IFA Show

Despite an affirmative announcement in February and the very best efforts of the organisers, the live, in-person IFA 2021 event has been confirmed as cancelled.  

With Munich cancelling another year and other events still looking shaky, what’s the future of the Hi-Fi show and do you want to be a part of it?  

Following a mixed digital and physical format in 2020, the IFA tech show will return as a full, in person experience this coming September, say the organisers.  

This week we review the Sony A8 OLED TV, Mulan on Disney+ and we round-up the latest news from the virtual IFA show in Germany plus wrap-up with the latest movie news and reviews...  

Optoma has announced the introduction of the CinemaX P2 ultra short throw laser projector, the follow up to last year’s debut model, the P1.  

Lighting specialist Signify has announced the addition of the Play gradient lightstrip to its Philips Hue lineup which is designed to light up the TV watching experience.  

TCL launches the TS8111 Dolby Atmos soundbar and introduces the TS61 core soundbar range.  

TCL has officially unveiled its latest Intelligent Audiovisual Processor which uses the 2nd Generation AiPQ Engine, aimed at unlocking the potential of its QLED and Mini-LED TV technologies.  

LG has announced a new model in its CineBeam 4K UHD Laser projector lineup designed to deliver an authentic movie theatre experience to consumers in the comfort of their own homes - the HU810P.  

Technics issues its Reference Class products in pursuit of delivering the ultimate in sound quality to its customers and the SU-R1000 integrated amplifier continues to evolve the company’s digital amps.  

Technics has announced the evolution of its SC-C70 All-in-One Music Player with the upcoming release of an updated version, the OTTAVA SC-C70MK2.  

Unveiled at Samsung’s IFA replacement online event are the LSP9T and LSP7T 4K Ultra Short Throw laser projectors dubbed The Premiere.  

In support of its Play-Fi based wireless ecosystem, Philips plans a range of supporting products including the upcoming W6505 and W6205 wireless speakers and the new 8000 series of soundbars featuring five models.  

The newly relaunched Fidelio range from Philips increases its premium audio membership with the L3 over ear ANC headphones.  

Philips tends to hold a little something back TV and audio wise for the second half of the year and despite the challenges thrown at the electronics industry in 2020, it has now pulled a new flagship TV out of the hat - the OLED+935.  

Philips recently relaunched its premium Fidelio range of audio products and it’s not just limited to headphones as two new high performance soundbars join the brand - the B95 and B97.  

Marantz introduces the next phase in its product development with a new look to its latest releases, the next generation MODEL 30 Integrated Amplifier and SACD 30n Network Audio Streamer and SACD Player.  

Philips has released an official statement explaining it will not be attending IFA 2020 and will instead be presenting new product releases via a series of online events.  

Although no official comment has been made by the world’s biggest TV manufacturer, word is circulating in the Korean press that Samsung will not be attending this year’s IFA.  

Back in April, the news came through from IFA organisers that they were putting plans in place for an ‘alternative approach’ to the event in light of the restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak. A few details of these new proposals have now been announced.  

IFA Berlin’s official twitter feed has confirmed that this year’s IFA exhibition will indeed take place, albeit with a new approach.  

We report back from IFA 2019 where, aside from Philips, the big manufacturers concentrated on features and tech, leaving room for some of the smaller names to announce new models.  

After success with Roku TV in the US, Hisense is bringing the smart TV operating system to the UK for the first time later in the year.  

TCL reveals the 3.1 channel Dolby Atmos RAY-DANZ soundbar and wireless subwoofer sound system that is designed to deliver a premium home audio experience with an expansive sound stage.  

Owners of current JVC D-ILA projectors DLA-NX9B, DLA-N7B and DLA-N5B/W will soon be getting a firmware update to boost HDR performance.  

Epson launches two new affordable home cinema projectors which it claims are great for viewing 4K content.  

Cambridge Audio has announced a major update to its CX range of Hi-Fi components with the CX series 2 integrated amplifiers, CXA61 and CXA81.  

Toshiba’s 2020 range of connected TVs will feature the TRU Picture Engine and have Alexa built-in, with a promise that she’ll play nicely with Google Assistant and Android TV.  

TCL launches 8K QLED and 8K Mini LED TVs which feature AI and are part of the company’s strategy to integrate multi-category smart products using artificial intelligence.  

Recently announced with plenty ceremony, Filmmaker Mode promises consumers an easy route to the creator’s vision. Panasonic says it will support the initiative in their new 2020 TVs.  

TCL announces the X10 the X81 and EC78 series TVs which variously feature Mini LED and Quantum Dot technology, Onkyo sound and TCL’s AI-IN platform.  

Without a press conference this year at IFA, Panasonic took the opportunity to show two prototype technologies - so called “MegaCon” dual layer LCD panels and Transparent OLED. With luck, they may be ready to fully exhibit at IFA 2020.  

A survey of over 8000 music fans has found that, for 75 percent of respondents, personalised sound quality options and curated playlists make for a better listening experience.  

Philips’s 2019 OLED+ range has three new members, the 984, 934, 754 and they’ll be ready for purchase as soon as next week.  

Sharp presents two new soundbars - the 2.1 HT-SBW310 Smart Soundbar and the Dolby Atmos enabled 5.1.2 HT-SBW800, which includes a wireless subwoofer.  

Like many TV makers, Sharp is using IFA to launch a new range of TVs and they present their first AQUOS models bound for Europe.  

Found in all the company’s 2019 OLED+ TVs, Philips claims that their 3rd Generation P5 Engine sets the standard for OLED TV picture quality.  

Although Philips didn't mention the OLED 754 at its press conference, this new budget 4K TV boasts all the main features and some very aggressive pricing.  

Adding to their NeoPix range of mini projectors, Philips has launched a new, Full HD version that offers a 120-inch screen size, the NeoPix Ultra.  

Philips TV has combined once again with renowned speaker maker Bowers & Wilkins to create a multi-speaker accompaniment to their latest OLED+ TVs, the 984 and 934.