CEDIA is full of iPod docks, but the only one that interested me was the Wadia 170iTransport. It comes from the same company that has been producing uber-high quality, but pricey, digital audio converters since before the last Bush administration. I spent some time with the 170iTransport and walked away fully impressed with the audio and video capabilities. Granted, the unit isn’t for everybody, but for those audiophiles ready to ditch physical media and step across to high bit rate digital audio, it’s a great solution. Owners need to bring their own DAC or amplifier, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the target audience. The dock sells for only $379 and started shipping in June.

Sharp always has one of the sleekest booths at CEDIA. Minimulistic cues abound, I wish I could pull of so much cool in my midwest pad. Anyway, Sharp is showing off their limited edition LCD, a bunch of standard LCDs, and of course, their ‘new’ Blu-ray players that Sharp hopes someone will buy. 

Photo set after the jump. Enjoy.

I know, I know, but the eSommelier Wine Cellar system is actually really neat. The product scans a wine bottle, prints off a custom label, catalogs it, and can even provide live temperature and humidity conditions in your cellar. Software control comes from either a stationary touchscreen, or coming soon, a wireless touchpad. The whole system costs around $10k, so obviously, not everyone is going to have the system installed in their cellar. Personally, my wine management is a tab bit more simple… they are hanging by the stove. I wonder if that’s good for ‘em.

Who doesn’t enjoy a high-end universal remote? After spending sometime with Universal Remote’s latest units, I can tell you that users will certainly enjoy these too. The MX-440 might retail for $249, but the solid build and a striking high-res LCD shouts quality. The big brother, MX-880, easily justifies the higher price of $499 with a bigger screen and better feel along with RF signals. While the two conventional remotes are nice, they aint the RSS-sport’n, remote audio server control’n, $1,499 MX-6000 touchscreen remote though. 

Remote p0rn after the link.

Monster Cable setup a mobile test lab at CEDIA this year, challenging any cable manufacturer to a head-to-head battle. Only one attempted to enter, but didn’t see disclaimer that Monster wanted 4m cables or longer in the match up, and that particular maker didn’t have HDMI cables that long.

I know what’s yelled whenever a Monster Cable HDMI story comes up: Monoprice-4-evah playa! I hear ya, but take a look at what the test equipment that Monster Cable employs to prove their cables are the best. It impressed me.

Monster Cable provided an engineer for some hands-on tests. The unit on the left simulates bandwidth, with the number in the top left representing the number of bytes being ran over one of the three HDMI channels. (multiple that number by three for the total cable capability) The monitor on the right provides a real-time image of the HDMI signal. Ideally, a cable should have narrow bars with a large center ‘eye.’ The bigger the bars and the smaller the center eye, means more noise in the digital signal thanks to lower quality manufacturing and parts.

The way the engineer explained it to me is that viewers will not notice the difference in short runs because of the loss can be compensated by the HDTVs processors. Apparently, with longer cables, the extra noise is more noticeable and therefore the need for higher-quality long digital cables arise.

Okay, onto the tests.

The first test was ‘brand-x’ 4m cable. It passed the 2.23GB test which is fine for high-def cable TV.

The cable failed the 4.95GB test though, which according to Monster Cable means viewers will notice digital artifacts from Blu-ray players and PS3s.

The Monster HDMI cable passed the same 4.95GB that the off-brand failed. The lines on the monitor are a lot tighter, representing less digital fluctuations.

The engineer even threw the test thingie up to 14.85GB total throughput, and sure ‘nough, their cable passed the test. Notice that the lines are larger though.

I know this was their test equipment and it could have been rigged, but I have personally noticed digital artifacts on long HDMI runs so the company’s claims do have some weight with me. Monster Cable even said that on short runs, digital loss is cut to a minimum. This hands-on experience didn’t swayed my opinion ’bout the company, but rather open my eyes to the different HDMI options.

So if you can excuse me, I have a kool-aid mustache I need to wash off.

The Speakercarft booth took a different approach than most others at CEDIA ‘08. The focus seemed to be the company and building relationships, rather than products. The booth did feature a few of the speaker company’s wares out front, but inside was a bass-pounding good time thanks to Lucent Dossier performers. I don’t think there was another booth at this show that drew the same amount of curious onlookers. 

Check out what I mean after the jump.

Oppo has always been a driving force in the upscalling DVD scene. The company was one of the first, and the AV crowd still looks upon with respect, so when the BDP-83 dropped at the DVDO booth, they took notice. Rightfully so too as the BDP-83 is sporting the same killer video processor as the DVDO EDGE. No word on price or availability, but you can assume that the player supports BD Live, thanks to the rear-panel Ethernet jack along with 7.1 analog out for legacy audio. Plus, the front logo markings revel that it also supports SACDs with HDCD support. Hopefully, more info will drop soon — like the price — as the BDP-83 might just be the first must-have Blu-ray player.

Pics of remote and back panel after the jump.

Some speakers sound divine, other speakers sound pleasent, then there are these five speakers, that given the chance, will instantly violate local noise ordinances and your grandmother, all at the same time.

The KEF Muon concept speakers are designed to either impress a little honey enough that she gets into the sack, or blow her clothes right off; either way is fine. See, it worked on that chick. 

The last time someone spared no expense, Jeff Goldblum was attacked by a T-Rex. This time around, the Steinway Lyngdorf Model D is sure to create a similar chain of unexplained catastrophes if cranked up. MSRP: $188,000 for everything sitting there.

Sometimes it’s all about compensation. You might drive a Prius, rock out on a Zune, but knowing that you have Focal Utopia III speakers back at your pad is ‘nough to make you walk a little taller than the douche driving the Viper. MSRP: $185,000 a pair.

Some California Audio Speaker setups will make even trust fund babies ask, “How much again?” So if you have to ask how much the MBX 10.9S44 speakers cost, your rich grandpappy probably won’t cover the tab. MSRP:$250k a pair.

This Wilson Audio subwoofer’s product name is Thor’s Hammer. Seriously. MSRP:$21,000

I know the Martin Logan CLX speaker probabaly wouldn’t blow clothes off girls, but it’s sexy enough that you wouldn’t need a women anyways. $30,000 as shown

DVDO has been around a while, pimping AV scalers to the affulent around us. Previously, those scalers, or upconverters, used third-party processing to accieve the amazingly, upgraded picture. Those models cost up to $3,499 though. So when the $799 Edge dropped last week, the first thing that came to mind is what the hell did they exclude. It turns out that besides component and RS-232 outputs, not much was left out thanks to an in-house made processor. What used to cost a great deal of money per chip tp buy, can now be made by the company at low cost. The booth guys said that the processing is the same and we shouldn’t notice any difference at. The Edge is aiming at the Best Buy / Circuit City crowd and the company is even hoping to drop the price if the accountants allow later on.

Wait; they’re industrial vacuums…at the same trade show as 150k projectors….alright.

You should already know ’bout Panasonic’s AE3000 projector. You should know that it sports 30,000:1 contrast, 1080p24, and the $3500 price tag. In fact, a lot of people already know what the guy looks like as it’s housed within the same bezel as the previous two generations. Even still, the obligatory new product hands-on picture set is after the jump. Enjoy.

Praise the AV gods! Finally, after Yamaha, Marantz, Integra and Sharp all introduced ‘new’ Blu-ray players that support the old Blu-ray standard Profile 1.1, there is a new, high-end Blu-ray player that sports Blu-ray Profile 2.0; that means the NAD T 587 supports BD Live. Surprisingly though, this player hasn’t been announced yet, and no one at the NAD booth wanted to talk about the unit. So all we know is what the fact card states: Profile 2.0, BD Live, 1080p24/60, with a MSRP of $1,499. No word on which distribution channels the T 587 is going to ride on, nor when the player will be available but if more info comes our way, we’ll hit ya up.

Let me tell you, these bags are relaxing. Holy crap are they comfy. Maybe that’s just me after racing around the CEDIA EXPO floor but I don’t think so. Random-sized foam shavings comprise the innards to make one hell of seat. I tried to get one back to my hotel room for a ‘review,’ but they said no. I’m talking about the CuddleBag, buddy. 

They are currently available in sizes that run from 8-foot ($659) down though a 6-, 5-, and to a 4-foot costing $419. Interested buyers can order one via their website or local dealers.

First and foremost, these new Marantz Blu-ray players are Profile 1.1; sorry, no BD Live on your pricey Marantz players. With that important tidbit out of the way though, these two players are obviously geared for different crowds. The low-end BD7003 has the standard fair of 1080p24 HDMI 1.3a out, scalers for different resolutions, and an admission cost of $799. The big boy Marantz though is something special thanks to the 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta HQV I/P video processor and 7.1 analog outputs. The BD8002 costs a bit more and it could be yours for only $1999.

I love McIntosh gear. The processors big, the amps are bad and when combined, Twisted Sister feels so right. But for some trust fund kids, the huge equipment just doesn’t fit in their West Village studio and so McIntosh is developing a rock’n bookshelf system. Dubbed the Mini-Mac by McIntosh staffers, the 60th Anniversary System is powered by two, separate tube amps, each powering their own channel. The good word is that the mini-system has all the AV magic of McIntosh’s $6,500 CD player and two killer speakers. Pricing is naturally up in the clouds with the whole system going for under $10k, and the speakers might be sold separately at $2k a piece. Crazy, I know, but McIntosh sound has never disappointed me before.

McIntosh booth images after the jump.

Most large manufacturers at CEDIA this year are showing off their latest Blu-ray players. A good amount of the ‘new players’ are unfortunately profile 1.1 and therefore, not BD Live capable, but there was a buzz going around the show floor concerning Denon’s upcoming super player. Something about a $3800-$4000 Blu-ray king coming out early next year.

I managed to snag sometime with the Director of Product Development & Systems Integration who told me straight-faced, that they will have it at CES. Initially, he wouldn’t comment on anything else, but he eventually indicated that yes, it will be a Profile 2.0 player. I can’t wait for CES — and the obligatory early leeks.

Yeah, it’s a Wilson Audio Alezandria X2 speaker. Otherwise this would have been one hell of a CEDIA.

ROFL. More Monster Screen cleaner and is there really a need for an iPhone cleaner, along with a separate cell phone cleaner. Really? Come on. LOL. And dedicated GPS screen cleaner? ROFL. On a personal note, my shirt cleans my Blackberry just fine and I didn’t have to spend the $10 bucks for these monster oils. Moving on….

MONSTER NOW SHIPPING ITS IMPROVED FORMULA SCREENCLEAN™ WITH ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANING CLOTH, INCLUDING BRAND NEW SPECIALLY DESIGNED VERSION FOR LAPTOPS

– Company’s Monster ScreenClean™ Line Now Includes Travel-Size Bottles for Laptop, as well as Camera/Camcorder, Cell Phone/PDA, GPS and Apple iPod^®/iPhone ^™ Screens –

Denver, CO Sept. 4 , 2008 – Monster, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end cables, AV accessories, and power conditioning products, today announced it has begun shipping its new improved formula Monster ScreenClean™ products. The full line now features the latest entry to the ScreenClean family – Monster ScreenClean for Laptop in a smaller-sized bottle designed to fit easily into laptop bags, with super-fine mist specially engineered not to drip.

All ScreenClean products safely and easily clean touch screens without scratching, and all feature antibacterial cleaning cloths enhanced with AEGIS Micro Shield^® Technology to not only polish touch screens to crystal clarity but also control potentially harmful bacteria and other micro-organisms.  In addition, the powerful new ScreenClean specialized formula cleaning solution removes grubby fingerprints without streaking and comes in convenient travel-sized portable bottles that fit easily into pockets or small bags. Monster is debuting five new ScreenClean products for use with portable electronics devices including the new laptop version, as well as versions for camera/camcorders, cell phones/PDAs, GPS devices and Apple iPod^®/iPhones^™.

