Sony introduces its first 3D compatible audio video receiver

Three Powerful Models with Expanded Connectivity Also Join Line-up

Sony announced its first A/V receiver capable of supporting 3D audio and video.

Featuring HDMI(TM) 1.4 3D pass-through technology, ample high definition connectivity and compatibility with all of the latest Blu-ray Disc(TM) audio formats, the new STR-DN1010 A/V receiver is designed to create a simple solution for controlling any high definition or 3D capable home theater.

“It’s important for consumers to understand the role that audio plays in the in-home 3D experience,” said Neal Manowitz, director of Sony’s Home Audio and Video division. “By streamlining connectivity and supporting 3D hardware and software, the STR-DN1010 receiver will provide a simplified approach to 3D home theater control and performance, ensuring the best possible user experience.”

The 7.1 channel STR-DN1010 A/V receiver (110 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD) features full high definition 1080/24p support and seven HD inputs in total (four HDMI and three component) allowing for connection to a wide variety of HD devices. The receiver’s HDMI 3D pass-through technology supports 3D video from connected devices and passes them through to a 3D compatible high definition television, while decoding high-resolution audio codecs.

The receiver also features an icon-driven menu system for simple device and content navigation and has the ability to upscale analog video sources to 1080p resolution via HDMI. The model also boasts a sleek piano black gloss design that matches Sony’s line of Blu-ray Disc players and televisions.

The STR-DN1010 is compatible with all advanced audio codecs, including Dolby® TrueHD, dts®-HD Master Audio and features wireless 2nd zone capabilities through Sony’s S-AIR® wireless technology. With the addition of an S-AIR transmitter (model EZW-T100) and separate S-AIR speakers (sold separately), the receiver can also drive wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms.

The STR-DN1010 A/V receiver also features a Digital Media Port (DMP) input for simple connection to external sources including an iPod® and iPhone® (compatible DMP accessories required and sold separately) and is compatible with both Deep Color(TM) and x.v.Color(TM).

The STR-DN1010 A/V receiver will be available this June for about $500.

Sony also introduced the new STR-DH810, STR-DH710 and STR-DH510 A/V receiver models to its core line-up. Specifications are as follows:

STR-DH810 A/V Receiver
Available in March for about $400
– 7.1 channel (110 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
– Seven HD connections (4 HDMI / 3 component)
– Upscales incoming analog video signals to 1080p
– 2nd Zone wireless audio (S-AIR ready)
– Compatible with Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio
– Fully assignable audio and video inputs
– Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
– Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices
– Universal Remote

STR-DH710 A/V Receiver
Available in March for about $300
– 7.1 channel (105 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
– Six HD connections (3 HDMI / 3 component)
– 2nd Zone wireless audio (S-AIR ready)
– Compatible with Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio
– Fully assignable inputs allows for use of all connections
– Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
– Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices

STR-DH510 A/V Receiver
Available in March for about $230
– 5.1 channel (100 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
– Five HD connections (3 HDMI / 2 component)
– HDMI Repeater for simplified audio and video signal management
– Blu-ray Disc Audio Decoding (Linear PCM Only)
– Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
– Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices

Source: Sony Electronics


“New Icon for Personal Expression” Is Now Accessible to Everyone

Aliph — maker of the market-leading Jawbone® Bluetooth headset and inventor of NoiseAssassin®, the world’s first and only military-grade noise-eliminating technology — today unveiled its most sophisticated product yet, Jawbone ICON. Jawbone ICON offers unprecedented ease of use and audio quality as well as an industry-first software platform called MyTALK(TM) that lets users personalize and update their Jawbones via the web. Jawbone ICON will be available for $99.99 beginning January 18 in six unique design personas.

“In building the next generation of wearable computing, we focused maniacally on creating the world’s best customer experience. We incorporated significant intelligence into the headset and as a result this is the simplest-to-operate Jawbone ever created, with a rich array of design choices to suit any preference or lifestyle. We like to call it a new icon for personal expression,” said Hosain Rahman, Aliph’s CEO.

Industry-first intelligence makes Jawbone ICON easy, convenient and personal

Jawbone ICON offers built-in intelligence and the ability to personalize with the click of a mouse using the all-new MyTALK platform, currently in private beta at mytalk.jawbone.com.

“Each customer is an individual, with unique tastes and preferences. With this in mind, we invented MyTALK as a place where people could go to get a richer in-ear experience. MyTALK is just a hint of the exciting ways people will be able to breathe life into their Jawbones over time,” said Rahman.

“Customers also tell us they don’t want to reach for their phone when their hands and eyes need to be elsewhere, like on the steering wheel and on the road. So Jawbone ICON uses its brains to now whisper important information like caller ID and remaining battery life into the user’s ear,” he added.

New personalization and convenience features include:
– MyTALK AudioApps. Lets users personalize the voice that conveys information into their ear. French, German and Spanish languages are also available.
– MyTALK DialApps. Lets users customize an easy access button linking directly to services of their choice such as free directory assistance, voice-to-SMS and voice dial.
– Simultaneous Multipoint. Lets users switch seamlessly between two calls on different cell phones.
– On/Off slide switch and one-button control. Delivers radical simplicity.
– Visual battery meter. Displays remaining battery life at top of iPhone screen.

Six stunning designs and personas deliver rich set of consumer choices

Jawbone ICON is smaller and lighter than its predecessors, and comes in six designs with lush textures and finishes rarely seen in consumer electronics.

