CES 2016 Show Report Day 1

CES 2016 Show Report Day 1

Billions of tiny lights at the equally insane Samsung area.

Piero, your ride is here!

LG was also featuring various models of their Music-Flow line of networked wireless speakers. They can not only stream music from your devices and various networked sources, but they can also be combined with one of LG’s wireless sound bars to create a wireless surround system.

In case 4K is just too passe these days, rest assured that 8K will be just around the corner. This 98 inch proof of concept display from LG was quite stunning.

LG TVs are also equipped with WebOS 3 and a Google Play hub which creates a slick looking interface that consolidates all your streaming options.

LG was also showing a4K line of LED displays featuring in-plane switching (IPS) display technology. This 75 inch unit’s picture looked suitably crisp and vibrant. Dolby Vision HDR compatibility would be available for these particular sets via firmware upgrade. IPS technology is known for it’s wide viewing angles and these displays did not disappoint. 

LG was also premiering a Signature line of items that are touted as high-end, no compromise models of various products such as refrigerators, washers and dryers and, yes, a top-dog OLED display. The Signature OLED displays are called the G6 series and will be available in 65 and 77 inch models, the lower tier OLED models are called the E6 series and come in 55 and 65 inch sizes. The displays are all ridiculously thin, at 2.57 millimeters thick (about a tenth of an inch). Whereas last year there were curved OLED sets all over this same booth, this year there is only one curved model in LG’s line, that is the C6 series available in 55 and 65 inch models as well, with slightly thicker glass. The G6 Signature model features all the electronics and sound system in the base stand pod which can also be flipped behind the TV to facilitate wall mounting.

LGs 2016 OLED line was even more eye-catching than last year. The reps were touting even more improved black levels and color saturation. The big item of notice was that all OLED models would come supporting the Dolby Vision HDR specification built in.While the reps didn’t go into more detail, they did say that the sets would play nice with the other HDR standards out there. 

This mornings opening salvo was the giant LG area which was dominated by some of their gorgeous OLED displays.

The digitally connected home was very much on Samsung’s mind this year at CES. They were showing how their updated TV interface could be configured to do various non-TV activities such as dim the lights in your room, access your security camera to see whose at the front door, etc. This was on top of providing all the expected video and music streaming options!

Samsung was again touting the benefits of it’s Quantum Dot LED technology this year with a full array of HDR certified displays in various sizes. The picture quality was, as expected, impressive with excellent viewing angles and very thin profiles.

Nothing says “planned obsolescence” like a big old shiny 8K display waiting in the wings. Bring it on Samsung!

I mean, seriously, all these people with hot cars are always looking for Piero! What is it with this guy?! :)

On the subject of 4K Blu Ray, Samsung had a player, the UBD-K8500, on display that people can pre-order now, directly from their website. MSRP is listed at $499.00 but if you pre-order it now, Samsung will charge you only $399.00. Shipping is currently scheduled for March. The Samsung rep stated that there will be roughly 30 4K Blu Ray titles available at that time with about 100 titles available by years end. The player is HDR compatible and will play standard Blu Ray disks, DVDs and CDs as well. 

Here is a quick video that gives you a little sense of how thin these displays are getting. This is the LG Signature G6 again.

For the gamer in your life, this bank of 3 curved LG computer monitors would make a heck of an immersive experience.

Not a bad morning in Sin-City. Let the games begin!

The Orpheus sound experience by Sennheiser

Carlo loves these Beyerdynamic T5 p headphones

Carlo is in awe of the Sony displays

Samsung smart signage video wall

Technics EAH-T700 headphones

Panasonic wall

Samsung virtual reality booth

LG music flow wireless audio

LG 4K

audio-technica is rightfully quite proud of their major award winning headphones. And naturally they have decided to expand the platform with noise cancelling and Bluetooth options. As before, this is Crystal Griffith giving another excellent rundown on the updated models. 

Meet Crystal Griffith of audio-technica. She gives a thorough rundown on this new line of headphones they were showing at CES 2016. I have little to add other than to say I enjoyed the sound of these cans quite a bit in my brief time listening to them. These phones are projected availability in March 2016.

Great things are in store for those of us who are “into” home theater. Check out this group of people enjoying the Samsung Gear VR Theater at CES 2016. I had to capture this video. The seats were popping to the music. This looks like it would be a ton of fun (up until your friends see you doing it)! I still can’t wait to give this a try myself.