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Meridian MV-D1 iPod dock outputs 1080p content to your HDTV
You know what they say, if Apple won't provide a way, blaze your own trail anyway. Granted, the vernacular might be a bit off, but apparently Meridian gets the gist of it, as it showcased the MV-D1 iPod video dock at CES as a means of getting a "real HD video experience" out of that yet-to-be-widescreened 5.5G rendition. The primarily glossy red device casually holds your iPod video, and provides a Source, Format, and Connect button to go along with the volume keys, and houses Marvell's 88DE2710 digital video format converter to handle the upscaling. Reportedly, the dock can take any stored SD / HD media and output it via HDMI, cleaning up the noise and artifacts in the process. Moreover, the unit can be powered by either USB or your average AC plug, and even includes digital audio out for a (somewhat) "true" high definition experience. While pricing and availability information wasn't readily available, we're sure Meridian won't keep us iPod-toting HD freaks waiting for too much longer. Click on through for a closeup.
Let It Wave showcases bandlet upconverting for 100Hz / 120Hz HDTVs
It's no secret that blowing up snapshots with a low-res master just doesn't yield pretty results, but Let It Wave is trying to convince us all that its "Super-Resolution Bandlet Technology for HDTV Up-Conversion and Frame Rate Conversion" can do just that for SD content that yearns to mimic HD. The company will be demonstrating said technology here at CES, showcasing its miracle-working algorithm "on flat-panel applications," primarily 100Hz / 120Hz LCD and plasma displays. Its spatio-temporal geometric bandlet reportedly "restores details hidden in the original SD material and produces no flicker and no jaggy artifacts," and it even claims to do so without introducing blur. With all these 120Hz TVs being under the spotlight here in Vegas, we sure hope these folks can get this stuff out on the shelves rather quickly, and while it doesn't make mention of a hard release date just yet, hopefully we'll catch a glimpse ourselves and see if it's just snake oil.
Oppo DV-981HD 1080p DVD player reviewed
If you've got a 1080p HDTV, haven't already jumped on the HD DVD or Blu-ray bandwagon -- or maybe you only own the as yet non-upconverting PlayStation 3 -- and need a good DVD player look no further. Techdigs took a look at Oppo's just released $229 DV-981HD DVD player and decided it's hit the price/performance sweet spot perfectly. We feel the need to mention that Oppo includes the HDMI cable with its high def player (seriously Sony, we're not going to let you off the hook for that), and analog 5.1 audio outputs (don't think we forgot about you Toshiba). Overall the reviewer found the speedy menus, good performance on Silicon Optix's HQV tests courtesy of the included Faroudja scaler and easy-to-use remote. Of course, this player isn't for everyone, most HDTV owners are probably just fine with the older OPDV971H or OPDV970HD depending on setup, but if you want to watch DVDs at 1080p, this is probably the player for you.
