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Panasonic Press Conference – CES 2011[teaser]After some strong showings from LG and Samsung, Panasonic came off a bit disappointing. Still, the improvements the company is making to its plasmas sound promising.[/teaser] Things start off with introductions of CEOs and presidents of other companies who are in attendance. These included an unsurprisingly large amount of people from the word of 3D. There’s a lot of “we couldn’t have done it without you” style congratulations and then it’s down to business. Panasonic starts by saying that the international 3D association announced a new initiative to bring more content to Asia. The company is also working to create a universal standard for active shutter 3D glasses. With so many companies trying out theater style 3D though, it might come too late to really matter. Like Samsung, Panasonic is introducing a wide range of apps for TVs. This includes health and fitness apps, which seem to be incredibly popular in theory if not in practice. It also includes TV based games, which took up more of the press conference than expected. Panasonic is working with a company called Gameloft – best known for iPhone ports of ‘Assassin’s Creed’ and other popular games – to get games onto the Panasonic app store. It’s an interesting idea, but it just doesn’t seem like it would pan out. Using a remote as a game controller is less than optimal, but it’s possible to do. Thankfully, you’ll be able to hook up a USB controller to the set, allowing for more comfortable and precise gaming. Perhaps the best announcement made by Panasonic is the improvement of the company’s already well respected plasma TV lineup. Thanks to a brand new manufacturing plant, Panasonic is able to kick up the sizes of its plasmas by a few inches. Instead of a 55 inch set, for example, Panasonic is making a 58. A few extra inches is always welcome, but the improvements to picture quality sound even more exciting. Panasonic is introducing new features that help produce the great pictures that the company is known for. Panasonic TVs will use a special filter to keep ambient light from ruining those deep blacks, and new methods for ensuring light output will be introduced. Blu-ray players got touched on a bit, with Panasonic stating that every 2011 player from Panasonic will boast an SD card for digital media playback and Skype, which allows you to make free video calls to your friends and family. It wasn’t all bad, but Panasonic’s press event was the least impressive of the day. Still, we can’t wait to get a look at those new plasmas.Posted Wed Jan 5, 2011 at 10:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung's Press Conference - CES 2011[teaser]Samsung’s up next with a press event that holds more than a few surprises and reiterates the same push towards interconnected “smart” products that the whole industry seems to be pushing towards. There was also a complete absence of Google TV.[/teaser] The Samsung press event is quite literally standing room only. People are packed in here like it’s a subway car and things are looking bad. I got here an hour early and I just made it in. There are a few hundred people outside waiting to get in too and they’re pissed. Understandably so. Samsung’s press events have been among the most popular year after year and it’s time they get into a bigger room. There’s a lot on the stage, including an HDTV or two, some phones, Blu-ray players and a tablet. There are also two chairs, since the event is being presented as some sort of strange talk show. It’s a unique choice, but not a very good one. It all starts off with a recap of 2010, which was an incredibly successful year for Samsung. 3D may not have blown anyone away sales-wise, but Samsung defends it. Defensive is the right word for it too – while the rest of the conference was very put-on, the representatives actually seemed quite passionate about the lack of faith in 3D. LG was all about smart products and they’re not alone. Samsung is focusing on what they’re calling “smart devices” this year. Samsung boasts that they’ll have even more 3D screens this year than they did last year. This includes larger screens above 55 inches. Also in the plans are smart sets. 2/3 of their new TVs will be smart TVs. Samsung has always been a company that’s about style as much as about content. Their new sets are absolutely gorgeous thanks to a 0.2 inch bezel. Both the new 7000 and 8000 sets will have this tiny bezel. Plasmas got larger – sort of. Samsung’s new tech allows them to increase the size of the screen without having to increase the size of the TV. They’re calling it “Plasma Plus One.” More screen without a bigger TV. Not bad. Samsung’s plasma’s are certainly well worth while, but boy do those LCDs look good. Even from the back of a mid-sized conference room, they were bright and clear. I’m definitely excited to see what they look like up close. For all the rumors and speculation there was a complete lack of Google TV at the event. It’s all about Samsung Smart TV. One cool new technology that we really need to go hands on with is the One Foot Connection. It allows you to automatically connect a /Samsung device to your wireless network by simply holding it within a foot of an already connected Samsung device. Sounds like that could save a lot of headache. Samsung is also introducing a feature that will let you search for video across all platforms, including online sources and your PC. There’s no word as to whether or not DVRs will be included in the search. Samsung revealed the winner of their app competition and it left me feeling unimpressed. It’s a drawing game similar to Pictionary that requires a connected smartphone for the drawing. Samsung is high on the bright future of their apps, but there really wasn’t a lot of innovation from the apps they announced. Samsung earned quite a bit of praise last year for their touchscreen remote and they’re improving on it this year with a new one that even allows you to watch different programming than what’s on the TV you’re controlling. Samsung talked about the Samsung Galaxy Player, which is essentially a smaller version of the Galaxy tab. It’s already out in Asian markets, but will be hitting the US in 2011. In addition to everything announced by Samsung today, they teased two things for tomorrow. The first is a new TV accessory that they say will get everybody excited. The second is one or more new content providers that help to provide access from the cloud.Posted Wed Jan 5, 2011 at 06:34 PM PST by: -
LG Press Conference - CES 2011LG Press Conference [teaser] The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show kicks off with a press conference from LG with a focus on smart and simple technology. [/teaser] It’s early –I specify since in Vegas, 8:00 in the morning could either be early or late – and press members, buyers and other attendees are packed into a midsized conference room that’s filled with inoffensive Weather Channel jazz. There are rows of video cameras set up behind me, as well as a few HD DSLRs, and all around me people are excited for the first press conference of the day – the thing that really kicks off the show. The brightly lit stage in front of us has three different projectors set up to show off products, and seven different TVs spread around the stage. Six sit together, one sits apart. The separate TV doesn’t look as slick as the rest of the units on display. Could this be something special – something new - or is it just there for looks? The conference begins with an intro video from comedian Jane Lynch. It’s nice to see that she’s achieved “pay me to show up at your thing” celebrity status but the video doesn’t have jokes and that just seems to defeat the purpose of bringing Lynch on. It’s not that the jokes aren’t funny – there just aren’t jokes. The initial announcements from the CEOs and VPs speaking are all about business. The company is doing well where LCDs and plasmas are concerned. LG isn’t doing great in cellphone sales, but they’re #1 in customer satisfaction. They’re also the kings of washer/dryer combos, apparently. They stress that massive research and development investment they’re making this year though. Twelve billion dollars going to improve and develop new products – not too shabby. We’ll see what happens, but that sounds like a good start. Dr. Skott Ahn, who might have one of the coolest names ever, is now introduced to show us new technology and developments. Smart TVs, Smart phones and Smart appliances. To start things off, LG is launching an all new Smart TV platform. It’s got a nice layout that looks like a mix between an Apple product and a cable box. It’s got a launcher bar on the bottom for your main functions, different tabs and quick launch icons on the right and live TV in the upper left corner – much like a cable box. It’s friendly and familiar, which sounds like the way to go. It gets even simpler though, as LG is introducing a motion control remote. Motion control isn’t exactly the quickest way to navigate content as the Nintendo Wii makes evident. As a tool for those that just aren’t comfortable with traditional remotes though, it may be key. LG says that there are three main things consumers want from Smart TVs . They want the ability to grab content from their home network, they want them to be easy to use and they want content. LG is responding to the last part by introducing Hulu Plus and Amazon Video on Demand this year. The Smart TV upgrader is a set-top box after all. It plugs in via HDMI, so it’s not LG specific. That just raises the question – why would you want one? We didn’t get pricing of full capabilities yet, but it seems like a more general Roku, Boxee or WD product would be a better buy. 3D was a big part of the press event as you might imagine. LG stressed Cinema 3D that uses passive glasses instead of active glasses, promising less headaches, and an elimination of crosstalk. This seems like something we’ll be hearing from a few different companies this year. We’ll have to wait until we go eyes-on to pass any real judgment. A total of 43 new models are hitting the market from LG this year, half of which will boast Smart TV capabilities. 