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EISA Awards 2006/2007 (29/8/2006)

EISA Awards 2006/2007 - Audio & Home Theater Panel

EUROPEAN AUDIO PLAYER Marantz SA7001
The Marantz SA7001 is a disc player dedicated to music for stereo lovers, able to read Compact Disc and the two-channel layer of Super Audio CDs. The construction of this product is taken seriously - its drive mechanism is carefully isolated against vibrations with a decoupled chassis, and the output stages use exclusively discrete components enclosed inside a Marantz current-feedback HDAM module. For digital-to-analogue conversion, it uses the same 24/192 'Super DAC' as fitted to the more costly SA-15. This player brings a superb and realistic sense of life to the music - the stereo image is well-focused, high frequencies have good definition and midband is magnificently warm and smooth.

EUROPEAN TURNTABLE Pro-Ject RPM 9.1
Despite its stylish look, the Pro-Ject RPM 9.1's performance is far ahead of lower-priced trendy turntables which are appearing during this renaissance of pure analogue hi-fi. The heavy construction consists of a rigid high-gloss finish plinth, topped with a thick platter of clear acrylic. Both materials fit perfectly together in terms of sound and reduce resonance. To keep unwanted noise away from the chassis the motor is built in an external housing. It drives the platter via a soft rubber belt. In addition, the one-piece carbon-fiber tone arm can handle a wide range of quality cartridges, and offers high stability with low mass. Quality features such as the high-precision platter bearing deliver a convincing, dynamic and natural sound from your beloved vinyl.

EUROPEAN TWO-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER Denon PMA-1500AE
It's not everyday that we see a company launching a stereo amplifier of audiophile quality so the Denon PMA-1500AE is a very welcome addition for all consumers who strive for the best quality in two-channel reproduction. The output power of 140W per channel into 4 ohm should be enough for even the most demanding loudspeakers, thanks to the use of latest generation UHC MOSFETs at the output stage and a leakage canceling power supply transformer. Bandwidth extends to 100kHz and the full set of inputs includes Phono for easy integration with a turntable. It's not easy to find anything comparable at this price level, when one has in consideration build quality and the neutrality and transparency of the reproduced sound.

EUROPEAN LOUDSPEAKER B&W CM1
B&W's CM1 is a masterpiece in the audiophile class of mini-monitor loudspeaker. Physically small but big-hearted, the CM1 plays music with passion, having a full-bodied bass with fresh, clean and sweet highs. The acoustic concept is based on a minimalist first-order crossover using a carefully selected high-grade capacitor, united to the now-familiar B&W Kevlar and aluminum diaphragms drivers, here tuned to work at its optimum with the purer type of filtering. And the look of CM1 perfectly suits its sound - a simple, traditional shape of box, beautifully finished in natural veneers in fashionable colors, with polished aluminum rings to complement its drive units. The CM1 gives more than a touch of high-end quality at a comparatively modest price.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END AUDIO PRODUCT Linn MAJIK System
With the Majik System, comprising a CD player, KONTROL pre-amplifier and 2100 power amp, Linn gives a clear statement for the traditional enjoyment of two-channel music. In this new series, classic yet at the same time modern, sonic and engineering aspects combine perfectly with housings of elegant design and solid craftsmanship. Convenience to the user is delivered by the intelligent link between units, all under the control of a single remote handset. A big plus is the option to integrate the MAJIK components into a Linn multi-room system with nearly unlimited possibilities. Vinyl lovers will find a newly-developed, excellent sounding phono input for MM or MC cartridges. Linn's "majikal" trio is real "high-end" from every point of view, despite its reasonable price point. Don't let the minimalist look mislead you. The Linns reveal the pure magic in music.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END LOUDSPEAKER Jamo R 909
With the sculptural R 909 speaker, Jamo's development engineers have demonstrated what they are capable of delivering, when cost is no object, and only the best components and materials are good enough. The R 909 is among very few speakers that work without a box enclosure, which normally makes it difficult to reproduce low frequencies. So, a pair of high-efficiency 15-inch bass drivers and an ingenious crossover is Jamo's response to this challenge, and since there is no ordinary box-generated resonance, the R 909's sound is free of cabinet coloration, stunningly unrestrained, crisp and dynamic. This large speaker comes with an exemplary finish and superior attention to detail - an impressive "high-end" statement, which deserves the best amplifier that a demanding music lover can afford.

