impress
Latest
Philips seems to be working on more Hue outdoor lights
The Philips Hue smart lightbulb lineup already includes some outdoor lighting, but rumor has it that Philips will introduce more outdoor options, likely at CES. According to a leaked product catalog, found by Hueblog.de, Philips Hue is planning a pretty big expansion of its offerings.
Foam-infused Impress DIS.PLAY encourages touching
Move over Surface, we just found our next tabletop display. The aptly named DIS.PLAY beautifully merges the functionality of a touch panel with the allure of dimly-lit scenarios, and the inclusion of memory foam just makes it all the more sweet. In one usage scenario, we're told that objects could be put into motion with sound, and when a certain "shape" is mashed and deformed, the respective audio would bend along with it. Another instance showcased 3D modeling that could be varied by simply twisting the hand or intensifying a finger press. Check the demonstration video after the break, and grab your Tempur-Pedic pillow if you're looking to play along.[Via KanYeWestBlog, thanks DellAppleFan24]
Hitachi unveils new 1080p plasmas
Fujitsu Hitatchi Plasma Display Corporation is going to keep rolling out their new plasmas, including two that are 1080p (1920x1080), and one not-1080p (1280x1080). The 50-inch HD panel based on their ALIS technology we've covered before with its oddly shaped pixels and resolutions, but great image processing and brightness, features a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, brightness of 1300cd/m2 and should begin production in October. The 1920x1080 50-inch plasma is their first to use single-scan technology (one chip for image processing instead of several) at that resolution, plus the same ALIS processing with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 1100cd/m2 brightness, but will not go into production until March 2007. The 60-inch plasma brings all 2-million pixels and a new e-ALIS processing system to help smooth fast moving images on the big screen, it has a lower contrast ratio of only 5000:1 and a brightness of 1000cd/m2. No word on price or possible US availability just yet.[Via Impress]
Dual-layer Blu-ray, HD DVD-R drives, HDMI videocards and more @ Computex
While we're still awaiting official announcements, prices and exact release dates, PC Watch has a roundup of quite a few interesting high-def related products from the recent Computex exhibition. Asus displayed their dual-layer Blu-ray burner pictured above, but no model number or pricing information. BenQ also displayed internal and external versions of the BW1000 dual-layer Blu-ray drive they'll be launching later this year. Toshiba is in the lineup with their SD-L902A HD DVD-R drive, also no price or release date mentioned. Otherwise notable were a bevy of HDMI-equipped videocards and motherboards, including the Abit IL-80MV. HD DVD-RAM, HD DVD-R and -RW as well as BD-RE and -RE media was on hand from a variety of manufacturers like Optodisc, Prodisc and Ritek. While no specific dates were mentioned all should be available in the second half of this year.[Via CD Freaks]
HD DVD-R/RW media available July 5 in Japan
Hitachi and Mitsubishi have both announced today that (in Japan at least), they will be releasing single layer HD DVD-Rs, with RW and dual layer blanks to come later this summer. Still no recorders announced, but with their importance in the Japanese market and media now scheduled, they can't be very far off. Impress approximates the price at about 2,000 yen ($17.75 US), which is about the same price as single layer Blu-ray media. What the press releases don't seem to say is whether this media is 1X or 2X speed rated; because of the difference in the specifications 1X (36.55mbps) media could still play HD DVD content, but would be a slower burner than the Blu-ray drives that are coming out rated at 2X (72mbps) or higher. Impress only mentions the Hitachi as being 1X. [Via Impress Watch]Read - Hitachi HD DVD-R/RWRead - Mitsubishi HD DVD-R/RW
