CES 2005 Exclusive Update

BraveSirRobbin

Moderator
Note: Here is an exclusive update on CES 2005 held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Information provided was per notes taken (very quickly) during interviews with the various representatives. Information was "thrown out" at a tremendous pace, thus trying to interpret notes afterward may provide some information that is incomplete or inaccurate. Please keep in mind that the intent of these updates is to introduce our members to new technology displayed at CES and not to provide a "detailed" review of the products themselves.

Stack 9 Booth

I spoke with Mark Mullison of Stack 9. I visited their booth because I found out about their partnership with Homeseer Technologies (when I visited their booth).


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Click Here to Read More (Or Just Scroll Down Below):
 
Stack9 provides high end multimedia center PC's and have four different product models. This was their first visit to CES as they are a new company.

Their cases are a special design (they have a patent on it) and have all the connections at the rear. They also have special noise and cooling design considerations implemented to keep them very quiet.


(Click on Picture for Full Sized Image)

Their 9300 model won a CES Innovations Design Award. Other notable features include terrabyte disks available in a Raid 1 (mirror) configuration.

Homeseer will use their high end machines with the media center plugin aimed towards the professional installer market.

More information (from their press release) is included below:

CES 2005, LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2005 — Stack9 Systems Corp., an innovative technology company that builds and markets powerful, high quality, affordable whole-house entertainment and control systems, introduces its pioneering Digital Media Systems at the International Consumer Electronics Show, beginning today in Las Vegas.

Stack9’s new Digital Media Systems — the 9100 Series, 9300 Series, 9500 Series and 9500Pro Series — are a line of integrated, easy-to-use components that allow individuals to more simply and effectively than ever use and manage entire libraries of digital movies, music, photos, CDs, digital video games and other digital video content, downloadable audio, and radio, TV and HDTV programs received off-the-air or via cable or satellite.

Through the Digital Media Systems, homeowners and businesses are uniquely empowered to store, control, and enjoy all their digital audio and video entertainment in high quality surround sound from a single remote. They can, in addition, use the systems to automate lighting, indoor climate and other household or office functions.

DIGITAL MEDIA SYSTEM ESSENTIALS
The Digital Media Systems — all manufactured in the U.S. — give owners the ability to play the latest, greatest video games, watch favorite movies and digital video in a high-quality surround sound Home Theater environment, listen to digital music, CDs, radio, and downloaded audio, and enjoy the benefits of a personal video recorder (PVR) without the cost or hassle of a monthly subscription. Users can watch TV programs at their convenience, pause live programs if interrupted, replay priceless moments, and record shows they want to watch, then view them when they want in superb digital clarity.

Users can also catalogue their entertainment collections, and instantly access specific sound tracks, movies, songs, and photos with a quick click of the remote. They can view digital photos projected on a TV screen, create dynamic animated slide shows, listen to FM from the built-in radio, set the mood with in-house climate and whole-house lighting controls, and even surf the Internet on the TV using the supplied wireless keyboard and mouse.

Each Digital Media System comes packed with features, including a massive internal hard drive, and is equipped with numerous inputs and outputs for an extensive variety of audio, video, and information formats. Each Digital Media System is also designed around an Intel Pentium® 4 hyper-threading processor, and features Microsoft’s powerful Windows Media Center 2005 operating platform. Microsoft and Intel Corp. are Stack9’s exclusive technology partners.

DIGITAL MEDIA SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Stack9 Digital Media Systems are available in four models configured for varying applications, from small to mid-level Home Theaters to high-end residential and commercial facilities, with features and storage capabilities precisely calibrated for their intended uses.

The Digital Media System 9100 Series is Stack9’s entry-level component, and an ideal addition to a small or mid-level Home Theater system. It provides ample power and storage for most digital libraries. With 512MB of memory and 250GB of disk capacity, the 9100 provides ample power and storage for most digital libraries, and is capable of supporting up to 750 CDs with lossless compression, 1,400 CDs at MP3 compression, and 50 hours of TV programs.

It delivers 24-bit audio with multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround sound, handles NTSC and PAL viewing standards with a built-in TV tuner, and provides component video outputs for high-definition monitors. Additional ports accommodate cables for RS232 control; Ethernet, USB and Firewire connectors; optical and coaxial S/PDIF audio outputs, and X10 and ZWave home control features. A multi-format flash-card reader accepts downloads from digital cameras and a host of other digital devices.

The 9100 includes an easy-to-use remote control and, should a user wish to surf the Internet from his couch, a wireless keyboard and mouse. The 9100 Series is housed in a sleek black or silver custom-designed Home Theater cabinet built for ultra-quiet operation.

The Digital Media System 9300 Series is an ideal addition to a mid-level or high-end Home Theaters, and is designed for families or individuals concerned with protecting their digital entertainment and content from loss. With 1GB of memory and a massive 1 Terabyte of disk capacity, the 9300 provides enough power and protected storage for all but the largest digital libraries. Its hard drive is capable of storing up to 900 CDs with lossless compression, 1,800 CDs at MP3 compression, and 100 hours of TV programming with dual TV tuners capable of recording of one TV program while showing another.

It delivers 24-bit audio with multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround sound, handles NTSC and PAL viewing standards, and provides component video outputs for high-definition monitors. Additional ports accommodate cables for RS232 control; Ethernet, USB and Firewire connectors; optical and coaxial S/PDIF audio outputs, and X10 and ZWave home control features. A multi-format flash-card reader accepts downloads from digital cameras and a host of other digital devices.

Like all Stack9 systems, the 9300 is controlled by an easy-to-use wireless remote and comes equipped with a wireless keyboard and mouse for surfing the Internet. An integrated Vacuum Florescent Display provides useful status information about the system, while a sleek black or silver custom-designed Home Theater cabinet delivers ultra quiet operation.

The Digital Media System 9500 Series system is an ideal addition to a high-end Home Theater and is designed for serious video- and audiophiles. The 9500 boasts 2GB of memory and an immense 1.5 Terabytes of disk capacity, enough for 1,500 CDs with lossless compression, 2,800 CDs at MP3 compression, and 100 hours of TV programming with dual TV tuners capable of recording of one TV program while showing another.

The 9500 delivers 24-bit audio with multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround sound, handles NTSC and PAL viewing standards, and provides component video outputs for high-definition monitors. Additional ports accommodate cables for RS232 control; Ethernet, USB and Firewire connectors; optical and coaxial S/PDIF audio outputs, and X10 and ZWave home control features. A multi-format flash-card reader accepts downloads from digital cameras and a host of other digital devices.

A wireless 802.11g capability makes it easy to connect the 9500 to a wireless LAN for quickly and easily distributing digital content throughout the house. A mirrored disk library reduces the chance of content loss due to disk failure. The 9500 includes an easy-to-use remote control as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse. The system’s sleek black or silver custom designed Home Theater cabinet provides exceptionally quiet operation.

The Digital Media System 9500Pro Series, Stack9’s ultimate digital media statement, is designed for high-end residential and commercial applications possessing very large digital libraries, and requiring significant content distribution, security camera capture, or digital content protection. The 9500Pro is Stack9’s most customizable system, boasting an extensive menu of functions, up to 4 GB of memory, and from 1.5 to 2.4 Terabytes of disc capacity.

It delivers 24-bit audio with multi-channel playback in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround sound, handles NTSC and PAL with dual TV tuners, and provides component video outputs for high-definition monitors. Additional ports accommodate cables for RS232 control; Ethernet, USB and Firewire connectors; optical and coaxial S/PDIF audio outputs, and X10 and ZWave home control features. A multi-format flash-card reader accepts downloads from digital cameras and a host of other digital devices.

The 9500Pro is packaged in an industrial rack mount with ample cooling and power. It can be nested with other 9500Pro units to increase disk storage and CPU power, and operated by Stack9’s standard remote control as well as by fully programmable infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) remote controls. The 9500Pro is available exclusively through custom electronics installers.

Stack9 Systems are available now from authorized Stack 9 dealers at suggested prices ranging from approximately $3,000 to approximately $15,000. They can be seen at Booth 6818, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 2, during CES.
 
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