Acoustic Research Paves The Way For High-Performance Trouble-Free HDTV With New Simplay HD Verified Installation Accessories

MicroFlat speaker wire, speaker selectors, and a new in-wall A/V distribution products round out AR offerings at CEDIA EXPO 2006

September 19, 2006

As the home theater installation industry converges on Denver later this week for the annual CEDIA EXPO, a new lineup of Acoustic Research products will help installers solve problems that have crept into the high-definition experience at home. The products will be on display in booth 313. Nothing is more frustrating than setting up a new HDTV only to find that the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMITM) digital connection you've used to get the best possible audio and video doesn't work, forcing you to resort to a lower-quality — and more complicated — analog hook-up. To ease concerns over HDMI compatibility, which has been a frustrating obstacle for installers and enthusiasts alike, Thomson's Acoustic Research brand is introducing a line of HDMI switchers and repeaters, with HDMI cables that have been rigorously tested by Simplay Labs, LLC to maximize performance and compatibility with other HDMI gear. AR is also introducing a line of paper-thin MicroFlatTM speaker wire, speaker selectors that support six and eight pairs of speakers, and a variety of in-wall A/V distribution products. The new HDMI cabling products are among the first to carry the Simplay HD logo, signifying that they have passed tests that focus on maximizing compatibility with other Simplay HD-verified products. A number of major consumer electronics manufacturers, including Thomson's Accessories business, are participating in the Simplay HD Testing Program, which has support from major Hollywood movie studios. "The Simplay HD Testing Program is a great thing for the industry given the compatibility issues we've seen with HDMI products not always talking to one another," said Sharon Vernon, General Manager of Thomson's Accessories Business unit. "The Simplay HD logo gives installers, retailers, and consumers peace of mind before they recommend or buy HDMI-enabled products." "The Simplay HD logo is the industry mark of highest quality for products using the HDMI digital interface technology," said Joseph Lias, President of Simplay Labs, LLC. "Our laboratories test products to a more stringent standard. The three foot, six foot and twelve foot Acoustic Research cables have recently passed the Simplay HD test. The Simplay HD logo on their HDMI cables will easily identify them as being tested to support full 1080p digital video & audio content." HDMI Switchers to Overcome Single-Input Syndrome Many high-definition televisions only have one HDMI input, which is a dilemma for consumers who have more than one A/V source component with an HDMI connector and crave the superior performance that an HDMI connection delivers — not to mention the beauty of using a single cable to carry high-definition video and multichannel audio. The Acoustic Research solution comes in two flavors: The two-way ARHD21 (suggested retail price $499.99) HDMI switcher, which provides two inputs, and the four-way ARHD41 (suggested retail price $599.99), which has four inputs. Both models are HDCP-compliant and incorporate the latest HDMI chip set in addition to a built-in repeater that minimizes signal degradation with long cable runs. Other common features include isolated construction to reduce crosstalk, a low-profile 17-inch, rack-mountable chassis with an anodized aluminum face plate, 24K gold-plated connectors and a credit-card-size remote control. HDMI Repeaters and Cables for High-Performance Connectivity For situations when cables must be run from one end of a room to the other, or from one area of the house to another, signal degradation can become an issue. This can often ruin what should be a pristine HDTV image. The AR488 is designed to make sure that doesn't happen. Measuring 2 1/8 x 1 5/8 x 7/8 inches and weighing only 1.4 ounces, the AR488 is a cinch to install because there are only two connections — an input and an output. If the cables are hooked up incorrectly, a red LED lights up. A green LED light signals that the cables are properly connected. The repeater features an isolated construction to reduce crosstalk and 24K gold-plated connectors. The AR488 is also compatible with 1080p signals. The AR488 carries a suggested retail price of $199.99 and a DVI format repeater is also available. AR's new Simplay HD-verified HDMI cables also feature an isolated construction — a small circuit board inside the connector is designed to eliminate many of the crosstalk problems experienced by consumers with other HDMI cables. The cables will also pass a 1080p signal. Suggested retail pricing for the HDMI cables is as follows: PR184BP (3 feet), $79.99; PR185BP (6 feet), $99.99; PR18BP (12 feet), $119.99; PR187BP (25 feet), $169.99; PR188BP (40 feet), $234.99. All are sold in heavy-duty poly-bags. MicroFlatTM Speaker Wire Makes Unsightly Cables Disappear Wiring up a home theater sound system with six or more speakers can be a tricky proposition, especially when it comes to running cables to surround speakers in the back of the room. Things become even more challenging when forced to snake cabling through the walls. Enter the Acoustic Research MicroFlatTM speaker wire. The paper-thin wire is easily hidden under wallpaper, carpeting, or molding and has an adhesive backing for simple installation. It can even be applied directly to a wall and painted over. And from a performance standpoint, MicroFlat wire is able to carry more current than other cables because of its greater surface area and ability to cool more quickly. "MicroFlat speaker wire is perfect for situations where you can't just start cutting holes and fishing wire — like in a historically significant home or in rooms with solid-wood paneling or brick walls," explained Vernon. Suggested retail prices range from $59.99 for a 30-foot roll of 800-watt wire to $249.99 for a 100-foot spool of wire rated to handle 1,350 watts of power. Each spool comes with a pair of terminal blocks. Speaker Selectors to Control a Whole-House Music System The new model AR1106 and AR1108 speaker selectors are designed to switch six and eight pairs of speakers, respectively, and are rated to handle 300 watts of continuous power per channel. In addition to boasting silent, "no click" speaker switching, both models are equipped with high-quality binding posts that will accept any kind of connector and incorporate Dual Dynamic Load Balancing circuitry that automatically protects the amplifier and speakers from potentially damaging power overloads. When an overload condition exists, a blue light glows behind the AR logo on the front panel. Suggested retail price for Model AR1106 is $279.99 and $329.99 for Model AR1108. Inconspicuous A/V Distribution Expanding beyond speaker selectors, Thomson is introducing its first line of in-wall distribution products, aimed at the custom installation market. Highlights of these Acoustic Research-branded products include: Simple wall-plates ($1.29 suggested retail price), RCA-type connectors offered in a variety of colors ($1.99 SRP), Single and double IR (infrared) emitters that let you control hidden components ($9.99 and $14.99 SRP, respectively), Repeater hub with four IR emitters ($59.99 SRP) The line also includes impedance-matching rotary and sliding volume controls rated to handle up to 100 watts. The controls are available in white or ivory and carry a suggested retail price of $69.99 and $74.99, respectively.

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