and Column from the Classic series, available in in Cherry, Walnut and Black gloss finish. The versions on demo will be passive, but the speakers are also available in active versions. You'll also be able to see the Tensor range.

Adam Audio Compact Mk3

Anthem AV Solutions – Executive Lounge

Anthem AV Solutions will introduce the Screen Innovations product range to the UK market, and will demonstrate the new Black Diamond II screens with the SIM2 Pro C4 in the SIM2 demonstration in the Executive Lounge.

The Black Diamond II 1.4 gain screen material from Screen Innovations uses ambient light rejection screen technology designed to allow front projector viewing in normal lighting conditions.

Apollo Hi-Fi Furniture – Bristol Suite

On show will be Apollo's classic AV and hi-fi furniture ranges, plus the new Zeus speaker stands and the firm's new wooden cabinets, made from a choice of real wood veneers and hardwood edging, which can be custom made for each customer's requirements.

Arcam - Rome 1

Star of the Arcam stand will be its new Solo Neo network streaming music system with internet radio, making its UK debut at Bristol.

You'll also get to see the AVR500 multichannel receiver, capable of decoding all the latest Dolby and DTS high definition audio standards. The AVR500's seven-channel amplifier is rated at 100 watts (all channels driven) but its large power supply ensures that it can drive even highly demanding loudspeakers without strain, says Arcam.

Arcam AVR500

Armour HE – Bays 1 & 2

New from Armour Home Electronics will be the Q Acoustics 2050 floorstanding loudspeakers, Q2 'Tip & Tilt' internet radio and the Q Acoustics Q-TV2X speaker system for 42in-50in flatscreen televisions.

You'll also be able to see the Q Acoustics 2000 Series in new designs and finishes, including 'Piano White'.

Both Goldring and Grado will be demonstrating their headphone ranges, including the 'Professional Series' PS1000 at £1795.00 per pair. And the 'Mi' all-in-one system from Myryad will be on display with its user friendly 'iPod' interface.

Q2 Tip & Tilt internet radio

Atacama – Bristol Suite, Bay 3 & 210

Unveiled for 2010, the Atacama Evolution is the first of the firm's next generation of AV racks. Capable of supporting plasma and LCD TVs up to and including 40in (TS version) or 55in (TL version), they also allow the TV mount to tilt 30 degrees and swivel 80 degrees in order to provide the best viewing angle, and include an advanced six-way mains block.

Supplied with two 6mm piano black toughened glass shelves made to British standards BS6206A as standard, with the option of up to a further three shelves being added if required, the UK designed and built Evolution AV support range is intended to complement any contemporary living space.

Atacama's new Evolution AV range

Atlantic Technology

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: First consumer showing of the new Atlantic Technology AT-1 Loudspeaker featuring the revolutionary HPAS bass loading system.

Atlantic Technology AT-1

Audio Italia – Conservatory

Audio Italia will use Bristol to present its new Stage Oner audio isolation platforms. These come in a wide range of sizes, colours, effect and finish including 'solid' (colours), 'quartz', 'sand', 'granite' and 'volcanic' effects.

You'll also be able to win a standard-sized Stage One Audio Isolation Platform. Competition entry is free and simply requires entrants to supply contact details at the Audio Italia stand along with the platform specification of choice. And Stage One Audio Isolation Platforms ordered at the show will be supplied with feet 'glides' at no extra charge (normal cost £36 for a set of six).

Audio Note – 426

After a long hiatus, Audio Note UK will return to the Bristol Sound & Vision Show, with its range of valve products on display.

beChocolate – 220

This is the first showing at Bristol for a brand-new hi-fi company from Belgium, beChocolate, showing its Puroh one-box DVD/SACD/CD receiver system with wi-fi, FM and internet radio.

It's hand-finished with six layers of a luxurious lacquer, in three colour options - Ferrari red, Mercedes black and a 1970s Fiat cream. There are four versions, from stereo to 5.1, and prices start at around £7000.

beChocolate Puroh

Cabasse – 320

One lucky visitor to Cabasse in room 320 will walk away with a pair of its acclaimed Antigua loudspeakers.

The Antigua, worth £460 a pair, is a two-way loudspeaker from the company's MT30 range. Just go along to the Cabasse room on the third floor of the Marriot Hotel in Bristol, experience the performance of the company's loudspeakers, and enter the draw to win a pair of these superb loudspeakers, in a sumptuous cherry finish.

Cabasse will also be showing the new Ambrose 3 loudspeaker, designed for use in home cinema systems, and the 500W Santorin 30 subwoofer.

The Cabasse Ambrose 3 joins the Altura MC range of loudspeakers. Designed as a dedicated left, centre, right and surround channel speaker, the two 17cm Duocell woofers – as used in the Egea 3 floorstanders – are positioned either side of the BC13 co-axial driver unit in a d'Appolito arrangement.

Cabasse Ambrose 3

Canton – 412

Check out German speaker manufacturer Canton's new Reference loudspeaker, and Xiva's musicm8 dedicated entertainment server, designed to store your music collection, photo memories, movie clips and more... effortlessly accessed via your web browser.

Canton Reference 1

Castle Speakers – Brussels Suite

Castle speakers will be returning to the UK at this year's Bristol Show, after an absence of several years. Now owned by IAG Group, maker of brands including Quad, Mission, Wharfedale and Audiolab, the brand had a loyal following in the UK for many years.

There will be two standmount models and a choice of three floorstanders. Prices to be confirmed, but expected to be sub-£1000.

Castle Knight 1

Chord Company – Foyer & 112

For the first time at Bristol, Chord Co's flagship range of Solstice cables will be available on its stand in the foyer, and Chord Co staff will be on hand offering advice on the best cables for your system. The famous, bargain-filled Chord Co shop will be open throughout the show.

Sign up for the Chord Co newsletter and get the chance to win exclusive Chord Co goodies.

Chord Company Solstice

Chord Electronics - Dublin suite

Chord Electronics will unveil two all-in-one systems, the Cyan Click - a Choral-sized digital integrated amplifier - and the CPM 2800, a full-sized integrated amp. These products need only a standard PC, MAC or Mobile, plus speakers to form a complete Chord System.

Using Chord's Open Source technology, music can be streamed wirelessly up to 250m and will play any stored music or internet music / TV, from any media software, from any computer, phone or PDA. The Cyan Click is available in 50 or 100 watt versions, while the CPM 2800 delivers 150 watts of power.

Chord Cyan Click

Classic LPs – Conservatory

Classic LPs (.co.uk) specialises in mail-order/online sales of brand-new vinyl reissues and new releases, specialising in 180 gram/audiophile remasters, classic rock, 1960s/70s, blues, jazz and contemporary music. See also Three Black Feathers Records.

Cyrus – Madrid

State-of-the-art CD players and award-winning amps that now include DACs are just part of this year's Cyrus presentation at Bristol. You can meet the Cyrus team, talk about your own system options and learn how any Cyrus CD player can be upgraded to the latest models.

The Bristol Show will also be the launchpad for the introduction of Vienna Acoustics loudspeakers, playing at the show with Cyrus.

Cyrus's ultimate CD player

Deltec Precision Audio – 322

Deltec Precision Audio is expanding its existing amplifier range with the introduction of the DPA-SA1, a 39W-per-channel stereo power amplifier, on sale in the UK for £2800 inc VAT.

It's aimed at customers looking for a "valve-like smooth, rich and musical sound, encompassing the control, detail and silent background that you get from a bipolar design", says Deltec.

Denon – Berlin 3 Suite

Denon's S-5BD 'Cara' Blu-ray-in-a-box home cinema system will make its European debut at Bristol. It combines a Blu-ray player with a 5.1-channel surround sound amplifier and is due to go on sale for £1999 in March.

Denon S-5BD Cara Blu-ray system

Diverse Vinyl – Terrace

Diverse Vinyl has been a show regular for more than 10 years, and 2010 is no exception. You'll find them in their usual spot (near the bar!) with all the very latest brand-new vinyl releases, heavyweight re-issues and a good selection of SACD and other audiophile products. They'll also be showcasing all the latest vinyl releases on the Diverse Records label.

Duo Distribution – 226

The Duo Media Centre will rip, store and play hundreds of DVDs and thousands of CDs, as well as store MP3 files and record and play Freeview TV from its twin tuners. It has eight USB inputs, HDMI, DVI and VGA video outputs, and a 3.5mm minijack. It costs £995 and is manufactured in the UK.

Duo Media Centre £995

Dynaudio – Copenhagen

New at the show from Dynaudio will be the DM 2/6 standmount speaker at £535. You'll also be able to see the company's flagship Confidence C1 speaker, and, at the other end of the price scale, the DM 2/6.

Electrocompaniet – 314

One-box audio/video streaming systems are all the rage at the moment, and Electrompaniet will launch its own version, the Maestro, at Bristol. We don't have a price yet, but we do know that the Maestro has a built-in Blu-ray drive, offers audio/video streaming, internet radio and an FM tuner. An iPod docking station and DAB tuner will be offered as options.

Also making its UK debut is Electrocompaniet's first stand-alone Blu-ray player, the Prelude BR-1.

Electrocompaniet Maestro

Exposure – 212

Come and see Exposure's new 2010S2 and 3010S2 ranges, including the 3010S2 Integrated Amplifier. And you can win a 3010S2 CD player and integrated amplifier worth £2460 in the show competition.

Exposure 3010S2 CD player

Fatman/Roth – Suite 10A

Fatman will unveil six new products, including the Wi-Tube/FatDock iPod system and Fatboy II speakers.

Check out the Olive 4HD music server in the Fatman/Roth AV Suite too. Not only will you be able to hear it in action, the Olive4HD will be on sale too if you fancy buying one.

Olive4 HD music server

Focal

Don't miss the world debut of Focal's £70,000 Stella Utopia EM speakers, sibling of the £110,000 Grand Utopia that wowed so many visitors last year. Focal representatives from France and the UK will be on hand at the show to answer all your questions.

