Logitech Squeezebox systems are always known for their impressive build quality and impeccable performance. The aesthetically designed boxes plug into your Hi-Fi system and afford you the luxury of wirelessly sourcing your tunes from the PC to your Hi-Fi. The advantage of this arrangement is that you can listen to your tunes with a lot more clarity than what you tend to get through your PC’s speakers.

The model signifies the first Squeezebox to have come out of the company after Logitech took over. There were many apprehensions at the initial stage with people wondering about the abilities Logitech to make the transition given its computer background. But Logitech has put all these speculations to rest with this amazing product which now appears to be the most ideal device to accompany your Hi-Fi system.

The device has a different appearance from the old Squeezebox, and comes equipped with a more comprehensive range of control and display options. Meanwhile, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet’s LCD display screen stands at a reasonable 2.4 inches and you also get to have an intuitive remote to control the various functions of the system. This arrangement also means that you can get enthralled with your fave music without having to bear the inconvenience of moving around.

That’s not all as the device can be directly connected to Pandora, Slacker Internet Radio, Rhapsody and iTunes without the aid of a PC, signifying that you can listen to your tunes without having to bother for boot-up.

Sony has launched its new flagship product called the STR-DA6400ES 7.1 channel network A/V receiver. It is a complete home entertainer and takes care of all your digital needs.

The Sony AV receiver features dual Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips that enable up-scaling of standard definition content to 1080i in up to two rooms. You can use it as a full entertainment hub by connecting an Ethernet cable to it and then sharing music, photos and videos. One of the best parts of the Sony ES series, such as the Sony STR-DA 5400 ES, is their strong connectivity. This DA 6400 ES A/V receiver can share digital data with the PC even if the two devices are kept in separate rooms. Connection to Ethernet makes data manageability and network upgrades really easy.

The STR has got an Xross Media Bar inspired GUI that has been enhanced to offer simplified access to content on a networked PC and can also be used in second room. You can enjoy your iPod, Walkman player, SHOUTcast Internet Radio and Rhapsody Music Service in up to three rooms through dual Digital Media Port (DMP) inputs. One unique feature that is found only in Sony STR-DA6400ES is its Quick Click onscreen remote control. It allows the users to easily operate all the compatible sources. The advanced A/V technology generates the audio formats via DTS and Dolby Labs.

What, according to you, is the key criterion that differentiates the most technologically modern DVD player from the pack? It should not take you long to decide that it is the progressive scan feature, which has played a vital role in ushering in a new era in the perception and manufacture of DVD players. Progressive scan today has become the yard stick by which the level of quality in the final TV-bound image is measured. The Samsung DVD-P401 DVD Player falls under this exclusive breed and is all set to make a dent in the consumer market. The unit looks pretty sleek with a nice grey and matching remote to boot.

The unit’s video playback is quite reasonable and becomes even more impressive once the progressive scan feature is fitted to it. The presence of odd pixelisation is, however, strange and is almost twice what you generally get while receiving video feed from the internet. With higher end and more expensive models, like the Samsung BD-P1000, this peculiar ‘pixel wave’ that runs sporadically across the screen is obviously not present, and it is unfortunately one of the Samsung DVD-P401’s major drawbacks.

The unit can handle both CD-RWs and CD-Rs supported by the dual laser pickup feature, and is capable of reading files stored in one, or several directories. One thing that will irritate you, however, is that files are placed haphazardly with no easy way of organising them; which ultimately makes it an arduous task to search for particular files. Alternatively, you can use the random play option which can come in handy, especially if you want to drop in DVD music videos when your friends come over. The unit is also compatible with MP3 discs, and gives you the luxury to drop in your favourite mix-CD during a party!

One thing that the Onkyo CS-220UK DAB/CD has done better than the CR-505 DAB, also by the same company, is that it comes with an aerial connection, unlike the latter; thus endowing you with the ability of listening to the DAB/FM tuner. The performance of the CD is also rather solid and well supported by the D-57GX speakers. The speakers that are usually kept covered, also look fabulous when the covers are put off.

