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Japan Display Preps OLED Smartphone Panels for 2018, Rumors Point to Possible iPhone Use[teaser]The display manufacturer is gearing up to produce mobile OLED panels. [/teaser] According to a report from Reuters, Japan Display will start mass producing OLED smartphone panels in 2018. The news comes as rumors continue to indicate that Apple is looking for an OLED supplier for its new iPhone models. Japan Display currently provides LCD panels for various devices including those made by Apple. Their entry into OLED production will now put them into competition with other OLED manufacturers like LG. OLED tech provides many benefits over traditional LCD screens, including superior black levels and contrast. Industry rumors point to Apple switching to OLED panels for their upcoming iPhone models potentially set for release in 2018 and, if true, it's now likely that Japan Display will be a candidate for their supply. LG and Samsung are also possible candidates, and both companies already use OLED panels for some of their own smartphones. Apple has yet to confirm plans to include OLED panels in their upcoming iPhones, but the company already uses the tech in their Apple Watch. Sources: Reuters via EngadgetPosted Mon Jan 25, 2016 at 02:30 PM PST by: -
Enduring CES 2016 Highlights Include ELS Studio, Assassin's Creed, Virtual Reality Audio, & More[teaser]Everything is permitted.[/teaser] Here it is, my penultimate CES 2016 highlights roundup. Following what I've already highlighted here, here, and here, I had meant for this to be my final set of CES 2016 call-outs, but then it got long and had to be split in two like one of those (shameful) franchise-concluding Hollywood blockbusters. Still, who doesn't like to think about new tech, what it can do, and what has been realized? 2017 Acura NSX ELS Studio Premium Audio Sound System When Panasonic opened their CES 2016 presser with a car, it was one of those moments to reflect on how much CES has changed in recent years. Turns out that we all like new tech so much that we want it in our cars and in our (smart) homes. Fast forward, and I'm sitting in the driver's seat of the 2017 Acura NSX right in the middle of Panasonic's booth. As I shut the door, the din of the Central Hall is left behind. What follows is easily one of the best moments of CES 2016. It's not simply the relaxing and plush atmosphere of the car, but it's an ongoing discussion. With the NSX, ELS Studio and Elliot Scheiner approached the car with a very specific sound goal, eliminate any notion of car (tomb) sound and in its place, deliver an airy and open presentation. Panasonic has dubbed this idea as 'Acoustic Motion Control,' and I find this approach in some ways like trying to open up a closed headset. In fact, there are some very specific challenges and even advantages that come with the NSX. We all know that bass is supposed to blend in without a discernable directional component, but in a car, it's often far too easy to point directly to the bass driver. With a coupe, the bass problem is heightened. What ELS has done to unshackle the bass is to give it an infinite baffle that flows with the entire cockpit. At the same time, the system has an inverse curve that is meant to ensure that as the volume level is raised, the bass will stay in line. ELS also made sure that the separates that are spread throughout the car are screened with metal and not plastic, which as cars go, is usually a given concession. For this kind of extremely weight-conscious effort, I can only imagine that ELS had to push very hard in multiple phases to get their nine speakers in. Metal screens will deliver numerous benefits from day one on through the years of the system's life, but one very obvious benefit is that the tweeters are practically unobstructed. Those tweeters have been tuned and tuned and tuned again, all the way down the instrument line to ELS' best ears in order to ensure that the sound reproduction feels greater than the car's interior space. Placing a rear center speaker is a big part of achieving that effect. It's here where the two de facto listening positions can be exploited to their fullest effect, and this room-like presentation bore out as I sat in the car. I reveled in a sense of ensemble jazz while outside the car countless show-goers stopped and snapped pictures. The NSX of course was not running during my time with the sound system. It's possible that the car, however quiet when running, could cut into that nimble sound presentation. Still, that demonstration, while certainly indulgent, was unforgettable. I recommend seeking the NSX out and trying on the ELS system at the first opportunity. Definitive and Polk Smart Home Speaker Prototypes When discussing