[Giblets2]

Anyone have any insider knowledge of this as I'm keen to go to see a few LCDs I've had my eye on in the flesh?

Thanks in advance...

[ChrisCatch22]

Anyone got any promotional codes to get the cost down from £13.50?

Cheers

[limblee]

Anyone going?

If you want more info - www.stuffshow.co.uk

[Phil Hinton]

Neil and myself will be there all weekend to report back for the podcast which should have all the best interviews and products featured in full.
If you see us walking around (Neil tall with glasses, me small and round with recording equipment) then come up and say hello and we will get your views of the show for the 'cast.

[Phil Hinton]

You can win tickets for the show in our competition, have a look at the top of the main forum index page for details.

[irascian]

I'm going, despite being somewhat unimpressed with the show last year.

I'm looking at purchasing new Pioneer Kuros plasma and want to see it. My expectations are much lower this year and I'm regarding the admission price as simply the cost of getting the latest brochures from Pioneer and Denon and getting to see a possible purchase in the flesh.

I'm going on the Friday to avoid Phil and Neil the weekend crowds.

[monkeyleader]

I'll be heading down on the Friday. Expect a review on the blog as well as updates on twitter, kyte and Flickr !

Anyone around on the Friday evening fancy a beer?

Nige

[Babbler]

I found a code today! BOGOF - Im going friday alone though but have used code in hope of selling other ticket at half price when I get there.

Code is BGF!

Enjoy! And see you there!!!

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Hi Phil,

I might be sticking my nose in on Friday. If I see you guys I'll say hi. I've lent Chord Company my own Radiance for their room....it's not a beta hardware unit, it's an alpha unit running beta firmware but you should get an idea of how the CMS is progressing in it. Still work to be done but if you get them to swap memories on the fuji you can see defaults v as fixed as you can get just now...... Just remember it's a Chord room, not a Lumagen room so the guys there are all about the cable, not the scaler....

Gordon

[irascian]

Just got back. Seemed much quieter than last year, which actually made it much easier to get information and talk to people. Last year even on the Friday morning I couldn't get to ask questions of anyone I really wanted to, other than a Toshiba rep after waiting far too long. This time I got to speak to anyone I wanted to pretty much as soon as I got to a stand. Good for me, not sure what it means for long-term survival of the show. My concerns are pretty much the same as last year - the venue is poorly laid out, and was again badly signposted. I lost count of the number of people who couldn't find (or didn't even know) the 2nd floor or didn't even know there was anything other than what was on the ground floor. It's all there in the booklet you're given as you enter but people don't read booklets and they need more prominent signs, especially for the confusing top floor area where Sim2, Pioneer etc were, the entrance to which is hidden behind a huge wall.

Toshiba (who were there last year) and Panasonic were conspicuous by their absence but got good information from Pioneer, Denon and (shock ! horror!) Sony. Got excited at their 72" Bravia LCD, especially on hearing it cost "£2,999". Somewhat less excited when rep then corrected himself and said "Oops. I mean £29,999". Erm. Thanks but no thanks.

Blown away by the Sim2 demo (which I'd missed last year) but by the time I got to the What Hi-Fi HD demo (queues again, but nowhere near as bad as last year) I was all Transformer-ed out. I know it's supposedly a reference disk and all but the fact is it's blurry, lacking in contrast and with a camera constantly swinging all over the place. Having the whole demo dedicated to a long clip on standard DVD and then comparing it with HD-DVD seemed a bit pointless to me (and the two guys next to me who came out and said they should have shown a better scene if they wanted to show the improvement). A good "sound" demo, but a poor picture one that I think would have had the average member of the public going "There's no difference between standard DVD and HD-DVD" unless they'd really concentrated for that split-second helicopter shot of the city skyscrapers to compare the detail.

My recommendation would be to ignore the queues for the What Hi-Fi demo and go up to the 2nd floor where the queues are much shorter for the Sim2 demo - a much more impressive demo area and more varied demo's.

