Posted Fri Apr 27, 2018 at 10:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
We've compiled the latest gear news, including Crestron's expanded support for LG displays, Audio Research's latest high-end amp, 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 the arrival of LG display support for Crestron's Pyng Luxury Home Automation Platform, a new study on the benefits of D-BOX motion with VR, Audio Research's newest amplifier, and Screen Innovations latest projector screen.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news:
Crestron has announced an update for its Pyng Luxury Home Automation platform. As part of the enhancement, the system will now offer IP control support for 3rd party A/V devices, starting with LG's 2017 and 2018 OLED, SUPER UHD, and UHD TV models.
"We are very pleased to work with Crestron to broaden our relationship to include IP control of our consumer LG TVs including our category-leading LG OLED, LG SUPER UHD and LG UHD TVs," said David Park, Sr. Product Marketing Manager for LG. "With the rapid growth of AI, the TV has become an increasingly more important player in whole-home solutions. LG TVs deliver the ultimate combination of world-class picture quality and access to the world's leading AI platforms. The addition of the Crestron Pyng Residential platform further builds on value of an LG TV in the connected home environment."
The Crestron Pyng platform offers simple luxury home automation set up and control for a variety of components, including audio, lighting, shades, thermostats, door locks, security keypads, occupancy sensors, photosensors, and more. Technology integrators can use the tech to easily develop lifestyle scenes for each room in a user's home, schedule events, and more directly through an iPad. Likewise, homeowners can then easily make changes to scenes, settings, and system schedules. And now control for LG 2017 and 2018 displays will be supported as part of the Crestron Pyng ecosystem as well.
"Choosing LG as a launch partner for this enhancement was a no-brainer," said Bob Bavolacco, Partnerships Manager for Crestron. "LG and Crestron have partnered to provide IP control of their displays for several years with great success in the Enterprise market, and when we were looking to extend that into the residential market, the decision to launch with LG was immediate."
Pyng video compatibility for LG displays is set to launch this summer.
Source: Crestron
A new study conducted in collaboration with HEC Montreal's Tech3Lab has revealed the benefits of D-BOX motion for VR experiences. According to the research, the tech has been named a main factor in significantly reducing motion dizziness during virtual reality.
"Not only does the motion contribute to reducing the dizziness that's common with virtual reality, but we definitely noticed that it also enhances the effect of the immersive experience for users," said Pierre-Majorique Léger, Chairholder of the NSERC-PROMPT industrial research chair in user experience and Co-director of Tech3Lab.
During traditional VR experiences, a certain level of discomfort can occur due to a disconnect between what a user's physical body is doing and what a user's brain thinks it is doing. Per the Tech3Lab study, however, when high definition and precise motion are added to the VR experience, it can help "trick" the brain into believing that the experience is really happening, resulting in a reduction or elimination of motion sickness.
"As great and promising as VR is, we can now say with all certainty the effect content providers and game developers are trying to capture is incomplete without motion," said Claude Mc Master, President and CEO of D-BOX. "As the study conclusively shows, it's the one element that not only reduces or eliminates the uncomfortable side effects that users have complained about, but it pushes virtual reality into a totally immersive, incredibly believable experience."
D-BOX motion tech is currently being implemented into a variety of VR experiences from companies like Fox, Alcon Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Ubisoft, VRC, and Dark Corners
Source: D-BOX
Audio Research has announced its latest audio component. The new Reference 160M (REF160M) Monoblock Power Amplifier is the result of two years of development, and is set to launch in Natural (Silver) and Black finishes for $30,000/pair.
"The new REF160M is the apex of the Audio Research design language, and the first step in a new era of products," said Livio Cucuzza, the creative force behind Audio Research's new aesthetic. "With its transparent meter, we are giving shape to the most renowned Audio Research sound characteristic: transparency. As an enthusiast and Audio Research customer, I can say that REF160M is the coolest tube amplifier on the planet!"
The premium amp features a refined audio topology, switchable Ultralinear/Triode operation, proprietary auto-bias, output tube monitoring and protection, an advanced power meter, and more. A transparent faceplate is integrated as well, allowing users to see the product's four glowing KT150 vacuum tubes. Two 6H30 driver tubes are included as well, and the system uses solid-state power regulation for increased efficiency, stability, and reliability. The amp is rated for 150 Watts in Ultralinear mode and 75 Watts in Triode mode.
Source: Audio Research
Screen Innovations has announced an updated version of its popular Zero Edge projector screen. The new Zero Edge Pro fixed-frame projector screen offers customers three bezel options: Small (1/2-inch), Medium (1-1/2-inches), or Large (2-inches), giving users more control over how the screen complements their room.
And beyond choices for the size of the bezel, the Medium and Large versions also feature twelve designer-selected border color options with an in-lay of hand-wrapped velvet or completely wrapped in velvet. In addition, Zero Edge Pro is available with the company's LED backlighting options as well, including a new IP controlled solution that can be integrated and controlled with Philips Hue Smart Lighting ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Screen Innovations has also announced a new XL version of its Black Diamond optical-layer based Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) material exclusively for Zero Edge Pro. In addition, the screen is also available in several other materials, including a new 1.0 gain material dubbed Unity, and acoustically transparent materials like Pure and Slate AT.
The Zero Edge Pro and new line of XL ambient light rejecting materials are now available for order in various custom sizes.
Source: Screen Innovations
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