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Mystery HTC device flaunts class-leading benchmarks, 1080p display
When we say "mystery," we totally mean it. We don't know if this is a phone or a tablet, or even if it's real -- stranger things have happened that concocted benchmarks. All we can say for sure is that a previously unheard-of device called the HTC 6435LVW has appeared over at the Community Uploads section of the GLBenchmark site, scoring a ridiculous 121 FPS in the Egypt Offscreen 720p test -- that's more than twice the score of the HTC One X (LTE), and 20 percent higher than the current performance supremo, the Galaxy S III. But that's not all, because the benchmark listing also throws up some specs: notably a 1794 x 1080 resolution (could that mean a new HTC tablet with onscreen buttons?) and a Qualcomm MSM8960 processor (could it be the Pro version?). There are too many questions to contemplate, but here's one final detail: the Android ICS version is described as a Verizon build, so if this thing is legit maybe that's where it's headed.
The iPad 2 and 1080p, there's nothing to see here
Today is of course iPad 2 day and the HD world didn't get left without any news. Many seem excited about the iPad 2's 1080p video output, we're not. It isn't that we don't think that teachers and marketing professionals alike will really find it useful, it's just that we will laugh our way right out of your house if we walk in and you have a 20 foot HDMI cable strung across the living room floor watching 720p movies or playing Angry Birds on the big screen. What's that you say, the iPad can output 1080p? Well sort of. The iPad can mirror its 1024x768 display in 1080p but it still won't decode 1080p H.264 videos, and we don't know what type of TV you have, but we'd bet ours does a little bit better job of scaling than the magical iPad. All that being said, the iPad 2's new form factor will increase its desirability as a couch companion -- not to mention we'll buy anything with magnets -- but an HD source device, not so much.
Iain Sinclair Poco Pro: little camcorder, big expectations
The Poco Pro from Iain Sinclair, manufacturers of fine tiny things, is said to be "the world's thinnest" 1080p HD pocket camcorder. Poco's specs tout dimensions of 54 x 85.6 x 5mm, much smaller than JVC's Picsio, Samsung's HMX-E10, and even Toshiba's Camileo, but we are definitely wary of image quality on a sensor as small as this one. We're not entirely sure we get the purpose of its optional WiFi capabilities, either -- the site claims they're for "wireless data transmission," but we don't know if that's to a PC or some sort of service. If you're dying to find out, you can reserve a Poco of your own for £100, or about $155, but be patient, this little guy won't hit the market until June.
Roku drops new firmware in time for the holidays, XR gets 1080p, Hulu optimization for all
If you're an owner of one of the early Roku XR units and have been left on the 720p bench while the newer models step up to full HD, it's time to get in the game. Roku has released a firmware update (2.9-b1509) that unleashes the necessary pixels on the XR, also including some niceties for those models that can already do 1080p. The full list is at the source link, but look for improved performance for viewing Hulu along with a suite of bug fixes. Leave your box running and it'll update itself, or if you want it now you can grab it manually under "Settings," "Player Info," "Check for Updates." Yeah, you know you want to.
Samsung showing off 55 inches of 240Hz 3D LCD glory
Look, we know this 3D thing is as likely to sink as it is to swim right now, but we have to hand it to Samsung -- it's pursuing the idea with some pretty hefty ambition. A 55-inch 1080p panel with a true 240Hz refresh rate is a decent base on which to build your paradigm-shifting new offering. Using a set of "shutter" glasses, which rapidly alternate between blocking out the left and right eye, the set is capable of delivering the full 240Hz quality, debatable as its benefits may be. Of course, the value or otherwise of a TV like this is going to be found only by experiencing its output in person, so if you're somewhere near Seoul this week, head on down to the IMID 2009 conference to get an eyeful of an early model.
Sony unveils two new 1080p Handycams
Nothing too remarkable about Sony's latest HD camcorders, but the new 64GB HDR-CX520V and 32GB HDR-CX500V are solid updates nonetheless. Identical apart from the built-in storage, both feature an Exmor R CMOS sensor with BIONZ processing that should offer solid low-light performance and decent 12 megapixel stills, Optical SteadyShot with a new active mode and three-way shake cancellation, Face Touch autofocus that allows you to simply point at faces to prioritize focus in order, and, most notably, 60p output, which'll interpolate your footage to 60 progressive frames per second when connected to a compatible HDTV. Not a bad piece of kit, but they'll cost ya: the HDR-CX500V will run $1,100 and the HDR-CX520V will be $1,300 when they arrive in September.
Samsung properly introduces Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs
You knew Samsung wouldn't pull up in Vegas without a few new sets to clutter up your living room, and sure enough, we're being treated to a fresh pair of CCFL-backlit displays. The Series 6 ranges from 19- to 55-inches, while the Series 7 is comprised of just a 40-, 46- and 52-inch model, and the latter three (along with '09 Series 6 650 40-inch and above) sets feature the Yahoo!-driven Internet@TV functionality. Furthermore, the Series 7 is Sammy's first ever 240Hz CCFL-backlit display, while all Series 6 sets 32-inches and up tout the 120Hz Auto Motion Plus technology. All the nitty-gritty details (save for pricing and availability) are tucked away in the read link. %Gallery-40656%
Sony's 1080p VPL-HW10 projector gets unboxed and reviewed
Sony's VPL-HW10 SXRD projector was viewed as a fairly stellar bargain when it was announced back at CEDIA. A 1080p projector with Sony's name on it for $3,500? Yes, please. One Michael Smith purchased his directly from Sony, and he took the time to unbox it and share his impressions with the public at large. In short, the beamer was deemed "awesome," and words like "amazing," "high quality" and "crystal clear" were used frequently. In fact, he found it difficult to say anything negative, even going so far as to say that he's simply spoiled now that he has seen what this puppy can do. Don't take our word for it, though -- check the links out below to hear it from the horse's lips.Read - UnboxingRead - Review
AU Optronics builds "world's first" 16:9 24-inch MoniTV LCD for desktops
No consumers products have been announced yet, but we have a feeling AU Optronics could be on to something with its new "world first" LCD panel size -- which seems to at least be a first of its kind for consumer applications. Instead of the traditional 1920 x 1200 resolution and aspect ratio of normal "widescreen" 24-inch LCDs, the new 1080p MoniTV display is true 16:9 and 1920 x 1080, for perfectly matching that HD signal coming from the likes of your PS3, Xbox 360 or Blu-ray player. AU Optronics is banking on the trend of people watching TV and movies at their desks, and with a mere 14mm of thickness to the panel (pictured on the left), we're guessing this'll be a pretty attractive offering once it gets into the hands of manufacturers. AUO is building a range of MoniTV 16:9 panels to go along with, starting at 15-inch and running on up to 32-inches. Most will be available Q2 this year.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 1/28/08
Well, we only got one game this week and luckily it's a good one. If you're looking to check out all the different fun stuff there is to do on the mountain, hit up the video above. If you need to study up some more before strapping your boots into a board, head past the break for our other usual coverage. But, most importantly, we hope you find the game as fun as we do.
VC Monday Madness: 1080 Snowboarding
There is but one single Virtual Console release today, allowing some of you who've been waiting for it over the past few weeks some relief, while the rest of you who were waiting on other titles or perhaps looked forward to more than one game to play are going to be left without satisfaction. You shouldn't be unhappy, though, as this game is one of the best to grace the N64.This week's Virtual Console game is: 1080° Snowboarding (N64, 1-2 Players, 1000 Wii Points) And, as always, be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up of this week's Virtual Console release.
VC Tuesday: Adventure Mountain
This week brings another rare (not Rare) Nintendo 64 release, and a seasonally appropriate one at that. 1080 Snowboarding is making its appearance on the Virtual Console for the first time. When it hits the American download service, we look forward to playing it and pretending it's cold outside. Until then, we can just look at screenshots and pretend we're playing it and pretending it's cold outside.The other two releases are distant cousins. Adventure Island is a remake of Westone's original Wonder Boy game with a different protagonist (which, of course, spun off into its own series), and Monster World IV is part of a Wonder Boy spinoff series. It's ... a lot more confusing when they release two of them at a time like this. We're all familiar with Adventure Island, at least. Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima (Hudson's Adventure Island) (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) 1080 Snowboarding (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, 1000 Wii Points) Monster World IV (Mega Drive, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Coming to the Japanese VC in January: Not MSX games
Nintendo has announced their planned January Virtual Console releases for Japan, and some excellent games are in the lineup. The Miyamoto-developed Devil World is the most noteworthy game in the Famicom lineup, and it's being released just in time to remind everyone who that thing in Smash Bros. is. We're hoping that this Japanese release leads to an international one, of course. It'll be a good month for Sega, who is releasing the excellent Phantasy Star II and the currently Japan-exclusive Monster World IV, which is basically Wonder Boy VI. Hey, neat, more Wonder Boy (we're not being sarcastic.) As for Phantasy Star II, like many other Genesis games, we'd be a lot more excited about buying it for eight bucks if the Sega Genesis Collection didn't exist.People who are way into Turbografx-16 strategy games will be pleased to see Neo Nectaris, the TurboDuo sequel to the classic strategy game, and a Japanese exclusive. Maybe it won't be for much longer, either.Conspicuously absent are the two initial MSX games, EGGY and Aleste, which were listed as releasing in 2007 for all of 2007. In fact, Nintendo's VC web site still has them coming out in 2007. We shouldn't be surprised that they won't hit in January, but we thought it was worth noting that they have officially missed their release year.The full game list is after the break!
Mitsubishi launches LDT461V digital signage monitor
Businesses want to get their high-def on too, and Mitsubishi is happy to help out with the launch of the LDT461V 46-inch 1080p professional-grade LCD. Designed for digital signage, business, and classroom applications, the monitor comes beefed up from the normal consumer-level set with scheduling controls for timing presentations, motion shifting technology to prevent burn-in, and an expanded warranty program for easy repair and replacement. The set will be available this month for $4,995, just in time to start watching even more HD commercials at the mall.
CEA turns down 1080p over component proposal
Wow, that was really quick. The CEA just turned down the proposal of adding 1080p to the component video spec. Apparently, television and movie industry suits were totally against the idea - big surprise. We're sorry if we got anyone's hopes but it doesn't look like there is going to officially be 1080p over component anytime soon. It sounds like there is a plan B however, but something tells us not to hold our breaths.
Panasonic's new 1080p plasmas priced & dated - now in 42-inch size
Panasonic has finally announced pricing and availability for its 2007 plasma HDTV lineup, including new 1080p models in 50- and 58-inch sizes. Bulking up the current PZ700U line is the PZ750U series, which adds a new "Studio Reference Mode" (to provide consumers with the exact same color reproduction used on reference monitors in film editing studios), a pro setting mode (to even further calibrate the set), 3 HDMI jacks, and a 'special' black chrome look. All that 1080p beauty will cost however, with the top of the line TH-58PZ750U carrying an MSRP of $5,499.95 when it hits with limited availability in June. If missing out on the reference quality color is acceptable to you, the TH-58PZ700U (pictured above) is due next month for a mere $4,799.95 Check after the break for a more complete list of models and prices -- but if you're Mark Cuban then don't bother, because the 103-inch TH-103PZ600U has not been updated for 2007, so no need to upgrade yet. Update: Looking for Panasonic's missing 42-inch 1080p plasma? Apparently so were they, the company has issued an updated press release, noting that the TH-42PZ700U will bring 2-million+ pixels this June for $2,499.95.
CNET Review: Sony's newest 1080p 60-inch SXRD -- KDS-60A2000
This is Sony's latest take on their SXRD big-screen line-up and we know many of you have been waiting for this HDTV, so here ya go -- the first extensive review of the KDS-60A2000 courteous of CNET. First off, lets just say they loved the HDTV and gave it an hard-to-reach 8 out of 10. The set is built off of Sony's amazing SXRD panels and provides the viewer with 1080p goodness. (Yes, the HDTV even accepts the signal on both of it's HDMI ports.) The set might cost a few bones more then a comparable DLP set, but CNET thinks that it will be worth it for most people. The colors delivered but yet the blacks maintained deep levels. It wasn't all fields of poppies though, the set did have "some issues" with standard-def and the color reproduction wasn't up to CNET's high standards. The set did get a glaring red mark on it's report card when it failed the 1080i resolution test pattern that a 1080p HDTV should have not issue with at all; last years KDS-S60XBR1 passed. Sony indicated that it was a pre-production model and give 'em instructions on how to fix it via a service menu; it eventually passed over the HDMI and component-video sources but still failed via ATSC. Overall though, they must have liked the model a lot to give it such a high-marking. Best part of the review though, was that they didn't use a Blu-ray player for testing -- they used Toshiba's HD DVD player. Zing!
"Only in HD, Please"
It's official. I'm boycotting all things not high def. E3 was the start, and last weekend's Tokyo Game Show sealed it. The high definition gaming era is upon us, and I'm not squinting at low resolution photos and postage-stamp sized movie trailers anymore. I'm going to play it in high definition, why would I try to judge a preview of it in anything less? Microsoft and Sony have taken the right steps in person, displaying their wares on glistening high definition displays at each tradeshow, but finding proper quality trailers and screens is still much like panning for gold, a few shiny nuggets every now and then, but mostly just mud.Bus passes for the revolution after the jump, along with links to the best sources for HD resolution trailers and pictures I've found.
