hdmi 1.3 posts
It seems that Brando can't go a month without bringing out yet another slightly-improved domicile for your orphaned SATA HDDs. Following in the footsteps of the very recent Multimedia Dock, the latest unit adds H.264 decoding to the already present DivX, Xvid and MPEG-4, while output graduates to full 1080p. Featuring HDMI and a plethora of supported media formats, the humble docking station has certainly grown up, but is it enough to compete with standalone media players? Input flexibility would suggest so -- the new device accepts 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives, alongside USB flash memory, SD, MMC, and MS cards -- but alas, Brando loses the plot at the final hurdle, asking for an astronomical $199. With prettier alternatives available at half the price, this is unlikely to sell like hotcakes, but Brando's breakneck refresh cycle give us the feeling it won't be long before we see that perfect do-it-all dock.
Sony's Blu-ray MegaChanger hits the streets next month with new ES standalone

Gallery: Sony MegaChangers
QNAP's NMP1000 network media player starts streaming to Japan
It's been ages (okay, months) since we first got our hands on the QNAP NMP1000 network media player, and it's a good long while past its supposed shipping date. But, shipping it is (finally), now hitting Japanese stores according to Akihabara News. Initially we were only told that the thing would cost "somewhere under $10,000," and we're glad to say it's way under: ¥45,000, or about $470. For that you get an HDMI 1.3-toting HD media streamer, which sports room for a 3.5-inch HDD, a gigabit Ethernet port, and the ability to not only stream media but also to act as a NAS, meaning this one didn't fall far from the 'ol family tree. Still no word on a US release, but hopefully that'll be well under $10,000 as well. Soothing demonstration video to tide you over after the break.
LED-infused HDMI cables add some light to your home theater
We know what you're thinking: you've decked out your gaming rig with a translucent case and a string of LEDs inside, and gave similar treatment to the wall just behind your display ... so why not add that special glow to your connection, too? Enter these HDMI 1.3 cables from Donya, available in only the finest of patriotic colors -- red, white, and blue. It'll set you back 999 yen (about US $10) plus an unknown amount for shipping, but if you're impatient, we're sure there's a little DIY weekend project to take from this.
[Via Akihabara News]
[Via Akihabara News]
Knoll's 1080p HDP460 projector packs DarkChip4
Though not quite as awe-inspiring as Meridian's all new MF10, Knoll's April-bound HDP460 is a far cry from being a slouch. This 1080p DLP projector boasts the oh-so-coveted TI DarkChip4 along with a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processor, 1,600 ANSI lumens, HDMI 1.3, ISF day / night presets and built-in scaling support for 2:35:1. Unfortunately, Knoll's being a little stingy in the imagery department, but those who can just imagine this beamer sitting pretty in their den / home theater can phone up the company in order to get a presumably large dose of sticker shock.[Via AboutProjectors]
The Samsung BD-UP5000 to be discontinued in May

**Update** Samsung says that the date it'll be discontinued is subject to change.
Samsung intros BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, BD-UP5500 combo player

Gefen's CES lineup: switchers, PVRs, scalers, cables and more

Sharp reveals gamer-centric 1080p LC-32GP3U AQUOS LCD TV
Sharp's new GP3U family may be marketed towards the sophisticated gamer, but we're pretty certain just about anyone could get down with a set like this. Announced today, the 32-inch LC-32GP3U comes in a trio of hues (black, wine red and white), boasts a "unique swivel stand for ultimate viewing and gaming flexibility," and offers up bottom-mounted speakers to boot. Furthermore, this 1080p AQUOS touts a slim-line design, a Game Mode button on the remote for activating Vyper Drive and providing quick access to side terminals, a subwoofer audio output, two component / three HDMI 1.3 inputs, a VGA port, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, six-millisecond response time, integrated ATSC / NTSC tuner with Clear QAM support, 450 cd/m2 brightness and 176-degree viewing angles. If you're champing at the bit to fix your eyes on this one, all three versions will be available just in time for you-know-what for $1,599.99.Integra unveils first HD DVD player: the $1099 DHS-8.8
Just before the wheels of CEDIA really get rolling here in Denver, it looks as though we'll have one more contestant in the standalone HD DVD player market: Integra. The firm has announced its first HD DVD player, dubbed the DHS-8.8, and judging by the specs, it's no slacker. This unit touts HDMI 1.3a compatibility, obligatory support for all the lossless audio formats, 1080p24 playback, onboard Reon VX HQV video processing, DVD upscaling to 720p / 1080i / 1080p, and component outputs to boot. Furthermore, you'll find "Wolfson and Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit audio DACs for conversion of audio sources for analog output," and the built-in Ethernet port allows buyers to take advantage of any web-based extras that they may encounter. Notably, this bad boy rings up a full Benjamin higher than the couple of hybrid players we heard about yesterday, and is slated to hit the market in Q4 for $1,099.[Thanks, Ryan]
Latest Yamaha receivers boast HDMI 1.3a / Ethernet / 1080p upscaling

