hdmi 1.4

Now hear this: Audio at CES 2010

I didn't go to CES, but a lot of my friends did. I call them all the time, and they don't seem to be all that jazzed about what they're seeing. "Nothing new" is what I keep hearing, but there were a few juicy tidbits to be found.

The new 3D TVs and Blu-ray players may or may not render the AV receiver you bought way back in 2009 obsolete. I can't get a consistent answer to the question: do you need a receiver with HDMI 1.4 to pass 3D program material to your 3D TV? You may not care about 3D, but if you do please direct your anger at the consumer electronics industry that regularly leaves its client base high and dry. We'll have to see how 1.4 works out.

Ultimate AV magazine was impressed with the Manley Stingray iTube stereo integrated amplifier. Sure, we've seen vacuum tube iPod dock/amps before, but this is the first one with real audiophile appeal. The blue LED displays surrounding the input and volume knobs can be dimmed down or turned off entirely. Manley makes truly stellar tube electronics for audiophiles and the pro market. … Read more

Sony's BDP-S570 Blu-ray player has Wi-Fi, streams Netflix

LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray may be getting all the buzz at CES 2010, but standard Blu-ray players are still the meat-and-potatoes of the home theater market. Sony announced two new standard Blu-ray players at CES 2010--the BDP-S370 and BDP-S570--building on the streaming media features of the BDP-N460.

Key features of the Sony BDP-S370:

HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Ethernet jack DLNA compliant (with firmware update); capable of sharing photos, music and videos from a connected PC Front panel USB port Browse … Read more

Sony's 3D Blu-ray player coming this summer

LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray is one of the big stories at CES 2010, and it's no surprise that Sony is a major player in Blu-ray's next incarnation. Sony announced its first standalone 3D Blu-ray player, the BDP-S770, which also manages to integrate the best features of its current Blu-ray players.

Key features of the Sony BDP-S770:

3D Blu-ray player HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Built-in Wi-Fi; Ethernet also available DLNA compliant; capable of sharing photos, music, and videos from … Read more

Monster SuperThin HDMI cables are only 3.5mm thick

LAS VEGAS--HDMI had a rocky start, but overall it's been a boon for home theater fans, simplifying bundles of AV cables into one easy cable. While HDMI has drastically reduced cable clutter, Monster seeks to take that idea to the extreme with its recently announced SuperThin HDMI cables. With the cable measuring only 3.5mm thick, Monster claims the SuperThin cables are 65 percent thinner than a normal HDMI cable, making them easier to carry with portable gadgets like cameras and camcorders. And while the cables aren't HDMI 1.4 compatible, they do support HDMI 1.4'… Read more

New HDMI standard brings Internet to TV

Awhile ago I said all HDMI cables are basically created equal, regardless of price. That's about to change.

HDMI Licensing, the body responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface specification (widely known as HDMI) announced Wednesday the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification.

Among other advancements, the latest HDMI specification will offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable.

According to HDMI Licensing, the detailed HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download on its Web site no … Read more