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Alpha posts

Boxee updates: Windows alpha gone public, MLB.tv HD streams and more

by Richard Lawler, posted Jun 24th 2009 at 12:42PM

Just as promised, the Windows alpha of Boxee media center software is now open to all, but that's far from the only big announcement made, so hang tight for a second. MLB.tv has been added as a partner, allowing subscribers to catch games live and even in HD within the Boxee interface, as well as other new and upcoming integration with Digg, Tumblr and Current. Speaking of the interface, there's a new look (pictured above) to separate internet and locally-hosted content more clearly, and among the more granular tweaks Jaunty Jackalope support is official and Ubuntu users can enjoy 1080p playback via NVIDIA hardware acceleration. Check the blog for all the details including one more that probably only we can appreciate, it's now officially "Boxee" with a capital B, so the grammar police can set their weapons back to stun.

Windows version of boxee open to all June 23rd

by Richard Lawler, posted Jun 6th 2009 at 11:29AM

Drooling over boxee on other platforms but haven't been able to nab an invite to the Windows alpha? De-stress, CEO Avner Ronen announced the plan is to open things up starting June 23. Other things touched upon at the Connections digital entertainment conference Wednesday included his belief that TV is going the way of the internet and that tech giants need to just let it happen, and the company's potential to make money from its media streaming platform, possibly from content providers for pushing their shows, collecting a fee from for-pay add-ons in an application store, or licensing boxee to hardware makers. Don't worry too much about a money grab on the way anytime soon, with a zero-dollar revenue goal for the year. In the meantime, chill and check out a preview of the Windows version and an example of how it can work as a simple Windows Media Center plugin.

[Via Download Squad]

Hitachi details UltraVision and Alpha LCD HDTV lines

by Darren Murph, posted May 27th 2009 at 10:09AM

Unlike practically ever other brand, Hitachi didn't take the wraps off of its 2009 HDTV line at CES. Instead, it waited until summer officially began, and we can't really argue with the tactic. At any rate, the company is following JVC, LG and Sony with their respective HD news by announcing new members in the long-standing UltraVision line (shown left) as well as the Alpha series (shown right). In the former, we'll soon see the 55-inch L55S603 ($1,799), 46-inch L46S603 ($1,299) and 42-inch L42S503 ($999) hit the streets (in September, August and June, respectively), while the Alpha crew contains the 42-inch L42A403 ($849) and the 32-inch L32A403 ($499), both of which ship this month. The UltraVision sets all boast 1080p panels, 120Hz dejudder technology, up to five HDMI sockets and built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC TV tuners. As for the Alphas, you'll find a total of seven HD inputs (four HDMI), a 1080p panel on the fat kit and a 720p display on the little guy.

Gallery: Hitachi details UltraVision and Alpha LCD HDTV lines

Sony Canada hints at Alpha A500 series of DSLRs

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 25th 2009 at 7:16AM

All we've got are these model numbers to go by, but it's pretty clear that Sony's cooking up a new series of Alpha DSLRs. The screengrab above (which we replicated ourselves) comes courtesy of SonyStyle Canada's registration page. A field populated by a well-meaning, yet misguided soul since Sony has yet to announce DSLRs carrying the A500, A500S, A550, A550S monikers. It's just a guess, but Sony's lineup has a glaring omission when compared to the competition in the consumer DSLR space: HD Video.

[Via PhotoRumors and Dyxum]

Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics

by Ross Miller, posted May 18th 2009 at 2:09AM

Sony's latest mainstream DSLRs cameras got the seal of officialness this past Saturday, and now the company's added some icing to the cake by releasing of plethora of pictures for its α230, α330, and α380. Direct your eyes lovingly at the articulating screens and SD/SDHC card slots in the gallery below. Pre-orders for the trio are supposed to start today at Sony's official retail site, but as of this writing, they're not yet there.

Gallery: Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics

Sony confirms new Alpha 230, 330 and 380 mainstream DSLRs

by Paul Miller, posted May 16th 2009 at 8:57PM

Sony's been pretty generous with the Alpha leaks in the run up to this launch, but it looks like this new trio of DSLRs for "first time" SLR buyers, the Alpha 230, 330 and 380, is ready to go. The press release confirms all of what we already knew, along with bringing word that the cameras will support SD/SDHC cards in addition to Sony's still-kicking Memory Stick format. The best news is in pricing, however: the shooters will retail in two different kit types, with the L-series cams ringing in at $550, $650 and $850, respectively, when paired with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens. The Y kit series adds a second lens, the telephoto SAL-55200, along with bumping the kit price $200 across the board. Pre-orders will start on May 18th, with the cameras becoming available in July. Oddly, while parts of the press site are live, the press shots are still on lockdown, beyond a nice stack of thumbnails -- we'll keep you posted.

[Via Photo Rumors]

Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs out on May 19?

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted May 15th 2009 at 1:33PM

This next item is for all of you DSLR fiends who are champing at the bit in nervous anticipation of the revamped Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs that were subject to some leakage a week or so ago. It looks like the cameras in question will be the raison d'être of a press event that the company has scheduled for the 19th of May, so you may just be getting your hands on the video-less wonders in short order -- y'know, if that's what you're into. With prices starting at €549.99 (around $738) and going up from there, these bad boys feature a revised UI, HDMI out, and Memory Stick Duo support. And if you think that's exciting, wait'll you get a load of the spec breakdown! Peep it after the break.

[Via Photo Rumors]

Continue reading Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs out on May 19?