CES 2016, the conversation often turns to smart home tech. Invariably, I'm then brought back to two prototype speakers, one from Definitive Technology and one from Polk. The slim and rectangular Definitive prototype smart speaker brings to mind a light switch, and indeed, one idea for the device is that the user enters their home, and upon touching the speaker, the speaker not only begins playing music, but it also sets the nearby connected Philips Hue Smart Bulbs to the appropriate intensity for music listening. If, like me, the user tends to move between rooms all-too frequently while listening to music, the Polk smart speaker prototype can serve as a bridge. For example, while walking through a hallway, the Polk smart detects the user's movements and activates. Thus the music can carry from one room to another in a smart, on-demand fashion. These are really just basic ideas for prototype products, which admittedly are meant to augment homes in ways that are still being thought of, much less executed. That said, this is so much more enticing for me than being able to set my thermostat remotely or unlock my front door. Skullcandy Crusher VRA Skullcandy already has a bass-shaking Crusher on the market, but judging by the new prototype I used, the headphone maker has decided to refine and focus the idea. With the Crusher VRA (virtual reality audio), entertainment viewing and listening is front and center. What the headset does is convert certain bass frequencies into physical vibration via haptic bass response. However nonsensical that may sound, let me tell you, watching the YouTube trailer for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' with the Crusher VRA accentuating the sci-fi sensations made me a believer. Skullcandy is poised to set off a whole new category of headphones, and a Bluetooth variant of the original Crusher, the Crusher Wireless, is also inbound. The Crusher VRA lets the user dial in bass effect via modulated capacitive controls, and with the headset, playback of a high-energy concert has a feel that's not being offered elsewhere. The Crusher VRA has also been built to work on the go, and it features a 10 hour rechargeable battery life (minimum), collapsible design, built-in mic, and passive noise-cancellation. The prototype I used was still not even a pre-production model, but Skullcandy has assured me that the final version will have a nice build that extends to each aspect. While the new Crusher made its case with me (in a plush Eames replica no less), Skullcandy has two products that will ensure their position in more traditional audio categories. The GRIND Wireless is likely the essential on-ear Bluetooth headset that everyone needs these days. Meanwhile, I love the go-anywhere IPX 7 waterproof Barricade line of Bluetooth speakers, the Barricade Mini, Barricade, and Barricade XL. In theory I can drop a Barricade Mini into an ice chest of water, and still be able to rescue and use it. That should make sure having a Skullcandy Barricade outside when it starts raining doesn't become a panic-worthy moment. Tobii eye tracking At CES 2016, Ubisoft, Tobii, and MSI came together to show off 'Assassin's Creed Syndicate.' Via MSI gaming laptops with built-in Tobii eye-tracking systems (the MSI GT72 Dominator Pro Tobii), I was able to take Evie and control her using my eyes and the EyeX Software. Well not exactly. I used a controller to walk, free run, interact, attack, and so forth, but through the eye-tracking, I was able to select targets (for interaction and combat). They had a debug feature which showed where my eyes were tracking on-screen regardless of targets, and I have to say that even in the hectic CES setting, the eye-tracking was impressive. The tech was featured in 'Assassin's Creed Rogue' before 'Syndicate,' and I was pleased to learn that adding it to the game was something that the designer could do without too much micromanagement from on high. Next to the official 'Syndicate' Tobii support, there was a 'Grand Theft Auto V' mod built with EyeX. This tech-demo had me standing in the middle of an intersection and surrounded by cop cars on all sides. Looking out in a first-person view, the mod was set so that whenever I looked at an enemy, a rocket immediately fired from my head towards that enemy. No doubt, this kind of magical, rocket-powered fire-starting ability was plenty fun. It would be very interesting to see a whole game built to showcase this control method. To Be Concluded Reader response to CES 2016 has been excellent, and I wish the show was still going. The final set of highlights are still to come, so please come see if I ended up saving the best for last.Posted Fri Jan 22, 2016 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