EUROPEAN COMPACT SYSTEM JVC EX-A10E
The design of this micro system not only attracts the eye with its aesthetics but also the ear with its impressive audio performance. The brushed aluminum finish of the main unit is matched to bi-amplified wood-cone speakers, optimized by having separately-powered tweeters and mid/bass drivers. Capable of filling a small room with sound, this system includes many modern functions, not only playing CD and DVD discs, but it's also able to read MP3, JPEG and WMA files. To enhance sound quality further, the system uses JVC's K2 technology for both uncompressed and compressed sources, giving a flavor of high-resolution sound. This JVC micro system has the best acoustic performance that you can find in its price category.

EUROPEAN HT SYSTEM Samsung HT-XQ100
Good design does not always come together with necessary features and impressive sound quality, but the Samsung HT-XQ100 truly encompasses a wide variety of qualities: beautiful design in pearl white or piano black, 500W power output, plus HDMI upscaling of video outputs, up to the 1080i specification. Practically all kinds of audio and video discs can be played and the USB Host feature allows the direct connection of a wide variety of external devices, facilitating its playback of DivX, MPEG4. MP3, WMA and JPEG. The amplification is fully digital and there is also the possibility of complementing the HT-XQ100 with a wireless module, which easily allows a wire-free connection to the additional loudspeakers.

EUROPEAN HT RECEIVER Yamaha RX-V659
In terms of sound quality and features, the Yamaha RX-V659 offers everything you would demand from a one-box AV receiver in this price range - plus a lot more. It boasts a full 7.1-channel architecture, with decoders for both DTS 96/24 and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, as well as Dolby Digital EX and Pro Logic IIx. Internal video conversion allows the flexibility the modern home theatre enthusiast needs, while YPAO Automatic System Calibration makes accurate speaker set-up a straightforward operation. Yamaha's Compressed Music Enhancer gives the user even more opportunities, and useful iPod compatibility is provided via the optional YDS-10 docking station.

EUROPEAN HT LOUDSPEAKER KEF KHT3005
With design considerations now a priority for loudspeaker manufacturers, KEF continues to offer striking modern sub/sat loudspeaker systems with its all-new KHT3005 speaker system. This package provides easy living room integration, along with an immersive sound experience. The revised 114mm UniQ drivers in the satellites, using KEF's patented sealed-suspension technology, provide a clean and powerful sound, while the dedicated HTC3001 center speaker is augmented with two additional mid/bass drivers to support the coaxial main driver, promoting better dialogue reproduction. Supporting these, the versatile HTB2 subwoofer with its 10-inch driver and passive radiator, delivers more controlled bass than you might expect from such a compact and attractive enclosure.

EUROPEAN HT HIGH-END SYSTEM NAD Masters Series (M55/M15/M25)
For "high-end" home theater, the combination of the NAD M55 universal disc player, M15 processor and M25 multichannel amplifier is the perfect choice. The M55 player can play CD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, SACD and MP3 - and thanks to a Faroudja DCDi chip, it's able to upscale any video source to 720p or 1080i via HDMI. Its 12-bit/216MHz video converters allow you to experience stunning pictures from component video. The brain in the system, the NAD M15 surround processor with HDMI video switching, able to decode practically every home theater sound formats, and is upgradeable for future compatibility. Completing the set, the M25 is a 7 x 160W power amplifier, delivering rock-solid home cinema experiences with enough power to lift your roof, yet with all the fine detail to satisfy even most demanding audiophile.

EUROPEAN HT INNOVATION LG Flat Wall-Mountable Projector
Sometimes a simple idea can provide the solution to a familiar problem, even if it may need a lot of work to put the idea into a real product. And LG has done it - this innovative projector series is designed to be discreetly and easily hung on the rear wall, behind the seating position. A small and flat box does not disturb the arrangements of the living room, but to reach that goal, the optical system had to be completely redesigned - and all of that is LG's original concept and engineering. Good picture quality is maintained in this special way of installation, opening the door to video display solutions for a whole new category of customer who would not normally be able to accomodate a projector in the living room.

EUROPEAN HT DESIGN Loewe Individual
German television specialist Loewe always strives for the perfect combination of design and quality in its products. With the Loewe Individual LCD televisions, using 'HD-ready' panels, the customer has a choice of customizable side panels in different colors and materials, including one glitzy limited edition option that includes genuine Swarovski crystal trim. A choice of stands and mounts is also available to match. The accompanying Individual Sound System can be ordered with corresponding color combinations and uses the TV's integrated speakers for center channel sound reproduction, thus reducing the installation effort for the customer and completing one of the most aesthetically pleasing home theater solutions for the living room available today.

