55-inch BeoVision 7 HDTV with built-in Blu-ray announced
Bang & Olufsen today launched the largest BeoVision 7 HDTV yet available -- 55 inches large. The set adds in 120 Hz motion refresh and a built-in Blu-ray player with digital surround sound. The new BeoVision 7 also features LED locally dimming backlighting, two three-way bass reflex speakers, six integrated 125W ICEpower amplifiers, a center speaker, and a motorized floor stand. The set can also be mounted. Color options available include natural aluminum, black, blue, dark grey and red and the price tag runs a high $18700.
Whether or not a company produces a product with any green benefits, spin doctoring the product's respective marketing material to make it seem that way seems to be a must. Though I think many, many consumer electronics products out there today boasting "eco-friendliness" are anything but. Sony's KDL-46VE5 LCD HDTV sports the eco-friendly tag, yet according to CNET, the set is in fact energy efficient and performs well from a quality picture perspective.
The set has a presence sensor which detects a viewer in front of it. When the viewer leaves, the TV set automatically shuts off. Novel, and a reason to up the price, but I'd imagine the feature does save quite a bit of energy. Other positive features according to the reviewers include "relatively deep black levels", solid standard mode dejudder processing, plenty of connectivity options and picture controls. Not so great features include bluish-tinged dark areas, expensive price, and dejudder-dependent antiblur.
CNET ended up giving the 46-inch LCD set a 3.5 out of 5 and a "Good" energy rating.
Samsung home theater gear has has Blockbuster, Amazon On Demand movie streaming
Samsung and Blockbuster announced yesterday that Blockbuster OnDemand is now streaming to Samsung home theater products.
The agreement, originally announced in July, will enable owners of Samsung Series 650 and above LCD and plasma HDTVs, Samsung Series 7000 and above LED HDTVs, Samsung BDP-1600, BDP-3600, and BDP-4600 Blu-ray players, and Samsung HT-BD1250, HT-BD3252, HT-BD7200, and HT-BD8200 Blu-ray home theater systems to get instant access to thousands of Blockbuster's streaming video offerings. Movies will cost $2.99 to $3.99 to rent (like the TiVo), while purchases will range from $7.99 to $19.99. The service is available now through a firmware upgrade.
Also yesterday, Samsung announced an agreement with Amazon to stream Amazon Video On Demand content to its Series 650 LCD and plasma HDTVs and Series 7000 LED HDTVs. Over 50, 000 movies will be available, for rental or purchase, through a downloadable widget accessible through Internet@TV.
Panasonic adds Active Shutter Glasses to 3D home theater roster
This is interesting: Panasonic is not only in the business of creating 3D TVs, it is also making the "Active Shutter Glasses" that accompany the display technology. As per usual, they are silly looking, don't look particularly comfortable, and won't catch on with mainstream consumers (I'll bet alot of money on this). But at least the 3D revolution has begun.
Feel like you might have missed some important home theater news in September? Here's a round-up of some things you might want to know from last month.
Akamai Technologies, a company that provides much of the underlying infrastructure powering dynamic video content and enterprise applications online, is looking to bring true HDTV to the internet.
Announced today, the Akamai HD Network is the company's "next generation video delivery offering and the first platform to deliver HD video online to customers using Adobe Flash technology, Microsoft Silverlight, and to the iPhone, at broadcast-level audience scale," according to a press release issued.
The system leverages Akamai's global EdgePlatform of more than 50, 000 servers, and according to Akamai, "enables content providers to deliver more HD content than previously possible--due to its wide-scale distribution in 70 countries and increased throughputs in more than 900 networks.
So what online video delivery features does the Akamai HD Network include and improve upon?
Adaptive bitrate streaming--video streaming process automatically adjusts to the fluctuations in bandwidth, enabling uninterrupted playback at HD bitrate.
Instant response--viewer interactions with the video player including play, rewind, and pause are immediately responded to.
HD video player--open standards-based player enables faster time to market.
HD player authentication--authenticates player for all 3 playback platforms ensuring only authorized viewers can access video content.
When it comes right down to the nitty-gritty, the purpose of Akamai's HD Network is to allow content producers to reach TV-scale audiences online while still providing an HD-quality experience--something thus far lacking on the web. As more television channels and film producers begin to leverage the internet in evermore bandwidth-sucking ways in order to augment their traditional video distribution strategies, an HD platform like this is a big plus.