According to Jim Krueger, AEGIS COO: “Monster ScreenClean products were developed with careful consideration of the growing problem posed by disease-causing agents that are prone to exist on portable electronic devices, where the heat-rich environment and constant human handling can create optimum conditions for contamination. Monster’s research in this area has led to the incorporation of the AEGIS Microbe Shield in its ScreenClean products.  The AEGIS Microbe Shield technology is used to protect a variety of surfaces in major hospitals and in sports bags. Monster ScreenClean with AEGIS technology permanently bonds to the surface of the cleaning cloth and inhibits the growth of micro organisms, effectively controlling a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, yeast and other one-celled organisms.”

Said Noel Lee, The Head Monster: “Touch screens have become an integral part of our experience with so many of our portable devices, and maintaining a germ, dirt, dust, and fingerprint-free screen is essential to the safe enjoyment and utility of laptops, digital cameras, cell phones, GPSs, Apple iPods, iPhones and other products. The new Monster ScreenClean products expand on our existing lineup of ScreenClean for use with large-screen TVs and other display devices with new technologies engineered specifically for the portable electronics user.”

Recyclable “Green” Packaging

As part of Monster’s effort to do its part in protecting the environment, the new Monster ScreenClean portable products will come packaged in fully recyclable “green” packaging.

The new line of Monster ScreenClean products are currently available in the following configurations: Monster ScreenClean for Laptop 

Camera and Camcorder, Monster ScreenClean for Cell Phone/PDS, Monster ScreenClean for GPS devices and Monster iClean^™ for iPhone and iPod.. 

 All of these products have a suggested retail price of $9.95.

Monster Cable. I know you hate ‘em and you’re not planning on reading this post because of that, but these new power centers are kind of neat so I implore you to read on. It’s the hip thing to go green and these latest power centers from Monster Cable will help with that. 

 

The Monster GreenPower IR Control is featured on the remote-control enabled EPIR 2450, EPIR 3650, and HDP 2550 PowerCenters. Designed for use with home entertainment systems, these PowerCenters let users eliminate stand-by energy waste with their remote control. Each of these PowerCenters features remote controlled outlets that can be completely switched off using any universal learning remote. Users simply plug their HDTV or other energy wasting electronics into these outlets and add the PowerCenter to their remote. They can now use their remote to completely cut power to AV components that would ordinarily use electricity even when their home theater isn’t on. EP IR 2450 has 3 outlets, EP IR 3650 has 4 outlets and HDP IR 2550 has 2 outlets that can be turned on or off by remote control.

The computer power centers work in a similar fashion. 

The MDP 900, MDP 800 and MDP 650 Digital Life™ PowerCenters are geared toward computer use and feature Monster GreenPower Outlet Management that works automatically to eliminate energy waste in connected PC systems. Users simply plug their computer into the GreenPower Control outlet, then plug their additional connected PC peripherals (printer, monitor, scanner, loudspeakers, etc.) into the specially marked Monster GreenPower Controlled outlets. When the computer is turned off or goes to sleep, the other GreenPower outlets automatically switch off, eliminating the energy wasted by peripheral components when they’re not in use. When the computer turns back on, the GreenPower outlets automatically power the peripherals up again. Users can also plug their modem, wireless router, and printer into unswitched outlets to keep their wireless network and printing up and running while the main computer system is off.

See, I told you; kind of neat. To bad the PowerCenters are Monster expensive with the EPIR 2450 going for $499, the EPIR 3650 for $599 and the High Definition IR PowerCenter 2550 for $499.95. PC users can pick up their solutions with the MDP 900 hitting shelves at $129, MDP 800 for $99 and MPD 650 for $69. Alright, thank you for your time and now you can go back to hating the Monster.

JBL announced these quarter-toroid speakers a while ago, but seeing them in person really shows how versatile the speakers are. The Control NOW loudspeaker can sit alone, be hung on the wall, wrap around a corner, but when their powers combine, they form a round speaker thingie. I could totally see these speaker donuts hanging at an outdoor bistro or inside an upscale bar. They are kind of pricey at $279 so that hangout spot is not going to have cheap drinks though – oh, and they sound great in the large venue that is CEDIA.

Photos after the link.