Posted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 08:00 AM PDT by Steven Cohen
We've compiled the latest gear news, including LG's recent honors from the European Imaging and Sound Association, and more.
From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed.
For this edition, we're covering LG's recent EISA awards, the upcoming addition of VUDU to the Apple TV lineup, the integration of DTS Headphone:X tech into the ASUS ZenFone 4, and McIntosh Group and Sonus faber's sponsorship of Ferrari's 70th Anniversary.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news:
LG has received several honors from the European Imaging and Sound Association for its new lineup of home theater devices. Honored products include the OLED65E7 4K TV, the 55SJ850V SUPER UHD TV, and the SJ9 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar.
"Global accolades like the coveted EISA awards recognizes our work in advancing LG OLED technology as the ultimate premium home entertainment experience," said Tim Alessi, Senior Director, Home Entertainment Product Marketing, "Our OLED TVs will continue to lead the premium TV market with products that are recognized for their advanced technology, astounding picture clarity and superb design."
The 65-inch E7 OLED Ultra HD received the Best OLED TV award. The display includes Dolby Vision and HDR10 support (with an HLG firmware upgrade coming soon), improved picture performance over 2016 models, perfect black levels, wide viewing angles, wide color gamut playback, a Picture-on-Glass design, and a Dolby Atmos 4.2 Ch 60W sound bar stand. In addition to the EISA award, the LG E7 OLED also recently swept all three categories at the 2017 CE Week TV Shootout.
Meanwhile, the 55-inch SJ8500 SUPER UHD TV earned the LCD TV award. The set features Nano Cell LCD technology, Active HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support, Harman Kardon custom-tuned audio and LG's webOS 3.5 smart TV platform.
Finally, the SJ9 Sound Bar won the Soudbar award. The device utilizes multiple speakers, including two powerful up-firing drivers for bouncing sound off a user's ceiling, and a wireless subwoofer to offer a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos experience.
Judges for the EISA Awards include editors from AV magazines based in 20 European countries, the US, and Australia. Criteria includes technology, design and innovation.
Source: LG
VUDU has announced plans to bring its platform to the Apple TV. The app will be available on fourth generation Apple TV devices with a tentative launch date of August 22.
With VUDU for Apple TV, users will be able to access the digital media platform's library of over 100,000 titles for rent or purchase. Likewise, customers can also use VUDU to play their UltraViolet digital copies. And though the current 4th generation Apple TV only supports Full HD playback, VUDU offers a growing collection of 4K Ultra HD titles in Dolby Vision HDR. On that note, rumors indicate that Apple's upcoming next-gen Apple TV model will include support for 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
In addition to VUDU, Apple also recently announced plans to add the Amazon Prime Video app to its Apple TV channel lineup as well. The fourth generation Apple TV is available now in 32GB ($149) and 64GB ($199) models. Under the hood, the player is powered by a 64-bit A8 chip with Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi. The device also comes with an advanced remote with Bluetooth 4.0, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a glass touch surface for intuitive navigation, and a Siri voice search feature for comprehensive voice search results.
Source: Variety
DTS has announced the integration of its Headphone:X audio technology into the new ASUS Zenfone 4. In addition, the handset will include a new built-in Audio Wizard, offering audio personalization and DTS Headphone:X optimization.
"DTS Headphone:X technology maximizes the personalized listening experience of the ZenFone 4," said Geir Skaaden, chief product and services officer at Xperi. "Consumers are now choosing smartphones based on their features and performance capabilities. No matter the brand or model of headphones or ear buds the user selects, DTS Headphone:X technology enhances all smartphone-based audio content, delivering a premium entertainment experience."
DTS Headphone:X simulates the 3D environment of an audio track's original mixing stage, providing an immersive 360-degree surround sound experience with 11.1 support and overhead audio through any pair of headphones or earbuds. New Audio Wizard personalization features integrated into the ASUS Zenfone 4 include:
- Eight setting presets designed for a variety of music genres (Normal, Classical, Dance, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Vocal and Custom).
- A library of more than 400 headphone models to custom-tune audio for specific listening devices.
- The ability to create customized listening profiles enabling the DTS Headphone:X technology to adjust audio output based on the user's listening preference results.
"DTS Headphone:X is an integral part of providing our consumers the ultimate entertainment experience in the new ZenFone 4," said Jone Chang, division director, Phone BU, ASUS. "We are excited to offer these unique features available through DTS Headphone:X technology that ensure quality audio from any headset on the market."
Source: DTS
McIntosh Labs and Sonus faber have announced sponsorship of the 70th anniversary of Ferrari. As part of the sponsorship, the brands are displaying several of their products at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance features 200 of the most prized collector cars in the world rolled onto the famed 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links to compete for top honors. To help celebrate Ferrari's 70th Anniversary, McIntosh Labs & Sonus faber are displaying a collection of their gear at the McIntosh Labs & Sonus faber Lounge during the event. Products on hand include the RS100 Wireless Loudspeaker, MT5 Turntable, and PRYMA 01 Headphones.
The RS100 Loudspeaker allows users to bring streaming music to any room. The speaker uses DTS Play-Fi tech and can connect to a Wi-Fi network to stream tracks from a customer's mobile device. The RS100 is now available for an MSRP of $1,000.
Source: McIntosh Group
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