Android-based Alpha 680 netbook spotted in the wild

by Darren Murph, posted May 12th 2009 at 4:24PM

Still think an Android-based netbook is in your future? If the abysmal performance on video hasn't turned you off yet, maybe the fire-engine red paint job coupled with 90s-era carbon fiber accents will. What you see above is the first legitimate in the wild shot of Skytone's Alpha 680, and at a glance, we're marginally excited about the sizable trackpad and roomy keyboard. Oh, and the swiveling screen is a plus, too. Check the read link for a few more looks.

[Thanks, Neerhaj]

Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs leak out a little early

by Nilay Patel, posted May 9th 2009 at 2:37PM

We've been hearing vague murmurs of revised Sony Alpha DSLRs all week, but now we've got some actual proof: these shots of the new Alpha 230, 330, and 380 went up briefly on Sony's Russian website earlier today. The biggest improvements seem to be smaller cases, a revised interface, and HDMI out, but there's also a new "handbook" to help new users get started and a Bravia control mode that allows the camera to be controlled by your TVs remote while it's displaying pictures. A nice enough upgrade, but unless these are somehow super cheap we'd say the omission of a video mode is going keep most people focused on the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i. Bigger screenshot with the full feature list at the read link.

[Via Photo Rumors]

15.2 megapixel Sony Alpha A800 DSLR rumored

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 12:04PM

At this point, it's remarkably tough to say how legitimate these claims are, and while we'd wholeheartedly recommend digesting these details with a dose of NaCl, we'd be shortchanging you to not pass 'em on. According to a curious post over at Photofan.jp, Sony is readying an Alpha A800 DSLR (mockup pictured) with a 15.2 megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 200 to 12,800, a new high-speed sync flash, 23 total AF sensors, a fresh metering / AF sensor tracking system and inbuilt WiFi. We're told that the camera will be officially unveiled at PMA 2009 alongside a trio of new lenses -- thankfully, March (and our answer) is less than two months out.

[Via Photography Bay]

boxee alpha opens up on Mac, Ubuntu January 8; Windows invites to follow

by Richard Lawler, posted Dec 23rd 2008 at 3:21PM

Six months and 150,000 signups later, boxee is preparing to move from alpha to beta status, ready to drop any unsent invites on all interested parties by the 25th ahead of the open alpha period starting January 8, 2009. While OS X / Apple TV / Ubuntu have been the required attire so far, Windows users won't be out in the cold much longer, as CEO Avner Ronen revealed in comments on the boxee blog that the Windows alpha program will start "early 2009" with thousands of invites sent out every week. That enough to pique your interest in this media streaming set-top box software?

[Via A VC]

Ubuntu alpha apparently breaking hardware, shattering dreams

by Donald Melanson, posted Sep 26th 2008 at 12:56PM

Well, it looks like the good times that are the Ubuntu alpha testing process hit a bit of a snag recently, as one of the latest kernels apparently had the nasty side effect of irreparably damaging some users' hardware -- specifically, certain Intel network cards. So far, it seems that only laptops have been affected by the bug, which corrupts the NVRAM used to store data like MAC addresses, but folks don't seem to be ruling out the possibility that it could affect desktops as well. What's more, while a warning has been added to the ISO download, it hasn't been pulled altogether, with the only explanation given being that it would delay the 8.10 release schedule too much. Not entirely surprisingly, that has prompted at least a few folks to give up on testing alpha versions of the OS, at least until this whole thing gets sorted out.

[Thanks, JagsLive]

Sony issues firmware update for Alpha A700 DSLR

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 16th 2008 at 5:06PM

Sony's Alpha A700 has been pleasing (or displeasing, we suppose), users for just over a year now, but those that have stuck with it in spite of a few issues can now smile brightly. Sony has just unleashed a firmware update for the DSLR which reportedly adds in an option to select auto exposure bracketing (single and continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps and gives the choice to nix the High ISO NR feature. Furthermore, it supposedly improves the image quality in a high ISO setting, the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance and the reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip. Any owners out there care to give a shout on how their rig is performing post-update?

[Via DPReview]

Sony's A900 now available for pre-order

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Sep 15th 2008 at 1:04AM

Been saving all those pennies for something really special? If you're a DSLR aficionado (or just general gadget lover), you've probably glanced in the general direction of Sony's monster Alpha A900 DSLR. At a price-point of $2,999, this isn't for everyone, but if you're in the market for a full frame shooter with a handful of enviable features -- you might want to turn your eyeballs in this direction.

[Thanks, Jose]

Sony launches the A900 full-frame DSLR

by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 9th 2008 at 10:13AM

Sony's been showing off the full-frame Alpha A900 DSLR since February, and after popping up in ads and in the wild last week, it's official today, right on cue. Same basic specs you've known forever: 24.6 Exmor CMOS sensor, dual BIONZ image processors, ISO 6400 sensitivity, 3.0-inch LCD, 5fps shooting, and SteadyShot INSIDE in-body optical image stabilization. Sony's also launching a few new Alpha lenses to complement this beast, including a Carl Zeiss 70-400mm f4-5.6 zoom. Early impressions from CNET are that it's a bit slow to autofocus and didn't wow with image quality, but dpreview was impressed overall, so we'll wait for some in-depth reviews to hit before making a final judgment. You're looking at a $3,000 outlay when this thing goes on sale in October -- check out more pics in the gallery, and a quick video after the break.

Read - Sony A900 press release
Read - CNET hands-on
Read - dpreview hands-on