Soneira Publishes Display Technology 3D Shoot-Out Report
Raymond Soneira, president of DisplayMate Technologies Corporation, has recently completed and released a report, "3D TV Display Technology Shootout." Soneira gives an overview of different types of 3D technology, both displays and glasses, plus the advantages and disadvantages of each type, in addition to describing the Shootout he did with multiple 3D displays and using both active and passive 3D glasses. Below is a summary of his results. To read the complete report or download a PDF version, see the links at the bottom of the article.
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 We examined four recent model high-end 3D LCD HDTVs – two with Active Shutter Glasses from Samsung and Sony, and two with FPR Passive Glasses from LG and Vizio. They were set up in a Shoot-Out configuration for detailed simultaneous side-by-side comparisons as shown in Figure 1 below. Details are provided in the 3D TV Models and Shoot-Out section. Both of these competing 3D technologies each have their own set of particular strengths and weaknesses.
For Active Shutter Glasses the main issues are excessive flicker, image crosstalk and ghosting, insufficient brightness, problems with viewing comfort and cost of the glasses. For Passive Glasses the main issues are questioned resolution and sharpness, restricted viewing distances, angles and positions. You’ll see many of these issues mentioned in reviews and advertisements. But the most important issue of all is whether either of these technologies is able to provide an enjoyable and convincing 3D viewing experience – we’ll answer that below, but first here are the main conclusions from our extensive series of objective tests and measurements.
Summary of Results
For the Active Shutter Glasses we found the flicker quite annoying and tiring, but the Passive Glasses were completely free of flicker, which is discussed in detail in the Flicker section. For most viewing angles and viewing positions the Active Glasses also had considerably more Crosstalk and Ghosting, which are not only annoying but more importantly interfere with the 3D imaging and 3D Contrast – the measurements are in Table 2 and are discussed in detail in the Crosstalk and Ghosting with Viewing Angle and Position section. Passive Glasses also did considerably better with varying Head Tilt, which is very important during normal TV viewing – the measurements are in Table 3 and are discussed in detail in the Crosstalk and Ghosting with Head Tilt section. The Passive Glasses TVs delivered 3D images that were 2½ times brighter than the Active Glasses – the measurements are in Table1 and are discussed in detail in the Brightness Measurements section. The Passive Glasses were also considerably more comfortable to wear, and cost less than 1/5th the price of Active Glasses.
On the other hand, Passive Glasses have a more restricted range of vertical angles and viewing distances, so you can’t watch 3D TV closer than about 6 feet from the screen, or watch 3D TV standing up closer than about 8 feet, or watch a 3D TV mounted high up over a fireplace without a tilt mount. None of these affect normal 3D TV viewing in our opinion, and none of them apply to 2D viewing. These issues are discussed in detail in the FPR Viewing Positions and Distances section.
 In general, most reviews and evaluations agree fairly well with the above points, but our extensive measurements quantitatively show how much better the Passive Glasses perform under a wide range of typical viewing conditions.
Sharpness and Resolution with FPR Passive Glasses
By far the most controversial and misunderstood issue in 3D TV currently has to do with the sharpness and resolution delivered with Passive Glasses. Because they split the odd and even lines between the right and left eyes it’s easy to see why many people (and some reviewers) conclude that FPR technology delivers only half of the HD resolution. However, 3D images have only horizontal parallax from the horizontally offset cameras, so the vertical image content for the right and left eyes are in fact identical – but with purely horizontal parallax offsets from their different right and left camera viewpoints. So nothing necessary is missing because all of the vertical resolution and parallax information is available when the brain combines the right and left images into the 3D image we actually see. That is the theory and fundamental principle behind 3D Image Fusion for FPR TVs – so next we actually tested it to see how accurate it is and how sharp the 3D images actually appear.
Sharpness and Resolution with Active Shutter Glasses
Active Shutter Glasses also have 3D image sharpness issues, but they instead arise from left-right image Crosstalk that can blur fine detail and muffle the 3D image depth and 3D Contrast. This results from the limited Response Time of the LCD screen and the LCD shutters on the Active Glasses. So both 3D technologies have 3D Image Sharpness issues – so we needed to test them both to see how well they actually do…
Testing 3D Image Sharpness
Because the 3D images are created in the brain, instruments can not be used to measure how sharp or muffled they appear on a given 3D TV – that can only be done with human vision by actually viewing 3D content – but this can be done in a very precise and analytical manner. What matters here is the actual 3D visual performance NOT an analysis of the display hardware diagnostic performance the way it is normally done for 2D displays – and DisplayMate Technologies is considered the world leader in this area by many.
 We performed a series of quantifiable sharpness tests by using what is in effect a Reverse Vision Test where we determine display sharpness by how small a text that can be read on a given 3D TV at a given distance when viewing regular Blu-ray movie content. If there is Image Fusion we should be able to read particularly small size text (6 to 10 pixels in height) with the Passive Glasses, but if the Passive Glasses only deliver half the resolution, as some claim, then it will be impossible to read the small text on the FPR TVs. The primary source for our tests was the Blu-ray documentary IMAX Space Station 3D because it has very high quality 3D imaging shot by NASA with an IMAX stereo camera without artificial effects or special effects and the spacecraft has lots of labels and printed signs with small text on the instruments and walls that are great for detailed quantifiable sharpness comparisons.
3D Sharpness Results
The 3D tests details are documented in the 3D Imaging, Resolution and Sharpness Viewing Tests section, with the results listed in Table 4. In all cases the small text (6 to 10 pixels in height) was readable on the FPR Passive Glasses, which definitively establishes that there is excellent 3D Image Fusion and the Passive Glasses deliver full 1080p resolution in 3D. Again, if the Passive Glasses only delivered half the resolution, as some claim, then it would have been impossible to read the small text on the FPR TVs. So those half resolution claims are manifestly wrong – no, ands ifs or buts!
Furthermore, in all cases the small text was actually sharper and easier to read and fine details easier to resolve on the FPR Passive Glasses than on the Active Glasses because of the Crosstalk, ghosting and Response Time issues that reduce 3D image sharpness and 3D contrast in Active Glasses TVs.
We also compared the small text 3D visual sharpness to the 2D sharpness by repeatedly turning the 3D mode on and off for each of the TVs and watching in 3D with glasses and then 2D without glasses. In all cases the images were sharper in 2D than in 3D, but the differences were much smaller with the FPR TVs than with the TVs with Active Shutter Glasses. In fact, the small text 3D visual sharpness on the FPR TVs were only slightly less than in 2D, reinforcing our conclusion that the Passive Glasses deliver 3D Image Fusion with full 3D 1080p resolution and are visually sharper in 3D than Active Glasses because of the Crosstalk, ghosting and Response Time issues mentioned above. It’s easy enough for anyone to check these results by repeating the visual tests listed in Table 4.
Some reviewers have evaluated 3D TVs by analyzing the combined display hardware performance for the right and left channels instead of the actual 3D visual performance tests that we have done. That simply leads to incorrect conclusions in the case of 3D vision because of Image Fusion in the brain. In fact, based on our own extensive display diagnostic tests it is clear that the FPR TVs have been optimized for the best 3D visual performance instead of the best hardware diagnostic performance – that is most likely why they perform so well with 3D vision. So reviewers and analysts relying on display diagnostics are failing to see the forest for the trees, are simply barking up the wrong tree, and arriving at results that don’t apply to actual human 3D vision.
On the other hand, there are instances when 3D Image Fusion may not work well with FPR. They arise when the brain is unable to properly match up the right and left image content or when there is fine computer pixel and line graphics, but they were very seldom noticeable in all of the video Blu-ray content we used for the Shoot-Out. These issues are discussed in detail in the Instances When FPR 3D Image Fusion May Not Work section.
Main Conclusions
Based on our extensive lab measurements and visual test comparisons between 3D TVs with FPR Passive Glasses versus 3D TVs with Active Shutter Glasses, we found that the Passive Glasses TVs delivered substantially and demonstrably better all around 3D imaging, 3D Contrast and sense of 3D depth, better 3D sharpness, better overall 3D picture quality, immersion and realism, and freedom from 3D ghosting, image Crosstalk, and flicker. This was true in all but a small number of situations, all of which we document in the sections mentioned above.
Convincing 3D
One of my favorite examples for demonstrating the differences between the 3D TV technologies is at 10:47 in IMAX Space Station 3D, which shows a protruding glove and orange pipe in front of a deep equipment area with lots of fine image detail. Press Pause on the player. With Passive Glasses you feel that you are right there in the Space Station with a convincing, clear and realistic 3D image that has crisp 3D detail and good 3D Contrast throughout, and without any noticeable visual artifacts. With Active Glasses there is so much large scale Crosstalk that generates ghosts and poor 3D Contrast, and small scale Crosstalk that produces fuzzy 3D that the image looks quite phony – and then there is the annoying flicker from Active Glasses. There are plenty of comparable demonstrative examples in the wide range of 3D content that we viewed. Visually the differences between these two 3D technologies are enormous when compared side-by-side – FPR Passive Glasses TVs provide a substantially higher quality 3D visual imaging and 3D visual experience than the TVs with Active Glasses. Check out this image yourself, and also the other specific examples that we provide in 3D Imaging, Resolution and Sharpness Viewing Tests section.
Enjoyable 3D
The Passive Glasses were quite comfortable and, more importantly, free from the annoying flicker that many people (including the author) experience with Active Glasses. The annoying picture flicker, Crosstalk and ghosting from Active Glasses are the main reasons why many people have previously shunned 3D TV (including the author). The lab measurements showed Passive Glasses to perform much better than the Active Glasses, but what genuinely surprised me is that for the first time I really enjoyed watching 3D content with Passive Glasses. Almost everyone that I invited to the 3D Shoot-Out left with the same feeling and many remarked “this is cool” or “this is great!” Avatar was the most requested title for people that came to see the 3D Shoot-out and everyone was just as thrilled by it on the FPR TVs with Passive Glasses as in the movie theaters. Everyone that watched the roller coaster scene in the 3D Blu-ray movie Despicable Me commented on the sensational 3D experience of an actual roller coaster ride. To maximize your enjoyment of 3D be sure to read our Recommendations for 3D TV Viewing section, which explains a number of simple steps that can be taken to improve TV viewing comfort and reduce the likelihood of eye strain and fatigue when viewing 3D (as well as 2D) TVs.
Almost Holographic 3D
One of the most fascinating visual effects of 3D TV is how the 3D image changes as you change your viewing position. If you are looking at a still image in 2D and change your viewing angle by walking left to right in front of the TV, the image of the TV picture produced by the brain stays the same as you move. But when you do that in 3D the picture appears almost holographic because the brain continuously reworks the perspective geometry of the image as you change your viewing position. As a result, people sitting at different locations will see somewhat different perspective geometries of the same 3D image. The effect can grow to be quite large for images with significant depth. It sometimes seems as if you might be able to see additional things that are currently obscured by shifting your viewing position even more, but of course that never happens, you only see an increasingly shifted perspective view. It’s one more interesting facet of 3D TV viewing…
The Real Magic of 3D
If you read the consumer 3D movie reviews on Amazon.com people often focus on how big the 3D effects are – which is great for demos and impressing friends, but that wears off soon as a gimmick (and it also causes eye strain). The real magic of 3D in my opinion is when I am watching well produced typically subtle 3D content with Passive Glasses and then feel that I am actually present in the scene, walking on the beach along with the people in the video, for example – an emotional response that results from convincing 3D visual input. Following our recommendations for 3D viewing I experienced virtually no visual fatigue, and absolutely no headaches, dizziness or other adverse effects while watching with Passive Glasses. The Passive Glasses are very light weight, inexpensive and comfortable – they’re easy to pop on and off and it’s easy to forget that you are wearing them. The Passive Clip-Ons are great for people with prescription glasses. The magic of providing a comfortable, convincing, and realistic 3rd dimension to TV viewing is what will make this 3D technology catch on and become successful in the future. 3D TV has finally come of age and arrived as a fun and pleasant enhancement to watching traditional 2D movies and TV content…
To download a PDF of the report click here: http://ravepubs.com/utility/documents/Soneira-DisplayMate-3D_TV_Shoot-Out-Sept.pdf
To view the report online at the DisplayMate website, click http://www.displaymate.com/3D_TV_ShootOut_1.htm
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PMA Reports 16 Percent Increase in Projector Sales in Q2
 According to Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on front projectors, the worldwide front projector market grew by 16 percent in Q2 2011 compared to the same quarter last year.
PMA divides the front projector industry into three brightness ranges, each associated with its own set of buyer types and applications: New Era (under 500 lumens), Mainstream (500 to 4999 lumens), and High-End (5000 or more lumens).
The New Era range showed unprecedented Y/Y growth with a 195 percent uptick in unit sales vs. Q2 2010. Part of this phenomenal growth can be attributed to an increase in shipments of products with embedded pico projectors, such as camcorders, digital still cameras, and mobile phones. The New Era projector category also gained ground due to strong initial shipments of Wide XGA personal projectors.
In the Mainstream range, unit sales dropped by 4 percent in Q2 2011 compared to Q2 2010. Education Markets remained strong and the number of interactive projectors increased dramatically in Q2, but corporate and home markets were still sluggish due to the world economic situation. "The year/year slowdown in the mainstream market was seen mainly in developed markets, many of which saw buoyant sales during last year's second quarter because of the industry's post-recession inventory correction, sporting events like Euro Football, and strong education technology spending from the US stimulus” said Michael Abramson, VP of Projector Research at Pacific Media Associates. “Despite the weak comparisons, ultra-short-throw projectors, including the emerging interactive models, continued to outperform the overall market, even in developed countries."
Want to read the report? Go here: http://www.pacificmediaassociates.com/
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Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Verdict in Favor of ClearOne against Biamp Systems for $3.7 Million
 The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an opinion today, affirming a November 2008 jury verdict issued by a federal district court in favor of ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO) against Biamp Systems Corp. (“Biamp”), for theft of ClearOne’s trade secrets, including the federal district court’s award of exemplary damages based upon the finding that Biamp’s misappropriation was willful and malicious. In its ruling, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reduced the amount of ClearOne’s judgment on two categories of ClearOne’s damages, but otherwise affirmed Biamp’s liability to ClearOne on every component of ClearOne’s judgments against Biamp for theft of ClearOne’s trade secrets, including awards for lost profits, unjust enrichment, exemplary damages based upon Biamp’s willful and malicious conduct, taxable costs, and attorney fees and costs.
The amount of ClearOne’s judgment against Biamp is estimated to be $3.7 million, not including additional amounts that may be awarded. This amount reflects reductions by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals of approximately $1.1 million from the federal district court’s previous judgment of about $4.8 million.
Pursuant to a prior order of the federal district court, Biamp had deposited in escrow the sum of approximately $3.7 million, to protect ClearOne and serve as a bond on appeal. ClearOne will immediately seek release of these monies to satisfy judgment in its favor.
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3D LCD TVs Sales Increase by 118 Percent
 Shipments of 3D-capable large-area TFT LCD panels increased to 5.2 million units in Q2, growing by 124 percent Q/Q. Shipments of 3D panels were primarily for LCD TVs, reaching 4.9 million units in Q2’11, 118 percent Q/Q growth, and pushing the 3D penetration in LCD TV panels from 4.5 percent in Q1’11 to 9.3 percent in Q2’11. According to the DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Report, panel makers are targeting 53 percent growth in 3D LCD TV panel shipments for Q3 as both shutter glass and pattern retarder technologies are maturing and costs continue to fall.
“The LCD TV panel industry has been in oversupply for more than a year, and panel makers are motivated to develop new features like LED and 3D to increase value. Although there are still doubts about whether the market is ready for 3D, 3D penetration is increasing due to falling prices and the ability to produce panels,” noted David Hsieh, vice president of Greater China Market, DisplaySearch. “3D is not only for high-end products; we are starting to see panel makers develop cost-effective 3D, such as 60 Hz refresh rate with signal simulation or lower frequency with blinking backlight units, which are targeted at affordability and will be critical in encouraging 3D adoption.”
In addition to TV, 3D monitor panel shipments are growing rapidly, from less than 80,000 units in Q1’11 to more than 250,000 in Q2’11, thanks to adoption in gaming and other special application monitors. The mainstream 3D technology currently used in desktop monitors is shutter glass, but pattern retarder and switched cell solutions are emerging rapidly too. Panel makers expect to double shipments in Q3’11.
Volumes of 3D panels for notebook PCs are still relatively small, with less than 100,000 units shipped in Q2’11. However, panel makers are promoting shutter glass, pattern retarder, and autostereoscopic solutions to the gamer and entertainment- focused notebook users. Shipments are expected to grow by 126 percent in Q3’11.
For LCD TVs, larger panel sizes are seeing faster penetration of 3D, as the benefits are clearer. In 40” and larger LCD TV panel shipments, 3D penetration increased from 12.7 percent in Q1’11 to 21.7 percent in Q2’11. TV panel makers are aiming to reach 28.2% in Q3’11.
Click here for the entire report and increase by size.
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Get CEDIA Coverage On The Go with the rAVe NOW iPad App
 If you're going to CEDIA this year, then you're going to want to follow our CEDIA coverage powered by rAVe NOW.
If you've got an iPad, you can get the same coverage -- blogs, videos, Twitter and new product news on-the-go with our free iPad App. The App also includes a way to directly submit your own content to the rAVe NOW news team, whether that's a tip for the coolest product at a trade show or a link to your latest blog or video.
rAVe's iPad App provides live event coverage during tradeshow seasons, plus every day AV Industry news, social media content and columns from the rAVe BlogSquad in the times between.
Download our App for free here.
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AMX Ships RS232, IR, Relay and I/O to IP Controller
 Dubbed the ICSLan, this hand-held control box allows for control of RS 232, IR, Relays and I/O devices via an IP network. This is a long-overdue option for connecting shades, RS 232 controllable AV gear and simple IR sources to AMX networks. However, one claim to fame for AMX is that it actually shipped two months earlier than planned.
The ICSLan lets integrators connect devices not typically Ethernet enabled, including some projectors, LCDs, Plasmas, lighting and shades to an Ethernet network via a single standard twisted pair cable for remote management using a NetLinx Controller.
ICSLan Device Control Boxes are available in the following configurations: the EXB-IRS4 for IR/S interfaces; the EXB-COM2 for serial interfaces; the EXB-REL8 for relay interfaces; EXB-I/O8 for input/output interfaces; and the EXB-MP1 for multiple interfaces including IR, serial and I/O.
You can see all of them here: http://www.amx.com/products/categoryCentralControllers.asp
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Sony Enters Tablet Market
 Dubbed the Sony Tablet S Device, the Android-based 9.4" color tablet PC includes a 5-megapixel camera (rear), comes with 16 or 32 GB of memory, uses an NVIDIA Dual-Core processor, includes as SD expansion slot, is 1280x800 resolution and is housed in an enclosure that's even more creative, dare we say, than the iPad 2 from Apple.
Can it compete in market share?
Well, one of the drivers behind Sony's panel is the control aspect of it -- Sony's primary marketing campaign for their entry into the tablet market is its ability to totally control your home.
So, you may see it creep into the CEDIA market (and even the ProAV market) sooner rather than later. Details are here: http://discover.store.sony.com/tablet/#intro
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Savant SmartEnergy Monitor to Debut at CEDIA
 Savant Systems has announced the introduction of the SmartEnergy Monitor model SEM-1024, the first in a series of energy management products from Savant. SmartEnergy technology measures energy usage and production in real-time and can also deliver historical usage data from multiple energy management devices, empowering homeowners and facilities managers alike with critical information. Savant’s SmartEnergy Monitor enables users to reduce energy costs by monitoring how and when specific devices draw power -- particularly during peak pricing or load periods.
Here are all the details: http://www.savantav.com/energy_management.aspx
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AMX Ships New Television Distribution System via Ethernet
 AMX today announced it has started shipping both a new digital TV transmitter (DTV-TX03-US) and receiver (DTV-RX02- HD) as part of the Television Distribution System (TDS) line. The new receiver supports HD (up to 1080p) and is compatible with all versions of AMX TDS transmitters. The new transmitter supports QAM & ATSC broadcast standards, those commonly used within North America, and parts of Central America and South Korea. The systems are primarily designed for large businesses, restaurants and stadiums seeking to offer televised programming via their IP networks.
The TDS delivers sends the TV signal across twisted pair cable and transmit unencrypted cable and over-the-air AV content using a multicast enabled LAN as opposed to a separate dedicated coaxial cable. They also deliver control over the single twisted pair cable, giving users simplified management and maintenance of facility-wide TV programming through a single interface.
If you want all the specs, go here: http://www.amx.com/products/categoryTelevisionDistributionSystem.asp
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KanexPro Intros 2D to 3D Converter
 Want to watch your old DVDs or play your old video games in 3D? Well, a company called KanexPro is launching what they are calling a real-time 2D to 3D converter in a tiny hand-held box called CubeUp. Comprised of one HDMI input and one HDMI output for connecting it to the 3DTV, this compact box features real-time hardware conversion of 2D content to 3D during playback and is engineered to transform sources such as PCs, Blu-ray players, STBs and cable boxes to 3D format. In addition, 3D depth and scaling parameters can be fully adjusted simply at the touch of a button.
