Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Denon intros RF-capable universal remote system

"Logitech Harmony universal remotes not good enough for you? Home Theater Master doesn't quite match your AV receiver? You're in luck, because yesterday Denon announced a high-end universal remote with the same sort of PC programmability as those clickers. With the purchase of a special base station, Denon's remote can use radio frequency (RF) to control components through walls and around the house. Both ship in August 2007.

The RC-7000CI ($299 list) itself does seem a lot like the Home Theater master units (like the MX-800), with a monochrome LCD screen and device-centric design, as opposed to Harmony's activity-centric scheme. Denon's press release claims its USB-connected PC programmability incorporates one of the world's largest remote control code databases, but as with any universal remote, the design and ease of programming is paramount. We'll wait to see how Denon's software stacks up against Harmony's."

Samsung intros its first dual-format, high-def player

"Samsung Electronics has expanded its line up of high-definition optical disc players, with the launch of its first dual-format fully-featured high definition player that plays back both HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs -- model BD-UP5000 -- scheduled for delivery to retailer store shelves in the 4th quarter 2007. At the same time, Samsung is also introducing their new BD-P1400 Blu-ray Disc player, BD-P2400 Blu-ray Disc player and, as well as the first HD Home Theater solution featuring Blu-ray disc (BD) playback.

According to Samsung, home entertainment aficionados can enjoy the closest experience to going to the movies in their own home. Building on the success of Samsung's BD-P1000 (the first Blu-ray player in the US Market) and the second-generation BD-P1200, the all-new lineup quenches consumers' thirst for not only the best video possible, but also high quality audio in a hi-definition disc player."

Beginner Builds Theater for $8K

"When some people want a home theater, they pick up a phone. Kevin Johnson picked up his tools. About 18 months later, he had a home theater.

Sure it may seem like a long time, especially in this “I-want-it-now” world, but Johnson has a day job, so he could only do work on nights and weekends.

It all started with a trip to a friend’s house—isn’t that always the way? Johnson was instantly bit by the theater bug. “I pushed the wife on this subject for a week or so before I went ahead and ordered our first projector [a Sanyo PLV-Z2],” Johnson says.

After discussing a few locations with his wife, Johnson decided to use one of the six bedrooms in their home. It wasn’t too tough a decision. The walk-in closet was a perfect spot for equipment, and it was the only bedroom not attached to a bathroom (although how cool would that be?). It was actually “the only room she was comfortable losing,” he says."