Sylvania Blu-ray Disc Player $89.00
Blu-ray Movies - Over 24 Title to Choose From - (Live Free or Die Hard, Die Another Day, Speed and more) $9.00
Sylvania 19" Class LCD HDTV $129.99
Sylvania 42" 1080p LCD HDTV $499.99
Buy Any Xbox 360 Game System or Bundle, Get Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3 FREE $0.00
Buy a PS3 120GB Slim Console, Get 2 Buy-ray Movies and 2 Video Games (Exclusions Apply) $0.00
Nintendo DSi Video Game System w/ FREE $30 Meijer Coupon Good For Your Next Purchase $169.99
Nintendo Wii Console w/ $50 OFF Your Next Meijer Purchase Coupon $199.99
It's not too often that we see 32-inch HDTVs being reviewed these days, but CNET has a review of the 32-inch Vizio VO320E thanks to its "Eco" tag because it exceeds the Energy Star standard by more than 15 percent. Interestingly, despite the fact the set is fairly energy-efficient, it really doesn't out do other LCDs on the market by much. Where it does shine is its picture quality which you'll get for a low, low price. Just $360 and change. You can read the entire review here.]]>
Here's some of the latest Black Friday HDTV deals that have appeared on the web. Best Buy has the best (and most) stuff I've seen so far.
ToysRUs
Haier 22" LCD TV $199.99
Xbox 360 Arcade System With Carry Case And Three Games $229.95
Radio Shack
Samsung BD-1600A Blu-ray Disc Player $149.99
Gigaware Micro Projector $99.99
AOC 22" 720P LCD HDTV $199.99
Auvio 3.5" Pocket Digital TV $79.99
Auvio 7" Portable TV $119.99
Samsung 32" LCD HDTV $399.99
Xbox 360 Elite System w/$60 Cash Back & 2 Games (Lego Batman and Pure)
Best Buy
Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # NS-BRDVD3) w/Superman Returns or Beetlejuice Bluray $99.99
Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player $149.99
Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-ray Disc Player $279.99
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc Player $149.99
Logitech Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote $39.99
Western Digital WDTV Media Player $74.99
4' Monster Cable 700 Series HDMI Cable $49.99
Init Cherry Wood Stand With Mount For TVs Up To 46" $99.99
Init Cherry Wood w/Black Glass Shelves TV Stand $149.99
Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 5.25" Floorstanding Speaker $186.99
Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 6.5" Floorstanding Speaker $236.99
Samsung 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System With Blu-ray Disc Player $399.99
Sony 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System $279.99
Sony 7.1 Channel 770-Watt A/V Receiver $279.99
Dynex 19" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) $149.99
Dynex 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) $299.99 *
Dynex 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) $499.99
Insignia 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) $699.99 *
LG 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) $439.99
Panasonic Viera 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P50U1) w/Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # DMP-BD60K) $999.98
Samsung 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B530P7F) $497.99
Samsung 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B360C5D) $397.99
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # LN40B500P3FXZA) $597.99
Samsung 42" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN42B400P3DXZA) $547.99
Samsung 46" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Model # UN4686000VF) $1599.99 *
Samsung 46" 1080p LCD HDTV (LN46B500P3FXZA) $847.99
Samsung 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B530S2F) $897.99
Samsung 50" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B430P2D) $697.99
Sony 32" 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) $377.99
Sony 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL40S504) $662.99
Sony 46" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL465504) $852.99
Tilting Wall Mount For 30"-56" Flat-Panel TVs $99.99
YouTube is about to enter the world of 1080p video, according to an announcement today at the NewTeeVee Live conference. So far the Google-owned video platform has only supported 720p video and due to a variety of factors, HD video playback only accounts for 10% of all video views. Most of that is due to software/hardware limitations, but YouTube has decided to scrap waiting for the world to catch up. YouTube simply has to re-encode already available video and will roll out 1080p video playback and a new fullscreen player within the next few days.
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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.
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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.
