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ATSC posts

Dell adding Mini 10 TV tuner, passion purple color options today

by Ross Miller, posted May 21st 2009 at 12:02AM

When Dell said its Mini 10 TV tuner was coming this summer, well, we didn't expect it to be so soon. The company's dropped us a line to say we should expect to see it as a customization option starting sometime today, presumably along with the external antenna that's needed when the signal's low. The cost is an extra $50 and it'll net you over-the-air ATSC -- that's the new HD format, for those who haven't been keeping track. Additionally, a seventh color, passion purple, is being added to the library, and if your heart's set on cherry red, you'll be happy to know they're now a part of the (PRODUCT) RED portfolio, meaning Dell will donate $5 to the Global Fund with each purchase. No pics of the new hue just yet, but if any of these new additions sound enticing, you might wanna hit cancel on that late-night order we caught you placing.

Samsung's Series 6 / 8 plasma HDTVs are well connected

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 7th 2009 at 5:00PM

We knew CES would deliver internet-lovin' HDTVs, but we had no idea Samsung would be bringing along so many. In case LCDs aren't really your bag, the company has also managed to bring along the Series 6 and Series 8 plasma sets. Both lines are hailed as the "greenest plasmas yet" thanks to their Energy Star 3.0 ratings, and they're also among the first TVs to be wireless DLNA-compliant. Both lines are obviously compatible with the Yahoo!-powered Internet@TV functionality, and the Series 8 checks in at just over an inch thick with an inbuilt ATSC tuner. Comically enough, Sammy doesn't even bother mentioning what sizes these things will arrive in (and definitely no price / release date), but it sure does stop to gloat about all this newfangled technology.

Gallery: Samsung's Series 6 / 8 plasma HDTVs are well connected

LG lauches a trio of 1080p monitors splattered with ATSC tuners, USB Multilink

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jan 7th 2009 at 1:16PM

LG just announced a threesome of LCD monitors using its f-ENGINE image processing chip for those of you using your monitors as makeshift HDTVs. The flagship M237WD (pictured) features a 1080p, 16:9 aspect panel stretching 23-inches with a built-in ATSC tuner, 5ms refresh, 30,000:1 dynamic contrast, a vast array of A/V inputs (2x HDMI, 2x SCART, DVI, and plenty more), and a universal infrared remote control. The LG 53 series is available in 27-, 24-, 23-, and 22-inch models with a 1080p resolution or lesser 20- and 19-inch models. Key specs include a 2ms response, 50,000:1 dynamic contrast, HDMI input, touch panel controls and f-ENGINE processing. Also announced is the latest LG Multilink USB monitor (the 22-inch L226WU-PF) which daisy-chains up to 6 addition monitors over USB. It features a 1,680 x 1,050 rsolution, 5,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2ms response and 16:10 aspect ratio. No word on what the resolution is when pushing data in a 6-up config. No pricing or availability either for that matter. Full press release after the break, images below.

Gallery: LG lauches a trio of 1080p monitors splattered with ATSC tuners, USB Multilink

Continue reading LG lauches a trio of 1080p monitors splattered with ATSC tuners, USB Multilink

ATSC gives initial thumbs-up to MPH mobile TV standard

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 27th 2008 at 6:59AM

Merely weeks after a handful of TV broadcasters voiced their approval of the MPH mobile TV standard, the almighty ATSC has elevated its specification for Mobile Digital Television to Candidate Standard status. Or it will early next week, based on the futuristic December 1st date on the press release. Anywho, the thumbs-up brings the standard one huge step closer to actual implementation in the United States, though a final standard isn't apt to be agreed upon until late next year. Not that the delay is really a problem -- after all, a grand total of 19 people in this great nation even care about TV on the go, right?

[Via mocoNews]

ViewSonic's 22-inch N2201w LCD TV packs inbuilt DVD player, TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 24th 2008 at 8:27AM

We still haven't been able to shake the ViewSonic dragon from our memory, but we're attempting to move on with our lives by directing our attention (however briefly) to the N2201w. This so-called "3-in-1" LCD TV packs a 22-inch 1,680 x 1,050 resolution panel, a 5-millisecond response time, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a built-in NTSC / ATSC / QAM TV tuner. You'll also find an integrated DVD player and an HDMI port, and just to prove it really is multifaceted, there's a PC input to boot. No telling if the picture quality is anything to write home about, but the $429 price tag sure is palatable.

[Via CEPro]

AMD's ATI All-in-Wonder HD gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 19th 2008 at 8:41AM

Loyal All-in-Wonder users from years past have probably been watching the progression of AMD's revised version of the card with extreme interest. After such an absence, however, we understand the need to be cautious before snapping this up for your upcoming HTPC. HotHardware recently received one of these units for testing, and while it was only deemed "entry level" in the gaming department, the multimedia performance was smiled upon. To quote, "the [card] did an excellent job presenting digital video content in a quality manner without creating excessive power consumption in order to do so." As expected, the unit wasn't recommend for everyone (read: non-TV buffs), but those who'd utilize the built-in ClearQAM support probably can't go wrong for $199. Hit the read link for a whole gaggle of test results.

