Monster Digital PowerCenter MDP 900 review

When it comes to surge protectors and power conditioners, Monster makes some of the best. Up for review is the Monster Digital PowerCenter MDP w/ Green Power and USB Charging MDP 900. This is not an ordinary surge protector. It can be used for computers, home theater systems, and features Monster GreenPower.

For surge protection and power filtration, the MDP 900 uses Monster’s PC Clean Power Stage 2. It removes electromagnetic and radio frequency noise to help your data transfers be more reliable and helps computer performance. The Monster Dual Mode Plus feature sounds an alarm and automatically disconnects in the event of these dangerous conditions, to isolate your equipment from the source. Since Cable modem, DSL, and Ethernet lines can also carry damaging power surges and spikes, the phone, network and coaxial connections are also protected. And monster is so confident in their product that the MDP 900 includes equipment replacement protection up to $300,000.

There are even some advanced features. The MDP 900 includes two high-current surge protected USB ports to safely charge MP# players, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronics. This helps free up USB ports on your computer, as well as outlets on the PowerCenter for peripherals such as a printer, external hard drives, etc. It is also PLC Network compatible. HomePlug is a growingly popular form of creating a home network using your homes electrical wiring. Ordinary surge protectors can block PLC, but not the MDP 900.

Last but not least, many companies are jumping on the bandwagon and going green. Monster is one of them. The MDP 900 includes Monster GreenPower. This will not only reduce energy waste and thereby being “green,” but by doing so it will use less energy and therefore save you some green. All you would do is plug in your computer or receiver into the main outlet, and your other peripherals into the other outlets. When you turn the receiver or computer off or in standby mode, all of the other outlets switch off. No more energy vampires.

So Monster has created another great product. And it was nice to see that it actually works. In hooking it up to my computer, when I turn it off all of my peripherals also turn off. While I am not sure how much green I have saved so far, it is still nice to know that I am doing something for the environment and there are companies out there like Monster that want to do their part. For more info and detailed specs, please check out Monster’s website at www.monstercable.com

Zaggphone Closed Dynamic Headphone Review

With any type of speakers, whether they are home speakers, car speakers, or headphones, the desired result is the same. To produce enjoyable sound at given price points is the goal. Up for review is a pair of Zaggphones from a company called Zagg. They are a large over the ear closed dynamic design. They can be found at Zagg’s website for an introductory price or $80.

I had a hard time reviewing these headphones. It was difficult because I kept getting dragged into the music. I try to be alert to the different sounds that I am used to hearing in the music that I use in my reviews. But the Zaggphones sounded better than expected for their price point, and I kept having to remind myself to pay attention and not just enjoy the music. That is probably one of the best compliments for a pair of headphones. They truly are enjoyable.

The Zaggphones performed very well overall. While they are not the performers as my Skull Candy SK Pro’s, they also don’t come with the same $150 price tag. And with that being said, they perform admirably for their price point. The highs sounded very clean, and only occasionally got a tad overextended or harsh. The mids were sufficiently smooth, and the lows supplied plenty of deep low bass and can satisfy bass heads like myself. There was also a good level of resolution and nice sized soundstage. Mannheim Steamroller is one of my favorites, and in Fresh Aire V’s “Creatures of Levania,” there was plenty of low end extension, and the flute had air. Listening to many of the tracks in Sound & Vision / Telarc Heads up SACD sampler disc, both male and female vocals as well as the piano sounded natural. In Junior Wells’ track “Why are people Like That?” The harmonica took me away.

Thank you Zagg for an enjoyable experience. The Zaggphones are a great sounding product. And with a lifetime warranty, they are a bargain at this price. Anyone in the market for some good headphones at this price point deserves to give them a listen. For more info, please check out their website at www.zagg.com.

Press Release New Onkyo THiB Systems

Onkyo HT-S5200 home theater package. Click any photo for 300 dpi JPEG image file.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (03/16/09) -- Onkyo has introduced two entry-level home theater in a box (HTiB) packaged systems, each consisting of an HDMI-equipped audio-video receiver, five or seven surround-sound loudspeakers with subwoofer, and the top model includes an iPod docking station. When combined with a HDTV video display, Blu-Ray or DVD player, and cable/satellite TV box, these systems provide everything needed for a fully satisfying home theater surround sound experience.

"With the current economic climate, our high-value entry-level HTiB's are doing quite well," said Paul Wasek, Marketing Manager, Onkyo USA. “The addition of Audyssey technologies along with new DSP gaming modes and HDMI connectivity make these systems a real value for the consumer.”

Both systems include 1080p compatible HDMI connections, with HDMI Pass-Thru for optimal high definition video quality, including Deep Color and x.v.Color. For optimum sound quality, sources are connected via optical/coaxial digital connections, using a range of Dolby and DTS processing modes. There are four DSP gaming modes for rock, sports, action, and role-playing sound effects. The HT-S5200 incorporates Audyssey 2EQ™ room correction technology to automatically adjusts the sound character and time delay of each speaker relative to the listening positions, Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ which maintains optimal listening levels and dynamic range and Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ that adjusts the loudness contour on the fly to optimize sound quality for any volume, particularly at low listening levels. The HT-S3200 utilizes Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ technologies.

The 1200 total watt 7.1-channel HT-S5200 uses powerful 130-watts-per-channel amplifiers that are perfectly matched to the included Onkyo Micro Fiber (OMF) speakers. A 10-inch 290-watt bass-reflex subwoofer adds bass depth and high-level excitement to movies and music. The HT-S5200 is Sirius satellite radio ready, includes Onkyo's Music Optimizer to enhance the dynamic range of MP3 and AAC files which are normally compressed for headphone playback, and it has advanced Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix surround sound processing capabilities. The system also includes a dedicated Onkyo iPod dock and charging station.

The more affordable 660 watt Onkyo HT-S3200 includes the model HT-R370 5.1-channel AV receiver with 110-watts per channel, three HDMI pass-through inputs, DTS and Dolby Digital surround processing, and five loudspeakers and an 8-inch bass reflex subwoofer that is powered by the receiver.

The Onkyo HT-S5200 is currently available in either black or silver finishes with a suggested retail price of $599. The Onkyo HT-S3200 is available in black with a suggested retail price of $379. Both systems include speaker wires and full-function remote controls.

Onkyo, which takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning 'harmony,' has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.
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NHT Speakers No Longer Available.....for now

now hear this.



February 23, 2009

Dear Friends of NHT,

It’s time to turn down the lights: NHT is going quiet.

Over the next 60 days we’re going to sell the remaining professional and consumer inventory through our existing dealers and distributors, pay our bills, and then spend time rethinking the future of NHT. However, you should know that we are not bankrupt. Everybody here is fine and no, the car didn’t get hit by a train. In a way this difficult economy provided the right opportunity for the change in strategy we felt has been necessary for some time.

One thing that is for sure is that this is not about our love for or commitment to the brand. It isn’t about the audio business, either. It’s all about the realities of the world and how consumer attitudes are changing, and how we as a brand and an industry can best respond to the need for real invention. We’re anxious to get moving. When we do, it will be in the right direction.

NHT has always stood for something more than a great speaker. Our philosophy has to do with a way of thinking – about value, about fair play, about paying attention to what matters, about integrity. For us, it’s a way of life.

We have a colorful history that included our share of distractions, but we hope we have made the speaker industry a little more interesting and helped in raising the bar.

We believe March 31, 2009 is to be the last day of "regular" business, at least for now. We intend to offer customer service and repair services for both in and out of warranty, available ongoing. Keep an eye on our website (nhthifi.com) for more details and the occasional update.

Remember, this isn’t good-bye, it’s just “see you on the other side”

Thanks for everything!

Chris, John and the entire NHT gang

Onkyo releases news on the Spring 2009 AV receiver line-up, and includes Dolby ProLogic IIz

news from onkyo
photo library
backgrounder
onkyousa.com

For immediate release:
Onkyo Introduces the World’s 1st AV Receiver with Dolby ProLogic IIz — Adding an "Over-the-top" Vertical Dimension to Surround Sound

Onkyo TX-SR607. World's first AV receiver with Dolby ProLogic IIz processing. Additional photographs available in the online version of this release.Click any photo for 300dpi JPEG image file.

Onkyo targets value-conscious consumers with a Spring 2009 AV Receiver line-up offering new technologies, features, and performance not previously available at these prices.
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (3/12/09) – As the first installment of its 2009 product line-up, Onkyo has introduced three new home theater receivers, including the world's first to offer Dolby's new ProLogic IIz processing, which can produce sound effects above the listener's head. Theses models, which range in price from $299 to $599, also include an array of advanced HD audio and video technologies from Onkyo, Dolby, DTS, Audyssey, Faroudja, and others that were previously only available at higher price points. The TX-SR607 features six HDMI inputs, and is the first AV receiver with a front-panel HDMI input.
With the debut of the new TX-SR607 receiver, Onkyo has the distinction of becoming the world's first manufacturer to launch a 7.2-channel home cinema receiver featuring the all-new Dolby Pro-Logic IIz mode. Designed to take home cinema sound to new heights (literally!) DPL IIz introduces a vertical aspect to the sound field through the addition of left and right-channel front height speakers mounted above the main speakers. Based on the initial positive reactions to demonstrations of this technology to dealers, Onkyo anticipates good demand for expanded height channel capabilities in future models.
"We are very excited to be the first audio manufacturer to utilize this exciting new surround format from Dolby," comments Onkyo USA marketing manager Paul Wasek. "It adds a new realm of audience involvement in three dimensions, with surprise aircraft flyovers triggering the 'duck' reflex. Onkyo has launched this technology on our most popular AV receiver, rather than our most expensive, in order to reach out to a much larger customer base. The company's premium receiver lineup, which will roll out over the Summer, will include expanded height-channel capabilities, internet radio and network audio technologies at lower price points."
These new models are well equipped for Blu-ray and other HD audio and video source components, with HDMI repeaters plus Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing in the TX-SR607 and TX-SR507. The entry-level TX-SR307 has HDMI pass-through switching on three inputs, while all three models support 1080p, Deep Color, and x.v.Color.
All of these receivers use Audyssey 2EQ, an automatic calibration system which corrects each channel's output in both frequency and time domains based on measurements at three unique listening positions, Audyssey Dynamic Volume technology, which optimizes the dynamic range of listening material at any listening level, and Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which corrects problems associated with reduced sound quality at low listening levels.
Onkyo has also developed four new exclusive gaming modes designed to enhance the listener’s experience when using video game systems. Players can select from Rock, Sports, Action, or Role Playing game modes to match the gaming content. These new modes will immerse all the players in the action like never before.
The Onkyo TX-SR607 and TX-SR507 are the first to use the company's new proprietary rear-panel universal port, which simplifies the connection for Onkyo’s forthcoming HD Radio Tuner and iPod Dock that will be available in late spring. The 5.1-channel TX-SR307 and TX-SR507 have 65- and 80-watts per channel amplifiers respectively, while the 7.2-channel TX-SR607 is rated at 90 watts per channel, has dual subwoofer line-outputs, upconverts all analog sources to HDMI via Faroujda DCDi technology, and is Sirius Satellite Radio ready.
The Onkyo TX-SR307 and TX-SR507 will be available in March, and the TX-SR607 in April with suggested retail prices of $299, $399, and $599 respectively.
Onkyo, which takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning 'harmony,' has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.
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Kingston DataTravel 8GB Review

A lot of us have a good sized CD collection. MP3 players make it easy for you to take your audio collection on the go. Whether you use it for walking, bike riding, or jogging, MP3 players are very portable and easy to take your audio collection with you. They can be your portable stereo on the go. But for car stereo fans, the issue may not be to have a portable stereo on the go. You already have a car stereo for that. But what you do want is to bring your audio collection with you. Kingston can help you with that.

Many car stereos now have hook-ups for an iPod, or other MP3 players. But why spend all the money on an iPod or other MP3 player just as a storage device for you music collection. Depending on your car stereo you may not have the need for a nice color display or headphone jack. All you may be looking for is a storage device. My Kenwood KDC-X991 has a built in USB input. No need for an expensive iPod. Enter Kingston’s DataTraveler 8GB flash drive. You read right. It is just a regular flash drive. But it is portable, and can hold a lot of tunes with 8GB worth of storage. I would need about 16GB to fit my entire music collection on it and take it with me. You may only need 4GB for your music collection. But with models with up to 64GB in storage capacity, Kingston would have you covered.

The Kingston DataTraveler 8GB was easy to use. Since it is a USB device, all I did was connected it to my computer, and created my own folders. I have used other smaller capacity flash drives in my car. I make folders for different music types, like rock, pop, jazz, etc, and save those types of music in the folders. Then depending on the music I want to listen to, I go to that folder. I set up different folders on the Kingston DataTraveler, but for some reason it did not read it as different folders. Instead of being able to access my 100 or so CD’s in 5 different folders, I have to scroll through a long list. But it still works, and when I pick an album to listen to, all of the info shows up on my car stereo display, such as artist and song title. And as I am scrolling through the list of albums on the flash drive, I can see the artist and album info so I know which album I am on as I go thru the list. It may not give you as many features as an MP3 player, but it is a lot cheaper. And in today’s market, that is what many of us are looking for.

ZBoost YX510 Cell Phone Signal Booster Review

They say when it comes to real estate it is all about location, location, location. When it comes to cell phones, it also tends to be about location. There is a growing trend of people dropping their land line phones for just their cell phone. For a lot of people it makes sense. But it only works if you have good cell phone signal where you live. So in a way, it is about location.

I have not been able to take the option of dropping my land line. While I have cell phone coverage and a signal in my house, the strength of the signal depends on which room I am in. And if I am roaming the house while I am on my cell phone, I occasionally drop calls. ZBoost has solved that problem. They are a company that does just what the name implies. They take a cell phone signal, and boost or amplify it. Unfortunately they cannot make something out of nothing. In other words, they cannot create a cell phone signal from nothing. They first need a signal to be able to amplify.

There are multiple different types of cell phone carriers. Because of this zBoost has multiple models. There are also models based on the size of home you have. The product I tested was the YX510. It works on homes up to 2500 square feet. It was simple to set up. The zBoost YX510 came with what looked a bit like a router, a long thick antenna, and a line of coaxial cable to connect the two. Depending on how much signal you get, there are a few different installation options for the antenna. For the best reception they recommend the antenna at a high point in the house such as in the attic. You can also install it next to a window on the inside of the house for a simpler installation.

I had enough of a signal so I was able to install the unit on the inside of my house. After the install, I found that the unit performed as advertised. I now have two more signal strength bars than I had before. I also am able to walk all around the house and not have a dropped call. The performance for me has been great. If you have had problems with weak signal and dropped calls in your home, I would suggest you give them a try. I certainly am glad that I did.

Speck Port Pack shoulder bag review

It can be rather difficult to keep up with all of the changes in the electronics industry. Whether it is cell phones or laptops, new and improved models continue to come out and replace the old ones. As the trends continue to bring out fancier features, a new trend has developed. It is to have models that appeal to who we are and our personalities. This started with cell phones that you could download different ringtones. Now you can get cell phones and laptops in different colors and designs. A company called Speck is continuing in the trend.

Up for review is a Speck Port Pack shoulder laptop bag. It is not your traditional looking black laptop bag. It is a great looking coffee and cream plaid colored laptop bag. And when you see it, some of you will just say “now that’s me.” And that is part of the point.

The other part of the point is the bag is also very functional as well. I think it is the perfect sized bag for a laptop. It holds more than just the laptop, but does not have too many pockets to make it too bulky. This particular laptop bag fits a 15” laptop nice and snug. It also has a lot of functionality. There is a nicely padded shoulder strap that conveniently detaches from plastic quick release tabs, and you can instead carry it from the cloth handle that stores in a zippered pocket up top.

Speck shows a lot of ingenuity in the bags design. As I mentioned above, the shoulder strap works great, but if you would rather carry it in your hand than on your shoulder, just pop off the straps and put them in the bag, unzip the pocket on the back and pull out the handle. There is also a long pocket on the back to hold a magazine or folder. Inside of the bag are two big pockets, one that is padded for the laptop, and a second section to hold whatever. There is also an interior zippered pocket. The interior pockets are covered by a large flap that also covers some exterior pockets. These interior pockets consist of a large zippered pocket, two pen holders, and two smallish Velcro pockets. One of which is a two way pocket for your MP3 player- the inside pocket holds your player and exterior see through mesh pocket holds your earbud headphones. And when you are on the go, the large flap is secured in place with Velcro and a snap-in tab. The bottom of the bag even has a couple hard rubber feet.

This is one amazingly functional laptop bag. It is fairly small in size having plenty of storage without being too big. There are some convenient features and pockets. Not only is it very functional, but it is pretty trendy with the plaid colors. It is stylish looking and will appeal to many individuals. I think many will have the same reaction as my wife. The first thing she said when she saw it was “now that’s mine!”

Video Editing Made Simple with Corel VideoStudio Pro X2

Video editing manufacturers are always trying to make video editing simpler to use, and include advanced features for the more advanced user. Corel is no different. Their VideoStudio Pro X2 is very simple to use, has a lot of features, and will make your home movies look professional. They also have the features to complement the new HD camcorders on the market today.

VideoStudio Pro X2 is an all-in-one solution. With it you can make professional looking HD or standard definition movies, slide shows, and DVDs. It allows you to capture videos and photos in HD or SD from camcorders, the internet, TV, digital cameras, and mobile devices. Once you have it captured, you can edit it with the included tools and include Hollywood style menus. You have the option to output the movies to HD or standard format, onto Blu-ray, AVCHD, DVD, mobile devices, or You Tube. Beginners can let The Movie Wizard do a majority of the work.

Some of the tools at your disposal are professionally designed theme templates and DVD menus. You can also add titles, transitions, music tracks, 100’s of effect filters, picture-in-picture, and even overlay objects and animation. There is even a new feature that allows you to paint, draw or write freehand on the video. You can even make your video look like film with the NewBlue Film effects filters. And if you really want to impress, you can take your stereo sound and encode it into 5.1 surround sound. VideoStudio ProX2 also comes with Corel WinDVD, so you can watch your end result of your Blu-ray, DVD, or AVCHD movie. If you recently upgraded to an HD camcorder, you will want to make sure your video editing software is up to the task. VideoStudio Pro X2 is up to the task.

Using the software proved to be very simple. It can literally be as easy as one, two, and three. One is for capture. That is where you import the video into your computer with the software, and can choose from analog camcorder, DV camcorder, import from disc (such as DVD), and mobile device. Two is for editing. And three is for share. This is where you choose how you want to export the file and in what format. Here you can choose from create video file, create audio file, create disc, export to mobile device, DV recording, HDV Record, or You Tube share online.

For those of you that are in the market for better video authoring and editing software, Corel’s VideoStudio Pro X2 should be on your short list to check out. It is simple to use for beginners, yet has advanced features that you can grow with. It works well, and the video looks great. For a full list of VideoStudeo's specifications and features check out Corel’s website. You can also download a trial version of the software to check it out yourself. It is at http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1175714228541#versionTabview=tab0&tabview=tab0. Happy editing.

CES 2009 Coverage

CES 2009 had a lot of different items this year. There were more manufacturers coming out with Blu-ray players and more models of them. Cell phones are getting more personalized with more color and style options as well as colorful cases to match your personality. SanDisk is coming out with a new mp3 player called Slot Radio player aimed at making it easier to have music you like on your player. It comes preloaded with over a 1000 songs in 7 or 8 preset categories such as Jazz or Country. You will also be able to buy additional cards with over 1000 songs in just a one category microSD card, or buy a newly released album on microSD instead of CD. The same trend can be found for laptop cases. There were also a few 1sts at the show, such as a portable Blu-ray player from Panasonic, and a Dick Tracy type cell phone watch from LG with a touch screen and mp3 player built in. Laptops are also coming out with many smaller models thanks in part to Intel’s Atom processor.

There was also some big news coming out of the show. Just as the Blu-ray format is starting to really catch on, its days appear to be numbered. It will not be this year, and may not even be in five years, but Blu-ray’s days are numbered. The new thing may just be soon to come in the form of flash cards such as SD cards. Up until now, they have been very convenient due to their size and fairly durable since they cannot be scratched like a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disk. But as the storage capacity has been increasing with SD cards having 32GB capacities are now available, they still do not have the capacity to be able to replace a Blu-ray disc. That will be changing in the near future with a new format called SDXC. Watch out Blu-ray. It is a new high capacity SD card that can hold up to 2TB of data. That is roughly the same capacity of 40 dual layer Blu-ray discs, and in just one small SD card! The specs are scheduled to be released here in the next few months. The new format is supposed to be backward compatible with your current SD cards, but unfortunately the new cards with not work in current SD drives found in computers, cell phones, mp3 players, and other devices currently on the market.

Video displays seemed to have the majority of the attention. Panasonic has an amazing front projector that has an internal lens setting so you can change from widescreen to cinemascope without the need of an expensive anamorphic lens attachment to the front of the projector. But most of the hype came from more traditional type displays. Flat screen TV’s using LED backlighting will soon be coming to market and with it an increase in energy savings and large increase in contrast to help make blacker blacks. Some TV’s are also getting very thin, as in around an inch thin, and some manufacturers such as Toshiba will be taking the bulk out by using a detached set-top box housing part of the circuitry previously found at the back of the TV. More are coming out with more advanced processing features, and Ethernet connections so widgets can be added. Some of you Vista users will already be familiar with using widgets. Now you will be able to check some items such as local weather and your stocks as if you were on your computer, but right from your TV instead.

3D TV was also getting a lot of attention at the show this year. There were varying degrees of success, but it looks better this year than in years past. But it appears there is no set format yet for it. Panasonic appears to be trying to change that. Their demo of 3DTV looked pretty good, but there was some content that appeared better than others. So it appears that content that was made for 3D and recorded in 3D had a much better presentation. They also showed off a Hollywood 3D video camera. It makes sense to have a set format for it, that way all the material as it comes out will be more standardized. I just hope it happens soon before too many manufacturers start creating their own. I would hate to have another format war.

This year’s show was very exciting. As you can see from the attached photos there was a lot to see. Look forward to seeing some of these products in upcoming reviews throughout the year. Some of them are already in the works. Thanks for reading.