DTS:X Archive
Audio News for December 13, 2016
OPPO Releases “4K” Ultra-HD Blu-ray Disc Player – The new UDP-203, scheduled for release next month, will support UHD Blu-rays with four times the pixels of standard Blu-ray. The resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 will be accompanied by High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut. The enhanced resolution, refined contrast, greater brightness and expanded color will produce stunning video with unparalleled clarity and detail. All types of media are accommodated, including SACDs and DVDs and there are two HDMI outputs. The player will decode AIFF, WAV, ALAC, FLAC and APE. There are also 7.1 channel analog outputs, using the “Velvet Sound” 32-bit premium DAC from AKM of Japan. Since the UHD format is still relatively new, the deck is upgradable via an easy-to-performed firmware update process. We will be reviewing the product. Retail is $549 direct from Oppo. TechHive Likes SVS Prime Elevation Speakers for Immersive Audio – The smartly-designed speakers are great as height channels on the wall for Dolby Atmos, DTS-X or Auro-3D configurations. They are sold strictly online and have a free in-home trial, free shipping, expert tech support and a no-hassle return policy. They are designed as direct-firing height-effect speakers the average consumer […]
Audio News for Tuesday, November 8, 2016
75% of Japanese Want Hacker Protection for Devices – Japanese consumers are very concerned about hacker attacks on the smart electronics in their homes. Most want an automated update service that prevents unauthorized access to data in devices over the Net. Electronica Trend Index 2020 surveyed 7000 consumers in seven countries and the Japanese consumers were the most aware of the data risks associated with smart electronics. But many Japanese also see smart electronics as a way to reduce risk in many areas of their lives. 79% favor alert systems making it safe for older people to stay in their own homes longer. And 74% want a car that autonomously alerts police and reports its location when stolen. New Google Home is a Winner – It competes with Amazon’s Echo and may be a better deal, but the sound from it is terrible. It is a Wi-Fi speaker that reacts to voice commands like Echo, but with shocking accuracy. The vast Net knowledge of the search giant is part of its free Google Assistant app that comes with their Pixel smart phone. It is a personal and customized helper. It’s very small (smaller than the Echo), looking like a futuristic […]
Audio News for October 14, 2016
Astell & Kern Hi-Res Players Get Tidal Integration – Tidal support is beginning to roll out to A & K players via an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update. This isn’t the first streaming service built into A & K players, but earlier services such as Groover+, MOOV, and Deezer were liited in terms of where they could be used. Tidal, on the other hand, is available in more than 50 countries. It features lossless audio, though Spotify and Apple Music still lack this feature. Tidal’s standard plan is $10 a month, with the lossless audio plan $20 a month. A 30-day free trial is available. (Tidal reportedly owes a great deal and is having trouble staying afloat.) Naim’s New Uniti Hi-Fi Kit – Audiophiles loved Naim’s wireless speakers and they sounded good. Now they have introduced the Naim Uniti star at about £3000. You will of course need good speakers with it. It supports all hi-res audio formats, it will rip from CDs to a USB stick and multiroom with existing Naims via iOS or Android apps, and there’s a five-inch color screen on the front. There’s also a half-sized unit without the CD drive for £1600. DTS:X Has a Scalable […]
Audio News for August 9, 2016
DEG Second Quartet Home Entertainment Report – Here are details from the second quarter 2016 Home Entertainment Report compiled by the Digital Entertainment Group for their members: Consumer spending on home entertainment products were up 6% from the year earlier. More than eight million UHD TVs have now been sold. Overall physical sales of Blu-ray discs grew only 3%, while in the same quarter last year it grew 35%. More than 45 UHD titles are now available on HD Blu-ray discs with sales of some 288,000. Electronic sell-thru or digital HD grew nearly 9%, driven by theatrical content. VOD platforms were up more than 7% for the quarter, and 95% of all U.S. homes have at least one HDTV. Blu-ray playback devices are in more than 85 million U.S. households. Award-winning Farmer Plays Classical Music to his Pigs – Farmer Paul Howland, in Beccles, Suffolk, says his herd’s favorite radio station is Classic FM. He said “It calms them down…so they’re generally happier.” On Sir Neville Marriner – He is the most-recorded conductor in the classical world. His standards and measures are unequalled, yet he speaks to the notion of British finery and wispy subtlety. One of his many recordings was recently […]
