LG has announced a new 2008 range and we’ve got the first details, including some surprising new information from Mr Mark Levinson during a press briefing at Hyde Park.First up is the new range of Freeview DVD recorders which have just hit the shops.

The LG RHT399H, LG RHT398H and the LG RHT397H are the three models. Broken down into simpler terms, they’re all the same – bar the size of the hard drive which is 320GB, 250GB and 160GB respectively.

LG claims that you can copy one hour of recorded footage to DVD in just 27 seconds. Other features on all the models include HDMI 1080p upscaling, DiVX playback, a USB input and an optical output.

Next up is a new iPod dock. The high-gloss PC12DAB unit (pictured) features a CD drive and DAB capability. It can rip CDs to a portable music player too, with LG pitching the dock as a simple device which can rip tracks without the need for a PC.

It features a four-mode audio equaliser – pop, rock, jazz and er, ‘flat’ in addition to a bright LED clock display. The PC12DAB goes on sale at the end of July.

The FA163DAB is a 395 USD micro system with DAB and iPod functions. We’ve already covered it here, so expect a full review later this month when the FA163DAB hits the shops.

LG has also launched new portable DVD players. The DP371 is a slimline player which, once opened, features an adjustable swivel screen.

The DP391B on the other hand, is a sleek slab which allows discs to be placed just behind the screen. LG suggest that the size makes it an ideal digital photo frame. It has 256MB of internal memory and can read SD and MS cards, should you wish to put family photos on there.

A DVD home cinema system, the LG HT953TV, marks the end of the line up. We’ll have more details very soon.

Finally, Mr Mark Levinson is working with LG, tuning the above products but Mark is also helping the company develop a range of high-end hi-fi products which will debut at CES 2009 in January. Expect more details shortly.

LG’s new home cinema setup is a thing of beauty. Combining a DVD upscaler with 5.1 surround, the LG HT762TZ has been dubbed the 700w Champagne home cinema system, due to its great-looking speakers resembling champagne flutes.

It’s not just the main speakers that have the slimlined look, as the subwoofer also sports a trimmed-down chassis.

Although the system is a 5.1 setup VSM technology has been incorporated, adding a virtual 10.1 surround sound experience from the five speakers.

The LG HT762TZ has HDMI connectivity, so it is ideal for an existing hi-def setup but it also come with a Scart connection, so those who haven’t quite took the HD plunge, can still enjoy LG’s surround sound treatment.

The progressive scan DVD upscaler is reportedly capable of upscaling standard-def discs to 1080p, while it’s also DivX compatible, so all you internet-sourced media can also be played. Continue Reading…

Stunning High-Gloss Black Finish Option and Outstanding New Sub-Woofer Design Sets New KEF KHT Lineage Standards

KEF has announced the introduction of its third-generation Home Theatre 2000 Series – the KHT2005.3 5.1 speaker system. The new KHT2005.3 is the latest version of KEF’s most iconic home cinema system family-range, the original of which was first introduced to the market in 2000. The system is complete with 4 HTS2001.3 satellites, an HTC2001.3 centre channel speaker and the new KUBE-2 subwoofer. The satellites and centre channel have an improved multidirectional desktop mount (the same as the KHT3000 series desktop mount) with better stability and user preference positioning, while KUBE-2 has a powerful performance complementing the clarity and sound quality of the satellites and centre channel.

The KHT2005.3 uses KEF’s 4-inch (100 mm) UNI-Qâ driver. Its metal dome tweeter and neodymium magnets deliver an extended bandwidth normally associated with much larger units. KEF UNI-Q technology disperses the sound over a much wider area for all to enjoy the moment without the loss of sound quality wherever they are sitting. Continue Reading…

Cable guru Supra has launched a new mains distribution block and mains cleaner which, uniquely, features surge protection that’s not connected in the circuit until a surge occurs.The advantage of this approach by the £130 LoRad MD06-BS/AP is that it means that no interference can be introduced to the mains supply by the circuits normally required to drive an ‘always on’ surge protector.

Made of high quality extruded aluminium, the MD06 also features:
* Multi-level 3 way Surge Protection, protecting connected equipment from damaging mains spikes and power surges
* Power and Surge indicator LEDs which confirm safe operation and ongoing protection
* Improvement of sound and picture in connected Hi-fi/Home Cinema systems by reducing mains & radiated interference
* Supra Non-Intrusive Filtering (NIF) to protect equipment without damaging sound quality or transient ability
* The unit ships as a bare block with an IEC mains input socket, so that users can purchase the correct length of cables for their installation. (1 x standard IEC inlet socket, 6 x UK 13 Amp socket outlets)

Source: Supra Cables