1. CE Cyclists Aim to Raise $1 Million for Cancer Research From CEDIA Ride

A cycling team made up of consumer electronics professionals are biking 2,200 miles from Maine to CEDIA EXPO in Denver, Co. to raise money for cancer research. The CE Express, as they call themselves, hope to raise $1 million.

The 2,200 mile journey, led by Ken Smith, president of Custom Electronics and vice-president of CEDIA, was scheduled to begin  mid-August in Augusta, Maine, and end with a grand finale celebration Sept. 10 at CEDIA EXPO in Denver. Along the way, sponsored riders from around the country will join the tour – all in the name of fighting cancer one mile at a time.

The 22-day ride is being sponsored by noted CE companies Niles Audio Corporation and Speakercraft, with both Niles Audio President Frank Sterns and Speakercraft President Jeremy Burkhart along for portions of the tour. A CE Express send-off party and parade was planned for the ride’s kick-off with special guest Maine Governor John Baldacci joining the team for the first few miles of the trek. A mid-point celebration is also planned in Indianapolis, Ind., the home of CEDIA.

 “The money raised by the CE Express will help doctors and scientists find new cures and better treatments for cancer, thus saving thousands of lives,” said Ken Smith, ringleader of the CE Express. “I have been touched personally by this disease on many levels – This ride gives me and many others in our industry an opportunity to do our part in fighting cancer, one mile at a time.”

Smith, an accomplished cyclist, rode a similar solitary trek last year from Maine to Indianapolis to raise funds for cancer research after being affected by several co-workers, friends and family members diagnosed with the disease. That ride raised $22,000. This year Smith decided to expand his journey exponentially – in hopes of increasing funds to the millionth mark.

Proceeds from the CE Express bike tour will be equally donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Maine. More information about the CE Express is available by visiting http://www.weallknowsomeone.org

2. Consumer Electronics Growth to Continue Through 2007, Says CEA Market Research

The Consumer Electronics Association forecasts total CE factory-to-dealer sales to reach $140 billion in 2006, an eight percent growth over 2005, as shown in figures released by CEA in its semi-annual U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts Report. According to CEA Market Research, final year-end totals reached $128 billion in 2005, making 11 percent growth over 2004.

Display technologies continue to be the front runner in the CE industry with revenues reaching $19 billion in 2005 and expected to exceed $22 billion in 2006.

CEA projects the DVD market is poised for resurgence over the coming years as two newer technologies, DVD recorders and high-definition DVD, become widely available. CEA figures show DVD recorder prices have declined significantly, with the average price less than $100, with shipments expected to exceed seven million units this year. High resolution DVD players in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats entered in the market place this year. Initial product delays have forced reduced volumes, but shipments of home component models should reach more than one million units in 2007.

For more details, go to http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11111

3. Planar Enters HomeAV Market

Planar Systems, which for 23 years has provided display technologies to the commercial market, announced that the company is entering the custom HomeAV market. The Planar Home Theater business unit is headed by Scott Hix, who assumes the role of vice president and general manager after being appointed Planar's vice president of business development earlier this year. Replacing Hix as Planar's VP of business development is Brad Gleeson, bringing more than 20 years of flat-panel experience to Planar's new strategic focus and the position. 20-year veteran Jim Davis becomes global head of sales for Planar's Home Theater unit.

Planar begins the new business with its first home theater product, the Planar Xscreen, a front-projection screen system designed to reduce reflected light from windows or lamps. Xscreen comes in 60-inch, 70-inch, 80-inch and 100-inch diagonal viewing sizes and a black, high-gloss industrial frame design.

For more details on this announcement, go to http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=111133&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=894801& and http://www.planarhometheater.com/

4. Flip-Flop Rulings for TiVo vs. EchoStar

First, a U.S. District judge in Texas ruled that EchoStar, operator of DISH Networks, would have to actually turn off all of the company’s DVR units. The dispute is over a patent infringement of TiVo’s “time-warp” capability, the ability to record a live television program while playing another. AP reports that the ruling would affect 3 million of Dish's 12.5 million subscribers.

