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SHOW NEWS: WHFSV demo update

Andrew Everard 31 October 2007 17:31

This just in from WHFSV Deputy Editor Andy Kerr:

It's nearly time for the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision demo bus to get under way, straining under the weight of its precious cargo of Award-winning kit, all of which you'll be able to see 'in the metal' on our stand in the Chablis Suite.

You'll also be able to take a closer look at this year's Award-winning TVs, from 26in Panasonic to 50in Pioneer – they'll be in action, fed with high-def, in our HD Gallery – plus we'll all be on site to answer your questions throughout the show.

SNEAK PREVIEW: WHFSV at the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Show

Andrew Everard 30 October 2007 16:15

They're all downstairs sorting out equipment for the demonstration at the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision show, writes Andrew Everard, so I've been having a sneaky peek around the office to try and find out what they're going to be getting up to over the weekend.

Here's what I've found out so far...

NEWS: Microsoft introduces 'family' version of Xbox 360 to combat Nintendo Wii

Andy Clough 24 October 2007 10:54

Microsoft is introducing a 'family' version of the Xbox 360, called the Arcade, for £199.99 this Friday.

The move is seen as an attempt by Microsoft to claw back sales from Nintendo's Wii, which has been a big hit with families.

The Xbox 360 Arcade will include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, HDMI connection and 256MB of memory.

HOW TO... Make the most of your PS3

Andrew Everard 23 October 2007 12:18

PS3 For many buyers, the Sony PlayStation 3 looks like an ideal way to get into Blu-ray, especially now prices have been cut a bit to make it even more attractive. The standard-issue UK version gets a 60GB hard-disk, with a stripped-down 40GB model also available, and onto this you can record audio files from your CDs.

But the crucial feature here is the Blu-ray transport built-in, and an an HDMI output, which supports both 1080p video and uncompressed Linear PCM multichannel audio. There's a lot more to it than gaming...

NEWS: Seven-channel NAD power amp goes for serious clout

Andrew Everard 22 October 2007 11:37

For those of us who believe you can never have too much power in a home cinema system, NAD has launched a new seven-channel powerhouse, the T975. Selling for around £1600, the power amp uses a monobloc layout, in which each of the seven amp channels are kept separate, and is capable of delivering 7x140W continuous output, with all channels driven.

NEWS: Optimum brings a dash of style to your TV furniture

Andy Clough 19 October 2007 12:35

Optimum
We don't often get excited about TV and AV racks, but this stylish number from Optimum International certainly caught our eye.

The Luke by Optimum range features an eye-catching swivel TV stand available in three finishes - Maranello high-gloss red, high-gloss white and - erm - a rather more unusual matt-black, rubber-touch finish, if that's your thing.

They're not exactly cheap: the latter costs £1099, while the two high-gloss models are £1299 each. Still, they do look great.

Are you the world's biggest gadget geek?

Andy Clough 18 October 2007 17:30

The Sun
Are you obsessed by technology? Is your house crammed with more gadgetry than James Bond's Q? If so, you could be voted the UK's No1 Geek Idol!

Our sister magazine Stuff has teamed up with The Sun to find the UK's top gadget geek. If you'd like enter, click here to find out more.

You could win a Savanna plasma TV fireplace and free entry to the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Show in London from November 2-4.

NEWS: Marantz receiver adds high-def audio decoding and HDMI 1.3 connectivity

Andy Clough 18 October 2007 14:39

Marantz Sr8002
Marantz is replacing its SR8001 7.1 multichannel receiver with a new model, the £1300 SR8002.

Key updates are the addition of full HDMI 1.3a connectivity, plus decoding of all the new high-definition audio formats – Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio.

NEWS: Panasonic's £2k Full HD projector

Joe Cox 18 October 2007 13:00

Pana Ae2000

Panasonic has announced two new projectors in its home cinema range. The PT-AE2000E and the PT-AX200E will look to continue the good work of the '1000 and '100 predecessors, with the former making much of its Full HD resolution and three HDMI inputs, while the latter hopes to lure admirers with its super-smooth 'game mode'.

NEWS: Cambridge Audio unveils new £270 budget multichannel receiver

Andy Clough 17 October 2007 15:18

Cambridge Audio is introducing a new entry-level multichannel receiver in its Azur range. The £270 Azur 340R sits below the £350 Azur 540R V3 we tested in the November issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision.

The company says that its research proved that many users wanted a high-performance 5.1 receiver rather than a more complex 6.1/7.1 model with extra channels they didn't need.

NEWS: Sharp embraces BD and Full HD

Joe Cox 15 October 2007 13:19

Sharp Blu-Ray

Sharp has unveiled two new ranges of slim line LCD TVs alongside its first Blu-ray player (£399), a 2.1 home cinema system and an all-singing, all-dancing, multi-purpose AV rack. All the screens boast 1080p resolutions, including a world-first 1920 x 1080, 32in set.

NEWS: Record live TV on your PC

Joe Cox 10 October 2007 17:34

hauppauge

Don't be thinking it's only Apple who has all the fun where computers are concerned. The Apple TV may have introduced many people to the idea of involving your PC in your home AV system, but Hauppauge has been plugging its own brand of products to do that for some time – such as the HVR-1400.

NEWS: Sony unveils new flagship SXRD home cinema projector

Andy Clough 09 October 2007 11:15

Sony has taken the wraps off its new flagship home cinema projector, the £8500 VPL-VW200. It uses Sony's Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRD) panel technology to deliver 1080p high-definition resolution.

Other technical highlights include a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, Motionflow Dark Frame Insertion which doubles the frame rate to 100Hz, and digital signal processing using Sony's Bravia Engine Pro technology.

NEWS: Sony to launch cut-price PS3

Andy Clough 08 October 2007 09:22

Sony is introducing a cut-price version of its PS3 console for £299 this Wednesday, with a smaller 40GB hard drive and no backwards compatibility with its previous consoles.

It is also slashing the price of the current 60GB model from £425 to £349.

The company denies the move is in response to lower-than-expected sales of the PS3 in Europe, but admits some customers found the initial price too expensive.