 Sony
The future of recordable HDTV was shown with Sony’s DVR-Blue, which uses a multi-layer DVD disc and a blue laser to store over two-and-a-half hours of HDTV content. Move over, TiVo. This technology looked nearly identical to the HDTV signal. However, it is a few years away from being ready for consumers.
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 Meridian
Meridian showed the version 2.7 software modifications for their cutting edge $16,000 861 AV preamp. The new mods allow for a host of new features including all sorts of new matrix surround modes. What Bob Stuart and Meridian are getting at is adding surround channels beyond the standard 5.1 or 7.1 channels and going into uncharted territory by adding surround channels that increase the element of height to the front and rear soundstage. The mods go further to allow you to configure a whole group of discrete subs. A popular audio myth says that matrix surround feilds sound lousy and in the old days they did. Meridian played a 24 bit upconverted MP3 file burnt onto CD in tri-field surround for the front and center speakers. We were impressed by the quality of the sound. |
  Proceed
PMDT showed the Proceed Video Procesor which is a card upgrade which is a $1,500 card based upgrade to the PMDT DVD-Video player that uses DVDO line doulbling to fill in the scan lines on tradional video sources with 480p. Better yet is the face that the PVP acuatully takes video inputs from other sources unlike other high end Progressive DVD-V players. Spring availibility. |
 Madrigal Imaging
Madrigal Imaging showed their 9 inch CRT projector on a small 16x9 screen with dramtic results. The details of the water explosions on the U571 DVD were impressive but nothing in comparison to the recorded HDTV performance of Billy Joel on PBS. You could actually see the lines on Joel's face even through the makeup. |
 Mark Levinson
Mark Levinson showed their No. 40 all out and long awaited AV preamp in a working version. Rumors have the No. 40 coming out in Spring to Summer 2001.
Mark Levinson also brought a brand new Lexus SC430 to CES complete with their exclusive Mark Levinson sound system. |
 Tact
Tact displayed their new TCS ($9,990), a modular surround processor featuring 10 channels of digital 24-bit/96 khz-compatible room correction. The TCS utilizes 10 Motorola 56309 processors to power its surround processing and room correction capabilities.
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 Marantz
Marantz’s new PD1050D, priced at $20,999, adds a new level of performance to the 50-inch plasma market. This unit is priced a few thousand dollars above the 4298 42-inch plasma and has a fantastic picture on HDTV sources. The Dolphins-Raiders NFL playoff game was so resolute that you could see in detail how each segment of the field in Oakland was mowed in a different direction.
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 Fujitsu
Fujitsu was the first company to make a splash with plasma a few years ago and now they’re back with the super-thin new PDS 4222, priced at $14,000. The PDS 4222 boasts a 1024x1024 picture and is very diminutive at three inches deep.
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 Runco
Runco International introduced the PlasmaWall PL-42cx, a new generation of Plasma display with black levels and contrast ratios that reportedly exceed CRT levels. This 42 inch plasma is a moderate 4 inches deep and has a retail price of $15,995.
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 Pass Labs
Pass Labs displayed their X250 ($6,000), which is scaled down from their previous X series stereo amplifiers. The X250 is a two-channel, 250 watt per channel amplifier. The X3 ($4,250, pictured) is a three-channel, 150 watt per channel amplifier, designed to be used with stereo X series amplifiers for home theater applications.
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 Burmester
Burmester introduced several new products at CES including the 007 surround processor, the 001 Belt Diven CD Player ($7,550), the 006 CD Player ($6,520), and the B99 reference speaker ($47,780). Burmeister also introduced their lower-priced Rondo line to the United States. The Rondo line currently consists of an integrated amplifier, CD player and tuner, all under $5,000 each.
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