Heed Audio – 218

Heed Audio may be best known for its phono stage, DAC and headphone amp, but the star of its stand at Bristol will be the UK versions of the Obelisk range, which it describes as "a modern take on a British classic - the Ion Systems Obelisk".

Featuring an all-new CD transport with "analogue-like" performance, a remote pre-amp, with the option of up to two internal DACs, power amplifiers with active crossover card slots and an integrated amplifier, it's aimed squarely at the music lover.

The system will also feature the new Zene MC cartridge, hand built to Heed's own specification by Benz Micro of Switzerland.

Heed Audio Obelisk

Henley Designs – 408 & 409

Henley Designs will demonstrate some of the latest products from Roksan, Pro-ject Audio and Fatman. New from Pro-ject will be the entry-level Essential turntable, with Pro-ject's own uni-pivot tomearm and Ortofon OM3E cartrdige and stylus.

Also on show, and for sale, will be a wide selection of products from Henley's portfolio, such as Ortofon (cartridges & styli), van den Hul (cables), Fatman (ipod valve amplification) and Lehmann (phono and headphone pre-amplifiers).

HIAudio Distribution

Oppo fans will get to see and hear the £1299 Oppo BDP-83SE NuForce Edition universal Blu-ray player, distributed in the UK by HIAudio after being modified in Taiwan.

Key upgrades on the BDP-83SE include an an improved power supply and new analogue audio stage. In addition, the Oppo BDP-83SE NuForce features new ESS Sabre32 9016 DAC chips, used four-per-channel on the left and right stereo analogue outputs, and a Sabre Premier (ES9006) DAC chip for its 7.1 multichannel ouput.

HIAudio will be demonstrating the Oppo's CD and SACD capabilities at Bristol, as well as its music streaming capabilities via USB from an external hard drive.

Oppo BDP-83SE NuForce Edition

High End Cable/Raidho – 226

This will be High End Cable's first year at Bristol, and it will be running a series of "relaxed yet informative" demonstrations throughout the show.

The Audience adeptResponse aR8 mains conditioner will be on permanent display, as will the brand-new Raidho Ayra C-2 floorstanding speakers, now available in the UK. Go along, have a listen and grab yourself up to 20 per cent off on cables purchased at the show.

Ikon Audio Consultants – 416

There'll be lots of new goodies to feast your eyes (and ears) on, including the Audioplan Kontrast V and Audioplan Kontrapunkt IVB speakers, the ISEM Xtasis Class A/AB (65W) integrated amplifier, the Audioplan PowerStar S power/mains distribution box and the Audioplan FineFilterS & PowerPlant 100S digital filter.

Ikon will also be showing the Fonel Audio Simplicite CD player and preamp from Germany.

ISOL-8 PowerLine

The PowerLine 6 mains distribution unit will debut at Bristol in four versions: PowerLine 6, PowerLine 6 Plus, PowerLine Ultra and PowerLine 1080. All four feature an anodised 6mm thick aluminium top plate and silver-plated copper wiring with PTFE insulation.

Isol-8 PowerLine 6 mains conditioner

JVC HD WORLD - Hotel Foyer

JVC will preview its new True Black home cinema projectors, the DLA-HD550 & DLA-HD950.

You'll also be able to see JVC's latest innovation, the XIVIEW LT-32WX50 Full HD Monitor, which is just 7mm thick at the panel's thinnest point, and weighs just 5.7kg.

KEF – Oslo Suite, 312

Take a glimpse at the future of loudspeakers as KEF's most radical design to date, the Concept Blade, is shown for the first time in the UK at The Sound & Vision Show, Bristol 2010.

This groundbreaking loudspeaker from KEF is the result of three years exhaustive testing, expert analysis and intricate experimentation. As a concept piece it highlights KEF's research and development prowess, showcasing the brand's cutting-edge capabilities that are sure to influence future speaker designs.

KEF Concept Blade

Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine – Foyer 1D, Ground Floor

Jon Monks will be cleaning records and cleaning visitors' records free of charge (one record per person). There's also a competition to win a framed copy of Ruby Ruby Ruby to celebrate the UK launch of the Ruby limited edition record cleaning machine.

Lee Godbold Ltd – Bay 4

LGL will unveil several new iPhone accessories from Shure and Kitsound. The Shure SE115m+ features the SE115 sound isolation earphones with an integrated Music Phone Adapter that controls music/video playback and answers/ends calls.

Kitsound will show off its 2.1 iPod dock system, and Real Cable launches onto the UK market with various products including the EHD360 HDMI cable with a patented 360 degree rotating plug on both ends for use with ultra-slim TVs.

Kitsound Boomdock

Leema Electroacoustics – 1008

Leema Acoustics will use Bristol as the launchpad for new products in its entry-level Spectrum Series of electronics.

You'll be able to see them in the Presidential Suite on the 10th floor of the hotel, where Leema's designers, Lee Taylor and Mallory Nicholls, will be on hand to answer your questions on the full Leema range.

You'll also be able to see the Tucana II, Antila II and the Reference Series Agena, Pyxis & Altair IVs.

Marantz – Foyer 2

Ken Ishiwata, Marantz Brand Ambassador and celebrated audio designer, is jetting in to the UK to host the Marantz demo at this year's show.

He'll be showcasing the Marantz SA-15S2 SACD player and PM-15S2 amplifier paired with Mordaunt-Short's new Performance P2 loudspeakers – the first outing for the P2s in the UK. Ken will also demo his 30th anniversary KI Pearl system, and will be signing a limited number of KI Pearl Books which you can buy at the show.

Mordaunt-Short Performance P2

Meridian Audio – Bristol Suite

Meridian's award-winning Sooloos Digital Media System will be at the show, and it now has even more ways to organise a digital media collection thanks to Meridian Sooloos 2.1, which offers music discovery, system-configuration, third-party control and interface features.

There will also be Meridian DSP products on show and, taking centre stage, the F80 DAB/CD system with iPod connectivity.

Meridian Sooloos system

Merlin Cables – Bristol suite

Merlin promises to display its complete range of mains cables, interconnects and loudspeaker cables – including the Award-winning Merlin Mozart and the brand-new Dragon mains unit – as well as show special products at great prices.

Monitor Audio – 206, 208

Visitors to rooms 206 and 208 will get the opportunity to experience the RX6 and RX8 models from Monitor Audio's Award-winning Silver RX range, as well as its new Apex A10AV12 5.1 compact sat/sub system.

Monitor Audio Apex A10AV12

Multi-Room Company – 218

Bristol 2010 will be the first showing of the new Atlantic Technology AT-1 loudspeaker – claimed to be the first speaker to feature the revolutionary HPAS bass technology (Hybrid Pressure Acceleration System) which enables the AT-1 to have the bass performance of a speaker three times it size.

The AT-1 will be driven by the new Heed Audio Obelisk system – CD transport, DAC, pre- and power amplification, all connected with AudioQuest cabling (see Heed Audio).

NAD – Rome 3
See NAD's new flagship M56 Blu-ray player and M15HD surround sound preamplifier. The Master Series M56 costs £1900 and fully supports all the latest high-definition audio and video formats, as well as streaming audio/video from the web or a home network.

NAD also plans to introduce its Masters Series M15HD Surround Sound Preamplifier, a powerful, versatile component designed to serve as the control centre of a quality surround sound system.

NAD M56 Master Series Blu-ray player

Naim – Bristol Suite, 118, 502, 506, 509
Don't miss the new Naim UnitiQute in action. It's a compact all-in-one system offering FM/DAB/internet radio, network streaming, iPod/Mp3 connectivity and a five-input DAC. It will be in the shops from March at £1350.

Naim's £1350 UnitiQute

Neat Acoustics – 224

Neat Acoustics is being a bit of a tease this year, only telling us that "there's something especially exciting brewing in the Neat listening room – be one of the first to see and hear it". The picture below is all we have so far.

Neat Acoustics: a new speaker perhaps?

Off-the-wall – Bristol Suite
Two brand-new TV furniture products from Yorkshire-based AV furniture company Off The Wall (UK) will be on display alongside its Origin Series at this year's Bristol Show.

The Skyline range (from £199) is based on a cantilever and is available in two sizes for screens up to 52in, and with clear or black glass colour options. All shelves are safety glass with rounded and polished edges.

The Profile range (from £329) boasts a stylish cabinet design to suit any screen size up to 52in and is available in Black, Silver, Oak and Walnut real wood veneer cabinet options with reversible black or silver side panels.

Off The Wall AV furniture range

Onkyo – Berlin Suite

Onkyo will publicly debut its new flagship, THX-certified Blu-ray system. It comprises three flagship components – Onkyo's new Profile 2.0-compliant BD-SP807 Blu-ray player, PA-MC5500 nine-channel power amplifier and the PR-SC5507 A/V network controller.

Onkyo THX Blu-ray system

Optimum – Bristol Suite

Hot news from Optimum will be a selection of new mid-priced models from BDI, alongside its already established range of premium TV and AV supports.

Revo from Optimum

Paradigm - Executive Lounge (SIM2 demo)

We're promised the UK launch of "the most powerful subwoofer in the world, and its slightly more demure sibling" from Paradigm this year. The Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 1 and SUB 2 are the flagship models in the range, and the SUB 2 is claimed to be "play lower and louder than any other subwoofer in the world", delivering 4500W of power.

If that's too much for you, the compact Reference Seismic 110 delivers 850W from a chassis measuring less than 35cm in any dimension.

The 10in woofer is driven by an RMS UltraClass DTM amplifier which can move the cone up to 2in, delivering "unbelievably deep bass from such a petite little frame", claims Paradigm.

Paradigm Seismic 110 subwoofer

Philips – Bristol suite

Pop along to the show and you'll have the chance to win a Philips 32PFL7404H, our Best Buy 32in TV in the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards 2009.

You'll also have the chance to see Philips' Cinema 21:9 – the world's first cinema proportioned TV screen (Philips 56PFL9954H) – in action, alongside the our 2009 TV Product of the Year, the Philips 42PFL9664H.

