Today is our last day (sniff!) here with live coverage of the CES 2005, but keep connected to CineNow! for our complete Special Photo Report as once we are back in the office we will be uploading a "small" selection (about 2000) of thousands of pictures we have taken here for a full close up look at all we have seen.
In today's summary highlights we will focus on the new generation of video projectors that were unveiled to the public during the CES 2005. What really attracted our interest as an upcoming trend is the ultra miniaturization of video projectors. Among the many manufacturers, three Samsung, BENQ and Infocus displayed their new generation of equipment, based on a quite similar LED diffusion system. On all three projectors, this new technology is linked to a DLP chip that has an extended life capacity (up to 20.000 hours!) and without heating up, which translates in to a very significant advantages for the user, as the 3 LED (red, green and blue) don't require a fan which means absolutely NO noise and offer a breakthrough to reduce size drastically. In addition, on the Infocus model on display we noticed complete HDMI video connections.
These prototypes clearly indicate a new trend toward smaller projectors. We can now imagine a tri-DLP machine using this LED technology the size of the portable machines that are on the market today !
BENQ presented two new "normal size" Home Cinema projectors on their stand with a design that lives up to their performance ! These two new models, PE8720 and PE7700 , both offer the latest generation electronics. The PE8720 uses the DLP HD2+ chip from Texas Instruments , offers an 8 segment color wheel and boasts a contrast ratio of 5500 : 1. As for the "lightened" PE7700 version, it also uses a DLP HD2+ chip, has a 6 segment color wheel, with a brightness level of 100 lumens and a contrast ratio of 2500 : 1.
Now for a quick review of the other attractions that caught our interest.
For those who hate cables, you should know that Optoma and Hewlett Packard presented DLP projectors including a DVD player, and for the HP model a 2.1 audio sound system "inside" with nearly 20 watts.
In the area of audio innovations, on the Yamaha stand was on demonstration an exclusively new and very innovative sound system. Developed to be married with a plasma screen, the YSP-1 is, in reality, a speaker to be place under the plasma, or LCD if you prefer, that will offer a "virtual" multi channel sound effect. Conceived on the basis of a broad band sound diffusion concept, the YSP-1 integrates a total of 42 (yes!) loudspeakers (40 with a size about 1.2 inches , and 2 base speakers of 4.8 inches .). AND that not all, there are 42 digital amplifiers, crowned with a sound system compatible with Dolby Digital , Dolby Prologic II and DTS Neo .
On demonstration in one of the many beautiful Samsung auditoriums was another of the " musts " to see and experience this year. A new sound system, developed inside a plastic frame that holds 6 identical speakers each dedicated for just on channel. This concept has the advantage to be small in size, and can be split so that each satellite can be used like a "classical" Home Cinema configuration.
Going back to the Denon stand mentioned in our review yesterday, in addition to the "key" new products ( AV-AX1V and DVD-AX1V ), was displayed an additional integrated receiver well worth the detour as you can understand given its specifications. This new model, the AVR-4806 is build as the starting point on the current product line but with even "higher-end" electronics : THX Ultra certification, connections HDMI, 24 bit/192 KHz converters, " up conversion" video, AL24, integrated audio calibration system MultiEQ, Multi room capacity for up to 3 rooms, RS232 port, Ethernet….
In closing here (remember to keep posted for our full Special Photo Report in the coming days !), in our opinion the key word for the CES 2005 edition is Home Networking . After covering the miles and kilometres of floor space this year, the Data Management Center Systems, alias Media Center format products, are now clearly beginning to conquer consumers.
Now, whether it is in the living room at home, in the car or on the way to work, the consumer can now enjoy his favourite digital content in any room of the house, any place or even in his pocket. The CineNow! vision of Home Cinema Now, whenever and wherever you want to enjoy, is truly becoming a reality.