It provisions full 3D (all formats) such as side-by-side, top-by-bottom, 3D frame-packing and 3D page-flip with HD 1080p and multi-channel audio. The CubeUp is fully compliant with HDCP, EDID and CEC controls. A built-in scaler provides upscaling of DVD picture quality to full HD 1080p resolutions, supporting color depths to 12-bits per channel.
It's honestly hard to believe this little box can do all it claims to do (at least, do it well), but we'll have to wait until we see it.
Full details are on KanexPro's website here.
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MartinLogan Intros Slimmest Electrostatic Speaker Ever
 The new MartinLogan EFX, what the company is calling a hybrid electrostatic on-wall speaker, is its slimmest on-wall speaker to date. It's housed in an extruded aluminum and composite AirFrame (their word) that makes the panels more rigid while maximizing playable surface area and dipole sound radiation. The diaphragm at the heart of the EFX’s electrostatic transducer has a conductive coating applied to the polymer surface using a plasma bonding process. A proprietary compound is driven into the surface of the polymer film in an oxygen free argon chamber.
The EFX on-wall electrostatic speakers are priced at $3,095 per pair and will be available in November: http://www.martinlogan.com/efx/
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KEF Launches New Series of Loudspeaker
 KEF will celebrate its 50th Anniversary at CEDIA while launching the new R Series range of high-performance speakers. Featuring many of KEF’s latest innovations, KEF says the R Series is aimed marketing-wise as including audiophile-level sound reproduction at an affordable price.
The R Series range includes nine new models:
Floor-Standing Loudspeakers:
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R500 – Three-way floor-standing speaker; 5.25” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $1,299.99
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R700 – Three-way floor-standing speaker; 6.5” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $1,799.99
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R900 – Three-way floor-standing speaker; 8” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $2,499.99
Bookshelf Loudspeakers:
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R100 – Two-way bookshelf speaker; 5.25” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit. Retail: $1,199.99
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R300 – Three-way bookshelf speaker; 6.5” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $1,799.99
Home Theater Loudspeakers:
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R200c – Three-way center channel speaker; 5.25” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $999.99
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R600c – Three-way center channel speaker; 6.5” Uni-Q driver array with 1” HF unit and 5” MF driver. Retail: $1,499.99
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R800ds – Three-way dipole speaker; Two 1” HF units with two 5.25” MF drivers. Retail: $1,799.99
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R400b – Powered subwoofer; 9” bass driver. Retail: $1,699.99
For complete specs on the KEF R Series, you'll have to wait as they're not on KEF's website yet. But, when they are, they will be listed here: http://www.kef.com/us/loudspeakers
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Savant and Bay Audio to Partner on New Whole House Audio System
 At CEDIA next week, Savant Systems will introduce a line of "architectural loudspeaker products" designed by Bay Audio and encompassing the in-wall, in-ceiling and in-wall subwoofer product categories. Dubbed Savant Sound, the concept is to offer a complete multi-room audio solution that includes speakers along with control and automation functionality based upon Savant’s recently unveiled SmartAudio multi-room audio controller and matching 16-channel amplifier.
Aimed at both HomeAV and ProAV integrators, Savant’s SmartAudio multi-room audio and control solution delivers music distribution and stereo preamp processing in up to eight zones - playing the same content in each zone or unique content in individual zones simultaneously and independently. SmartAudio can be navigated and controlled by an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad utilizing Savant’s TrueControl applications. SmartAudio can also be paired with Savant’s 16-channel power amplifier (AMP-1640), along with the Savant Sound loudspeaker lineup as a complete distributed audio solution.
To see all the specs, go here: http://www.savantav.com/smartaudio.aspx
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Sonance Ships New Cinema SUB
 Sonance Cinema Series In-Wall SUB10-250 RETRO subwoofer cabinet design is only 3 7/8” (98 millimeters) deep allowing it to be mounted directly into a 15”x15” (38 mm x 381 mm) cutout in a standard 2x4 stud bay or mounted into ceilings. Unlike the Sonance In-Wall 10-250 and 12-500 Subwoofers that are installed behind the drywall, the one-piece design of the 10-250 RETRO allows it to fit directly into a drywall cutout or recess in a concrete or brick wall, making it perfect for retrofit applications. The Cinema Series In-Wall Subwoofers feature a low profile driver with an ultra low distortion motor, 4” diameter voice coil and dual spiders to optimize the performance of the laminated carbon fiber honeycomb constructed woofer. The outboard Cinema Series subwoofer amplifier features a Class D output stage, line and speaker level high pass filtering and is designed specifically to the SUB10-250 RETRO. Each amplifier is capable of driving up to two subwoofers.
To learn more, go here: http://sonance.com/products/speakers/detail/604
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Audio Authority Debuts 16-Channel Amp
 Audio Authority will debut at CEDIA its new 16-channel digital amplifier, dubbed the SF-16, which is a 60-watt RMS per channel at 4 ohms with eight stereo RCA and two FlexPort (Cat 5) audio inputs. IT, RS 232 and IP controllable, the SF-16 has ten programmable volume presets, is expandable to 60 output channels and uses a class D amplifier.
That's all the specs we've been able to get out of Audio Authority as the company wants to bring it all to the market at CEDIA next week. However, we did learn that it'll ship later this year (December) and will list for $2,500.
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Proficient to Launch Wireless Music System at CEDIA
 Watch out, Sonos -- a host of manufacturers are gunning for you. The first real entry-level option comes from Proficient - known for its speakers and whole house music systems. But, its new ZERO system takes direct aim at Sonos by wirelessly transmitting sound from any audio source to a receiver as far as 90 feet away. The receiver’s built-in 35-watt-per-channel amp powers the speakers of your choice, and you can hook up a powered sub, too. Perfect for multiroom systems, home theater surrounds, or getting music from your office computer to the rest of the house. Each transmitter supports connectivity of up to eight wireless receivers/rooms, each has 35-watts x two channel outputs, IR and can transmit three different sources to each receiver/room.
For complete specs, go here: http://www.proficientaudio.com/products/whole-house-sound/proficient-zero-products
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Onkyo Launches Two New High-End Audio Components Today
 Onkyo's new A-9070 Integrated Stereo Amplifier and C-7070 CD player will appeal both to hi-fi newcomers and seasoned music lovers looking to upgrade their equipment in that they are simple components with high-end features. For example, the A-9070 amplifier offers four discrete modes -- integrated amp, poweramp, pre-amp, and split power/pre-amp -- to provide flexibility when incorporating other components into the hi-fi system. Alone, it provides a parallel push-pull amplification design, three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry (Onkyo's version of isolation), dedicated Wolfson 192 kHz/24-bit DACs for symmetrically designed L/R channels, and four large 15,000 µF capacitors. And, the C-7070 is a universally compatible CD player that features vibration-damping brass legs, a 1.6 mm flat base, a full-floating circuit board, a pair of Wolfson 192 kHz/24-bit DACs and Onkyo’s Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry.
Both are now the company's flagship, high-end components. The A-9070 and C-7070 will both be available in November with suggested retail prices of $1,299 and $799, respectively.
Details? Go here: http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Reference
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Future Automation Finally Ships Sliding Flat Panel Wall
 UK-based Future Automation is shipping its new Sliding Panel System (SPS); available in two models, the SPS800 (designed to hide 26"-50" LCDs) and the SPS1200 (designed for 50"-65" LCDs), completely concealing an HDTV behind a sliding wall using a dual motor system that allows flat panels to sit flush with the wall. Future Automation says both have fully-customizable, motorized in-wall mechanisms that takes a panel inwards and moves it out of sight behind the surrounding panel work before advancing the screen to fit flush with the wall.
See all the specs here: http://www.futureautomation.co.uk/moving-panel-mechanism/sps800-sps1200
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SpectraCal Partners with eeColor for New Image Processor
 SpectraCal and Entertainment Experience have partnered to develop the eeColor image processor, providing unprecedented control over video images. This is worth taking a look at as we actually gave eeColor an award at InfoComm for being the Best Product You Probably Didn't See at InfoComm 2011.
SpectraCal explained to rAVe that eeColor utilizes proprietary technology based on newly understood physics of adaptive vision. eeColor is the first product to bring 3D Look-Up Tables (LUTs) to the home theater market. As used here, eeColor says 3D has nothing to do with depth perception, funny glasses, and blue-skinned creatures; it refers to number of axes of color control over the video image. Previous video processors had only had one axis of control, a “1D LUT.”
The unique eeColor architecture allows loading custom eeColor tables to optimize specific viewing conditions. For example, eeColor tables can be easily downloaded into the eeColor processor to support outdoor viewing, games, sports, fluorescent lighting and others. Offered exclusively through SpectraCal, the eeColor processor lists for $1595. From now through September 10, the eeColor can be purchased at an introductory price of $1195. SpectraCal will also sell add-on eeColor tables for unique content and lighting.
For complete specs, go here: http://store.spectracal.com/store/residential-av/video-processors/spectracal-eecolor-processor.html
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Savant to Debut Modular HDMI Switcher at CEDIA
 Savant Systems will launch at CEDIA what will be dubbed the SmartMediaPro SSP-0600, part of the Savant SmartSystems line of modular matrix switchers and controllers. It supports 12x12 1080p60 HD video switching or up to 24x24 line-level audio switching. The SSP-0600 includes integrated control ports, Dolby and DTS decoding and a digital preamplifier stage featuring 16 independent channels, of which eight are designed to provide multichannel sound in the main listening room, while the other eight feed an additional four stereo zones and support for HDMI 1.4.
It's not on the Savant website yet, but when it is, it'll be here: http://www.savantav.com/products.aspx
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Kramer Shows New HDMI Matrix Switchers
 Kramer Electronics has launched a family of HDMI matrix switchers in the form of the VS-88H, VS-66H, VS-84H and VS-48H; 8x8, 6x6, 8x4 and 4x8 switchers, respectively. Kramer says the switchers support up to 2.25 Gbps bandwidth per channel and offer HDMI (HDCP) 1.4 with 3D, Deep Color, x.v.Color and Lip Sync support. Each matrix switcher can store up to 16 preset switches in memory locations. All of them have both RS232 and IP control and fit into one vertical space of a standard 19” rack mount (1RU) with rack "ears" included.
Details can be found here: http://www.kramerus.com/products/model.asp?pid=2082
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TE Debuts HDMI Transmitter/Receiver Set Using HDBaseT
 Dubbed the HD-1, this HDMI transmitter/receiver combination allows for HDMI video (1.4a) and video to be sent using Cat5 via HDBaseT up to 300 feet with PoE (meaning the receiver doesn't need a power supply) and Ethernet as well as RS232 control. According to Transformative Engineering (TE), it's the first use of simultaneous ARC (Audio Return Channel) and HEC (Home Ethernet Connection). This will allow audio signals to be sent back from a TV to an AV receiver while maintaining a home Internet connection over the same HDMI cable.
Want more specs? Go here: http://www.transformativeengineering.com/
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Sanus to Debut EcoSystem at CEDIA
 If you thought it was hard to make a splash at CEDIA if you're a rack and mount company when the Expo's got all sorts of electronic AV toys debuting, you will be proven wrong when you check out Sanus' EcoSystem line at CEDIA. Why? Well, for example, who hasn't wanted to totally eliminate wall-wart power supplies in a rack - of all voltages? And, it also has a way to consolidate power and cooling into ONE box without all sorts of tie wrapped wall-wart supplies.
Sanus will launch a universal power supply of sorts that includes USB power, 12-volt power, 5-volt power and 110-volt power in one 1U rack-mountable enclosure. In addition, it includes a thermostat kit that monitors the rack temperature and automatically activates fans, front side 5V USB port, 12V always on and front light connections, a temperature gauge and a front mounted 1U task light. Freakin' awesome.
Specifics aren't available, yet, as it doesn't launch until next week, but here are some details: http://www.sanus.com/us/en/cedia
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Autonomic Redesigns Mirage Media Server
 Autonomic will debut a new version of its Mirage Media Server MMS-2. It's now packaged in a much better looking and more compact form factor with a faster processor, plus Toslink and HDMI outputs. With an MSRP of $1995 (same as the original version), Mirage Media Server now includes the addition of Amazon Cloud integration to go along with MP3 Tunes and iCloud compatibility. Additionally, Autonomic is working with Savant and its media server API (App Programming Interface) to implement richer integration within Savant’s control and automation environment. Mirage Media Servers already offer a vast array of control options with modules available for AMX, Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch.
You can learn more here: http://www.autonomic-controls.com/products_hardware_mirage_MMS2.php
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DPI to Debut New High-End Home Cinema 3D Projectors
 At CEDIA, Digital Projection will not only fill out its biggest CEDIA booth ever (filling three semi trucks), but it'll focus on 3D with the launch of at least two new 3D DLP-based projectors. The first is the dVision 35-1080p-3D, a single-chip DLP that will offer an array of color wheel selections and a range of throw ratios and available lens shift. Also debuting will be the dVision Scope 1080p, which is actually a 2560x1600 resolution projector that can be masked to 1080p so when the projector is presented with a 1080p source, it displays that source at the native 1920x1080 pixels, but when the projector is presented with scope content, the vertical 1080 pixels are maintained, while additional horizontal pixels are added to present the wider image. As an example, a 2.35:1 source would be displayed at 2538x1080 pixels. And, DPI promises to have at least four other new projector additions to its line.
Finally, we've also learned that DPI will have an all-new three-year warranty for parts AND labor on all its projectors.
For more information on DPI HomeAV projectors, click here: http://www.digitalprojection.com/BrowseProjectors/SeriesList/tabid/85/MarketTypeId/11/Default.aspx
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Panasonic Launches 2800 Lumen 1080p Projector
 Panasonic today announced the PT-AR100U, an LCD-based 1920x1080 resolution projector, spec'd at 2800 lumens of brightness and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio. Using a new type of lamp technology -- a high-power, 280-watt, red-rich lamp -- the projector includes 2x optical zoom, two HDMI inputs, one VGA port and horizontal and vertical lens shift. It also has an Eco-mode that allows the projector to use less than one watt of power when in standby but still enough power to wake it up via an IP connection for control, with a total of 350 watts when showing a completely white image.
The new 8 pound PT-AR100U will ship next month and will list for $2,000. Details can be found here: http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/products/ar100/
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Sharp to Debut Wireless TV Line
 Dubbed Freestyle, Sharp is hoping to differentiate itself in the crowded HDTV market by going totally wireless (except power). Using a set-top type box (about the size of a Nintendo Wii) that acts as the TV's hub, you can connect sources or tune in TV to it and then it wirelessly sends all those signals to the Freestyle TV up to 50 feet away.
Due to ship in the Fall, Sharp will have sizes ranging from 20" to 60" of its new LED-lit LCD TVs. The company also claims they'll be 50 percent lighter than the lightest TVs they have out now - even saying most models can be hung using Velcro.
And no, these TVs are not on Sharp's website yet!
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Silicon Image's New MHL Standard Finds First Home
 The much-hyped Silicon Image MHL, which allows mobile devices (e.g., phones, tablets, laptops, etc) to send uncompressed 1080p HDCP-protected content (with eight channels of audio) via HDMI while charging the battery at the same time, will debut on the new Toshiba Regza WL800A DTV model, which is available in 46” and 55” screen sizes. MHL technology is a new HD audio/video connectivity standard that enables a mobile device to transmit 1080p uncompressed video with up to eight channels of digital audio, while also supporting HDCP content protection, over five pins. In addition, MHL-enabled DTVs and displays provide power to the mobile device when connected, ensuring that the phone battery is charged and ready to use even after viewing a full-length feature movie. Consumers are also able to control MHL-enabled mobile devices using the existing DTV remote.