Sharp outs 4 LX Series LED-backlit LCD HDTVs with 2, 000, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Sharp is bringing another four high-end AQUOS LCD HDTV models into the Japanese market this November.
The four LX Series models include the 40-inch LC-40LX1, 46-inch LC-46LX1, 52-inch LC-52LX1, and the 60-inch LC-60LX1. All four models are LED-backlit, contain the industry's "lowest level of energy consumption," feature an impressive 2, 000, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, an ARSS 6-speaker audio system with duo bass subwoofer (except for the 40-inch model), and the AQUOS Familink II which integrates AQUOS functions with other peripherals enhancing user-friendliness.
Like any other HDTV with quality specs, those belonging to the LX Series will cost the US equivalent of $2800 for the 40-inch model, increasing to a painful $6100 for the 60-inch model. There was no indication of an international distribution plan for the LX Series in today's press release.
Intel outs 45nm CE4100 media processor for Internet TV
Intel will begin selling a form of its popular Atom chip for use in Internet TV. Typically used in low-power electronics such as netbooks, the new Atom, called the Intel Atom CE4100, is actually a full-blown system-on-a-chip design built on a 45nm process. The SoC media processor is the first 45nm CE SoC from Intel, supporting Internet and broadcast applications, and generating the power needed to run 3D graphics on one chip. Offered in speeds of up to 1.2 GHz, the CE4100 is backwards compatible with the Intel Media Processor CE3100, and supports the Widget Channel software framework used to develop TV widgets.
Best Buy has an in-house HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player
Signifying a possible new trend in HDTV design, Best Buy will soon be releasing a 32-inch Insignia LCD HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player. For cheap too, at only $599. Of course the Insignia NS-LBD32X won't feature any of the new higher-end features we've seen this year. But it will have a respectable 1080p display, 20000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and 450 cd/m2 brightness. No word on the Blu-ray specs short of playback, but for $599 you can't really complain.
Startup HDI previews 100-inch laser 3D HDTV with 1080 Hz frame rate
3D HDTV seems a little closer to fulfilling its promise more and more everyday. The latest company to make a market bid is California-based startup HDI, currently previewing a 100-inch laser 3D HDTV. Though the company doesn't have current plans to commercialize the prototype, the claimed specs are worth mentioning. Along with its 1080p resolution, its refresh rate is a remarkable 1080 Hz, much faster than the 240 Hz frame rates used in top-of-the-line 2D HDTVs. While I'm sure all of us home theater buffs would to see this laser 3D HDTV hit store shelves, there are two things that are certain and will greatly reduce its market potential (and the potential for us to actually acquire one): one, it'll be extremely expensive, and two, it'll require those darn 3D glasses that'll hopefully one day disappear entirely.
The Washington Post has a great write-up about the evolution from the tube TV to the flatscreen--and why you can't even give away your tube TV once you upgrade.
Carroll offered his TV free on Craigslist and got some interest, but no solid taker. If nothing clicks for Carroll and Johnson, their options include the dump, which neither prefers, and Goodwill, which still accepts donations of TVs if they are digital-ready. Goodwill no longer takes models lacking a coaxial cable connection. And there is recycling. In Montgomery, where Johnson lives, the government pays e-Structors, an Elkridge company, 7.2 cents a pound to pick up clunker TVs and strip them for parts. The recession has driven commodity prices so low that the material inside the TV is worth less than the cost of recycling it.
Viewsonic has launched six new LCD HDTVs today, though they're nothing to write home about. The 32-inch VT3245, 37-inch VT3745 and the 42-inch N4285 make up the real HDTV half of the line. The smaller pair both feature 1980 x 1080 pixel resolution, 5 millisecond response time, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 3D video processing, SRS TruSurround XT audio, and a variety of image scaling modes. The VT3745 will ship this month for $799, while the VT3245 will ship in October for $649. The larger NT4285 features a 10000:1 contrast ratio, an Eco panel, and all the features mentioned above. Shipping in October, the NT4285 will require you to shell out $999.
The VT2042, VT2342, and VT2645 are built to function as smaller HDTVs though they'd typically be better suited to a computer monitor environment. The VT2042 and VT2342 feature 1600 x900 and 1920 x 1080 resolution, respectively, as well as 10000:1 contrast ratio, 5 millisecond response time, 3D video processing, SRS TruSurround HD audio, and a tilt base. The VT2342 also adds in 3 HDMI slots for gaming and Blu-ray viewing. The VT2645 has similar features but only manages 1366 x 768 resolution. All are available this month priced at $299, $349 and $449, in order of mention above.
Philips is busy showing off a 3D version of its 21:9 Ambilight HDTV off at IFA, but the company still isn't sure when, and if, it'll enter the 3D market. First of all, the company still hasn't decided which 3D technology to use--apparently there are three separate methods of displaying 3D picture. Only one of the three methods doesn't require those ridiculous 3D glasses, something I'm almost positive would slow the adoption process (I'm sure price would be another issue). Second of all, Philips thinks that OLED or possibly quad-HDTV (quadriple the current 1080p resolution standard) could be the next big think in HDTV. Personally I think OLED is the best of the three for the time being, should production costs come down. The good news is that Philips will support the Blu-ray 3D Standard once it's actually down on paper and ratified. Just don't expect too much, too soon.
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55-inch BeoVision 7 HDTV with built-in Blu-ray announced
Bang & Olufsen today launched the 
Whether or not a company produces a product with any green benefits, spin doctoring the product's respective marketing material to make it seem that way seems to be a must. Though I think many, many consumer electronics products out there today boasting "eco-friendliness" are anything but. Sony's KDL-46VE5 LCD HDTV sports the eco-friendly tag, yet 
Samsung and Blockbuster announced yesterday that Blockbuster OnDemand is now streaming to Samsung home theater products.
This is interesting: Panasonic is not only in the business of 
Akamai Technologies, a company that provides much of the underlying infrastructure powering dynamic video content and enterprise applications online, is looking to bring true HDTV to the internet.
Sharp is bringing another four high-end AQUOS LCD HDTV models into the Japanese market this November.
Intel will begin selling a form of its popular Atom chip for use in Internet TV. Typically used in low-power electronics such as netbooks, the new Atom, called the Intel Atom CE4100, is actually a full-blown system-on-a-chip design built on a 45nm process. The SoC media processor is the first 45nm CE SoC from Intel, supporting Internet and broadcast applications, and generating the power needed to run 3D graphics on one chip. Offered in speeds of up to 1.2 GHz, the CE4100 is backwards compatible with the Intel Media Processor CE3100, and supports the Widget Channel software framework used to develop TV widgets.
Signifying a possible new trend in HDTV design, Best Buy will soon be releasing a 
3D HDTV seems a little closer to fulfilling its promise more and more everyday. The latest company to make a market bid is California-based startup HDI, currently previewing a 100-inch laser 3D HDTV. Though the company doesn't have current plans to commercialize the prototype, the claimed specs are worth mentioning. Along with its 1080p resolution, its refresh rate is a remarkable 1080 Hz, much faster than the 240 Hz frame rates used in top-of-the-line 2D HDTVs. While I'm sure all of us home theater buffs would to see this laser 3D HDTV hit store shelves, there are two things that are certain and will greatly reduce its market potential (and the potential for us to actually acquire one): one, it'll be extremely expensive, and two, it'll require those darn 3D glasses that'll hopefully one day disappear entirely.
The Washington Post has a great write-up about the evolution from the tube TV to the flatscreen--and why you can't even give away your tube TV once you upgrade.
Viewsonic has launched six new LCD HDTVs today, though they're nothing to write home about. The 32-inch VT3245, 37-inch VT3745 and the 42-inch N4285 make up the real HDTV half of the line. The smaller pair both feature 1980 x 1080 pixel resolution, 5 millisecond response time, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 3D video processing, SRS TruSurround XT audio, and a variety of image scaling modes. The VT3745 will ship this month for $799, while the VT3245 will ship in October for $649. The larger NT4285 features a 10000:1 contrast ratio, an Eco panel, and all the features mentioned above. Shipping in October, the NT4285 will require you to shell out $999.
Black Friday deal rumor: $49 Blu-ray players