21 will be LED displays – some of those with the new nano tech – and the higher end LCD and plasma sets will all do 3D. At the show are two prototypes – a 31 inch OLED 3D TV and a larger scale autostereoscopic 3D TV in addition to the glasses-free portable solution that’s hitting later this year. LG’s press conference passed over Blu-ray players for the most part, only stopping to mention that several new players will use the LG Smart TV platform and that LG is introducing its first portable Blu-ray player. The time not spent talking about TVs was primarily focusing on smart appliances, like a washing machine that lets you program your own wash cycles and an oven that can download recipes. It’s the same thing we’ve been hearing about for a while and honestly it all seems like more work than I’m willing to put in to doing a load of laundry. One standout from the non TV technology is the Optimus 2X, a smartphone that utilizes a dual core processor and offers an HDMI output so you can hook it t your TV to watch files you’ve downloaded and video you’ve recorded. LG is also bringing a tablet to the show, but sadly they didn’t bring it to their conference. They say it’ll be launch tomorrow, so we’ll be on the lookout. That wraps up the LG press event. Also on the docket for today are Samsung, Sony and more.Posted Wed Jan 5, 2011 at 09:17 AM PST by: -
How to Rip Your Blu-ray Collection With Ease[teaser]Lifehacker's guide provides a cross-platform Windows, OS X, and Linux solution to getting your Blu-rays onto your computer. [/teaser] Having a massive Blu-ray collection sitting on your shelf - or shelves as the case may be - is an impressive sight, but going and getting something off of the shelf is less convenient than simply pulling up the file on your HTPC. Ripping those Blu-rays can be a pain, but the good folks at Lifehacker put together a guide that should help out. You'll need a pair of programs, one for ripping and one for encoding as well as plenty of hard drive space and, of course, a Blu-ray drive. Once those are installed it's a three step process to get your movies onto your hard drive in whatever quality you desire. Depending on your preferences, you can cut down the space taken up by your Blu-ray pretty significantly, but if you prefer to stick with a 1080p picture and DTS support you'll end up with something a bit larger. Either way, you'll be well equipped to enjoy movies through your favorite media player. Source: LifehackerPosted Tue Jan 4, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Vizio Set to Introduce a Tablet at CES[teaser]They'll be bringing a smartphone too, on the Android platform. [/teaser] It seems our little Vizio is finally growing up. What started as a solid budget TV company has grown into what may soon be an electronics powerhouse. The company will be introducing not only a smartphone at CES later this week, but a tablet as well. The tablet will be named the Via, and will boast an eight inch touchscreen high-resolution (but not high-def) screen, three speakers and built-in Wi-Fi. Apple's iPad tablet has seen great adaption rates by home theater enthusiasts - after all, who can say no to a large touchscreen remote? Since Vizio is a TV maker already, integration of their components with the new tablet is sure to be top-notch. There's no word on pricing for Vizio's tablet yet, but we do know that both products are set for a summer 2011 release. Source: Wall Street JournalPosted Tue Jan 4, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung and Silhouette Introduce World's Lightest 3D Glasses[teaser]They're a bit odd looking, but they're lightweight and potentially quite comfortable. [/teaser] Designer 3D glasses are all the rage these days -- with companies at least -- consumers seem lukewarm at best. Still, the folks at Samsung are betting a new pair of glasses will help lure customers like 3D catnip. The new specs, designed by Austrian firm Silhouette, use active shutter technology and store the electronics in two back compartments for a much less bulky looking front-end. They're also the lightest 3D glasses to date. Though comfort was a concern in design, we can't help but wonder exactly who these will work for. Too large a head and the glasses stop being wrap-arounds. We'll certainly find out come CES. One particularly interesting note is that Samsung says these new glasses will charge wirelessly, which could be a nice step forward in convenience. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Jan 4, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
"High-Def Digest-Digest" January 3, 2011[teaser]The holidays are over, the leftovers are gone, and the new year has begun. Back to a full work week without any of those nice vacation days. Time to work on your New Year's resolutions! If one of those is keeping up on the news, the High-Def Digest-Digest is here to help.[/teaser] Blu-ray News 'Soylent Green' Announced for Blu-ray The Charlton Heston classic is finally going HD in March, complete with commentary and other special features. Even more amazing - we don't go for the easy joke. 'Paranormal Activity 2' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed If the original movie wasn't terrifying enough for you, 'Paranormal Activity 2' adds a dog and a baby, and what could be scarier than that? Find out when it hits shelves on February 8th. '48 Hrs' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed Once cancelled, the Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte action flick '48 Hrs' is back on track for a February 22nd Blu-ray release. 'The Cable Guy' Announced for Blu-ray An incredibly underrated comedy, 'The Cable Guy' starring Matthew Broderick and a very dark Jim Carrey is hitting Blu on March 1st. 'BMX Bandits' Announced for Blu-ray Nicole Kidman's first movie was in this strange Aussie crime drama about criminals that need their walkie talkies back. It's, well... It's not great. Samsung is Prepping a 23mm Ultra-Thin 3D Blu-ray Player Samsung may love 3D video, but they're obsessed with 2D electronics. Their new 3D Blu-ray player comes in at just 23mm. Oppo Reveals the BDP-95 Audiophile Blu-ray Player The BDP-95 is a marked improvement over the BDP-93 for those looking for the ultimate in audio quality. Other News LG Launching a 65 Inch Passive Tech 3D TV No expensive, heavy, manufacturer specific 3D glasses for me thanks! The LG set will use passive 3D tech, allowing you to use the same glasses you got at the theater. Netflix is the Most Popular Service on Connected TVs Even free YouTube videos aren't viewed as often as Netflix on internet connected TVs, with over half of poll respondents choosing the service. Boxee Box Sales Better Than Expected Unexpected news out of D-Link. Apparently the Boxee Box has been moving at a steady clip, with sales outpacing supply. That's the kind of problem you want to have. New Google TV Facing Delays Due to Poor Reviews The old Google TV software left much to be desired and the new iteration just isn't ready yet. Things aren't looking good in Google Land. Rumor: Logitech Temporarily Suspends Revue Production Unlike the Boxee Box, Google TV hasn't been living up to expectation. Rumor has it that Logitech has even suspended production of the Revue until the service improves. The Bonus View True Grit is a New Western Classic (Or Is It a Classic Western?) One of the last movies released in 2010 turns out to be one of the best. Drew applauds brilliant performances and directing in his review. The Best Games You've Never Played: 'Earth Defense Force 2017' If you're a fan of co-op games and exploding giant ants, you'll love the 2006 Xbox 360 title 'Earth Defense Force 2017' - a ridiculously fun game even if it isn't exactly great. Open the Salt Mine Doors Please, HAL Lost footage from '2001: A Space Odyssey' is found in a salt mine. Josh Zyber explains.Posted Mon Jan 3, 2011 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
LG Announces Its First Home Theater System With Real 3D Sound[teaser]Vertical channels, dual subwoofers, and more. [/teaser] Typically when you're signing up for a home theater system of HTiB, you're admitting that you're willing to settle for lower quality and a complete absence of style. LG's latest offering shows that you might not have to give up either. The new HX996TS comes with four Tallboy speakers that use top speakers to create vertical sound and fill the air space above your head. This design was put in place to help put you right into the middle of the movie, giving a complete feeling of immersion. LG's HX996TS offers something you don't see often in an HTiB - dual subwoofers. Pop one on each side of the set for better sound quality and richer bass. LG hasn't announced a price for the HX996TS yet, but we expect to hear both a price and release date at CES. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Jan 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Mitsubishi Brings a New 3D Projector to CES[teaser]"We've heard this is the "Year of 3D,'" says Mitsubishi's product manager Wayne Kozuki. " But Mitsubishi has been selling 3D-ready TVs since 2007, so it’s the home entertainment industry that is finally catching up to us." [/teaser] It's true that the company has been doing 3D for some time now, and the new Diamond 3D HC9000D projector shows that experience. It offers a 1080p resolution with a 120,000:1 full on/full off contrast. The new projector can handle screens of up to 100 inches. The Diamond 3D utilizes an SXRD optical engine and a lens incorporating extra-low dispersion glass in a six-piece, 17 cluster structure. Mitsubishi says that colors and details are crystal clear thanks to the impressive optics. There's no price yet for the Diamond 3D HC9000D, but we'll be sure to find out more before its release in the first quarter of 2011. Source: Projector ReviewsPosted Mon Jan 3, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
LG Announces the Smart TV Updater[teaser]The device upgrades your old set to the same capabilities as LG's current smart sets. [/teaser] We've seen plenty of set-top boxes like the Boxee Box, Revue and Roku. In that sense, LG's new ST600 is nothing new. It's not marketed in the traditional way though, with LG pushing it as an upgrade rather than a standalone device. The ST600, which will be officially unveiled at CES next week, lets you access all the content that a connected LG TV is capable of. It also gives users access to LG Apps which have a broad range from educational programs to games. LG hasn't named a price for the ST600 yet, though they have said they plan to make it affordable. Another mystery is whether or not the ST600 can be used with non-LG sets. From the press release it sounds like anyone will be able to use it. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Jan 3, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by:
