The most common multimedia machine consists of a PC with a digital speaker unit and a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drive, which optically retrieves data and instructions from a CD-ROM.
Equipped with three 23-inch screens, a 5.1 digital speaker system with a subwoofer and a custom computer with Intel Core i7 processor, the system has all the fixings of a real race car, like AP Racing or Brembo brakes, Pirelli F1 tires and magnesium alloy wheels.
A pair of baseball-size Harman Kardon digital speakers, also in clear plastic, sound as good as they look.
The company is the only maker of digital speakers; each unit contains its own electronics and signal processing, which Mr. Stuart says creates a cleaner, distortion-free sound.
Last year, American sales of digital speakers with physical docks fell 16 percent to $505 million, while wireless streaming speakers, most of which used Bluetooth, jumped 175 percent to $383 million, according to NPD Group, a research firm that tracks retail sales.
For serious digital-video enthusiasts, gamers and people who just need a lot of oomph under the hood, the Dimension XPS B1000 has some tasty features: a video card with 64 megabytes of memory, a 19-inch monitor, Dolby Digital speakers and a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz DSP sound card.
As one of the digital speakers was taking questions, someone from the toy industry asked "All this screen business is all very well, but don't you want kids to go outside and play with a hoopla stick?" As this question rattled around her head, Taylor wandered the toy fair, and realised how completely separate the toy and digital entertainment industries were.
Meridian DSP8000 digital speakers are the ultimate.
Cost savings seem remote, too, because the company sees the future in what it calls Digital Speakers.
These Digital Speakers need a heavy USB wire running to them, and then the speakers need to be plugged into the wall for power.
Thus the real benefits of digital amps low heat, low cost won't necessarily be appreciated by computer users as we shell out extra money for these new "digital" speakers.
