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JVC spins out LCD TV-DVD combos
Looking across JVC's CES 2009 product line, it's apparent that Blu-ray isn't for everybody just yet. For folks with plenty of DVDs left to watch, the 19-inch LT-19D200 or 32-inch LT-32D200 LCD TV-DVD combos might be great for a second set in the home. Don't be turned off by the lack of 1080p resolution on these models -- at these sizes, you won't notice the difference at reasonable viewing distances. Still, we've got to wonder about the choice of marketing a product with the "inferior" 720p spec number to a casual audience; but there's also no pricing info on these new models. Hopefully the planned March release gives JVC some time to firm the marketing details up.
Mitsubishi unveils MZW / MX / MXW series of LCD HDTVs
Barely a month after Mitsubishi launched its iSP 149 series of LCD HDTVs, the company is trotting out three new lineups over in Japan. The higher-end MZW series includes the 46-inch LCD-46MZW200 (¥400,000; $3,643) and 40-inch LCD-40MZW200 (¥300,000; $2,732), both of which pack a 1080p 10-bit Diamond panel, 120Hz technology and an October 21st release date. For those with tighter spaces (and smaller budgets), the MX / MXW series spans from 19- (¥100,000; $910) to 42-inches (¥280,000; $2,550), with the most expensive sets offering a Full HD display and the lesser ones topping out at 1,366 x 768. Oh, and it looks as if Funai won't be the only one delivering a Blu-ray / LCD combo, as Mitsu's already working up a concept. Peruse the links below for all the machine translated nitty-gritty.[Via Impress]Read - MZW seriesRead - MX / MXW seriesRead - Blu-ray / LCD combo concept
Funai aims to bring LCD HDTV / Blu-ray combo units to North America
When Westinghouse launched its 40-inch LCD HDTV / DVD combo unit earlier this year, we really began to think of just how nice it'd be to broaden Blu-ray's appeal by shoving a drive into a new set for those looking for simplicity. Enter Funai -- the company currently responsible for the lowest priced standalone BD deck on the market -- which is reportedly aiming to loose an LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray player on the North American market next summer. The company typically brands its wares with names like Sylvania, Symphonic and Emerson, so we wouldn't expect the highest-end stuff here. That said, we're glad to see someone taking this very necessary step, even though you won't catch us recommending 'em to anyone but the technologically challenged. [Warning: read link requires subscription][Via CrunchGear]
AoC patch on Testlive brings more fixes, causes combo drama
Now that the Testlive forums are up and running, Age of Conan players have a chance to scope out coming patches before they go live. Right now, there's a new patch on the Testlive servers that's a possible candidate for release on the 16th of July.As well as a pile of fixes and alterations, a stray patch note sneaked in that would affect how combos work. More than anything else, this has caught the attention of AoC forum commentators. The change is clearly meant to prevent melee classes from 'pre-loading' combos by executing all the initial moves and then walloping a target for the last one. However, it's transpired that the relevant change wasn't even on the Testlive server yet, and will only be included along with other changes, as Vinterstum explains: 'This change won't actually be in for a little while, and when it does come in, it'll be in a little package with a few other things that should make being a melee class in PvP a little bit easier.' Patch notes are available for those who have forum accounts. We'd just like to emphasise that none of this will necessarily make it to Live.
Sneak a peek at AoC's test server patch notes
Curse.com has posted a list of patch notes from Age of Conan's test server, which will likely go live in one of this coming week's scheduled downtime slots. You will notice that stat gains from equipment will finally be functioning correctly, and it's going to be interesting to see just how much of a difference this will make to the strength of each class.The patch notes also feature another round of class tweaks, notably some buffs for Dark Templars and damage changes for Priests of Mitra. Confusingly, Bear Shamans will be getting improved Wreck Armor combo visuals and sounds -- however, this is a Barbarian combo, so is this change actually for Barbs or did they mean the BS combo Crush Armor? Other really good things: lower level mobs will knock you off your mount a lot less (although higher mobs will do it more) and attackers at your sides will have half the chance of knocking you off -- attackers from the front will never knock you off. Finally, player cities will be able to get their Trader NPC at last. Take a look through the full patch notes for some other changes, including quest and item fixes, and perhaps start speculating on what changes will be left off the list this time.
Sony bundling Warhawk expansions as single DLC
We all enjoy value and convenience, and a new report suggests that Sony will offer both sometime down the line by bundling the earlier released Warhawk expansions, Omega Dawn and Operation Broken Mirror, together as a single download over PSN.A release date for the descriptively titled Warhawk Combo Pack has not been announced. However, while we're left guessing what price the twofer will carry in North America, CVG reports that players in Europe can expect to pay just £4.99 for the bundle, a paltry sum considering each alone sold for £3.99 originally. We expect North American pricing to be announced soon, giving those players who have held off reason to dive in whenever the combo eventually comes in for a landing.
Samsung's firmware v1.3 takes BD-UP5000 to Profile 1.1
Here it is, BD-UP5000 owners -- the file you've been waiting for. If you were somewhat underwhelmed by the fixes in firmware v1.2, you'll probably be a-okay with what v1.3 is packin'. Released today, this update takes the combo player to Profile 1.1, adds in "HD audio bit-stream output" and "improves playback compatibility in some movies." 'Nuff said, right? Hit the read link to get that download rolling, and do let us know how wonderful your life becomes when it finishes installing.[Thanks, Harmin]
Data Robotics offers Drobo / Western Digital combos at deep discounts
If you're having a tough time picking a storage solution, the Drobo folks may have just made your choice a lot easier. Starting today, the company is offering the first-ever bundles of its much-loved drive array with Western Digital GreenPower SATA hard drives in 2TB and 4TB configurations at a pretty deep discount. Besides knocking $50 off the price of a standalone Drobo (reducing the cost to $449), the 2TB and 4TB versions will clock in at $749 and $1075 apiece, giving you a savings of up to $528. The deals require a mail-in rebate, and you can still add any type of drive you want. Hit the read link for all the info, and for the love of all that's sacred... start backing up!
Samsung's BD-UP5000 leaking into stores?
While Samsung's BD-UP5000 still shows as unavailable until next month over at Amazon, it appears that the combo player is nevertheless leaking into select big box retail locations. Currently, the unit is out of stock online at both Circuit City and Best Buy, but a quick zip code check revealed that it was actually in stock and begging for an owner in select New York, Texas and New Mexico locations (just to name a few). Of course, it looks as though CC is charging a whopping two bills less than its scorned rival, so we'd probably head that way if at all possible. We're calling on you, dear readers -- let us know where the BD-UP5000 is (and isn't). After you snag your own, of course.[Thanks, Bill M.]Read - BD-UP5000 at Best BuyRead - BD-UP5000 at Circuit City
Samsung's DB-UP5000 HD DVD / Blu-ray player: $799, shipping mid-to-late December
Good news. This time, we won't be burdening you with more talk of delays to Samsung's DB-UP5000 dual format player. On the contrary, a Samsung spokesperson told Dealerscope that the much anticipated HD DVD and Blu-ray player is on target for a "mid-to-late December" launch. Better yet, the price is down from $999 to a more reasonable $799. That is, until you consider the combined cost of a $499 $399 PS3 and sub-$200 HD DVD player.
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1 HD DVD review roundup
Paramount's Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1 HD DVD boxed set has finally hit shelves, and we've just got to know if it's worth the price. That price is a heft $194.99 MSRP for the ten disc DVD / HD DVD combo set -- currently selling for around $135 at various online retailers -- and judging by the reviews, that may be its only notable flaw. Every review we've seen gave consistent praise to the audio and video quality of the remastered and retouched high definition transfers. The special features are also praiseworthy with some HD DVD exclusives, although digitallyObsessed notes a few are only available on the SD side. We have to wonder if Paramount might follow 300's lead and release a DVD-less set, but any Trekkies that pick this up can expect the best looking and sounding Star Trek: TOS ever. Read - digitallyObsessed Read - IGN Read - The ManRoom Read - PS3 Center Read - High Def Disc News
Is Garmin prepping a GPS mouse? Answer... no
It seemed like the Deluo GPS-in-a-mouse combo was going to be a one-off deal, but our attitude is changing thanks to a recent discovery at the FCC. According to the agency's reports, GPS navigation mainstay Garmin is planning on producing a wireless mouse, and while the existence of a GPS receiver in the peripheral isn't clear, we'd have to assume that given the company's past, they're probably not just knocking out a regular old AA-battery-powered mouse to boost profits. Does this mean we'll be seeing a wave of mouse / GPS match-ups, and does the combination make any sense? What do you -- the clever, good-looking, and infinitely talented reader -- think about it?Update: Thanks to a helpful reader, we've unraveled the mystery of this Garmin device, which appears to be this RF wireless mouse (or some variant of it), used to control the company's marine navigators... now, on to finding out who's really behind the JFK assassination.
HP to launch desktops with Blu-ray / HD DVD combo writers?
Regrettably, there's not a lot to go on just yet, but DigiTimes has it that HP will soon be launching "next-generation PCs with a Blu-ray / HD DVD dual-format burner." The announcement was reportedly issued at a product presentation held in Singapore, and while no model numbers were doled out, we can purportedly expect the two-faced machines to land in Europe and America sometime next month. Notably, HP has hemmed and hawed between formats in the past, but we're all for a rig that burns (and reads) both.[Via TG Daily]
LG drops the MSRP on the BH100 HD DVD/Blu-ray combo player
Let's say you absolutely must have high-def movies, and who doesn't, but you also can't decide which format to buy. The obvious choice is to buy LG's combo player - the BH100. That way if one format doesn't pan out, you don't have to post the other one on Craigslist as your player supports both formats. However, said combo player actually cost more than buying a player from both HD DVD and Blu-ray. (Sony BDP-S300 + Toshiba HD-A2 = $899) Thankfully, LG is trying to keep up with the times and they dropped the MSRP of its player to $999 from $1199. The price is still technically higher than buying one of each but then retailers can slap their sale prices on 'em and get that price down to where it needs to be.
Inteset stuffs HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive in media PCs
Currently, there's just not a whole lot of options when you're scouting a pre-fabricated rig that does both HD DVD and Blu-ray on a single optical drive, but adding one more to mix certainly helps. Enter Inteset, which has just announced that an HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive will be an option in the firm's Maximus and Denzel media server systems. The machines will reportedly come loaded with CyberLink's PowerDVD Ultra software, support 7.1-channel surround sound, and sport an array of ports including audio in / out, DVI / VGA / component / S-Video, USB, FireWire, and antenna inputs for the TV tuners. 'Course, since the company recommends that you "contact a dealer for pricing," you should assume that this here HTPC won't run you cheap.
Okoro's BX100 and BX300 HTPCs pack HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive
Okoro Media Systems has been Blu-ray savvy for some time now, but apparently it's looking to bring the peace with a dual-format combo drive in its BX series of HTPCs. The BX100 resides in a fairly slim 4.13-inch tall enclosure and includes an Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, 350-watt power supply, optional seven-inch touchscreen, your choice of operating system and media center software, 500GB of hard drive space, NVIDIA's 256MB 8500 GT graphics card, a total of three TV tuners, and a smorgasbord of ports including PS/2, FireWire, serial, optical / coaxial digital audio outputs, two DVI ports, VGA, component, S-Video, composite, Ethernet, and four USB 2.0 connectors. The beefier BX300 steps up to a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 CPU, 1TB of storage spanning two 500GB drives, NVIDIA's 256MB GeForce 8600 GTS graphics card, and a 7.1-channel sound card. Both systems look to be available as we speak with a built-in HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive, and while the BX100 can be yours for $2,995, the base BX300 will run you an extra $600.[Via PCJoint]
Onkyo teeters on HD DVD decision, ponders Blu-ray and combo player
Although this certainly isn't the first retraction we've seen in regard to HD DVD support, it sounds like Onkyo could indeed be rethinking its decision to crank out a standalone player for the format this year. While the company seemed passably gung-ho about supporting HD DVD at this year's CES, a recent press conference at the outfit's headquarters injected some serious doubt. Reportedly, Keith Haas, director of sales, was quoted as saying that the company is currently "looking at both formats," and also added that it was trying to decide "whether to field either a standalone player or a multiple-format model." Of course, you won't hear any complaints from us about another hybrid HD DVD / Blu-ray unit hitting the shelves, and while this all remains up for debate presently, Onkyo is purportedly planning on entering the HD player market one way or another sometime "near the fourth quarter."[Via E-Gear, thanks Dave]
LG's Super Multi Blue BH100 hitting retail en masse
Although LG's Super Multi Blue standalone hybrid player snuck into a few CompUSA's before the street date and subsequently landed in several highly frequented big box retail locations, the firm is hoping to broaden the reach of its peace making device by getting it to more locales. The BH100 will reportedly ship en masse to the "800-plus network of US Best Buy stores" this June, and "at the same time, the player will spread to significantly more Circuit City outlets" than it's currently in. The company noted that as production hurdles have been overcome, it's growing easier to get these out to lesser-known stores, e-tailers, and a wider range of CCs and BBs, but interestingly, it was stated that there were "no announcements yet regarding a second-generation Super Multi Blue unit that might beef up its HD DVD capabilities."
Universal giving up on hybrid HD DVDs?
It seems that your dream of buying only one version of Steve Martin's The Jerk to watch not only in your HD DVD player, but also in the minivan and in the bedroom isn't going to happen. Universal at one time was going to release up towards 90% of their '07 HD DVD titles on the hybrid discs - one side standard DVD and one side HD DVD. For some unknown reason however, the studio has discontinued current hybrid discs and re-spec'd future disc for HD DVD only. Why? We don't know. It could be low sales or even the studio wanted a lower price point target that only a single sided disc could hit. Who knows but if Universal changes their mind again, we'll let you know.
HD DVD fires back: HD-A20 in April for $499, 70 movies on the way
We've had to wait a while, but for those wondering where Universal's exclusive titles were in the upcoming HD DVD lineup, today's press release by the HD DVD Promotions Group may put your mind at ease. While it may still be looking up at Blu-ray in terms of install base and numbers shipped, HD DVD the group still touts the fact that it has a higher tie ratio than "other high definition formats". Also included is the news that the 1080p-capable HD-A20 will ship in April for $499 (down from $599), but the biggest news is the slate of more than 70 titles shipping in the next three months from six studios (Warner, Paramount, Universal, Genius & Eagle Rock). Exclusives like Shaun of the Dead and The Bourne Identity will be available in June among what looks to be a packed month of releases for the format. Curious in their absence are combo releases, with only four HD DVD/DVD (Good Shepherd, Smokin' Aces, The Hitcher & Alpha Dog) discs among the 70.
