The
annual Consumer Electronics Show is where gadget lovers meet
every year to see the latest devices and future concepts.
This year the themes were convergence and wireless networking.
There were things like DVD-RAM/CD-RW devices and PVR-equipped
cable boxes. The traditional PC was overshadowed by glossy
Internet appliances and web-enabled cellphones. IEEE-1394
(FireWire) made it's move into audio and new MP3 devices abounded.
In contrast, there was little mention of technologies like
Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD audio. It would be impossible
to track all that transpired during the show, but here are
some of the highlights of CES 2001. With so much convergence
going on, it was sometimes difficult to categorize an item.
IEEE-1394
(FireWire)
Home
Audio Storage Concept - Digital Harmony Technologies Inc.
demonstrated a home audio storage concept made possible by
the interoperability of their technology with Western Digital's
native 1394 audio/video hard disk drive (AV HDD) technology.
In the demonstration system, the 1394 AV HDD technology is
connected to Digital Harmony's industry-leading audio adapter
with a single 1394 cable. The DHIVA-powered audio adapter
converts standard audio formats to 1394 audio formats, compliant
with open international standards. The 1394 audio data streams
to the AV HDD where it is recorded, time-shifted, and then
played back through the Digital Harmony audio adapter. Audio
recording and playback can occur at the same time, taking
full advantage of the bi-directional nature of the IEEE-1394
bus [-more-]
Polk
Audio's IEEE-1394 Loudspeakers - Polk will make use of
Digital Harmony's DHIVA IEEE-1394 transceiver modules. DHIVA
is a complete hardware reference design that includes Digital
Harmony's standards-based firmware for device control and
media stream manipulation. DHIVA-powered loudspeakers can
be connected to Digital Harmony entertainment networks via
a single 1394 cable, and can be directly connected to other
DHIVA-powered audio sources and surround sound decoders made
by other Digital Harmony licensees such as Denon, Onkyo, and
Harman/Kardon. Polk also has access to Digital Harmony's WireFree
and BiDAT modules. Digital Harmony WireFree is a high-quality,
8-channel wireless audio technology that is ideal for wireless
loudspeakers systems. WireFree uses a patent-pending diversity
technique that minimizes the multi-path interference problems
found in many of today's wireless loudspeaker designs [-more-]
Mitsubishi
Adopts Copy Protection System - Mitsubishi Digital Electronics
America Inc. (MDEA) Friday announced overall adoption of the
Digital Transmission Copy Protection (DTCP) system (known
as 5C) in future devices using the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial
Bus. The company previously announced the Mitsubishi Promise
Module, a tuner-decoder upgrade module for its HD-Upgradeable
Televisions, which included IEEE 1394 and 5C. In making this
announcement, the company is demonstrating its support of
5C in devices that use the IEEE 1394 connection. "MDEA wants
to eliminate any ambiguity or question regarding its choice
of copy protection technology," said Max Wasinger, vice president
of sales and marketing. "As we move forward into a totally
digital interconnected home entertainment environment, we
believe that 5C is the de facto standard for content protection"
[-more-]