EUROPEAN HD-COMPONENT Pioneer PDP-5000EX
Pioneer, the plasma display specialist, has made the market's first 50-inch plasma display with full 1920 x 1080 progressive resolution, with pixels so small that they are almost invisible. A conservatively rated contrast ratio of 3000:1 gives unsurpassed picture quality, even when viewing the screen from extreme angles. With DVI, component and standard video inputs, as well as two HDMI inputs, you get all the connections you need. And you only need to hook a TV tuner and a set of loudspeakers to transform the Pioneer PDP-5000EX into a stunning TV set with impressing screen size of 50 inches.

EUROPEAN VIDEO PROJECTOR InFocus IN76
The InFocus IN76 is not the usual square box that you would want to hide from view, but a very fine design with a futuristic aesthetic, all finished with great precision. But more than that, it is a very high picture quality DLP projector that can bring into your room bright and vivid images up to 720p resolution, and bigger than that possible from any current flat screen technology. Thanks to its very precise factory setup, high-definition video has never been so accessible.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END VIDEO PROJECTOR Sony VPL-VW100
Directly derived from the gorgeous Qualia 004, and even improving on that high-end statement in some aspects, the VPL-VW100 pushes the limits for a true, uncompromised high-definition image, at an incredibly reasonable price. Based on a trio of latest-generation SXRD panels (each with Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution), the VPL-VW100 combines top-specification all-glass optics from legendary German manufacturer Carl Zeiss with an exclusive variable-iris Xenon lamp, the preferred option for professional applications. Combined with Sony's advanced proprietary video processing circuits and a sophisticated set-up software system, the VPL-VW100 establishes a new reference in domestic video projection, to create the best home cinema experience available on earth.

EISA Awards 2006/2007 - Convergence

EUROPEAN GREEN TELEVISION Philips 42PF7621D
Per square inch of its large screen size, the Philips 42PF7621D uses a mere 0.228W of power, making the energy-consumption an impressive 15% less than that of its nearest competitor for EISA's Green Award. It is by no means a lightweight design, with its large PCB and oversized power transformer, but this is all in the interest of its impressively low energy consumption. Although all LCD screens contain hazardous mercury in the backlight tubes (which is legally allowed), the Philips design allows for relative easy disassembly for separate treatment. And if, from a purely scientific perspective, energy consumption was required to count for more than the currently reflected 50% of the lifecycle environmental impact, this Philips LCD set would win an even clearer victory.

EUROPEAN MEDIA PHONE Nokia N93
A mobile phone can nowadays be much more than just a calling device and the N93 is a perfect example of a multimedia computer that can fit in your hands. The 3.2 MegaPixel camera can shoot high-quality still pictures as well as MPEG4 video, up to 30fps (640 x 480 resolution), and these pictures can be easily viewed or edited on a television or computer screen using the supplied TV-out cable and Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 software. Internet connection is possible through Wi-Fi or GSM EDGE and the internal 50MB memory can be complemented with the use of hot-swap miniSD cards. The digital music player with equalizer supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA, while the built-in FM radio adds to its convenience for everyday use. You can even directly print your pictures using the integrated WLAN/UpnP, PictBridge or Bluetooth capabilities.

EUROPEAN PERSONAL MEDIA PLAYER Apple iPod
While the iPod may have grown up to be a cultural icon in recent years, today there's much more to it than just playing music. Apple's latest iPod is available in huge 30GB and 60GB capacities, yet remains incredibly slim and pocket-friendly. As well as displaying album art or a personal photo library, either on its 2.5-inch full-color LCD screen or when connected to a large TV screen, it also has the capability of playing full-motion video, linking perfectly to the fascinating new world of video pod casting. Quality of audio and video replay is to a truly high standard, and just like its audio-only forebears, the latest iPod with video integrates effortlessly with the iTunes Music Store, the world's most popular Internet music shop.

EUROPEAN STREAMING CONCEPT Sony Location Free LF-PK1 + PSP
Enjoy your home's AV system virtually anywhere in the world, over a broadband Internet connection. At home, simply connect your AV system and an Internet line to the Location Free unit, and the system will integrate into your home's wired or wireless network, ready to stream audio and video content around your house. On the go, the Location Free can do the same via broadband Internet. You can enjoy your media by using a PC, a Lap-Top, a Wi-Fi enabled phone or a PSP anywhere in the world. One streaming concept is to use a Sony PSP in order to enjoy your local TV channels via a wireless hot-spot... globally. In addition you can change channels, pause, or start recording on your components at home using the on-screen universal remote. The quality of sound and picture depends of Internet line speed, but Location Free will automatically use the maximum bit-rate available in each situation.

EUROPEAN MEDIABOOK Samsung Q1
Featuring full compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP and the ability to touch, write, or type, the Samsung Q1 is a highly compact companion PC with 40GB HDD that lets you communicate and stay entertained wherever life takes you. Take your music, photos, and TV shows anywhere you go. Download music and movies wirelessly. The 7-inch touch-screen allows all the usual features of a notebook computer, like surfing websites and chatting with VoIP telephony. Wireless connectivity is well catered for with both 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth onboard, allowing you to get connected via a hotspot, or through a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. The Q1 also has a AV Now mode, which handily allows you to play media without even having to boot Windows. The Samsung Q1 makes an excellent portable media center, with good sound and image quality, while it also serves as a beautiful editor and organizer of digital pictures.

EISA Awards 2006/2007 - Mobile Electronics Panel

EUROPEAN MOBILE AUDIO HEAD UNIT Pioneer DEH-P88RS
This was once thought impossible: most of the features refined in the top notch ODR system, all squeezed into a standard DIN housing, including state-of-the art DSP with multi-band equalizer, fully-programmable crossover and a sophisticated time correction system. Moreover, this has been supplemented by an automatic sound adjustment feature, plus an industry first with the Advanced Segment DAC using Burr-Brown components. Keeping this unit compact and easy to install, Pioneer also took care of the price tag, making "affordable high-end" a reality.

EUROPEAN MOBILE A/V HEAD UNIT JVC KW-AVX700/706
JVC's KW-AVX700/706 in silver or black finish is a 2-DIN size audio/video head unit with a 6.5-inch display. It will play CD, MP3 and WMA files and additionally makes the most of the DVD format. Supporting DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DivX, and with a proprietary GIGA MP3 MULTI feature, the unit will also play music files recorded on DVD-R, benefiting from the format's large storage capacity. Data flexibility is further enhanced by a slot for an SD memory card behind a motorized front panel. The display even works also as rear view monitor if needed. A built-in multichannel decoder supports DTS and Dolby Digital, and Dolby ProLogic II decoding brings surround-sound to normal stereo music. The KW-AVX700/706's DSP features an equalizer, subwoofer crossover and adjustable time delays. With all these features available at a reasonable price, this unit is a real bargain.

EUROPEAN MOBILE AMPLIFIER Audison LRx 6.9
Audison LRx 6.9 is the synthesis of new ideas in the field of dedicated car amplifiers. With six channels of the same power but different current capabilities, it introduces several novel concepts that really make the LRx a "next generation" device. It features a changeable and reversible input module, to allow hidden or visible connections (Easy Common Interface); a fully-guided set-up process (Easy Set-up), enhanced modular concept (Modular SoundProof Construction), adaptive heat control system (Smart Air Flow) and an intelligent protection circuitry (Amplifier Management System). In total, the LRx 6.9 is a great step forward in the art of mobile amplification.

EUROPEAN MOBILE SPEAKER SYSTEM Morel Supremo 6
This audiophile two-way mobile loudspeaker system clearly stands out from the crowd. Its Hybrid motor system, external under hung Hexatec aluminum voice-coil and die-cast Uniflow chassis are only a few of the exclusive features of the Supremo woofer. Known as the Supremo Piccolo, the tweeter uses an oversized 28mm Acuflex soft dome allied to a lightweight Hexatech voice-coil, and has an extremely low resonant frequency of 800Hz. There is no passive crossover in the system as it's explicitly designed to work in bi-amplified configuration to exploit the full potential of these accomplished drive units.

EUROPEAN MOBILE SUBWOOFER Ground Zero GZPW 15SPL
Ground Zero's GZPW 15SPL is not only a subwoofer for SPL competitions but a perfect tool for the ultimate in low-frequency music reproduction. Carefully selected parts like the composite cone, the virtually indestructible voice-coil and a 4-layer suspension guarantee the finest reliability. With a motor engineered using the latest optimization and measuring technologies, the result is perfect control at any sound pressure level - high-quality sound meets competition power.

EUROPEAN NAVI-MEDIA SYSTEM Pioneer AVIC-HD1BT
Pioneer AVIC-HD1BT is the most advanced navigation and multimedia system on the market. A true integrated voice controlled all-in-one unit built inside 2-DIN size chassis, it includes a very powerful, fast and easy-to-use navigation system using accurate detailed maps and numerous POIs stored on its internal 30GB HDD. Advanced software, graphical interface and touch screen operation make it very easy and fast to use. You can also use it as a full-scale entertainment unit: play your favourite music from CDs in almost every possible formats, watch movies from DVD using 7 inch touch-screen display or just listen to radio. Music from CDs can be stored on the internal HDD and is even named automatically. You can have full control of your mobile phone via Bluetooth connection. The finest and the most advanced product of its kind available today.