Thought the "fireplace that hides your big plasma using a motorised system" display on the ground floor was pretty impressive and took a brochure.

The 100" Panasonic always looks great (up on the 2nd floor), and was showing that XBox guitar hero game that seems to be being used at every show I go to (heck it was even there with some plastic guitars at a Microsoft developer conference a few weeks back).

Anyway, suddenly I'm rethinking my plans for the 60" Pioneer plasma and looking at SIM2 projectors and screens.

Could turn out to have been a very expensive day one way and another!

[Joe Sueiras]

I'd echo irascian's comments too. The What Hi-Fi demo was a bit underwhelming; the clip used was way too long and the difference between the DVD and HD-DVD versions pretty marginal. It would have been better if they'd shown a more varied selection of clips from a few different films.

The SIM2 demo is always good value and this time was no exception - there were certainly a few "oohs" from the audience when the super-sized cinemascope screen came down!

As regards the layout, Sony's room on the Mezzanine floor was a challenge to find. Turns out they had "technical problems" and weren't able to put on any demos. Shame - I was hoping to see their new projectors. (In fact, it looked like there was no-one there at all).

And yes, Toshiba was missing as was Sharp, who were both there last year. LG had the BH100 "Super Multi Blue" player on show, but not the new BH200 model (although I didn't ask about it).

High points for me were SIM2, the CSE/Infocus and Epson stands, and the other Sony stand which was showing several of their LCD sets, including the 70". Pioneer's Kuro plasmas look excellent and I also had a good mooch around the Denon and Marantz rooms.

But, generally, the show was disappointing. Not sure I'll bother next year.

Joe.

[Babbler]

Just got back myself

Agree it was a lot quieter than last year - but then I did go on a Sunday last year!

Was surprised Tosh werent there. Not so many tellys this year - LG and Sony being the only stands there really.

Got to play the F1 racing on the big screen which was great fun - though my 3 lap time ofr 5.02 min wasnt...

Was impressed by the wireless ball controller coming to the PS2 but then thought they were just trying to imitate Wii - not a bad thing I guess.

Bought some Supra cable for my surround sound (cant afford Chord really). 20% off show special!

Denon and Cambridge Audio had some impressive displays as well! Including the Denon DHT-FS3 single piece SRS system. £700 quid though!!

Elonex had some cheapies - including an all in one stereo/tv/usb/freeview system. They only wanted £129 which wasnt too bad!

Finally - Pure had their new DAB in-car add on on display. £70 which isnt at all that bad! Looked good and can be used on the go as well as in the car. May invest in the future (out here in December).

All in all not as good as last year but still lots of fun! Made me wish I had some moola! lol.

Enjoy it!

[Babbler]

Forgot to mention - with the BGF code I thought Id be cheeky and try for 2 free tickets from the drop down when ordering 1 paid for. It worked! I got 3 tickets for £13.50

Wonder if I could have just selected the free ones... hmmm...

[irascian]

Does anyone know what HD-DVD/Blu-Ray the first clip they used was from? The one that featured a duet between a young guy and Tony Bennet?

Have to get that one, but don't know what it is.

[Joe Sueiras]

Originally Posted by irascian

Does anyone know what HD-DVD/Blu-Ray the first clip they used was from? The one that featured a duet between a young guy and Tony Bennet?

Have to get that one, but don't know what it is.

The young guy was Michael Buble. A quick Google has turned up this:

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/tony...anclassic.html

Joe.

[sol_prior]

I too thought it was much quieter than last year, and there just didn't seem to be as much in your face pushing of High Definition this year - no Toshiba or Sky.

To be fair to What Hi Fi the demo was really geared more towards the relatively under advertised improvements in the audio side of the new disk formats than the video - as evidenced by the large stack of Arcam power amps by the door - about 12 iirc.

The "highlight" for me were the medieval torture devices dressed up as massage chairs in the Stuff hall. £5 a go - somewhat painful during the process, but boy did I feel better afterwards - at least until I found out the price (normally £5300, but a snip during the show at £3800.

Hi to all, this is my first post on this site in a while....

Yes I also went to the show today (Saturday) boy was it crap this year....

What’s going on I went on a Sunday last year and it was busier!!!

£15 for the show is allot of money compared to just £6 for the Hi-Fi news show at Heathrow back in September and I have been attending the What Hi-Fi show for the past 4 years and I must say last years was way better .

Only half of the big names were there and what about all the accessories just Chord and Surpa was and some stand selling Ipod accessories type thing that I can get down Camden Town market …

Where was Qed , Merlin and all the other that were there last year . I saved up over £100 to spend on some new cables for my Hi-Fi this year and walked out the show empty handed apart form the free samples something wrong there. The whole point of these show is to entice people to spend some money coming up to Christmas.

What makes the What Hi-fi show great is apart from having several great demo's is coming out the place with some nice goodies to try when I get home as I have done so for the past 4 years.


Yamaha were not there and Arcam had a crap stand down stairs last year Arcam had there best room and some great kit on demo. All it was Naim Sony Denon Marantz oh and just two speaker’s manufactures or so.

Where was Mission, Tannoy project Turntables, Epos looking at my old 2006 booklet from last year.


Last year I spent around 2 or so hours just walking around chatting and having some great demos on the new kit on the block from Yamaha ,Denon Arcam and Marantz and many more . This year I did the lot in 45min's and ready to leave I do hope this is not the case for next year other wise I will not bother anymore . The Hi-Fi news show back in September was better than the What Hi-Fi show of this year.



I ended up going down to HMV and spending my money on a load of new cd's instead ... Sort it out guys!!!!

Going to calm down and listen to the new Robert Plant cd that I brought from HMV this afternoon..

[teched whfsv]

Originally Posted by Marcd51

Where was Mission,

On the second floor

Originally Posted by Marcd51

Tannoy

On the second floor

Originally Posted by Marcd51

project Turntables

On the main What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision exhibition floor

[meltonboy]

I went along yesterday and this was my first time at such a show, so i don't have a comparison point. Here are my quick ups and downs, but bear in mind that i'm an amatuer in this

Blown Away

SIM2 projector demo. I hadnt really ever seen a good projector before as until yesterday, i always thought of rubbish ones in pubs. Awesome ! the step to show anamorphic and the "grand prix" hddvd was my favourite moment of the show, followed by the final demo showing "hot fuzz".

Highly impressed

The Pioneer kuro screens, especially the main demo - together with the Dolby true HD sound clips.

The cyrus demo, using war of the worlds on stage. Sounded lovely.

Epson Projector demo using Pirates.

The top of the range shure earphones, although not THAT much better than my E4c's.

Quite Liked

The what hifi demo, although i thought it was too long to spend on one film.

The plasma in a fireplace idea.

People playing guitar hero on the giant panny.

Dissapointed

Dolby 5.1 headphones

The denon room. Being a fan i went there, but couldnt actaully see any of the main av range in action, so that was no better than looking in a shop window. And no sign of that blu-ray player yet

Absence of Toshiba and onkyo (unless i missed them).

No real 'freebies' to speak of.

Didn't bump into the AVforums guys and have 60 seconds of fame on the next podcast

Although i can't comment on the comparison with other shows, i found it a reasonable way to spend an afternoon and 15 quid, although i would rather attend a show that's bigger and pay a bit more if needed.

Cheers

MB

Hi Their, So Tannoy and Mission had their own rooms????

The only stand that I could see where these speakers were on one of the floors just lined up...

Last year I was able to see Mission and Tannoy and quite a few other companies in there own rooms and were able to ask questions to there reps about there new range of speakers about to come out .

Project are part of Henley Designs and had there own room last year what about Epos as well ...common you can not tell me this year was not bad!!!

Hi-Fi news had all these manufactures back in Septembers show at Heathrow and they and most of these companies have appeared at Hammersmith the past 4 years I have been attending the What Hi-Fi show.

What about some of the bigger more discrete name's that deal with the high end of the spectrum Shanling Audio as an example ..Music Fidelity whom deal with the Valves amps and cd players they were and quite a few more were there last year .

£15 for the ticket should have been £8 for what they had to offer and yes hardly any free bits...

Qed had there own stand last year as well as Merlin Cables and many more...

Not some stand that had the manufactures names on them hanging down and no were to look at what Qed had to offer for sale I was quite startled by this and Qed are one of the biggest cable firms around.

I visited the show this morning. £15 to get in! Is What HiFi making a lot of money!
Smaller and less exhibitors than last year. Many big names missing.Do others have a view?

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by Marcd51

Hi Their, So Tannoy and Mission had their own rooms????

The only stand that I could see where these speakers were on one of the floors just lined up...

Last year I was able to see Mission and Tannoy and quite a few other companies in there own rooms and were able to ask questions to there reps about there new range of speakers about to come out .

Project are part of Henley Designs and had there own room last year what about Epos as well ...common you can not tell me this year was not bad!!!

Hi-Fi news had all these manufactures back in Septembers show at Heathrow and they and most of these companies have appeared at Hammersmith the past 4 years I have been attending the What Hi-Fi show.

What about some of the bigger more discrete name's that deal with the high end of the spectrum Shanling Audio as an example ..Music Fidelity whom deal with the Valves amps and cd players they were and quite a few more were there last year .

£15 for the ticket should have been £8 for what they had to offer and yes hardly any free bits...

Qed had there own stand last year as well as Merlin Cables and many more...

Not some stand that had the manufactures names on them hanging down and no were to look at what Qed had to offer for sale I was quite startled by this and Qed are one of the biggest cable firms around.

Mission were listed as IAG (the parent company) as they were exhibiting with Audiolab. The Tannoy room similarly was listed as Icon Distribution. Both were on the second floor. Pro-ject have only ever attended as part of Henley on the ground floor. Epos do not routinely attend shows and I recall the Mike Creek is currently concentrating on getting his Windsor turntable into production. Similarly, QED is part of Armour who were pushing their Q-Acoustics range instead this time. There were QED cables on stand.

With regards to the HiFi News show, as it is a much more stereo oriented exhibition, it stands to reason that MF and Shanling (to say nothing of the High End importers) will go to that show and not this one. They exist for different reasons and are aimed at different audiences.

[per-Sony-fied]

Poodled along on Saturday just because someone mentioned it here on these forums. This seems a rather late in the year show & I'm sure later than the exhibition that took place last year which I've a feeling contributed towards it's rather quiet nature?

Now normally I find a decent show needs a whole weekend to puruse around with the things that are going on but this show took just 5 hrs for me, which in some hindsight is good as I'd overslept! & had a fair distance to travel (should take some zzzz's earlier in the evening ).

Demonstrations on the whole were pretty low key & of the order low to middling equipment. Products that stood out for me were the Sim2, awsome but well pricey when you configure everything into the equation. The sound from the Icon room & the Pioneer 428XD showing trailers in the Pioneer room along with thier CD PD-D6 & speaker combination (IA-6?, forgot) which came as a big surprise for me, well worthy of a 2nd listen. Finally Sony had a CD/HDD machine capable of copying all audio material(except SACD ) from either the player or via a USB or network link & came in at a respectable £400 if I remember correctly.

Also worth a mention is TVX which is a HD AV jukebox which can store hours of fun on a 1TB (max) hard drive which unfortunately does not come supplied as standard.

As a final note the Pioneer 428XD plasma was found in many nook & crannies around the show & was actually side by side a Panny 42XP70? on the outside of the What HiFi demo room. I googled at both for some time, while niether looked correctly set up the Panny had the better black shading in dark areas & the Pioneer looked just to dark (urgh!) & over contrast, a complete opposite to the 427XD that Pioneer previously sold.... have they just gone to mad with black levels?

