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HBO and Universal Renew Pay Window Deal Until 2022[teaser]Streaming services may be popular, but Universal is sticking with the traditional approach. [/teaser] HBO has had rights to Universal's movies during the pay TV window – that's the point between Blu-ray release and the point that the movie is able to be put on TV – for some time now. Earlier this week, the company confirmed that this is going to keep on going. The deal now extends to 2022. "With HBO’s far-reaching network of premium services, ranging from the traditional in-home experience to its mobile applications, we are pleased to continue this relationship," says Universal chairman Rick Finkelstein. "With our upcoming slate of films, HBO will continue to offer outstanding film content to their already vast library of movies, specials and award-winning original programming." Source: New York PostPosted Tue Jan 8, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Opts to Stick with HD Sets Under 70 Inches[teaser]The company has decided to pass on the UHDTV trend for now. [/teaser] While a good chunk of television makers have decided to start pushing ultra high definition sets, Panasonic has decided to stick with the kinds of sets that got them to where they are now. They're bringing Plasmas and LCDs, primarily of the 1080p variety. Panasonic's new plasmas max out at 65 inches, while their largest LCD is 55 inches. They don't measure up to the 80-plus inch UHDs, but they definitely win out in terms of practicality. Your average consumer might actually pay for one of these. Just because they're sticking with HD doesn't mean there's nothing new from Panasonic. The company has upgraded Swipe & Share to make smartphone and tablet interaction even easier, and they've added voice controls through a remote or your phone. They've also created the Touch Pen, which allows you to write on the screen Madden style. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Jan 8, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Vizio's 2013 Lineup Includes UHDTV Sets at 55, 65 and 70 Inches[teaser]Westinghouse isn't the only entry-level TV maker that's bringing 4K this year. [/teaser] Vizio has come a long way since they first started, and while we're still not going to put them up there with the likes of Samsung and Panasonic, they make a damn fine set for the money. Vizio has earned a spot as the best of the budget brands and they'll be bringing a UHDTV of their own this year. The new sets will come in 55, 65 and 70 inch versions and all utilize Razor LED lighting. While the company has named prices on everything else it has coming out, including a $4,499 80 inch Smart TV, pricing on the UHDs is unavailable. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Jan 7, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Project Shield: Nvidia Introduces a Tegra-Powered, Android-Operated Gaming Platform at CES[teaser]Features include a dual analogue stick controller, clamshell form factor, 5" 720p multitouch display, 4K video thru HDMI out, and WiFi PC game streaming. [/teaser] Stopping short of a price point, Nvidia's Tegra 4 powered Project Shield mobile game platform is nothing short of ambitious. According to details from The Verge, the device utilizes a pure version of the Android OS, which instantly makes available both Google Play and Nvidia's Tegra Zone for software. Furthermore, PCs equipped with Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 series and higher cards will be able to stream games over WiFi to the device, opening up the entire Steam library for Project Shield. A micro SD slot resides next to the HDMI port on the front of the device, but Nvidia has already revealed a future capability aim for the device, wireless streaming to TVs. Nvidia has said to expect Project Shield to be released in North America this year. Source: The VergePosted Mon Jan 7, 2013 at 06:30 AM PST by: -
The Rialto 400 is AudioControl's New Amp and DAC Combo[teaser]The compact amp provides 100 watts each to two channels and cleans up your audio while it's there. [/teaser] There's a fine line between legitimate audio needs and excess and the Rialto 400 walks it. AudioControl's new amp and DAC combo is made specifically to clean up the audio from your streaming audio and MP3s, which tend to lack in the quality department. The Rialto 400 sports AccuBASS circuitry, which is designed to restore bass to digital files that would otherwise find themselves lacking. It pumps out 100 watts per channel to two channels and utilizes a Wolfson DAC that's made to upgrade your audio, even if it's coming from a higher end streaming device. AudioControl's new amp measures 8.5 inches wide and 2.9 inches tall, so it's a bit larger than anything you'd want on your desktop, but could find a nice home on a bookshelf or in your home theater system. You'll be able to pick it up in February for the price of $799. Source: Electronic HousePosted Thu Jan 3, 2013 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