EUROPEAN PORTABLE NAVIGATION Garmin nŸvi 360
The nŸvi 360 is the latest street navigation system from GPS specialist Garmin. Its outstanding functionality makes it the ideal companion for every journey, as besides the trusted reliability of the Garmin navigation, it also offers masses of useful features. To mention only a few, there is the integrated MP3 player, picture viewer, automatic translator, a world-time clock, calculator, travel guide and a Bluetooth hands-free unit for use with a mobile phone. Despite this complex functionality, the Garmin nŸvi remains very easy to use, thanks to its touchscreen interface and clear menu structures. This highly compact navigation system, which can be installed in your car within a minute, takes away the stress of finding the correct route in most European countries.

EUROPEAN MOBILE INNOVATION Alpine Vehicle Hub Pro VPA-B222R
Is it possible to add a sophisticated multimedia system to a today's car without altering OEM equipment or the vehicle's bus system? The answer is now yes, thanks to Alpine's Perfect F.I.T. (Factory Integration Technology) concept. The sleek hideaway "brain" of the system literally opens the gate in the vehicle's data and electric system for a virtually unlimited list of advanced and upgradable multimedia components, optionally taking advantage of Alpine's proprietary Ai-Net bus system, while not being limited to it. The only visible part of this technological miracle is a stylish and ergonomical commander with a unique tactile response.

EISA Awards 2006/2007 - Photo Panel

EUROPEAN HIGH-END PHOTO SYSTEM Hasselblad H2D-39
Hasselblad have created a new standard for digital image quality for professional photographers with the introduction of the world's first 39 million-pixel DSLR camera. The H2D-39 includes a wide range of revolutionary features, all designed to meet professional needs, including Digital APO Correction technology to compensate for any chromatic aberration. Additionally, this 39 million-pixel autofocus DSLR is supported by high-quality, specially-designed lenses.

EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL CAMERA Canon EOS 5D
The Canon EOS 5D is the first full-frame sensor digital SLR available for an affordable price. Its effective 12.8 million-pixels, in conjunction with the full-frame sensor, allows the user to make quite large digital prints without compromising image quality. Furthermore, users can take advantage of a bright viewfinder and shallow depth of field. It is an excellent camera for both professionals and semi professionals.

EUROPEAN CAMERA Nikon D200
The Nikon D200 is a semi-professional DSLR with a 10.2 million-pixel CCD that sets a new standard in this class of camera. The relationship between price and performance is extremely attractive. The Nikon D200 will satisfy both the advanced amateur and the professional photographer in most areas. The balance between noise, sharpness, dynamics and color reproduction is 100% optimized for professional photography and image processing.

EUROPEAN CONSUMER CAMERA Sony Alpha 100
With its 10 million-pixel CCD, the Sony Alpha 100 has taken a large leap into the market of digital SLRs. It has very useful functions like Super SteadyShot, (which reduces camera shake) and their Anti-Dust System, which operates every time the camera is turned off. Thanks to its Bionz image engine, it is now possible to reduce noise and improve colour and detail reproduction, and a Dynamic Range Optimizer function is provided for better backlight shots in difficult lighting conditions. The Alpha 100 is the first of a projected Sony DSLR system that includes a wide range of accessories and more than 21 different lenses.

EUROPEAN COMPACT CAMERA Samsung NV10
The Samsung NV10 is the flagship of a new series of truly compact but robust cameras which including a groundbreaking new design concept called 'blue ring'. It features offer the highest level of image quality on a compact camera, along with a new and practical interactive interface, providing user-friendly features. It's equipped with a 10.1 million-pixel CCD sensor of 1/1.8-inch, a Schneider-Kreuznach 3x optical zoom and a bright, clear 2.5-inch LCD. All this is wrapped up in a slim, black aluminum body which incorporates an anti-shake system.

EUROPEAN POCKET CAMERA Olympus µ 720 SW
The Olympus µ 720 SW is a pocket camera that is designed to withstand the knocks of family use. Its shock-proof design means its body can withstand a fall from the table, up to 1.5 meters. Taking pictures underwater to a depth of up to 3 meters is also possible, without the aid of an extra waterproof body. Even as a pocket camera the µ 720 SW looks good: it offers a 2.5-inch display, 3x zoom and a resolution of 7.1 million-pixels. It is only the the size of a pack of cigarettes and weighing only 149g, it can be easily carried in the pocket of a jacket.

EUROPEAN ZOOM CAMERA Fujifilm FinePix S5600
The Fujifilm Finepix S5600 delivers a strong performance at an affordable price. The compact, SLR-style body is equipped with a fast fixed 10x zoom lens. Fuji's Super CCD HR delivers excellent resolution, even higher than that expected for a 5 million-pixel CCD. The innovative Real-Photo-Technology reduces noise very effectively and allows ISO sensitivities up to 1600. For the enthusiast photographer the Finepix offers aperture- and shutter-priority metering, as well as fully manual.

EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL LENS Olympus Digital Top Pro Zuiko Lenses
The Olympus Zuiko range of lenses for the FourThirds system now offer a Top Pro series which includes three zooms and two prime lenses: ED 7-14 mm f/4.0, ED 35-100 mm f/2.0, ED 90-250 mm f/2.8, ED 150 mm f/2 and ED 300 mm f/2.8. These compact and robust lenses are perfect choices for sports, event or nature photography. Enthusiasts and professional photographers can now reach top performance with this light and compact equipment range.

EUROPEAN CONSUMER LENS Tamron SP AF 17 - 50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD
Tamron's latest lens brings a new level of performance in optical design. It is a very compact all-round lens for everyday use. It is very fast, providing an aperture of 2.8 at all focal lengths and yet it is still light and very easy to handle. It focuses quickly with no hunting. Furthermore, its low price makes it very attractive for enthusiasts on a budget.

EUROPEAN PHOTO PRINTER Canon PIXMA iP6600D
The Canon PIXMA iP6600D is a high-speed photo printer with a excellent quality for a good price. It is based on bubble jet technology and makes use of six different inks. The ink droplets are 1 picolitre small, allowing good printing accuracy and a high resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi. This makes the PIXMA iP6600 a good choice for both enthusiasts and semi-professional photographers. Furthermore this A4 printer features a second paperfeed, plus an extra feed to print onto CD-R discs. Printouts can be made via Pictbridge directly from the camera or from the memory-card, via USB.

EUROPEAN MINI PRINTER Samsung SPP-2040B
Samsung SPP-2040B is a very intuitive and easy-to-use 10 x 15cm thermal sublimation home printer. The bright 2-inch colour monitor gives you the ability to print in a fast way - directly from different memory cards, USB PictBridge or via Bluetooth - with a good colour reproduction, and without requiring a connection to a computer.

EUROPEAN SCANNER Epson Perfection V700 Photo/V750 Pro
Epson Perfection V700 Photo is an A4-size flatbed-scanner with professional performance for prints, negatives or transparencies. It is equipped with Epson's exclusive Dual Lens System and Digital ICE technology, achieving maximum scanning resolution of 4800 dpi (prints) and 6400 dpi (film) with a 4.0 DMax. It will accept both mounted and unmounted slides, as well as 35mm, 120 and large format film up to 8 x 10-inch. The V750 Pro model is equipped with multicoated glass surfaces, ensuring better light transmission and better sharpness.

EUROPEAN PHOTO SOFTWARE Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom features RAW conversion and high-speed handling of RAW files. The well-organized structure and the clear graphical interface makes working with large RAW files a breeze. The ease-of-use and the supreme quality of the output this software yields is unrivalled, and the expertise of Adobe in imaging is clearly visible in the end result.

EUROPEAN MEMORY CARD SanDisk Extreme IV
The SanDisk Extreme IV is the fastest card available at the present time, some 20% faster (depending on the camera) than the previous Extreme III version. The card can withstand moisture, dust and shocks, making it the most reliable card for the semi-professional and professional user.

EUROPEAN IMAGE TANK Jobo Giga Vu Pro Evolution
The Jobo Giga Vu Pro Evolution is a fascinating hard-disk back-up device that works very fast and very simply. The image quality of its large built-in LCD screen is excellent. The device has many useful functions like the possibility to view RAW images, a black-and-white viewing mode, and the dust detection. All for a very reasonable price in different capacity options from 40GB to 120GB.

EUROPEAN PHOTO INNOVATION U Point Technology/Capture NX
The U Point technology by Nik Software, included in Nikon's new imaging software Capture NX, gives photographers unique tools to control colour tone, hue, brightness and contrast. Without the need for any selections or masking, it is now easy to adjust individual colour areas in the picture, as required by the photographer. This powerful technology works with any JPEG, TIFF or NEF image files, allowing useful adjustments such as correction to layers, and leaving the original file untouched. The final results can all be exported in NEF format.

EISA Awards 2006/2007 - Video Panel

EUROPEAN LCD TV Sony KDL-32V2000
Sony's Bravia concept paved the way for the company's successful comeback in the LCD market worldwide. And the beautifully designed KDL-32V2000, based on this concept, proves that it's more than simple marketing, but advanced technology and quality build as well. The Bravia Engine effectively gets rid of unwanted noise, and is able to highlight details in darker parts of the picture. By enlarging the number of colour graduations and multiplying the number of pixels by four times, digital artifacts are also greatly reduced. The visual result is a stunning picture performance at a clearly affordable price level.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END LCD TV Philips 37PF9731D
To reproduce any high-definition signal without losing quality, the Philips 37PF9731D uses a true 1920 x 1080 pixel LCD panel. Inside lies the most advanced video enhancement circuits, optimised especially for the clearest picture and smoothest motion. In total you will find a Full HD LCD TV that offers impressive picture quality with both Standard and HD signals. The visual experience is enhanced further by Philips' next-generation of Surround Ambilight illumination. And thanks to the user-friendly guided set-up procedure, everybody can take advantage of the best performance that this sophisticated television can offer.

EUROPEAN PLASMA TV LG 42PC1RR
With the fantastic looking 42PC1RR, LG Electronics has introduced a real highlight in the field of plasma TV. Thanks to its use of a thin filter-foil instead of a glass filter screen, the 42PC1RR reproduces astonishingly deep black levels, giving high contrast with a wide viewing angle, and it is almost immune to the distracting effects of reflected light. Besides its outstanding picture quality and connectivity, including two HDMI inputs, the 42PC1RR includes useful one-touch recording on an internal 80GB hard-disk drive. This offers not only timeshifting capability, but also instant review of scenes, up to a couple of hours. And the best news? This versatile, high-performance plasma TV is available at a reasonable price.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END PLASMA TV Panasonic VIERA TH-50PV600/PX600E
Compared with its predecessor, the Panasonic TH-50PV600/PX600E is cheaper, weighs less and uses less energy, despite its vast 127cm screen. But it still offers high-contrast pictures with natural colours, intense blacks and brilliant whites, with fine detailing thanks to its V-Real video processing. Two HDMI interfaces are offered, and HDAVI Control allows you to switch on all home cinema components together and play a movie at the touch of a single button. With VIERA you can view still pictures and movies via SD memory card reader, with the possibility to even record TV programmes directly to a card. And its audio performance is impressive too, with deep bass available from its built-in speaker system.

EUROPEAN PROJECTION TV JVC HD-70ZR7U
With the HD-70ZR7U the engineers of JVC have created a huge but slim projection TV with high contrast ratio, wide viewing angle and uniform brightness over the whole picture area, a combination of features not seen before in this product category. JVC's unique HD-ILA technology incorporates three 1.4 megapixel reflection chips with an impressive switching time of just 2.5 milliseconds. Advanced technologies like Motion Adaptive Dynamic Picture Management for fine reproduction of dark colours is combined with Smart Picture for the dynamic adjustment of brightness, contrast and sharpness. When added to Digital Image Scaling Technology for the smooth upscaling of conventional video signals, the result is an outstanding viewing experience and the perfect stage for exciting TV events and movies.

EUROPEAN HDV CAMCORDER Sony HDR-HC3E
The making of your own HD movie has never been so affordable to video enthusiasts as it is now with the Sony HDR-HC3E, the lightest and smallest High Definition video camcorder on the market today. A new ClearVid CMOS sensor and Enhanced Image Processor secures professional levels of sharpness with realistic colour quality. An Easy Handycam button will satisfy beginners, while a HDMI interface allows this 1080i-capable camcorder to easily share its creative content without deteriorating picture and sound.

EUROPEAN DVD CAMCORDER Panasonic VDR-D300
The popularity of the DVD video cameras is growing day by day and the Panasonic VDR-D300 is the world's first DVD video camera to be equipped with both 3CCD and Optical Image Stabilizing technology. The owner of this remarkable camcorder will enjoy high-quality image reproduction, made possible with the specially designed Leica Dicomar lens, bringing to life images with outstanding detail and contrast. Panasonic's original Crystal Engine is the brain of the VDR-D300, having proved itself as the best image processing technology for three-chip video recording.

EUROPEAN MEDIA CAMCORDER Sanyo VPC-HD1
Sanyo's handy VPC-HD1 offers high-definition 720p movie recording in a very compact package. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it allows you to record around 40 minutes of real HD content on a 2GB SD card using MPEG4 compression. Up to 10x optical zoom is possible, and video files are easy to export to a computer via a USB 2.0 interface. Without losing image quality you can enjoy your own high-definition picture on your HD Ready television via Component connection. With this media camcorder high-definition easily fits within your hand.

