The largest French show dedicated to hi-fi and home cinema concluded on October 21. Born from the success of the Festival Son & Image, which lasted over 40 years, the Paris Audio Video Show remains the only show in France to offer all enthusiasts the opportunity to discover and listen to all the latest products in one place. Here is an overview of 2019’s main hi-fi and home theater innovations.
The Korean manufacturer Samsung showcased its latest generation of QLED 8K televisions. With a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels, these displays provide four times the definition of a 4K screen. The first model in the Samsung Q950R range, the Samsung QE55Q950R, measures 55 inches (140cm) across. It is joined by 65, 75, 82 and 98 inch variants: the Samsung QE65Q950R (163cm), Samsung QE75Q950R (190cm), Samsung QE82Q950R (208cm) and Samsung QE98Q950R (248cm).
Still in the field of 8K Ultra High Definition, JVC presented its DLA-NX9 projector, which was the world’s first 8K e-shift projector. This technology not only allows you to display Ultra High Definition 4K images, but it can also convert Full HD or 4K images into 8K images. JVC also revealed another new product: the JVC LX-NZ3, a more compact projector featuring laser technology. This 4K, HDR10 & HLG compatible model with a brightness of 3000 lumens will soon be reviewed on the blog.
8K resolution was also present at Sony’s booth with the enormous SONY KD-98ZG9 television. This model, which measures 248cm across, combines all of the best image technologies developed by the manufacturer for its LCD/LCD Direct-LED TVs. It is an Android TV with an Acoustic Surface Multi Audio sound system, Sony Backlight Drive Master backlighting and an X1 Ultimate processor. Naturally, this generation of Sony TVs is HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Vision compatible. Advertised at €79,999, fortunately an 82 inch (208cm) version is available for the more “reasonable” price of €16,990 (Sony KD-85ZG9).
Once again, Sony displayed its expertise in image quality by winning the Paris Audio Video Show 2019 Masterpiece trophy. At its booth, the brand’s demo focused on the excellent Sony VPL-VW760ES with its SXRD panel. The ultra high-end Sony VPL-VW5000ES was present at the Sound United booth (Marantz, Polk, Denon, Definitive Technology) for an Imax Enhanced projection.
The Japanese brand Panasonic chose to present LCD and LED televisions, but also its OLED screens with the GZ950, GZ1000, GZ1500 and GZ2000 series. These television ranges are in keeping with the quality of the manufacturer’s latest plasma products and its iconic “infinite contrast”. Certified THX 4K Display, these Panasonic GZ2000 televisions also benefit from professional color calibration developed in collaboration with one of Hollywood’s best film colorists, guaranteeing an image quality true to the director’s vision. They are also ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) compatible, resulting in an input lag inferior to 40ms, which is ideal for video games.
To conclude, Meural was present at the show this year. Meural is a brand owned by Netgear that produces digital canvases to display artwork or photos throughout the home. Bluetooth, USB, WiFi, landscape and portrait formats, these digital canvases embellish interiors and include many features, such as configuring the display, an alarm setting, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and a huge catalog of artwork that can be accessed with a subscription. Two sizes are currently available, the 21 inch (55cm) model under the reference Meural Canvas II 21.5”, and the 27 inch model under the reference Meural Canvas II 27”.