The HMS-41 auto-HDMI switch: 1.3a and Simplay HD certified... not that it matters
That was quick. Just a day after showing you an HDMI 1.3 switch requiring manual intervention, we get this: the automatic HMS-41 QuadMax switch. Not only is it HDMI 1.3a compliant, but it will automatically sense, then source the detected live input for display on your television. When multiple sources are hot, the unit will even default to a user defined priority. Sound familiar? That's because this box looks to be every bit the OEM'd cousin of Radiient's HDMI switch. We have it from Radiient that their current box is also HDMI 1.3a compliant albeit lacking support for one important optional subset of the spec: 1080p in Deep Color. So are you really willing to take the chance with this box PS3 owners? For what it's worth, the HMS-41 (like the Radiient switch) brandishes a US-centric, "Simplay HD" certification. A pointless rubber stamp if such oddities can go through without alerting the consumer whom the certification is meant to protect. The HMS-41 will cost ya about ¥60,000 or $486 for the 4-inputs available when it ships in July -- a not so subtle reminder to count those HDMI inputs when purchasing your flat panel.
[Via Impress]
Read -- Radiient response on 1.3a
Read -- HMS-41
[Via Impress]
Read -- Radiient response on 1.3a
Read -- HMS-41
DigiMedia's 4 port HDMI 1.3 switcher
We've seen an HDMI switch or two 'round here before but this is one of the first to promise full HDMI 1.3 compatibility. The DigiMedia HDMI switcher features a single HDMI-out with either 4 (HSG-401) or 2 (HSG-201) input configurations at cable runs of up to 10-meters. Unfortunately, it looks like you'll have to manually switch between sources unlike other autosensing HDMI switches we've seen. Fortunately, the included remote control will keep your azz firmly planted in the sofa. Hitting Japan in July, the HSG-401 will set you back ¥18,800 or about $152, the HSG-201 for just ¥13,800 or $112 -- not bad.
[Via Impress]
[Via Impress]
Pioneer's new Blu-ray player, the BDP-LX70

It has almost been a year since the first generation Blu-ray players hit the market, and we're already starting to see second generation players; well the Pioneer BDP-LX70 is most certainly a new model, but we're not sure if it's second gen or not. The BDP-LX70 is currently only listed on Pioneer's Eurpean site and although HD DVD originally annouced their second generation players in Europe, they looked completly different from the first gen. Not only does the LX70 looks alot like the HD1, but the features are also very similar; in fact other than having a Dolby TrueHD decoder built in, it doesn't seem to have any other new features. The latest must have feature -- HDMI 1.3 -- isn't specifically mentioned, but what is mentioned, is the fact that an "HD audio bitstream output player" is already set to replace this model. Second gen or not, Blu-ray fans in Europe are about to get a new option in June when this new player hits the street, but no word on a price.
Toshiba begins shipping HD-A20 HD DVD player
As promised, Toshiba is shipping the HD-A20 to retailers with a MSRP of $499, but can probably be found online for even less. The HD-A20 fits right in the middle of Toshiba's trio of HD DVD players, which make up all of the stand alone HD DVD players available. The extra benjamin over the HD-A2 gets you HDMI 1.3 and 1080p output, but it lacks a few video enhancements like deep color support and additional connections like RS-232 when compared with its bigger brother, the HD-XA2. If this is any indication of what we can expect from second generation HD DVD players, Toshiba is on its way to producing some of the best next-gen physical media movie players anywhere -- at least until Blu-ray finally gets BD-J live done in October.





