EUROPEAN DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER LG RH200MHS
This multi-format DVD recorder, with its internal 250GB hard-disk, is without discussion the most complete model on the market. Nearly all formats of DVD are accepted, for both reading and recording, and most other sound and image standards are also recognized, including DivX for video and WMA for audio. A choice of recording modes, in MPEG2 and MPEG4, offers a large choice of quality and durations, up to 625 hours. A complete set of recording and playback technologies improve the image quality, with an HDMI signal upgraded to provide output up to 1080i. A multi-format card reader and DV input open this recorder to various audio-video contents. This incredible quantity of music and images is easy to organize with a superb menu system and user interface.

EUROPEAN EDITING SOFTWARE Pinnacle Studio Plus v. 10 Titanium Edition
Based on the professional Avid Liquid engine, the Pinnacle Studio Plus v. 10 Titanium Edition is a major step forward in video editing performance and stability. Thanks to the background rendering, even advanced 3D effects are ready for playback on a standard PC as soon as they're needed. And the included library of visual effects is tremendous. Pinnacle Studio Plus includes all you need for grabbing DV and HDV video via your computer's FireWire connection, and the software supports a great number of file formats including DivX, MPEG4, Windows Media and non-encrypted DVD titles. With the necessary connections installed on your computer you can even grab analogue video footage. Video output is managed via an easy, but still advanced tool for authoring and burning DVDs. Additionally you can generate analogue video on tape as well as digital video for an Apple iPod and the Sony PSP.

EUROPEAN HD-COMPONENT Pioneer PDP-5000EX
Pioneer, the plasma display specialist, has made the market's first 50-inch plasma display with full 1920 x 1080 progressive resolution, with pixels so small that they are almost invisible. A conservatively rated contrast ratio of 3000:1 gives unsurpassed picture quality, even when viewing the screen from extreme angles. With DVI, component and standard video inputs, as well as two HDMI inputs, you get all the connections you need. And you only need to hook a TV tuner and a set of loudspeakers to transform the Pioneer PDP-5000EX into a stunning TV set with impressing screen size of 50 inches.

EUROPEAN VIDEO INNOVATION Samsung LED-'backlight'
Despite strict RoHS legislation, traditional LCD backlights can legally use such prohibited materials as mercury and cadmium, since this component of the screen technology is officially exempt from European control. Samsung's groundbreaking LED backlight is completely free of these hazardous materials and therefore is the preferred choice. Since Samsung uses small chip LEDs in its new backlight technology instead of Power LEDs, energy consumption is also halved, efficiency improved by 20%, and even higher brightness levels are available.

EUROPEAN HT DESIGN Loewe Individual
German television specialist Loewe always strives for the perfect combination of design and quality in its products. With the Loewe Individual LCD televisions, using "HD-ready" panels, the customer has a choice of customizable side panels in different colors and materials, including one glitzy limited edition option that includes genuine Swarovski crystal trim. A choice of stands and mounts is also available to match. The accompanying Individual Sound System can be ordered with corresponding colour combinations and uses the TV's integrated speakers for centre channel sound reproduction, thus reducing the installation effort for the customer and completing one of the most aesthetically pleasing home theatre solutions for the living room available today.

EUROPEAN VIDEO PROJECTOR InFocus IN76
The InFocus IN76 is not the usual square box that you would want to hide from view, but a very fine design with a futuristic aesthetic, all finished with great precision. But more than that, it is a very high picture quality DLP projector that can bring into your room bright and vivid images up to 720p resolution, and bigger than that possible from any current flat screen technology. Thanks to its very precise factory setup, high-definition video has never been so accessible.

EUROPEAN HIGH-END VIDEO PROJECTOR Sony VPL-VW100
Directly derived from the gorgeous Qualia 004, and even improving on that high-end statement in some aspects, the VPL-VW100 pushes the limits for a true, uncompromised high-definition image, at an incredibly reasonable price. Based on a trio of latest-generation SXRD panels (each with Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution), the VPL-VW100 combines top-specification all-glass optics from legendary German manufacturer Carl Zeiss with an exclusive variable-iris Xenon lamp, the preferred option for professional applications. Combined with Sony's advanced proprietary video processing circuits and a sophisticated set-up software system, the VPL-VW100 establishes a new reference in domestic video projection, to create the best home cinema experience available on earth.

EISA is the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe, with a membership of 50 Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from 20 European countries. At the end of June all EISA member magazines come together in an European city for the most important meeting in the year - the elections of the European Awards. From all products introduced during the preceding twelve months, each panel must choose the best equipment in each category. One strength of EISA's European Awards is their flexible approach. The Awards categories, for example, are not recreated automatically every year. If the jury decides that, during the previous 12 months, and within a certain category, there have been introduced no new products that really deserve an Award, which category can be cancelled temporarily. On the other hand our juries are aware of the need to follow market conditions, so every year there is the opportunity to introduce new categories.

www.eisa-awards.org