European Custom Installer

System Integration for the Connected Home

Home Theater

Pioneer UHD Blu-ray Players Get HDR10+

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Pioneer adds HDR10+ capability to the Universal Disc Player line, starting with the UDP-LX800 and UDP-LX500, allowing them to better realise "the incredible dynamic luminance potential of UHD Blu-ray discs."

Pioneer HDR10+HDR10+ is the latest version of the HDR format. The current HDR10 standard uses static metadata present on a UHD Blu-ray disc to initially set brightness, which remains unchanged for the duration of the disc. HDR10+ improves on HDR through dynamic tone-mapping metadata allowing brightness adjustment on a frame-by-frame basis. The result is more dynamic, colourful and realistic HDR images, closer to the original vision of the creator.

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Arcam AVRs Get Imax Enhanced

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The current range of Arcam AVRs-- including the AVR390, AVR550 and AVR850, as well as the AV860 AV Processor-- receive IMAX Enhanced certification, meaning they meet the "stringent" standards set by the recently announced certification program.

Arcam IMAX EnhancedIMAX Enhanced was launched back in September 2018. It involves a certification committee of IMAX and DTS engineers, plus technical specialists from Hollywood. Receivers bearing such certification should be able to deliver IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K HDR content and IMAX signature sound mixes delivered by DTS.

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Modus VR Updates Home Theatre Design Platform

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Modus VR announces a set of updates for its home theatre design platform-- including the ability to create non-rectangular room via 2D Floor Plan Editor, as well means to zoom, change ceiling height and, when ready, open in the plans in VR.

Modus VRInstallers can also use Modus VR with more clients, and spend less time building rooms and more time selling. In addition, the software includes 4 new Sony projectors, a ping-pong table and a club chair, enabling users to expand beyond dedicated theatre environments to media rooms and the aforementioned non-rectangular spaces. Seats even move up and down as the riser height changes.

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Onkyo AVRs Get eARC, Amazon Music

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Onkyo announces the addition of eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) to a number of AVRs via firmware update-- an update also bringing native Amazon Music support to a selection of Onkyo hardware.

Onkyo AVRThe firmware update initially activates eARC capability on the 9.2-channel Onkyo TX-RZ830 and Integra DRX-5.2 network AVRs.

ARC technology supports transmission of aduio signals, including LPCM, Dolby Digital and DTS formats, from ARC-compatible TVs or devices connected to the TV. The introduction of eARC enables transmission of object-based audio formats (such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X) as well as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-H Master Audio lossless audio formats from compatible TVs via single HDMI cable between AVR and display.

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Pioneer Intros Flagship UDP-LX800

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Pioneer follows on the UDP-LX500 4K UHD Blu-ray player with a flagship universal disc player-- the UDP-LX800, a player the company says is "purpose-engineered to provide a new state-of-the- art benchmark for 4K UHD Blu-ray and SACD playback."

Pioneer UDP-LX800As the step-up model from the LX-500, the LX-800 promises not only superior playback but even sturdier construction, with a 4.6mm thick, double-layer steel and steel-sheet chassis and a rigid, anti-vibration paint coated case holding the Blu-ray drive. In addition, a rigid frame structure inside the player segregates the power supply, processing and analogue sections in order to reduce electromagnetic interference. The result? A heavyweight player at 14kg (the LX500 weighs 10.3kg).

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Pioneer UDP-LX500 Gets European Release

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Back in April 2018 Pioneer teased a first 4K UHD Blu-ray player, the UDP-LX500. Now the Japanese company confirms a European release for the player, as well as further details on what makes it special.

Pioneer LX500The LX500 is aimed at the higher end of the market. It features rigid double-layer construction and a low centre of gravity, a combination the company says reduces the effects of vibrations within the chassis and allows for rotation speeds of up to 5000 rpm. Inside, an enhanced noise reduction feature promises to improve picture quality, while PQLS (Precision Quartz Locking System) improves the accuracy of signals sent from the player to compatible AVRs.

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CEDIA Buys The Cinema Designer

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CEDIA sets to give members preferential access to home theatre design software with the acquisition of The Cinema Designer, the cloud-based tool allowing installers to create "technically perfect" home cinema or media room designs.

Cinema DesignerPost-acquisition The Cinema Designer gets a name change-- The CEDIA Designer. Creator Guy Singleton and the team behind the software remain as consultants, with a focus on product development sales and customer care, and will continue to support, maintain and develop The CEDIA Designer.

“The CEDIA Designer is an exceptional home theater and media room design tool,” the organisation says. “The software was developed by renowned home theater designer Guy Singleton and has earned numerous industry awards since its launch in 2016. Most importantly, it has helped many integration firms save time and money in the design process while ensuring an outstanding client experience. The manufacturers like it because they can feel confident that their products are being specified correctly, with appropriate products being applied to appropriate-sized rooms.”

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