All Products Filed in Media Servers

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

It's been said before and it remains true to this day: content is king.

VidaBox's new 4U RackServerV2 is a dedicated media server that installers can set up to distribute Blu-ray, DVD, music, photos and video throughout a home to as many as 10 media extender devices.

The N.Y.-based company offers the server with and without RAID protection, and it can be configured in a number of ways to provide as much as 32TB of storage with the use of one of the company's RackServerV2+Plus expansion units.

VidaBox also equips the server with its 1-Step Drop-n-Rip feature, which enables users to rip unencrypted discs easily, and its DualRip feature, which VidaBox designed for audiophiles. According to the company, the DualRip feature rips CDs in the uncompressed WAV format for playback in a typical home audio system without having the distraction of listening to low resolution audio files and in the MP3 format so the same music can be stored on an Apple iPod.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

In the world of high-performance home theater Kaleidescape has established its product line as a go-to source component to provide users with an easy and reliable way to manage and playback their music and movie files.

On Sept. 2 the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based manufacturer of residential entertainment servers announced its new iPhone application. Kaleidescape says the app will allow users of its products to more easily shop for movies.

The app scans a DVD or Blu-ray disc barcode and then notifies users if they have that title in their content libraries and what format the video is stored. The app also provides users with information from its Movie Guide feature, which includes movie descriptions; who directed and starred in the movie, aspect ratios, running times and ratings.

Michael Malcom, chairman and CEO of Kaleidescape, says new iPhone app provides users with another tool that enhances their home theater experience. "This new app broadens the value of the rich information in our exclusive Movie Guide by making it available to our customers when they are shopping,” he says.

“It also extends the elegance and simplicity of the Kaleidescape experience beyond the home.”

Kaleidescape dealers and their clients can go to Apple's iTunes web site to download the app.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Vaulting ahead of the other media server companies, the N.J.-based Windows Media Center (MCE) company, S1Digital has updated its product line through the addition of 3D video playback, lossless audio and the announcement of its new P250 MCE client.

S1 had addressed its ProLine Series, which includes the S800, P600 and P500 by adding 3D Blu-ray disc playback capabilities and HDMI 1.4 connections.

The company has also added 10 terabytes (10 TBs) of internal storage with six hot-swappable RAID drives, along with the latest Intel Core i7 processor and Microsoft's Windows 7 64-bit operating system (OS) to its flagship S800.

Beyond the 3D options for the P500 and P600, S1 has added DTS Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD lossless audio and HDMI Deep Color video capabilities to its mid-level Media Center machines. On top of those additions, the N.J.-based manufacturer has added RAID-enabled internal storage, Intel Core i5 processors, and the Windows 7 OS to the P500 and P600 to ensure the products' performance.

Rounding out its product line is the P250 client. This unit supports HDMI 1.3, the Dolby and DTS lossless audio formats, 1080p video resolutions, and seamless network access to the company's ProLine Series of products to allow the device to playback Blu-ray, music, videos and photo media.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Back in May Qsonix announced a working relationship with Wadia that would help the distribution of its products and the performance of its products.

Six weeks later the company has introduced its Q2 series of products. These new products are said to utilize a new design and they feature digital output designs from Wadia Digital.

Some of the improvements made to the Q2 line include a new enclosure that's highlighted by a machined aluminum front panel. The company has also addressed its user interface and added options like Apple iPad control capabilities.

Improvements made to its audio circuits include the ability to support 24-bit/192kHz uncompressed audio files and a custom designed digital output section from Wadia. The servers offer AES/EBU balanced digital audio, S/PDIF, Toslink and USB digital outputs, as well as four discrete analog output options, hard wired IR connections and the ability to support third-party control systems from companies like Crestron and AMX.

Qsonix also offers the servers with a choice of 1TB or 2TB hard drives, 15 inch or 17 inch touchscreens, built-in support for PC and Apple computers and iPods, iPhones and iPads.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

With the lines blurred between the world of A/V and traditional networking, products like Pakedge Device's new SW5-GW 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet can serve to facilitate the relationship between Web-based technologies and a traditional A/V system.

The high-speed switch is compact with dimensions of 4.75-inches by 3-inches by 1-inch and when combined with its wall-mounting brackets, installers can place the unit in a choice of spaces to accommodate a client's needs and wishes.

Pakedge says the network compliant, plug-and-play switch is equipped with five auto-speeds sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps ports, and installer friendly features like the ability to negotiate network speeds and duplex to help ensure reliable signal transmission between all connected devices.

Monday, June 14, 2010

The French speaker company Focal has developed a rabid group of followers in both the consumer and pro worlds of audio.

Recently the company's pro audio group introduced a product that should please custom installers that are servicing both consumers and the sound engineers in the pro community.

The new CMS 40 near-field active monitor is a compact, two-way speaker that can be used for broadcast and post production in the pro audio world, and consumer applications like desktop audio and home recording.

Focal drives the unit's 4-inch woofer with a 25-watt RMS Class AB amplifier, and another 25-watt RMS Class AB amplifier on the speaker's 1-inch inverted dome tweeter. The speaker also offers users a choice of RCA and XLR (balanced) inputs and a frequency response of 60Hz to 28kHz.