[nehalem]

Very poor this year, comapred to previous years. Not many big name CE brands there. I'd be suprised if there is another show next year - I certainly won't bother going unless it improves markedly. Its sad that this is in effect the biggest gagdet/tech show in the UK.

[Greggles]

I went on Friday afternoon (after saying last year that I would never go again) primarily to have a play with a UK iPhone and to see what accessories are available for it (I will be picking one up this Friday). Following all the publicity I was disappointed not to see anyat the show, apart from at the Shure headphone stand where they were demonstrating their MDA (Music Phone adapter) lead. The MDA allows any headphones to be used with the recessed socket on the iPhone while the inbuilt microphone and control buttons replicates the functions on the hideous Apple ear buds.

http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups...fact_sheet.pdf

[TheBoingoBandit]

The point about the price being £15 compared to the Heathrow show's £6 is a good one.

It seems that the organisors of the Hammersmith show seem to still think it is the same show as it's predecessor Live/Stuff Live which was a full blown exibition held at Olympia, Earls Court and once at the NEC.

I visit shows taking up huge exibition hals such as the Ideal Home Show, the Motorcycle show and the Classic car show and can see where my money goes. Why does Haymarket expect the same cash for a much smaller showcase taking up a tiny percentage of a large hotel's space?

Maybe Stuff and What Hi-Fi needs to be split into two shows with Stuff being at a exibition centre again (and aimed at the mass market) and What Hi-Fi being a dedicated enthusiasts show. Better still since What Hi-Fi have involvement with it anyway, rename the February Bristol Show. Maybe, another organisor needs to put on a rival to the Best of Stuff show.

I went on the Sunday and spent a non-rushed three hours there. Enjoyable no doubt, but I went to the recent Heathrow show and could not comfortably squeeze in the show despite having four hours to play with.

I found the show to be lacking in visitors and large areas which had been occupied by exibitors last year were empty this time round.

I look forward to and usually enjoy the annual show, but could Sunday's have been the last?

[TheBoingoBandit]

Originally Posted by TheBoingoBandit

Maybe, another organisor needs to put on a rival to the Best of Stuff show.

Looks like someone beat me to it!



http://www.chestergroup.org/icts/



I'll be there!

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by Marcd51

Hi-Fi news had all these manufactures back in Septembers show at Heathrow and they and most of these companies have appeared at Hammersmith the past 4 years I have been attending the What Hi-Fi show.

To be correct it was not THE Hi-Fi news show. This year it went a miss possibly because Steve Harris fell ill. A great shame on both parts.

The Hi-Fi show back in Septemember was organised by the Chestergroup. Still a little sibling compared to the Hi-Fi news show but growing all the time.Guessing it's possible that there was more presence this year due to the lack of the other.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by TheBoingoBandit

Looks like someone beat me to it!


http://www.chestergroup.org/icts/

I'll be there!

That sounds like a lot of tech & a lot of noise, almost a Ideal home show without the houses .

They as yet have still not thought through the opening times which still are not long enough especially for something planing on being so big.

Originally Posted by Astracouple

I visited the show this morning. £15 to get in! Is What HiFi making a lot of money!
Smaller and less exhibitors than last year. Many big names missing.Do others have a view?

In short, this show will not and does not deserve to continue the way it has degenerated.

The cost is ludicrous - as for charging customers £15 when they can get there late morning and then a couple of hours later charging them another £15 for the pm - words fail me - I wrote to all key email addresses to appeal - zero response - booking staff were also embarassed by the rip-off.

The Show was more of a farce than last year -- Stuff Live????????????!!!! - Stuffed Dead, more like - what was there a couple of $10 toys on the landing and bu**er all else

Plasma and LCD manufacturers? - Less than 20% booked - same with PJs - utter, utter farce.

CEDIA is also ludicrously priced - rip off Britain alive and well, customer satisfaction? - Ancient history...........

Day out cost me over £60 and i could see a far better selection 200 yds down the road at Currys (home cinema and innovation)