“Design and self-expression have been at the core of every generation Jawbone to date, and now we launch an unprecedented suite of choices to match that personal style that makes you who you are,” said Yves Behar, Chief Creative Officer of Aliph. “The materials, textures, colors and surfaces of the Jawbone ICON line produce rich and distinct watch-like or jewelry-like results. The six breakthrough Jawbone ICON designs need to be touched and seen in person to be fully appreciated.

“Each Jawbone ICON is infused with a unique and exciting look. Like characters in a film, each captures a different fun-to-wear persona,” he added.

New leaps in sound technology sustain Jawbone’s lead in audio quality

Continuing Jawbone’s leadership in sound technology, Jawbone ICON provides improved inbound audio quality as well as upgrades to its battlefield-tested NoiseAssassin technology. Audio advancements include:

– NoiseAssassin 2.5 with wind reduction continues to provide the best noise elimination available.
– Innovative speaker design and signal processing improves inbound audio clarity and volume.
– Set-it-and-forget-it audio eliminates the need to adjust volume from one caller to the next.

Jawbone ICON Specifications

Talk Time: Up to 4.5 hours (varies by phone)
Standby Time: More than 10 days
Range: At least 33 feet (10 meters)
Charge: 80% charge in 35 minutes, 100% charge in less than 1 hour
Weight: 8 grams
Fit: 7 earbud sizes + 1 premium adjustable earloop
Accessories: AC power adaptor, micro-USB flex cable

Supports Multipoint: Pairs with up to 8 devices, 2 simultaneous connections

Supports Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), 2.0, 1.2, 1.1
Packaging: 100% recyclable

Pricing
The MSRP for Jawbone ICON is $99.99. There is no charge for MyTALK.
Availability

Jawbone ICON is available starting January 18 at Verizon ® stores and on Aliph’s website at www.jawbone.com. Distribution of Jawbone ICON will soon thereafter expand to Apple®, AT&T®, Best Buy Mobile® and other cellular carrier and retail stores nationwide. Jawbone ICON will be available internationally beginning in March.

Jawbone MyTALK is currently available at mytalk.jawbone.com as an invitation-only private beta. Jawbone MyTALK is expected to go into public beta soon.


Jabra CRUISER Eliminates Street Sounds, Offers Hands-Free Driving Solution

GN Netcom announced the Jabra CRUISER, the first Bluetooth® wireless speakerphone for mobile phones to feature Noise Blackout(TM) technology, a dual microphone system that eliminates street and traffic sounds while optimizing voice quality. Joining Jabra’s successful and critically acclaimed line of speakerphones, the CRUISER offers superior audio quality, a sleek design, and in-car convenience, allowing drivers to keep both hands on the wheel in compliance with hands-free driving laws. The Jabra CRUISER will be shown for the first time this week at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Currently, six states prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving, and additional states are following suit. Violation of such laws could result in a ticket; however, there are a number of wireless solutions to help keep both hands on the wheel and savings in the bank. The Jabra CRUISER includes features that keep users informed of incoming calls, battery level, and connectivity status – all without the touch of a finger. The device features caller ID in the form of voice announcements, which intelligently accesses a paired phone’s address book to announce the name of an incoming caller. StatusDisplay LED indicators on the speakerphone display multi-colored lights that correspond to the headset’s battery level and Bluetooth connection status so users can gauge their status with just one glance.

The Jabra CRUISER also conquers one of the biggest limitations with car speakerphones: ambient noise. The proprietary Noise Blackout technology identifies the direction of various sounds – including traffic and backseat chatter – and reduces only surrounding noise without distorting a user’s voice. The technology uses dual microphones to capture the sound and then intelligently filters the ambient noise only. Used together with advanced DSP technology for echo reduction, the technology allows both sides of a call to be heard in natural sounding voice quality.

Featuring Multiuse(TM) connectivity, the Jabra CRUISER allows two Bluetooth-enabled devices – including mobile phones, smartphones, and MP3 players – to be paired simultaneously via a turnkey auto-pairing function for instant usability. Ideal for both family road trips or business travel, the CRUISER detects an incoming call and connects to the respective device. MP3 tracks can even be remotely controlled from the CRUISER with simple play, pause and rewind buttons on the speakerphone. In addition, a built-in FM transmitter allows calls and MP3s stored on a mobile device and played via the Jabra CRUISER to be heard through a car’s stereo system. Ensuring that users won’t miss phone calls while listening to music, the CRUISER even fades out music to allow for incoming calls.

The Jabra CRUISER is available online and at Verizon and AT&T retail stores for a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Key product specifications of the Jabra CRUISER include:
– Bluetooth 2.1, including EDR and eSCO
– A2DP and AVRCP for music streaming
– Noise Blackout technology with dual microphones and echo cancellation (DSP)
– FM Transmitter for listening to calls and music through car stereo speakers
– Caller ID voice announcements via phone book access profile (PBAP)
– StatusDisplay LED indicators for battery level and Bluetooth connection status
– Multiuse – connects to 2 devices at the same time
– Auto-pairing to mobile phone
– Up to 14 hours of talk time and 300 hours of standby time
– Dimensions – 5in (L) x 2.4in (W) x 0.6in (H)
– Weight – 3 ounces
– Includes a Micro USB cable, universal car charger, clip for visor and quick start manual

In fall 2009, GN Netcom launched the Jabra STONE, a revolutionary wireless headset that delivered a new era in style and broke the mold of the traditional Bluetooth headset. Eliminating the standard on-face microphone, the Jabra STONE combines both style and functionality and features a wireless portable charger that also functions as a compact carrying case. The Jabra STONE, currently available for $129.99 at AT&T retail stores, will be available at other retail outlets nationwide beginning February 1, 2010.

Source: Jabra