Expert Panel Including Editors and Contributors From Maxim, FHM, Stuff, Vibe, Men’s Health and IGN Chose Top Products in Twelve Categories
LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2005 – G4techTV today unveiled the winners of the fifth annual “Best of CES” Awards at the 2005 International CES. Three finalists and one winner in twelve separate categories were hand-picked from the more than 2,400 companies exhibiting at the show, and one lucky product was named “Best of Show.” The 2005 International CES, which takes place January 6-9, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the world’s largest annual consumer electronics trade show.
An established panel of judges including editors and contributors from Maxim, FHM, Stuff, Vibe, Men’s Health, PC World, Sync Magazine and IGN along with G4techTV product experts chose the winners from more than 5,000 new products making their debut at the 2005 International CES. The competition was only open to those products that were on the CES show floor.
“Our judges were blown away by the level of innovation and caliber of products submitted for this year’s competition,” commented Andrew Hawn, G4techTV’s Product Lab Director and coordinator of the contest. “We think consumers will agree that the twelve products chosen as winners are truly the Best of CES.”
Tune in to “Filter’s ‘Best of CES’ Awards Show” featuring winning products, exclusive interviews and the hottest gadgets and gear from the show on Monday, January 17 at 10:00 PM ET/ 7:00 PM PT only on G4techTV.
Log on to www.g4techtv.com/bestofces for more extensive coverage of the 2005 International CES.
The winners and finalists are as follows:
BEST OF SHOW: One overall Best of Show award was given. The winner from each category was eligible.
Product: YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector
Company: Yamaha Electronics Corp.
Price: $1299
AUDIO TO GO: Includes portable digital audio players, portable satellite radio receivers, speakers and headphones.
WINNER
Product: Creative Zen Micro Photo
Company: Creative Labs
Price: $299 (5GB); $349 (6GB)
FINALISTS
Product: Xact Rego
Company: XACT
Price: $250 – $300
Product: InFusion
Company: Torian
Price: $250
VIDEO TO GO: Includes video players, DV and analog camcorders, portable DVD players and portable displays.
WINNER
Product: SC-X105L Sports Cam
Company: Samsung
Price: $599
FINALISTS
Product: Sanyo VPC-C4 Digital Media Camera
Company: Sanyo
Price: $699
Product: X2 Mega View 566 Portable Multimedia Player
Company: X2/MSI
Price: $449 (40GB); $399 (20 GB)
GAME ON: All things gaming related. Includes platforms, portable gaming, gaming rigs, surround sound audio, gaming displays and peripherals.
WINNER
Product: PSP
Company: Sony
Price: TBD
FINALISTS
Product: Kilowatt SPORT
Company: Powergrid Fitness, Inc.
Price: $799.99
Product: Nintendo DS
Company: Nintendo
Price: $149.99
ULTIMATE AUDIO: For the real audiophile. Includes sophisticated amplification equipment, tube amps, audio processing, high-end speaker systems and ultrahigh-quality media players.
WINNER
Product: NHT Xd
Company: NHT
Price: $5,500 per 2.1 system
FINALISTS
Product: The Gotham
Company: JL Audio
Price: $7,500
Product: S600
Company: HI-VI Research / Swans Speakers
Price: $3,600
ULTIMATE VIDEO: High-definition TVs and display technologies including rear-projection TVs, projectors, DLPs, LCOS displays and high-end video components.
WINNER
Product: Qualia 005 HD LCD TV
Company: Sony
Price: TBD
FINALISTS
Product: InFocus ScreenPlay 50md10
Company: InFocus
Price: $5999
Product: Samsung 46″ Widescreen LCD HDTV w/LED Backlight LN-R460D
Company: Samsung Electronics America
Price: $12,999
AUDIO & VIDEO ESSENTIALS: Consumer-level amps, all-in-one home theater systems, PVRs, consumer level 5.1 audio systems and components.
WINNER
Product: YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector
Company: Yamaha Electronics Corp.
Price: $1299
FINALISTS
Product: Movie Time
Company: Optoma Technologies
Price: $1500
Product: PMX Rocker
Company: Pyramat
Price: TBD
WHOLE HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT: Media servers and receivers. Includes devices that manage, distribute and aggregate all your home digital media.
WINNER
Product: Slingbox Personal Broadcaster
Company: Sling Media
Price: $249
FINALISTS
Product: SBC Home Entertainment Service (“HES”)
Company: 2Wire (product is from and displayed at CES by SBC Communications)
Price: Price N/A
Product: Sonos Digital Music System
Company: Sonos, Inc.
Price: ZonePlayer – $499; Controller – $399; Sonos Bundle (2 Zone
Players and 1 Controller) – $1199
SMART HOUSE: Everything for wiring your home. Includes wireless and Ethernet networking gateways, routers, peripherals, kits to automate your home appliances, light and security, as well as hardware and software to control such conveniences.
WINNER
Product: Net-Box One
Company: Axentra Corporation
Price: $499
FINALISTS
Product: TMIO Intelligent Oven
Company: TMIO
Price: $7500
Product: HomeSeer Windows Media Center Interface
Company: HomeSeer Technologies
Price: $59.95
PICTURE PERFECT: Anything that helps you take or print better pictures. Includes digital cameras, photo printers, scanners, photo-finishing devices and services, ink and paper.
WINNER
Product: Kodak EasyShare-One
Company: Eastman Kodak Company
Price: $599
FINALISTS
Product: m:robe
Company: Olympus
Price: $499
Product: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1
Company: Sony Electronics
Price: $600
ROAD WARRIOR: Portable systems and mobile wireless devices. Includes Smart Phones, handheld GPS devices, handheld computers, wireless add-ons, 3G handsets and other portable data devices.
WINNER
Product: S710a
Company: Sony Ericsson
Price: ~$400
FINALISTS
Product: Samsung A800
Company: Samsung Telecommunications America
Price: ~$500
Product: Forerunner 301
Company: Garmin International
Price: $325
OVER LAND OVER SEA: Anything that goes in your car, boat, or RV. Includes car stereo systems, car alarms, mobile entertainment systems, satellite antennas, fixed navigation systems and other in-dash systems.
WINNER
Product: Pioneer AVIC-N2
Company: Pioneer Electronics
Price: $2500
FINALISTS
Product: Clifford AvantGuard 5.5x
Company: Directed Electronics, Inc.
Price: $959
Product: 3000 Series
Company: Ray Sat Inc.
Price: $3495
ACCESSORIES: Peripheral devices and software that enhance the other categories without replacing them. Includes innovative apparel, adapters, carrying cases and add-ons.
WINNER
Product: Oxyride Extreme Power Batteries (AA&AAA)
Company: Panasonic
Price: $3.99 (4-pack)
FINALISTS
Product: Ministry of Sound StikAx
Company: Highandes
Price: $149.99 – $169.99
Product: SecuriKey Professional Edition (For MAC & PC)
Company: Griffin Technologies
Price: $129
About G4techTV
Formed by the May, 2004 merger of G4 and TechTV, G4techTV is the one and only 24-hour television network that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. The network is available in more than 50 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, G4techTV is owned by Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto www.g4techtv.com.
About CEA
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,750 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA’s members account for more than $90 billion in annual sales. CEA’s resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
