-
Western Digital Offers Up the WD TV Live Plus Media Player[teaser]HD video, NAS compatibility and Netflix streaming all in one set-top box. [/teaser] The WD TV Live Plus is a nice set-top box, especially if you've got a large digital media collection. It hooks in to your network and grabs files from computers and network attached storage devices, playing them back with ease. It also connects to plenty of online video streaming services. Netflix is on the list, as are YouTube and the Media Fly Network. If you're looking for music, you'll also have access to Pandora, and Live 365 internet radio. And of course, you can attach all the storage you'd like via a pair of USB ports, though the Live Plus doesn't have any storage of its own. The one real downside to the WD TV Live Plus is the cost. It's not too terribly expensive at $149, but you'll have to shell out a bit more if you want WiFi, since the adapter is sold separately. Source: PR NewswirePosted Thu Jun 10, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
AVerLife ExtremeVision Set-top is Available Now[teaser]It doesn't do much in the way of video streaming, but it plays an impressive number of audio and video file types and it's got a built-in browser to boot. [/teaser] The ExtremeVision is a set-top box with a single focus. If you've got a media file, the ExtremeVision will probably play it. It's got a built-in internet browser, but it's unclear from the press release whether it can handle Silverlight. You've got Google Video, YouTube and Facebook capability, but there's no hint about whether Netflix and Hulu can be streamed. The ExtremeVision can handle just about any video you can throw at it, including FLV, MKV, ISO, and the usual suspects like WMV, AVI and Divx. It's just as capable with audio files, touting support for WMA, FLAC, OGG, WAV, and of course, MP3. It comes with a WiFi adapter, but you can plug it in if you prefer. It's got an HDMI output along with composite, component, stereo analog outs and an optical digital output. You can snag the AVerLife ExtremeVision for $209. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jun 10, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic Launches a 152 Inch 4K2K Plasma[teaser]It's meant for commercial markets of course, but admit it, this is just plain cool. [/teaser] There are three new plasmas that are shipping from Panasonic later this year, but 85 and 103 inch sets just don't excite folks the way they used to. They're the desires of years gone by. But 152 inches, that's a number we can get behind. And if a 152 inch plasma isn't enough to get you going, keep in mind that Panasonic's display is 3D capable. Still not enough? How about a 4,096 x 2,160 resolution? That's right, it's a massive screen that can do 3D, and it's got a resolution that's over four times that of 1080p. According to Panasonic's site, the TH-152UX1 weighs in at about 1,300 pounds, so if you want it, you'll have to consider the cost of a crew to move it. Oh, and you'll be shelling out for electricity too. The TH-152UX1 sucks down 4,500 watts. Source: Panasonic Japan (via Google Translate)Posted Thu Jun 10, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Toshiba Unveils the First 3D Blu-ray Capable Laptop[teaser]It's starting in Japan, but a US release could be coming soon. [/teaser] So here's the scenario. You love 3D movies, but you travel a lot, so you can't justify purchasing a 3D TV for your home. You've got plenty of money to spend, and you don't mind having way too many wires on your desk. If that sounds like you, then you're the perfect target for the Toshiba Dynabook TX-98MBL. To be fair, it's not exactly a bad laptop. It's got a 15.6 inch LED backlit LCD display with a max resolution of 1366 x 768. It's packing an Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GTS 350M to handle graphics. It also comes with NVIDIA 3DVision, which attaches to the laptop to let you watch 3D Blu-rays and play 3D games. You'll have to wear the glasses of course, and you'll need the 3DVision attachment to send them the signal. The Dynabook TX-98MBL hits Japan at the end of July for right around $2,700. Source: ToshibaPosted Wed Jun 9, 2010 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Apple Debuts the iPhone 4[teaser]It sports an IPS LCD screen with an impressive resolution and a camera that can shoot video in 720p. [/teaser] The new iPhone has been announced to a huge reaction from the internet. And for the most part, it was a good reaction. After all, the new phone is incredibly capable. In a nutshell, it does everything the old iPhones do, but better. It's got an impressive screen resolution of 960 x 640, which is four times that of the former iPhone models, and just a bit less than the iPad. It's got an 800:1 contrast ratio which is four times better again. Steve Jobs says this is thanks to the IPS LCD screen. It's not HD, but on a 3.5 inch screen, it might not matter. And of course, the iPhone 4 can shoot video in 720p at 30fps. It's not going to replace a nice HD video camera, but it sure might put a dent in the sale of Flip cameras. The new iPhone launches on June 24th at $199 for the 16GB version and $299 for the 32GB. The launch of the iPhone 4 also brings down the price of the original iPhone to $0 when purchased with a contract. Source: Mobile CrunchPosted Wed Jun 9, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sanus Launches a Tilting Wall Mount for Small TVs[teaser]The VST15 offers a tilt of up to 12 degrees. [/teaser] The practical application of a tilting wall mount is a bit questionable admittedly. But if you're one of those folks with one television or computer monitor for all purposes, it might be nice to have the option. After all, it's nice to get out of the computer chair and do some lounging. The VST15 is designed for televisions from 13 to 26 inches and supports a weight of up to 50 pounds. It uses VESA brackets that fit most televisions, and it puts your set just 1.8 inches away from the wall. And, of course, it tilts up to 12 degrees. Installation is made easier thanks to a separate wall plate and TV bracket that simply slide together when installed. It's also got a safety locking mechanism that makes sure that TV stays up. You can pick up the VST15 now at a price of $49. Source: Luxury CEPosted Tue Jun 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sharp's Multi-Screen Display System Offers Smallest Bezel Ever[teaser]Total space between two screens is just 6.5mm. [/teaser] Giant televisions are just plain cool, but you can only go so big before it all starts to get a little too difficult. Manufacturing just doesn't work at certain sizes, and cost, of course, goes up significantly. So we're left with a pair of choices: projectors and multi-screen displays. Sharp's new multi-screen is an improvement over past offerings, but if you're not a multi-screen fan, this isn't going to change your mind. It uses the smallest bezels ever, but, well, they're still there. You've still got those black lines between each screen. The way Sharp accomplished this was to put more of the wiring on the left and top of the set. The bezel is 4.1mm on those sides, but that allows for a 2.1mm bezel for the bottom and right. The result is a total of 6.5mm of space between the sets. The displays are LED backlit and sport a 1,366 x 768 resolution. They've got plenty of inputs and the ability to zoom in on a picture. The PN-V601 monitors will be available to Japanese customers at the end of August. A US release date and price are still unknown. Source: SharpPosted Tue Jun 8, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Satellite Services Adding "Free HD For Life"[teaser]But will getting rid of fees make a difference to potential subscribers? [/teaser] DirecTV and DISH Network are back at it again, this time dropping fees to make their services more attractive. And that's cool, there's no question about it. Cheaper HD is always a nice thing. And high definition programming is what the new promotions are all about. Both of the companies are boasting "Free HD for life," which eliminates the fees formerly associated with HD channels, assuming you enable auto bill pay on your account. One of the potential problems with the deal is that it's waiving fees people may not have known about in the first place. If someone wasn't aware that they'd be charged a premium for HD, for example, all this is doing is letting them know that the fee existed. Is it enough to get people to switch from their current service to a satellite service? We'll see. Source: DirecTV, DISHPosted Tue Jun 8, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Gefen Adds Fast Switching Technology to All HDMI 1.3 Products[teaser]FST eliminates the delay in switching between HDMI sources. [/teaser] It doesn't seem like much, but ten seconds is a long time to wait for something that should really be instantaneous. Thanks to the need for some handshaking between components, switching between HDMI sources can take up to ten seconds on certain systems. Gefen announced that they've eliminated the issue by implementing Fast Switching Technology (FST) into all of their HDMI 1.3 products. "Though cutting down ten seconds may not seem like a long time," said CEO Hagai Gefen, "it was presenting challenges to installers when switching from component-based connections to HDMI." "This new FST was initiated based on our customers’ feedback to speed the switching time between HDMI input sources, and make the overall system more user friendly," he explains. FST is currently being implemented into all existing and all new products coming from Gefen. Source: GefenPosted Mon Jun 7, 2010 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Runco Adds a Pair of Climate Portfolio Outdoor TVs[teaser]They've got optional custom finishes, a completely weatherproof case, and a hefty price tag. [/teaser] Remember sitting in front of the TV in the summer and being prompted by your parents to go outside and enjoy the weather? Well Runco's got a solution that works as a nice compromise – outdoor televisions. The CP-42HD and CP-52HD, 42 and 52 inch sets respectively, are 1080p sets sporting "reflection-rejection" glass that allows you to mount them outdoors without having to worry about that whole sunlight thing. They've got a pair of HDMI inputs, and a few other video inputs too, in case you want to hook up a game system or PC. They've also got an internal thermostat that activates a cooling system when the case gets too hot. But they're not anywhere close to cheap. The CP-42HD runs $6,495, while the CP-52HD runs $13,995. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Jun 7, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by:
