In this issue of Sound + Image

July/August 2008 Vol.21 #8

equipment reviews

Homecast HD PVR

The first high-definition twin-tuner PVR from a new brand — and it impresses us with its rare ability to output standard-definition TV as brilliantly as it does HD channels

Krix Tryptich speakers

The first of our décor-friendly home theatre speaker packages hails from South Australia, where Krix has turned its professional cinema expertise to the task of simultaneously satisfying fans of both audio and aesthetics

Panasonic Blu-ray recorder

It’s the world’s first domestic Blu-ray recorder — but also so much more. Panasonic has included twin HDTV tuners, a very healthy 500GB hard drive, and much in the way of cunning extras...

BenQ HD1080 projector

BenQ’s latest full-HD projector offers astounding picture quality for the price, and banishes the last vestiges of rainbow effect through its implementation of DLP technology

Crowson Motion System

Take a fine 160W amplifier, and use it to shake your sofa up and down. Crowson aims to supplement your bass via the power of vibration

B&W VM6 speaker system

Flat speakers to match your flatscreen TV from no lesser authority than Bowers & Wilkins. We match the refined VM6 speakers with the radical PV1 subwoofer to enjoy big home theatre sound without the big boxes...

Fatman valve amplifier

We listen to the Fatman sing — and even make use of the associated chome-covered iPod dock

Tantra by SpeakerCraft

Our third example of impact without intrusion hails from California — the efficient and engaging Tantra range of home theatre loudspeakers by SpeakerCraft

Moon Supernova CD player

We head for the high-end with this rock-solid Supernova of a CD player which shows there’s still plenty of life in the silver disc

features

Australia’s Best Installs

This neat install features real-world equipment with whole-house music, distributed video and a big-screen projection-based home theatre...

CEDIA Expo Preview

Australia’s big custom installation Expo is packed with the latest technology for audio, AV, and whole-house integration technology. We’ve taken the cunning path of gathering the news before it happens...

departments

News

The latest developments in Energy Stars for televisions; plus all the latest kit — new TV ranges from LG and Panasonic; speaker systems from JBL, Mission and Mordaunt-Short; Topfield’s first HD PVR since taking over its own Australian distribution; and the first $500 Blu-ray player. Plus why Australian dinosaurs prefer Screen Goo...

Sound Off

Derek Powell analyses the brain’s response to music at different intensities, and predicts the return of the ‘loudness’ button — given a little help from today’s digital processing systems

listening & viewing

CD reviews

Lesley Sly unsleeves a new selection of silver discs, celebrating Goldfrappe’s return to form and Nick Cave’s dedication in clocking into a songwriting office to produce Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!, while doubting the efficacy of Portishead’s holiday schedule

Blu-ray reviews

Keep the kiddies happy with buckets of extras on the spiritually high-definition The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, or spray buckets of Kiwi red over your adult screen via the mutant menace of Black Sheep. Edward Scissorhands might make a useful shearer in the latter scenario but, says reviewer Stephen Dawson, stay well clear of the diabolical LaBute remake of The Wicker Man..