To read all about the MHL technology from Silicon Image, go here: http://www.siliconimage.com/products/family.aspx?id=10
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An Outdoor TV That Rises and Unfolds, Designed by Porsche
 In its world premiere, the C SEED 201 TV takes high-tech TV into the outdoors with a 201" 16:9 LED screen for outdoor applications. But this is more than just a big screen as it's designed to raise up the screen from a hidden shaft in the ground and then rotate it up to 270 degrees. The C SEED 201 column takes 15 seconds to achieve its full height of 15 feet and then over the next 25 seconds, 7 massive LED panels soundlessly unfold.
Designed by Porsche Design Studio, The C SEED 201 grew out of a passion to deliver the ultimate outdoor LED TV. Instead of taking up space when not in use, the C SEED 201 folds up and retreats below ground, where it stays safe and dry in its water-resistant shaft.
Check this out at: http://www.cseed.tv/about-c-seed/company.html#/c-seed-the-worlds-largest-outdoor-led-tv.html
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Kaleidescape Automates its Disc Vault
 Kaleidescape is expanding its Disc Vault line with the M700, now able to store up to 320 of your customers' discs. Via an unattended automatic import, it can copy large numbers of discs onto a Kaleidescape system, with import speeds of 15 CDs/3 DVDs/2 Blu-ray discs per hour. Once copied, users can either leave their discs inside the player for storage or eject in order to free up space. However, because of DRC, Blu-ray discs must remain in the vault to enable instant playback.
The front panel display shows all information on import progress, number of discs stored and available slots. It integrates with any Kaleidescape system (including additional M700 units) via an Ethernet cable and includes its own M-Class media player with video outputs including HDMI, Component, S-Video and Composite.
Check it out here: http://www.kaleidescape.com/products/disc-vaults/m700/
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CEDIA Releases HDMI Troubleshooting Guide
 CEDIA has released a new white paper titled HDMI Troubleshooting. This white paper is the fifth document in a series of HDMI white papers published by CEDIA. The HDMI Troubleshooting document introduces troubleshooting principles for HDMI systems, helping readers identify and resolve possible causes of malfunction by inspection or by using test equipment.
HDMI Troubleshooting is available for download in the CEDIA Marketplace at www.cedia.org/marketplace along with previous white papers released by CEDIA. Each document is available free of charge for CEDIA members or priced at $9.99 for non-members. All five HDMI white papers have been combined into a comprehensive document that will be available for download soon. A limited quantity of hard copies will be available for purchase in the CEDIA Marketplace at CEDIA EXPO 2011.
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Sixty3percent Launches at CEDIA
 Sixty3percent is a new company launching at CEDIA that will offer retail sales training solely dedicated to selling to women. The company is named Sixty3oercent after the percentage of women that make consumer electronics buying decisions.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
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AVC Group Consolidates Reps
 The AVC Group, parent company of Elan, Niles, Xantech, Sunfire and Aton, has consolidated its independent sales rep network so dalers will have 'one source' access to all products and systems offered by its subsidiary companies.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
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Control4 Adds New Features to OS2.1
 Control4 has introduced new features the company says are designed to support dealers, including advanced diagnostic tools and the ability to create custom themes for user interfaces, plus a new ugrade manager for faster and easier installs.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
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Kordz LUX HDMI Cables Endorsed by Joe Kane
 Kordz is announcing a new set of flagship HDMI cables, called LUX by JKP, that are endorsed by Joe Kane, founder of Joe Kane Productions.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
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DynaScan Hires Harald Näther as Manufacturer Rep in Germany
 DynaScan announced last month it has hired Harald Näther as a manufacturer rep in Germany. Näther previously served as vice president of sales for Kinoton GmbH, Managing Director of DVC Digital Video Computing GmbH, and currently maintains a sales coaching position with his company, Future-Success.
To read the complete press release online, click here.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are -- we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories -- that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us, then go away -- unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter - instead, write directly to me at
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or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at
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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue - which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to http://www.ravepubs.com
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Copyright 2011 - rAVe [Publications] - All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. - Chapel Hill, NC 27517 - 919/969-7501. Email:
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rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.
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Not according to Microsoft or Google, both of whom have now pulled the plug on their forays into energy management. First Google axed its PowerMeter application, and now Microsoft has given the hook to its Hohm Energy Management product.
With the help of iPad sales, Apple has now pushed past HP to claim the number one spot in mobile PC devices. What will HP do? Get out of PC device manufacturing.
What Apple and others have done, is identify early-on that it’s not just about the device-but the ecosystem that supports our new Web-enabled lifestyle. It just so happens that into this lifestyle, Apple is brilliant at introducing "must-have" products that are continually pushing the boundaries of what the technology can deliver. For now, this has propelled the company to the top of the mobile device heap. And they will stay there not by focusing on the device alone, but by continuing to support an ever-growing ecosystem that fosters innovation, and ultimately delivers what the customer wants.
Everyone wants their bottom line to increase right? Getting trained on the latest industry standards and practices will ensure that you’re not wasting time while you’re on the job. CEDIA is offering back-to-back Boot Camps to help you stay on top of your game. 
The 2011 CEDIA Benchmarking Survey found that “Increasing marketing efforts” was the activity most companies reported they would undertake in 2011 to increase profitability. The good news is, CEDIA is prepared to help members with that goal, through the ESC Marketing On-Demand program, available to full CEDIA members. CEDIA’s ESC Marketing On-Demand program features brochures, postcards, and other promotional materials which members can customize and print at affordable rates. 