All three Lord of the Rings films airing in HD on TNT
Our friends at TV Squad let us know that TNT will be airing all three Lord of the Rings movies December 15th. This will be the network television debut of the third film in the series, The Return of the King. Unfortunately what we're not sure about is whether the HD channel will be airing original aspect ratio 1080i beauty or stretched widescreen upconverts. As the films have yet to make their debut on HD DVD or Blu-ray we're keeping our fingers crossed but given TNT's history with stretching content we can't assume anything. The films will also be available for HDTVs via VOD, but that's no assurance as when the Star Wars trilogy aired on Cinemax it was OAR, but cropped on video on-demand, so they may be different. We appeal to our readers, does anyone know if the previous Lord of the Rings films shown on TNT were native or upconverted, and if there's any way to tell which these will be? Our plans for next Friday are riding on it (like we have plans).[Via TV Squad]
Gefen Home Theater Scaler converts standard-def to high-def
At first glance, the Gefen Home Theater Scaler looks like just another cheap Mac mini knock-off, but it's so much more than that. Assuming that it works as advertised, the HTS will upconvert your standard-definition video to high-definition, all the way up to 1080p. That means you won't have to buy a new upscaling DVD player to use with your hot HDTV. Furthermore, it also works as a video switcher between a pair of component sources and two HDMI sources, which is pretty sweet as well. The Scaler will set you back four Benjamins and is available now from the company's website.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Denon's DVD-3930 upscaler plays it all
Comprehensive format support is becoming more and more the norm, and we have no problem with that. Denon is joining the club with their new DVD-3930, which can upconvert DVDs to 1080p and output over HDMI (with some HDCP in the mix), along with supporting SACD, DivX, MP3 and WMA. The new 10bit upconverter chipset, along with the 192khz/24bit digital audio converter, makes for some high quality entertainment, though the $1,900-ish pricetag will probably leave this to the audio and videophiles. Denon is also trotting out the DVD-2930 for a "mere" $1100 which we're sure lacks some must-have processing capabilities, but on the surface seems to offer most of the functionality of its big brother. Both players should be out in July.[Via Akihabara]
Xbox 360 dashboard update arrives
The long awaited first major update to the Xbox 360's dashboard functionality is here, downloading to all Xbox Live connected consoles this morning. So what does 2.0 give you? Well now you can both queue downloads and continue to play games while content downloads in the background which was a major gripe for many, and custom soundtracks continue to play even when changing games, among a whole host of other improvements, tweaks and bugfixes. One more notable change is the choice to boot to dash instead of playing whatever DVD is in the drive. You can check out the list of 125 new features here. Of special note to HDTV owners may be that downloaded videos now have DVD-style playback controls (FF, rew, etc.). Connection to Windows Media Center Edition PCs has also been subject to performance enhancements.The much criticized DVD playback has been updated, with "general" improvements to video quality and improved audio video sync. I downloaded the update and checked it out, there was a noticeable improvement, but colors still seem a bit washed out and there is no way to calibrate it (although the info pane now has a gradient bar across the top I hadn't noticed before, that may help in adjusting your TV) and posters on AVS Forum have confirmed that when connected via the VGA output, the 360 scales to whatever resolution (1280x720 for example) is selected. Whether you have Xbox Live silver or gold, simply log on and you will be prompted to download the update automatically, it took less than a minute to download and install. Overall very nice and includes a lot of things people have been asking for since the console launched.
De-interlacing demystified
This site is targeted towards people looking for information on video compression, but their information on de-interlacing, how it works and the various challenges faced can give you a lot of information on what your TV or media player is doing when upconverting content. If you can't understand why some people get so up in arms over the 1080p-or-not debate, or why SD content can look so bad on your brand new HDTV, take a look and be educated. There are a lot of ways to get around resizing and upconverting content, and some are better than others (blending fields, adaptive, bob, bob and weave or progressive scan, motion compensation or motion adaptive just to name a few).[Via DV Guru]
Let It Wave introduces Super-Resolution Bandelet upconversion technology
Yeah sure thats a mouthful, but if it is nearly as good at converting SD sources to HDTV resolutions as they claim, you'll memorize it pretty soon. They claim their bandlet (or bandelet depending which page of the site you read) technology allows them to upconvert SD sources to HDTV resolutions with no flickering or artifacting whatsoever. We won't try to decipher the mathematic reasons they give as to why this is possible, but you can check out their tech page for yourself.Their press release includes an endorsement by the namesake of the Faroudja DCDi upconverter, now all we need to do is see some products and maybe watching standard definition won't hurt so bad anymore.
Would you rather have your sports in stretch-o-vision or letterboxed?
Going back through the files, we noticed that Canada's The Score announced last week they were launching the nation's first HD sports channel that is widescreen 24/7. They're achieving this by stretching any 4x3 SD content to fit a widescreen frame, much like TNT does, no word if its the exact same technology.They will be unveiling native HD content (no stretch-o) during the NBA playoffs, but till then, do you prefer the way ESPN (and presumably TSN also?) does SD. or do you want full frame upconversion, no matter what the distortion?
