On my way to ISE show in Amsterdam, Netherlands

I am flying tonight to Amsterdam, Netherlands to attend the IS Europe show. Basically the whole show is owned by CEDIA and Infocom. The show give insight into new trends, new products, new ways to integrate technology into everyday living.

So I am excited to join a group of South Africans to attend this show. We will be spoiled by Denon & Marantz Holdings for a whole day which will be one of the many highlights. Most of the big speaker and amplifier companies will attend, like B&W Group, Harman International, D&M Holdings, Monitor Audio, Russound, Velodyne, Paradigm, KEF, Crestron and many more known and for me unknown brands.

I will have my own report on new things coming, new awesome products and hopefully some words from the brands I show on this blog.

Come around from the 7th of February when I will update again with some news and photo's in the world of Home Theatre!

www.iseurope.org

Wikus wishing you a wonderful day!!!

New Mark Levinson

At the CES show recently Mark Levinson intorduced some new equipment to celebrate their 40th Anniversary.    

Here follows some of the units they introduced

No 52 Reference Dual Monaural Pre-Amplifier

The № 52 is quite simply the finest Mark Levinson preamplifier ever. It is an all-analog, true dual-monaural design with a two-chassis configuration that separates the critical analog audio circuitry from the control section to maintain the purest signal paths possible.

The № 52 provides a comprehensive complement of inputs including three balanced XLR and four unbalanced RCA line-level inputs, and a dedicated phono input that is selectable for moving coil (MC) or moving magnet (MM) operation. Two sets of XLR and RCA stereo preamplifier outputs are provided, along with an auxiliary pair of XLR and RCA outputs that can be configured for fixed or variable level output with independent source selection. This enables the auxiliary outputs to function either as a third preamp out, a pass-through full-range subwoofer output or a record output. Read more

No 585 Intergrated Amplifier

The Mark Levinson № 585 integrated amplifier is ideal for audiophiles and music lovers who desire an all in one audio control center and stereo power amplifier that is space saving and easy to use and delivers ultimate-quality music reproduction. The № 585 offers three analog line-level audio inputs plus an MC/MM phono input and six digital audio inputs, to accommodate a wide array of music sources, and can be operated via its remote control. The № 585 delivers a generous 225 watts per channel power output into 8 ohms, to easily drive even inefficient audiophile loudspeakers, and provides a dedicated sub woofer output. Read more

No 512 SACD Disc Player

The Mark Levinson № 519 SACD Disc Player is designed for those who demand nothing less than the finest in digital music reproduction. It combines a precision CD/SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) player mechanism with dual 32-bit/192kHz audiophile-grade digital to analog converters to deliver extraordinary fidelity, resolution and musical accuracy. Adding to its versatility, the № 519 also functions as a complete digital preamplifier. It includes four S/PDIF and USB digital inputs, plus XLR and RCA analog and HDMI 1.3, AES/EBU, optical and coaxial S/PDIF outputs and an onboard digital volume control that enable the № 519 to be connected to a stereo or multichannel preamplifier or amplifier. In addition, the № 519 provides direct SACD audio output via its HDMI connection as well as high-resolution LPCM digital audio. Read more

No 560 Digital Audio Processor

The Mark Levinson № 560 is engineered to bring out the very best in all digital audio sources including high-resolution audio formats and serve as the heart of a digital audio music system. The Mark Levinson № 560 enables listeners to enjoy the full sonic benefits of computer audio, disc transports, streaming media devices and other digital sources thanks to its dual 32-bit, 192kHz premium digital to analog converters, digital volume control and impeccable engineering and construction.

The № 560 provides no less than 10 digital audio inputs including two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF inputs, three USB 2.0 (A) connectors, two HDMI inputs with DSD (Direct Stream Digital)-direct capability and an AES/EBU XLR input. The No 560’s XLR and RCA analog outputs facilitate connection to an amplifier or preamplifier. The № 560 is designed for extraordinary sonic performance, incorporating isolated digital and analog circuitry with independent power supplies, asynchronous clocking to ensure jitter-free performance from the dual 32-bit DACs, premium quality internal components throughout and many additional enhancements.

Monitor Audio new Shadow: Star of the Show award CES

I will have detail for South Africa release soon...

Monitor Audio were last week proudly awarded a 'Star of the Show' award for the newest range - the Shadow series launched at the CES 2012 show in Las Vegas.


"As the international media partners for the show, our team of experts have spent the week scouring the rooms of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for the hottest audio products unveiled at CES 2012." stated by What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine "We’ve been spoilt for choice, with products ranging from a dinky £150 DAC/headphone amp, to an intriguing new take on an AirPlay music system and the most amazing-looking high-end speakers."


The winners were presented with their awards by What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Editor Dom Dawes.


Full details on our new award-winning Shadow series will be launched on the website shortly.

Awards for Marantz SR6006

The Marantz SR6006 "creates a devastatingly convincing cinematic experience" in Sound Vision Install magazine (Dec 2011).

Marantz's new AV receiver, the SR6006, has received a terrific write up in the latest issue of Sound Vision Install magazine.

In this article the SR6006 is descirbed as a "powerful AVR which offers high-quality audio processing and creates a devastatingly convincing cinematic experience" (Dec 2011).​

All the Flagship Speakers

Some of the best brands are available to us in South Africa. Here is some of them available to us which the brand considers their Flagship units. Some are ugly, some beautiful, some huge, some slim, but all of these manufacturers have one goal, making the best speaker available to the market. More will be added soon...


Jamo R909

Cost: Will update soon


Spec:  

• System Type : 3-way 
• Power : 800 
• Sensitivity : 89
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 35Hz-30kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 4
• Weight (kg/lb) : 63.1 / 139.1
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1276 x 488 x 541 / 50.2 x 19.2 x 21.3

Klipsch Palladium

Cost: R234 900

Spec

• System Type : 3-way 
• Power : 400 W
• Sensitivity :99db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 35Hz-30kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 4
• Weight (kg/lb) : 74.9 / 165
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1422 x 368 x 629 / 56 x 14.5 x 24.7

Revel Salon 2

Cost: About R200 000

Spec 

• System Type : 4-way 
• Power : 500/1000 W
• Sensitivity : 86.4db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 23Hz-45kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 6
• Weight (kg/lb) : 80.7kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1353 x 356 x 584 / 53.25 x 14 x 23

JBL Everest DD6600

Cost: About R315 000 EACH


Spec

• System Type : 3-way 
• Power : 500/1000 W
• Sensitivity : 96db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 45Hz-50kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 8
• Weight (kg/lb) : 142kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 969 x 1109 x 469

Martin Logans CLX Art

Cost: About R296 000.00


Spec

• System Type : Electrostatic
• Power : 450W
• Sensitivity : 90db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 56Hz-23kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 6
• Weight (kg/lb) : 50kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1448 x 218

Paradigm Signature S8

Cost: About R88 000.00 to R93 000.00


Spec

• System Type : 3-way
• Power : 250W
• Sensitivity : 92db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 39Hz-45kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 8
• Weight (kg/lb) : 45.3kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1232 x 210 x 521

Bowers and Wilkins Nautilus

Cost: R589 990

Spec

• System Type : 4-way
• Power : 300W
• Sensitivity : 92db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 10Hz-25kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 4
• Weight (kg/lb) : 44kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 

KEF Muon 

Cost: About R1 200 000.00 each estimated

Spec

• System Type : 4-way
• Power : 400W
• Sensitivity : 90db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 25Hz-60kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 4
• Weight (kg/lb) : 115kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 2000 x600 x380 / 78.8 x 23.6 x 15

KEF Blade

Cost: R275 000.00 pair estimated

Spec

• System Type : 3-way
• Power : 400W
• Sensitivity : 90db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 25Hz-33kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 4
• Weight (kg/lb) : 57.2kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1590 x363 x 540 / 62.5 x 14.3 x 21.2

Bowers and Wilkins 800 Diamond

Cost: R199 990 (From Feb might be R219 000.00)

Spec

• System Type : 3-way
• Power : 1000W
• Sensitivity : 90db@2.83V/1m
• Frequency Range (Hz) : 28Hz-45kHz
• Impedance (Ohm) : 8
• Weight (kg/lb) : 102kg
• Product dimensions (mm/in, HxWxD) : 1180 x 450 x 645 / 46.5 x 17.7 x 25.4

Home Theatre and Hi-Fi Reviews: Boston Acoustics A-250 5.1 Package

Home Theatre and Hi-Fi Reviews: Boston Acoustics A-250 5.1 Package: In my sound room I have a Boston Acoustic system set up with the Yamaha RX-A810 and BD-S671 Blu Ray Player. Much has been said by many re...

Most Expensive speaker in the world, $6.95mil

Some dream of a Kef Muon, other a B&W 800Diamond, some Martin Logan, other B&O.

But sometimes it can go gracy, solid 18 karat Gold, 1000watts of beauty. When you buy this you are rich, stinking rich, horribly disgustingly stinking rich

Now I do not know how it sounds. Hopefully someday Shape Audio will send me a pair to review :-)

Visit their website

http://www.shapeaudio.com/

When you consider the most expensive Home Theatre is $6million it does pt things in other perspective.



Can read more over here

Bowers and Wilkins XT Discontinued

No more XT series available in South Africa.

I will strongly recommend the Bowers and Wilkins CM8 for an alternative.

New Boston Soundware S5.1

Big Brother of the famous XS 5.1 now in stock!

subwoofer 8" 100 watts                         10" 200 watts
mid-bass 2½"                                         3½"
tweeter ½"                                              ¾"
price R6 000.00                                     R8 800.00

SoundWare S 5.1

Based on the award-winning system XS 5.1, the S5.1 comes with a larger 10" vented subwoofer with a 200-watt amp (300-watts peak).

With 5 slightly larger satellites (13.8 x 13.8 cm) bearing ¾" tweeters and 3½" mid-bass drivers, the S 5.1 system offers even greater acoustic performance and higher output.

Available now in gloss black or gloss white.

New Monitor Audio GX Gold

Blending affordable high performance with exceptional design quality, Monitor Audio’s Gold GX range captures the essence of our flagship Platinum range.
Monitor Audio is proud to launch the GX speaker range, a beautifully conceived congress of materials, technology, design innovation and performance, which expresses the spirit of our acclaimed Platinum speakers at an even more accessible price. By utilising the most precise CAD tools available, and many, many hours of listening, we’ve applied our Platinum driver, crossover and cabinet technologies to a range of entirely new speaker designs, more reminiscent of Platinum than the GS speakers they replace. There are seven GX models in black and white piano lacquer and Bubunga, Walnut and Natural Oak real wood veneers, all featuring a version of the much admired Platinum C-CAM® ribbon tweeter together with RST® C-CAM bass and mid drivers. The range comprises a brace of two-way stand-mounting monitors – the GX50 and GX100; a matching number of three-way floor-standing models – the GX200 and GX300; an ultra-versatile surround speaker – the GX-FX, featuring no fewer than six C-CAM drivers; the awesomely specified 15”, 650W GXW-15 subwoofer, and for the first time at this Monitor Audio level, two specialised centre channel speakers, the GXC 150 and GXC 350 sized for acoustic consistency with GX50/200 and GX100/300 in smaller or larger home theatres respectively.

GX Technologies
Drivers
The critical GX elements are based on the ground-breaking Platinum drivers. The GX ribbon tweeter is derived from the globally acclaimed Platinum C-CAM® ribbon transducer. Its fabulously efficient wideband design reproduces the authentic tonal character of frequencies beyond 60kHz, as well as the inherent nature of the mid-band vocal region to which the ear is most sensitively tuned.

In order to integrate mid and bass frequencies with the ribbon, we turned to critical computer-driven FEA tools to optimise the behaviour of the GX bass and mid-driver motors and diaphragms, selecting large voice-coils, powerful magnet structures and rigid, vented die-cast driver chassis to power ribbed RST® C-CAM cones. Monitor Audio’s definitive C-CAM alloy blends the exceptional properties of aluminium and magnesium to form an ultra light but ultra-strong radiating surface, responsive to the smallest impulse and yet resistant to the bending forces of longer cone excursions. Consistent with Platinum series technology, the C-CAM driver diaphragms are strengthened further with RST ribbing to create the greatest rigidity for the lowest mass.

Bolt-through Driver fixings
Single bolt-through driver fixings have the dual effect of improving cabinet rigidity while further reducing vibration at the driver/cabinet interface. By this innovative method, drivers are mounted on a single tensioned through-bolt, which is secured to the back of the cabinet. The bolt not only acts as a rigid cabinet brace to reduce box colouration, it removes the need for conventional driver fixing as well, effectively decoupling the driver and front baffle to eliminate another source of unwanted resonance. The result is a more fluid communication of mid-range frequencies, and with the absence of driver fixings at the baffle, a cleaner more refined overall appearance – especially in tandem with GX’s ‘floating’ magnetic grille location

Crossovers
Our engineers listened to hundreds of crossover component permutations before finding the optimum arrangement of polypropylene film capacitors, air core and laminated steel core inductors for each GX model. Individual driver crossovers are mounted on a dedicated panel accessible from the underside of each speaker. The adjacent GX speaker terminals are gold plated to maintain signal integrity and contact reliability. All GX speakers are wired internally with Pureflow® Silver cable.

Enclosure
Each GX enclosure is hand-built from multiple laminations of MDF, hot-pressed to form a rigid shell. Its curved nature, aided by radial internal braces and bolt-through driver fixings, inhibits unwanted vibrations and internal standing waves.
The HiVe II reflex port is shaped to have the same effect on airflow as a gun-barrel on a bullet. Rifled grooves inside the port help to accelerate the flow and reduce turbulence, so air moves in and out of the port more efficiently, for a faster more dynamic bass response.

For added stability the die-cast alloy base plinths of the floor-standing models and the dedicated GX speaker stand provide a solid foundation for superior acoustics, enhanced by hand-milled spikes. Non-slip rubber pads are supplied to protect wood floors.

Design aesthetics
Working within the parameters set by our acoustic engineers, Monitor Audio’s in-house industrial design team was charged with finding a blend of materials and geometry that would complement the exceptional GX sound. The mirror-like lustre that envelops the sensationally slender GX designs reflects the level of care invested in its evolution: beneath the piano sheen are eleven layers of lacquer, built-up individually to achieve the luxurious depth of finish; once assembled the real-wood cabinets are hand-veneered to ensure absolute precision in the joinery and in the grain matching between each pair. To accentuate the clean GX styling all seven models feature the latest ‘floating’ magnetic grilles.

Main GX design features

New C-CAM® Ribbon transducer design – providing extension to a class leading 60KHz
New 6.5” bass driver with RST profile C-CAM cone
Die-cast alloy driver chassis design
HiVe® port technology for better transient response and tighter bass
Single bolt through driver fixings for improved bracing, rigidity and driver/baffle de-coupling
Die-cast alloy terminal panel arrangement with high quality bi-wire terminals and high end spade type link cables
Pureflow® Silver internal cabling
High quality crossovers with premium grade polypropylene film capacitors used throughout.
Large radius cabinet edges provide low diffraction and smoother overall frequency response.
Curved cabinet profile for increased rigidity and reduced internal standing waves.
Selected premium quality wood veneers or high gloss piano finishes.
Rigid 20mm MDF construction throughout, employing radial and cross-bracing techniques for high rigidity resulting in low cabinet colouration
Invisible magnetic grille fixing provides clean visual styling when used with the grille off.
Metal mesh grille design to give low diffraction, resulting in improved off-axis dispersion.
Gold GX50
The sculpted low-diffraction cabinet of the diminutive GX50 houses a single 5.5” RST® bass driver and C-CAM® ribbon tweeter. The bass driver exhibits the low frequency extension and power handling of a much larger transducer while the excellent C-CAM ribbon soars beyond conventional tweeter domes to a stratospheric 60 KHz. Consequently the GX50 combines the frequency range of the finest studio monitors with dynamics that defy its modest dimensions. Optional, dedicated floor stands are available for the GX50 which can be filled to provide the ultimate foundation for the best possible sound quality


Gold GX100
The GX100 is a larger 2-way stand mount speaker featuring a 6.5” RST bass driver and C-CAM ribbon tweeter. Operating with the performance of a typical 8” driver, our proprietary 6.5” design provides higher overall efficiency with dynamic headroom to deliver impressive bass extension and control. The GX100’s uncomplicated 2-way configuration renders complex material with tonal accuracy and perfect timing. It may occupy the space of a stand-mount speaker, but the GX100 sounds like a reference floor-stander. Optional, dedicated floor stands are available.

Gold GX200
The first of the GX floor-standers is also the most compact. Amazing scale and impressive dynamic control are available from this slender three way design, comprising the GX ribbon and twin 5.5” bass drivers either side of a dedicated 4” mid-range driver housed in a dedicated enclosure. With high overall efficiency, wide bandwidth and vanishingly low distortion, the GX200’s Platinum DNA is waiting to be experienced in a performance comparable with the very best and most expensive high end speaker systems.

Gold GX300
Standing at over a meter tall the GX300 is a majestic three-way floor-standing loudspeaker comprising twin 6.5” bass drivers, a single 4” mid-range driver and a high frequency ribbon transducer. With so impressive a complement of drivers, the GX300 has the power delivery and scale required to fill the largest rooms with jaw-dropping dynamics as well as the finest musical detail. Extending from below 30Hz to over 60kHz, its frequency range is among the widest available from any speaker, irrespective of price. Sublime fidelity, peerless build quality and exquisite design distinguish the GX300 as a future classic.

Gold GXC 150
The ultra-compact GXC 150 centre speaker is small enough to fit into most AV racks and is designed to match the smaller GX speakers in a more bijou home theatre configuration. However because it shares its tonal characteristics with all GX models, its capabilities are also compatible with any GX system design. The GXC 150’s lustrous sealed cabinet is home to twin 5.5” drivers and the GX ribbon in a two and half way orientation, providing superior dispersion across a range from 50Hz to 60kHz. The specialised high frequency ribbon offers exceptional detail and vocal intelligibility, enhancing communication with the listener.

Gold GXC 350
The GXC 350 centre speaker is a no-compromise centre channel solution for serious home theatre installations. Its three-way, four driver configuration mirrors that of the GX300, although the bass drivers are tuned to work in the GXC 350’s sealed cabinet. Unsurprisingly the GXC 350 is the perfect match for its floor-standing counterpart, producing frequencies from 40Hz to beyond 60 KHz. A neutral tonal balance and distortion-free sound gives the GXC 350 the ability to project crystal-clear dialogue and mid-range detail at any volume. A dedicated floor stand is available to ensure the most secure footing and ideal vertical orientation for the GXC 350.

Gold GX-FX
Matching the extraordinary tonal accuracy of its GX range mates, the GX-FX design provides direct or ambient surround sound, which may be switched manually or automatically via a 12V signal from the processor to accommodate the functionality of high-end home or professional cinema applications. Amazing as it may seem, the GX-FX slim wall-hugging profile incorporates no fewer than six drivers.
In monopole mode for discrete side or rear sound channels its front-firing 6 ½” RST® bass/mid driver and C-CAM ribbon transducer deliver accurate ultra-wideband sound to match the tonal balance of any GX speaker combination. In dipole mode the GX-FX uses two pairs of side firing 4” C-CAM bass/mid drivers and 25mm C-CAM® gold-dome tweeters, combined with the tailored output from the front-firing bass/mid driver to provide wonderfully diffuse yet tonally precise surround effects. The GX-FX can be flush-mounted on side or rear walls. Installation is made easy by the inclusion of a ‘sloppy fit’ pre-install bracket, which allows levelling and adjustment prior to fixing.

GXW-15
The GXW-15 is an example of state-of-the-art subwoofer design. In a gloriously glossy, rigid compact enclosure, we’ve installed an ultra-long throw 15” C-CAM bass driver, triple suspended for a full 38mm (1.5”) of linear excursion. Featuring a massive magnet structure and under the DSP control of a 650W D2AUDIO® DSP controlled amplifier, this extraordinary deep bass generator brings a new dimension to bass and reference results for SPL, dynamic control and headroom.

It may deliver taut gut-churning bass all the way down to a seismic 18Hz, but the GXW-15 is also an intelligent design, featuring an advanced automatic room correction system called LEO™ (Listening Environment Optimizer). LEO simply and automatically eliminates the detrimental bass boost of boundaries and corners through the use of a microphone and test tones.

The GXW-15’s sealed enclosure and front firing driver make it easy to install and calibration from the front-mounted controls and dimmable LED display is simple, even from a distant position. It’s equipped with a 12V trigger and remote control with four user EQ pre-sets.

The B&W PV1D, new B&W PV1 replacement unit

***Release end February for South Africa, Europe should have it available soon if not already***

Available in Europe from January, and available from South Africa hopefully in Mid February will be the new B&W PV1D. It will have a new DSP (which is the D added to the model number) with 400 watts of power. Will have similar technology than its bigger brother, the B&W DB1. So far the pricing should be between 25-35% higher then the previous PV1. The new M1 replacement will hopefully hit South Africa end March after being delayed for almost 3 months now. The MT30 packages should still be the same configuration with the PV1D, just with a slightly higher price tag.

A lot of hopefully and should, nothing comfirmed yet, will post as soon as more info of availability is confirmed.
Give me a mail should you require more info (South Africa only)

The Notebook Movie Quotes

'The Notebook' is a novel written by Nicholas Sparks. This book was made into a movie of the same name, which released in 2004 and went on to gross over a hundred million dollars worldwide. This romantic movie speaks of the love between Noah Calhoun, a poor country boy and Allie Hamilton, a high-end city girl, and how in the end, their love triumphs. A moving love story, 'The Notebook' movie quotes became a rage worldwide and still echo the true meaning and feel of love. Although most of the famous movie quotes from 'The Notebook' are similar to those in the book, some of them were added during the screenplay writing. So given below are 'The Notebook' movie quotes that will simply make you fall in love all over again!

The Notebook Quotes

(In a letter to Allie): My Dearest Allie. I couldn't sleep last night because I know that it's over between us. I'm not bitter anymore, because I know that what we had was real. And if in some distant place in the future we see each other in our new lives, I'll smile at you with joy and remember how we spent the summer beneath the trees, learning from each other and growing in love. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever. I love you. I'll be seeing you. Noah.

Lon: [to Allie] The way I see it, I got three choices. One, I can shoot him. Two, I can kick the crap out of him. Or three, I leave you. Well, all that's no good. You see, 'cause none of those options get me you.

Duke: Science only goes so far and then comes God.

Duke: That's my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that's where my home is.

Duke: It was an improbable romance. He was a country boy. She was from the city. She had the world at her feet while he didn't have two dimes to rub together.

Allie: Do you think our love can make miracles?
Duke: I do.

Allie: Do you think our love, can take us away together?
Duke: I think our love can do anything we want it to.

Duke: I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.

Noah: So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be real hard. And we're gonna have to work
at this every day, but I want to do that, because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. ... Will you do something for me? Please? Will you just picture your life for me? years from now, what's it look like? If it's with that guy, go! Go! I lost you once, I think I could do it again, if I thought it's what you really wanted. But don't you take
the easy way out.

Duke (to older Allie): I think our love can do anything we want it to.

Duke (reading): Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars - a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone.

Duke (reading, about Noah): She had come back into his life like a sudden flame, blazing and streaming into his heart. Noah stayed up all night contemplating the certain agony he knew would be his if he were to lose her twice.

Allie's mother (about her sweetheart of 25 years ago, now a laborer shoveling gravel): Sometimes when I'm in the area, I just stop here and I watch him, trying to picture how different my life might have been.

Noah: I could be fun, if you want. I could be pensive, uhh... smart, superstitious, brave? And I, uhh, I can be light on my feet. I could be whatever you want. You just tell me what you want, and I'm gonna be that for you.

Read more on:

• Romantic Quotes From Movies
• Movie Quotes About Love

So, these were some of 'The Notebook' movie quotes. However, to feel the real magic, cozy up with your special someone, rent this movie, and feel the love come alive on screen!

Portable TV - Enhance Your Mobile Entertainment

With the passage of time our lifestyle has undergone various changes which have greatly facilitated multitude of our tasks. Technology is constantly innovating new gadgets to enrich the lifestyle of the people. We in turn incorporate these gadgets into our lives to flaunt off our style and status. Television is preferred to be the most opted option for entertainment among the masses. It has been reflecting the hues of various aspects of our lives in an elegant manner. People nowadays like to spend their leisure hours by watching their favorite programmes and relaxing in their living room. Most of the television programmes are fabricated with drama and exciting sensational themes to astir various human emotions. The images or the animations which flicker out in the elegant silver screen offer the viewers awe-inspiring moments which are filled with enigma and joy.

With the passage of time the television has become the most integral part of our lives. Almost every household possess a television set. In fact, they are offering various infotainment programmes which can prove to be a great help to both the kids and the grown ups. However, the conventional television device is every bulky and it is often very difficult to shift them from one room to another. As such, the portable TV has been designed to drive away all these hurdles. It can always be a joyful experience when we can travel to distant places with our television systems.

Some people are totally exasperated to watch their favorite celebrity shows wherever they are. As such, these portable TV sets come to facilitate all their viewing concerns. They would now be able to roam or shift their television systems whenever and wherever they want. Various top branded companies have plunged into this arena to offer maximum satisfaction to the users. They are designing them with high resolution screens and extravagant designs to attract more customers. The small and streamlined systems are also catered in such a manner that they have the capability to offer astounding sound quality and give the viewers amazing experience.

Must Have iPhone Apps

Apple's iPad 2 is in a class of its own as far as tablet computers are concerned. With more than 25 million iPads sold so far, it is unarguably one of the hottest gadgets to be launched in the electronics market in recent times. With a brand new A5 chip, Wi-Fi+3G connectivity, 512 MB of RAM and a 9.7 inch screen, the iPad 2 incredibly weighs only 600 grams, making it one of the most easily portable tablet computers ever launched. Having gotten hold of your brand new iPad 2, you must be still exploring what all its capable of. One of the little known uses of the iPad 2 is that it can substitute your television! It is actually possible to watch all TV channels on your iPad. You can prop it up anywhere, anytime and enjoy your favorite TV shows. In this Buzzle article, I am going to show you how to watch live TV on iPad and never miss a single episode of your favorite sitcoms or sports tournaments while on the go.

Watching Live TV on iPad 2

Gone are the days when being able to watch cable TV on computer was a novelty. Now you can watch TV even on mobile devices! With the launch of the Apple iPad, several technologies geared up to offer services for this new Apple gadget. Today there are many apps launched on the App Store and TV tuner gadgets launched in electronics stores that make live TV streaming on the iPad possible. Here are five suggestions you could follow up to watch all TV channels on iPad.

Get EyeTV!
The EyeTV app available on App Store works with your home Wi-Fi network to broadcast live TV on your iPad. You need a TV tuner and encoder installed on your home PC and a Wi-Fi network, for this app to work for you.

Install Hauppauge Broadway
One of the best technologies to hit the market in recent times is the Haupauge Broadway. This device takes in live TV content from your set top box, encodes it into Apple video format and transmits it to your Apple iPad using the Wi-Fi connectivity of your home wireless router! What is more, you can access your live TV from anywhere around the globe by watching the content hosted on the Hauppauge server!

Use Orblive
Orb Live provides you another way of watching live TV on your Apple iPad. If you have a computer with an installed TV tuner card, along with Orb Caster software, all live TV content can be broadcasted on to your iPad over a Wi-Fi network. Check out the Orblive website for more details.

Get SlingPlayer Mobile
The SlingPlayer Mobile apps lets you watch live TV on the go, on your iPad. For this app to work on your iPad, it must ally with a SlingBox, which is a TV tuner and recording device. The Slingbox can transmit all live television output from your set top box over the Internet or stream it on any device over your home wireless network. Along with SlingPlayer Mobile, it can transmit live TV directly to your Apple iPad. Check out the SlingPlayer Mobile website for more details.

Use Channel Apps
If you don't want to spend a lot and intend to watch only specific TV channels, there are apps geared to offer this service. An example is the TV.com application offered on App Store, which provides access to channels from the CBS network. Another such applications is ABC Player which grants access to all ABC channel shows. All these apps directly stream TV content over the Internet. You will need a high speed 3G or Wi-Fi connection to use them.

As you can see, there are more than one ways in which you can watch TV on your iPad 2. Using either one of EyeTV, Orblive, SlingPlayer Mobile or Hauppauge Broadway gadgets, you can watch live TV on your Apple iPad, quite easily. With the addition of live TV viewing, your iPad becomes the complete entertainment solution. Follow up any one of the suggestions presented above and enjoy all live television action on the move!

Wedding Entertainment Ideas

The wedding day is the most important day in the lives of the couple getting married. Whether the wedding ceremony is being organized in a simple way or in a very extravagant manner, creative wedding entertainment ideas can make it very special for the couple getting married. However, in order to properly implement planned unique wedding entertainment ideas, combined efforts of all the family members of the couple is necessary. Given in the next few paragraphs are some fantastic small wedding entertainment ideas.

Unique Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Organize a Musical Concert
Organizing a musical concert is one of the best wedding entertainment ideas which can bring a lot of enthusiasm in the wedding ceremony. You can invite a reputed band of musicians to come and play some hit songs at the wedding venue if you have a high budget. You can organize the wedding music ceremony in the party hall of the hotel where the wedding will take place. Wedding entertainment ideas for kids who are good at singing would be to sing their favorite songs and get a lot of praise for the act. You can ask the bride and the groom to try their hand at singing songs and playing musical instruments such as the guitar, violin and piano. Playing old romantic songs can also be a good idea. Make sure that the seating arrangement for the musical program is perfect so that all the guests are comfortable and enjoying the occasion.

Dance and Have Fun!
Dance is believed to be the best form of entertainment at all occasions and wedding ceremonies are no exception to this fact. You can perform different dance forms with those interested and have a lot of fun together. Inviting professional dancers for the occasion would also be a cool idea. Even though many people present might not be that good at dancing, you should allow then to dance the way they want and teach them a few steps to improve their dancing. Play some rocking music so that the people feel more energetic and give their best in the form of dance they do.

Organize a Fashion Show
Organizing a fashion show for both, the male as well as the female guests would indeed be one of the best wedding entertainment ideas. You should ask all the guests to wear designer clothes or the ones in which they look best and then walk the ramp along with their partners. You should appoint experienced and talented photographers to click their photographs. The dresses worn can be traditional, formal or casual as per the wish and convenience of the guests. Ask the bride and the groom to take part in the fashion show and welcome them with a loud cheer when they make a grand entry on the ramp together. The clothes worn by the married couple should be of different color than the rest of the lot to highlight them or bring them in focus. Have light music in the background as the guests walk on the ramp. Do not have any hard and fast rules of walking on the ramp for the guests as this is not a modeling competition! You can have a video recording of the entire event done. You will have a great time watching the videos and the photographs once the event is complete.

These were some of the wedding entertainment ideas which will guarantee a lot of fun and entertainment to all those present at the venue. All the best!

TV Antenna Booster

Tired of spotty signals, breaking sound and jumpy pictures on your television, when all you want to do is sit back and enjoy your favorite show? Well then, TV antenna boosters will help you in getting rid of these. These boosters are equipment that strengthen the signals received by your TV. Generally as the signals travel from your TV antenna through the coax cables of your television the signal weakens. The more the signal has to travel the weaker it becomes. The TV antenna boosters job is to strengthen this signal by widening the signal beam. There are different ways and places where these boosters can be installed. Read more to know about how and where to install a TV antenna booster.

Installation of the TV Antenna Booster

As mentioned earlier the longer the path of the signal to reach your television set, the weaker it gets. Another reason for these signals to weaken is the splitters. The VHF (very high frequency) or UHF (ultra-high frequency) splitters also cause signal loss. It is therefore beneficial if you fit the boosters before such devices that cause signal loss. The amplified signal will be more than what it would be, if the booster was installed after the splitter. Even if the antenna is inside the house or outside boosters function effectively when fixed before cable splitters.

The ideal booster for your television should be selected by calculating the total signal loss that occurs, this loss is measured in dB. This loss has to incorporate the loss that occurs due to the length of the coax cable and also the splitters. Splitters are of various types such as 2 way, 3 way, 4 way, 6 way and 8 way splitters incurring different losses in signal. Once this is known, select the television antenna booster that provides a gain in signal that is 5 to 10dB more than the loss. Just choosing an antenna booster randomly may cause overloading and damage the TV.

Indoor antennas are to be connected to a power supply, the outlet supply of the antenna is connected to the outlet of the TV antenna booster. Amplifiers or boosters for outdoor antennas are placed very close to the base of the antenna. Such signal boosters are provided with bolts and screws to secure it to the pole of the antenna. This booster also has an electrical extension. The electric current that flows through the boosters catch the signals from the antennas nearby. At this point it is important to know that outdoor boosters are more efficient than the indoor ones mounted on the TV set.

TV Antenna Booster for RV

TV antenna boosters are similar to those available for homes. These also require a power supply. This power is obtained from the battery of the RV when on the move or then it is connected to power supply on land or a generator when the engine is off. The following are a few TV antenna booster reviews to help you choose the right one for you.

Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 Bi-Directional RF Amplifier
This is a TV antenna booster amplifier, that boasts of amplifying signals 32 times (up to 15dB). You can optimize this device to televisions, cable set-top box and digital radios. It has an easy to install method without you having to fetch your tools. This booster comes with an AC adapter, two coaxial cables and a user's manual. The cost of this device is around $100.

Winegard AP-8700 Preamplifier
The Winegard AP-8700 preamplifier is designed to amplify dish network TV signals. It amplifies 17dB on VHF and 19dB on UHF. It also has an FM trap that prevents an overload from local FM stations. The market price of this booster is around $60-65.

Radio Shack 15-2507 High Gain Signal Amplifier
This one of the TV antenna booster radio shack is a booster that amplifies signals up to 30 dB. It is good for strengthening signals for HDTV even in remote place. It is protected against cable shorts and therefore prevent extensive damage if shorts do occur to the TV antenna booster. Radio Shack also provides FM traps of 20 dB at 98MHz. The cost of this device is between $45-50.

TV antenna boosters amplify signals, this does not imply that these boosters will amplify signals which are originally weak. It is like a filter for preventing signal loss due to various factors. If the original signals that you receive itself are weak, boosters or amplifiers will not solve your problem.

Home Theatre and Hi-Fi Reviews: Bowers and Wilkins 685 Bookshelf

Home Theatre and Hi-Fi Reviews: Bowers and Wilkins 685 Bookshelf: The B&W (Bowers and Wilkins) 685 Bookshelf The Bowers and Wilkins Bookshelf is a speaker that stuns a lot of first time listeners. It put...

Portable Radios

Portable radio styles are handheld, headphone, emergency, table top, armband, pocket/mini and tabletop. The different brands are Sony, Grundig, Tivoli, Sangean, Coby, Panasonic, Summit, GE, Midland, Griffin Technology, Oregon Scientific and Tripp Lite. The various bands are FM, AM, Weather, Shortwave and World band. The tuning may be digital or analog.

Characteristics of portable radios
Some of the features of a few portable radios are mentioned below:

Sony SRF-M37V Portable radio
There is a TV tuner and weather band tuning function. There is a direct weather button that allows to access weather forecast at the touch of the button. There is a 25 station preset memory. Electronic settings are used for one-button tuning for the choice from 5 TV channels, 5 weather bands, 10 FM and 5 AM stations. 1 AAA battery provides hours of listening and assists to make the Walkman(R) radio compact and cheap to use. The 5 direct key preset memory allows you to electronically tune any 5 stations you set, although in different frequency bands with the press of a single and easy-to-reach button. The digital clock and battery indicator allows to keep track of the correct time and provides a visible indication when the battery power becomes low.

Sony Radio Walkman
The digital clock and battery indicator makes it perfect to use. There is an accurate and drift-free tuning for AM and FM radio stations with five-station preset memory and local weather band broadcasts. There is also a TV tuner to listen to the audio from TV channels.

Sony SR-FM37V Personal Radio Walkman
1 AAA battery provides hours of listening, makes the radio compact and cheap to run. There is a 25 Station preset memory and a 5 direct key preset memory. Additionally, there is a digital clock and battery indicator. Also, a direct weather button and FM local/distance DX switch are present. There are 3.3 ounces of battery and belt clip.

Grundig Mini AM/FM Shortwave Radio
This has a clock and an alarm. There is analog tuning with a digital frequency readout and an earbud jack. There is also a travel case and earbuds. This has 2 AA batteries. There are 7 shortwave bands that allow to dial-in the world.

Grundig/Eton radio
This is the most modern single-conversion superheterodyne circuit design, digital frequency readout, 13 shortwave bands, AM/FM bands, built-in 90 minute sleep timer, telescopic antenna and built-in ferrite bar antenna. There are also L/R line level outputs, earphone jack, stereo/mono switch and carrying handle. AC adapter and shoulder strap are included. Four D batteries are not included.

Coby Digital All Weather Radio w/Band #CX96
There is a digital AM/FM tuning system. There is a DBBS-Dynamic bass boost system. There are 20 preset stations and a built-in digital clock. Lightweight stereo earphones are included. There is a detachable arm band and 2 X AAA size batteries.

Coby Sport AM/FM Radio w/ Arm band
This all-weather sport AM/FM digital radio with arm band has a digital tuner, DBBS-dynamic bass boost system, 20 preset stations (10 AM, 10 FM), built-in digital clock and detachable arm band. There are also lightweight stereo earphones.

Sangean HDR-1 HD Table-top radio
There is an auto tuning system and an auto preset system. There are 20 memory presets and a backlit LCD. There are tone and bass control, EQ pre-sets, clocks, snooze function, adjustable sleep timer, multicast capability and IR remote control. This has a weight of 6.6 lbs.