But the next day, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked the lower-court order that would have forced EchoStar to turn those DVRs off.

Some believe that TiVo will eventually win this fight, since a federal jury in April sided with TiVo and concluded that EchoStar did infringe on TiVo's "time-warp" patent. No doubt, it’s a big loss for either company.

For more information, go to http://www.tivo.com/cms_static/press_103.html

Projection

5. Runco Launches 1080p Projectors

Just ahead of CEDIA EXPO, Runco announced a line of single-chip and 3-chip 1080p native resolution DLP projectors. Seven new 1080p projectors are being launched, all with Runco’s CineWide and/or CineWide with AutoScope technology as an available option.

Retail pricing ranges from $11,995.00 for the single-chip DLP Reflection Series model to $115,000.00 for the most sophisticated 3-chip DLP Video Xtreme machine when equipped with the CineWide with AutoScope option and Runco’s most advanced McKinley anamorphic optics.

The new Runco 1080p models will be on display in Runco’s dealer presentation and training room #501 in the Denver Convention Center and some models will be at the company’s booth #141. The plan is to have all these shipping by October.

For more information, go to http://www.castercomm.com/pr_docs/Runco%201080p%20Projectors%20at%20CEDIA%202006%20-%20FINAL%20APPROVED.doc

Connectivity

6. Ruckus Wireless Announces Wi-Fi System for In-Home Connectivity to Outdoor Metro-scale Wi-Fi Networks

Ruckus announced a way for homes to take advantage of city-wide Wi-Fi networks. The MetroFlex is an 802.11b/g wireless access gateway specifically designed to give consumers better in-home connectivity to outdoor metro-scale Wi-Fi networks -- a key problem facing service providers deploying city-wide Wi-Fi networks. Ruckus says MetroFlex delivers better than DSL speeds.

MetroFlex, already being used in Mountain View, Calif. and other cities, will be resold by Expressnets, a customer premise equipment (CPE) supplier and systems integrator.

Since Wi-Fi access points and receivers are designed to send and receive Wi-Fi signals in all directions at once, it makes it hard for homes to use it reliably as the signals weaken and degrade with distance. Trees, walls and buildings also get in the way.

The Ruckus MetroFlex is designed to significantly increase client-side performance for subscribers of any metro-scale Wi-Fi system, regardless of the mesh equipment deployed.

MetroFlex is priced at $129 and is available immediately for purchase online at https://www.expressnets.com/Google_Wifi_Mv.htm

For more information, go to http://www.ruckuswireless.com/press/releases/20060731.php

TVs

7. Panasonic Introduces Eight New Customized Frames for Plasmas

Panasonic has eight new frame designs compatible with select Panasonic plasma models. The complete line of Panasonic Plasma Frames are now available exclusively at http://www.panasonicdirect.com/masterpiece and range from $399.95 to $499.95 MSRPs.

Panasonic says they developed these unique frames in eight different styles specifically designed for select 42-inch and 50-inch Panasonic plasma models. Frames are available in pewter, mahogany, walnut, black, antique white and various gold finishes.

Panasonic previously announced the company’s collection of High Definition art and photography for use on Panasonic High Definition plasma TVs. The content is accessible through the Panasonic HD Image Gallery http://www.panasonic.galleryplayer.com/ and users can choose from an extensive library of downloadable HD image collections powered by GalleryPlayer.

For more information, go to http://www.panasonicdirect.com/masterpiece

8. VIZIO Announces Low-Priced LCD TVs

In order to keep you apprised of retail prices, from time to time we report new TVs that you may not sell, but you’ll want to know about. Such is the case with VIZIO’s new 42-inch LCDs. The two new 42" high definition Liquid Crystal HDTVs are the L42HDTV and the "Gallevia" GV42LHDTV. The introduction of these two new displays brings the VIZIO line of LCD TV's to 6 current models -- ranging from 13" to 42".

