Weekly Audio News for March 2, 2005

by | Mar 2, 2005 | Audio News | 0 comments

iPod Über Alles – Apple is currently selling about one million
iPods a month worldwide. Several new models have been introduced,
including a 4GB mini for $199, a 6GB mini and two photo models with
hi-res color screens – a 30GB and a 60GB. Both will hold up to 25,000
digital photos. Battery life of the mini iPods has been increased to as
high as 18 hours and they’re available in four colors. The stylish mini
hard drives work with both Macs and PCs. Onkyo has just introduced a
remote interactive dock that interfaces the iPod with any Onkyo
receiver or AV system having both an external input and RI remote
control.

Distinguished Rings
– Speaking of things small and electronic, both Boosey & Hawkes
Publishers and The London Symphony Orchestra now offer their classical
libraries for use as ring tones on cell phones. (The composition for
string orchestra and cell phone rings on the Kremerland CD reviewed in this issue is
a kick and half.) And on the small front, a speaker at the last CEDIA
suggested if cell phones get any smaller the government might require a
sticker warning: Do Not Swallow.

Universal Disc Players Abound
In an industrywide effort to make the hi-res format war less painful,
about 50 different universal disc players are currently available,
going as low as Pioneer’s DV-578A – which is only $199 and has become a
popular unit for DIY mods to the analog audio out circuit. All are also
DVD-V players, and some have begun to include a sophisticated internal
scaler to enhance DVD imaging closer to HD. On the hi-res disc front,
Sony-Philip’s SACD is way ahead of the DVD-A camp quantity-wise, with
about 3,500 releases now available.

NYC Location for HE2005 Show
– The next Home Entertainment Show put on by Stereophile and associated
publications will take place at Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel April 28 thru
May 1. It will feature over 80 demo rooms with over 250 manufacturers
exhibiting on five floors.

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