All Products Filed in Media Servers

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,
  
  

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.