While it’s lots of fun to wander the back walls and downstairs corridors of CES and look for products that may one day be “the next big thing,” let’s face it – consumers are primarily interested in what the big name brands have to say. After all, satisfying consumers is how they got to be big name brands. Many of the major players are pushing hard to advance 4K UHD-TV with High Dynamic Range (HDR). But the biggest problem has been getting 4K content to market. 4K streaming has not yet been perfected since there are so many variables. Many homes may not be able to get a quality continuous stream due to a limiting home router or to internet service. A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc will show a perfect movie every time. That’s why the major players say they will bring 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs to market in the next few months. By the end of 2017 there should be 100 movies available.
We’ve already told you about our top picks for CES, but here are some of the other products that the top tier brands showed off at the show.
Sony
Sony XBR-A1E Bravia OLED TV – Sony introduced its first OLED TV to finally give LG some competition in this product category (though Sony is buying OLED screens from LG). This new 4K high dynamic range (HDR) TV has the “world’s first Acoustic Surface” audio system. Sound will be generated directly from entire screen itself. The A1E will offer better visuals with greater black levels and a wider viewing angle. HDR is a new video standard allowing for better brightness, higher contrast, and more vivid colors. This is an Android Smart TV allowing voice-control via the Google Home device. This television will be offered in 77 inch, 65 inch, and 55 inch sizes. Pricing and launch timing are not yet available.
Sony UPB-X800 UHD Blu-ray – Sony introduced its first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player to enhance the products Sony’s 4K ecosystem has to offer. Sony’s player supports Bluetooth streaming and allows 4K streaming as well. Hi-Res Audio codecs will also support Super Audio CD. It’s due to be released in the spring. No word on pricing.
LG
LG Floating Bluetooth Speaker PJ9 – LG introduced a Bluetooth speaker with 360-degree sound. It is water-resistant and has 19 hours of battery life when not floating above its subwoofer charging base. The speaker floats above the base station until the charge runs low. Then it slowly lowers itself onto the base station to refill its own battery. While this is not the first speaker of its kind to levitate, there is a cool factor to watching it float above its base. Availability and pricing to come.
LG UP970 Blu-ray – LG too introduced its first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player which will support Dolby Vision high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging that delivers greater contrast and brightness. The player will handle just about every available Blu-ray format including 3D. It will also play just about every available audio format. LG says it’s coming soon, but no word on pricing.
Samsung
Samsung M9500 – Samsung has also introduced its 2017 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. The new model will include Bluetooth so that one can transfer TV audio to personal Bluetooth headphones for noiseless private viewing. Samsung Smart remote will allow integration across its ecosystem. There are also improved mobile features allowing users to view 360-degree photos and videos on their TV. No word on pricing or availability.
Samsung Q8/Q9 QLED Television – While LG is betting on OLED and Sony is hedging its bets, Samsung is making it clear it’s going with a technology it calls Quantum Dot, which provides what it claims is a sharper, more colorful picture by using tiny metal dots. This year it will offer up a series of sets using the technology, the QLED line, beginning at the top with the Q9 and Q8. No word on pricing or release date.
Panasonic
Panasonic Countertop Induction Oven (CIO) NU-HX100S – Panasonic’s CIO will cook, grill, broil, bake, and toast by radiating conducted heat from the center to edges to cook foods at the same time that require different heating times. A chicken and vegetable dinner will cook in less than thirty minutes. Available now for almost $600.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 – If you are going on a trip, this 60X (20-1200mm equivalent) optical zoom 18.1-megapixel long zoom camera will help you zero in on landscapes, wild animals, and birds from afar. It has a three-inch touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder for easy use in the sun. It takes advantage of 4K technology and has optical image stabilization helping to suppress hand-shaking. It enables easy sharing with Wi-Fi connectivity. It will be available in March 2017 for just about $400.
Harman – AKG
AKG N60 – AKG, a subsidiary of Harman, introduced its next generation of noise cancelling Bluetooth wireless headphones with a battery life of 30 hours, covering almost any trip an individual will take. These lightweight foldable wireless headphones include an accessorized travelling kit (flight adapter and carrying pouch) and a USB cable for recharging. They will be available April 2017 for almost $300.
Polk Audio
The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini – This is a compact sound bar with the wide room-filling sound one would expect from a full sound bar. It comes with a wireless subwoofer and has Polk Audio’s Voice Adjust technology that allows crystal clear dialogue that you can adjust to your liking. It has Wi-Fi, Google ChromeCast, and Bluetooth inside. Available now at $269.95.
Voxx – Klipsch
Klipsch The Three – Klipsch, which is owned by Voxx, introduces Klipsch The Three from its Heritage Wireless series in a beautiful wood cabinet. It is a streaming multi-room audio speaker that is Wi-Fi capable, includes Bluetooth hi-fidelity streaming, supports high-resolution digital music, and will work with other DTS Play-Fi capable speakers. It supports Spotify Connect, Pandora, Rhapsody, Amazon Prime, TIDAL, SiriusXM, and free Internet radio stations. Available now for about $400.00.
Western Digital – SanDisk
SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO USB 3.1 – SanDisk, now a subsidiary of Western Digital, launched this solid state drive which delivers lots of storage, high speed, and SanDisk SecureAccess software with file encryption and password protection. It can transfer a full-length 4K movie to the drive in less than 15 seconds. Tech enthusiasts can have enough storage for creating and sharing massive files. You can take it all with you or store as you go making this great for travel. It’s expected to ship shortly for $179.99.
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