Sharp intros entry-level SB series of 1080p LCD HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 5th 2008 at 3:22PM

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 8:31AM

If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Gallery: VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

LG and Samsung team-up against Qualcomm in fight for US mobile TV standard

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 14th 2008 at 2:37AM

In a case of oh shiznit, LG and Samsung are combining forces to protect their mobile TV interests in the US. With Qualcomm's proprietary MediaFLO digital broadcast technology rapidly gaining a mobile TV foothold in the US (thanks to AT&T and Verizon) and Europe standardizing on DVB-H, it seems that LG and Samsung (the once proud and gloating parents of the DMB standard) have little choice but to support the ATSC's attempt to create the ATSC-M/H standard in the US... about three years too late. Of course, the ultimate victor will have very little to do with what's best for the consumer and everything to do with who is most successful at lobbying the government. Oh, did that sound bitter? Good.

equinux offers up TubeStick hybrid USB TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 25th 2008 at 8:24AM

If neither of Elgato's latest from Macworld tickled your fancy, there's a decent shot you may like what equinux has going on instead. The TubeStick hybrid is the firm's newly announced USB TV tuner, which is housed in a diminutive chassis that won't block nearby ports and offers up OTA reception of NTSC, ATSC and digital (QAM) signals. Furthermore, the unit comes wearing the whitest of white outfits and also touts an external antenna and a one-month trial of the TubeToGo software. Yes, this critter will play nice with Windows machines as well, but we hear it tries to avoid such predicaments whenever possible. Ready to snag your own? Catch one next month for $129.

[Via The Mac Observer]

DirecTV intros dual ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21

by Steven Kim, posted Jan 9th 2008 at 2:32AM

DirecTV intros two ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21

If your DirecTV HR21 leaves you feeling empty because you ~~want~~ need to streamline your over-the-air ATSC side of the house, listen up. DirecTV's AM21 is your answer. For $59, you can pick one up, stack it above or below your HR21, connect it via USB, and bask in the glow of dual tuner ATSC programming (integrated with your OSG, to boot). It's not a bad looking little black box at all, and the price is reasonable. It's being shown off at CES, and you can expect it to be available at the end of February.

XstreamHD details continue to emerge

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jan 8th 2008 at 11:38AM

Just a few hours before our live coverage of the XStreamHD press event (11am PST) with Michael Douglas; many of the details have been released and we have to say this thing looks so incredible, we don't see how it can live up to the press release -- this is one of those times when we'd really love to be wrong. For starters, the service promises to deliver "the latest content from leading studios" in 1080p (MPEG-2 and x.264) with 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio (96kHz/24bits) to your home via satellite, and if it stopped there it would be impressive enough, but no. The content is stored on the internally in your "Virtual Personal Library" until you access it with up to four simultaneous DLNA devices on your gigabit Ethernet home network. If you run out of space, you can use the extra drive bays to expand up to 2TB of storage. And because there is so much great OTA HD content, it features three ATSC tuners which can be used with a "Network Video Recorder" -- not sure what that is, or if its extra. And interestingly even includes a PBX that allows free calling between XStreamHD customers. As if this wasn't unbelievable enough, it all starts at $399 and is expected to hit in the fourth quarter of '08.

Full release after the jump.

Continue reading XstreamHD details continue to emerge

Norcent delivers 19-inch LT-1931 / 22-inch LT-2231 LCD TVs

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 5:02PM

Norcent's 42-inch LT-4231P a bit too large for your armoire? If so, the firm is hoping to satisfy your LCD TV needs anyway with the 19-inch LT-1931 and 22-inch LT-2231. The former features a 1,440 x 900 resolution along with an 800:1 contrast ratio while the latter serves up a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Both sets enjoy a 2D digital comb filter, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a trilingual on-screen menu, HDMI / component / S-Video / composite inputs and a built-in TV tuner that plays nice with NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM signals. Unlike the aforementioned 42-incher, this pair is available as we speak for $299.99 and $379.99, respectively.

Norcent intros 42-inch LT-4231P 1080p LCD TV

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 5:01PM

As it seems to do every single year, Norcent is gearing up for CES with a swank new HDTV. For 2008, we're looking at the 42-inch LT-4231P, which offers up a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a slew of ports including HDMI, component, S-Video, composite and VGA and a pair of 15-watt speakers to boot. Furthermore, you'll notice a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 500 nits of brightness, 178-degree viewing angles, a trilingual on-screen menu, wall-mounting capability, 3D digital comb filter and a built-in tuner that handles NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM. Sadly, you'll have to wait until March to pick this one up, but at least it'll only run you $1,299.99 when that day comes.

HP Pavilion Elite m9150f PC handles HD DVD, OTA TV

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 12:50AM

Not pleased with any of HP's other offerings? Fret not, as we've got yet another one coming your way. The Pavilion Elite m9150f PC comes ready to handle those HD DVD / PVR duties, and it may even withstand a e-mail or two. Here's the dirt:

2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor
Intel's G33 Express chipset
3GB of DDR2 RAM
Dual 360GB (720GB total) 7,200 SATA hard drives
HP's Personal / Pocket Media Drive Bays
HD DVD (read-only) drive
LightScribe-enabled SuperMulti DVD burner
Gigabit Ethernet / 802.11b/g WiFi
NTSC / ATSC / FM tuners
HP Media Center remote control with IR receiver
Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader

If you couldn't already guess, this one also packs six USB 2.0 ports, twin FireWire sockets, audio in / out, a wireless keyboard / mouse combo and HDMI / DVI outputs. As with HP's other newly announced media PCs, the m9100 series is set to ship this month and start at $1,159.