LG's 55 Inch OLED TV is Up for Preorder in Korea – Shipments Start in February[teaser]The company says that other markets and pricing information will be revealed in the next few weeks. [/teaser] The folks at LG have officially begun selling their 55 inch OLED set at a price that's equal to right around $10,000. Over 1,400 stores in Korea will be accepting orders, though there's no word on just how many they're planning to sell. Shipments will start in early February. LG says that we'll be finding out what other markets will be getting the OLED set soon. It seems natural that the US would be on the list, but the price is still up in the air. Often when products come to the US after an initial run in their home country, the price will go down. LG president Havis Kwon makes some pretty big statements on the subject. "Not since color TV was first introduced 60 years ago has there been a more transformational moment," he says. "When high-definition TV was first introduced 15 years ago, the public’s reaction was ‘Wow!’ but when customers see our razor-thin OLED TV for the first time, they’re left speechless. That’s a clear indicator as any that OLED TV is much more than just an incremental improvement to current television technology." Source: TWICEPosted Thu Jan 3, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung is Bringing the Smart TV Evolution Kit to CES 2013[teaser]The kit will upgrade your 2012 Smart TV with the capabilities of Samsung's newer sets. [/teaser] When it comes to picture quality, TVs don't change too significantly year to year. There are improvements of course, but nothing on the scale that an upgrade is essential. Smart TVs though, have been improving by leaps and bounds. If you bought a set in 2011, it might not even be compatible with some of the apps that are out now. Samsung is endeavoring to help by doing something we're most used to seeing from high-end home theater makers. They're offering upgrades. You'll be able to buy the Evolution Kit from Samsung to kick up your TV to the current standard both in terms of hardware and software. "By simply attaching the Evolution Kit device into the back of a Samsung Smart TV, consumers can enjoy the latest features that the 2013 Smart TVs have to offer," says Samsung in their press release. And that's not all. "In addition, Samsung's Smart Interaction features such as voice control and motion control will be enhanced." Samsung hasn't said anything about the cost yet, but we'll certainly be paying attention when they reveal more information at CES. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Jan 3, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Poll: Do You Use Smart TV Internet Features?Recent studies have confirmed what most of us already knew: Consumers have simply not embraced the use of internet features in their HDTVs, despite the fact that manufacturers keep adding them. Do you stream video or surf the web through your TV? If so or if not, tell us why in today's blog poll.Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
LG's 2013 Sets Drop CCFL Completely[teaser]While last year they kept a few around, LG has done away with non-LED backlit sets entirely. [/teaser] LED technology has finally trickled down from high-end sets all the way to the entry level. LG has completely done away with CCFL and has LED lighting as standard in every set they're launching next year. They're not ditching 720p though – some sets will still be sold at the lower resolution. The company has 16 different series ready to hit shelves in 2013 and a total of 45 different individual models. We know that a UHDTV is on the way as well as Google TVs. The company is expected to push its smart TVs as well. Source: TWICEPosted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Netflix Will Lobby for Net Neutrality and the Lifting of Bandwidth Caps[teaser]Both issues could have big effects on the online streaming business. [/teaser] Netflix was fairly active in political lobbying last year and they're going to be pushing hard in 2013. The company has outlined the issues it plans on focusing on in the coming year and you won't be too terribly surprised about what's been detailed. The first big issue that Netflix is going to be pushing is net neutrality, asking to keep ISPs from restricting access to certain parts of the web, or giving preference to others. This especially a concern for companies like Comcast, who own content creators that compete with Netflix. Second on the agenda is the issue of bandwidth caps, which limit the amount of data a customer is allowed to use. This kind of restriction keeps people from streaming as much as they otherwise might – obviously a big concern for Netflix. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by:
