European Custom Installer

BluOS announces a number of enhancements with the release of version 3.8, such as Apple AirPlay 2 support (on the on the NAD M12 and M32 with the addition of an MDC BluOS 2i card) and the addition of POWERNODE products to Bluesound Home Theatre groups.

The update also brings support for MQA-CD playback on Masters M50 products and MQA-CD ripping on Bluesound Vault and Masters M50 products. The encoding of MQA-CDs allows the delivery of studio-quality sound in the CD format. Meanwhile the Bluesound hi-res streaming amplifier, the POWERNODE, brings Dolby Digital surround sound as part of a wireless BluOS Home Theatre setup.

Bang & Olufsen presents a luxury take on the smart speaker-- the Beosound Balance, a number designed in collaboration with British agency Layer with a look "inspired by interior objects."

The Balance stands 38cm tall, and consists of a typical cylindrical speaker on top of a oak wood base. The speaker is covered in fabric mesh, and carries two 5.25-inch bass drivers, two 2-inch full-range drivers, one 3/4-inch tweeter and two 3-inch full-range drivers acting as "sound enhancers." It also includes Chromecast Audio and Google Assistant support, together with AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and analog line-in connectivity.

An inadvertent leak on the Ring website reveals details for the Video Doorbell 3, an update bringing 2.4 and 5GHz dual-band wifi connectivity and a "near" motion zone preventing false events beyond 4.5m.

First spotted by Zatz Not Funny, the Video Doorbell 3 looks near identical to the previous model-- so much so it can easily slot in the same space, and the package includes wedge and corner kits. It comes in either regular or Plus flavours, with the Plus model adding a "Pre-Roll" able to save four seconds of video before a motion alert. The pre-roll video is low resolution and black and white, but Ring claims the Plus model is the first battery-powered doorbell to ship with such a feature.

ISE 2020 sees Trinnov Audio demonstrates the DTS:X Pro capabilities of the Altitude32 and Alititude16 processors with a purpose-built 15-seat 15.3.10 channel immersive audio system.

Built in partnership with co-exhibitors Procella Audio and Kaleidescape, the setup consists of an Altitude32 processor and Amplitude8 power amplifiers handling the playback system, together with 28 Procella loudspeakers, Procella amplifiers, a Kaleidescape Strato and a Sony VPL-W5000ES projector.

The Samsung Forum hosts the reveal of the 2020 European TV and audio lineup from company, including the flagship Q950TS QLED 8K TV and an expanded range of QLED 8K and 4K, MicroLED, Lifestyle TVs and soundbars.

Available in Europe in 65-, 75- and 85-inch sizes, the Q950TS promises edge-to-edge images with an Infinity Screen bringing a 99% screen to body ratio. The profile is just 15mm thick, while audio comes through x6 built-in speakers. In addition, Samsung offers the Q900T and Q800T 8K QLED TVs, in sizes ranging from 55- to 98-inches to ensure an 8K TV fits in all spaces.