The $12 PC project just got a little more interesting -- contrary to what the Boston Herald reported yesterday, the project is actually based around an off-license NES clone from China called the Victor, not the Apple II. The machine is entirely contained within a keyboard and accepts NES cartridges as well as Famicom software, so there's already a BASIC -- which might be what project members were referencing when they said that their generation had grown up programming Apple IIs. The Victor isn't quite the machine the Apple II was, obviously, but we're still totally intrigued by entire nations of budding console hackers -- you ready for the competition, Ben Heck?

Read - Computerworld clarification
Read - Project wiki

There's no doubt that both of HTC's forthcoming handsets (yeah, the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro) are coming to Sprint and Verizon. What we're still curious about, however, are the respective launch dates and the eventual names. phoneArena has it that the Touch Diamond will go by HTC Victor on Sprint and HTC Diamond on Verizon, with the former packing a slightly speedier CPU, an aluminum frame, accelerometer, 4GB of internal memory and EV-DO Rev. A support. As for Verizon's, expect it to boast half the RAM (128MB), a wimpier CPU, microSD expansion slot and a stainless steel frame. Moving on, we're told that the Touch Pro will be rechristined HTC Herman for Sprint and HTC Raphael (nice to re-meet you!) for The Network. Finally, we're clued in on a September 2nd release date for Sprint's Victor, while the Herman is expected a month later. As for Verizon? It'll probably be 30 or so days behind in both instances thanks to a presumed exclusivity agreement with its nemesis. Get all that?

We're not sure why JVC didn't announce their new Everio ¥100,000 GZ-MG740 (about $942) last week with all their other models. Nevertheless, the new 40GB peer to the 30GB GZ-MG730 was just announced in Japan. Other than the disk bump (and "Victor" not "JVC" badge), it's a spec-for-spec twin to the 7.38-megapixel model MG730 which shoots 720 x 480 pixel video -- right on down to that tiny 1.3-inch hard disk. That makes it the flagship model of their non-HD shooters. But you don't really care about non-HD camcorders anymore do you? No worries, we can respect that.

Not even two months after JVC Victor showcased its (then unnamed) 4k x 2k projector at CEATEC, the firm has finally come clean and given said unit a proper title and release time frame. The DLA-SH4K, which obviously packs that awe-inspiring 4k D-ILA chip, touts a 4,096 x 2,400 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,500 lumens, a dual-link DVI input, multiscreen mode, an Ethernet port for remote operation and RS-232 / USB connectors to boot. Additionally, this thing will even email its owner when the time comes to replace the lamp or if some error occurs within, and while it's still sporting the elusive "open price," interested consumers will have their chance to take one home in January 2008.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Nearly a year after the announcement of JVC's DLA-HD1 1080p projector come this, their DLA-HD100. The latest projector to sport a trio of 0.7-inch D-ILA devices doubles the reported contrast ratio to 30,000:1 while scaling back the lumens from 700 to 600 of the same 200W bulb. Inputs include 2x HDMI v1.3 supporting your choice of 1080/24p/50p/60p sources; component, S-Video and the ubiquitous composite connectors. A 2x zoom lens offers a 100-inch projection from a distance of 10- to 20-feet. This 24dB projector is expected in Japan mid November for ¥840,000 or about $7,312 -- right, about twice the price of the latest generation 1080p 3LCD projectors offering less than half the contrast. Decision, decisions.

[Via Impress]

JVC hasn't shown off any of its fancy Everio camcorders in quite awhile, but it's making a noticeable return with the HDD / SDHC-compatible GZ-HD3. This handheld camcorder does it up right with a built-in 60GB hard drive, MPEG-2 HD recording (though not Full HD, reportedly), and the ability to capture onto SD / SDHC flash cards. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of details beyond that are readily available, but while you wait patiently for a release date and price, feel free to click on for a few more glamor shots.

While everyone is up in arms over the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD debate, Victor is creeping up from behind with some fresh DVD technology that you never even saw coming. The Japanese company has created a new variation on the DVD-RW format with a single-sided, two-layer disc that can handle up to 8.5GB of data on one side. Up until now, if you wanted to get that much onto a rewritable, you would have had to use a dual-sided disk, but it would appear that Victor has found a way around those problems. No telling if this opens the door for a double-sided, two-layer disc with 17GB of capacity, but it sure does seem to be heading in that direction.

[Via Impress]

JVC is adding to the Victor line of LCDs with three new models, all of which include Clear Motion Drive 120Hz technology for the Full HD 1080p displays, and 10-bit panels for increased color reproduction capability. The LH805 series will also sport two HDMI 1.3 ports, JVC's 32-bit Genessa image processing chipset, and DLNA compatibility for home networking. The 47-inch LT-47LH805 will be available in late June, and the 42-inch and 37-inch LT42LH805 and LT-37LH805 will drop in early August, for an estimated price range of €2,140 to 2,840 ($2,800 to 3,800 US). Continue on for more pics of the panels.

[Via Akihabara News]

While there's long since been ways to make your Mac mini even more portable, the vulnerability typically increases right along with the downsizing. VictorSystems is out to throw mobility to the wind in exchange for assurance that your precious mini can withstand just about anything the world throws at it. The company has conjured up an entire computer system, peripherals and all, that is based around a mini and its accessories being sheathed in "aircraft grade aluminum alloys made from wrought plates, extruded rails, and finned heat sinks." Attention to detail was crucial, as even the power supply, a flat-panel display, keyboard, speakers, printer, and mouse were also given the ruggedizing treatment for a lengthy stay in the Amazon wilderness (or similar). Unfortunately, the setup doesn't sport a pricetag due to the BTO nature of the company, but if you're interested in removing every ounce of sexiness from your machine in order to carry it through unthinkable circumstances, VictorSystems can apparently do it up.

[Via Slashgear]

Check it mouthless puss, JVC-Victor just released a series of new LCDs in Japan including this one in up to 37-inches of pink. Other than that triviality, there's not much to the new series: available in 20-, 26-, 32-, and 37-inch models, each set brings a terrestrial digital/analog tuner; HDMI, component, 2x S-Video, and 2x composite inputs and optical audio out; a 1366 x 768 resolution; GENEESA engine; and choice of pink, brown, beige, and silver enclosures. Now just you never mind about such trivialities as brightness, contrast ratio, and refresh rate, JVC fails to mention those in the specs... clearly the colors are the main selling point here. Hell, even the remote is pink. All should pop before April is up with prices ranging from about ¥240,000 ($2,046) on down to ¥110,000 ($938) for the 20-incher.

[Via Impress]

JVC-Victor is bustin' out a refresh to their LCD line-up this morning with the introduction of new 32-inch (LT-32LC95), 37-inch (LT-37LC95), and 42-inch (LT-42LC95) LCD televisions all packed with their fast 120 frames per second Clear Motion Drive technology. These 120Hz sets use image interpolation between frames to slap up a new image every 8.3-ms -- twice the rate of a standard 60Hz set -- for a smoother picture with significantly less ghosting. All models feature a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, 500cd/m2 brightness, built-in terrestrial digital tuner, and a range of input/output terminals including 1x HDMI, 3x composite, 1x RGB, 2x Firewire, SD memory card slot with JPEG picture support, and Ethernet for access to the on-line EPG. Unfortunately, the contrast ratio isn't listed in the specs but we do have estimated prices: the LT-32LC95 and LT-37LC95 hit Japan in late February for ¥230,000 ($1,889) and ¥290,000 ($2,381), respectively with the 42-inch LT-42LC95 coming a bit later in March for ¥370,000 ($3,038) -- expensive if you consider Sharp's new 120Hz, 42-inch Aquos brings a full 1080p resolution and 3x HDMI for just $500 more. Click-on to see JVC's (simulated) 120Hz tech in action.

[Via Impress]

JVC Victor is giving a slight nudge in functionality and an overdue name-change to their XA-C series of flash audio players this morning. The XA-C51, XA-C110 and XA-C210 models known collectively as the Alneo series, bring 2GB, 1GB, and 512MB of memory respectively in your choice of black, silver, and white. As things go with JVC DAPs, these portable players support "high sound quality" playback of your MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM10/WAV/AAC files through the use of their K2 audio technology. Now, they also feature gapless playback and ability to stream music over USB when connected to their UX-DM8 micro component system. Presumably, that little trick avoids any degradation in sound quality when hooked up to the ol' headphone jack. Otherwise, we're still looking at the same 1.3-inch OLED display, line-in recording including the ability to record in WMA stereo via an external mic, an FM tuner, and about 20 hours of music playback. Oh, and they sweetened up the design by acing the F1 and F2 keys in favor of spelling out the word "Functions." Fantastic. Why not just arbitrarily slap on icons of a goat, chicken... or both? Dropping like it's hot (in Japan) next month for ¥30,000 ($248) for the 2GB model on down to a ridiculous ¥20,000 ($166) for a skimpy 512MBs.

[Via Impress]

It's not every day we see a 24-inch LCD demanding a cool ¥555,000 (about $4,677) but JVC's DR-V24L1D is no ordinary monitor. This 24-incher is meant for those working on HD video content and thus features a 1920x1200 resolution with 10-bit advanced image processing, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 176-degree viewing angle, and inputs including HDCP-enabled DVI-D, component, composite and two high end HD/SD auto-switching SDIs (serial digital interfaces). Also announced is the DE-V20L1D which shares the specs of his big bro only with a 20-inch, 1680x1050 panel and 800:1 contrast ratio for a more frugal ¥400,000 (about $3,402). You'll see the 24-incher drop first in December, with the 20-incher set to hit Japan in late January.

[Via Impress]