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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
