Axiom Pro Wins FutureMusic’s Value and Platinum Awards

Axiom Pro Wins FutureMusic’s Value and Platinum Awards
M-Audio’s flagship keyboard controller gets a rave review from leading UK publication

 

In the July 2009 issue of FutureMusic magazine, the Axiom Pro was given FM’s Value and Platinum awards, concluding that “the Axiom Pro is a staggeringly flexible device and one which comes with a thorough recommendation.”

On the Axiom Pro’s Keyboard Action
Reviewer Jono Buchanan raved about the Axiom Pro’s keyboard action, calling it “a joy” to play. “As a keyboard player, I’m sniffy about keyboard action,” he admits, “but I must say the Axiom Pro really impressed me.”

On HyperControl Plug-in Mapping and DAW Control
Buchanan also stated, “I’m hugely impressed by Axiom Pro and I’ll nail my colours to the mast and say that, even as a Logic user primarily, I found Axiom Pro to be a more immediate fit than Novation SL.

“There were no integration issues, I found setup a doddle and a broad smile crossed my face on more than one occasion when I discovered that yet another function could be run directly from the front panel.

“HyperControl is a great system,” Buchanan enthused, calling it “super intuitive… as it lets you work immediately with relevant controls for the plug-in you have open. For me, the Axiom is the most tightly integrated major DAW controller available today.”

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Support Coming Soon

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Support Coming Soon
Avid/M-Audio working closely with Apple to offer support for OS X 10.6

Avid/M-Audio is pleased to hear that Apple has released Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. We’ve been working closely with Apple to bring Snow Leopard support to the M-Audio® product line, as well as the Pro Tools® product line and extended product families. We ask that all existing Mac users please wait to upgrade until we officially announce Snow Leopard support. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

New Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.1 Software Update Available

New Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.1 Software Update Available
Latest update offers numerous enhancements and improvements

In our ongoing effort to provide you with the best experience possible, Avid has released Pro Tools 8.0.1, a free software update that provides many fixes, enhancements, and improvements, and is recommended for all Pro Tools 8 users.

Experience faster, more streamlined performance thanks to the software’s snappier interface. View and work with audio selections more easily through improved selection drawing. And gain more efficiency and stability through enhanced workflows, fixes, and other improvements.

Details and Downloads
The Pro Tools 8.0.1 software update is available free to all registered Pro Tools HD 8, Pro Tools LE 8, and Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users. For complete details and to get your download, choose your software below:

• Pro Tools HD 8.0.1 Mac | Windows
• Pro Tools LE 8.0.1  Mac | Windows
• Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.1 Mac | Windows

Inside LG’s CEDIA Expo 2009 Booth

Vudu was all over LG’s booth: in broadband TVs and in a Blu-ray player. LG also showed a new LED TV line.

LG BD390 Blu-ray Player

LG kicked off CEDIA Expo 2009 by adding the high-definition streaming movie service Vudu to the BD390 Wireless Network Blu-ray Player.

 

Vudu joins the “NetCast Entertainment Access” family of features on the BD390, which includes Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube streaming. 

Vudu will be available on the BD390 by late September through a free automatic upgrade.

The BD390 is available now for $399.

CEDIA Expo 2009 Attendance Drops 12%

According to CEDIA, there were more than 400 exhibitors and more than 70 new companies in Atlanta.

By Steve Crowe

09.14.2009 — CEDIA Expo 2009 attendance was down 12 percent, drawing more than 20,000 attendees to Atlanta between Sept. 9-13, according to CEDIA.

Attendance for CEDIA Expo 2008 was down 14 percent to 25,000 versus 29,000 attendees during CEDIA Expo 2007.

There were more than 400 exhibitors and more than 70 new companies at CEDIA Expo 2009. CEDIA says “over 50% [of those in attendance] were key decision makers.”

“In a time where many companies are tightening their operations, CEDIA Expo continues to be the one industry event that professionals make the commitment to attend in order to obtain the tools and product knowledge to help further their business success,” says CEDIA chairman Ken Erdmann.

Report: Toshiba Blu-ray Player Coming in 2009

Toshiba will soon launch its first Blu-ray player, according to a Japanese newspaper.

By Steve Crowe

07.20.2009 — Toshiba will finally launch its first Blu-ray player later in 2009, according to the Japanese newspaperYomiuri Shimbun.

Blu-ray.com says the player is called the BD-18, and it will read both Blu-ray discs and DVDs. No specs have been released.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, quoting unnamed sources, adds that Toshiba may consider a recordable Blu-ray player in the future, depending on the market.

Toshiba, of course, lost the HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war in early 2008 and subsequently suffered a 95 percent loss in profits.

It’s long been wondered whether Toshiba would release a Blu-ray player since the end of the format war. But in August 2008, Toshiba released the XD-E500 upconverting DVD player, promising “a near HD experience with enhanced detail and richer colors.”

It now appears Toshiba has given in to Sony. Not only is this a surprise given Toshiba’s persistence of promoting HD DVD, but Toshiba’s UK CEO recently said Blu-ray would be rapidly outdated by digital downloads.

Toshiba must have changed its mind after seeing Blu-ray disc sales were up 91 percent in the first half of 2009.

HDTVs Now in 33% of U.S. Households, Nielsen Finds

Despite the higher penetration rate, only 28.8 percent of households receive HD programming.

By Steve Crowe

05.22.2009 — A Nielsen survey conducted in February 2009 finds that “slightly more than one-third” of U.S. households have at least one HDTV.

According to Nielsen, 29.2 percent of households owned at least one HDTV in November 2008 and only 19.3 percent back in February 2008.

“HD TV: The Picture is Getting Clearer” (pdf) found that despite the higher penetration number of HDTVs, somewhat fewer homes (28.8 percent) receive HD programming. A separate Nielsen reports says HDTVs were the most popular home entertainment purchase during the holidays.

The Leichtman Research Group (LRG) released a similar study in November 2008 that placed HDTV penetration at 34 percent of households.

The Nielsen report provides more numbers than anyone would ever want to know. It even delves into the most common room HDTVs are placed:

• About 67 percent are located in the living or family room
• If there is more than one HDTV in the home, the second set is usually in the master bedroom

Overall, the average house has about 2.6 TVs. That seems to indicate that old SDTVs are being relocated rather than thrown away.

“It’s clear that despite the current economic climate, HD remains on course to become the benchmark in TV viewing,” says Steve McGowan, senior VP, insights and client research initiatives, Nielsen.

“As prices of HDTVs continue to fall — a trend that might accelerate in the current environment — and circumstances such as the digital transition create new opportunities to promote the sets and programming, HDTV will continue to gain a greater foothold in U.S. television homes.”

M-Audio and Digidesign: Listen Up! 2009 World Tour

Free Music Production Workshop

Presented by M-Audio and Digidesign, the 2009 Listen Up! World Tour offers you a chance to learn new studio production techniques, meet top recording artists and interact with A-list engineers in a small, intimate group setting. Each event takes place at a world-class recording studio—giving you an exclusive look inside a high-end professional facility. M-Audio and Digidesign will be on hand showcasing the latest in music technology, including a live studio monitor listening experience. You’ll learn valuable techniques for mixing and mastering your music, plus advanced Pro Tools 8 tips and tricks. There will even be exclusive gear discounts and special product offers for attendees only. Although this event is free, space is extremely limited—RSVP below for chance to attend this one-of-a-kind event.

» Find a Listen Up! workshop near you…

Warner Launches Red2Blu, HD DVD to Blu-ray Swap Program

The studio is offering the “upgrade” program for up to 25 HD DVD titles.

By Jason Unger

 

04.22.2009 — Warners Bros., which effectively ended the format war when it announced sole support for Blu-ray, is letting customers swap their HD DVD titles for the Blu-ray version in its new Red2Blu program.

