July 1, 2009

Pioneer outs new Elite A/V receiver foursome

If you buy home theater equipment built by Pioneer, you're pretty well guaranteed quality gear. With the announcement of four new A/V receivers today, Pioneer has added to its Elite lineup and the pricing isn't bad either. The two top-end models, the SC-27 and SC-25, both have Class D amplifiers with ICEPower technology while the former is the first Class D to get THX Ultra2 Plus certification. The other two models, the Elite VSX-21TXH and VSX-23TXH, aren't as feature-rich but undoubtedly still high quality. The SC-27 and SC-25 will ship this month priced at $2000 and $1700, respectively, while the VSX models in order of mention above will ship in August for $700 and $900.

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July 1, 2009

Philips finally prices 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV

We mentioned a rumored price for the Philips Cinema 21:9 way back when, but at the time we also heard a supposed June release date. That's come and gone and now a new price has officially been announced. Once converted from euros, the price will equate to roughly US$7400. The set, which will ship in the UK at some point, is the first to feature the 21:9 aspect ratio, enabling it to playback movies shot in widescreen format without those annoying horizontal black bars. Philips also manages to fit 8.3 million pixels on the 56-inch display, as far as I know the most ever for an HDTV. Unfortunately though, there isn't any indication the Cinema will ship to North America.

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July 1, 2009

Azentech announced X-FI HomeTheater sound card with HD audio support

Azentech has just unveiled a new solution for Blu-ray HTPC lovers who aren't exactly awash in solutions for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio playback. The X-FI HomeTheater HD sound card, shipping later in July, isn't a complete solution; you'll still have to buy a separate video card. But assuming the price, which hasn't been announced yet, is reasonable, it'll be nice to get some true high-def audio to accompany that true high-def video.

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June 26, 2009

iJector front projector turns your iPod into a 50-inch bigscreen

If only you could project iPod and iPod video images on the wall, right? Now you can with the iJector, a front-projector that can cast images up to 50 inches from your docked iPhone or iPod. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the iJector will produce images that are earth shattering. With resolution amounting to only 557 x 234 pixels and only 20 lumens of brightness, you might just have trouble seeing anything. Interestingly though, the iJector is licensed by Apple and is compatible with the first three generations of iPod nanos, fifth generation iPod Videos, first generation iPod Classics, iPod Touches and iPhones. The iJector is only shipping in Japan as of July 17, but given the specs I'm not sure I'd pay the equivalent of $670 for it. Seems a little steep.

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June 26, 2009

Cello Electronics HDTV line records Freeview TV OTA to SD cards

Now that is interesting. A British LCD TV company named Cello Electronics has announced the world's first HDTV that records directly to SD cards. Unfortunately for us in North America, it's only headed for the European market at the moment. The set, available in 22-, 26- and 32-inch screen sizes, records over-the-air Freeview TV to an SD card making it easy to transfer content for viewing on your laptop or netbook. Moreover, the HDTV has dual SD slots and two TV tuners so you can record two channels at once. Known specs are minimal at this time, but it is known that the set has a remote-controlled EPG, 1440 x 900 resolution, but unfortunately no HDMI slots.

Shipping in July under the Soundwave brand, the Cello Electronics HDTV will be priced at TBA, £399.99 and £469.99, in order of size mentioned above.

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June 26, 2009

Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K a must-buy, mid-range A/V receiver: CNET reviewer

If you have $500 to spare and want to spend it on an A/V receiver with multi-room functionality, a recent CNET review of Pioneer's VSX-1019AH-K indicates it's a potential best bet. Of all the midrange receivers tested by the CNET crew, the latest Pioneer model is the "go-to choice for sound-quality conscious midprice receiver buyers." Recognize there is no mention of video here, but that's because the VSX-1019AH-K's performance in this area leaves something to be desired. At the same time, it's video performance is the best out of midrange receivers so far this year and good enough for 1080p upconversion if you don't have an upscaling DVD player. Other pluses: an included USB cable for the latest iPods, 4 HDMI slots, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, automatic speaker calibration and Sirius radio. In the end, Pioneer's VSX-1019AH-K received an impressive score from CNET given its midrange status--a 4 out of 5.

Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K--At Amazon for $447

June 24, 2009

JVC intros 32-inch LED-backlit LT-32WX50 with a whopping huge price tag

Ok, so maybe JVC isn't renowned for rolling out the most reliable HDTVs on the market, but personally I think the company is kicking out some pretty cool stuff in 2009. At CEDIA UK this week, JVC announced the LT-32WX50, its 32-inch debut in the LED backlighting market. The new LCD is notable for its minimalist 7 millimeter thickness and 5 kilogram mass. It also sports some half decent specifications including a 1080p panel, 100 Hz frame rate, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 90% Adobe RGB color space, a pair of HDMI ports, a PC port, and both SD and USB slots. JVC has a trick up its sleeve with its target market for the LT-32WX50 though. Because it's aiming the set at the post-production market (and though it has consumer market hopes), JVC can, or at least try to, charge a ridiculously high price. When the set goes on sale in the UK come October or November, it'll cost a big £1,900. In the US that equates to $3147--for a 32-inch television.

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How much would you pay for Qualcomm's Flo TV?

There's an interesting article in The New York Times this morning discussing the past, present and future of Qualcomm's Flo TV, the company's cellphone television service. Currently run by Bill Stone, who admits Flo has been a bit too expensive thus far, Flo TV currently offers about 20 stations for $15 per month. But because Qualcomm doesn't control the pricing--AT&T and Verizon do that as it's only offered through their networks--Flo is often offered as part of a more comprehensive wireless video package running up to $30. Way, way too much if you ask me. Especially given the amount of free video out there.

But Stone told the Times that Flo will soon be offered straight to consumers on an annual or monthly plan that wouldn't run more than $10 per month. That sounds a little better. Qualcomm is working on enabling other gadgets to broadcast Flo as well--think GPS navigators, netbooks, portable gaming systems and in-car entertainment systems. In my opinion, that would be a big step in adding more value to the service.

The big question remains though: would you pay for Flo TV? Or any mobile TV service for that matter? If so, how much would you be willing to pay per month? If not, why?

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June 23, 2009

Vizio outs fall XVT family with new internet content, 240 Hz SPS

Vizio barely got its spring HDTV line out the factory gates before it announced its fall 2009 line this morning. The internet-connected SV422XVT, SV472XVT and VF552XVT are sized 42-, 47- and 55-inches, respectively. The trio features 1080p resolution panels, 240 Hz SPS (scenes per second) and Smooth Motion technology. The larger two models also feature TruLED backlighting with Smart Dimming, while the two smallest feature 4 HDMI slots and the largest 5 HDMI ports. The Vizio HDTVs also have new content thanks to recent partnerships. Widget functionality over 802.11n LAN or Ethernet now includes Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Rhapsody, Vudu, Revision3, Twitter, Faceibook, Netflix, Flickr, Pandora and more. The 42-, 47- and 55-inch Vizio XVT Connected HDTVs will ship in November, October and December priced at $1199.99, $1699.99 and $2199.99, respectively.

Vizio will also be launching a pair of 120 Hz Thin Line XVTs in September, sized 32- and 37-inches. They'll be priced at $749.99 and $849.99, respectively.

Read--New Vizio XVT HDTVs announced
Read--Vizio and Rhapsody partnership announcement
Read--Vizio announces new content partners

projectiondesign outs new stereoscopic 3D, high resolution projection platforms

At the InfoComm conference last week, Norwegian projector maker projectiondesign unveiled its latest LED projector, the FL32, as well as a variety of new 3D stereoscopic and high resolution versions of its F22 DLP projection platform.

The company's first solid-state LED projector system, the FL32 is designed for mission-critical operations such as security monitoring and simulation training. The FL32 is available in either 1080p or WUXGA resolutions, utilizes projectiondesign's patented ReaLED optical technology, and has a guaranteed 100, 000 lamp life.

Four different 3D stereoscopic projection platforms were on display at InfoComm--the F10 AS3D active stereo projector, the F10 1080 3D stereo projectors with built-in INFITEC technology, and F22 passive series with INFITEC. projectiondesign says the F22 series offers a ColorCode 3D solution, the most cost-effective among passive 3D solutions. The 3D projectors are aimed, more or less, at commercial markets like gaming, production, military, medical and education.

Wrapping up projectiondesign's conference portfolio was the F22 DLP projector platform. Already available, the conference offerings were new versions of the F22 in 1080p and WUXGA resolutions. The new F22 utilizes Phillips' VIDI technology, improving image quality, color reproduction and management, as well as performance predictability.

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LG using ARM processors in future internet-connected HDTVs

One of the most common complaints about new internet-connected HDTVs is the noticeable unresponsiveness of content widgets such as those offered by Yahoo's Widget Engine. The reason for this is that the CPUs used in these televisions were designed for nothing more than a menu and a picture. Network access severely stresses HDTV manufacturer-made CPUs. In a world where speed is everything, lag time in electronics is unacceptable is you want to sell.

That said, LG is reportedly discontinuing in-house manufacturing of CPUs for its HDTVs, instead outsourcing production to chipmaker ARM. Future LG internet-connected HDTVs will use the ARM11 MPCore processor, a multi-core chip that should easily handle local area network access and TV widgets when used in tandem with the company's Mali graphics chip.

Variations of the ARM11 processor are used in the new iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre, both of which handle internet connectivity without a hitch. Notably, Intel helped develop Yahoo's Widget Engine, so look for Intel to push its chips on HDTV manufacturers in the near future as well.

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June 21, 2009

HD DVD player ownership continues growth in the United States: Harris Interactive

A recent online poll conducted in April by research firm Harris Interactive has revealed some home theater-related oddities. Notably, that sales of HD DVD players in 2009 are up by roughly the same amount as the high-def format war winner Blu-ray. 11% of Americans own an HD DVD player in 2009 compared to only 6% in 2008. Surprisingly only 7% of Americans own a Blu-ray player in 2009 compared to 4% in 2008. If you factor in the 9% of Americans that now own a Playstation 3 and 3% that own an HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360, the two HD formats are still close to even. Moreover, the survey indicates that interest in Blu-ray isn't going to pick up anytime soon--unless prices come way down. Only 7% of non-Blu-ray owners reported an intent to purchase a Blu-ray player in the next year.

HDTV ownership on the other hand continues to move skyward--47% of Americans now claim to own an HDTV compared to only 35% in May 2008.

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June 18, 2009

LG goes 3D with the 47-inch LH50 LCD in South Korea

A 47-inch LCD just doesn't cut it anymore. After delivering the 47LH50 to the United States, LG is shipping a 3D version of the same in South Korea. The set can process 3D imagery natively but it still requires those irritating 3D glasses for full effect. LG will be marketing the 3D version under the Xcanvas brand in South Korea, but it's unknown whether the company will ship the modified version elsewhere or if it will extend the 3D capability to other LH50 LCDs. As for the price, I'm not sure about that either.

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Digital Projection outs trio of WUXGA 3D projectors

Digital Projection has added a trio of new WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 3-chip projectors to its 3D-capable Lightning Series at InfoComm in Orlando, Florida today. The Lightning 38 WUXGA-3D, the Lightning 45 WUXGA-3D and the Lightning WUXGA-3D Ultra Contrast are the three new models. All feature 16:10 resolution, 1080p video without scaling, Texas Instruments Darkchip DMD technology, ColorMax calibration, FastFrame blur reduction and Dual Flash Processing with support for 120 Hz frame rates.

The three projectors differ in their brightness and contrast ratios.

Lightning 38: 20, 000 lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio
Lightning 45: 30, 000 lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio
Lightning Ultra Contrast: 15, 000 lumens, 4000:1 contrast ratio

All three Lightning projectors are now available.

Panasonic 85-inch plasma HDTV to ship in the United States this fall

We've seen some monster HDTVs over the past few years, mainly from Panasonic. The Japanese manufacturer was showing off an 85-inch plasma TV yesterday at InfoComm in Orlando, Florida. That's second in size to its 103-inch plasma. The 85-inch set, equivalent to four 42-inch sets combined, features 1080p resolution, 40,000:1 contrast ratio (2, 000, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio), a 99 millimeter thickness and a 100, 000 battery life. While Panasonic hasn't announced pricing yet, the 85-inch plasma is expected to ship in the United States and Japan in the fall.

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