Win a Philips 42PFL9664, our 2009 Product of the Year

Pioneer

Central to the Pioneer stand will be its Genius Bar where visitors will be able to try out the company's new XW-NAS5 Bluetooth iPod dock and its range of AV receivers. The firm will also be showing its Pure Malt Whisky speakers, crafted from 100-year-old whisky barrels. And there'll be demos of Pioneer's BDP-LX52 Blu-ray player and SC-LX82 multichannel receiver.

Pioneer XW-NAS5 iPod dock

PMC – 202, 204

PMC will debut the compact fact.3 speaker that follows the fact.8 floorstander. You'll also get to hear PMC's ultra-compact 200W, DS-001 mono power amplifiers and Bryston's electronics driving a selection of the i-series range including the IB2i.

In addition see PMC's wafer-art concept – bespoke printed grilles trimmed with stylish frames. And enter the Bristol Show competition to be in with a chance of winning a pair of DB1i speakers.

PMC's wafer-art concept speakers

ProAc – 216

ProAc will show its new Studio 140 Mark 2 loudspeakers at Bristol Sound & Vision 2010. Available in black ash, cherry, maple and mahogany veneers and priced at £1650, the Studio 140 Mark 2 has new drivers, crossover and improved quality speaker terminal.

The tweeter is a direct radiating silk-dome design and the bass driver a carbon filled polypropylene coned unit. These are integrated via a revised high-quality crossover network to offer a speaker of "unparalleled musical performance at this price", says ProAc.

Quadraspire – 114

Quadraspire will celebrate its 15th Anniversary by introducing the Q4EVO and Sunoko-Vent hi-fi racks at the show. The firm describes the Q4EVO as "possibly the most cost-effective upgrade you can make to your whole system".

Quadraspire: celebrating its 15th birthday

QED – Bay 1

We first spotted the intriguing QED uPlay 'Puck' Stereo Bluetooth receiver at CES in Las Vegas, and it will make its UK debut at Bristol. The 'Puck' allows 'apt-X' enabled phones, laptops, mp3 players to send lossless, CD quality music wirelesslyto your hi-fi or AV system.

Also making its Bristol debut will be QED's entry-level 'Profile Series' interconnects. And the firm promises some great show deals, new speaker cables and its new flagship 'Signature' interconnects.

QED uPlay Bluetooth 'puck'

Rega – 418, 420

Highlight of Rega's stand will be its new flagship hi-fi components, the Isis CD player and Osiris stereo amplifier, each costing £5998.

You'll be able to hear them in one of two rooms at the show, the Demo Room, the other being a Turntable Clinic. Rega is encouraging you to bring your own CDs to listen to, and you can book a 30 minute slot for your own personal audition of the Rega Isis/Osiris system by emailing bookings@rega.co.uk.

And if your Rega turntable is in need of a spruce-up, you can pre-book a free service at Rega's turntable clinic during the show. There are 30 service slots a day, so again email Rega to reserve a time.

Rega Isis/Osiris CD player and amp

REL Acoustics & Vienna Acoustics – 309, 310

Bristol will mark the UK premier of the new Klimt series, the Vienna KISS speaker and the G Series from REL.

There are two models in the G Series range, the G1 and G2. The G1 uses a sealed cabinet with a 12in carbon-fibre driver, allied to a 700W Class AB ampliifier, while the G2 has a 10in driver and 500W amp.

The G1 goes on sale in April (price TBC), while the G2 will be available later this year.

REL Acoustics G Series subwoofer

Russ Andrews Accessories – 228, 230

New products on display include the £350 SuperKord Classic SD mains cable (win one in the show comptition), as well as the established ranges of Kimber and Russ Andrews hi-fi and AV cables and accessories.

Additionally, the team will be on hand to offer upgrading tips and advice, and Russ will be presenting his upgrading workshops.

Russ Andrews SuperKord Classic: £350

Sennheiser

Fresh from the Las Vegas CES show comes a brand-new range of personal earphones from market-leaders Sennheiser. There are no fewer than 22 new models, designed specifically for use with portable players.

SIM2 – Executive Lounge

This year SIM2's demo will feature two cinemas: one offering the ultimate reference cinema featuring the new C3XLUMIS and MICO50 LED projectors, the other demonstrating the latest in day-light projection viewing combining the Black Diamond screen with the ProC4 projector.

Processing and speakers are supplied by Anthem and Paradigm and product launches include the world's most powerful subwoofer, the Paradigm SUB2, and a preview of the exciting new range of Anthem receivers and Anthem BLX 200 Blu-Ray player.

SIM2 Mico50 LED projector

Sonos – Bristol Suite

See and hear the Sonos multiroom music system in action. It plays music libraries like iTunes that are stored on your PC, Mac, or NAS device, over 25,000 free internet radio stations, and the most popular online music services, like Napster and
Last.fm.

Spendor – 402, 404

Highlights of the Spendor stand will be its new ST Carbon speaker (£5,995) featuring a piano black finish with carbon fibre inlays, and the Spendor A9.

The company will also show the S3/5R, the SA1 mini monitor and the new A5 and Award-winning A6 floorstanding loudspeakers.

Spendor ST Carbon

Supra

Highlights of the Supra stand will include the AGS-10k High-End Ground Separator, aka the "Humbuster". It's designed to reduce hum when connecting your PC or media server to your hi-fi. It will be on sale at Bristol at a discounted price of £69.99 (RRP: £99.99).

And if you're having trouble with your HDMI connections, take a look at Supra's SA90+ and SA90- right-angle HDMI connectors. Usually they sell for £16 each, but you'll be able to buy them at the show for a tenner. Also new will be the HF100 HDMI cable (1.3c) with removeable housings.

TEAC – 316

Centrepiece of the TEAC stand will be the Reference 600 wi-fi/DAB/internet radio system. Other TEAC Reference systems – including the CR-248 DAB/FM/CD receiver, CR-258iB DAB CD receiver, DR-H358iB DVD/DAB rystem and the CR-H500DNT CD/DAB internet radio with wi-fi – will also be on show. And you'll be able to check out the Reference AG-H380DAB stereo receiver too.

TEAC Reference 600

Three Black Feathers Records

Three Black Feathers Records is a new label dedicated to reissuing classic folk albums on high-grade vinyl, providing limited definitive editions for collectors, with extensive liner notes, new interviews and archive photos.

The titles are remastered at Abbey Road on 180 gram and 200 gram vinyl for the ultimate in audiophile quality.

The catalogue includes Once In A Blue Moon by Lal Waterson and Oliver Knight, and Nic Jones' Penguin Eggs, as well as titles by Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson and Dick Gaughan. Future projects include reissues from Shirley Collins, The Watersons, June Tabor and many more.

Find out more about Three Black Feathers Records in our special blog.

Tom Evans Audio Design

Tom Evans celebrates its 20th anniversary by unleashing the new Model One floorstanding loudspeaker, fitted with Ted Jordan's full-range drivers married to an 8in long-throw bass unit. The new speaker will be used as part of its show demo system, along with: Groove +SRX phono stage, Vibe preamp, Pulse 2 PSU, Linear B monobloc power amplifiers, and a Townsend Rock 7 turntable with Townsend Excalibur arm and Ortofon MC3000 cartridge.

Totem Acoustic – 220

We've already mentioned the intriguing Puroh all-in-one system from beChocolate, and it will be one of the highlights of the Totem Acoustics stand, alongside Totem's own speaker range.

Totem Acoustic speakers

True Colour Industries – 414

The TCI Mamba stereo interconnect (£120/metre pair) will debut at Bristol. It's been two years in development and uses technology from the TCI Cobra. It has twin axial construction, locking gold RCA phono plugs, advanced aerospace-grade insulation and 19 x 0.32mm SP-OFC cores.

Vinyls Best – Bristol Suite

Vinyls Best is using Bristol to unveil the all-new Nokki (that's Dutch for "thumbs up", apparently) record cleaner. Plus there'll be some rare vinyl on sale, including Pink Floyd's Division Bell and withdrawn 1997 box set.

Vita Audio/Ruark – 106

Visitors to Bristol will get a sneak preview of the MkII version of Vita's R1 DAB radio, displayed alongside the R2i, voted Best Desktop DAB radio over £200 in the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards 2009, and the Vita R4.

The Award-winning Vita Audio R2i

Vogel – Stand 1, Bristol Suite

On display will be Vogel's recently introduced 8000 Series of TV wallmounts, including 'Superflat' models for the latest thin LED screens.

Wharfedale – Brussels

Wharfedale plans to focus its demo on the Diamond 10 Series of affordable speakers.

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision – Bristol Suite

The first 50 people to subscribe to the magazine at the show will receive a free Logitech Harmony 700 universal remote control worth £99. Stocks are limited, so they'll be available on a "first come, first serve" basis.

But don't worry, if you miss out on the Logitech remote we'll still have plenty of Award-winning Chord Company SuperShield HDMI cables (worth £50 each) available as part of our special subscription offer.

And don't forget to enter the show competition: we've got £10,000 worth of fabulous prizes to give away!

Logitech Harmony 700 universal remote

Wilson Benesch – Conservatory

The Conservatory will be "an oasis of pure analogue, two-channel sound", says Wilson Benesch, which is lining up two systems for the show.

System One will provide for wide bandwidth sound (18Hz to 100 KHz) via the latest incarnation of the A.C.T. C.60 speaker, with its elegant carbon composite and poly alloy construction.

System Two will provide visitors the chance to hear what the company describes as "tomorrow's technology at yesterday's prices", in the form of the £5500 Curve which is based upon the same drive unit technologies as its more expensive siblings, and sports advanced carbon composite construction and metal internal bracing.

Both systems will be augmented when required by the Patented Torus Infrasonic Generator, finished to match the A.C.T. C.60.

WireFreeHiFi

If you're in the market for a wireless way to stream music from your iPod/iPhone to a speaker dock, then check out the RX1 wireless audio receiver from WireFreeHiFi, designed to work with the Opera S5T wireless transmitter.

You can select album, artist, volume or next track from a range of up to 10 metres from the dock.

Opera S5T wireless transmitter for iPod/iPhone

Yamaha – Berlin

The brand-new YSP-5100 and YSP-4100 join Yamaha's highly acclaimed digital sound projector range. Both sound projectors utilise Yamaha's unique AirWired Technology (as used by the award winning PDX-50 iPod speaker), enabling a lossless signal to be sent from an iPod to the speaker system.

Yamaha YSP-4100 sound projector

Also on show at Bristol will be Yamaha's range of AV receivers and its new BD-S1065 and BD-S1900 Blu-ray players.

Philips 2010 product round-up

dominic dawes — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:08:00 GMT

There were oodles of new products at the Philips 2010 launch in Barcelona: the TVs were the main event, especially as the company has decided to make its new 8000 and flagship 9000 Series TVs ‘3D-ready’.

This means they are compatible with 3D, but consumers will need to buy a ‘3D Pack’ – wireless transmitter plus two pairs of glasses – separately.

There’s almost nothing in the way of pricing from Philips at the moment – largely because many of these products will not hit the UK until the second half of 2010 – but when pressed, a Philips spokesman said he expected the Europe-wide price of the optional 3D pack to be ‘between 200 and 300 Euros’.

The TVs, then. The Flagship 9000 Series (below) will come in 32in, 40 and 46in screen sizes, and will be accompanied by the 50+in Cinema 21:9 set, too.

The 9000 TVs will feature:

– Ambilight Spectra 3, the advanced, ‘wall-adaptive’ Ambilight technology that compensates for the colour of your walls to ensure exactly the right colour tones are generated.
– Top-of-the-range Perfect Pixel HD Engine
– ‘LED Pro’ direct LED backlighting, with local dimming, 2,250 trillion colours and a claimed contrast ratio of 10 million to one.
– 400Hz ClearLCD motion processing, with 0.5 millisecond response time.
– ‘Net TV’ with Wi-Fi for viewing online services on the set.
– Full HD 3D Ready, with active shutter system offering full 1080p resolution to both eyes
– DLNA PC network link to browse PC and Home network content
– Wi-Fi MediaConnect to play all your PC media files on the TV

The 8000 Series (below) will also be ‘Full HD 3D Ready’, and will come in 37in, 40in, 46in and 52in sizes.

They will feature Ambilight Spectra 2, 200Hz Clear LCD technology, a stylish pure glass frame, both wi-fi and Ethernet connectivity, and the same Net TV and DLNA features as the 9000.

The 7000 (below) Series will be released, along with the 8000 Series, in May. It will feature the Pixel Precise HD Engine, HD Natural Motion, 100Hz Clear LCD technology and Ambilight Spectra 2.

There will be lots of AV products coming this year from Philips, too. First up is the new ‘Fidelio’ range of iPod docking systems, the flagship of which is this, the DS9000.

It uses a two-way speakers system; smooth-edged, low-diffraction cabinet; and 100W RMS output power. It even uses wood that only comes from sustainably managed forests.

The Fidelio range also includes the DS9010, DS8550, DS8500, DS7550, SBD7500, DS3000 and tiny DS1100 models.

Will the new range manage to scare the likes of B&W and Bose? We can’t wait to find out with full reviews in the pages of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision.

Then there are two audio systems – one for stereo, one for surround 5.1 – that boast innovative sound-producing technologies. First is a home cinema in a box system, the HTS9540, which uses what Philips is calling ‘360Sound’.

Basically, each satellite speaker consists of two tiny sats, one on top of the other, with the lower of the two being a side-firing di-pole speaker. The sats are amplified separately, so what you get in effect is 9.1 speakers, but in a 5.1 configuration: four tripoles (using two channels of amplification each) plus centre speaker and subwoofer.

Then there’s the intriguing-looking stereo micro system, the MCi900, utilising Philips’ SoundSphere speaker design.

As you can see, the tweeter is significantly separated from the housing of the mid/bass driver. Philips says this allows greater diffusion of the sound throughout the room, with a ‘less constraining sweet spot’. But interestingly, the company claims it still creates, nonetheless, a decent stereo image.

Lastly, there’s a new Blu-ray soundbar coming, the HTS9140 AmbiSound Bar.

It features ‘AmbiSound’ virtual surround technology; DTS-HD and Dolby True HD decoding; Blu-ray playback; Wireless net connectivity and DLNA.

So, there you have it: the lowdown on what developments we'll be seeing from Philips in 2010. Due to most of these products coming later in the year, Philips is being cagey about pricing and exact release dates, but we'll be sure to update you with exact info as soon as we can.

Watch video coverage of the Philips press launch on YouTube

Panasonic's 2010 3D Viera TV, Blu-ray and Freeview HD range in detail

Tom Parsons — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:00:00 GMT

It's been a long and exhausting day getting to know Panasonic's 2010 TV product range in Munich, but there have been some surprises along the way, including pricing on its upcoming Full HD TVs, and the announcement of the company's first LED-backlit LCDs.

So, with no further ado, let's get stuck into those product ranges, and please bear in mind that Panasonic has not yet released UK pricing on all models, but we're pestering our contacts and will update the blog as we get figures confirmed.

TELEVISIONS

Panasonic TX-P50VT20E 3D TV: £2000

Plasma VT20 series
TX-P50VT20E
TX-P65VT20E

Available sizes: 50in (£2000), 65in (£4000)
Due: May for 50in, July for 65in

• FULL HD 3D with 2 pairs of 3D glasses included
• Infinite Black Pro with Native Contrast Over 5,000,000:1
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• THX Certified Display
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording
• Metallic brown finish

VieraCast gives Skype and web connectivity

Plasma V20 series
TX-P42V20B
TX-P50V20B

Available sizes: 42in, 50in
Due: May-June

• Full HD
• Infinite Black Pro with Native Contrast Over 5,000,000:1
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• THX Certified Display
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording
• Titanium finish
• 2-inch profile

TX-L42V20B has LED edge-lighting

LCD V20 series
TX-L37V20B
TX-L42V20B

Available sizes: 37in, 42in
Due: June

• Full HD
• IPS LED LCD
• Dynamic Contrast 2,000,000:1
• Intelligent Scene Controller
• 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Motion Focus Technology
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording
• Metallic concept design

Panasonic TY-EW3D10 3D glasses: £100

LCD D28 Series
TX-L19D28B
TX-L22D28B
TX-L32D28B
TX-L37D28BS (last letter of model number varies depending on colour)

Available sizes: 19in, 22in, 32in, 37in
Due: August for 19in and 22in, June for 32in and 37in

• IPS LED LCD
• Full HD (32in and 37in only, others HD-ready)
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 2,000,000:1
• Intelligent Scene Controller (32in and 37in only)
• 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro (32in and 37in only)
• Motion Focus Technology (32in and 37in only)
• 24p Smooth Film (32in and 37in only)
• Freeview HD (32in and 37in only)
• Freesat HD (32in and 37in only)
• VIERA CAST (32in and 37in only)
• DLNA certified (32in and 37in only)
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording (32in and 37in only)
• iPod dock (19in and 22in only)
• 1.5-inch profile
• Photo frame design and variety of colour options

Panasonic TX-L42D25B LCD with LED backlighting

LCD D25 Series
TX-L32D25B
TX-L37D25B
TX-L42D25B

Available sizes: 32in, 37in, 42in
Due: May

• IPS LED LCD
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 2,000,000:1
• Intelligent Scene Controller
• 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Motion Focus Technology
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording
• 1.5-inch profile

Panasonic TX-P50G20B

Plasma G20 series
TX-P42G20B
TX-P46G20B
TX-P50G20B

Available sizes: 42in, 46in, 50in
Due: Feb-Mar

• Full HD
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Infinite Black with Native Contrast 5,000,000:1
• THX Certified Display
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording

TX-L32G20B, with Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners

LCD G20 series
TX-L32G20B
TX-L37G20B

Available sizes: 32in, 37in
Due: May

• 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Motion Focus Technology
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Alpha Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 100,000:1
• Intelligent Scene Controller
• 24p Smooth Film
• Super Resolution
• Freeview HD
• Freesat HD
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• USB Terminals for Wireless LAN Adaptor, Keyboard and HDD Recording

Panasonic TX-P46S20B

Plasma S20 series
TX-P42S20B
TX-P46S20B
TX-P50S20B

Available sizes: 42in, 46in, 50in
Due: Mar-Apr

• Full HD
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Moving Picture Resolution 1080 Lines
• Native Contrast 100,000:1
• 24p Playback Plus
• Freeview HD

TX-L37S20B is a Freeview HD model

LCD S20 Series
TX-L32S20B
TX-L37S20B

Available sizes: 32in, 37in
Due: April

• 100Hz Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• Motion Focus Technology
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Alpha* Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 100,000:1
• Intelligent Scene Controller
• 24p Smooth Film
• Freeview HD

TX-P50X20B is an affordable, big-screen plasma

Plasma X20 Series
TX-P37X20B
TX-P42X20B
TX-P50X20B

Available sizes: 37in, 42in, 50in
Due: Feb-Mar

• HD Ready
• 100Hz Double Scan
• Dynamic Contrast 2,000,000:1

Panasonic TX-L32X20B

LCD X20 Series
TX-L22X20B
TX-L26X20B
TX-L32X20B

Available sizes: 22in, 26in, 32in
Due: July for 22in, May for 26in, April for 32in

• HD Ready
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Alpha Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 50,000:1

TX-L26C20B is a bedroom-friendly HD Ready set

LCD C20 Series
TX-L19C20B
TX-L26C20B
TX-L32C20B

Available sizes: 19in, 26in, 32in
Due: TBC

• HD Ready
• Wide Viewing Angle with IPS Alpha Panel
• Dynamic Contrast 40,000:1

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

Panasonic also unveiled details of its first 3D Blu-ray player, the DMP-BDT300, expected to go on sale in the UK around May. There are also three non-3D models in the pipeline, the DMP-BD85, DMP-BD65 and DMP-BD45. We're still waiting for confirmation of UK pricing on all models.

Panasonic DMP-BDT300 3D Blu-ray player

3D model
DMP-BDT300

• Full HD, 3D compatible
• BD Live
• 0.5 sec ultra-fast booting
• UniPhier LSI chip
• PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus
• Adaptive High Precision 4:4:4
• P4HD Enhanced Full HD upsampling
• 7.1 channel analogue out
• Digital Tube Sound
• VIERA CAST
• DLNA certified
• Wireless LAN adapter
• USB and SD card slots
• Twin HDMI

Panasonic DMP-BD85

Standard models
DMP-BD85
DMP-BD65
DMP-BD45

• HD audio decoding on BD85 and BD65
• 96 kHz surround remaster
• 1080p upscaling
• Viera Cast
• Viera Link
• USB slot with wireless LAN adapter (optional on BD65, not available on BD45)
• SD memory card
• PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus
• Power save mode
• 14-second start-up
• DMP-BD85 also has 7.1 channel analogue out, Digital Tube Sound Simulator, DiVX compatibility and 192kHz/24-bit DAC

BLU-RAY RECORDERS

DMR-BS880 Freesat recorder with Blu-ray

As well as two Freesat-toting Blu-ray recorders, Panasonic has announced two Freeview HD models. Pricing and launch dates will be confirmed as soon as possible.

DMR-BW880
DMR-BW780
DMR-BS880
DMR-BS780

500GB HDD on DMR-BW880 and DMR-BS880
250GB HDD on DMR-BW780 and DMR-BS780
HD recording and playback onto Blu-ray and HDD
Twin tuners
DLNA home server, for sending recordings to a DMP-BD85 or Windows 7 PC
SD card slot

HOME CINEMA SYSTEMS

SC-ZT2

Now this sounds as interesting as it looks, offering 7.1 sound from just two speakers. What's more, those speakers are wireless and have 12cm woofers built-in, and the whole system can pass-through Full HD 3D signals. The SC-ZT2 is also compatible with the audio return channel (ARC), so that it can receive your TV's sound through the single HDMI cable.

SC-ZT2

SC-BT730
SC-BT330
SC-BT230

• Wireless LAN ready
• Viera Cast
• Wireless rear speakers (optional on SC-BT330 and BT230)
• PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus
• True To Cinema sound and picture
• iPod dock
• Advanced bamboo cone speakers
• Kelton-type subwoofer (SC-BT730 and BT330)

Panasonic SC-BT730 Blu-ray system

Soundbars

It's official, Panasonic will be launching its first soundbar products this year. The SC-HTB10 and SC-HTB500 are both expected in Spring and have an HDMI input for easy connection. The SC-HTB500 also has a wireless subwoofer.

The third, and most exciting of the new soundbar range, is the SC-BTB700, which has an integrated Blu-ray drive as well as the wireless subwoofer. Don't expect to see this one in shops until Autumn, though.

Expect pricing and pics of these to follow shortly.

Click here to check out video highlights from the show

Full details and pics: Sony's 2010 Bravia 3D TV, Blu-ray and home cinema range

Andy Madden — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:12:00 GMT

Following this morning's product preview at Gleneagles in Scotland, we can now bring you the lowdown on Sony's complete range of TV and home cinema products for 2010.

All but the entry-level Bravia TVs in the UK will be fitted with Freeview HD tuners, enabling viewers to receive free-to-air high-definition broadcasts.

The flagship Signature LX903 models are Full HD 3D capable straight out of the box, while the Cinematic HX903 models and HX803 models are 3D-ready, meaning you'll have to buy the optional 3D transmitter and glasses for the full three-dimensional experience.

Several of Sony's 2010 ranges use LED backlighting, and many are fitted with wi-fi for access to Bravia Internet Video.

The latter will give access to Demand Five, a catch-up TV service from Channel Five, as well as movies on demand from Lovefilm. Owners will also be able to access social networking sites such as Twitter, Flickr and Facebook via their TVs.

BBC's iPlayer will be pre-installed on all Sony's new Blu-ray players and will be made available for the relevant models in the Bravia TV range later in the year. All TVs adopt Sony's new 'Monolithic Design' styling.

Sony KDL-LX903

SIGNATURE RANGE

BRAVIA KDL-LX903
Available sizes: 40in (£2000), 60in (£3500)
Due: June
Integrated Full HD 3D
Built-in Wi-Fi access to online content & services, internet widgets and DLNA-enabled devices
Motionflow 200Hz PRO & Image Blur Reduction
Edge LED lighting & Monolithic Design
OptiContrast panel
Intelligent Presence Sensor II and Ambient Sensor to save energy

Sony KDL-40HX903

CINEMATIC RANGE

BRAVIA KDL-HX903
Available sizes: 46in (£2199), 52in (£2500)
Due:June
Intelligent Dynamic full LED screen with local dimming
Motionflow 200Hz PRO & Image Blur Reduction
OptiContrast panel
Full HD 3D-ready (3D transmitter and glasses optional)

BRAVIA KDL-HX803
Available sizes: 40in (£1400), 46in (£1600)
Due: June
Motionflow 200Hz
Edge LED backlighting

Sony KDL-NX803

PRESENCE RANGE

BRAVIA KDL-NX803
Available sizes: 40in (£1600), 52in (£2299)
Due: March/April
Monolithic Design
Built-in Wi-Fi access to online content & services, internet widgets and DLNA-enabled devices
Motionflow 200Hz & Image Blur Reduction
Deep Black panel and edge LED backlighting

Can be supplied with an optional glass and brushed aluminium TV stand with adjustable 6 degree positioning for placing on contemporary, low furniture.

BRAVIA KDL-NX703
Available sizes: 40in (£1300), 46in (£1700)
Due March/April
Monolithic Design
Built-in Wi-Fi access to online content & services, internet widgets and DLNA-enabled devices
Motionflow 100Hz
Deep Black panel and Edge LED backlighting

ESSENTIAL RANGE

BRAVIA KDL-EX703
Available sizes: 32in, 40in, 46in, 52in, 60in
Prices: starting from £900 for 32in to £2800 for 60in
Slim, LED edge-lit Full HD screen
Wi-Fi-ready for access to online content, services & internet widgets
Presence Sensor & range of energy saving features
Bravia Engine 3 & Motionflow 100Hz

BRAVIA KDL-EX603
Available sizes 32in £800, 40in £949

BRAVIA KDL-EX503
100Hz Motionflow
Available sizes 32in £700, 37in £800, 40in £900, 46in £1200, 55in £1698

BRAVIA KDL-EX403
Available sizes 32in £550, 37in £650 40in £750, 46in £999

BRAVIA KDL-EX43B
Available sizes 32in (£750), 40in (£900), due May

Integrated Blu-ray player

BLU-RAY SYSTEMS

Sony had previously only announced the range-topping BDV-IZ1000W system as being 3D-capable, as well as having Bravia Internet Video capabilities. Now, however, it has confirmed that the BDV-E370 and BDV-E870 can all have 3D playback added with a software update.

Sony BDV-IZ1000W

BDV-IZ1000W £tbc, due September
• Blu-ray 3D playback
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• 1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theatre system
• Integrated S-AIR wireless rear speakers
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• Wi-Fi Ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control - free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA
• iPod audio playback via USB
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

Sony BDV-E370

BDV-E370 £500, due March
* Blu-ray 3D Ready - software upgrade due June
* Four satellite speakers with 850W total output power and HD audio codecs
* DCAC for simple set-up and flexible speaker placement
* Minimalistic Monolithic Design Concept
* Catch-up TV services and Internet videos with BRAVIA Internet Video
* Wireless LAN Ready (UWA-BR100 USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
* Watch your DVD movies in near-HD quality with Precision Cinema Upscale
* Gracenote Entertainment Database Browser
* Use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control

Sony BDV-E870

BDV-E870 £550, due March
* Blu-ray 3D Ready – software upgrade due June
* Two tall speakers with 1000W total output power and HD audio codecs
* DCAC for simple set-up and flexible speaker placement
* Minimalistic Monolithic Design Concept
* Catch-up TV services and Internet videos with BRAVIA Internet Video
* Wireless LAN Ready (UWA-BR100 USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
* Watch your DVD movies in near HD-quality with Precision Cinema Upscale
* Gracenote Entertainment Database Browser
* Use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control

HT-AS5 £400, due June
Home cinema system without DVD/BD. 3 HDMI inputs, optical input, 3D pass-through. More information to follow.

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

The BDP-S770 and BDP-S570 models will be compatible with 3D Blu-ray discs straight out of the box, have integrated wi-fi and Bravia Internet Video Link and iPhone control. They will be available in September and May respectively.

The BDP-S370 model will be 3D-ready, meaning it will need a software upgrade (like the home cinema systems) to handle 3D Blu-ray discs. It's due on sale in March.

In addition, the players have Bravia Internet Video access, including the BBC iPlayer, via the built-in Wi-Fi of the BDP-S570 and BDP-S770, or on the BDP-S370 using a plug-in USB Wi-fi adapter.

The players can also be controlled from an iPhone or iPod Touch, using software downloadable from the App Store. All three models are SACD compatible as standard.

Full technical specs of all three models are listed below:

Sony BDP-S770

BDP-S770 3D Blu-ray disc player £299, due September
• Blu-ray 3D playback
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray disc, DVD, SA-CD, CD player
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Built-in Wi-Fi Wireless (802.11) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WAP)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control - free app.)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Multichannel analogue output
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA
• SACD playback

Sony BDP-S570

BDP-S570 3D Blu-ray player £230, due May
• Blu-ray 3D playback
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray disc, DVD, SA-CD, CD player
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Built-in Wi-Fi Wireless (802.11) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WAP)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control - free app.)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• SACD playback

Sony BDP-S370

BDP-S370 £180, due March
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray disc, DVD, SA-CD, CD player
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• Wi-Fi Ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control - free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• SACD playback

AV AMPLIFIERS
STR-DH1010 £399, due June
STR-DH610 £299, due May

More information to follow, but both amps will allow 3D pass through.

