Category Archives: Entertainment

Denon Professional Unveils a Dozen New Products at CES 2015

February 26, 2015CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

A trip to CES is never complete without visiting our good friend Eric Palonen. Now spear-heading Denon Professional, a high-end audio product company, Eric is responsible for showing more people some of the company’s great products. At CES 2015, Denon Professional debuted 12 new and exciting products, all launching in the spring.

Denon Professional showed off the Solution Series, designed for the A/V integrator or consultant. They’re little boxes made for very specific tasks. For instance, the DN-2000BR is a Bluetooth receiver with balanced audio outputs. For someone who’s upgrading a building, you no longer need to buy all new equipment to outfit the space with the latest tech. Other products in the Solution Series handle things like AirPlay, DLNA, audio routing without drilling holes, and Android mini-computers.

Denon Professional also demonstrated the Envoi. It’s a portable and powerful PA system perfect for places where a user might not have access to a large bank of power but need sound reinforcement. With the Envoi, you get a 360-watt speaker with a myriad of functionality and inputs. You can stream music from your smartphone, off an SD card, Bluetooth or even plug in your audio mixer. You can then unplug it and operate it for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Even better, there’s a built-in wireless microphone. Envoi will retail for $599.

We also got to take a look at the DN-300Z. It’s a poly-media player, so it’ll play almost anything you can think of. Slot-loaded CDs, USB, SD card reader, Bluetooth and AM/FM radio all come in a concise 1U device and perfect for clubs, places or worships or other larger venues. $399 gets you a DN-300Z.

Lastly, Eric showed us another Solution Series device, taking a page out of the on-the-desk KUDO device, with a covert presentation manager. Typically mounted under a table or in a rack, it supports Bluetooth, DLNA, MiraCast, Airplay and is 4K-ready.

All these devices, and more, can be found at Denon Professional’s website and it’s definitely a place you’ll want to check out to see the entire line-up.

Interview by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Crosley Mixes Old School and Today with New Line of Turntables

February 26, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, HomePLUGHITZ Live

The retro-style record players are coming back with a bit of flare, all thanks to Crosley, a name that has been around since the 1920s. During the ’20s through ’40s, it was pretty much the household brand when it came to spinning some vinyl. The brand was then sold and brought back as a retro radio company, and now has started to join in on the resurgence of vinyl in the new millennium.

At CES 2015, Crosley launched a couple of new products aimed at getting people back into records again. First, the Cruiser turntable will make it easy for someone who wants a plug-and-play way to enjoy their favorite records. No longer do you have to buy components and piece them all together. The Cruiser comes in dozens of colors and styles, and some even feature your favorite cartoon characters or TV shows. The turntable will generally run you about $69 and is available at all major retailers, including specialty stores.

For those who want more added functionality or features, Crosley has launched a myriad of different turntables to fit different needs and styles. Things like Bluetooth, CD players, nicer speakers, wood housing and more can all be found in several different product lines from the company. Prices range depending on the flavor, but typically run between $150 and $400. All of the products can be found at Crosley’s website.

Interview by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Gibson Brands + Blue Microphones = Some Neat Products

February 21, 2015CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

People the world over know the brand Blue Microphones. From recording studios to radio, podcasters and even videogame streamers use their line of cost effective products every day. When their founder, Skipper Wise, left the company to retire, Gibson approached him to create a new for them.

Enter Neat Microphones, designed by Skipper Wise and his microphone dream team, they aim to create a line of microphones to make recordings sound better. Currently offering the King Bee and Worker Bee, the line will be 6 strong by year’s end.

All of the products in the line, as well as their accessories, are named after and colored to resemble bees. The distinctive yellow and black markings, as well as the accompanying bee figurines, make this line visually distinctive. Even the knobs fit into the branding, designed after a bee’s stringer, and known as “stinger knobs.”

The line, in addition to the microphones and headphone amp, has a small collection of accessories. Included in the accessories is a pop shield, shock mount and XLR cables. All are priced to be more than competitive, and could feel right at home in any studio.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Gibson Enhances the Studio with Les Paul Monitors

February 21, 2015CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

For his 100th birthday, Gibson is celebrating with new products in the Les Paul product line. Adding to the existing guitars and new headphones comes a set of studio monitor speakers. Like the headphones, using the same wood as the guitars, these speakers are styled to match both the guitars and headphones perfectly.

At the base of the speaker is a lighted Gibson logo. That logo, a seemingly simple detail, serves as the power indicator. When on, the logo is lighted; when off, it pulses. These are the types of details that make Gibson a great, professional design brand.

The monitors come in 3 sizes: 4″, 6″ and 8″. This sizing describes the cones of the woofers, which are custom designed to create a perfect audio reference for a studio. You can get the speakers in cherry, cherry burst and tobacco burst. You can pick up your own set for %599, $799 or $999 righyt now.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Gibson Adds Headphones to Their Iconic Line

February 21, 2015CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

Gibson may be best known for their guitars, but that is not all the company has up their sleeves. This year, the brand is introducing a line of headphones, filling all of the same levels their guitars do.

At the top of the line is the Les Paul headphones. Styled to match the look of the classic Les Paul guitars, these headphones are made with the same wood as the rest of the Les Paul line. To ensure that the headphones are properly protected, they come in a specially designed hard-body case.

As you would expect from a Gibson product, the sound quality is amazing. The cones are tuned to produce sound exactly as it is being played. This, along with its other features, makes the headphones a perfect on-stage or in-studio companion for any serious musician.

Along with the Les Pauls, there are other models being released, both smaller and less expensive. The headphones come with a variety of features, including standard 1/8″, Bluetooth and Thunderbolt. You can get a version with a microphone, to be used with your phone, and some models can even be fully customized, like Gibson Guitars.

