Samsung's CES 2009 HDTV lineup leaked?

CES 2009 is literally days away, but it seems that those looking for details on any possible new HDTVs from Samsung may not have to wait to get their fill. A few postings over at AVForums has led us to believe that the outfit will be debuting a number of new sets for a litany of markets. The 2009 lineup will reportedly consist of a few new Series 3, 4, 5 and 6 panels, with the main focus being on their LED-backlit-ness. Everything should be available for purchase during the first half of next year, with sizes ranging from around 40-inches and up. Obviously, there are far too many details linked below to cover in this space, but one mention we found particularly interesting was the promised Internet@TV feature, which should effectively replace InfoLive and instead rely on those Yahoo Widgets we've been hearing about for so long. It's about to get really interesting, folks.

[Via: Audioholics ]

• LG Transmissive/Reflective LCD Will Work Just as Well Outdoors as In [Displays]

Engadget HD's Holiday Giveaway: win a VUDU movie set-top-box!

The giving souls over at Engadget HD aren't done yet, as they've got a VUDU movie set-top-box awaiting a new owner. If your unwrapping ceremony this morning wasn't all gumdrops and lollipops like you had hoped, there's hardly a better way to remedy the situation than to bring home an on-demand movie box. Head on over and drop your name in the hat -- Kris Kringle just might have a little somethin' (more) for ya.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Castrade's CV-MP01 LCoS VGA projector fits in a wine glass

DISH Network's DTVPal DVR now shipping, caught in the wild

We actually pondered aloud where all the standalone OTA DVRs were in this wild world earlier this year, and at long (long!) last, we finally have a new entrant into the all-but-dead niche. DISH Network's DTVPal DVR, which was known in a former life as the EchoStar TR-50, has finally started to ship out to anxious buyers. For those who've forgotten, this box acts as a digital-to-analog converter and an HD DVR, capturing up to 30 hours of HD OTA material or 150 hours of SD content. Check the read link for a slew of in the wild / interface shots.

[Via: Engadget ]

• iZ3D bringing 26-inch prototype 3D LCD to CES 2009

Verismo officially launches $99 VuNow PoD with YouTube support

Just in time to snag some of that cash you're sure to have showing up right about now via greeting cards from around the world, Verismo Networks is officially launching its diminutive VuNow PoD. We've seen the device evolve quite a bit since June, but with a smorgasbord of competitors already grabbing market share left and right, we're left to wonder if this one won't be sitting on the outside looking in. The internet tv streamer hooks directly to one's TV and internet connection in order to deliver web content (YouTube, of note) to the tele. While specifics are conveniently omitted, we're told that users will have access to "a broad choice of online video content -- from movies, global Live TV channels, to user-generated content and viral videos." It's available now for $99, but can you stand yet another set-top-box beneath your flat-panel?
[Via: Engadget ]

• Bag TV debuts multimedia mistake
• Steampunk monitor mod is almost too pretty to use

Morega's curious Qew may or may not eventually stream your media

Call us skeptical, but we're not so sure that Morega's Qew is anything more than a mere figment of someone's imagination. The outfit has a thing for showing up just before CES in an apparent attempt to drum up interest, but the outfit's Qew teaser site just screams vaporware. We're never actually shown what it is, though we're told that it can stream, archive, transport and share multimedia. Hmm, sounds a lot like the abilities of some other box we know of.

[Via: Engadget ]

• Polaroid files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, again
• USC develops flexible, transparent TFT prototype for high-tech temporary tattoos

Roku v1.5 firmware update brings HD Netflix streaming

Good thing Netflix / Roku got those finicky quality issues ironed out, as the latest firmware update is all about clarity. Version 1.5, which is evidently being pushed out in waves, is allowing individuals to stream high-def Netflix content. [Via: Engadget ]

• AOC takes wraps off of 22-inch LED-backlit V22 Verfino display
• Nanovision Mimo UM-710 hands-on and impressions

First Blu-ray Disc / DVD hybrid announced in Japan

It sure took long enough to happen, but one of HD DVD's biggest benefits has finally made it over to the Blu-ray side. Yep, we're talking about a Blu-ray / DVD hybrid disc, with a single-layer of blu on one side and a standard DVD on the very same side (as in, not a "flipper" disc). Not surprisingly, the action's going down first in Japan, with Code blue emergency helicopter doctor Blu-ray BOX (yes, seriously) as the first hybrid title. There's no word on when (or if) this technology will make it to US soil, but the sooner the better -- nothing like a little inbuilt backwards compatibility to ease the mind.
[Via: CDRInfo ]

• TRENDnet rolls out 7-inch digital photo frame / camera monitor
• canon acknowledges, doesn't fix black dot and band problems on 5D Mark II
• Pine-scented ASUS F6V laptop gets unboxed, smelled

Alioscopy's 40-inch 3DHD autostereoscopic LCD headed for CES: no glasses required

Mention 3D, and you'll get an enthusiastic shrug from most. mention three little words in conjunction, and everything changes. In case you haven't guessed that magic trio, it's "no glasses required." We've seen the technology bandied about, but we're sensing that companies are about to get serious with it at CES 2009. Case in point: Alioscopy and TCL have tag-teamed in order to showcase the former's 3DHD autostereoscopic 3D lcd display (40-inch) and content creation technology in just under a month. There are no real details on the underlying juju, but you can bet we're stoked to see what it delivers in Vegas. Maybe those plans for a 3D Olympics in 2012 aren't all that loony after all?
[Via: Engadget ]

• Apple's 24- inch LED Cinema Display gets unboxed, is sure glossy
• UT Austin creates world's highest resolution tiled display : Stallion
• ViBook looses DisplayLink USB-to-DVI adapter with support for six-screen spanning

