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Take an elongated look at PDP's Marvel Versus Fighting Pad
If the upcoming Mad Catz Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Fight Sticks are a little too intimidating for you, Marvel and PDP have cooked up a much more diminutive option. The Marvel Edition Versus Fighting Pad comes packed with love-it-hate-it Marvel artwork, an arcade button layout and an elongated left ... erm ... prong(?) for more ergonomic digital pugilism. Furthermore, both the buttons and specially designed thumb pad operate using actual microswitch actuators -- the same kind you'd find in a real arcade cabinet. The Versus pad is available for pre-order for $40 and is expected to arrive on February 14, making it the perfect last minute Valentine's Day gift for the nerd in your life. Only the Xbox 360 version of the pad has been announced, though a PS3 version may be released if the 360 pad does well. Check out an in-depth video of the Versus in action after the break.
Panasonic's CES 2011 HD lineup: Blu-ray players, 3D video conferencing, HDTVs, audio gear
Panasonic's blowing it out here at CES, partciularly on the HD front. There's a boatload of new content to disgest, so we'll take you through it all step-by-step below: For starters, Panasonic is dishing out seven new plasma HDTVs, six new LED LCDs and five new standard LCD HDTVs. For the 2011 model year, Panny's introducing the VT30 series, GT30 and ST30 lines, and two of the LED LCDs are joining its array of Full HD 3D TVs. Naturally, the biggest addition to the new sets is the Viera Connect system, but the Easy IPTV functionality is another boon. For those who've got a Viera Cast-enabled BD deck, Panny's adding Skype voice and video calling. The addition of Skype to Panasonic's new DMP-BDT310, DMP-BDT210, and DMP-BDT110 VIERA CAST-enabled Blu-ray Disc Players allows consumers to make Skype voice and video calls on virtually any HDTV using a Skype-compatible camera. As for new Blu-ray and DVD players? There's a near-limitless flow of them, with the DMP-B200 (8.9-inch display) and DVD-LS92 (9-inch) portable players serving the road warriors. The DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray deck is now holding down the top spot in the company's at-home range, and if you're still down with DVD, you'll find a load of new options with USB ports for loading up additional media. The company is also debuting the April-bound SC-HTB520 soundbar, meant to match up with flat-panels that are 42-inches or larger, and it's also throwing in a wireless, down-firing subwoofer. Finally, Panny's introducing 3D video conferencing (HDVC), which may or may not make your weekly boardroom meetings entirely more tolerable. Head on down to the source for more, but don't expect to find much in the way of price and availability. %Gallery-112812%
LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs
Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG's CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we'll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop. For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given -- TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar -- and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit's 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model... Then there's the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you'll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it's on you to source your own Magic Remote. If it's an all-new TV you're after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses -- none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of 'em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG's not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet. Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG's rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you'd rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it -- along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines -- can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG's also straying from providing pricing details on these. Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG's line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG's first portable BD deck. Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We've no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we'll be scouring the show floor in search of just that. For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don't expect to find any pricing information, though. %Gallery-112603%
PDP discusses American-style design of Mortal Kombat arcade stick
According to Gerry Block, senior product manager for PDP, the differences between the arcade stick packaged with the $150 Tournament Edition of Mortal Kombat and the popular Street Fighter FightSticks produced by Mad Catz is culturally based. "Mad Catz did some good work with the Tournament Edition (Street Fighter IV) sticks," Block told Kotaku, "but those are Japanese style sticks for a Japanese game. We thought it would be a lot of fun to respond with an American style stick for an American fighting franchise." That's why the MK stick has parts more traditionally associated with American arcade machines: a bat-top stick instead of a ball-top, concave buttons instead of convex, and parts made by Happ instead of Sanwa. That should make it the ideal stick for the American Mortal Kombat -- and only for Mortal Kombat, thanks to the wacky button layout that game uses. Other design elements aren't so much America-focused as just nice. The internal components are encased in easily removable transparent plastic for modding, and the bottom of the stick has a memory foam pad for comfortable use on your lap.
Panasonic's 103-inch 3D plasma hits for massive $100,000 price
Incredibly, Panasonic's been the proud parent of a 103-inch plasma since January 2006. Here we are almost five years later learning off a 3D variant, model TH-P103MT2. The Full HD 3D plasma with 5m:1 native contrast ratio is expected to cost about 8.5 million yen or a bit more than $100,000 when Panny begins taking orders tomorrow, November 18th -- and that still doesn't include the cost to ship, handle, and install the 439 pound TV onto the wall of your country estate. At least it ships with one pair of active shutter glasses.
PDP introduces headset for Wii's Call of Duty: Black Ops
Yes, you'll be able to play the Wii version of Call of Duty: Black Ops online -- and even use voice chat, if you happen to have the proper equipment. To that end, PDP has announced the $25 "Headbanger Headset." Conveniently, PDP is releasing the headset on November 9, timed with the release of the game. It'll be available in white, or in a "limited edition" Call of Duty: Black Ops version -- meaning: in black with the game's logo printed on it. That way, when someone asks you what you're playing, you can simply point at the side of your head, without the need for more conversation; which is good, because nobody would want to talk to you after that.
Amazon highlights savings on Afterglow controllers
Looking for an extra controller? More specifically, are you looking for an extra controller that will make your coffee table look like a Christmas tree? Amazon is offering the full range of PDP's Afterglow controllers at a discount today, as its Deal of the Day.
PlayStation Move accessories charge controllers, keep your pesky imagination in check
If there's anything Microsoft's Kinect has over the PlayStation Move -- neither seem to have a killer app -- it's that peripheral manufacturers (hopefully) won't be able to generate wave after wave of cheap plastic junk to wave in front of a camera. As you can imagine, PlayStation Move peripheral purveyors have no such problem, and Nyko, Mad Catz, Interworks, CTA Digital, PDP and more are pumping out plenty of plastic shells and chargers for those ball-tipped motion controllers. Hit the links below to just see how far we haven't come. Read - GamingBits Read - IGN Read - Amazon
Samsung's 50-inch 720p PN50C490 3D plasma on sale now for under a grand
Looking to spoil yourself with a fancy new 3DTV? Ain't got the cash to go all-out? Hello, compromise. Samsung's 50-inch PN50C490 -- which we peeked just a few weeks ago -- is now shipping from Amazon, Best Buy and a slew of other local consumer electronic marts if we had to guess. As a refresher, this mid-sized HDTV has a 720p resolution, 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, no internet connectivity to speak of, a USB socket, three HDMI inputs, a pair of component jacks and support for the third dimension. It's up for grabs today at just $989, but you'll probably want to budget a few extra hundies for that Samsung 3D Starter Kit (not to mention a few 3D Blu-ray Discs). [Thanks, James]
PDP announces accessories for your accessory so you can connect your Kinect
PDP is no stranger to the third-party peripheral game, adding a little Tron theme to controllers, adding a little motion to the Xbox 360, and releasing the Rock Band Stage Kit so that you can add a little fog to your foyer. Now the company is taking things a step further, producing a series accessories for what Microsoft hopes will be the hottest accessory this fall: the Kinect. There is a trio of mounts, starting with the $15 Kinect wall mount, then the $30 floor stand, and finally the $40 TV mount, which will occupy the VESA holes on the back of flat-panels. Curiously, the most expensive thing is the extension cable: $50 for the privilege of moving your googly-eyed camera a further nine feet from your console. All should be available this November, and all are officially Microsoft licensed, so you can feel good about paying too much for them.
PDP announces lineup of Kinect peripherals
"Peripherals for Kinect? How does that work?" you might be asking yourself. First, we would point out that every article of clothing you own is technically a Kinect peripheral. Second, the first Kinect peripherals from PDP aren't the kind you might expect. Rather than offering up plastic tennis rackets or lightsabers, PDP has announced a line of products (first glimpsed at E3) to help consumers mount their new Kinect in various situations. Wall Mount - $14.99 TV Mount - $39.99 Extension Cable - $49.99(!) Floor Stand - $29.99 We suppose some people might spend $40 on the VESA standard TV mount, though you could accomplish the same task with $5 worth of Velcro. The floor stand might prove useful, however, as it keeps the unit "above the floor to help protect the Kinect for Xbox 360 from foot traffic and dirt." We might suggest the off-brand version of the floor stand, though. It's called a table. PDP's Kinect products will be available this November.
Panasonic intros 42- and 50-inch 3D Viera GT25 plasma sets, its first with 2D-to-3D conversion
If you thought you could crawl in a corner and wait for this 3D onslaught to pass, you may be camped out for some time to come. Panasonic is following up on its CES introductions with a new pair of 3D plasmas for the gaming set, the Viera 3D GT25 range. Said series is debuting with a pair to choose from, the 50-inch TC-P50GT25 and the 42-inch TC-P42G25. The latter is Panny's first-ever 42-inch Full HD 3D plasma, and as you'd expect, both of these guys will require active shutter glasses in order to operate. As for specs? You're looking at a 1080p panel, 600Hz sub-field drive, 24p playback and (a company first) 2D-to-3D conversion that may or may not be the answer to all of life's problems. Or maybe they'll just do what Sony and Samsung have already been doing. The duo should be on retail shelves by the end of this month, with the little guy going for $1,699.95 and the big(ger) guy for $2,099.95.
Samsung's new plasmas will do 3D for much cheaper - Update: $989 for 50-inch 720p
Looks like Samsung's 3D Blu-ray players aren't the only ones coming in cheaper versions, as it's unveiled the new 680 Series and 490 Series plasma HDTVs. Both were shown off in Korea yesterday, though the US website only features a product page for the 50-inch PN50C680 so far, showing off its 1080p specs and DLNA access. You will give up a few features from higher end plasmas, which add picture-in-picture, widgets, a higher contrast ratio and slimmer designs to the mix. The PN50C490's situation is a bit murkier, but FlatpanelsHD reports it will be the first 720p 3DTV of the current generation. With current series 4 plasmas retailing for around $720, it could also be the first flat 3D set to crack (or at least approach) the $1,000 barrier -- if you're willing to miss out on the extra pixels. Update: A listing on ABC Warehouse shows the PN50C490 with a few specs plus $1,099 MSRP, but already up for preorder for just $989. Perfect for some PS3 gaming or ESPN3D watching, right? Of course, as a few commenters have mentioned, you can get a 60-inch 1080p projection 3D capable HDTV from Mitsubishi for even less, so that's hardly your only cheap 3D option. [Thanks, John Doe]
Joyswag: Set of Afterglow controllers for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii
[Update: We've got a winner! If you're username "iFester" you need to go check your email! We aren't typically unnerved by packages sent to Joystiq HQ, but for the life of us, we can't figure out how this box of Afterglow controllers from PDP is functioning. There's no visible battery, no plug and no solar panel, which leaves only one possible power source: Witchcraft. We want these foul magicks out of our home! To enter this giveaway: Leave a comment telling us your favorite spell. You must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 2:00PM ET on Friday, July 9. At that time, we will randomly select one winner to receive four Afterglow controllers and carrying case (ARV $119.99). For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Tron gaming peripherals soothe your nostalgia with calming blue light (video)
We don't have the foggiest idea whether Tron: Legacy will serve to reboot Disney's venerable light cycling franchise, but it's certainly got peripheral vendors in high gear -- you'll be able to hack the ENCOM Digitizing Molecular Laser with a genuine Tron keyboard and mouse or toss virtual light discs with an Tron-themed Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii controller this holiday season. Gaming favorite Razer crafted this $130 laser-etched keyboard with swappable numpad and programmable macros; it will ship alongside a $100, 5600dpi laser mouse in October, and PDP will provide the console controllers for $50 at an unspecified date. We were bummed to hear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 pads are wired, but in retrospect that might be a good thing -- by comparison, Razer's detachable keypad is just begging to be thrown at an MCP-generated foe. See all the new Tron toys lit up in a video after the break. (Caution: video loads automatically.) %Gallery-96137%
Gallery: PDP's peripheral lineup demoed at E3
PDP is quickly making a name for itself as a manufacturer of quality peripherals, and one lap around the company's E3 booth showed why. Though companies like PDP are still battling with the perception that third-party controllers and other complimentary devices are sub-par knock-offs, much of PDP's line of products don't just feel sturdy and well-made -- some are actually pretty innovative, to boot. The Afterglow collection is PDP's current bread and butter. Each comes with built-in Red, Green or Blue LEDs, and clock in roughly $10 below MSRP of their first-party equivalent. The highlight is the Wii controller, which not only sports a $29.99 price tag, but features a much more ergonomic button layout: The Plus and Minus buttons are now located directly to the left and right of the A button, while the 1 and 2 buttons are skewed slightly to the left and right, giving players a better indication of which input they're sliding their thumbs over. A few other peripherals didn't have quite so much in the function department, but more than made up for them with form. The Tron-inspired controllers looked awfully sharp, while the Epic Mickey Wiimote dock made us reconsider our firm position against novelty controller charging stations. Check out the full lineup of PDP's current and future products in the gallery below. %Gallery-96066%
Samsung's 3D plasmas showing up on real and virtual store shelves all over
If you've been waiting for a plasma 3DTV and Panasonic's VT25 isn't your speed (we don't know how you feel about deep, deep black levels, but c'mon, who can turn down Coraline?) then take a look at Samsung's C7000 line, now in stock (on schedule) pretty much everywhere. The 50-inch PN50C7000 is available for a cool $1,650 at Amazon, $1,797 at Vanns and $1,799 at Best Buy. The 63-inch will cost $3,000 from Amazon, while the 58-inch model is $2,350. Upgrading to the C8000 series and their high end home theater tweaks like Real Black Filter and Motion Judder Canceller (we'll see how well they actually work) raises the price to $3,417, $2,483 & $2,067 for the 63-inch, 58-inch and 50-inch models, respectively. They all have Samsung Apps and grabbing a 3D Blu-ray before you hit the check out nets a couple of pairs of glasses and a copy of Monsters vs. Aliens just to get you started, but we'd wager you'll still be well behind the Black Eyed Peas.
Fujitsu's curved plasma displays make Roman columns look a little dated
What, your plasma display is flat? How very quaint! Fujitsu would like to make you feel a little less adequate by showing you the wonder that is a curved PDP, seen here stretched around a column for the sake of providing digital signage. Yes, it's perhaps a somewhat boring duty, and not quite as awe-inspiring as the company's massively curvaceous installation at Kansai airport. But, if you're looking for a way to show off orange silhouettes on a field of light blue, baby it doesn't get much better than this.
World's largest curved plasma display flows into Japan's Kansai airport
Sure, we've seen 125-inch and a 145-inch curved plasma displays, but there's a new size champ in town: the international departure area at Japan's Kansai Airport was just graced with this 200-inch waterfall of a curved plasma. That's right around 13 feet by 10 feet, which is relatively insane -- no word on whether Jerry Jones is going to show up and play Gears of War on it anytime soon.
PDP's new controllers have The Glow
Third-party controller company PDP has unveiled a new line of controllers for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii designed to attract attention, and/or help land airplanes. The Afterglow line is a set of transparent controllers with LED lights inside, so they glow in a way sure to dazzle and irritate your roommates. That's not the only feature, though it's the one that stands out the most on account of they freaking glow. The Wii controller features + and - buttons above the A button, in the manner suggested by N'Gai Croal back in 2007, and is paired with a (glowing) nunchuk with a retractable cord. The wired PS3 controller swaps the Dual Shock's D-pad and left stick placement to be more like the Xbox 360 controller. The Afterglow Xbox controller, a licensed product, appears to be pretty much identical to the official controller, but with what IGN calls an "improved ergonomic design." Also, these controllers allow us to reference The Last Dragon. That's ... a feature ... See more images of the Afterglow line at IGN.