If you are a Gibson fan, and want a high-end sound, these headphones are for you.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Gibson Talks About Their 2015 Guitars and Features

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, GadgetsPLUGHITZ Live

Whether you play guitar or not, you almost certainly know Gibson. The company is best known for carrying on the tradition of Les Paul, who was the creator of one of the first, and certainly best-known, solid-body electric guitars. The Les Paul line of guitars carries on in the visual tradition, making them incredibly distinctive.

This year, which would have been his 100th birthday, the company is celebrating by enhancing his legacy through enhanced and additional products. For example, his signature, as well as the number “100” in his handwriting, has been added to each guitar. There is also a hologram of what is believed to be the final photo of Les Paul on the back.

In the technology of the guitar, the company has made their robot guitar smaller, and will include it with every Gibson USA guitar this year. For those who do not know, this feature allows you to choose a tuning, and the guitar tunes itself. It requires no wood be removed form the guitar; instead, it sits at the top behind the tuning knobs.

As Daniele is a big fan of Gibson, and is really into their guitars, she was curious which Gibson guitar a beginner should own. Check out all of the cool new features of the Gibson guitars.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Sketchers Adds a Matching Game to Kids Shoes

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

One of the fun things about CES is getting to see companies who seem like they don’t fit, and seeing what idea they bring to the table. This year, one of the companies that surprised us by showing off a truly interesting product was Sketchers, the shoe company.

This year, the company is releasing a line of shoes with a lighted matching game built directly into the side. Playing similar to the game Simon, kids get 8 rounds of increasing pattern to match. If they match all 8 rounds, they are treated to a light show from their feet.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Plantronics Shows Off a Line of Gaming Headsets

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Computers, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

In addition to their well-known phone products and their music headphones, Plantronics also offers a line of gaming headphones and accessories.

Plantronics RIG is a gaming headset which also offers a desktop mixer. You can bring in 2 audio sources so you can listen to the game and also bring in external sound. If you want to add your own music, you can; if you want to chat on Skype while you play a game on Origin you can. Plantronics has even heard of people using the external audio to bring in audio from a baby monitor – the options are pretty limitless.

Using the mixer, which supports line-in or fiber optic in, the headphones can be used with nearly any platform, including Xbox, PC and PlayStation. With dual microphones, the headset can also allow you to game chat and use the phone at the same time. They are available now for $129.99.

To focus on the PC, an altered version of the headset is also available specifically for PC gamers. Offering a shorter cord for desktop use, plus 7.1 surround sound, PC gamers get a bit of an advantage over their competitors. The mixer does not include fiber optic support or Xbox headset, like its multi-platform partner does. It is available now for $99.99.

Finally comes the simpler RIG Flex. It plugs in directly with a standard 3.5mm plug, meaning you can plug it in directly to a computer, Wii or mobile device. It has lost the mixer, making it ideal for mobile. What it doesn’t lose is the sound quality, build quality and, of course, comfort. It is available now for $79.99.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Plantronics Brings Their Bluetooth Know-How to Music Headphones

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

When you think of Plantronics, you might think of headphones, but you probably go right to phone products. What you might not know is that, in addition to their phone/voice products, Plantronics offers a line of music centric devices as well.

The BackBeat GO 2 is a set of fairly standard-looking Bluetooth earbuds, but with a couple of traditional Plantronics features. Included with the earbuds is a charging case, which can add 2 full charges, so when you are away from power for long periods of time, you can keep them charged without a wall. They are available now for $99.99.

The BackBeat Fit is a set of Bluetooth earbuds that is unique enough to have earned them a CES Innovation Award because of its design. The material is designed to be completely flexible, while still preventing them from being tangled or kinked. Along with the headset is a matching case, which turns into an armband. To ensure outdoor safety, the surface of both are reflective, and the earbuds do not block outside sound. They are available now for $129.99.

Straying from earbuds, the company also offers the BackBeat Pro, an over-the-head set of Bluetooth headphones designed more for sound quality than for sports activity. It offers active noise cancelation and 24 hours of playtime. What sets this apart is the sensors – it allows the headphones to automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off, similar to how many Plantronics voice headphones work.

They also offer external mics, so you can turn on or off outside sound. If you’re on an airplane and the flight attendant comes up, you can hit a button and hear what they are saying instead of having to move them off of your ears and shift them back. You can also use the headphones without Bluetooth if the battery dies or you’re in a place where Bluetooth won’t get the job done. They are available now for $249.99.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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MEElectronics Brings Some Unique Capabilities to Bluetooth

February 20, 2015Accessories, CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

MEElectronics may not be a brand you’ve heard of, but if you are a fan of Bluetooth, you might want to add them to your list of brands to watch. At CES this year, they showed off a collection of new devices, all with price points that make them incredibly attractive.

First is an over-the-head headphone, called the Air-Fi Touch. Other than the single power/command button, this Bluetooth headset is controlled entirely with touch gestures on one of the ears. It can run over a day on a single charge while still being incredibly light weight. They are available now for $99.99.

Next is the Bluetooth upgrade to the company’s Sport M6 earbuds, dubbed the X7. The headphones are sweatproof and also fit snugly in the ear, allowing for continuous sports use. They also have controls for volume and command on the cord, so you can keep your phone safe while working out. They will be available soon for $99.99.

In addition to headphones, the company also showed off a Bluetooth transmitter, which allows you to add Bluetooth capability to systems that do not have it. The thing that is really nice is that it can pair up to 2 separate headphones at once. It also has line in or fiber optic in, allows you to keep a digital signal from end-to-end. The device is expected to release end of second quarter.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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