Audio News for June 17, 2016
70% of Music Bought in Sweden is Streamed – Sweden is also the home of Spotify, considered the world leader in the wireless streaming field. Streamed music in Sweden has risen from 57% in 2012 to 70% today. Sales of music overall grew by 12% in the first half of 2016 and have been rising steadily since 2008. Double Digit Growth Expected for Healthcare Video Conferencing – The U.S. market for Healthcare Video Conferencing is expected to reach revenues over $1.1 billion by 2022. Video conferencing has enabled efficient and convenient access to healthcare services across the U.S. and an increased demand for prompt healthcare services and rising costs have led to the growing demand for video conferencing in the healthcare industry. Cloud-based solutions are emerging as an alternative to deliver cost efficient and scalable video conferencing solutions to the healthcare industry. Major hospital systems in the U.S. are adopting video conferencing solutions to deliver reliable and effective healthcare services. You Must Use HDMI Connection to View 1080p Video and Lossless HD Audio – Thank to the Sunset Rule, all recent Blu-ray decks only transmit HD video via the HDMI connection. If you don’t have your Blu-ray and/or universal player […]
Audio News for April 5, 2016
Guide to Immersive Sound – It’s getting quite complex what with Auro 3D, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X on the scene and your having to install new height speakers. (The last one has been vaporware until just now.) The former 7.1 horizontal system with two center back speakers was a big mistake, and Auro 3D requires a different speaker set up than the other two. The idea now is to have “object-oriented” sounds rather than channel-based audio, that take the surround experience to an entirely new level. The small speakers that sit on top of your present speakers and direct sounds to bounce off the ceiling are not as good as height speakers near the ceiling or ceiling speakers. You are expected to have four ceiling channels, not just two, with all three of these. Aperion says if you do a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X setup, you’ll really enjoy the films Gravity, John Wick and San Andreas. They have an excellent Guide to Immersive Sound here which answers most of the questions of those preferring music in surround. Wireless Home Theater Audio Now a Reality – B & O, Klipsch and Enclave Audio all now have wireless audio systems for home […]
Audio News for April 1, 2016
Onkyo Has AVRs With Custom Integration in Mind – The three RZ Series receivers expected next month (from $799 to $1299) have features making installation and integration with control systems easy for audiophiles and custom installation crews. Later this year they will have 9.2, and 11.2 channel RZ network receivers, and the PR-RZ5100 network pre-processor. All but the lowest-level unit are THX Select2 Plus certified and decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround formats. Appreciation for Beauty of Classical Music Dying – Most of the music around us in no longer classical – the world is filled with digitized voices and instruments, lip-syncing so-called “performers” and entertainers who are more interested in making a political statement than making great music. For a few, there is nothing more beautiful than classical music. Listening to it can cause one to breathe more slowly, one’s heart rate to drop, and the stress in your life seems to float away. Some are brought to tears by the shear beauty of the sounds created by exceptionally talented musicians. More people should take the time to listen to and appreciate the great classical works of art. Request for Reader Feedback on Hi-Res Benefits – Secrets of Home […]
Audio News for October 30, 2015
Two New Hi-Res TEAC Components; Pioneer Hi-Res Audio Portable; Object-Based Audio Items at CEDIA; Cirrus Logic Breaks the Platform Model with New Codec; Sennheiser 9.1-channel Immersive Audio Technology
Audio News for August 28, 2015
New Films to Use DTS:X Audio Format; Founder of Burmester Audio Dies; Global UHD TV Shipments Up 700%; CEA & Japan Audio Society in Hi-Res Collaboration
Audio News for July 21, 2015
Sonos Streams Into the Future; Classical Music News; Denon Does Dolby Atmos & DTS:X; New Hi-Res Smartphone from Marshall
Audio News for May 15, 2015
Onkyo AVRs Include Atmos, DTS:X and HDMI 2.0a; Potential for Wired Supplements to Wi-Fi; ManualsOnline Has Mobile-Friendly Website; Remaining RadioShack Stores Will Keep Their Name
Audio News for April 14, 2015
DTS Launches DTS:X; Classical News; HDR Coming to Amazon Prime Video Streaming
Audio News for April 14, 2015
DTS Launches DTS:X; Classical News; HDR Coming to Amazon Prime Video Streaming
Audio News for January 23, 2015
DTS Competition to Dolby Atmos: DTS:X; Sony Hi-Res Digital Walkmen; Starz Adds DTS-HD Surround; CES – All About the Bling