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Latest Gear Live Videos
Kenwood Announces 1-Din USB Mass Storage Compatible Car Stereos
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Storage, USB,
Kenwood has released 6 new car radios that allow connections to your USB hard drive or MP3 player. The radio then detects and replays digital audio files that are stored in WMA, ACC, or MP3 formats. Four of these 1-Din models, KDC-W534UA, KDC-W5534U, KDC-W6534U, and KDC-W7534U, connect through the rear while the other two, DPX501U and DPX701U, have their connections in front. There is even a supplied USB cord and an optional iPod adapter. So far there is no word on product availability or price. In the meantime, we’re going to work on getting our PC’s into the passenger seat.
Read More 
| Kenwood Home Page via Coolest-Gadgets
Gallery: Kenwood Announces 1-Din USB Mass Storage Compatible Car Stereos
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Changhong Panda TV/DVD Combo
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Movies, Music, Toys,
This little guy was just too cute to pass up. The Changhong Panda TV/DVD/CD combo was unveiled at Berlin’s IFA. The electric company’s CH1320DV pet has control buttons in its paws and its nose is the power button.
Other specifications and features:
- Screen Type:Round
- TV System: NTSC-M
- Loading Capacity:620 Units (40HQ)
- Power Supply: 120V AC, 60HZ
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Picture Modes Selection: (normal, movie, sports, ser)
- Compatible with DVD/MP3/Picture CD/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW
- Multiple Angles
- Parental Lock
- Digital Audio Output
- Screen Saver
- OSD: Trilingual (English/French/Spanish)
- Full Function Remote Control
- On/Off Timer
- Channel Scan
If this isn’t lovable enough for you, they also have a Penguin (CH1321DV) combo. You can tell us that you are getting this for your kids for Christmas, but we know better. Check with Changhong for price and availability.
Read More | Panda TV/DVD Player Product Page
Gallery: Changhong Panda TV/DVD Combo
Trekstor Vibez MP3 Player
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Trekstor has announced its new Vibez MP3 player, which will be out this November. The Vibez supports MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG and FLAC files, as well as WMA DRM (Digital Rights Management) 9 and 10 formats. It is available with 8-15 GB storage (that’s 300 CD’s or 4200 songs) and can also be upgraded by the use of an optional FM tuner card.
At a size of 105x50x18 mm, Vibez carries an MSRP of EUR 199 (~$254) for 8 GB or EUR 229.00 (~$293) for 15 GB and utilizes a Lithium ion rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of non-stop Bjork.
Read More | Trekstor Press Release
Gallery: Trekstor Vibez MP3 Player
Nakamichi Unveils IN-DV7
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Movies, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Transportation,
We have more news from Berlin’s IFA. Nakamichi introduces the IN-DV7, a DVD/TV/Tuner that they claim will “revolutionize your in-car entertainment experience”. The IN-DV7 has a 7”, 16:9 Wide-screen as well as a built in 4-channel MOSFET amp.
Other features include:
- Active Matrix LCD Panel
- Full Automatic Motorized TFT LCD Flip-out/up
- Touch Screen Control
- DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW compatible
- VCD, SVCD, DVD media Formats
- MP3 Direct track Access
- 60 Sec ESP
At an MSRP of $1699, the IN-DV7 could be the perfect solution to those long LA freeway commutes, but couldn’t they just have named it Fred?
Gallery: Nakamichi Unveils IN-DV7
Sandisk Introduces Sansa c200 Series
Posted by Brian Viele Categories: Handhelds, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Sandisk has unveiled a new Sansa c200 series entry level mp3 player to supersede the c100 series released earlier this year. The new Sandisk C-series is 1.3” x 3.1” x 0.6” in size and weighs in at 1.51oz including the battery. The full color display measures 1.4” diagonal and displays album, artist and song info, as well as digital photos. The user-replaceable battery supplies around 15hrs use. The unit comes equipped with a microSD slot for expansion beyond the internal flash and features an FM tuner/recorder with 20 presetns and a voice recorder. Supported audio formats include MP3, WMA and protected WMA DRM, as well as other Audible formats. The player uses a standard USB 2.0 interface for transfers.
The Sansa c200 series comes in two flavors, the c240 with 1GB internal flash and the c250 with 2GB internal flash. They are competitively priced at $79.99 and $99.99 respectively.
Read More | Sandisk
Gallery: Sandisk Introduces Sansa c200 Series
Samsung Unveils New Product Line at IFA
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Gee Sung Choi, President of Samsung Digital Media Business Electronics, delivered the opening address “The Next Step in the Digital Renaissance – Creating Rich Digital Experiences” at Berlin’s IFA 2006 consumer electronics exhibition this past Friday.
“By displaying Samsung’s products matched to European furniture and interiors, customers can really feel the experience of the newest designs of digital products,” Choi said.
An amazing array of products will be displayed at the IFA, including a full HD 1080p LCD TV, the first Blu-ray disc player for the European Market, a new concept MP3 player, and an extensive array of products for mobile TV. In addition, the company also is exhibiting 70” full-high-definition LCD panels, 82” digital information displays (DIDs) and other cutting-edge products.
Read More | Samsung Press Release
Gallery: Samsung Unveils New Product Line at IFA
UMG Jumps to the Beat of SpiralFrog
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Music,
New company SpiralFrog has just signed an agreement with UMG (Universal Music Group) to include them in their catalogue. SpiralFrog’s service is a no-cost alternative on the net that allows users to legally download music. Included in this service are quick-loading legal digital files with no worry of spyware or viruses.
Robin Kent, SpiralFrog’s CEO claims, “SpiralFrog will offer those (young) consumers a better experience and environment than they can get from any pirate site.”
How can they do this? SpiralFrog is ad-supported and you have to log in to their service at least once a month, or your music files cease and desist. Scheduled for a December beta launch, the company is currently talking to other major record labels for inclusion. Their target audience is the 16-34 crowd, but that’s good news for all of us former Napsterites. We really dig the logo, too.
Read More | SpiralFrog Press Release
Gallery: UMG Jumps to the Beat of SpiralFrog
Amina AIW5 In-Wall Loudspeaker
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Movies, Music,
Talk about getting plastered! NXT has announced the US debut of Amina Technology Ltd’s In-wall loudspeakers. With a combination of high definition audio reproduction and some serious designing, these 16” speakers can be placed within any wood or metal stud-work wall. Sounds are recreated in a less directional, more evenly based way than traditional cone speakers so that no matter where you sit, you get the same great sound as everyone else.
The AIW5 can handle 80 watts of continuous power while generating 105 db of sound after applying plaster. Check with Amina for pricing and special sizing. The loudspeakers will be formally introduced at Denver’s CEDIA Expo 2006 starting September 13. In the meantime, think about all that room you will have for your next party.
Read More | AIW5 Speaker Product Page
Gallery: Amina AIW5 In-Wall Loudspeaker
FCC Approves Toshiba 1089, a.k.a Microsoft’s Zune Player
Posted by Yuan Zhao Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Rumors have been floating around the internet for months now about Microsoft’s mysterious “iPod Killer,” the Zune portable media player, but until now, little has been confirmed. Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the Toshiba 1089 player, which apparently will be marketed by Microsoft as the Zune player. Getting Toshiba to manufacture the player is hardly surprising on Microsoft’s part, especially given their long history together, including their support for the HD DVD platform. Utilizing Toshiba’s manufacturing resources also eliminates the need for Microsoft to construct their own factories.
Fortunately, the Zune does not appear to be just a re-skinned Toshiba Gigabeat. In terms of specifications, the Zune player appears to be hard-drive based, using a 1.8” 30GB hard drive. It also comes with a reasonable 3-inch TFT display as well as an integrated FM tuner and USB 2.0 connectivity. The most fascinating aspect of the Zune, however, comes from its built-in wireless capabilities. It seems the rumors about Microsoft’s Zune network for downloading and sharing music and other media may be true after all.
Read More | FCC
Gallery: FCC Approves Toshiba 1089, a.k.a Microsoft’s Zune Player
SanDisk Launches Sansa e280 8GB Flash-based DAP
Posted by Yuan Zhao Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video,
With so many purported “iPod killers” these days, one wonders if any company will ever be able to take down the legendary iPod line. SanDisk, a distant second to Apple in the portable music player market, announced a new member to their Sansa line on Monday, the e280. The e280 Sansa player offers 8GB of storage with a built-in microSD slot for an additional 2GB. At a starting price of around $250, roughly equal to that of the high-end nano, the new Sansa poses a potential problem for Apple by offering a product with a similar form factor with many enhancements. The lower-end versions of the Sansa player also received price cuts.
These upgrades are intended to help boost the company’s market share, which currently hovers around 10%; however, SanDisk is a top supplier of flash based storage and has a distinct advantage over Apple in terms of pricing. Their new releases come at a time when speculation about a revised iPod nano with larger storage, among other features, is at an all-time high. Regardless, it remains to be seen if SanDisk can in fact depose Apple.
Read More | MSNBC
Gallery: SanDisk Launches Sansa e280 8GB Flash-based DAP
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