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Popbox Hardware Weeks Away – Still No Word on Netflix[teaser]The official Popbox blog isn't doing a lot to raise confidence either. [/teaser] People have gotten pretty excited about the Popbox. It's up there with the Boxee Box as far as hotly anticipated media streamers go. But when the Netflix logo started disappearing from Popbox press material, it raised some questions. Questions that don't yet have answers. The official statement on the Popbox blog doesn't do a lot to raise confidence. "Rest assured that we will, in advance, post a complete list of all App partners that will be available on the PopBox before Amazon.com ships to customers who have pre-ordered." The reason behind the lack of information, according to Syabas, the makers of Popbox, isn't choice, but legality. "Because of legal considerations we cannot currently post that information today but we are actively engaged with multiple partners as we speak to have their services available shortly on the PopBox." Source: SyabasPosted Thu Jun 24, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Vizio Launches a Trio of Blu-Ray Players[teaser]They've all got built-in WiFi, internet streaming services and a price tag under $200. [/teaser] Vizio announced three new Blu-ray players today, each of which sports a few nice features and an even nicer price. Two of the players – the VBR210 and VBR220 – appear to be almost exactly alike. They look the same, they've got the same specs, and they've got the same $189 price tag. The one real difference seems to be the stores that carry them. The VBR210 and 220 also sport the same 802.11n single-band wireless networking capabilities. If you're hoping to step things up a bit for better internet streaming, the VBR231 is the way to go. Instead of the single-band wireless connection of the others, the 231 has 802.11n dual-band capabilities. You'll have to wait until July though, when the VBR231 releases at an MSRP of $199. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jun 24, 2010 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Verizon Drops Contract Requirements for FiOS[teaser]There's no extra charge for month-to-month service, and even better:no early termination fees. [/teaser] Verizon's FiOS service has a lot going for it, whether you're in it for the fast internet connection or the assortment of channels. But until now it's had some strong negative points to it too. Verizon has been running its FiOS services like it runs its cell phone services. When you ordered FiOS in the past, you typically had to sign a one or two year agreement, and what's worse, you had to pay early termination fees if you canceled. If you wanted to pay month-to-month without a contract, you had to pay an extra $20 on top of your normal bill. But someone at Verizon finally saw the light and fixed that. Now month-to-month customers can get into FiOS at the same price as customers signing the contract. The difference now being that a two year agreement means Verizon can't hike up the price on you until the contract is up. Source: VerizonPosted Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Best Buy Launches an Insignia HTiB[teaser]And from the look of things, it's not all that bad. On paper anyway. [/teaser] It's so hard to tell when it comes to entry level home theater-in-a-box solutions from relatively untested brands. Obviously, Insignia isn't top of the line, but the new Insignia 5.1 Home Theater System actually looks pretty decent on paper. For a reported $399, you'll get 5.1 surround sound at 110 watts per channel and a 120 watt powered subwoofer. The system includes a receiver with a trio of HDMI 1.4 inputs and a single HDMI output. According to Best Buy, the company worked with both employees and customers to create a better listening experience. "Consumers have told us they want the latest in home theater audio technology that is easy to install, simple to control and affordable," says Best Buy VP Fernando Silva. "Our Insignia Home Theater System," he continues, "is a complete home audio solution offering rich surround sound that will transform any family room into a theater-like experience." Source:Posted Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
SlingPlayer Mobile for Android Now Available[teaser]If you've got a Slingbox and an Android phone, $29 and a quick download will enable an impressive remote viewing feature. [/teaser] By this point, you know the drill with the Slingbox. It lets you access your television from virtually anywhere you go. The new Android application takes that a step further. "The full spectrum of viewing, including local channels and sports teams, video on demand, pay per view and even control of their home DVR, is available to the growing number of people moving to Android," says Sling Media's John Gilmore. Like the iPhone app, the SlingPlayer Mobile for Android lets you watch TV anywhere you've got a 3G, 4G or WiFi connection. You can watch live television, access your DVR and even order pay-per-view programs. But it seems that the SlingPlayer Mobile for Android has gotten a few tweaks for the new platform. "We're committed to the Android platform," says Gilmore, "and users of our new and improved SlingPlayer Mobile application will experience one of the most complete mobile television experiences available today." Source: Market WirePosted Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
RealD is Rolling Out Child-Sized 3D Glasses[teaser]The only real question – why didn't they do this sooner? [/teaser] Kids love 3D movies. There's just no getting around it. And if companies are hoping to start that 3D revolution, kids are the ones to target. After all, anyone growing up with a new technology will be far less likely to want to let it go. But until now, kids going to check out the latest 3D movies, like last weekend's smash hit 'Toy Story 3,' have had to deal with oversized glasses that make them look like miniature Elton Johns. RealD saw the problem and adjusted for it, by creating child sized 3D glasses. "The little ones will be able to comfortably enjoy the great summer movies coming out in RealD 3D wearing glasses designed just for them," says RealD's Joseph Peixoto. Aside from the size, the glasses are the same as the ones for adults. They're also clean, which is a strange thing to point out. Still, Peixoto says that the glasses come "individually packaged in sealed bags ensuring they are clean and fresh for every moviegoer." Source: CEProPosted Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
LG's BX580 3D Blu-ray Player is Available Now[teaser]It comes in at just under $300 at Amazon. [/teaser] The latest in 3D Blu-ray players is the LG BX580. It does HDMI 1.4 and it can handle 3D content right out of the box, unlike a lot of other players. Aside from the 3D capabilities, the BX580 doesn't do anything too far out of the ordinary. It upscales DVDs to 1080p, and plays back a variety of video and audio formats including DivX, MKV, AVI and XviD. It can access internet based content from providers like CinemaNow, Netflix, Vudu, and Pandora. The BX580 also sports built-in WiFi that works on the 2.4Ghz band, a USB port for watching movies and listening to music and, of course, the ability to play back Blu-ray movies in 1080p/24. The MSRP on the LG BX580 is $399, but it's currently selling on Amazon for $299.86. Source: AmazonPosted Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Talks About 3D TV Issues and Solutions[teaser]Product manager for Sony, Arturo Jordan, elaborates on some of the potential issues with 3D televisions. [/teaser] CEPro interviewed Sony's product manager Arturo Jordan earlier this week. Jordan was able to elaborate on some commonly raised issues with 3D televisions. Not having enough pairs of glasses included with a purchase was a problem raised early in the conversation. Jordan says that only Sony TVs that are 3D capable right out of the box would have glasses included, but that those sets would include two pairs. On the subject of interference, Jordan says that Sony hasn't seen any problems with the IR signals being sent to glasses being interfered with by other devices. "I can tell you that our Sync Transmitter used in the 3D sets sends a very wide ranging and robust signal," he adds, "in fact I've seen it interfere with "other" 3D sets, while side by side." He also mentioned that though Sony doesn't have any 3D projectors out now, but "you can rest assured that will change shortly." Source: CEProPosted Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Boxee Partners with Sonic Solutions[teaser]The new arrangement will create a whole new line of content for Boxee users. [/teaser] Sonic Solutions is the company behind Best Buy's CinemaNow service, Blockbuster's video on demand service, and a few others too. It's a pretty big name in the digital delivery world. And that's why Boxee has licensed the RoxioNow entertainment platform. The addition of the Roxio service is huge, since it will allow users of both the Boxee Box and the standalone Boxee software to access all new content that includes HD movies with 5.1 surround sound. If that's not cool enough, the RoxioNow service is friendly with a lot of different devices, like PCs, DVRs and mobile devices. If you rent a movie in one place, you can watch it wherever you like. Not a bad setup. Boxee is in the midst of integrating RoxioNowand according to the official Boxee blog, we'll see everything Roxio up and running by the time the Boxee Box ships this November. Source: BoxeePosted Mon Jun 21, 2010 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Sony Unveils a Soundbar Aimed at PS3 Users[teaser]But, you know, there's no reason you couldn't use it for listening to other things too. [/teaser] The CECH-ZVS1 is a soundbar that's being marketed directly to PS3 owners, which seems like a really strange idea. Most soundbars and home theater systems are aimed at the general populous, but this one's got one specific target in mind. For the most part, it's not a bad looking bar. For $200, you get a pair of 50mm speakers and a pair of 90mm speakers to cover the main range of sound, while a total of six speakers, four of which are passive, pick up the bass. It decodes Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2 and Linear PCM two-channel audio, and you can hook your system in via analog or digital optical ports. The CECH-ZVS1 has two features – Night Mode and Dialog Mode – that are designed to keep voices in games and movies audible while at low volumes. Sony's new soundbar will be available this fall. Source: PlayStationPosted Mon Jun 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