The VIZIO Gallevia GV42LHDTV HD LCD is specified at 1366 x 768 native resolution, wide viewing angles (178 x 178 degrees), 16.7 million colors, 1600:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 8ms response rates. The GV42L has integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner, 2 HDMI inputs with HDTV capabilities for enhanced audio and video from digital programming; Digital Noise Reduction, Black Level Extender, White Peak Limiter, Color Transient Intensity, Flesh Tone Adjustment, Adaptive Luma Control and Dynamic Contrast. Other features include PIP, POP, CC, V-Chip, Noise Reduction, 3D Comb Filter, Zoom, Freeze, Motion Adaptive De-Interlacing, 3:2 Pull Down, ATSC with 8VSB & QAM demodulation, MPEG-2 decoding, NTSC Video decoding via RF (Antenna, Cable, or Satellite) or Video (CVBS, S-Video or Component), Progressive Scan Video via Component, YPbPr, VGA or HDMI, HDTV via HDMI or Component YPbPr, Computer 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 via VGA or 640x480 via HDMI.

The Gallevia GV42LHDTV is shipping now comes standard with detachable speakers and stand, and is available at Costco for $1,599.99.

The VIZIO L42HDTV HD LCD is specified at native resolution of 1366 x 768 and other similar specs, but with a lower 800:1 contrast ratio. This model is available at Sam's Clubs for $1,499.99.

Along with the new LCD introductions, VIZIO has also reduced prices on its 37" flat panel TV, the VIZIO L37HDTV, to $999.99 and the VIZIO L32HDTV to $799.99.

For more information, go to http://www.viziotv.com/site/news/vizio-fastest-growing-flat-panel-brand.html

Integrator Solutions

9. Calibre Launches Realta HQV-Powered Home Theater Video Scaler and Switcher

Calibre has a new Vantage-HD Home Theater video scaler and switcher, powered by the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing engine.

The Vantage-HD is a scaler and a switcher, with a range of inputs and outputs and able to switch between different audio-visual sources without the need for a separate switcher. The switching capabilities are integrated into the system by way of an on screen menu, controlled by remote or by an RS-232 serial link for use with third-party control systems.

The base input configuration is 2x HDMI with support for up to 8-channel digital audio, HDCP capability and backward capability with DVI, 2x composite video and 2x component analog video for YpbPr or RGBS SD, ED or HD signals compatible with 480i (NTSC), 576i (PAL/SECAM), 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080i as well as 1080psf.  Additional options include 2 x HDMI expansion board and an HD-SDI expansion board with single or dual port inputs, available during 2006.

The Realta HQV features 10-bit processing, automatic multi-cadence detection, and four-field per-pixel de-interlacing, a high quality HD de-interlacing process. Instead of discarding half the resolution, and just doubling the lines (a shortcut that many video processors take today), the company says HQV processes all 2 million+ pixels in both odd and even fields of a 1080i signal.

Calibre’s Vantage-HD Home Theater video scaler and switcher has an MSRP of $2,899 and is shipping now.

For more information, go to http://www.calibreuk.com/documents/Silicon%20Optix%20Realta%20Press%20Release.pdf

10. ClearOne and Speakables Announce Chat 50; Speaker Phone Allows VoIP Voice Control on the Mac

ClearOne and Speakables announced that ClearOne's Chat 50 is the first speaker phone that allows Mac users to operate VoIP applications such as Skype and iChat by voice command, using Speakable Items (Apple's embedded speech recognition technology) and the new Speakables or Skype.

The combination of the Chat 50 and Speakables is especially useful in the Mac Digital Home environment. These products enable control of VoIP applications without the need to access the keyboard, mouse, or view the screen. In addition, the Chat 50 delivers full-duplex audio and full echo cancellation, says the company. Users can continue to listen to iTunes or watch TV with the sound output through their main speakers while using Skype.

For more information, go to http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?ResLibraryID=16156&GoTopage=1&BzID=509&Category=17

11. Gefen Announces Component to HDMI Video Scaler for Home Theaters

At CEDIA Booth 483, Gefen will show the company’s new plug and play scaler, which allows component video sources to be scaled and output in HDTV resolutions ranging from 480i to 1080p. Audio inputs are bundled together with high definition video and output to any display using an HDMI connector.

The small metallic box comes equipped with component video plus digital (S/PDIF) and stereo analog audio inputs, and one HDMI audio/video output.

The scaler is controlled by its own IR remote, and provides an RS-232 port for serial communications systems. MSRP is $1,299 and it is expected to hit production in November.

For more information, go to http://www.gefen.com/index.jsp

Media Recording, Distribution and Control

12. Louis Clark Announces Home Automation and Control From Phones

Louis Clark announced the company’s E.C.H.O. technology has been launched. The E.C.H.O. phone system, which stands for Entertainment Control of Home and Office, combines traditional telephone capabilities with the ability for users to control their homes’ or small business’ audio, video, lighting, HVAC, XM radio, security, and any other control points.  A full-featured telephone VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system, it uses an Asterisk based call-management system that leverages Cisco’s VoIP phones and Louis Clarkdeveloped software to integrate residential systems. 

The premise is that a a Cisco phone could be used as a control interface just like a touch screen or keypad. Since E.C.H.O.’s invention, the programming team has further developed it to provide feedback to the phone giving the status of specific environments within the home/office.  Select an XM radio station and the station, artist and song title appear on the screen. The company says this is a turnkey solution for the home office or small business that will include the Linux-based backend and phones that will initially be deployed on the AMX platform.

For more information, go to http://www.louis-clark.com/press/echo.pdf

13. Video Without Boundaries Enables Skype on MediaREADY Servers

Video Without Boundaries announced that Skype Internet phone calls are now enabled on the company’s MediaREADY media centers. It is a free download for existing MediaREADY 4000 and 5000 customers and to those who buy the forth-coming MediaREADY High Definition Media Centers. It can be obtained via CD or web download upgrades at no charge.

Beginning in September, all existing MediaREADY owners will be able to add the Skype application and all new units sold will have it enabled. Users will  need a Bluetooth wireless headset or conferencing unit and USB Bluetooth transceiver, which will be available for purchase directly from VWB's website. Additionally, customers will be able to download the Skype application to run on any personal computer and enable free voice calling from that PC to any MediaREADY Media Center directly from the website.

For more information, go to http://www.vwbinc.com/press/081506pr.html

Players

14. Kingston Enters Personal Media Player Market With Introduction of K-PEX

Kingston Technology, known for its memory products, announced a line of Personal Media Players that allow users to watch videos, listen to music, play video games and store/view photographs. The Kingston K-PEX is currently available in the North America, Latin America and Asia/Pacific Rim.

Kingston's K-PEX will be available with embedded memory capacities of 1 GB and 2 GB and will provide a miniSD slot for downloads of music, video and photographs directly onto the memory card. K-PEX will be available as a complete kit and include a USB 2.0 cable, USB host cable, line-in cable, earphones, transcoder software CD, protective cover and lanyard. As a special promotion, Kingston will ship the first 4k 2GB players bundled with a Free Kingston miniSD card.

These players have 2-inch color screens, weigh 2.2 ounces and have a multi-region FM radio. They can play MP3, WMA, OGG and WAV audio; MPEG 1&2, AVI, WMV and ASF video, JPEG image formats, and TXT documents.

K-PEX will have an MSRP of $129.99 (1 GB) and $179.99 (2 GB).

For more information, go to http://www.kingston.com/flash/kpex.asp

15. iriver Announces 2GB T10 Portable Media Player

iriver America announced availability of a new higher-capacity version of its T10 portable media player, which comes bundled with technology and special content offers from Audible, Inc. The iriver 2GB T10 comes bundled with AudibleReady technology and can store and play Audible's audio titles right out of the box. The T10 is PlaysForSure verified and supports URGE, Napster, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music Unlimited and eMusic. Customers who purchase the new 2GB iriver T10 media player are also immediately eligible for a free book download from Audible.

The 2GB iriver T10 is priced at US $149.99 and is available now at the iriver eStore at www.iriveramerica.com/estore

For more information, go to http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/t10/T10-2GB.aspx

Audio

16. Logitech Announces iPod AudioStation

Logitech has a new speaker system for the iPod – the AudioStation. It is 16 inches long, 4 1/4-inches deep, 7 1/4-inches tall, and includes a digital AM/FM tuner.

The Logitech AudioStation speaker system has matching satellites with two drivers each with 1-inch, high-definition, soft-dome tweeters and 4-inch, high-power, long-throw woofers. It has a black finish and removable cloth grille covers, and controls on the front panel are all touch sensitive. It uses a large LCD to show information such as radio station channels, the time, or an audio spectrum analyzer. The LCD also can display track information using Radio Data System (RDS) for FM stations that support RDS. The AudioStation also features a 3.5 mm input that connects to other MP3 players and other audio devices.

The Logitech AudioStation high-performance stereo system for iPod will be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in October. It will be available for a suggested retail price of $299.99 in the U.S.

For more information, go to http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/news/US/EN,contentid=12636,crid=34

17. Soloist Universal Media Dock to Ship in September

Directed Electronics announced that Soloist Universal Media Dock will ship to retailers in September. The Soloist includes interchangeable cradles to dock many different SIRIUS receivers (either current or available soon) plus iPods. Soloist also comes with a SIRIUS home antenna.

It comes with front panel AUX IN and headphone jacks, rear panel AUX IN and OUT, rear panel USB port, and a built-in alarm clock with snooze button, which can wake the user to their favorite SIRIUS station or iPod song.

MSRP is $149.

For more information, go to http://www.directed.com/default.asp

18. 26 New Ceiling Mount Speakers, Subwoofers From Niles

Niles introduced 26 new ceiling-mount loudspeakers and subwoofers which the company says all feature easy installation and paintable frames. The rustproof MicroPerf aluminum grilles are designed to make them okay to use for any environment, even bathrooms and kitchens. Several models feature patented Twist and Lock installation, giving integrators the ability to simply twist, lock and install each speaker into place. Additionally, each ceiling-mount speaker features an integrated woofer/baffle assembly that allows for a larger woofer cone area – and more powerful bass – without enlarging the speaker frame/grille.

These are scheduled to ship in early 2007,

For more information, go to http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_detail.php?recordID=Ceiling%20Mount%20Loudspeakers&categoryID=Speakers&catcdID=1

19. Altec Lansing Introduces New High-End Home iPod Speaker System

The M602 from Altec Lansing has a universal MP3 cradle and a composite video output that lets user watch iPod videos on TV. The size of a laptop, the M602 can be carried from room-to-room or mounted on the wall. (The wall mount kit is available for free on Altec Lansing's Web site.) A top-located control panel gives fingertip adjustment of the M602 operations, including treble and bass, and the LED indicator lights, located behind the grille, provide instant visual of master volume, treble and bass levels. The lights fade after adjustments are made. There is a caddy for the remote.

It has two 3" full-range drivers and two 1" silk dome tweeters, and built in XdB bass enhancement technology provides for quality bass without a subwoofer. The M602 is 14" wide, 5.4" deep and 8.2" high and weighs 5 lbs.

MSRP is $199.95 and it will be available in consumer electronic stores and online with MSRP of $199.95.

For more, go to http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=M602