Dolby Adds Virtual Surround Sound to Computers – Dolby Laboratories aims to woo younger consumers with laptops that turn ordinary stereo recordings into 5.1 or 7.1-channel virtual surround sound on speakers or headphones. They want to parley their leading audio standards for movies and home theater into the PC market. Dolby doesn’t sell the software directly – they license it for use in PC operating systems such as Windows 7. In fact, Dolby gets ¾ of their revenue from royalties, with most of it coming from theater, TV and stereo systems. Other firms, such as SRS Labs, have been offering virtual surround software for computers and audio systems for some time. There is also other software such as Beats Audio that doesn’t create pseudo-surround but makes data-reduced MP3 files sound richer and closer to CD quality. Dolby Headphone is the technology for creating a pseudo-surround effect on standard headphones from stereo signals, but it must be admitted it doesn’t work very well.
NuVo Technologies Shows Powerline-Carrier Whole-Home Audio System – One of the current CES exhibitors is NuVo Technologies, who offer the freestanding Renovia – a whole-home audio solution that bypasses special wiring by using Power Line Carrier (PLC), also known as the Home Plug system, for sending signals directly thru existing AC power lines. There is therefore no need for extra wiring or complex wireless setups. The system delivers audio and metadata from six sources to eight listening areas within the home, and has an AM/FM tuner ready for Sirius Radio, and two dedicated iPod inputs. It can also stream virtually any digital content on a home network via NuVo’s Music Port module. The system is designed for installation only by professionals in distributed audio systems and the basic setup is in line with competitors at around $5000.
McIntosh Laboratory Flagship Disc Player Uses ESS D/A Converter – The new flagship MCD1100 SACD/CD/USB player from McIntosh Laboratory uses the 32-bit D/A converter from ESS Technology – the Sabre³² Reference Audio D/A Converter. It outperforms conventional sigma-delta DACs and has up to 135dB dynamic range, -120dB THD, and is free of clock jitter. The associated circuits are capable for 100% modulation and unconditional stability. The MCD1100 also handles MP3 and WMA playback and can be used as a standalone D/A converter thru its coax, XLR, BNC and USB digital audio inputs. Since the news release makes no mention of multichannel, this is obviously a stereo-only deck. SRP is $10,000.
StreamHD Wirelessly Sends 1080p Video with 5.1 Audio from Computers to HDTVs – The new Warpia StreamHD is a wireless USB-to-HDMI video device that can stream video, audio and photos from any computer to an HDTV set up to 30 feet away. It also handles the 5.1-channel surround sound on the same wireless signal, but the audio must be connected from the receiver to the HDTV using a SPDIF optical cable. The device offers a simple way to watch Hulu but cannot handle PC games. SRP is $170.
Verizon Enters Home Automation Market – At CES the telecommunications giant is expanding its existing high-speed Fios broadband network by offering a smart-home automation system – already being tested in some New Jersey homes. Verizon’s Home Monitoring and Control system enables realtime access to view and make changes in a home’s consumer electronics, as well as appliances, lighting, security cameras, locks and thermostats. The software can be accessed by smartphone, computer or Fios TV. It also includes an energy reader for managing home electricity use.
