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InFocus Shows off New Large Venue Projectors[teaser]In addition to displaying high-quality video, they can be customized for the look you want.[/teaser] Sure, a projector is designed to hang out in the back of your room and remain as inconspicuous as possible. But what if you had a really cool looking projector with, say, a woodgrain top with deer skull designs on it? That's just one of the many options that InFocus is offering for its new projector line, which stresses style as much as ability. The IN5533 and IN5535 offer WXGA (1280x800) and WUXGA (1920x1200) respectively, along with a six-segment color wheel that creates nice smooth gradations. Both projectors utilize dual lamps and a brightness of 6,000 lumens. They utilize technologies like DLP Dark Chip, and InFocus Brilliant color which helps the projectors provide great images even when ambient light abounds. Both of the new InFocus projectors will be available in November, though a price has not yet been named. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Nov 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Bang & Olufsen Releases a 32 Inch Set[teaser] It's got LED backlighting, impressive sound, and a $4,700 price tag.[/teaser] It's always interesting to check in on our friends over at Bang & Olufsen from time to time. They've got television sets that we'll probably never even consider buying, but their gear is interesting nonetheless. The latest is the BeoVision 10-32 LED LCD HDTV. It mimics the 40 inch B&O model in almost every way, but with a smaller screen. It utilizes the same LED edge lighting and aluminum frame and even the same surprisingly good loudspeaker system. "By introducing the BeoVision 10-32, Bang & Olufsen is now able to offer an even wider range of sizes in our very popular portfolio of TVs," says B&O president Zean Nielsen. "We have high sales expectations for this product." You'll be able to pick up the BeoVision 10-32 next month at a price of $4,700, or $5,585 with remote, anti-reflective screen and wall bracket. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Nov 1, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
HD Advisor, Texas - Pop. 81Editor's Note: Each Friday, High-Def Digest's own HD Advisor will answer a new round of questions from our readers. If you have home theater questions you need answered, send an email to [email protected]. If you've already sent a question and don't see it answered yet, please be patient as we work our way through them. To browse through previously answered questions, visit the main HD Advisor page. Answers by Joshua Zyber Upgrading Old A/V Receiver Q:I have an Onkyo TX-SV 454 receiver that I would like to connect to my HTPC. Unfortunately, the receiver has no digital input, just 5.1 multi-channel analog inputs. The HTPC has a coaxial S/PDIF output and a 3.5 mm TRS output. Now I have three options: 1) Connect the computer to the receiver with a TRS to RCA cable (5m). 2) Buy a DD/DTS decoder which has digital inputs and a 5.1 multi-channel output. 3) Buy a new receiver that I use with my ten-year-old Canton loudspeakers (5.0 configuration). I'm not sure it is worth the money to upgrade my existing system to digital surround sound as I don't know if there would be any difference on such an old system. I don't want to go for an all-new configuration as the speakers sound absolutely fine. What do you recommend? A: The TRS output (also commonly called the "headphone jack") is an analog connection that will only transmit stereo audio. With proper adaptors, you may be able to break this out into two RCA "male" leads that will plug into the stereo analog inputs on your receiver. This will be your cheapest option. Unfortunately, you will obviously not benefit from discrete 5.1 surround sound. Your HTPC will downgrade the 5.1 soundtrack on the movie disc you're watching to 2-channel stereo, and then your receiver will have to decode that stereo signal through Dolby ProLogic processing (or a similar program) to give you a very basic form of surround sound. Connecting the S/PDIF output from your computer into a Dolby/DTS decoder with 5.1 analog outputs would allow you to experience discrete 5.1 surround (of the standard lossy Dolby Digital or DTS varieties). This is more expensive, but you should get better results. However, both of these seem like stopgap solutions. What you really need is a new A/V receiver with digital inputs, which can probably be purchased for not much more money than an outboard Dolby/DTS decoder. A new receiver will also future-proof you for future upgrades, such as lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio surround. In the end, only you can decide your own priorities. If you don't feel that you're likely to upgrade your HTPC or your speakers anytime soon, perhaps a new receiver is overkill for your needs. I'd be inclined to suggest starting with the simple TRS-to-RCA adaptor, which should cost very little. That will at least give you a start, so you can decide whether you really need more. Universal Remotes Q: I'm looking for a good Universal Remote. My dream remote is the Harmony 1100, but it's a bit more than I'm currently willing to spend. The General Electric RM24941 is actually around my price range, and kind of what I have in mind, but it doesn't look like this supports Blu-Tooth. I'm thinking that I'm probably going to cap myself around $80. I want a remote that is easy to set up and use, will control the TV, receiver, PS3, HD DVD player, Dish Network DVR, my Laserdisc player, and my VCR. And I'm hoping for more than basic functionality – on the DVR, I want to be able to get to both the guide and my recordings, I want to be able to select inputs on both the TV and Receiver. It would also be nice, but not required, if it would let me select listening modes on the receiver as well. A: I'm a big fan of the Harmony line of remotes. Harmony has an unparalleled database of electronics codes, and will support just about any device you can possibly think of. Because you download the codes you need from your computer, this essentially future-proofs the remote against new devices you may acquire in the future. Harmony's database is frequently updated. If, by some chance, the code for one of your components isn't available, you can also easily program a Harmony remote to learn from your existing remote. And their remotes are sufficiently customizable to support any specific functions you need easy access to. The Harmony 650 will just about fall into your price range. This is a 5-device remote, so you may need to sacrifice one of the components you've listed above. Honestly, how often do you use the VCR? Can you keep the old remote around for the rare occasion you need that one? I assume that your concern about Bluetooth is that you want the universal remote to control your PS3. That can be easily (and inexpensively) fixed with a Nyko BluWave adaptor. Plug the BluWave into one of the PS3's available USB ports, and the console will accept standard IR remote signals. Then program the Harmony to output the BluWave's remote codes (not the PS3's). If you search, you might also find good deals on refurbished models that support more devices. For example, Amazon currently has a listing for a refurbished Harmony 520, which will handle up to 12 devices, for just under $60. (I can't vouch for the 3rd Party seller offering this particular deal. I'm just pointing out what I found in a search.) The Harmony 1100 you mentioned earlier is a touch-screen model. This may come down to personal preference, but I find that I prefer to have tactile buttons that I can feel in the dark without having to light up a giant LCD screen and navigate through a host of menus to find the device or function I want. You may feel otherwise. Homework Assignment: You Be the Advisor The HD Advisor knows many things, but he doesn't know everything. Some questions are best answered with a consensus of opinions from our readers. If you can help to answer the following question, please post your response in our forum thread linked at the end of this article. Your advice and opinions matter too! Audio Tweaks Q: Besides having a nice receiver for the speakers, is there any other equipment I can get to enhance the sound from those speakers? Are there any separate amps for each of my speakers I can purchase out there? I go to see films in IMAX a lot, and their sound system is so amazing. I know that I can't reproduce what they have, but was wondering if I could somehow enhance the sound from my speakers. JZ: I'll leave this one for the audiophiles out there to debate. Check back soon for another round of answers. Keep those questions coming. Joshua Zyber's opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of this site, its owners or employees.Posted Fri Oct 29, 2010 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
Best Buy Offers Free Delivery and Installation on Sony Google TV Products[teaser]Sure, most people won't need it, but you can't complain about free. [/teaser] It's easy to take pot-shots at Best Buy for the Geek Squad installation programs they've got set up. Charging people for installations they could easily perform themselves is a bit slimy, and the prices are at the threshold of ridiculous. It's hard to criticize free installation though. If you pick up a Sony Internet TV or Sony Internet TV Blu-ray player (worst name ever?) you'll get it delivered to your house and installed for free. Unnecessary or not, having someone bring your new TV into the house for you is nice. There's no word on how long Best Buy's free installation and delivery is going to last, but expect it to hold out through the holidays at least. If you get the Logitech Revue, by the way, you're out of luck - no free installation for you. Source: TWICEPosted Fri Oct 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Sensio Gets Patent on 3D to 2D Conversion Tech[teaser]Most companies are rushing towards 3D, but Sensio is there for folks sticking with 2D. [/teaser] 3D content is ramping up, 3D channels are launching, and 3D Blu-rays are hitting stores. If you're a fan of 2D or you just don't have the cash to shell out for 3D technology, there's a lot that you're not going to be able to watch. Though it's not happening yet, there will soon be a day when we see 3D exclusives. If you want to watch that new 3D channel or see a cool new 3D movie in 2D though, you'll be out of luck. That's where the folks at Sensio come in. The new tech will allow you to watch 3D content in 2D, meaning that you won't have to miss out. It's also nice for 3D programs that you've recorded, for example, that you want to watch with more people than you're equipped for. Source: TwicePosted Fri Oct 29, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Get More out of Your 'Avatar' Blu-ray with BD-Live![teaser]More special features, deleted scenes, and screen tests are available NOW![/teaser] BD-Live is a feature with a lot of potential, but it's been incredibly underwhelming in its use thus far. Thankfully, 'Avatar' gives us a reason to use it. If you've got the original 'Avatar' Blu-ray and you want a taste of what's on the three disc Extended Collector's Edition, you've got it! The folks over at Fox have added a nice little bundle of content that should hold you over until the release of the collector's edition next month and the 3D version the month after! You'll get to see a few deleted scenes, most of which have never been seen before, as well as a scene deconstruction that breaks everything down for you. In addition, you'll get to check out a few excerpts from the 'Avatar' documentary and – possibly the most interesting feature – raw footage versions of scenes. That means you'll get to watch the actors do their thing without all that CG. Silliness is sure to abound!Posted Thu Oct 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
HP's 3D ENVY Laptop is Available Now[teaser]The appropriately named laptop can be purchased now, directly from HP. [/teaser] The latest laptop from HP is full of all the things that make a laptop great. It comes stock with six gigs of RAM, boasts an i7 quad-core processor, an ATI Radeon 5850 graphics card and 500GB of hard drive space. That's before you start adding any of the fancy stuff. What sets it apart – and makes it worthy of mention on our site – is that the ENVY is capable of playing back your 3D Blu-rays. It sports a BD Rom drive, a 17.3 inch Ultra BrightView Infinity LED backlit display with a 1080p resolution and of course the appropriate playback software. The HP ENVY 17 3D comes with a pair of HP's own active shutter glasses, so there's no need to shop for accessories. It's even got a battery life of up to 2.5 hours, so you can get through a movie and still have time to surf the net afterwards. HP's ENVY 17 3D is available now directly from HP with pricing starting at $1,599.99. Source: HPPosted Thu Oct 28, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Wireless TV Connect From HP Now Available[teaser]The device lets you send 1080p from any HDMI output to your TV without wires. [/teaser] We've seen a lot of these PC to TV devices hit in the last few months, all claiming to be the best solution for getting HD video from your computer to your television. Most use a USB port, but the Wireless TV Connect pulls video straight from the HDMI output. The advantage to getting video from HDMI rather than USB is that you're not limited to your laptop. You can send 1080p video wirelessly from any device with an HDMI output. Want to play your Xbox 360 in the next room over? No problem. The Wireless TV Connect has a 1ms response time which should be unnoticeable for almost all applications. It sends 1080p video and 7.1 channel surround sound. HP's Wireless TV Connect is available now at a price of $199. Source: HPPosted Thu Oct 28, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Could We See a Future of Dish-Free Satellite TV?[teaser]PhD Marcel van de Burgwal says yes – thanks to flat antennas and microchips. [/teaser] Say what you will about the positive parts of satellite television, the one big downside has always been the dish. It's a problem of aesthetics for some and an issue of practicality for others. One Dutch researcher has come up with a way to get rid of the problem altogether. Marcel van de Burgwal has created a microchip that could make home satellite dishes obsolete. Using the new chip, satellite subscribers would have a series of flat antennas inside of their set-top boxes as receivers, rather than a large dish outside. The chip utilizes several small and simple processors instead of one large one like traditional chips, making it far more efficient. Burgwal also says this chip could be used in cell phones and other mobile devices. Source: via EngadgetPosted Wed Oct 27, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
WD Live Hub is a NAS and Streamer in One[teaser]It's cheap to boot, at only $199. [/teaser] WD seems to be low on the list when it comes to hype for streaming devices, but the company makes a slew of impressive products that just plain work. The latest is the WD TV Live Hub, and it's incredibly cool. You won't be too surprised by its playback abilities – the Live Hub can play back a variety of video formats including AVI, MKV and MP4 as well as stream content from Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora. It's the usual stuff in terms of playing content, but where it gets really interesting is that the WD Live Hub is an NAS as well. If you've got an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 in the house you can stream your video from the WD Live Hub to your system. If you've got an iPhone, iPad or Android phone you can do the same. It's a slick two-in-one. The WD Live Hub comes with a full terabyte of storage space and is available now at $199. Source: Western DigitalPosted Wed Oct 27, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by:
