CE Companies Showcase the Latest at CEDIA

6 Sep, 2012 By: Chris Tribbey

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Consumer electronics companies used the annual Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo Sept. 5 to 8 to unveil HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and new features for DVR and media server products.

Sony Electronics used the expo to unveil its new flagship Bravia HDTC, the 55- and 65-inch XBR-HX950, listing at $4,499.99 and $5,499.99, respectively. The sets optimize video from any source, including online, into high-def content, and features dozens of Internet applications via the Sony Entertainment Network.

Yamaha unveiled its Aventage BD-A1020 universal 3D Blu-ray Disc player, offering Wi-fi, Netflix and YouTube streaming, DLNA compliance and wide-ranging codec playback compatibility.

“Our BD-A1020 Aventage universal Blu-ray player delivers content from a wide array of formats, including Blu-ray 3D, SACD and DVD Audio, with the best possible video and audio reproduction for the ultimate home theater or pure audio experiences,” said Tom Sumner, SVP of Yamaha Corp. of America. “This model builds on the cult success of our BD-A1010 universal player, which received widespread critical and consumer praise.”

The BD-A1020 has a list price of $449.95.

Movie server company Kaleidescape announced a partnership with famed film critic Leonard Maltin, to offer a recommended collection of films for owners of Kaleidescape products. Kaleidescape will produce exclusive commentaries with Maltin for each film in the collection, with new commentaries added weekly.

“Living in a Big Way was one of Gene Kelly's rare commercial flops, but I selected it because it contains two of the most entertaining musical numbers he ever put on film," Maltin said. "These pearly gems are rescued by Kaleidescape's video bookmarks because you can simply select ‘Fido and Me’ or ‘Playground Medley’ to skip directly to the beginning of these innovative dances."

Leonard Maltin Recommends is available as a 26-DVD ($545) or 17-Blu-ray Disc ($445) collection, with new titles added quarterly.

“Kaleidescape system owners are voracious consumers of movies, buying on average 51 titles per year," said Michael Malcolm, Kaleidescape's chairman, founder and CEO. “We’re thrilled to be working with Mr. Maltin; his insightful commentary will help our customers discover and appreciate these lesser known films.”

Kaleidescape also used the CEDIA Expo to announce it will add parental guidance ratings from Common Sense Media into its Kaleidescape App for iPad.

"With more than 17,000 reviews and ratings of nearly 5,000 movies, Common Sense Media is an extremely valuable resource for parents who are looking for more guidance and context in their movie reviews than what the MPAA or other outlets provide," said Amy Guggenheim Shenkan, president and COO of Common Sense Media. "Partnering with Kaleidescape provides Common Sense with the great opportunity to bring our ratings and reviews directly to parents right when they're making these crucial decisions."

TiVo launched TiVo Stream, which gives Premier subscribers the ability to watch recordings on their iPad for the first time and stream shows to iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches.

“Finally, consumers can have the flexibility they have long demanded by enjoying their favorite entertainment content anywhere — be it at home, in the air, or on-the-road,” said Jim Denney, GM and VP of product marketing for TiVo. “With the launch of TiVo Stream, we are ushering in a new era of flexibility, empowering our users to watch their recorded entertainment regardless of location.”

The device, listing for $129.99, allows for simultaneous streaming or downloading of shows to as many as four mobile devices, without interrupting what’s playing on TV. TiVo Stream is compatible with TiVo Premiere, TiVo Premiere XL, TiVo Premiere 4 and TiVo Premiere XL4.

Lastly, JVC Professional Products Company unveiled two 84-inch ProVérité 4K LCD monitors, offering screen resolution of 3840x2160, four times the resolution of current full HD.

“4K is destined to become the new ‘HD,’ and JVC is excited to be at the forefront of introducing this exciting new display technology to the marketplace,” said Lon Mass, VP of JVC's Professional Video Division. “While other 4K products are targeting high-end niche markets, we have positioned these new monitors to bring 4K into mainstream use for home and business.”

The RS-840UD and PS-840UD will be available in January and are priced less than $20,000 each.

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