The unit sports the entire gamut of components including a CD player, amp, DAB and FM receiver in a solitary box. The casing appears to be deliberately made of aluminium so as to reduce interference from other sources like TV and DVD players, while watching your favourite movies. You will be relieved to find that both MP3 discs and standard audio CDs are played by the horizontal-loading CD player.

As far as build quality is concerned, there are no major issues with the controls, which are delightfully positive and responsive. Separate controls are provided to suitably trim the bass and treble. Hi-Fi purists will be particularly delighted to discover that a source direct option is also onboard. Furthermore, once the equaliser bypass is properly arranged in its position, there is no looking back for the CS-220UK.

The unit’s channel output stands at 25 Watts per channel, which is quite low when compared to other models like the Onkyo CS-325, which provides 50 watt per channel; nevertheless this is sufficient considering its dimensions. Then, there is also the tempting option of 40 preset channels across FM and DAB.

For those die hard music fans that are in constant pursuit of that perfect music player, where they can place their entire music collection in good faith, there can be no better news than the release of the Sony NAS-E35HD Hi-Fi system. It is not your normal conventional Hi-Fi player, and has an incredible 80GB Hard Disc Drive fitted with it. It thus allows you to rip music from CDs straight on to its memory, and it also automatically names and labels all the tracks using the Gracenotes music recognition database. Moreover, this superb amount of memory means that you can import all of your digital music directly from your PC on to the NAS-E35HD unit, without a bit of fuss. Compatibility should not be an issue, as the unit supports popular formats like MP3, WMA and AAC (non DRM), among many others.

You will also love the unit as it hardly takes more than a few seconds to start the show. Consequently, once you have transferred all your music on the NAS-E35HD, you can quickly and easily transfer music files from the unit on to your personal digital music player at high speed. The Sony Giga Juke E35HD also leaves an impregnable mark in the sense that it caters to all available digital players, including iPods, via the DMPORT adaptor, a standard feature of the unit. Moreover, navigation through your music is as smooth as ever, thanks to its unique three line display.

The player, in addition, has a DAB and a FM radio installed in it, and cleverly linked into the system’s Hard Disc Drive. This gives you the interesting option of setting the timer in case you want to record any radio show so as to listen to it later.

One of the greatest challenges confronting the manufacturers of Hi-Fi players is to deliver their customers high-resolution capable players at an affordable price. Players such as the DV-575A from Pioneer, and the one in question the Sony SCD-XE597 can be described as a progressive step in this direction, as they have, to an extent, managed to break the burgeoning monopoly over this format, i.e. high-resolution audio, by the elite classes. Available at a reasonable price, the Sony SCD-XE597 has an interesting range of features to keep you intrigued.

It will not take you long to establish the fact that the player is astutely designed to deliver a high calibre musical performance, be it from a regular CD or SACD. It has also been claimed that the company has endured a lot of hardship to come up with a fresh design and to get the balance right with plentiful tuning options. The Sony SCD-XE597’s key feature is, in fact, the ultra new Super Audio CD processing chipset, which converts both the SACD data and the CD data into a manageable stream that can be sent to the DAC. The impact of this feature can be easily evaluated when you see that both the SACD and CD sound have been greatly enhanced, as fringe sounds are effectively reduced while accuracy is increased.

Apart from DAC, the unit is also apt at handling the 5.1 surround audio as it has been supported by none other than the speaker time alignment feature. The software is a great value addition when you consider that you can add slight delays to each speaker to make room for compromised surround speaker positioning. Furthermore, as far as audio is concerned the player gives an impressive open presentation that is surprisingly clean and well balanced.

Sony’s latest Hi-Fi player to have hit the market, the Giga Juke NAS-50HDE, will invariably surprise you with its distinct lack of curves, and unusual name of course. Instead, it looks sharp in a silver and black outfit, where it looks all set to rock the party! It in all likelihood is quite probable that the manufacturers have borrowed a point from the phrase that says having curves is a curse. The design in fact looks to be inspired by people who like living their lives on the edge, and who are so enigmatic and eccentric that you can maybe hate them, but you just cannot ignore them!