The studio is offering the “upgrade” program for up to 25 HD DVD titles at $4.95 a piece via Red2Blu.com.

The best part for HD DVD fans? It appears that you don’t even need to send in the disc — just the cover art sleeve for the title. So, you can keep the HD DVD disc and play it to your heart’s content.

In addition to the $4.95 upgrade price is $6.95 shipping and handling for the entire order.

Warner says you’ll receive the new Blu-ray discs within 4 to 5 weeks.

The entire list of HD DVD titles eligible can be found here.

http://www.red2blu.com/products.html.

5 Electronics Retailers That Came Back From the Dead

CE Pro rounds up five electronics retailers that have come back from the dead.

04.23.2009 — The bankruptcies and closings of Circuit Cityand Tweeter have left an apparent void in the consumer electronics retail landscape.

The recession certainly got the best of the aforementioned big-box retailers and many others, but it hasn’t scared away certain parties from at least trying to cash in.

Crazy Eddie is reportedly coming back as both an online and store presence. And Systemax has offered $6.5 million to acquire Circuit City’s trademarks and brands.

While the details of each resurgence have yet to be ironed out, it appears these once-defunct brands will soon rise from the dead. 

The reported comebacks of Crazy Eddie and Circuit City got us thinking: what other electronics retailers have bounced back over the years?

This, of course, doesn’t cover all the electronics retailers that have bounced back from tough times. So, leave your thoughts in the comments. 

By Steve Crowe

1. Cambridge Soundworks

Cambridge Soundworks, also now an online retailer, once operated 30 stores in the Northeast and in California. The company closed stores because of declining margins and financial losses by parent company Creative Labs. 

Creative Labs posted a net loss of $118 million, compared with net income of $0.6 million in 2006. Cambridge closed its last store, located in Needham, Mass., in 2008.

The company has since succeeded by going back to its roots “as a direct internet/mail order supplier of electronic equipment.”

2. Crazy Eddie

Who ever thought Crazy Eddie would resurface during this struggling economy, which got the best of Circuit City and Tweeter. 

But the retailer, famous for its commercials, has already established an online presence at PricesAreInsane.com and plans to open up to 50 stores, beginning in late 2009.

New York-based Magic Investments, eyeing opportunity in the industry, purchased the Crazy Eddie name from Trident Growth Fund of Houston, which purchased the name from the Antar family in 2004.

There’s even a movie coming out about Eddie Antar’s life, “Crazy Eddie,” that is being produced by Danny Devito.

Crazy Eddie was liquidated in 1989 after allegations of illegal warranty billing practices and violations of federal security laws surfaced. Antar served six years in prison.

3. Circuit City

Circuit City, which closed its doors on March 8, 2009, has agreed to sell its trademarks and Web site to Systemax for $6.5 million. 

Circuit City hinted at the sale with this statement on its Web site: “Circuit City.com is also temporarily closed, although we anticipate the website will reopen in the coming weeks.”

There will be a hearing on May 11 to consider other bids for Circuit City’s assets. Under the proposed sale, Circuit City would get a share of sales from the brand name.

4. The Wiz

The Wiz is currently an online store that uses the old “Nobody Beats the Wiz” logo. 

The former retail chain, founded in 1977 and located mainly in New York and New Jersey, once had revenues of $1.4 billion, 2,000 employees, and 94 stores.

After closing the retail locations in 2003, the brand was relaunched by P.C. Richard, a chain of stores that sells electronics and appliances.

5. CompUSA

CompUSA is one of the lucky few to reemerge with both an online and store presence. 

Systemax, the parent company of TigerDirect, bought the brand for $30 million in 2008 and has opened a total of 30 stores. Twenty-three stores opened in Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Texas, while 11 Tiger Direct stores and two new stores switched to CompUSA in 2008.

CompUSA closed and liquidated 126 stores in 2007 due to the “need to close and sell stores with low performance or non strategic, old store layouts and locations faced with market saturation.”