Toshiba's 2010 TV, Blu-ray and Freeview HD range in full

Andy Kerr — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

An interesting day spent at Toshiba's 2010 product launch. The company's rightly proud of the progress it's made in the last year – it's now the number two player in the UK behind Samsung – but it's equally a little miffed that its biggest sales successes have come with cheaper (read: less profitable) televisions.

Hence the emphasis on new tech for 2010: with a few exceptions, this year's Toshibas promise to be as feature-laden as the best of the competition.

That said, there was precious little talk of 3D at this year's event. The super-sized, super-smart and super-expensive Cell TV apart, there was only the most non-specific mentions of active-shutter-enabled 3D kit being released 'later this year'.

Instead, the emphasis was firmly on a performance-enhancing technology available to many Britons right now: Freeview HD. Aside from launching Freeview HD-enabled TVs in several screen sizes, the company plans a twin-tuner HD PVR, the HDR-5010.

And the Japanese company's rehabilitation from its failed HD DVD project continues apace too, with a new Blu-ray disc player, the £129 BDX-2100, plus 'at least' three more players to come later this year.

Model details are as follows, with smallest/cheapest models first (product deliveries begin in April, with roll out to stores due to be completed for most models by June):

Televisions

AV Small Screen Series, available in 19in and 22in sizes
• HD-Ready (1366 x 768)
• Freeview tuner
• 50Hz
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• PC input
• 2 x HDMI
• Gloss black or white finishes available

DV DVD Combi Series, available in 19in, 22in, 26in and 32in sizes
• HD-Ready (1366 x 768)
• Freeview tuner
• 50Hz
• CI+ card slot
• PC input
• 1 x HDMI (19in), 2 x HDMI (other sizes)
• Gloss black or white finishes available, black only for 32in

AV Series, available in 26in and 32in sizes
• HD-Ready (1366 x 768)
• Freeview tuner
• 50Hz
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• PC input
• 2 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish

Toshiba Regza AV Series

LV Series, available in 32in and 40in sizes
• HD-Ready 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Freeview tuner
• 50Hz
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• PC input
• 3 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish

XV Series, available in 32in, 37in, 40in and 46in sizes
• HD-Ready 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Freeview tuner
• 100Hz
• CI+ card slot
• Resolution+ upscaler
• Dolby Volume
• SoundNavi
• Wireless ready with DLNA
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• SD card slot
• PC input
• 4 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish

Toshiba Regza XV Series

RV series, available in 32in, 37in and 40in sizes
• HD-Ready 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Freeview HD tuner
• 50Hz
• CI+ card slot
• Resolution+ upscaler
• Dolby Volume
• Wireless ready with DLNA
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• PC input
• 4 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish

Toshiba Regza RV Series

SL series, available in 32in, 40in and 46in sizes
• HD-Ready 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• LED backlighting
• Freeview HD tuner
• 100Hz
• CI+ card slot
• Resolution+ upscaler
• Dolby Volume
• SoundNavi
• Wireless ready with DLNA
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• 4 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish.

Toshiba Regza SL Series

WL series, available in 40in, 46in and 55in sizes

• HD-Ready 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• LED backlighting
• Freeview HD tuner
• 200Hz
• CI+ card slot
• Resolution+ upscaler
• Dolby Volume
• SoundNavi
• Wireless dongle included in the box, with DLNA
• USB viewer (JPEG/MP3)
• 4 x HDMI
• Gloss black finish

Toshiba Regza WL Series

All Toshiba's TVs have been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust, and will have at least a B+ energy rating, with many earning the full A-rated mark.

Other key product launches include a new Blu-ray player, with more to follow later this year:

BDX-2100, £130
• USB input
• Profile 2.0 with 256MB flash memory internal
• Ethernet port
• DivX, JPEG, WMA, MP3, AVC HD and MKV file support
• 7.1-streaming of HD codecs via HDMI

Toshiba BDX-2100 Blu-ray player

Plus five new DVD players:

SD1010, £35
• DivX playback
• MP3/JPEG playback
• Scart, composite video outs
• Coaxial digital out

SD2010, £40
• DivX playback
• MP3/JPEG playback
• Component, Scart, composite video outs
• Coaxial digital out
• USB port

SD3010, £45
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• MP3/JPEG playback
• Scart, composite video outs
• Coaxial digital out

Toshiba SD5010 DVD player

SD4010, £50
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• HDMI-CEC support
• DivX/MP3/JPEG playback
• Scart, composite video outs
• Coaxial digital out

SD5010, £55
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• HDMI-CEC support
• USB
• DivX/MP3/JPEG/HD JPEG playback
• Scart, composite video outs
• Coaxial digital out

The XDE600 player carries on from last year and there's a range of portable DVD players too, including the Toshiba SPD94 shown below.

To finish, we've a bevy of video recorders. First, four DVD recorders:

DR20KB, £180
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• Freeview
• DivX/MP3/JPEG/WMA playback

DVR20KB, £230
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• DVD and VHS drives
• Freeview
• USB
• DivX/MP3/JPEG/WMA playback

Toshiba RDXV60 DVD/HDD/VHS recorder

RD100KB, £270
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• 320GB HDD
• Freeview+
• USB
• DivX/MP3/JPEG/WMA playback

RDXV60K, £330
• 1080p upscaling
• HDMI output
• DVD and VHS drives
• 320GB HDD
• Freeview+
• USB
• DivX/MP3/JPEG/WMA playback

And finally (!) a twin-tuner Freeview HD PVR:

HDR5010, £350
• Freeview+ HD
• HDMI output
• 2 x HDMI inputs for external sources
• 500GB HDD
• USB x 2
• DivX/MP3 playback
• Ethernet

Toshiba HDR5010

For more on Toshiba's 2010 product range, and the forthcoming Cell 3D TV, watch our video reports on whathifitv.

Sky 3D TV: is it any good?

dominic dawes — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMT

I was at the Emirates yesterday as a guest of Sky, and watched the first half in 3D with the rest of the assembled tech media throng. Interestingly, some of the journalists there hadn't seen any kind of 3D demo before, and were pretty excited about finally experiencing it for the first time. I had seen several 3D demos before now – mostly at this year's CES show in Las Vegas – and I was curious to see more...

So, while Sky prepared the demo, I joined the assorted hacks and milled about, ate my portion of roast guinea fowl – a nice change from the chronically overpriced hot dog I usually eat when visiting the Arsenal – and finally took my seat to don the supplied pair of 3D glasses (trying all the while to ignore how much they looked like the cheap sunglasses you can buy for five quid in the chemist).

These were polarised glasses, as opposed to the active shutter type (destined for use with the premium 3D TVs from the likes of Panasonic and Samsung). Even so, as the pre-match atmosphere took hold, expectations were very high for this prototype system – showcased here on LG's 47in 3D ready TVs.

The 3D was certainly promising: the pre-game graphics were deeply impressive, coming out of the screen in genuinely 3D style. It made me wonder just how amazing on-screen graphics will become once the creators of said graphics have had time to develop their 3D ideas in full.

Sky 3D TV: how it works

But what of the game itself? Did watching it in 3D really improve the experience?

Well... yes and no. Yes, the game did look good, and at particular moments, when the camera angle switched to a low, pitch-side camera, the 3D effect was considerably more pronounced.

That said, most of the time when sport is being filmed, in order to get a good view of the game the main camera angle is a wide shot - taken by a camera some considerable height above pitch level. This makes perfect sense in terms of seeing the game, but from this angle the 3D effect is actually very subtle.

Yes, it added a small degree of extra depth to the already good-quality, high-def picture. But if the intention was to knock us all out with the 3D 'wow factor' it didn't entirely manage it.

Not that it looked bad, at all. It's just that the 3D element of the picture was not startling. To tell the truth, there were moments I almost forgot I was watching in 3D, and started to wonder what I was doing sitting inside with a pair of shades on.

Sky's HD set-top box is 3D ready

Once the market is swamped by 3D products later this year, we'll all have a better idea how consumers are reacting to it. Personally, I think video gamers and fans of animated, Pixar-type movies will be the first to really thrill to the benefits of 3D TV technology.

But football? Is sport a key area for 3D? We'll see: certainly, some of Sky's demo footage of various sports looks amazing – intriguingly, most of it looks more impressive than the live footage of Arsenal Vs Man Utd did – but whether that makes consumers en masse want to traipse down the pub on a Sunday afternoon to put on a pair of cheap-looking sunglasses and watch the big match in 3D is another matter.

Maybe they will. Ultimately, it will be up to you, the consumers, to decide.

Apple iPad in action: more pictures, prices and tech specs

Andy Clough — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:19:00 GMT

Our man at the official Apple iPad launch, Tom Dunmore, has managed to get his hands on an iPad overnight and grabbed some shots of the device in action.

Just in case you missed our coverage of the launch last night, here's a quick recap of the iPad's tech specs and prices.

iPad costs $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), $699 (64GB) for the wi-fi models, but add $130 for 3G. It's available in 60 days worldwide for wi-fi models, 30 days later for the 3G versions.

The device is 0.5in thick, weighs 0.7 kilos, has a 9.7in multitouch display, comes with a 1GHz Apple A4 chip and between 16GB and 64GB of flash memory. It also has Bluetooth, 802.11n wi-fi, 10-hour battery life for watching video and a claimed one-month battery life on standby.

All iPad 3Gs are unlocked and use standard GSM micro SIMS. iPad data plans in the US, provided by AT&T, will cost $14.99 for 250MB per month $29.99 for the unlimited tariff. International data deals should be done by the summer.

You'll be able to synchronise your existing iPhone apps on the iPad, which will upscale them to fit the 9.7in screen. It will also act as an e-reader, with books downloadable from the new iBooks store on iTunes – they'll cost from $8-$15 per book. And of course it plays games, videos, music and films.