Sony KDL-46VE5 -- At Amazon
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Today Amazon is boasting some super hot pre-Black Friday deals that include a $199.98 Xbox 360 Arcade that includes a $100 promo code for the free purchase of other items. The first run is already 100% claimed for this morning, but it'll be on again at 12 PM PST. You'll have to be on the ball though as I expect the 360s will sell out in a matter of minutes. Other Gold Box deals today include a 32-inch Sony Bravia HDTV for $399.99.
Walmart will also be offering the same deal in retail stores across the United States, though there will only be 10 units available per outlet.
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TiVo owners unhappy with the speed and bandwidth capabilities of the current AG0100 Wireless G USB network adapter will be happy to know an 802.11n version appeared in the FCC database today. The AN0100 Wireless 11n AP doesn't have a description or any images attached in the FCC filing (aside from what looks like an included Ethernet slot), but it's probable that the new adapter will better handle wireless HD streaming across a home network. The current version of the DVR adapter features support for TiViToGo, online scheduling, multi-room viewing, and photo and music playback.
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From Sears:
Panasonic 42" plasma-->$649.99
Samsung 50" PN50B430-->$699.99
Sony 40" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL40S504)-->$664.99
Sony 46" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-46S504)-->$854.99
Sony 46" LCD HDTV (Model KDL46V5100)-->$1239.99
Sony 52" LCD HDTV (Model KDL52V5100)-->$1599.99
Sylvania 37" LC370SS9 LCD HDTV-->$399.99
Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player (Model BD-P1600-A)-->$149.99
Sony Blu-ray Disc Player (Model #BDPS360)-->$149.99
RCA 5.1 Channel 250 Watt Home Theater System RTD317-->$99.99
Samsung 5.1 Channel 1000 Watt Single Disc HT-Z320 DVD Home Theater System-->$197.99
Samsung Blu-ray Home Theater System (Model HT-BD1250)-->$397.99
Sony Bravia 5.1 Channel 1000 Watt Integrated Home Theater System DAV-HDX589-->$329.99
Blu-ray DVDs - $14.99
Blu-ray
DLP
Deal of the Day
Gaming Systems
HDTV
HTPC
Home Entertainment
Home Theater A/V
How to buy an HDTV
LCD
LCD TV
Media Center
Media Streamers
Mobile TV
OLED TV
Projectors
Remote Controls
TV Biz
TiVo
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Will we see $49 Blu-ray players this Black Friday? Research firm NPD's director of industry analysis, Ross Rubin, thinks it's possible. Given the huge uptake in Blu-ray sales this year as prices continue to fall, he thinks if anything we'll definitely see a ton of $99 deals. And as opposed to last year, 2009's deals won't be from second-tier brands like Magnavox and Sylvania, but first-tier brands that ship web-connected models. What do you think? We'll we see a $49 Blu-ray player this Black Friday?
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Best Buy and Netflix have teamed up to bring instant movie streaming to Insignia brand Blu-ray players. Netflix subscribers with unlimited plans will be able to access movie content instantly with Best Buy's Insignia brand NS-WBRDVD Advanced Series Blu-ray player and NS-BRDVD3 Connected Blu-ray player. The former Blu-ray player streams Netflix movies over Ethernet while the latter Connected model can also stream over Wi-Fi. This is pretty significant as at $180 and $250, respectively, the two Insignia Blu-ray players are bringing advanced functionality to the mainstream consumer at a price that was unheard of even a year ago.
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Sony Australia will throw in a free PS3 with the purchase Sony Bravia HDTVs as part of an upcoming promotion. Make the connection at 50 miles per hour in the video above.
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Sanyo has launched its second projector using its proprietary QuaDrive technology which combines two 330 W lamps and three mirrors to produce the brightest 100 V AC projector on the market. The PLC-XF1000 manages to pump out 12000 lumens combined with a 4000:1 contrast ratio making it suitable for large auditoriums and other large-sized venues. Sanyo claims the brightness and color clarity is also perfect for the digital signage market. How much will you pay for 12000 lumens? A cool $25000--not your typical home theater projector.
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Microsoft has responded to the Sony's 250 GB Playstation Slim with its own 250 GB strategy. Costco and Amazon will both ship a 250 GB Xbox 360 with the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and a pair of wireless controllers. You'll pay $50 bucks more than you would for the Playstation Slim ($399.99), but it's worth it for the extras.
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The United States finally took a leap forward today in the world of mobile TV as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) finally announced a new mobile DTV standard. The new standard, comparable in some ways to DVB in Europe et al. enables typical TV like that you usually watch in the living room, to find a new home on mobile devices. Good for live television, video-on-demand, targeted advertising and all the other fun stuff that comes with typical cable, the ATSC standard is already supported on select Samsung and LG devices, and will hopefully roll out sometime in the near future. Over 800 American stations are already signed up to broadcast the new signal over existing 6 MHz airwaves. You can read more about the new standard here.
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Sony today announced it would be releasing another PS3 Slim with more memory and a higher price tag. Targeting high-end gamers, the new PS3 Slim features 250 GB of storage space as opposed to the current PS3 Slim and its 120 GB hard drive. Sony says the current model, which has only been on the market for a few weeks, sold one million units in its first three weeks on the market. The new PS3 Slim will cost $350 and ship November 3.
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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.
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This morning Mitsubishi announced the LVP-HC3800, its latest full high-def DLP projector for the Japanese market. Featuring 1080p resolution, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 1200 lumens of brightness, a DDP3021 full 10-bit panel driver, a 230 Watts lamp with a 5000 hour battery life, and a 25 dB minimum noise output, the LVP-HC3800 DLP projector will ship November 20 for the equivalent of US$2200. No word yet regarding possible export to North America or elsewhere outside of Japanese borders.
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The makers of the legendary VUDU box were busy yesterday, announcing LG BD390 Blu-ray player compatibility, and the addition of Rotten Tomato movie reviews to its ever-expanding feature set. Each flick that VUDU streams can now be sorted by Rotten Tomato review score, and viewers can see quotes from top reviews on the VUDU interface.
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Western Digital has announced the second-generation WD TV Live HD Media Player, network and 1080p playback capable. The WD media player enables users to playback media from USB thumb drives or local networks, on their HDTV. The second-generation has a more responsive interface, according to WD, as well as YouTube, Flickr and Pandora streaming. The player has an Ethernet port for connecting to home networks, a pair of USB ports, composite and component video outputs, and SPDIF digital audio output. The WD TV Live HD Media Player is available for pre-order currently for $119.99.
GlideTV today announced the Navigator, a palm-sized, bowl-shaped peripheral designed to act as a remote control for your HTPC. The device, which connects to your PC or Mac via a wireless USB receiver, enables control of PC-based media from the HDTV. It is compatible with Windows Media Center, Playstation 3, Apple iTunes, Boxee, SageTV, and has integrated search menu links to Amazon On Demand, Netflix, Hulu and other web-based media sites. The GlideTV Navigator is now shipping in the United States and Europe for US$149.
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It's been a long time coming, but today TiVo owners will finally be able to stream Blockbuster OnDemand movies. First announced in March, the TiVo/Blockbuster partnership will stream $3.99 new releases, $2.99 classics, and "select HD titles" in the next few weeks. As part of the agreement, Blockbuster stores will also sell TiVo units--at least in the United States. Owners of TiVo models Series 2 and Series 3 will be able to access the service immediately, after signing up for a Blockbuster account.
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The threat of a hefty fine or a jail sentence is going to stop a movie pirate--you know, those enterprising thieves that lug video recording hardware into theaters and get it all on tape. Both threats rank as intangibles that can't register until they actually happen. Mess up a video recording--even threaten it--and that will register.
Isao Echizen of the National Institute of Informatics, in cooperation with Sharp, has invented a technology that places near-infrared LEDs behind the movie screen, sending light through little holes when the movie is playing. The human eye can't see them because the wavelength used is indistinguishable to the human eye. But playback that video recording, dear pirate, and you'll see really, really annoying red and green blotches all over the screen.
Sharp aims to commercialize this technology in 2-3 years, though by that time I'm sure pirates will have moved to something way more high-tech than camcorders for in-theater movie piracy.
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This is interesting but not entirely surprising. A Dutch study has revealed that "framing" a TV viewer's expectations of picture quality can have a significant effect on how that quality is perceived. The study showed 60 participants the same TV image. However, half were told the image was HD quality, a claim backed up by posters and other verifying material placed around the display. The other half of the participants were told the image was standard-def DVD quality. The power of suggestion was very apparent, as the majority of those participants told they were seeing an HD image could notice a 'difference' from SD picture quality--even though they were being shown the same quality. Whether of not this would be as prevalent in North America in unknown. The PAL standard used in Europe is closer to HD than the NTSC standard used on North America. The difference in SD and HD picture quality on this side of the pond tends to be more obvious.
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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.
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Viewsonic last week announced the PJD6251 and PJL9371, a pair of new projectors geared toward commercial applications that differentiate by being brighter than the norm. The 3D-ready PJD6251 sports a resolution of 1024 x 768, a 2800:1 contrast ratio, and 3700 lumens of brightness. Designed for classroom and conference room use, it also has HDMI, composite, VGA, and S-video inputs, plus Ethernet for local network control. The PJL9371 is built for larger spaces such as auditoriums, boasting a 1024 x 768 resolution, 2000:1 contrast ratio, and 4000 lumens of brightness. It bumps up the feature set of the PJD6251 to include an Eco-mode for energy-efficient use, 7 picture modes for different settings such as Cinema and Blackboard, and an RS-232 serial port for remote control. Available now, the PJD6251 and PJL9371 cost $950 and $1750, respectively.
LG announced the HB954SP Blu-ray home cinema system this past Thursday bringing Mark Levinson-approved audio to the masses. The 5.1-channel theater system features 1080p video playback, 1000 Watts of power and 5 oval-shaped pictures. The included Blu-ray player has an attractive design with a slide-out slot for an iPod Touch or iPhone, both of which can be controlled by remote control. The Blu-ray player is also Profile 2.0 so owners can access interactive film content on the web via the built-in Ethernet port. Full YouTube integration is also included if you're more of an amateur video fan. Other specs of note include standard-def video upscaling to 1080p, a pair of HDMI slots, a USB connection, and the LG Sound Gallery, enabling owners to access 7 sound controls to match the room ambiance. While LG hasn't released a price yet, the HB954SP Blu-ray home theater system is expected to arrive on retailers' shelves in November.
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Panasonic has introduced the PT-AE4000U, the company's latest home theater projector. The big differentiating feature here is 2.35:1 wide aspect ratio, specifically used for projecting film-based content. It comes with a default 16:9 aspect ratio and a 4:3 option as well. The 1080p LCD projector features 100, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 1, 600 lumens of brightness, 24/60/120 FPS options, a 12 Volt trigger for a drop down screen, VIERA Link compatibility, 3 HDMI 1.3a outputs, 1 VGA port, 1 component port, 1 S-video, and 1 composite connection. The $2, 499 PT-AE4000U LCD projector, shipping in October, can display a 120-inch image from 11 feet away.
Mitsubishi has found a way around the expensive production costs of OLED TV displays that result in small screens and almost no home theater market penetration. It's actually pretty intuitive: just split the display into smaller modules. At CEATEC, a consumer electronics conference currently ongoing in Japan, Mitsubishi is showing off a 155-inch OLED TV that is actually a giant puzzle consisting of 720 1.5 square inch OLED panels. The modular design means that the set can actually be resized as needed, making it a good fit for commercial applications such as outdoor advertising displays. The display can also be curved to fit into existing infrastructure. Mitsubishi hasn't announced a release date or price for the prototype OLED TV, but if it ever does end up on store shelves, expect the price to be located up somewhere near the moon.
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