CES
Latest
Samsung properly introduces Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs
You knew Samsung wouldn't pull up in Vegas without a few new sets to clutter up your living room, and sure enough, we're being treated to a fresh pair of CCFL-backlit displays. The Series 6 ranges from 19- to 55-inches, while the Series 7 is comprised of just a 40-, 46- and 52-inch model, and the latter three (along with '09 Series 6 650 40-inch and above) sets feature the Yahoo!-driven Internet@TV functionality. Furthermore, the Series 7 is Sammy's first ever 240Hz CCFL-backlit display, while all Series 6 sets 32-inches and up tout the 120Hz Auto Motion Plus technology. All the nitty-gritty details (save for pricing and availability) are tucked away in the read link. %Gallery-40656%
Samsung's DVD-H1080 looks like a large pebble, plays DVDs
While Samsung's design may be changing in the Blu-ray player department, its latest DVD player pays homage to last year's DVD-F1080. The all new, very pebble-like DVD-H1080 touts the company's Touch of Color design, weighs just over two pounds and is only marginally bigger than the DVDs it will one day play. As expected, the deck features 1080p upscaling to go along with the USB host function which adds support for DivX, MP3 and JPEG files. There's nary a word on price, but it should be landing at your favorite (and least favorite, for the record) retailer in the first half of 2009.%Gallery-40652%
Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs
Here we are, folks, finally at the end of Samsung's CES 2009 gauntlet. We've seen Blu-ray decks, a BD-infused soundbar, LCD-equipped refrigerators and even a few HDTVs, but Sammy's clearly hoping you pay the most attention to its new line of LED-backlit LCDs. The 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series sets all ditch traditional CCFLs in favor of the newer, brighter and more energy-efficient LED backlighting. Of note, the 8000 Series is the only one a 240Hz refresh rate; the other lines get stuck with the perfectly acceptable 120Hz Auto Motion Plus. Furthermore, the 7000 / 8000 crew will come ready for the Yahoo!-driven Internet@TV online content service, while the 6000 family will allow access to Sammy's own InfoLink RSS service. More meaningful specs (screen size, brightness, contrast ratio, price, favorite color / date spot, etc.) are sorely missing, but you can peak the linked PDF if you don't believe us.%Gallery-40661%
Samsung trots out BD-P4600 / BD-P3600 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray players at CES 2009
Here they are, folks: the world's first wall-mountable Blu-ray player alongside the ultra-sleek BD-P3600 (pictured above). It only takes a glance to see that Samsung has certainly broken away from the boxy mold with its latest BD decks, and we couldn't be happier about it. The BD-P4600 -- which we spotted on the show floor a few days back -- is just 1.5-inches thin with a piano black design, ruby highlights and a clear, "prism-like edging." Both units support Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) interactivity, DVD upscaling, DivX support (huzzah!), touch sensitive controls, 1GB of internal memory and a pair of USB 2.0 ports. Of note, one of those USB sockets will get filled with an included 802.11b/g/n WiFi dongle, but those still wary of cord-free internet can hook things up via Ethernet. Finally, we'll mention that the pair decodes the latest high-res audio formats and includes an HDMI 1.3 port, while the P3600 includes 7.1-channel analog audio outs for good measure. Take a wild guess at the pricing and availability -- you might be close.%Gallery-40647%
Samsung delivers HT-BD7200 / HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, HT-BD8200 BD soundbar
Samsung's comin' at us hot and heavy from the desert, and if those two BD players already got your ears perked up, here's a little more for your future home theater. Up first is the HT-BD8200 Blu-ray soundbar, which -- as the name implies -- is actually a soundbar with a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player baked right in. The bundle also includes a wireless subwoofer and promises 5.1-like sound despite being just 2.6-inches deep. Moving on, we've got the 2.1-channel HT-BD2700 and 5.1-channel HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, which offer up 400- and 1,000-watts of power, respectively along with WiFi support. Per usual, dollars and ship dates remain a mystery, but the more we look at those glossy black coats, the harder we find it to be patient.%Gallery-40649%
Samsung's Series 6 / 8 plasma HDTVs are well connected
We knew CES would deliver internet-lovin' HDTVs, but we had no idea Samsung would be bringing along so many. In case LCDs aren't really your bag, the company has also managed to bring along the Series 6 and Series 8 plasma sets. Both lines are hailed as the "greenest plasmas yet" thanks to their Energy Star 3.0 ratings, and they're also among the first TVs to be wireless DLNA-compliant. Both lines are obviously compatible with the Yahoo!-powered Internet@TV functionality, and the Series 8 checks in at just over an inch thick with an inbuilt ATSC tuner. Comically enough, Sammy doesn't even bother mentioning what sizes these things will arrive in (and definitely no price / release date), but it sure does stop to gloat about all this newfangled technology.%Gallery-40659%
Samsung CES roundup -- P3 PMP, new plasmas, LCDs, even appliances
A ton of Samsung news just went out, including the P3 PMP, Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs, and Series 6 / 8 plasmas, but in order to keep our front page sensible during CES we're going to be linking out to the individual posts from roundups like these from now on. Hit the read links for all the good stuff! Read - Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs Read - Samsung's Series 6 / 8 plasma HDTVs are well connected Read - Samsung properly introduces Series 6 / 7 LCD TVs Read - Samsung gets official with P3 PMP at CES 2009 Read - Samsung's DVD-H1080 looks like a large pebble, plays DVDs Read - Samsung delivers HT-BD7200 / HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, HT-BD8200 BD soundbar Read - Samsung trots out BD-P4600 / BD-P3600 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray players at CES 2009 Read - Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink
Vizio Connected HDTV directly streams Netflix movies
Move over LG, Vizio is now the second manufacturer bypassing the set-top box and doing Netflix streaming straight to the TV. Apparently just one of Vizio's "key content partners" expect to browse your queue via customized remote over wired or wireless connection when the new lineup hits retailers later this year. Looks like someones putting in work on that goal of enabling streaming to all US households.
Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink
If you thought Samsung would stop at the home theater at CES 2009, you've got another thing coming... from the kitchen. The RFG299 French Door refrigerator not only includes an eco-friendly design, high-rate urethane insulation, LED interior lighting, an EZ-Open handle and 28.5 cubic feet of storage, but it also boasts a 7-inch LCD on the outside. As we make our way down to the laundry room, we find the WF448 front loading washer, which features the firm's VRT technology to reduce noise and vibrations; better still, the included Steam Refresh and Odor Removal settings are perfect for neutralizing those absolutely rotten tees that grow increasingly rank with every passing deathmatch. No prices are mentioned, but they should fit just fine on your wedding registry.%Gallery-40654%
Samsung gets official with P3 PMP at CES 2009
Samsung's P3 has been official in other parts of the globe for awhile now, but the outfit has decided to wait until CES to make it so here in the States. As anticipated, the PMP arrives with its "evolutionary" EmoTure user interface, 4/8/16/32GB of internal storage, haptic feedback, a 3-inch WQVGA display, DNSe 3.0 sound enhancement technology and a Music Hot Touch Key that enables users to instantly access favorite music features / selections without having to wade through multiple menus. The device itself is just 0.39-inches thick, and it also boasts a voice recorder, FM radio and Bluetooth support. Check it sometime during the first half of this year in matte black / matte silver motifs.%Gallery-40655%
Sharp gets with the Profile 2.0 program with the BD-HP16U & BD-HP22U
Many thought that Profile 1.1 players should've died last year, but that just wasn't the case. But those internet content lovin' fools can finally get behind Sharp's Blu-ray players. At this point Sharp realizes that with all the Blu-ray players available, you gotta do something special to get noticed, so Sharp is striving to make its players work better with its line of TVs by automatically putting configuring the display the optimal viewing setting -- like dot by dot. The only thing that distinguishes these two players from each other is that the BD-HP22U will be out in May, includes 2GB of USB memory, and retails at $299, while the BD-HP16U is due in March for $229.
Sharp delivers Blu-ray-packing BD-series Aquos LCDs for the US
Credit Sharp for still coming through a few surprises, sure you knew 32- and 42-inch Aquos HDTVs with built-in Blu-ray players, but they filled out the line with the 37-, 46- and 52-inch variations previously seen in Japan (no 26-inch love?) Built around the latest Superlucent ASV panel for reduced glare and bright, crisp picture quality, they didn't forget 24p support on the HDMI jacks, just in case you still want to plug another Blu-ray player in. No price, but with ATSC and QAM tuners plus RS-232C inputs, for a TV in a locations where a connected player doesn't make sense, these aren't a bad option when they ship later this month (32-, 37-, 42-inch) or in February (46-, 52-inch.) Press release is after the break.
Live from Samsung's CES press event
We're here, live, at Samsung's always hot CES 2009 press event. The house is packed with a line running at least a hundred deep.
Logic Wireless' Logic Bolt makes luminous appearance at CES
Logic Wireless, a new startup has jumped right into the CES mobile fray with this, the mini projecting Logic Bolt. Logic Wireless assumed all rights to this device from ChinaKing -- which we saw early in the summer of 2008 -- and have tuned it up and have it here at the show. Featuring a quad-band GSM chipset, 3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, projected display size of 36 to 64 inches, and a rated talk time of 2 to 3 hours. Video can apparently blast on for two hours or more using content on the phone or VGA input from other devices. Logic Wireless aims to ship a dual-mode GSM / CDMA set with live video conferencing, four times brighter projector, and Windows Mobile supplanting the current Java OS sometime in the future. For a suggested $100 on-contract price or $600 off, we're thinking if they can make this happen, we're definitely going to be picking one up.[Via Gearlog]
Netgear unveils Internet TV Player, Digital Entertainer Elite with CinemaNow
We've now got a content provider giving support to Netgear's Digital Entertainer Elite, and that honor goes to CinemaNow. At today's overly-enthusiastic press conference -- seriously, they threw apples, footballs, and a beer can at certain points -- the company showed off the pay-per-view service on both the aforementioned media streamer as well as the new, much smaller Internet TV Player that's coming this summer for $199. It's very lightweight and has an HDMI output alongside two USB 2.0 ports. It's got YouTube support as well as North American, Europe, and Asia internet TV. The upscaled video looked good, although nothing that's gonna replace your HDTV anytime soon. One very nice feature is support for torrents that you can trigger remotely for download to the player (presumably on an attached disk drive here, as there's no internal storage from what we can tell). No word on codec support, but if they're touting torrents, we're hoping for at least some DivX / XviD and MKV love. The much larger and heavier granddaddy Elite, whos specs we've already heard care of the FCC, is coming February for $399. A fun little feature touted in the presser allows you to pause a video on one TV and watch it on another -- provided you've got a separate Elite unit connected to each. The bad news? Neither device supports Hulu or Netflix, although a rep told us that they're kinda sorta looking into adding the latter sometime in the future. %Gallery-40862%%Gallery-40863%
Sharp Aquos E Series hits the stage
Want Sharp's newest ASV Superlucent 1080p panel, but don't want a Blu-ray drive jammed in the back? Say hello to the Aquos E series. The E77U line packs 120Hz technology, a 4ms response time and Sharp's Spectral Engine XD for all manner of XD (Extreme Dark)or UD (Ultra Dark) situations -- eyeshine no longer necessary. Five HDMI 1.3 jacks, OPC function that automatically adjusts for lighting conditions and a soft gold accent towards the bottom of the frame signal your upscale tastes to all who haven't seen the prices ranging from $4,499 for the 65-inch to $1,399 for the 40-inch. The E67U gives more frugal buyers four HDMI jacks and a copper tone go along with the new ASV panel. Check after the break to see when your preferred model ships, with most due in February or March, and the LC-65E77U slipping out in June.
Sharp debuts Blu-ray HTIB, soundbars and iPod docks
Providing some audio punch to go along with all the video, Sharp's taking the wraps off of two new 5.1 HTIBs with Blu-ray included , the BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30, plus two new 2.1 channel sound bars, the HT-SB300 and HT-SB200. Since no AV rollout is complete without an iPod dock, the DK-AP7N and DK-CL6N. Why, you ask, is only the soundbar pictured? To peek into the eye of the $799 piano black Blu-ray packing home theater units would be madness, ditto for the $99 - $129 iPod docks, ready to give you two channel audio (DK-CL6N) and 2.1 ESound processing, video out packing DK-AP7N. The theme here is convenience and quality in small packages, some hands and ears-on time should give us enough info to safely pass judgement.
Sharp shows off the XV-Z15000 1080p projector
Sharp's chosen to focus on creating an affordable 1080p home projector, rolling out the single chip DLP-based XV-Z15000. Ready for the discerning customer with $2,999 in their pocket, it features a 30,000:1 contrast ratio and 1600 ANSI brightness, plus Keystone Correction ready to take care of any type of distortion that may crop up. Projector heads can put this up against the PT-AE3000 and company when it ships in March.
Windows 7 beta 64-bit version leaked just in time for Steve Ballmer's keynote
It looks like the usual suspects are at it again, showing their baldfaced contempt for copyright law by disseminating a 64-bit version of the Windows 7 beta. When we saw the 32-bit version a couple weeks ago things looked pretty good, outperforming Vista and XP in "real world" tasks, so we're hoping that its older brother performs on the same level. There's a strong possibility that the public beta will be announced at tonight's keynote, and if it is Engadget will be on hand to dish out all the gory details.
Carl Zeiss pushes 3D with updated Cinemizer "video eyeware"
Last year Carl Zeiss tantalized us with promises of an eye-level, "cinema quality" display for iPods (and only iPods). The result was a somewhat funky looking set of "video eyeware" that, to put it mildly, didn't quite catch on in the Apple community like the company's tiny lenses have elsewhere. Undaunted, Herr Zeiss is releasing a new version -- cunningly titled the Cinemizer plus -- that offers mostly minor tweaks, like improved cable management and better compatibility with external (higher quality) earbuds. The company is also pushing studios to produce more content that will show off these things' 3D capabilities, but we're guessing there still won't be much of the stuff available when these drop in March for $499.[Via Pocket lint]