But there's no support for Flash video, no camera and no USB input for connecting non-Apple external devices. Anyway, let's see the device in action:

Above: the photo application allows you to view stacks of photos synched via USB from your Mac or PC. But there's no onboard camera.

A pinch movement allows you to preview what's in each photo stack.

The iBook Store and application is beautifully realised (it looks a lot like a great Mac App called Delicious Library).

The iPad will run iPhone apps at standard resolution or double size - I played Bejewelled zoomed up to big size and it looked pretty good. But of course, developers will start to produce iPad specific version of their apps.

Maps is really quick and looks amazing - particularly in Street View - but there's no proper GPS in the non-3G versions of the iPad.

This map is an email attachment - which you can pinch to zoom.

The email client is seriously nice, giving you an iPhone-style list view next to the preview window.

The iPad is really thin and light. It feels much more like an overgrown iPod Touch than a fully fledged tablet PC.

I don't quite get the keyboard dock - it only works with the iPad in portrait mode, which seems bizarre. But you can use a Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad.

The iPad case is an optional extra, but it does a nice job of turning the iPad into a wedge shaped computer. But you wouldn't want to type for too long on the virtual keyboard. I tried - and failed - to touch type.

CES 2010. 3D TV: the light at the end of the tunnel, or an on-rushing train?

Jonathan_E — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:50:00 GMT

It's little surprise, perhaps, but the biggest story to come out of this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the continuing, seemingly unstoppable, rise of 3DTV.

I say unstoppable. Certainly if the big TV manufacturers have their way, it will be.

The major players are now extremely bullish about the format, and their impressively massive stands at the show were heavily weighted towards pushing 3D in the home.

All of which delights Gary Shapiro. The president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association - the trade body behind CES and the voice of the industry in Washington DC - believes that this year's show sees an industry a lot more enthusiastic and excited about the future than it was this time 12 months ago.

"At last year's CES I really felt the recession. This year, I feel optimism, I feel excitement, innovation. Our attendance this year will be greater than it was last year, and people are much more positive.

"Last year was a time of uncertainty worldwide. This year, I think people are tired of being tired."

And 3D TV is a big reason for that industry optimism. You might not get the impression by reading our forums, perhaps, but research in the US shows that the public wants 3D in their homes. Indeed, according to Shapiro, by 2013 26 per cent of US households will have a 3D TV.

Crucially, they will have something to watch as well. "It's sports, movies and video games," says Shapiro, that will sell 3D.

All of those things are coming - and soon. ESPN announced at the show that it will launch a 3D sports channel later this year, and Sony revealed at its press conference that it will be launching its own HD channel in the US, in collaboration with Discovery and IMAX - the imaginatively titled Discovery IMAX Sony HD channel. Only a couple of hours earlier Samsung had announced that it was in partnership with animation giant Dreamworks, and Technicolor.

"I must admit I was sceptical about 3D until I experienced it," says Shapiro. "3D and HD are like ice cream. You can describe it all you want, but that will never be as good as having someone experience it."

Well, I'm not so sure about the ice cream analogy, but now that I have seen the technology in action, I must say that I am no longer the cynic that I was about 3D. It really can be a remarkable experience.

Having said that, I've always been rather a fan of plain old vanilla...

CES 2010: The future's bright, the future's 3D; or is it?

Andy Clough — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:55:00 GMT

It’s hard to ignore the fact here at CES that the big TV manufacturers are hell-bent on 2010 being the year of 3D TV.

Yesterday Sony wheeled out its new Brand Ambassador, Taylor Swift, to perform ‘live in 3D’ – there was something slightly surreal in having to don a pair of 3D glasses to watch her in three dimensions popping out of a giant screen, when in fact she was standing on the stage right in front of us.

And today we’re promised America’s first live 3D broadcast from Panasonic. According to Jon Landau, producer of the $1bn-grossing Avatar, “3D is a more immersive experience. It makes the viewer feel as if they are at an event they can’t get to”.

Which is all well and good. But Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic & Co still have to persuade their customers – that’s you and me folks – to go out and buy a new 3D TV.

Panasonic TC-P50V25 3D plasma TV

Now there won’t be a shortage of new models to choose from, but judging by the user comments on some of our CES news stories, not all of you are thrilled at the idea of having to junk that gorgeous new plasma or LCD telly you’ve just bought.

But here’s the interesting thing. Over here in the US Panasonic has linked up with satellite TV company DirecTV, which plans to launch three new HD 3D channels by June. And Sony has done a deal with Discovery and IMAX, as you can read here.

Eric Shanks, executive vice-president of DirecTV, says existing customers will simply need to download a software upgrade to convert their existing HD set-top boxes to 3D.

The same is true of Sky+ HD in the UK, so it will be fascinating to see if Panasonic links up with Sky as they’ve done with DirecTV in the US.

If they do, don’t underestimate the power of Sky to persuade people to part with cash for the 3D experience at home.

Are you willing to wear 3D goggles at home?

If the 3D content available from the broadcasters and film studios is sufficiently compelling – and the success of Avatar in the cinema suggests it might just be – then the future could indeed be 3D.

For now, however, we’ll have to content ourselves with looking at the new hardware in store. Panasonic, like Sony, Samsung, LG et al, has a plethora of new 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and cameras in the pipeline.

Panasonic's first 3D Blu-ray player, the DMP-BDT350

There’ll be the Viera VT25 series of Full HD 3D plasma TVs, with Infinite Black Panel Pro and wi-fi VieraCast including Skype, and the PP-BDT350 3D-enable Blu-ray player.

And for the content makers, Panasonic has unveiled here at CES its first twin-lens, Full HD, 3D camera (below) which is due on sale this autumn for around £13,000.

Panasonic's twin-lens 3D camera

As soon as we have UK release dates and prices for Panasonic’s 3D range we’ll let you know. In the meantime, keeping checking back here on whathifi.com for all the latest CES news live from the show.

Panasonic Viera TV with Skype

CES: Samsung hits 2010 with stylish TVs, 3D, apps, e-readers and more

dominic dawes — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:30:00 GMT

The Samsung press conference at CES 2010 began with the longest queue I've ever seen – by the time I'd reached the back of it I think I might have crossed the border into Utah. But by the time it ended I'd seen the launch of a new app store, the thinnest TV I've ever laid my eyes on, and heard Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dreamworks and one of Samsung's new 3D 'content partners', tell the assembled throng that with 3D "We stand at a watershed moment for the whole movie industry".

This being Samsung, the 2010 TVs were an obvious highlight, and they look promising indeed. They come in two new finishes: a sleek, brushed aluminium metallic look, or an alternative that uses Samsung's clever 'ToC' (Touch of Colour) injection-molding technique, but with a neat wood effect. For an overview of the new TVs you can read our news story here, but here are some pictures of the flagship C9000, one of which clearly displays its extraordinary 0.3in depth.

As well as a raft of new products, the Samsung press conference concentrated on two main themes: 3D, and apps. The latter was focused on the announcement that Samsung is launching ‘Samsung Apps’, the first HDTV-based application store. Owners of new Samsung TVs, Blu-ray players and home cinema systems will be able to download apps via Samsung’s internet@tv feature, which has been upgraded and made faster for 2010.

The first raft of Samsung apps will become available in the spring, and will be free of charge. Premium, paid-for apps will become available in the summer. The initial raft is expected to include apps from: Blockbuster, eBay, Facebook, Fashion TV, History Channel, Travel Channel, Netflix, Picasa and YouTube.

Apps can be downloaded and viewed while watching TV, with the emphasis on apps that enhance, rather than replace, broadcast TV content.

As well as working across multiple products in the home, Samsung Apps will also support a selected range of the company’s mobile phones.

Samsung hopes to attract some of the more innovative and imaginative app developers, through its attractive platform – app inventors will be able to write a single app for use across TV, Blu-ray and home cinema systems.

And of course, in terms of new products the big news wasn't confined to those impressive-looking TVs. A raft of home-cinema-in-a-box systems, a new e-reader (with news of main content partner – Google Books) and a raft of new Blu-ray players were all on the menu, too.

With its new Blu-ray players, the emphasis for 2010 is on 3D compatibility, and enhanced connectivity to the internet. The premium product in the new range is the BD-C6900, which comes fully loaded with the technology required to play 3D BD content, in line with the recently ratified 3D Blu-ray standard. It features a neat-looking transparent top plate, that allows you to see the disc spinning as it plays.

The ‘6900 also comes boasting a 7.5-second boot-up time (63% down on 2009 models), and a 15-second disc load time (30% down on 2009), as well as a fast, 1-second eject time.

The BDP7500, on the other hand, is the most style-conscious of Samsung’s new BD disc spinners: it’s designed to be wall-mounted, and the company claims that at 1.1 inches thick it is the world’s slimmest Blu-ray player. Like some of the company’s new TVs, the ‘7500 comes with a wood-finish design using Samsung’s innovative ‘Touch of Colour’ (ToC) injection-molding process.

There was also news of a new MP3 player, the Samsung 'IceTouch', which features a transarent AMOLED display:

Along with all these new products was news that the company has decided to heavily improve its 'internet@tv' feature, with an improved graphic interface, quicker operation and new content partners including Lovefilm.

All in all, it was a pretty bullish conference: Jeffrey Katzenberg of Dreamworks, along with Frederic Rose of Technicolour, took the stage for a while to proselytize about 3D TV, while Tim Baxter of Samsung said the company aims, having sold 2.6million LED TVs in 2009, to increase that to 10 million in 2010.

We shall be tapping our fingers back in Teddington, waiting to be the first to bring you full reviews of all Samsung's 2010 product range. Can't wait...

Sharp QuadPixel: to its members it's the fourth primary colour

Simon Lucas — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:07:00 GMT

Are you tired by your TV’s inability to display more than a miserable billion colours? The good people at Sharp think you must be, which is why the company has chosen today at CES to unveil its proprietary QuadPixel technology.

As the name suggests, QuadPixel adds a fourth primary colour (yellow) to the ubiquitous red, green and blue – this enables more than a trillion (count ‘em! A trillion! On second thoughts, actually, don’t bother) colours to be displayed.

