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Samsung Reveals New 4K and HD Monitors[teaser]A new lineup of monitors has been revealed, including a 4K model and two HD displays. [/teaser] Samsung has announced three upcoming monitors: the Ultra HD UD590, and the HD SD390 and SD590. The UD590 will be available in a 28-inch model, while the SD390 and SD590 will be available in 23.6 and 27-inch sizes. The UD590 features a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 with 1 billion colors and a 1-millisecond response time. In addition, the display offers Picture-in-Picture 2.0 technology that allows users to multi-task at full resolution and connect two PCs to one monitor at the same time. A DisplayPort and two HDMI 1.4 connections are integrated as well. Meanwhile, the SD390 and SD590 both use 1080p panels. The former features Samsung's touch of color design with an emerald border, and the latter features a glossy black bezel. Both monitors offer Magic Upscale Technology as well. The SD390 includes a single VGA and HDMI port, and the SD590 includes an additional HDMI port. The 28-inch UD590 is now up for pre-order for an April 21 release. Suggested list price is $700, but Amazon seller BizBuy International currently has it listed for about $844. The 23.6 inch SD390 ($250) and SD590 ($270) are also up for pre-order and will ship on April 11. Finally, the larger 27-inch SD390 ($310) and SD590 ($330) will be available on April 25 and April 11 respectively. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Apr 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
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HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Amazon Kindle Fire Sale![teaser]The online retailer is taking as much as $40 off of select Kindle Fire tablets! [/teaser] As part of a special promotion, Amazon is running a limited time sale on select Kindle Fire tablets. The models included in the sale are: Kindle Fire HD 7" Tablet - Currently $119 ($20 off its retail price of $139). Kindle Fire HDX 7" Tablet - Currently $199 ($30 off its retail price of $229). Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" Tablet - Currently $339 ($40 off its retail price of $379). As always, these deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last, so act fast if you want to snag a Kindle Fire at these prices. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more deals and special promotions!Posted Mon Mar 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
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Sony Readies Full-HD 3D Projector[teaser]The company has revealed a new addition to its home theater projector lineup. [/teaser] Sony has announced its latest HD projector, the VPL-HW40ES. The new model joins the previously released VPL-HW55ES ($4000), and uses the same SXRD panel technology that the electronics manufacturer implements in their high-end digital cinema projectors. "The VPL-HW40ES home theater projector is ideal for those that want a larger screen than a flat panel TV can provide, but at a reasonable cost," said Yamato Tanikawa, director of home entertainment at Sony Electronics. "Also, this projector takes up little space and can be used with a retractable screen that is out of sight when not in use, perfect for those that do not want a large TV to be the focal point of their home decor." The projector features Full-HD resolution with 1700 lumen color brightness. In addition, Sony's Bright Cinema and Bright TV mode are also included, offering improved 3D picture, and the company's Reality Creation tech promises superior clarity that "reproduces colors and textures that often get lost when movies are packaged to disc." A Contrast Enhancer mode and Motionflow option are featured as well, and the projector's extra-wide lens shift range gives users more options to position and mount the device. Sony's VPL-HW40ES will be available in April 2014 for a suggested retail price of around $2500. Source: SonyPosted Mon Mar 31, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Media Players, Speakers, Tablets, and Projectors[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering discounts on select home theater items, including two streaming players and Optoma projectors! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on several home theater items from Pioneer, Samsung, Roku, Optoma, and Sling Media. The current lineup of deals includes discounts on: Roku LT Streaming Media Player - Manufacturer Refurbished - Currently $35 (30 percent off its retail price of $50). Sling Media Slingbox 350 - Currently $148 (18 percent off its retail price of $180). Pioneer SP-FS52-LR Andrew Jones Designed Loudspeaker - Currently $87 (33 percent off its retail price of $130). Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 32GB Tablet - Currently $400 (27 percent off its retail price of $550). Optoma HD66 720p Home Theater Projector - Currently $480 (20 percent off its retail price of $600). Optoma H180X 720p Home Theater Projector - Currently $450 (55 percent off its retail price of $999). As always, these deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Fri Mar 28, 2014 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
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AT&T Announces ASUS PadFone X[teaser]Specs have been detailed for the innovative smartphone that can convert into a tablet. [/teaser] ASUS first revealed plans to bring a version of its unique PadFone to the US back in December, but full details on the product have remained elusive. Now, mobile carrier AT&T has unveiled full specs for the upcoming smartphone that can be docked into an included tablet shell. In its smartphone form, the PadFone X features a 5-inch 1080p display with 441PPI. When the phone is docked into the included PadFone Station tablet shell, the device features a 9-inch 1920x1200 display with 252PPI. The PadFone X is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3Ghz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of memory running Android 4.4. The phone uses a 2,300mAh battery and the PadFone Station uses a 4,990mAh battery. A 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera are included on the smartphone as well, and a 1MP front camera is integrated into the tablet. Support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AT&T's LTE-Advanced Network is also included. Exact pricing and availability for the ASUS PadFone X have not been detailed yet but a second quarter 2014 release is expected. Source: AT&T via EngadgetPosted Fri Mar 28, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Philips Details 4K Lineup[teaser]The company has revealed its new 7800 and 8800 series Ultra HD TVs. [/teaser] Philips has revealed several new 4K television models, including the 7800 series and the 8800 series. The 7800 line will be available in 42, 49, and 55-inch sizes, while the 8800 series will be available in a 55-inch model. The 7800 series features a frame-less, ultra-slim design, along with 3D support and Ambilight technology that casts ambient light around the screen related to the content. In addition, the displays offer smart TV features and Ultra Resolution 4K upscaling capabilities. Meanwhile, the 8800 series features local Contrast and Micro Dimming Pro for superior black levels. In addition, the 8800 line is powered by Google's Android OS, giving users access to Google Play, Google Movies, Google Music, and Google search. Likewise, the set comes with a powerful hexcore processor for high-end gaming. Pricing has not been detailed yet, but the 7800 and 8800 series are expected to launch in Europe and Russia during the second quarter of 2014. A US release date has not been announced. Source: Philips via EngadgetPosted Thu Mar 27, 2014 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Streaming Rumors Heat Up[teaser]New reports indicate that the company is considering a free streaming service and could officially announce its own media player next week. [/teaser] More rumors regarding Amazon's streaming plans are making the rounds, and now it looks like we might know when we'll finally get an official announcement. The online retailer has sent out an invitation to journalists for a special press event on April 2 in New York. The invite doesn't include many details about what might be revealed, but it does promise an update on the company's video business. Speculation on Amazon's potential streaming media player has been swirling for quite some time, and the latest rumors indicate that the device could take the form of a dongle rather than a set-top box. Likewise, the product is expected to run a version of Google's Android OS and might include support for streaming PC games. Meanwhile, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is also considering a free streaming service to go along with its subscription based Prime Instant Video. The proposed service would be supported by advertising and could offer free original programming, licensed content, and music videos to all Amazon customers. Currently, Amazon's Prime Instant Video is available to Prime members for $99 a year, along with other benefits like free two-day shipping. It's still not clear exactly what will be unveiled on April 2, but it's very likely that the company will officially announce its media player and address its larger streaming plans. Stay tuned to High-Def Digest for all the latest updates on this developing story. Sources: The Verge, The Wall Street JournalPosted Thu Mar 27, 2014 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
LG Wins Red Dot Awards for Design[teaser]The Korean electronics manufacturer has received several Red Dot Awards for its achievements in product design. [/teaser] The winners of the 2014 Red Dot Awards have been announced, and out of more than 4,800 entries from different companies, LG has managed to snag a total of 33 awards. This number includes two "Best of the Best" honors for the manufacturer's Smart 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System and its G Flex smartphone. "This year's Red Dot results confirm our commitment to design across all product categories," said Dr. Scott Ahn, LG's Chief Technology Officer. "We're especially proud of our performance this year, surpassing last year's performance of 27 awards which included a 'Best of the Best' for our Curved OLED TV." The Smart 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System is a 9.1 channel 1460 watt home theater package that offers 3D surround processing, and a 3D Blu-ray player with a variety of smart TV apps. The system features an impressive aesthetic with a black and silver design geared toward complementing modern flat panels and most living rooms. Meanwhile, the LG G Flex is a smartphone that features an innovative vertically curved screen that is designed to fit the contours of a user's face. The mobile device uses a 6-inch 720p Real RGB OLED display with 245 ppi, and runs on a 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU with an Adreno 330 450MHz GPU. 2GB of RAM and 32GB of memory are also included, along with a 13MP rear camera and a 2.1MP front camera. The G Flex was also previously a Gold Winner at the 2014 iF Design Awards. Other LG products that received honorable mentions include the LG G2 smartphone, the LG G Pad 8.3 tablet, and the company's upcoming 77-inch curved-screen OLED 4K display. Source: LGPosted Wed Mar 26, 2014 at 03:30 PM PDT by: -
Yamaha Details 2014 A/V Receivers[teaser]The company has revealed its new lineup of home theater receivers, including two HDMI 2.0 models. [/teaser] After similar announcements from Pioneer and Onkyo, Yamaha has now officially unveiled its own slate of 2014 A/V receivers. The lineup consists of four new models: the 5.1 channel RX-V477, and the 7.2 channel RX-V577, RX-V677, and RX-V777BT. "Our strong product line just got stronger," said Bob Goedken, general manager, AV Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "The new RX-V Series provides access to more content while maintaining the highest quality audio and video from every source." All four models feature Yamaha's Virtual Cinema Front technology which can simulate surround sound even when all five speakers are placed in the front of the room. In addition, each receiver includes support for AirPlay, Internet radio (vTuner), Pandora, and Yamaha's A/V Controller App for Apple iOS and Android devices. Likewise, the RX-V577, RX-V677, and RX-V777BT all feature built-in Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, the premium RX-V777BT offers several advanced features, including Bluetooth connectivity, an HDMI Zone B option, and two HDMI outputs with support for 4K 50/60p video upscaling. The step-down RX-V677 also offers one HDMI output for 4K upconversion, and both top models use the latest HDMI 2.0 spec. In contrast, the less expensive RX-V577 and RX-V477 only offer 4K pass through without upconversion capabilities. The Yamaha RX-V477 ($450) and RX-V577 ($550) will launch this month, and the RX-V677 ($650) and RX-V777BT ($850) will ship later this year. All four models are currently on sale at Amazon for $50 off of their suggested retail price. Source: YamahaPosted Wed Mar 26, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Speakers and Home Theater Systems[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering discounts on select speakers and home theater systems! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on several home theater items from Pioneer, Samsung, and Klipsch. The current lineup of deals includes discounts on: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Currently $87 (33 percent off its retail price of $130). Pioneer SP-SB23W Andrew Jones Soundbar System - Currently $297 (34 percent off its retail price of $449). Klipsch Synergy C-20 Premium Center-Channel Speaker - Currently $185 (40 percent off its retail price of $310). Samsung HT-F9730W 7.1-Channel 3D Blu-Ray Home Theater System - Currently $748 (25 percent off its retail price of $1000). As always, these deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Tue Mar 25, 2014 at 04:00 PM PDT by:
