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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Boston Acoustics BA7500G Dolby Digital Speaker System Looking for a real bargain? This multimedia speaker system with built-in Dolby Digital (AC-3) surround decoding normally sells for more than $500 but Oatley Electronics have them for just $150! That’s a great price for a great set of speakers. If you really want to boost your PC gaming experience or gain greater enjoyment from DVD movies, you need a decent speaker system. And by “decent” we mean something with a subwoofer to give some real bass rumble and Dolby Digital decoding to give realistic surround sound. Originally made for Gateway, the Boston Acoustics BA7500G system provides true AC-3 Dolby Digital processing and outputs 5 channels of surround sound without requiring a separate amplifier in the back of each speaker to let you do this). One of the or decoder. It consists of three loudspeakers: a subwoofer stands includes the four volume controls: Master Volume, which also houses the Dolby Digital decoding circuitry Surround Volume, Surround Balance and Subwoofer. and analog power amplifiers, plus two flat-panel satellite Digital drive speakers. The rear satellite speakers are not included and will have Unlike the BA7500s, the BA7500Gs require a digital be purchased separately (but not from Oatley). signal input. This can come from the SPDIF output of your The subwoofer is housed in a cabinet measuring 299 x 178 soundcard or from the digital output of a standalone DVD x 372mm and features an 80mm (approx.) port in the front player. There are no analog inputs on the BA7500Gs, so if to augment the bass response. It uses a 165mm driver which your soundcard doesn’t have a digital output, you’ll have is claimed to have a -3dB response right down to 45Hz. to update. Inside the subwoofer, a single PC board accommodates Most decent soundcards now available, including recent the Dolby Digital decoding circuitry plus two 4 x 12W Soundblaster Live cards, will have a digital output, so there TDA8561Q power amplifier ICs. Our bet is that one IC are no worries on this score. Some computer CD-ROMs and provides 2 x 24W channels for the front speakers, while DVD-ROMs also feature a digital output. the other provides 2 x 12W channels for the (optional) rear If no Dolby encoding is present, the system is capable speakers and 1 x 24W bridged output for the subwoofer. of providing Virtual Dolby Surround sound. You can use No power output figures are specified for the amplifiers, this to enhance the sound from audio CDs if you wish. The although the maximum sound pressure level (SPL) is list- system is also fully compatible with 4-channel sound cards ed as 107dB. Suffice to say, lack of power output is not a (eg, for 4-channel games). problem with this system. Turn the volume right up after How do they sound? Well, they can really enhance your dark and the neigh­bours will call the cops - that’s if you enjoyment of DVD movies by providing realistic sound don’t mind putting up with the racket effects with tonnes of bass – just like Contact: before they arrive. you get at the movies. Oatley Electronics The two satellite speakers slide onto Admittedly, the BA7500Gs were PO Box 89, Oatley NSW 2223 neat little plastic stands to raise them originally designed to do with a PC but Ph: 02 9584 3563 Fax: 02 9484 3561 of the desktop surface but can also be they also make a great speaker system www.oatleyelectronics.com.au mounted on the walls (there are slots for your lounge room. Australia’s largest amateur radio & communications show next month February 24th is the date for the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club’s annual Field Day, which boasts to be the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. More than 2000 people from 40 clubs and organisations will converge on Wyong Racecourse to view, participate in, listen to, buy, swap and sell all facets of amateur radio, 82  Silicon Chip CB radio, shortwave listening and scanning, computer communications, project building, vintage and historical displays and of course, the famous flea market, disposals areas (truckloads of pre-loved equipment!) and trade/ commercial shows. Throughout the day there will be seminars and workshops covering many interesting subjects. Some sites are still available – contact the organisers on 02 4340 2500 or via www.ccarc.org.au. Gates open an 8.30am. There is plenty of off-street parking inside the Wyong Showground and refreshments are available on site. Entrance is $10 for adults, $5 for students, pensioners & seniors, with children under 12 free. www.siliconchip.com.au Hard-to-get A/V cables, accessories and adaptors Jaycar Electronics has long been a source of unusual and hard-to-get audio/video cables, accessories and adaptors for the electronics enthusiast and the company has expanded its range. The Jaycar range includes adaptors, converters & joiners for almost any conversion imaginable including SCART to RCA, TOSLINK to OPTO 3.5mm, TOSLINK to S/PDIF CO-Axial and S-Video to RCA. Jaycar also carries a range of premium quality ready-made cables with gold-plated connectors and 100% shielded metal-body plugs. There are also twisted-pair audio cables that do not need to be shielded, perfect for up-market audio installations or anywhere a quality, durable, compact and attractive RCA cable is required. For more information, contact your nearest Jaycar store or visit the website. Contact: Jaycar Electronics PO Box 6424 Silverwater NSW 1811 Ph: 02 9741 8555 Fax: 02 9741 8500 Website: www.jaycar.com.au Vishay’s new Solid Niobium capacitors have “equivalent performance to tantalum” Described as a technology breakthrough by Vishay Inter-technology, the company’s research teams have created solid capacitors using niobium as the anode material. Niobium is lower in density than tantalum and is also more readily available but until now a number or technical challenges have prevented its use – among these susceptibility to thermal and electric shock during manufacture. The new capacitors are intended for filtering in mobile phones, PCs, DC-DC converter modules and a wide range of portable electronic systems. Voltage ratings are up to 10VDC with capacitance ranges from 10µF to 1000µF. Vishay components are distributed in Australia by Support Components Pty Ltd. Contact: Support Components Pty Ltd 1st Flr, 26 Danita Dve, Warrandyte Vic 3113 Ph: 03 9844 9022 Fax: 03 9844 0933 www.supportcomponents.com.au DECT cordless phones offer better clarity Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology, the communication standard in Europe, is now available in Australia with the introdcution of two new Uniden DECT phones by Dick Smith Electronics. Not only do DECT phones offer greater clarity, they are less prone to interference and unlike standard cordless phones, the call is secure. That is, it cannot be “eavesdropped” by anyone with a scanning receiver. There are two new models – the $228 Uniden 1811 DECT (pictured) is a 10-channel phone which offers 10 hours of talk time and 200 hours of battery stand-by time (before it needs recharging). It has the capability of having up to five additional handsets www.siliconchip.com.au connected to it. Calls can be transferred from handset to handset or it can be used as an intercom between handsets. Also available is the $298 DORO DECT 360 which has a large LCD display and caller ID built in, along with additional features. Up to six handsets can be connected on this model. TOROIDAL POWER TRANSFORMERS Manufactured in Australia Comprehensive data available Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 Broadcast quality PCI Audio Balancing Card Broadcast specialists, Perth-based Elan Audio have introduced this PCI format balancing board which interfaces PC sound cards to professional sound systems. The card is just one of the extensive range of broadcast and professional sound products from Elan Audio. Further details may be obtained from the company’s website. Contact: Elan Audio 2 Steel Crt, South Guilford WA 6055 Ph: 08 9277 3500 Fax: 08 9478 2266 Website: www.elan.com.au Contact: Dick Smith Electronics Ph: 02 9642 9100 Fax: 02 9642 9153 Website: www.dse.com.au January 2002  83