Epson trots out tiny ST120 HTPC, finds room for Blu-ray / TV tuner

Man, talk about a much needed refreshing. last we recall, Epson was eliciting "awws" from window shoppers who just couldn't get over how delightfully cute its Endeavor ST100 micro pc was. Fast forward two years, and here we have the equally tiny (albeit entirely more useful) ST120. The all-black box comes equipped with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 80GB of hard drive space, an HDMI output, a Blu-ray writer and a digital TV tuner. Too bad the loaded configuration we just spouted off rings up at ?137,500 ($1,531), but those with less lavish lifestyles can opt for a DVD model that starts at "just" ?65,100 ($725).
[Via: Engadget Spanish ]

• Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXII: QQ spins iriver SPINN into lookalike K819
• 4.5 million LEDs Dazzle at japan Winter Light Show [Led]
• Acer ships 22-inch B223 DisplayLink USB monitor in Europe

Mvix quietly reveals media playing / recording MvixPVR

Mvix has a history of pumping out reliable, multi-faceted media streamers, but it has evidently decided to branch out a touch with its latest piece. Taking a note from the HD PVR from Hauppauge, the box packs component video inputs that will likely capture high-def video from set-top-boxes and the like. It's also an HDD-based media player (bring your own hard drive, of course), which outputs content up to 1080p via HDMI. You'll also find integrated WiFi, a USB port for streaming files on external drives and UPnP / BitTorrent functionality. Mvix hasn't stated when this puppy will go on sale nor how expensive it will be, but those looking for a multi-purpose media streamer / recorder should probably keep a check on this one.
[Via: Engadget ]

• BMW Product Navigator: create your next Bimmer on a Surface
• Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display review
• Sony Claims They're Not Working on PSP2
• LCD retrofitted onto Nintendo GameCube - video

Viewsonic introduces 24-inch, 1080p VT2430 LCD TV

It may be leaving things a little late, but Viewsonic is apparently hoping that its new 24-inch VT2430 lcd TV will attract the eyes of a few holiday shoppers and, judging from the specs, it seems to stand a pretty good chance of doing just that. Leading that list is full 1080p resolution, which is certainly a nice bonus on a set this size, as is the promised 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, assuming the results actually live up to that number. Otherwise, you can expect a built-in ATSC / NTSC / QAM TV tuner, hdmi 1.3 connectivity, 250 nits brightness, and the usual VGA, component, s-video, and composite inputs to accommodate your non-HDMI devices. Best of all, it packs an MSRP or just $399, which likely means you'll find it even cheaper if you do a bit of shopping around.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Samsung shows clean lines on 1080p SyncMaster 2494HS LCD
• ASUS rolls out four new VH-series 16:9 lcd monitors
• Dell SP2309W hits for $379: your old display is marked for death
• Dell's UltraSharp 1909W does an awkward barrel roll into the realm of availability

Details flow on Netgear's EVA9150 Digital Entertainer Elite

We had the bare essentials when we spotted Netgear's Digital Entertainer Elite trying to waltz through the FCC unnoticed, but now we've got the hot, juicy details required to make those things called "purchasing decisions." Wired has it that the media streamer will check in during Q1 2009 at $400, which will buy you a roomy 500GB hard drive, "an updated user interface that allows users to choose content from free sources such as YouTube and Flickr," full 1080p support and the ability to swap out the HDD should the owner choose. The catch, however, is that the box is currently disconnected from most major content providers, and without a link to Netflix (or similar), users will have to either provide their own material or simply surf over to online portals such as Hulu. Four bills is a lot to ask for something in the "been there, done that" bucket -- we'll give it three months before the first substantial price cut.
[Via: Engadget ]

Microtune's in-car TV tuner snags 'Days of our Lives' at 125mph

Say you're James Bond (or similar), and for once, you're actually not the one behind the wheel. While you're being chauffeured around the elegant Italian countryside at breakneck speeds, you'll probably want a little live TV entertainment from the back seat. Enter Microtune's MicroTuner, a "first-of-its-kind tuner chip for high-speed in-car TV." Put simply, the MT2067 is built to provide "superior, stable TV reception for passengers in vehicles traveling at top speeds along the autobahn or highway," and supposedly, it can retain a clear signal whilst motoring at 125 miles-per-hour. better still, it's supports worldwide analog / digital terrestrial standards including NTSC, PAL, SECAM, DVB-T, DVB-H, ISDB-T, DTMB, ATSC and ATSC-M/H. $20 says this comes integrated into next year's TV-infused line of Bentley motorcars.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Blurry pics of T- mobile branded Samsung "Memoir" cameraphone emerge

How would you change the Slingbox Pro HD?

Sling Media's Slingbox Pro HD arrived with lofty expectations, and while the box handled its core tasks reasonably well, we found it to have some issues on the software side. The good news there is that software is modifiable, which means Sling could definitely improve matters in the near future. To that end, we're interested to see how you'd change the high-def-capable placeshifter. any bugs you want knocked out? Any particular hardware traits you aren't fond of? Is it simply too difficult for your mother-in-law to get working? Sound off below! You never know -- someone important may be listening.
[Via: Engadget ]

Sharp introduces PG-F255W 720p DLP projector for under $1,000

Nah, it's no 1080p, but if 720p will do ya, Sharp's got a new one you should consider. The PG-F255W DLP beamer packs a WXGA resolution (1,280 x 800), BrilliantColor technology, 2,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,200:1 contrast ratio, DVI / vga inputs, integrated speakers, RS-232C / USB sockets, Ethernet and a variable audio line-out. The PJ is geared for more commercial applications (think education, churches, board rooms, etc.), but we don't see any reason why it won't handle your home cinema needs just fine. It's available this month for "under $1,000," which probably means $999.99 plus applicable sales tax.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Acer's K10 pocket projector announced, projected for January