LG Releases Teaser for 4K OLED Ultra HD TV Super Bowl Ad Starring Liam Neeson[teaser]"The Man from the Future" is coming. [/teaser] LG has revealed a special teaser for its upcoming Super Bowl 50 commercial starring Liam Neeson. The ad is being produced by Ridley Scott's production company, RSA Films, and will be directed by Jake Scott. LG's Super Bowl commercial will feature Liam Neeson as "The Man from the Future" and will focus on the company's OLED display technology. OLED panels have been widely praised for their superior black levels and contrast over traditional LCD screens. Producer Ridley Scott and his son Jake Scott both have previous experience working on Super Bowl ads. The former directed the famous "1984" commercial for Apple, and the latter has been responsible for six previous Super Bowl spots including Budweiser’s "Lost Dog." Check out the teaser below! LG recently announced a new collection of OLED Ultra HD TVs at CES, including the LG OLED65E6P 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Flat Smart OLED TV ($7,000) which is now available for pre-order! In addition to the company's upcoming models, LG's current OLED display lineup includes: EF9500 Series: Flat OLED 4K Ultra HD TVs with HDR (Streaming & External) · 55-inch class 55EF9500 - $2,997 · 65-inch class 65EF9500 - $5,997 EG9600: Art Slim Curved OLED 4K TVs with HDR (Streaming) · 55-inch class 55EG9600 - $3,997 · 65-inch class 65EG9600 - $5,997 55EG9100: Full HD Curved OLED TV · New 55-inch class 55EG9100 - $1,998 LG's "Man from the Future" OLED commercial is set to debut during Super Bowl 50 on February 7. Source: LGPosted Fri Jan 22, 2016 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
RCA Preps 4K Ultra HD TVs, Prices Start at $699[teaser]Four Ultra HD TVs have been announced. [/teaser] Activeon has revealed plans to sell a new lineup of Ultra HD TVs under the RCA brand. The collection will include models ranging in size from 50-inches to 75-inches. RCA Ultra HD TVs will feature a resolution of 3840x2160 along with 4K upscaling, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 compliancy, and HEVC H.265 and VP9 decoding. Likewise, the displays will include support for the Android TV OS smart TV platform with access to the Google Play Store. Unfortunately, HDR (high dynamic range) capabilities are not included, but the tech could be implemented in later models. The full lineup will include the 50-inch XLD50G60RQ ($699), 55-inch XLD55G65RQ ($799), 65-inch XLD65G65RQ ($1,099) and 75-inch XLD75G65RQ ($1,699). An exact release date for the new RCA branded Ultra HD TVs has not been announced yet. Source: TWICEPosted Fri Jan 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 66% off Headphones & Receivers, Including Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Model![teaser]Amazon is offering big discounts on select audio products! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing deals, Amazon is running a special sale on select headphones and receivers from Denon, Pioneer, Philips, and JLab. Denon AVR-S910W 7.2-Channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Ready A/V Receiver - Currently $499 (14% off). Pioneer VSX-830-K 5.2-Channel AV Receiver - Currently $249 (38% off). Omni By JLab Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphone - Currently $90 (55% off). Philips Rich Bass Neckband Headphones - Currently $9 (66% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Thu Jan 21, 2016 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
Questyle Audio & Westone Demo High-Res Audio Gear at NAMM 2016[teaser]The companies will highlight their audiophile systems at the show. [/teaser] Questyle Audio & Westone have announced plans to showcase their latest audio components at NAMM 2016. The companies are teaming up to pair their headphones and audio components together for attendees. "Questyle Audio is very excited that we have teamed up with Westone, an industry leader of in-ear monitor products, to demonstrate high-performance audio solutions and the benefits of High Resolution recording and playback," noted Bruce Ball, Vice President of Questyle North America, adding "it will be a great-sounding combination." Questyle Audio will be demonstrating their award-winning QP1R portable music server / digital audio player. Likewise, Westone is highlighting their new custom and universal in-ear headphone monitoring systems. The new line includes uncompromised sound and fidelity, Westone proprietary technology that lets listeners hear the outside space without reducing the monitor signal accuracy, a universal-fit earpiece design, and a replaceable cable design. Questyle Audio & Westone audio products are now in display in Hall B booth #5712 at NAMM 2016 from January 21 – 24 in Anaheim, CA. Source: Questyle AudioPosted Thu Jan 21, 2016 at 10:45 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 67% off Soundbars![teaser]Amazon is offering big discounts on select audio systems! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing deals, Amazon is running a special sale on select soundbars and sound bases from Pyle, AXESS, Yamaha, and Sony. Pyle PSBV200BT 300 Watt Bluetooth Soundbar - Currently $105 (67% off). Pyle PSBV600BT Sound Base Bluetooth Tabletop TV Soundbar - Currently $90 (40% off). AXESS SBBT1206 AXESS 38-Inch Slim Bluetooth 2.1 Sound Bar - Currently $62 (38% off). Yamaha SRT-1000 TV Surround Sound System - Currently $350 (30% off). Pyle PSBV250BT Audio Level Bluetooth Stereo SoundBar - Currently $75 (25% off). Sony HTNT3 450W Hi-Res Sound Bar - Currently $598 (25% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Wed Jan 20, 2016 at 04:00 PM PST by: -
Harman Unveils Mark Levinson No. 526 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier with High Resolution DAC[teaser]The upcoming preamp includes high-res decoding. [/teaser] Harman has detailed it latest audio component. The Mark Levinson No. 526 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier features a high-resolution DAC and integrated Phono stage. "With the Mark Levinson № 526, music lovers can enjoy the best possible sound from all of their music, whether listening to their treasured LP collection, discovering new music using streaming services, or enjoying high-resolution digital music," said Jim Garrett, Director of Marketing and Product Management, HARMAN. "The № 526 delivers the ultrahigh-end sound quality and faithfulness to the music that every Mark Levinson product is renowned for, in a component that is forward-looking and complete." The preamp offers five line-level analog, phono, and six digital inputs along with the Mark Levinson DAC (with ESS Sabre32 Reference converter), HARMAN Clari-Fi music restoration technology, and a 6000-series aluminum chassis. In addition, the unit uses a proprietary Mark Levinson signal path which is fully discrete, fully balanced and completely dual-monaural. Likewise, high-resolution digital decoding at up to 24-bit, 192kHz from PCM and double-speed DSD is included as well. Pricing has not been detailed yet, but the Mark Levinson No. 526 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier will be available in May. Source: HarmanPosted Wed Jan 20, 2016 at 10:15 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 68% off Projectors![teaser]Amazon is offering big discounts on select projectors! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing deals, Amazon is running a special sale on select projectors from Pyle, Optoma, Epson, and ViewSonic. PYLE PRJAND805 HD Mini Hi-Res Smart Projector - Currently $480 (68% off). PYLE PRJAND615 HD Hi-Res Smart Projector - Currently $340 (65% off). Optoma X351 Full 3D XGA 3600 Lumen DLP Projector - Currently $488 (59% off). Optoma W351 Full 3D WXGA 3800 Lumen DLP Projector - Currently $569 (59% off). Optoma EH341 Full 3D 1080p 3500 Lumen DLP Projector - Currently $760 (55% off). ViewSonic PJD7820HD 1080p 3D DLP Projector - Currently $550 (50% off). Epson VS240 SVGA 3LCD Projector 3000 Lumens - Currently $290 (22% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Tue Jan 19, 2016 at 03:45 PM PST by: -
JBL Everest ELITE 100 In-Ear Wireless Headphones Include NXTGen Noise Cancelling Tech, Price Set for $199[teaser]The new headphones offer advanced noise cancellation. [/teaser] Harman has announced the latest addition to their JBL Everest series of wireless headphones. The JBL Everest ELITE 100 are the first in-ear wireless headphones with NXTGen noise cancelling capabilities. "The JBL Everest ELITE 100 is the only in-ear wireless headphone on the market to offer NXTGen active noise cancelling technology for a rich listening experience," said Michael Mauser, president, Lifestyle Audio Division, HARMAN. "Combining design and innovative technology, the JBL Everest ELITE 100 is the ideal connected headphone to bring consumers the perfect mix of legendary acoustic sound, comfortable fit and a personalized experience." The headphones feature ergonomic ear tips for comfort and are rated for six hours of wireless playback time. Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity is included as well along with support for the "My JBL Headphones App" for customizing headphone settings and features. In addition, the Everest ELITE 100 headphones also incorporate NXTGen active noise cancelling capabilities, allowing users to adjust and control the amount of outside noise let in for each ear. Harmon's JBL Everest ELITE 100 headphones will be available early this year for a suggested retail price of $199. Source: HarmanPosted Tue Jan 19, 2016 at 10:30 AM PST by:
