SIM2, the Italian manufacturer whose striking high performance HD home theatre projectors are known worldwide for their pristine video and dramatic cabinet designs, has introduced the exciting next generation design of the award winning Grand Cinema C3X projector. SIM2 C3X1080 integrates benchmark quality 1080p video display with the functions and features required to power today’s sophisticated home theatres, all within the dramatic industrial design for which SIM2 is justly famous.

In 2005, the original C3X model revolutionised the home theatre market. For 2007, SIM2 is taking the C3X concept to the next performance level. The new C3X1080, as its name suggests, is a full HD 1080p projector, but shares the same compact form factor as the original.

In the best SIM2 tradition, the 43cm square, 10kg C3X1080 is housed in a stunning, high-gloss sculpted cabinet designed by Giorgio Revoldini with the company’s trademark flowing lines. Revoldini, who has designed several SIM2 models, has received several prestigious international industrial design awards, including a 2006 Good Design medal – a coveted award in industrial and graphic design administered by the Chicago Athenaeum.

Although diminutive in size, the C3X1080 conceals truly powerful abilities and a great deal of technology. The projector is based on a trio of the latest DarkChip4™, 0.95-inch, 1080p DLP® chipsets from Texas Instruments. The three-chip SIM2 design further exploits improved optics in SIM2’s proprietary ALPHAPATH™ light engine to form a system able to deliver full-HD, 1920x1080 progressive video of stunning clarity and definition. The combination’s superb contrast (=10,000:1, typically) matches its impressive colour depth and remarkable brightness capability, for a net result of breathtaking, almost three-dimensional picture performance from high quality source material.

With the C3X1080, SIM2 has created more than a mere reference grade projector. Full depth 10-bit video processing, with HD scaling and de-interlacing capabilities, maintains 1080p/24fps full-HD purity under actual content playback conditions, and does much to upgrade the delivered perceived quality of lesser formats. What’s more, SIM2’s newly developed advanced colour management software is available to permit installers and calibrators to precisely match each projector to its home theatre environment. SIM2’s software allows near total control over colour and white-point coordinates, gamma correction and more for unprecedented power to refine and improve real world installed performance.

The latest SIM2 achievement incorporates the functions and features demanded by custom theatre designers and installers. The C3X1080 delivers two selectable HDMI inputs (both fully HDCP compliant), as well as inputs for Component, S- and Composite-video, and an RGB connection. Both RS232 serial and USB ports are included to ease connectivity for control and software/firmware communications. Even twin 12-volt trigger outputs are on board for total flexibility of installation and control.

The C3X1080 is available now from selected SIM2 specialist dealers.

The Denon CHRF103 CD - Hard Drive combination unit has been very successful as part of the DF103HR system for a few months now but due to demand Denon have now decided to make this amazing unit avaiable as a separate unit that can now be added to any system.

The CHRF103 will allow you to play CD as well as rip them down to its internal hard drive and uses the Gracenote to get disc tiltles and names. You can store up 10,000 songs in the CHRF103 without the need for a computer. However if you have a computer you can connect the CHRF103 via its USB port and use the included Denon Music Manager program to manage and manipulate your music files.

The simple addition of a CHRF103 to your sound system will mean almost endless hours of your favourite music with a simple press of the remote control.

In the November 2007 edition of one of Britain's most respected Hi-Fi magazines, the Hi-Fi News, reviewer Richard Stevenson put the new Denon AVR3808 through its paces and conducted a very extensive test and review.

To say that he was impresssed with the Denon AVR3808 is an understatement with quotes like this;

"the new AVR-3808 offers true hi-fidelity sound, feature rich AV performanceand solid future proofing in the face of networking technologies and new audio formats"

To read the whole review please click here

Denon's new DHT-FS3 with X-SPACE SURROUND lets you sit anywhere you like. With the DENON DHT-FS3 home theatre system, everyone can enjoy surround ambiance wherever they are sitting in the room. With just a slim front speaker unit and a supplied subwoofer unit, the DHT-FS3 home theatre system reproduces highly ambient surround sound without the ugly cables and speakers all around the room.All you need to do to enjoy your new home theatre is to connect your DVD player and TV monitor and sit back and enjoy.

To learn more about X-Space Surround and the DHT-FS3 click here

Key Digital HD Python Series - Key Digital have now launched the complete range of Python series cables which start in Australia from the 9 metre length. Key Digital the leader in video technology and solutions have this range of cables which are the step up from the popular Red Iguana series. In particular this range is available in lengths 9m, 12m, 15m and 22.5 metre lengths here in Australia with a 30 & 37.5 metre available by special order.

These cables  cables all comply with HDMI 1.3 specification quality with the capacity to handle all video signals from standard definition 480i to full HD 1080p. Importantly they are CL3 RATED to comply for inwall/inceiling installation additionally all cables feature: • 24 Karat gold plated connectors for the ultimate in electrical connectivity and corrosion resistance • Bandwidth of 5 Gbps enables high performance speeds for glitch free digital video signals • VW-1 UL rated, cables pass the stringent UL flame test procedure • HDCP Compliant • Oxygen free copper coated with low-loss dielectric compound

Key Digital® Introduces Red Iguana™ HDMI Cables for the Retail Market with a RRP from $89.95

Red Iguana HDMI Cables. Red Iguana cables all comply with HDMI 1.3 specification quality with the capacity to handle all video signals from standard definition 480i to full HD 1080p. All Red Iguana HDMI cables feature: • 24 Karat gold plated connectors for the ultimate in electrical connectivity and corrosion resistance • Bandwidth of 5 Gbps enables high performance speeds for glitch free digital video signals • VW-1 UL rated, cables pass the stringent UL flame test procedure • HDCP Compliant • Oxygen free copper coated with low-loss dielectric compound

In the February 2008 edition of the well respected British Hi-Fi magazine, What Hi-Fi, Sound and Vision, widely regarded as the gospel of Hi-Fi magazines, reviewed the brand new NAD C515BEE.

Like its predecessors the C515BEE received a glowing 5 Star review which clearly places the C515BEE as the leader in its class.

What Hi-Fi quotes:

“no other CD spinner in this price range offers the detail, focus or soundstage of this NAD”

To read the complete What Hi-Fi review click here

To coinside with the release of the new NAD T7X5 AV receivers and AV Pre-Amp, NAD have released the new IPD1 iPod control dock.

The IPD1 will connect to the new T775, T785 & T175 and allow you to play your favourie songs, look at your favourite photos as well as watch your iPod videos all though your fantastic new NAD AV receiver.

Ipod never sounded or looked as good

Last year Denon released their hugely successful ASD1R iPod Control dock which allowed you to not only play your iPod through one of the new Denon AVR07 receivers but also allowed the receiver remote to operate the iPod. 

The new ADS3N and ASD3W from Denon not only allow the same iPod functions with Denon receivers but for those who have a pre existing amp or receiver from any manuafacturer, you now can also have full iPod connectivity.

To make the ASD3N and ASD3W even better value Denon engineers have also included full DLNA Networking features as well, so now you can turn any sound system into a full iPod/Networking system. The ASD3N is compatible with cabled networks whilst the ASD3W is fully WiFi Cerified IEEE 802 b. g.

Stream your favourite music playlists to your sound system and your favourite Jpeg slideshow to your television via its S-Video connection. Denon welcomes you to the world of Intergation

Denon have been leaders in Hi-Fi and Home Theatre markets for as long as these categories have existed but rather than rest on thier laurels Denon's engineers are constantly developing new technologies that allow you to no only get better sound quality fom your equipment but now to integrate your PC and all the music stored on it with your sound equipment.

Then Denon's engineers thought why should we limit this new found intergration with just the sound system in your living room, so to this end they deveolped the new S32 and S52 Wireless Network Music systems.

The S32 and S52 allow you to stream music playlists from your PC to any room, even the bedroom or bathroom. Add a twin allarm with Internet radio access to over 7000 stations and you have the perfect addition to any room.

Not just content with getting great reviews for its individual performance, the UK magazine Hi-Fi World have tested both the new NAD C315BEE and the Cambridge Audio Azur 340A in a “shoot out”.

Comparative tests have always been considered the toughest as similar models are tested side by side and as in any race there can only be one winner.

And the winner is the NAD C315BEE!!

Adam Smith from Hi-Fi World quotes

“The C315BEE offers sophistication to the sound that is often lacking in amplifiers at this price point, with precision and insight that is most impressive”

To read the complete Hi-Fi world comparative test click here

This month will see the arrivial on our shores of the NAD T785 which has been eagerly awaited by all. Featuring a huge 200watts per channel (FTC) on all 7 channels the T785 promises to deliver a Home Theatre experience like no other, add the latest HDMI Version 1.3a and NAD have created an AV receiver that will be the envy of all your friends.

Other features include, Audyssey Room EQ and Auto Setup, Powerdrive, Modular construction, 4 Zone Multi Room with independant source and volume, Analogue to HDMI conversion, Full 1080p compatibility

When NAD engineers started to design the new T7X5 series AV Receivers and AV Pre-Amp they stated with a complete clean sheet of paper. Quite often a manuafacturer will release a new model but infact the new model is the same as the previous model except for a few small changes, not so with the new T7X5 series from NAD.

The new modular construction design developed by NAD's engineers is a completely new amplifier platform and provides, better sounding, more efficent, easy servicing and better future proofing with the possibility of exchanginging boards as new technologies become available.

The new NAD T535 Universal DVD player is already receiving huge praise for the quality of its picture performance.

With all the confusion in the current market about opposing HD video formats NAD set about designing a DVD player that would provide a magnificent 1080p resolution picture from your existing DVD collection.

The NAD T535 means that you can play all your existing software, both CD and DVD and be guarrenteed that you will get the best sound and picture without having to change formats.

The new Denon S-302 continues on in the tradition of its predecessor the Award winning S-301. The S-301received accolades from all over the world and won many awards and 5 star reviews.

The NAD C315BEE has received another big rap from the prestigious British Hi-Fi magazine, Hi-fi News. Hi-fi guru and reviewer Ken Kessler put the C315BEE through an extensive set of technical and listening tests and found that NAD have created another legend in the making with the C315BEE.

Quotes

“But when you hear how “big” the C315BEE can sound – dimensions rather than mere level – you will appreciate how its performance defies its price”

"The C315BEE is a mind boggling bargain”

To read the entire Ken Kessler review click here