Samsung Blu-ray delay official
Unfortunately the bad rumors we hipped you to earlier are all too true. Samsung's BD-P1000 will not launch on May 23, but June 25. The good news, if there really is any, is that they have added a couple features to the checklist: 1080p upconversion of DVDs (apparently only via HDMI out) Support for 11 (up from 9) memory card formats, adding Mini-SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo The official reason is to undergo further compatibility testing with Blu-ray test discs, and the price is still $999. HD-DVDs are still (probably) hitting shelves later this month, but we're not holding our breath (anymore, because the hospital said they are not resuscitating Kevin again). Hopefully this will be the last time we have to tell you when next generation DVDs aren't coming out.
DVD up-scalers hit 100 bones with Samsungs DVD-HD860
Do you remember when DVD players were $499? No skip that, VCRs that were $799! We sure do but the most recent video device to drop is DVD up-scalers. Just two years ago there was a Samsung for $299 but it sure was cool. They have now reached a milestone though: the $100 mark. Samsung has been producing these players from the beginning and they were the first to hit this mark. The DVD-HD860 may not have a lot of bells and whistles but it does scale the DVD up to 720p or 1080i via HDMI. It is small and cheap, but doesn't comes with a HDMI cable. So big box shoppers note: it maybe cheaper to buy the big brother, DVD-HD960, as it comes with both a HDMI and a DVI cable then it is to buy a HDMI cable in large retail stores. Plus, you will get a better DVD player.
U getting Universal HD?
HDBeat reader Chris wrote in this morning to tell us they're getting Universal HD on Time Warner in the Los Angeles area now; I also saw it on my channel lineup last night on Comcast here in Michigan, but we knew that was coming.Oddly, I'm much less excited about watching the Winter Olympics than I am about seeing The Equalizer in high definition. Does anyone know how the show was originally recorded? Apparently all content on Universal is 1080i and not upconverted, but I wouldn't have expected that show to be shot on film.
Sony announces new HDMI-equipped home theater products
Sure they just showed you the future and it is their Blu-ray player, but maybe you like the present and a little more near-future better. In that case, Sony just unveiled a new DVD player and home theater component system, both HDMI equipped that should scratch the upgrade itch for just a fraction of the estimated cost of the BDP-S1.The DVP-NS75H DVD player will upconvert your old school DVD's to a crisp 720p or 1080i ad feature Precision Cinema Progressive technology for crisp pictures. Look for it in March for around $130.For your audio needs, the HT-DDW900 will feature dual HDMI connections, 5.1 surround sound and Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) technology, which uses a microphone to automatically measure the distance between the speakers and calibrate accordingly. This will also be available in march for about $300
CES: Linksys networkable DVD player KiSS DP-600
Linksys is the next to jump headfirst into the living room, with this networked DVD player (DVD? that's so old school), but wait, it's got next gen features with this old-gen tech. It will connect to the internet for it's program guide, streaming media, video on demand and other content besides playing DVD's and WMV.No word on DRM, will this work with Viiv, Media Center, HANA or any of the other alphabet soup of technologies shooting our way this year? No word yet, but this will probably still be a cheaper source of high definition content than HD-DVD or Blu-ray players will be this year. No word either on price, although it is shipping "soon".Features: 1920x1080 playback Playback in Windows Media Video 9 HD, DivX HD, Nero Digital, XviD, MPEG-1, 2 and 4, WMA, WMA Pro, MP3, and Ogg Vorbis Built-in WLAN 802.11g connection for cable-free access to the Internet or home PC Ethernet 10/100 technology HDMI connection Online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) WebRadio 3 with more than 3,000 radio stations Online weather forecasts for any continent, country or town StockView where you can check and convert currency values Online games Video-on-Demand - availability depending on the area