Audio Plus Services distributes Focal and Focal Professional in the U.S., and the Canadian-based distributor says some of the other CMS 40 details include:

• Maximum SPL: 97dB
• Tuning for low and high frequencies with adjustable filters
• Reinforced and damped die-cast aluminum enclosure with a black powercoat finish
• Dimensions with spikes 9.375 inches x 6.125 inches x 6.125 inches
• Dimensions with table stands: 9.9562 inches x 6.125 inches x 6.125 inches
  
  
  Filed in Audio, Speakers, Video, Digital Media, Media Servers, Media Center, Mixers, Comments (0)
  
  

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thanks to the popularity of its iPod and iPhone products, Apple has seen its market share of the computer operating system (OS) grow, and now with products like the iPad this trend should continue.

Elgato's EyeTV HD provides all these Apple users with a way to access premium television content from cable and satellite service providers on their Apple machines. Recently the company updated the software to version 3.4 that includes a dual-format capture mode that records in iPad and iPhone formats at the same time.

The software records in H.264 and it offers an export to iTunes feature to enable users to store their recorded television content in iTunes. In addition, the product can record analog content from a VCR and camcorder and it includes component, S-video and composite video inputs.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

It wasn't that long ago that music listeners and audiophiles in particular wanted features like XLR (balanced) inputs to connect their high-performance CD players and other sources. In 2010 a case could be made that USB is the choice input of new generation.

Responding to the growing push for USB inputs, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Bel Canto Design, Ltd., has introduced a new integrated amplifier with a USB input to enable users to utilize their computers as a source component.

The company's S300iUSB integrated amplifier incorporates a USB input with 24-bit/96kHz upsampling capabilities, an efficient, cool-running, dual-mono digital amplification section that's capable of producing 300 watts per channel, as well as driving 4-ohm loads.

Bel Canto has designed the integrated amp for traditional usages and new-age applications where an Apple product or PC can be used as the basis of a modern two-channel audio system.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Apple TV has always been viewed as a niche product for do-it-yourselfer (DIY'er) A/V enthusiasts, computer geeks and custom installers.

Now as rumors swirl about a new cloud-based Apple TV product announcement from the Cupertino, Calif. electronics company, specialty electronics manufacturers like Autonomic Controls are producing Apple enhancement products that enable installers to integrate Apple products into their system solutions.

Autonomic Controls' new Apple TV module for Crestron is SystemBuilder compatible, which the company says increases installers' ability to utilize Apple TV in their Crestron-based home control, home theater and whole-house A/V designs.

The module also enables installers to implement multiple Apple TV units running PC and Mac versions of iTunes, and it also recognizes Apple AirTunes via Ethernet to facilitate multi-zone control and media browsing from any touchpanel in the system.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Boulder, Colo.-based Boulder Amplifiers is known for its luxury line of electronics that primarily target traditional two-channel enthusiasts. Recently however the American audio company added a software revision to its 1021 Disc Player that includes the UPnP and DLNA protocols to facilitate networked usage.

With the software update installers can set the 1021 as a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to asynchronously stream digital music files from iTunes or Windows Media Center and play them back at resolutions as high as 32-bit or 192kHz.

The 1021 supports Apple formats such as ALAC(Apple Lossless Compression) and AIFF (audio interchange file format), as well as FLAC, OGG, Vorbis, MP3 and WAV. Additionally, Boulder says that users with smart phones like an iPhone or Droid can use a control app to assemble playlists and perform other control functions via network connectivity.

Friday, January 08, 2010

Meridian has received a lot of praise for its Sooloos solution because of its combination of audio quality and user functionality and its latest updates to the product line should enhance these qualities.

The new 2.1 update debuted at CES 2010 improves on the system's ability to integrate with a Crestron control system, while adding Apple iPhone control capabilities, streamlined configuration options, zone-link synchronization, and the addition of the Rhapsody service and Internet radio.

Meridian has also increased the interoperability of its Sooloos media system by adding modular card options that enable installers to integrate a Sooloos system with the company's flagship 800 solutions. The new ID40 Sooloos integration card is standard with the company's new 808v3 CD player and an add-on option for its 861v6 A/V controller.

Naim Audio's UnitiQute is a one-box solution that incorporates an amplifier rated to deliver 30-watts per channel into an 8-ohm load, an FM tuner, USB for computer connections, analog and digital inputs for traditional legacy sources, Ethernet, UPnP networking capabilities and 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to upgrade the sound quality of low-resolution digital files.

The company says the unit is compatible with WAV, MP3, Windows media, AAC and FLAC files, and its on-board bass management system enables installers to run the unit with a subwoofer/satellite speaker system.

The unit, which debuted at CES 2010, is expected to launch in March 2010 at an MSRP of $2,000.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

A few years ago www.wadia.com created a stir among budget-minded audiophiles when it introduced its original i170 Transport, which back then allowed Apple iPod users to create a digital connection between their iPods and their home audio systems.

The just-announced i171 Transport expands on the original capabilities of the older component by enabling iPhone and iPod Touch owners to use their Wi-Fi devices as media servers.

Beyond the new unit's "works with iPhone" certification, the dock also includes upgraded power supply components, connectors, remote control options, and it passes video signals via component outputs.

The TouchClient20 is a touchscreen HDTV with a control touchpanel and Windows Media Center for streaming Blu-rays, DVDs, music, photos and other digital content. The networkable TouchClient20 includes VESA-compatible mounting provisions to allow the device to hang on a wall. It also includes a SPDIF output for surround sound audio and HDMI inputs.