This four-colour technology, then, equates to RGBY – so why Sharp decided not to call it RUGBY is anyone’s guess. They’ve missed a trick there, if you ask me.

QuadPixel features on the new Aquos LE920 TV, launched in 52in, 60in and 68in screen sizes this Spring – pricing is yet to be confirmed. The LE920 also features LED edge-backlighting and 240Hz motion processing.

There's a number of new Aquos screens due in the first quarter of this year, actually: the LE820 will be available in 40”, 46”, 52” and 60” sizes and makes do with just the billion colours and 120Hz motion processing.

There’s also the LS520 range, which is a Full HD design in 32” and 22” incarnations, while the 19” version must make do with 720p resolution.

On the Blu-ray front, Sharp will introduce its BD-HP70 Blu-ray player, wireless ready and equipped with video streaming capability, in the first quarter too.

That’s alongside the BD-MPC41, a Blu-ray home-cinema-in-a-box system – it’s configured with a soundbar up front, rear speakers and a subwoofer to deliver 5.1 HD audio from a fairly discreet package.

US price is fixed at $750, but bitter experience tells us this has no bearing on the UK price whatsoever.

CES 2010: LG goes to Infinia and beyond

Andrew Everard — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:22:00 GMT

This just in from WHFSV's crack away team on the ground in Las Vegas:

LG played host to a global selection of bleary journalists at the first press conference of CES 2010 this morning, and in spite of an over-long and frankly irrelevant preamble regarding boardroom changes and a lot of executive backslapping, time was found to flesh out the Korean manufacturer’s ambitious plans for 2010.

Despite the electronics world in general suffering an unprecedented annus horribilis in 2009, LG enjoyed record sales and operating profits.

According to LG’s North American CEO Wayne Park, then, 2010 is the perfect time for LG to undertake the most significant product introductions in its history.

The list of new products and technologies is extensive. LG’s new sub-brand, Infinia (which will be to LG what Viera is to Panasonic or Bravia to Sony), will be attached to the company’s premium TV and home cinema products, and the new line-up will include innovations such as 3D TV, wireless HD, Freeview HD, wireless internet and Skype.

There’s even a confirmed launch date (Spring 2010) for the company’s 15” OLED TV.

Overall, LG will launch more than 70 TVs in 2010, which means either a) spectacular levels of choice or b) unprecedented confusion for customers, depending on your viewpoint. Either way, the company’s commitment and ambition is impressive.

A new family of LED TVs tops the Infinia range. The LE9500 (seen above, and in profile at the head of this piece), LE8500 and LE7500 feature local backlight dimming of up to 240 addressable segments, offering what the company claims are deeper black levels and a uniformity of backlighting never before available on screens of just 23mm depth. In addition, the LE9500 and LE8500 feature the latest 480Hz incarnation of LG’s TruMotion processing.

April sees the arrival of LG’s first 3D TV, the LD360. This 47incher will be compatible with Sky 3D TV at launch, and incorporates ‘passive’ 3D technology so that only simple, inexpensive 3D glasses will be required to enjoy 3D programmes and games.

LG’s allegiance to Freeview HD means that half of its 2010 TVs will feature integrated Freeview HD. April sees the launch of a total of 25 screens – LCD, plasma and LED – at a range of price-points and screen sizes (from 32” to 60”) with Freeview HD built in.

And by the end of the year, more than half of LG’s TVs will incorporate broadband functionality, meaning Skype and YouTube are accessible directly from the TV.

Niceties, as well as practicalities, are also on the LG agenda. Certain Infinia models will feature a new ‘point-and-click’ remote control system which uses minimal buttons and extensive on-screen menus to make your TV’s remote control function more like a wireless computer mouse than a traditional IR wand.

Equally intriguing is LG’s new BD590 Blu-ray player (above). Here’s a disc-spinner with integrated wi-fi capability, eight-channel audio decoding and something the company’s calling ‘express reaction’ start-up. Most intriguingly, though, the BD590 features an integrated 250GB hard-disk drive, making it less of a Blu-ray player and more of a media library.

American consumers will be able to get their hands on the BD590 from next month, but no UK launch date has been confirmed as yet.

No definite date for the CF3D projector, either, though frankly we’re prepared to wait. This is a Full HD, single-lens 3D projector featuring 120Hz TruMotion processing that has previously only been seen on flatscreen TVs, and LG is claiming the usual astronomical brightness and contrast figures.

The fact that it’s first to market with a technology many rivals haven’t even been able to commit to as yet speaks volumes for its ambition.

Then there’s the new mobile phone with solar recharging or, as the world has signally not been crying out for, a mobile with integrated Pico projector. And we haven’t even touched on LG’s plans from greener, more efficient washing machines and refrigerators… but what we have established is this: LG is in earnest.

It’s determined and implacable. And, on paper at least, it’s got the products to make every other electronics manufacturer in the world sit up and take notice.

James Cameron's Avatar - World Premiere Impressions

Tom Parsons — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:58:00 GMT

As the dust settles on Leicester Square and I nurse a nagging headache (not 3D related, I hasten to add), it's time to reflect on last night's Avatar World Premiere.

Yes, that's right - yours truly joined James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington and the rest of the cast on the distinctly blue red carpet. Well, I say 'joined', but what I really mean is 'froze in star-struck awe', but you know what I mean.

Once I'd recovered we found our seats in the rafters at the back of the Odeon, and if you think the wait at your local cinema is a long one, try a premiere. We sat there for an hour-and-a-half watching Alex 'I can't believe I'm not in an indie band' Zane conduct interviews with the cast, crew and random 'celebrities' that I'd never heard of before.

Finally, after a brief intro from Cameron himself, we donned our 3D specs and the film began, and to cut a long story short; it's epic.

If there was any doubt still remaining that this would be a technological game-changer, allow me to kill it now - Avatar is absolutely stunning. The CGI characters and locations are astonishingly detailed, solid-feeling and realistic, and it all blends entirely believably with the 'real' actors.

It's the computer-generated Avatars and na'vi people who are the real stars, though. Thanks to impeccable detail and truly spot-on animation, particularly in the faces, they are entirely believable.

No previous CGI creations have been able to convey the full range of human emotion like the na'vi do, and this is vital to the believability of the central love story.

So yes, there is a love story, but it's not as pukey or drawn-out as I was expecting, and the abundant, stunning action scenes mean there's more than enough in there for the adrenalin junkie.

Remember, this is a blockbuster, and there are plenty of blockbuster clichés on show, from characters, to plot and pacing. The thing is, it's done so well that you just don't mind. It might not be fine art, but it is terrific fun.

So, should you watch it in 3D? Absolutely, yes! Even right at the back of the cavernous Odeon Leicester Square effects were popping off the screen. I'll admit to involuntarily flinching when a grenade was fired at the screen, but it's also incidental effects, like dust and ember floating through the air, that really stand out. Oh, and the offices and ships that the humans use are full of curved, holographic displays, helping to further enhance the three-dimensionality of the office and cockpit shots.

Of course, the film is so punchy, fast-paced and colourful that it will undoubtedly prove a stunning tester on Blu-ray, but seeing as no-one's likely to have 3D kit at home when the disc comes out, I'd heartily recommend stumping-up for a ticket at the cinema. Besides, whichever way you look at it, this is a milestone in the 3D revolution and deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find.

HONG KONG: A final wrap-up of the Electronics Fair

Andrew Everard — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:56:00 GMT

Time to call time on the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, with its usual mix of the totally weird and really rather wonderful, from our first experience of the Chinese NVD video format to a sneak preview of a classy-looking Heritage model from Scottish radio specialists Revo.

The NVD format, on show on the JWL stand, is to Blu-ray what Super Video CD is to DVD – or at least that's how it was explained to us by salesman Double Chen.

Now being referred to as 'Red-ray', it offers near-BD quality while being less expensive for both players and discs, and could provide stiff competition for Blu-ray in China.

Certainly our experience here in Hong Kong is that Blu-ray is less front and centre than it appears in the UK, a fact that also struck us in Japan. BD discs are expensive – think £25 or so in HMV here in Hong Kong, and more in Japan – and not exactly prominent in the shops. We came here expecting a disc-buying bonanza, but instead we'll be buying online from the usual suspects when we get home.

No, what's big here is still Video CD, and its SVCD derivative: that's the alternative format of choice, sitting on the shelves alongside DVD – the other night, in a small music and video store having a 20%-off closing down sale, we saw Hong Kong locals buying carrier-bags full of movies on VCD.

Back to the show, and while audio was somewhat less than prominent, we saw the usual flashing-lights mini-systems, the odd valve amp and DAC, including the neat system above from Cayin, and everything from digital wine-coolers to an iPod-controlled combination lightbulb and speaker.

Oh, and the DJ Mouse system from DJ-Tech, a software package for MP3 mixing driven from a customised heavyweight scratch mouse.

The enthusiastic salesman was giving it some heavy late King of Pop action, as you can see in our video report – check the link at the end of this bloggage.

We tested out the haptics on a touchscreen display at NXT, sampled more freshly-squeezed juice and freshly-baked cakes than was seemly and finished off with a play with the latest Revo products.

The company's Colin Urie explained the links with Last.FM, a trial subscription to which will be offered with new models, and Revo's hopes to offer other streaming services to its buyers, but kept the best surprise until last.

This is the forthcoming Heritage model, complete with its 60s/70s looks, and due in the shops in time for Christmas.

It looks like another strong addition to the ever-growing Revo range, alongside the new Ikon and Domino iPod dock/radios.

Well, that's it from Hong Kong, where the hammering and banging outside signals yet another redevelopment underway.

We've learned not to trust guidebooks or even websites when it comes to finding shops – go to the supposed location and the chances are you'll find bamboo scaffolding and signs announcing another new luxury hotel/jeweller/fashion shop opening soon.

See you the other side of the weekend, jetlag permitting – for now, click here for our final video show round-up.