Three new receivers are to replace the existing STR-DG line-up: the STR-DH500, the STR-DH700 and the STR-DH800.

The STR-DH500 is a 5.1 channel receiver with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output (switcher). It features Digital Cinema Auto Calibration and Digital Media Port, which allows you to release your music from your portable music players and PC via an optional adapter.

For those looking for more features, the STR-DH700 offers 7.1 channel with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output (repeater). In addition to STR-DH500’s specification, the STR-DH700 supports x.v.Colour, Deep Colour and bi-amplification. With bi-amplification, separate power stages drive the low frequency and mid/high frequency outputs. It also supports S-AIR – the wireless rear speaker solution from Sony that brings true flexibility and convenience to home cinema configuration.

At the top of the DH range is the STR-DH800, completing the specification with 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output (repeater) and High Definition audio codecs Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio.

The STR-DH500 and the STR-DH700 will be launched in May, while the STR-DH800 will go on sale in July.

Yamaha Electronics Corporation introduced a new line of versatile, high-performance AV receivers featuring the RX-V665 (MSRP: $549.95), successor to the RX-V663, the industry’s best-selling model in 2008, and the other four in the line - RX-V765, MSRP: $649.95; RX-V565, MSRP: $479.95; RX-V465, MSRP: $379.95; and RX-V365, MSRP $249.95.

“Namlook · Le Mar”
(Pete Namlook & Gabriel Le Mar)

This first collaboration of Pete Namlook and Gabriel Le Mar is a perfect combination of two worlds in Chill-Out and Ambient. While both artists have composed and released electronic music for over a decade, each followed a different path. While Namlook was often more on the beatless path of deep instrumental music, Le Mar had a strong connection to dub music and percussive content. Both developed their personal style and now combined their ideas to a perfect match in music. Percussive, melodic, organic monochrome, even a minimalistic electro-techno track is part of this album. The variety of unique organic music with its intense quality, makes you listen to it over and over again.

CD tracks: Acidflow 6.39 / Springtimer 11.03 / Deepa 9.07
In Time 7.38 / Jetzt 6.37 / Flow 13.36

Ludacris has teamed up with Monster Cable to re-release his new album, Theater Of The Mind, this time in high-definition stereo surround sound. Mixed by Monster's head honcho Noel Lee, the album reportedly will make listeners feel as if they are in the studio with Luda.
Luda's standard-D version of "Theater Of The Mind" is close to reaching gold-status. To date the 7th album from cris' has sold over 470,000 copies in only six weeks. The High-D version of Luda's new album should hit stores next month.

At ICES 2009, Dolby is demonstrating Dolby Pro Logic^(R) IIz, its newest matrix decoding technology designed to add new dimension and spaciousness to home entertainment systems. Dolby Pro Logic IIz utilizes front height channels to create three-dimensional effects for a 7.1 or a 9.1 channel listening experience and is backwards-compatible with Dolby Pro Logic IIx technology. Dolby is featuring a prototype Dolby Pro Logic IIz 7.1 AV receiver from ONKYO in its exhibit. Dolby is also showing Dolby TrueHD, a lossless compression technology developed for high-definition disc-based media and Dolby Digital Plus which delivers up to 7.1 channels of surround sound with better-than-DVD sound quality.

Dolby Digital Plus, recently adopted in France for high-definition television broadcasting, is featured in televisions from Grundig, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sony, a set-top box from Humax, and Vudu's movie download service.

Nearly 70 home audio systems and 50 Blu-ray Disc players from 30 companies around the world use Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, or both.

The EZ3000 is the first in the new BluCobra line of products from ezGear. BluCobra Blu-ray players include a full host of features you get with higher end models at an affordable price.

Formats

The BluCobra EZ3000 is a multi-format player that supports DVD, SACD and Blu-ray with full 1080p/24Hz output. For TVs that support lower resolutions, the player will also provide output in 1080i, 720P, and 480i. Composite video is also supported. The EZ3000 supports BD Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) and BD-ROM as well.

The wheels are turning on the Stormbringer remaster. There will be a 2 disc limited slipcase edition with original quad 4.1 mixes and other goodies, including Glenn's excellent remix work, video elements and more.

Denon Electronics announced first universal HD audio/video player, supporting Blu-ray, SACD & DVD-Audio formats: Denon DVD-A1UD. Player also reads DVD Video, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW and files from SD / SDHC card slot, including WMA/MP3 music, DivX 6 video, JPEG. HDMI Ver.1.3 interface supports 1080/60p, 1080/24p video output and, with Denon Link 4, direct DSD audio output with jitter reduction. More details can be found in translated from Japanese press release.

Player will ship in Japan by the end of January 2009, priced at 546,000 yen (5879$) in black or silver. A European launch will follow in March 2009, priced at 4000€.

Recorded live at David's reSource studio in Heidelberg, Dave and Pete take a look at what might happen in the future of our society. As part of the “Civilization” Trilogy (first part was “Travelling the Silk Route”, second part was “There!”), “Sexoid” is a look into a futuristic scenario where “fully equipped” androids might not only help in the kitchen. “Sexoid” is a synonym for significant changes in social life of the future. The music between house, deep musical ambience and chill-out accompanied by occasional speech samples fits the overall theme like a glove.

The listener is treated to our images of the future while leavin room for the listener’s own reflections on the theme.
CD tracks: In the Mirror 24.32 min
Sexoid 15.43 min
Get Your Chillums Out 13.13
Retro Future 17.04