The Giga Juke NAS-50HDE is not your average players that sell for peanuts, as this device you set you back by quite a few quid. You needn’t have to worry though, as it has a large arsenal to justify the astronomical price tag. The most vital component of the unit is the 80 GB hard disk, which is simply awesome when it comes to ripping off CDs. The Sony NAS-50HDE needs a cool four minutes to rip your average CDs, while the unique and included Gracenote music database simply tags your music with the correct artist, album and song information. Then, it also has the line-in recording feature which will be of great help if you have any music on vinyl, cassette or any other analogue format.

Another one of the unit’s very prominent features is how it can inherently detect the quality of the song being played and automatically add the correct artist and track information without any input from the user. Moreover, even when the CDs you are searching for are not in the internal database, you can still get access to them via the Gracenote Web site, provided you connect it to the Web via Ethernet.

Portability is a concept that really is catching on in contemporary times. Whether it is a mobile set, or an iPod, or a DVD player, we are always attracted to things that are portable. It is fuelled by the rapid globalisation that is increasingly turning the world into one interconnected virtual village. People are constantly on the move and it is incomprehensible to carry massive gadgets that end up hindering your movement; hence the focus on portability. In such a scenario it is fitting that LG has launched the DP889, a portable DVD player which also doubles as a digital photo frame.

The player has a 3-in-1 memory card slot and USB port that ensures for both easy connectivity and memory expansion. To add to that, the player’s internal memory allows you to store up to 250 images. Another prominent feature of the player is its foldable kickstand. This helps the system to stand on its on account, while you are viewing movies or digital videos. A battery with a lifespan of up to 3.5 hours and a supplied automotive and home power adapter guarantee you will have the best possible time.

But wait, there’s more. The system is compatible with multiple disc formats including DVD Video, DVD±R, DVD±RW, Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, JPEG CD as well as MP3 CDs. Some digital photo frames, such as the Kodak SV811, can play MPEG1 videos, but to have a photo frame that actually plays DVDs is unprecedented. This amazing product comes packed in a glossy black colour and has the option of zoom, to help you zoom into details on your beloved photos. The LG DP880 is the ultimate entertainer and perfectly combines the features of a DVD player and photo frame into one compact device.

LG Electronics, a leader in the manufacturing of personal communications equipment since 1958, has recently launched the LG 7″ Portable DVD Player with a Swivel Screen. As the name suggests, it comes adorned with a swivel-and-flip screen, that makes convenient viewing possible from any angle. You also have two earphone jacks at your disposal that enable up to 2 people to enjoy audio from the same DVD player, without creating undue disturbances. But if you should choose not to use headphones, the player offers great quality sound from the two built-in speakers.

An important aspect in purchasing any electronic device is versatility, and fortunately the LG 7 inch DVD player delivers well in this department. The well managed AV input and output devices present in the LG DP271 give you plenty of options. The USB media host actually lets you experience your digital music (MP3/WMA) and photo library (JPEG) on the DVD player. The battery, another important component of any portable device, has a lifespan of up to four hours while playing videos. Finally, what DVD player would be complete without a remote, and luckily this LG beauty includes a remote control as well.

A new and amazing thing is now out on the market. Get ready to explore the power of an incredible miniature robot named Miuro, who will accompany you and your iPod to the dance floor.

The Miuro is basically a portable music player on wheels which can go and move around on its own. It looks impressive looks and its flashing disco lights can change your mood in an instant. Miuro can even dance with you. It has a lot of humorous moves and entertaining gestures. But it’s not only a dancing gadget. The Miuro is a complete music player. You can attach you iPod Touch to it, or connect your PC and it will work just like an internet radio. Connecting it to the PC is very simple, as it supports the 802.11b/g wireless network and can stream audio files. Miuro also has an embedded camera. This can be put to use while mapping your home or office to the PC screen and you can then tell it where to go. Moreover, you also have the option of getting Miuro with the Remote Communication Package, so you can connect this dance enthusiast with your mobile phone.

Below are some of the Miuro’s awesome features:

• Great sound quality.
• WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, AIFF, LPCM compatible.
• Can dance on the floor and on the table. For this purpose there are two operational modes (Floor Mode and Table Mode).
• Lightweight and durable
• Battery run time: 3-4 hrs