CES 2011: Onkyo Adopting Avnera-developed Rocketboost

All Onkyo receivers introduced in 2011 will connect via the company's proprietary U-port to an optional Rocketboost transceiver module to transmit audio to a remote Rocketboost receiver module, which will either be built into or plugged into planned Onkyo Zone 2 audio systems.

Onkyo's first Zone 2 system will be a compact one-piece unit with networking capability, built-in speakers, iPod/iPhone dock and optional Rocketboost card. The system will be the first of a growing line of Rocketboost-enabled Onkyo products, the company said.

via TWICE

Sweeet! Vizio VHP100 Wireless Home Theater Headphones

The Vizio wireless headphones are finally trickling out to the various gadget blogs. Look for some updated product pages I would presume on vizio.com sooner or later. Nice to see these Avnera-based beauties make their way to retail. They sure look good don't they?

Vizio VHP100 Wireless Home Theater Headphones | iTech News Net - Gadget News and Reviews.

VIZIO's High Definition Wireless Audio lineup

VIZIO is really stepping up their wireless audio product line. Readers of wirelessaudioblog will note that the VSB210WS a 2.1 soundbar from VIZIO has been on the market for over a year now, offering fairly punchy sound with the convenience of the a wireless subwoofer. The success of this audio solution has spawned a major line extension which appears closer to hitting stores over the next 6 to 10 weeks.

The linked press release (from CES) outlines the new line, which consists of three new soundbar systems:

• The entry level 2.0 (model: VHT200)
• The step-up 2.1 (model: VHT212) system with wireless subwoofer
• The premium, 5.1 (model: VHT512) with wireless subwoofer and wireless satellites

From the press release:

All of the 2.1 and 5.1 home theater sound bars and wireless headphones include support for High Definition Wireless Audio (HDWA) which lets users enjoy their home theater audio from anywhere in the home.

These wireless soundbar systems are compatible with a HDWA-compatible iPod dock that can be placed anywhere around the house, and a set of HDWA-enabled headphones (VHP100) with active noise cancellation.

It all might line sounds a little overwhelming, but once the info goes live on the website I am sure things will make more sense. I got a chance to play with the products last week, and their freaking cool.

Personally, I'm stoked about these because Avnera's amps and wireless chips are riddled throughout, and good folks have been busting their behinds making them happen.

News and Press - VIZIO Launches New Lineup of High Definition Audio Products | VIZIO.

For device makers, AM2G's special sauce is in AAL

Avnera announced AM2G today.  From the release:

Avnera has announced the availability of the AvneraAudio Link™ (AAL) software protocol stack. AAL eliminates the low-level details typically required to implement a multipoint to multipoint network, significantly reducing the time to market. It also provides manufacturers with a way to establish interoperability between all AudioMagic 2G-enabled wireless audio devices independent of product category or brand.

AAL is also the underlying compatibility goodness behind Rocketboost.  In addition to fostering compatibility, it speeds up device makers' development cycles by simplifying the tasks of managing complex wireless audio topologies and diverse end-product feature requirements, by supporting application-level semantics at the API.

Panasonic wireless sticks on display, not the centerpiece?

Panasonic showing a 3D plasma display at CEATEC, egh...  but what caught my eye was the SC-ZT1 system they outfitted the demo with.  This is probably one of the nicest Avnera-based products, I just wish it was readily available in the US at a slightly more affordable price.  Every day, though, I am tempted to snag a set even at the $1799 asking.