Tony Ibrahim

A dwindling Plasma market won’t deter Panasonic’s Chief Executive who claims the tech is only getting better with age

At the launch of Panasonic’s new European range in Nice, France, Fabrice Estornel, Panasonic’s TV head in the UK, described Plasma technology as the best in television technology.

This is in spite of Panasonic showcasing next-generation UHD technology using an OLED panel at the 2013 CES show.

Panasonic’s new ZT60 sets the benchmark in Plasma

“Let’s be clear,” Estornel began in his interview with TechRadar. “Maybe we accept that the entry level on plasma is becoming more a niche market. But there are still lots of people who are really into picture quality and home cinema.

“Many watch movies in ambient rooms. It’s not like LED which is bright and more in your face, which a lot of people like. But with plasma it’s a different kind of appreciation for the TV experience. So for sports and movie it’s still the best technology.”

Unlike LCD, which relies on an array of LEDs to backlight their pixels, Plasma televisions enclose two million tiny gas-filled cells in a glass panel. Passing an electric current through these cells stimulates the gasses and results in the pixels across the screen being illuminated.

As a result, Plasma televisions tend to produce richer blacks (and subsequently better contrast levels), better motion handling and a reduction in 3D crosstalk.

At present Panasonic is the only company advocating a full range of Plasma TVs. Their new plasma televisions feature Pioneer’s Kuro technology which has been recognised by industry professionals and reviewers to be the best in the world.

Although Pioneer’s Kuro technology led the industry in quality, it was priced beyond the means of the average consumer.

“The good thing is we waited for the technology to be at an affordable price. So that’s where we reach the right balance now, where you’ve got the best picture quality – better than the Kuro – at a price which is a lot more affordable.”

At the European launch, Panasonic also showcased a range of their ‘best-ever’ LED televisions. Plasma’s supreme quality aside, customers continue to gravitate towards LED televisions because as they’re generally cheaper, brighter and thinner.

Marantz is striving to raise the bar in audio-visual technology with the launch of their two new flagships.

Marantz AV8801

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Marantz’s AV8801 is an AV pre-amplifier packed with state-of-the-art technologies, all working together to deliver a spirited home theatre experience. Featuring Audyssey DSX and DTS Neo:X technology, the AV8801 can be configured beyond the customary 5.1 or 7.1 arrangement, right up to an impressive 11.2 channels.

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The AV8801 is available now with a RRP of $5,570.

Marantz MM8077

Marantz also released a 7 channel power amplifier capable of 180 watts, the MM8077. The same amplifier technologies used in the company’s reference class amplifiers have been inherited by the MM8077.

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The MM8077 is available now with a RRP of $3,590.

A full specification breakdown of both products follows over the page, compliments of Marantz’s official press release.

Main features of the new AV8801 include:

· Current Feedback circuitry with Marantz HDAM
· 11.2 channel enhanced surround processing with Audyssey DSX and DTS Neo:X
· 11.2ch XLR balanced & RCA un-balanced output
· High grade build quality with 3 piece top cover and copper-plated chassis
· Full 4k compatibility – Scaling – Pass through – GUI overlay
· DLNA1.5 Network audio streaming and Internet radio
· FLAC HD 192/24 and Gapless playback
· AirPlay and Spotify music streaming installed
· Audyssey MultEQ XT32 Pro, Audyssey Sub EQ HT Dual subwoofer EQ processing and Audyssey LFC
· 6+1 HDMI in / 3 HDMI out (3D/ARC/CEC)
· Independent HDMI out for Zone 4
· Front HDMI input
· iPod / iPhone compatible USB input (including iPad charging)
· Multi room/Multi source including HDMI Video
· Marantz Remote App for iOS and Android devices
· Phono MM amplifier

Main features of the new MM8077 include:

· 7x 150W (8 ohm), 7x 180W (6 ohm) RMS power (20Hz-20kHz)
· Current feedback discrete power amplifier
· High current power supply with toroidal power transformer
· Marantz reference-grade power supply filter capacitors and high speed, high current discrete power transistors
· Low impedance continuous drive capability
· Highest sound quality design based on pure surround philosophy
· Copper plated chassis
· Gold plated, high grade speaker terminals
· Flasher input, DC trigger (in/out), Remote control (in/out)

SanDisk has released a new range of storage solutions, including Memory Vaults, Solid State Drives, 64GB memory cards and upgraded USB sticks.

SanDisk’s new memory vault will store images without compromising their quality for up to 100 years. It comes in limited 8GB and 16GB variants, at $49.99 and $89.99 respectively. 

Above is the 64GB of micro SDXC memory card. 64GB of memory is a massive amount of capacity and, provided your gear is compatible with it, would be a great addition to smartphones and tablets. Data is transferred at 30MB/second and will retail for $212.

SanDisk have also released a new Cruzer range of USB stick memory solutions. The Cruzer Fit USB flash drive is petit and complements space saving notebooks and will come range from 4GBs (RRP$9) to 16GB (RRP$28)

 

Completing the Cruzer range is the Switch, differentiated by its attached flip-top cap, which will help prevent damage and keep it looking schmick.  Available in 2GB to 32GB capacities, retail prices start from $19.99.

Topping off their new range is SanDisk’s contribution to the Sold State Drive revolution. SSDs are lighter than HDDs, offer faster transfer speeds (in this case 250MB/second) and are more reliable due to a lack of moving parts. It will be available in 60GB (RRP$171), 120GB (RRP$309) and 240GB (RRP$591).

Acer has released two new touchscreen all in one PCs that double up as space saving home entertainment solutions.

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Entertaining: Acer’s Aspire Z5

Part of their Aspire series, the Z3 (21″) and Z5 (23″) straddles professional sensibilities with deeply integrated multimedia functionality.

At the core of these machines are second generation Intel processors with Turbo Boast 2.0 technology, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA’s Geforce GT520 graphics card and 1.5TB hard drives; endowing them with the right ingredients to satisfy professional needs.

Both variants feature Full HD (1080p) screens that are fluent in touch gestures. With the touch oriented Windows 8 around the corner, touchscreen technology will help immerse users in tasks that were traditionally inanimate.

“The stylish Z3 and Z5 all-in-one is for customers looking for a versatile and affordable PC. Its responsive touch screen and huge array of ports make it useful in any setting, including small bedrooms and living rooms,” said Gaba Cheng, Acer’s Consumer Desktop Product Manager.

Expansive screens characterised by vivid colours and clarity are taken advantage of through the included Blu-ray optical disc drive, dual TV tuner and HDMI in/out ports. This way, the Z3 and Z5 can be the centrepiece of a room, substituting a TV and Blu-ray player, while the HDMI ports allow people to use the screen for console gaming, such as Sony’s PS3 or Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

“Overall, one of the best features is the HDMI in and out ports which are really crucial for making this system versatile. Not only can users connect a second display to the PC but they can also input to a game console or high definition set-top box which makes it appropriate for space constrained areas,” said Cheng.

The Z3 and Z5 have 2.5W on board speakers, a 1.3MP webcam, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and optional Bluetooth 2.1 built in.

Acer’s Aspire Z3 and Z5 are available now at recommended retail prices starting from $1,199 and $1,599 respectively.

Presales of Microsoft’s Surface tablet have started with the introductory RT model priced at $559.

Apple’s introductory 16GB iPad is priced at $539; however, the $559 Surface tablet has double the internal memory at 32GB. It also has a Quadcore Tegra 3 processor, compared to the iPad’s dual core arrangement, and double the iPad’s RAM at 2GBs

For videoconferencing over WiFi, it has 720p HD cameras on its front and rear. Also on board are expandable microSD memory and a full sized USB 2.0 port. The only downside is the Surface uses a proprietary ‘HD video out port’, which according to Australian Business Traveller, requires a near $60 adaptor if you’d like to connect your tablet to an external display.

The 3mm touch-sensitive cover will be available at launch and will jack the price of the introductory Surface tablet to $679. Alternatively the touch cover can be purchased separately for $140, or you can go for the 64GB Surface for $789, which comes bundled with it. 

Generally Microsoft abstains from building computer hardware. In fact, apart from their game console and a few computer accessories, the Surface tablet marks the first time the company has created a computing device.

Another reason why the Surface is a big deal is because the introductory model uses an ARM friendly version of Windows, known as Windows RT. ARM processors are more efficient and cheaper, allowing Microsoft to compete on price in the densely populated tablet market.

Windows RT is compatible with all of Windows 8’s touch friendly applications, but will not support third party desktop applications. For the uncompromised Windows experience, Microsoft is releasing a Windows 8 Pro tablet that operates on Intel’s X86 architecture.

Not to be overshadowed by Microsoft’s big day, long-time rival Apple has sent out invitations for an October 23rd press event, where it will presumably launch an iPad Mini.

Read: Apple Confirms Oct 23 Launch Event, Teases “Little” iPad

Microsoft’s Surface can be pre-ordered now online.

Pure’s new AirPlay speaker has a nifty networking trick that makes setting it up easy.

The latest product from Pure is the Contour 200i Air, a wireless audio system that is best used with Apple devices. It features an on board dock that will charge an iPad, iPhone and iPod and is versed in Apple’s wireless AirPlay technology.

But unlike other docking systems, which require IT know-how to set up wireless streaming, the new dock includes WiFi login sharing. By simply docking your iOS device and pressing a WiFi setup button, the Contour 200i Air will glean the existing WiFi settings straight from your iDevice.

Non Apple users can still network their compatible smartphones, tablets and computers with the 200i Air by connecting it via Ethernet or manually entering in your WiFi settings. Once done, it’ll produce 36W of digital quality sound, infusing a large room with bodied music.

Compatible with Pure’s Lounge app, the 200i Air benefits from wireless access to tens of thousands of internet radio stations, on demand content and ambient sounds. It can also be connected to a home AV system through the digital audio output and an auxiliary input allows you to plug in a myriad of compatible devices, such as mp3 players.

Software updates are easy to do as they’re delivered directly over WiFi.

Pure’s Contour 200i Air is available now for $399.95

With the IFA tradeshow due to commence, a variety of intriguing products are being leaked and unveiled. PocketNow scooped up these pictures of Sony’s new iteration of a Windows 8 tablet and we think it’s a step in the right direction for the company.

It’s called the Sony Vaio Duo 11 and, as PocketNow reveal, the ’11’ in its name most likely refers to its screen size, while the ‘Duo’ pertains to its convertible form factor.

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Seldom does Sony work on a device without dressing it in their unique style, but the face of this tablet appears understated. It’s reminiscent of Microsoft’s Surface tablet, but we anticipate the Duo 11 will have a longer, more intriguing spec sheet due to its convertible, backlit keyboard and its stylus.

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The combination of a folding factor, a stylus and a backlit keyboard positions this hybridised tablet at the professional market. Windows 8 will be released in two versions for tablets, a cheaper ARM powered version that will run a reduced version of Windows (Windows RT) and an Intel powered version that will run Windows Pro. Based on a screenshot where Microsoft Excel is open, it appears the Duo 11 will be running the more powerful, more expensive Windows Pro.

 Like all things carrying Sony’s badge, we expect the Vaio Duo 11 to be expensive. If that’s not the case, this could mark Sony returning to form by producing products with a focus on quality, rather than the cache of the company’s name. The fact it runs software promoting its PS3 rival, Microsoft’s Xbox, is just one indicator.

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There’s no word on pricing or availability yet, but we’ll provide more details as the IFA show is underway.