Pioneer shows off 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, affirms compatibility with current players

When Pioneer first introduced its unicorn-like 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, we weren't sure if the thing would make it beyond the drawing board, let alone be compatible with existing BD decks. Over at the IT Month Fair in Taipei, Pioneer showed up to showcase the capacious disc, and better still, a DigiTimes report asserts that these are indeed compatible with Blu-ray readers already on the market. Currently, the 400GB disc is slated to hit mass production sometime between now and 2010, while rewritable versions won't hit until 2010 to 2012. Not like it really matters though -- a 1TB disc is on track for 2013, and you know you'll be waiting for the latest and greatest.
[Via: Engadget ]

• RED's Digital still and Motion Camera System now official

Canon cleared to resume work on SED TV (now that the world doesn't care)

We're hard pressed to think of a display-related story that has lingered on longer than SED (well over four years at last count), and believe it or not, this still isn't apt to be the last you hear of it. If you'll recall, canon recently declared victory after winning a lawsuit against Applied Nanotech that was previously holding it back from making progress, and now Applied Nanotech has waved the final white flag by giving up its right to appeal. Comically enough, it may actually be too late for Canon to even salvage the win, with president Tsuneji Uchida noting that "at times like this, new display products are not introduced much because people would laugh at them." Shh... nobody tell him the world's been laughing at SED for years.

[Via: OLED-Display ]

Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite: HTPC In a Set Top Box [Htpc]

Compliments of the FCC, we're getting an early look at Netgear's beefy yet practical response to the typical home theater PC. The Netgear digital Entertainer Elite, expected to be officially announced at CES, is a set top box that may lack a tuner but happens to stream every format you could want at encoding rates up to 40Mbps (Blu-ray territory) over ethernet or its integrated Wireless-N adapter. Playing 1080P video over HDMI, plus packing component, optical and SCART outputs, the Digital Entertainer can also be expanded to move beyond streaming with any 3.5-inch internal SATA drive you like.

The catch, of course, could be the price. But we probably won't know about that point for another month. Until then, we'll admit that our interest is piqued. What would you pay for this sleek HTPC light? [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]

Renesas aims to bring 1080p playback to your next cellphone

Believe it or not, this is far from the first we've heard of bringing high-def video to cellphones, and it's not even the first application to dabble in mobile 1080p. Still, we'll take all the innovation we can get in this space, and when the real Touch HD ever arrives, we'll be ready and waiting with full HD capabilities. Announced at ISSCC 2009 in San Francisco, Renesas Technology is showing off an application processor that enables handsets to process 1,920 x 1,080 resolution video at 30 frames-per-second; the processor's core has a maximum operating frequency of 500MHz and supports MPEG-4 AVC / H.264, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video formats. There's no telling when the 6.4- x 6.5-millimeter chip will be available en masse, but we need the HTCs of the world to get us a 1080p phone and a retina implant or two to read 0.2-size fonts before it even matters.
[Via: Engadget ]

TrekStor rolls out MovieStation pocket c.uc portable hard drive

Well, it looks like those that found TrekStor's MovieStation maxi t.u. hard drive a bit too bulky for their taste now have a new option to consider in the form of the company's new MovieStation pocket c.uc, which packs many of the same media-friendly features, plus a memory card slot (SD, MMC, and xD) for some added convience. As you can see above, you'll also get a remote to control the device when it's hooked up to a TV (via composite or component), and you'll get support for most of the audio and video formats you'll likely want -- yes, including DivX and Xvid. No word on a release 'round here just yet, but folks in the UK can apparently grab a 250GB version now for ?99.99 (about $150) or a 500GB drive for ?139.99 (roughly $215).
[Via: Engadget ]

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer

Ah, so this is a yearly treat? Almost a year to the day after SageTV's STX-HD100 HD Media Extender was revealed, in flies the unit's proper successor. The simply named HD Theater (or HD200, if you prefer), is launching for the same $199.95 and sports a slightly smaller footprint, the same remote as the HD100, usb ports on the front and rear, an Ethernet jack, hdmi / component / S-Video / composite video outputs, a S/PDIF audio port, network / local media streaming capabilities and the SageTV Media Center for Windows software bundle. Per usual, you'll find support for a cornucopia of formats (MPEG 1/2/4, H.264, WMV9, VC1, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC and JPEG just to name a few), and it looks as if it's ready to ship as we speak.
[Via: GeekTonic ]

• Creative's $200 Vado hd pocket camcorder ready for pre-order

$168,000 Harion speaker set crafted from heat-resistant glass, fairy dust

We're pretty sharp on the fairy dust market, and while it no doubt goes for a premium in certain parts of the world, there's still a serious surcharge being added in here for transparency. Japan's own Hario is catering yet again to the affluent among us with its Harion speaker set, which boasts a subwoofer, two mid-range drivers and a pair of acrylic tweeters -- all encased in heat-resistant glass. Of course, the company is no stranger to pumping out exclusive glass-based kit and charging a wad for it, as this particular package will run customers a staggering 16 million yen, or just north of $168,000. Oh, but if you and ten others dial in right now, they can be produced and sold for just 10 million yen each ($105,030). Economies of scale, now that's good stuff.
[Via: Gearlog ]

Black Friday Giveaways : Universal Remote's URC Digital R50 over at Engadget HD!

Our main cats over at Engadget HD are getting into the Black Friday giveaway game with us, and they've got a button-festooned R50 up for grabs! If you're down to get some more free stuff, truck on over there and get your comments in.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Official RED Scarlet and EPIC pics are sure to induce drool [Updated with OMG]

Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite media streamer says hello to the FCC

Netgear returns with the Digital Entertainer Elite network media streamer taking an early peek from cover to go through its paces at the FCC test center. Two years after the EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD, the EVA9000 model adds support for a 3.5-inch SATA internal HDD, 802.11n and more to its predecessor's lengthy list of features. The leaked spec comparison after the break reveals AVI, XviD, DivX and h.264 decoding returning plus Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, MKV, TS, M2TS file support that should chew through any HD files you've got and then some. Why wait for an official announcement, shipping date or price? The FCC already had its fun, so check out the PDFs for a full manual plus pictures inside & out, then once this box hits the stage at CES just pretend like you never saw it with the cover off.
[Pictures via AVSForum]

[Via: Engadget ]

• Target gift card for the holidays multitasks as adorable digital camera

2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on sale

We heard that Blockbuster's very own movie set-top-box would be on sale shortly, and for couch potatoes and cube dwellers alike, you can order yours right now from the comfort of your dilapidated sofa / Aeron, respectively. As we'd heard, you'll be asked to rent 25 On Demand movies for $99, after which you'll get the MediaPoint player for free. Not quite sure if that's really pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, but color us completely unsurprised that a company in such dire straights would risk embarrassment to give it a shot. So, is anyone going to buy in here, or is that "Order Now!" button going to sit unclicked forever?
[Thanks, Robert]
[Via: Engadget ]

• Keian Japan P71-A2-JP: part photo printer, part photo frame, all modern marvel

Hitachi introduces trio of ultra-bright projectors

Hitachi's latest trifecta wasn't designed for your surely swank abode per se, but we suppose those with enough cash and willpower can do anything they darn well please. That said, the CP-X10000 (1,024 x 768), CP-WX11000 (1,280 x 800) and CP-SX12000 (1,400 x 1,050) can all handle professional (read: lit) settings with ease, featuring 7,500 / 6,500 / 7,000 lumens, respectively. The whole lot also boasts a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 10-bit signal processor, HDMI / BNC connectors, Ethernet, an RS-232 control port and a lamp good for 10,000 maintenance-free hours. Mum's the word on price, but don't worry, these are going on the corporate card anyway.
[Via: I4U News ]

• Sigma acquires Feveon, maker of the X3 image sensor

Able Planet headphones cancel out bothersome noise of life so you can get into your game

If you love gaming at loud volumes (who doesn't) but don't love the idea of going deaf by the time you're 35 years old, Able Planet might have something to help you out. Their new PS500MM gaming headphones -- developed with technology that was originally used for the moderately hearing-impaired -- are supposedly ultra-noise-canceling, which should free you from the need to crank up the volume just to compete with background noise. They're $99 and available for order now, so you'll probably want to get over there asap, unless, like us, you destroyed your hearing years ago listening to Use Your Illusion II.

[Via: Engadget ]

• Purported Dell 23-inch SP2309 LCD monitor leaked, tasty specs and all

Live NFL broadcast to air in 3D as "proof of concept"

As the NFL gobbles up even more market share in the United States, it follows logic to see the next big in-home entertainment push side with it in order to garner attention. With every company and its third subsidiary twice removed trying to shove 3D into the home, we'd say starting with the NFL is a brilliant move. In a closed-to-the-public "proof of concept" demonstration, next week's matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will air live in 3D to select theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Third-dimension mainstays 3ality Digital and RealD will play critical roles in the delivery, though it remains unclear what exactly the NFL and 3D backers in general plan to do afterwards. If you'll recall, this isn't the first pro sporting event this year that was beamed in 3D to nearby theaters, but we can't think of anything more appealing than 300-pound gentleman crushing each other just inches from your retinas.

[Via: Engadget ]

• Panasonic unveils new 11 Series plasma displays in Germany

HANNspree's 28-inch 1080p HT09 LCD HDTV comes to America for $500

Just in time for brands like Vizio, Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo to undercut it on Black Friday, HANNspree has swooped in and delivered its bedroom-sized 1080p LCD HDTV to the great lands of North America. The set, which was made available a few months prior in the UK, claims to be the planet's first 28-inch "1080p" HDTV, with a native 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, two HDMI ports, a VGA socket, integrated ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM tuner, 3-millisecond response time, 3,000:1 contrast ratio, stereo speakers (5-watts x 2), audio in / out ports and an Energy Star 3.0 sticker for good measure. Not too shabby for $499.99, and we'd count on finding it even cheaper given the current level of competition in the sector.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Pioneer's 37-inch KRL-37V KURO LCD reviewed: other LCDs should be scared

Slacker radio added to Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link

If you've found yourself dumbfoundedly staring at your Bravia Internet Video Link-equipped HDTV thinking "when am I going to see some Slacker radio up in this piece?" -- you're in luck. Sony announced today that it would be bringing the streaming service to users of the company's $300 hardware add-on free of charge, allowing music hounds to grab "millions" of songs on over "100 individually programmed genre music stations" in CD-quality audio. The service joins other streaming content like YouTube and Amazon, and will be available immediately. So... why are you still reading this?

[Via: ZatzNotFunny ]

• Samsung titillates with transparent and 0.05mm 'flapping' OLED panels
• Nikon Coolpix P6000 reviewed, not all that cool
• Epson Imaging Devices introduce a-TFT displays that play well in sunlight or darkness
• Shinoda's 125-inch curved plasma to hit assembly lines by May, all 7.9-pounds of it
• Swarovski-coated webcam: because everything should be shiny
• European ROLLED project promises to print OLEDs on the cheap

Netflix ceases HD DVD shipments on December 15th

In a move shocking to absolutely no one, Netflix has confirmed that very soon they will no longer be offering HD DVD movies for rental through their system. The official date is set for December 15th. For those who have already queued movies up and may still have them queued in HD DVD format, Netflix will be substituting regular DVDs for those.

Since the “death” of HD DVD, many companies that adopted early, including Netflix, have been wondering what to do with the inventory they'd acquired that was quickly becoming useless. Netflix isn't mentioning if they will be selling off their HD DVDs, particularly since they plan to stop selling used DVDs in the near future as well. They might end up just trashing all the media, which could be costly.
[Via: Justin Mann ]

• NEC introduces 22-inch MultiSync P221W LCD monitor
• SMART pulls the cloth off multitouch table for school kids
• New Kodak OLED material promises longer life, better colors
• Canon PowerShot G10 reviewed
• AUO debuts 15-inch multi-touch panel, screens aplenty
• E Ink's AM300 developer's kit gets shown off on video

Chinese pirates offering cheap AVCHD Blu-ray rips on disguised DVD-Rs

Just last week we heard that Warner Bros. was ending its home video / DVD business in South Korea due to rampant piracy, and now we've got a report from China suggesting that sophisticated pirates are duping buyers with faux Blu-ray Discs that are actually DVDs. As the story goes, movie pirates in select parts of Asia are ripping bona fide BDs and then burning them in AVCHD format (which uses 720 horizontal lines of resolution compared to Blu-ray's 1,080) on writable DVDs. Word on the street has it that these discs are being offered for around $7 each, and they even boast the BD hologram and the iconic blue hues on the packaging. Reportedly, none of the discs have made it outside of Asia just yet, but stay sharp should you ever get the urge to snag a discounted BD title while traveling abroad.
[Via: Engadget ]

• Parrot intros Specchio WiFi photo frame with NFC
• Kids-on with the SMART Table
• BenQ's M2400HD 24-inch LCD hits Japan next month
• CineMassive OmegaPlex: 27.6 million pixels for $12,995
• eMagin's SXGA OLED-XL microdisplay: perfect for night vision goggles, HMDs
• SNL does multitouch comedy to perfection with CNN's 'Magic Map'

Wireless ButtKicker kit ready to rumble your posterior

Earlier this year, we were fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on perspective) enough to get our rumps on one of the famed ButtKickers. For those unaware, these devices are meant for installation underneath a seat or sofa in order to provide chair-rumbling effects to help you "feel" the film. Now, the Guitammer Company is making them even easier to install by cutting the wires, bringing low frequency audio transducers just inches from your derriere without any cords necessary. The above pictured kit will go on sale next Friday (yes, that's Black Friday for you Americans) for under $300 on Amazon -- are you really ready to rumble?
[Via: Engadget ]

• LG demos 15-inch double-sided LCD
• Mitsubishi's 65-inch LaserVue HDTV undergoes further testing
• Sony's 0.3mm OLED gets all bent at CEATEC
• KDDI shows off Samsung-made 3.1-inch WVGA OLED display, 3D LCD panel
• Samsung CX-2233GW monitor impresses us with... nothing, actually
• Asus outdoes itself with new 24, 25.5-inch displays

Memorex MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player hits $139.99 (but not for long)

Okay, so maybe Memorex's Profile 1.1 MVBD-2510 was only $269 from the get-go, but busting through the unofficial $150 price barrier is a pretty big deal for Blu-ray. Granted, we're totally expecting a few more to join the fold come Black Friday, but who's not all about buying from the comfort of one's home versus braving frigid temperatures only to catch eight airborne diseases and shave 2.85 years from your life due to statistically significant levels of stress on a day off? Bottom line: $139.99 for a BD deck is pretty darn cheap (even for Woot's standards), and even if there's no BD-Live support baked in, it'll still handle the 1080p basics. Order now, debate later.

[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: bd, blu-ray, blu-ray player, Blu-rayPlayer, deal, deals, Memorex, MVBD-2510, MVBD2510, profile 1.1, Profile1.1, sale, woot ]

Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50

Back at CEDIA, you witnessed the best Universal Remote Control had to offer for the high-end and custom-install market, but the outfit's latest caters to the commercial crowd. Hailed as its new flagship unit for the consumer retail channel, the URC Digital R50 features a backlit, customizable color screen, PC-free setup, an IR blaster, support for up to 18 home theater components, an ARM7 microprocessor and backlit buttons for good measure. The unit gets powered by four AA cells and weighs just nine ounces with the batteries installed, and for those who are already drooling, you can snap it up now through major retailers for $149.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: digital R50, DigitalR50, infrared, IR, r50, remote, remote control, RemoteControl, universal remote, universal remote control, UniversalRemote, UniversalRemoteControl, URC, URC DIGITAL R50, UrcDigitalR50 ]

Hawaiian analog TV shutoff to come early, saving God's creatures

Technological progress marches forward, assimilating all those who resist -- we know this well in our line of work, but sometimes you've got to stand up and say, "The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!" Take the digital TV transition in the United States for example: all the analog TV signals will be shut off in February. It won't be pretty, but it'll be progress. Hawaii, though, has a dilemma: it just so happens that the analog towers that'll be torn down are awfully close to the nests of the state's adorable and endangered petrel birds, whose nesting season also occurs in February. Hence Hawaii's digital switch will occur a month early on January 15th, so you 17,000 affected Hawaiians have that much less time to grab converter boxes, or you'll end up watching the next season of Lost in person on your beautiful beaches instead of your ancient tube televisions.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 2009, analog shutoff, analogshutoff, digital transition, digital tv, digitaltransition, digitaltv, dtv, endangered species, endangeredspecies, hawaii ]

Toshiba, Viewsonic launch new widescreen projectors

Those in the market for a business / education-minded projector certainly aren't hurting for options these days, but if you somehow still haven't found one to your liking, you may want to consider one of these new models from Toshiba and Viewsonic. At about four pounds apiece, they're reasonably portable, and pack the same WXGA resolution along with some other similar specs across the board, including a 600:1 contrast ratio and 2,220 ANSI lumens on the Toshiba TLP-WX1000U, and a 500:1 contrast ratio and 2,000 lumens on the Viewsonic PJ359w. The Viewsonic also adds HDMI 1.3 connectivity to the mix, not to mention a short-throw lens, though you'll have to decide for yourself if that's worth the higher $1,299 list price or not, compared to just $959 for the Toshiba.

[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: pj359w, projector, tlp-wx1000u, toshiba, viewsonic ]

Kairen's Projector X Pro920M is small, but not impressively so

The tiny projector craze has really been heating up as of late, and the introduction of the Kairen Projector X Pro920M only promises to increase the insanity. Measuring a diminutive 3.5 x 1.73 x 3.15-inches (not nearly as small as some), we hear it's got 10 lumens of brightness, a contrast ratio of 100:1, and a resolution of 640 x 480. The little projector... um, projects a 25-inch image from of a distance of up to 1 meter. It's going to be on sale in January 2009 in Japan for $400, and we can only hope it makes its way to North America at some point. Until that happens, we'll just have to make do in our wasteland of medium-sized projectors.
[Via: CrunchGear ] [Tag: kairen, pocket, pocket projector, PocketProjector, Pro920M, projector, projector x pro920M, ProjectorXPro920m ]

Silicon Mountain's Allio: 42-inch HDTV with built-in PC / Blu-ray player

Talk about putting all of your eggs in one basket. Silicon Mountain has evidently taken a note from Lumenlab with its incredibly multifaceted Allio. For starters, the 42-inch set arrives with a full-blown PC within, including an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and Windows Vista Home Premium. You'll also find a smorgasbord of inputs, a number of USB ports, wired / wireless networking options and a 1080p panel; speaking of the TV itself, it features a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness and twin 12-watt speakers. On top of all that, the California-assembled unit even includes a slim-line Blu-ray player, theoretically beating both Sharp and Funai to the market with Blu-ray-infused HDTVs. As of now, six different configurations are available (including a 32-incher) starting at $1,599, and the company is planning on offering "low-cost" versions with Ubuntu in the near future. Head on past the break for the full release.
Silicon Mountain Unveils Allio™ 42-inch HDTV with Integrated PC and Blu-Ray Player
Product, First of Its Kind in North America, Now Available
Boulder, Colo. & Menlo Park, Calif. -- November 10, 2008 – Silicon Mountain Holdings, Inc., (OTCBB: SLCM), a technology company specializing in high-performance interactive computing solutions, today announced its design for a 32 and 42-inch High Definition LCD-TV with an integrated, full-function PC and Blu-Ray/DVD player. Named Allio, this system will define an entirely new category of converged products, where entertainment and instant, on-demand information and productivity blend together seamlessly, in stunning high-definition.
The Allio HD TV / PC is the first product of its kind in North America, and Silicon Mountain is the first company worldwide to develop a converged HDTV / PC solution that includes Blu-Ray. It is available now, in time for U.S. holiday purchases. Orders are being taken now at the Visionman website at http://www.visionman.com/.
Additional information on where to buy Allio will be announced soon.
The flagship Allio model marries a Full-HD 42" LCD display with a combo Blu-Ray/DVD player, integrated digital recorder for PVR and a powerful PC, based on the Intel Core2Duo E8400 processor, 4GB of RAM from Silicon Mountain, a 1TB hard drive and the 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium. In addition to the analog and digital audio-video inputs common to high-def televisions, Allio includes wireless and wired networking capabilities and several USB ports to extend the experience to other computers and peripherals in the home.
Internet Video Comes to the Big Screen
Integrating the television with the Internet brings a new source of content to the digital lifestyle – Internet video. Normally confined to smaller computer monitors, streaming high definition content from providers like Joost, Hulu and TidalTV now can be accessed on the TV, in addition to popular clip sites such as YouTube. Allio's channel choices span cable, satellite and Internet for a truly converged, hybrid entertainment experience. Media libraries can be combined, shared and played from a single device. The Allio HD TV / PC enables users to store their iTunes and DVD collections on a single system.
"The Allio HD TV / PC takes the digital experience into another dimension," said Tre Cates, Silicon Mountain President and CEO. "During product development, we discovered that our testers regularly expressed disappointment in their own large screen television and home theatre configurations after using Allio for just a few hours. The results are clear. The Allio HD TV / PC experience simply suits our modern digital lifestyle better. The converged experience will boost productivity and interactive behaviors, and bring families together around the next generation of appliance, just as the early television and radio did for generations past."
Picture-in-picture and split-screen capabilities allow multiple sources of content to operate together on a single large screen. A Blu-Ray or DVD can be watched in one window, while television is viewed in another pane, with computing tasks occurring simultaneously. The uses of this split-screen capability are seemingly endless. On Sunday, a fantasy football player can watch multiple games simultaneously, while browsing NFL.com for real-time player stats and scores, while chatting on AOL Instant Messenger or Skype with other league owners. A student can watch educational programming from a satellite or cable provider while writing a paper and looking up unfamiliar terms and concepts on Wikipedia, then taking a quick break to update his or her MySpace page. A business executive can view streaming stock quotes while composing email and watching financial news.
Systems start at $1,599.99
Six configurations of The Allio HD TV / PC are available, with features and pricing to fit any budget. The entry-level 32" and 42" Allio with an Intel 2.5 GHz PDC E5200, 250GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, DVD/CD support and Vista Home Premium retails for $1,599 and $1,999. The middle system in the series adds PVR and Blu-Ray support and an upgraded 2.54 GHz Core2Duo E7200 processor for $2,199 and $2,399. The flagship Allio system ups the ante on the intermediate option, upgrading the RAM and storage to 4GB and 1TB, respectively, for $2,399 and $2,799.
For the budget-minded, Silicon Mountain plans to launch configurations based on the popular Ubuntu Linux operating system for an even lower-cost solution. Every Allio HD TV / PC model will be assembled in Northern California.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: all-in-one, all-in-one pc, All-in-onePc, Allio, bd, blu-ray, hdtv, HTPC, lcd hdtv, LcdHdtv, media center pc, media pc, MediaCenterPc, MediaPc, Silicon Mountain, SiliconMountain, tv pc, TvPc ]

JVC, Sensio team up on high-end consumer 3D projection system

Far from being the first (or second, or third) partnership aimed at getting 3D in the home, JVC and Sensio have jointly chosen EHX Fall 2008 to announce their loving new union. By joining forces, they're purporting to introduce the "very first high-end 3D solution available on the consumer market." Granted, this so-called solution won't be cheap nor simple, as it will require a pair of JVC's costly D-ILA projectors and a media server integrating Sensio's 3D decoding technology. At the show, the pair demonstrated the forthcoming system by utilizing two $9,000 (yes, each) DLA-RS2 beamers (pictured), though it's never stated whether or not any gaudy goggles are required for visualizing the third-dimension. At any rate, the kit won't be available until sometime in 2009, but it's quite possible we'll get a sneak peek at CES in January.
[Via: Electronic House ] [Tag: 3d, D-ILA, DLA-RS2, ehx, ehx 2008, ehx fall, Ehx2008, EhxFall, JVC, projection, projector, sensio ]

No end in sight for war of the tiniest projector

Two diminutive projectors are making their debuts in the coming days. First, Epoq Multimedia's 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.6-inch Pico Cube projector, which the company says is "about the size and weight of a hen's egg." The device packs a LCoS chip and projects VGA resolution, with a 3W LED light source for between seven and 10 ANSI brightness, an 80:1 contrast ratio and expected LED array life of 25,000 hours. The BeamBox Pocket Projector, or W-1, is nearly identical in both size and specs, though this one is "about the size of two packs of cards" and weighs just 190 grams (no weight is given for the Epoq). The Pico Cube will be available online starting mid-November to the tune of $299, while the W-1 will be available November 10th online for ?199 (about $350). Needless to say, our excitement for these products is "about the same size as something very small."
[Via: Twice ] [Tag: beambox, epoq, pico cube, pico projector, PicoCube, PicoProjector, projector, w-1 ]

Pioneer wins plasma patent case over Samsung, awarded $59.3 million

Pioneer may be licking its wounds, but at least there's one bright spot on an otherwise dark end-of-year. The US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Marshall (read: patent troll heaven) recently found that "Samsung willfully infringed two Pioneer patents covering plasma display technology," leading to a settlement which involves Samsung handing Pioneer a check for $59,351,480. Samsung has yet to comment on the ruling, but it's pretty easy to imagine what it's probably thinking, wouldn't you say?
[Via: SmartHouse ] [Tag: court, lawsuit, legal, patent, patent infringement, PatentInfringement, PDP, Pioneer, plasma, samsung, Samsung SDI, SamsungSdi, settlement, sue, suit ]

Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo

The TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD join the ranks of the Xbox 360, Roku and various Blu-ray players, with Netflix Watch Instantly streaming movies coming to several thousand households today in beta testing, followed by a wide release scheduled for "early December." There won't be any additional fees (other than you TiVo and Netflix subs, of course) leaving the only questions when does high definition video arrive and how do we get in the early tests? Check out the full press release after the break.
TIVO AND NETFLIX ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP
TO INSTANTLY STREAM MOVIES AND TV EPISODES
FROM NETFLIX DIRECTLY TO THE TV THROUGH TIVO DVRs

Deal Provides Netflix with New Content Distribution Channel, Solidifies TiVo's Leading Position as One-Box Solution for Simple Navigation and Delivery
Of the Best Entertainment Content to the TV


ALVISO, Calif. and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 30, 2008 - TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs) and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), the world's largest online movie rental service, today announced that they are teaming up to provide Netflix and TiVo® Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL subscribers with the ability to have thousands of movies and TV episodes instantly streamed from Netflix directly to their TVs.

The two companies said they are initiating a test of the new capability today in several thousand U.S. households and expect it to be broadly available in early December, in time for the holidays. The ability to instantly watch content from Netflix on the TV via TiVo DVRs will be offered at no additional charge to customers who subscribe to both services.

The agreement provides Netflix with an important new technology partner to instantly stream a growing library of more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes directly from Netflix to the TV. It also solidifies TiVo's leading position for simple navigation and delivery of the best entertainment content to the TV.

"For Netflix and TiVo subscribers, this collaboration offers a fabulously easy way to enhance the enjoyment of watching movies in the comfort of their living rooms," said Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix. "Subscribers to Netflix and TiVo are avid movie watchers and this combination gives them immediate access to all of the great content available through TiVo and the thousands of additional choices available to be streamed instantly from Netflix."

"Joining forces with Netflix creates the ultimate video on demand service and solidifies TiVo's leading position as the one-box solution for aggregating, searching, and delivering the best content available anywhere right to the TV," said Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo Inc. "Adding Netflix to our already vast library of content differentiates TiVo even further from any other offering in the market today."

Integrating the Netflix streaming functionality into the TiVo experience will result in quick and easy access to a growing list of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly at Netflix. Movies streamed from Netflix via specified TiVo DVRs is done through a wired or wireless broadband connection and a Netflix Queue-based user interface. Members visit the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices will automatically be displayed on subscribers' TVs and available to watch instantly through the TiVo service. With the TiVo remote control, users will be able to browse their instant Queue, make selections right on the TV screen, and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they will have the option of pausing, fast-forwarding, rewinding and re-starting whenever they wish.

For more information on how to have movies instantly streamed from Netflix via your TiVo DVR visit www.tivo.com/netflix.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: breaking news, BreakingNews, netflix, rentals, series 3, Series3, streaming, tivo, tivo hd, tivo hd xl, TivoHd, TivoHdXl, watch instantly, watch now, WatchInstantly, WatchNow ]

Sanyo introduces WiFi-enabled R227 tabletop radio

Internet radios aren't anything new, but Sanyo's putting its own spin on things with the WiFi-packin' R227. Aside from offering standard FM reception, this tabletop device also tunes into thousands of internet stations / podcasts, and it enables listeners to search by country or genre. You'll also find a pair of stereo speakers, one-button on / off, a bundled remote, an Ethernet jack, auxiliary input for DAPs and an audio output for connecting to larger, more robust sound systems. For now, it seems the unit will be exclusive to Canada where it will be offered in a black wood gloss finish for $219.99.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: FM, internet radio, Internet Radio R227, InternetRadio, InternetRadioR227, R227, radio, Sanyo, wifi radio, WifiRadio ]

Mitsubishi's $6,999 65-inch LaserVue HDTV now hitting retailers

Just in time for your holiday wish list, Mitsubishi has announced that its stunning 65-inch LaserVue HDTV is now on sale at select specialty retailers nationwide. From what we've personally seen and from what we've gathered from those lucky enough to critique it in detail, this here set is a real winner. Of course, coming up with the $6,999 in order to bring one home is another matter entirely, but those who feel like stimulating the economy and their retinas can absolutely do so starting today.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 65-inch, hdtv, L65-A90, laser, laser tv, LaserTv, laservue, Mitsubishi, now available, now shipping, NowAvailable, NowShipping, on sale, OnSale, ship, shipping, ships ]

MvixBOX media server: 2TB of web-enabled, media streaming goodness

It looks like Mvix USA, a company known for their media streamers, has really pulled out all the stops with their new NAS. The MvixBOX has two drive bays (1.5TB SATA HDDs not included), Windows file sharing, an RSS client, a Bit Torrent client, telnet and secure SMTP. If that isn't enough, it's also an FTP server, an Apache web server (with MySQL, SQlife and PHP pre-installed) and features Mvix's RapidBox functionality (their version of RapidShare file hosting). This all might be a bit much for the typical consumer, but for the small business (or hardcore torrent-head) the device could replace an entire server. Just expect a sharp decline in productivity when your SQL programmer realizes he can watch Battlestar Galactica on the thing.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: bittorrent, media pc, media server, media streamer, MediaPc, MediaServer, MediaStreamer, mvix, MvixBOX, mvixusa, nas ]

Standalone VCR party finally ends, JVC shuts the door as it leaves

We were fully prepared to start harshing on VHS as a dead-end technology that never went anywhere during its time in retail (as a joke, of course), and out of nowhere, a bona fide tear slowly ran down our left cheek. Today, friends, is a day worth remembering. Today truly marks the end of an era, as so far as we can tell, JVC really was the only company still producing standalone VCRs. Of course, the outfit will continue to serve customers with a need to play back VHS tapes by offering up DVD / VHS combo units, but those looking for a shiny new slice of retro in 2008 will be out of luck after remaining inventories dry up. All told, over 900 million VCRs were produced worldwide, with 50 million of those boasting a JVC label. We simply couldn't think of a more fitting way to put the iconic VCR (which just turned 30 in 2005) to bed than by hosting up a poll and soliciting your input -- here's hoping the videocassette lives on in your domicile in one form or another, even if it's just the resident dust collector.
[Via: Impress ] [Tag: dead, JVC, killed, rip, standalone, VCR, VHS, video tape, videocassette, VideoTape ]

Dealzmodo: Sharp AQUOS 32" 1080p LCD for $699 Shipped [Dealzmodo]

6th Avenue Electronics has the Sharp AQUOS 32" 1080p HDTV for $699, including shipping, with a coupon. It's the lowest price we've seen for this LCD by about $100, and it's a pretty well-reviewed line. This one features a 6ms response time and dual HDMI inputs.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]

Scitech's VLP-100 Portable Projector Only Does QVGA Resolution for $350 [Micro Projector]

          News that Scitech Japan is to release the VLP100, it's first portable microprojector may interest until you learn of two snags: firstly it projects at a mere 320 x 240 pixels, and secondly it'll cost you around $350...roughly a dollar per vertical pixel column. Sure it's pretty tiny at 7.1 x 4.3 x 2.2-inches, weighs a mere 2.2-pounds, fits in 2W stereo speakers and Osram-made 4-LED lighting system at 350 lumens brightness. But it's designed to throw images up to 50-inches, meaning pixels around a tenth of an inch across. Call me picky, but that seems a lot of money for not much display...I'll hang on for the picoprojectors we've heard so much about. Due late this month in Japan. [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]