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LG announces 1080p DivX support, release windows for new TVs
LG's always done a good job supporting DivX in its players and TVs, so this morning's press release announcing that the company will offer 1080p DivX support in its latest gear isn't all that surprising -- we're mostly excited because it suggests that the latest round of LED-backlit LCDs will arrive in "late May and late April." That's, uh, real soon now, so those of you waiting on a little Scarlet action in your lives should look sharp.
LG's 240Hz LH90 LED TV series priced, global release dates still a mystery
LG's finally put a price on its TruMotion 240Hz LH90 series displays. Available in 42, 47, and 55-inch sizes, the LED TVs boast a whopping 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, THX support, and the ability to play DivX files via USB. If you need to start budgeting early, expect to pay somewhere around ₩3,300,000 (US $2,445) to ₩ 6,400,000 (US $4,742), depending on the model. We know it's destined for an international release, but other than that, unfortunately mum's the word when that date might be.
Qtv launches console IPTV platform on the PlayStation.... 2
In one of the more unexpected developments from NAB 2009, Qtv is pushing its streaming media player platform for consoles. Not an altogether radical idea we know, but what's different here is a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later. From the makers of the Qcast technology behind the GameShark Media Player, Qtv includes YouTube and access to streaming video from other sources, plus pictures, music and video (DivX, h.264, XviD & more) from USB devices or networked computers. The PS2 may not be the first HD set-top box we thought of, it does have the highest installed base. The Qtv player launches later this year and will be available on Mac and PC as well for "less than $50," although thanks to the free 30-day trial the hardest part may be remembering where we left our PS2s.
DivX 7 for Mac now available
Coming a scant few months after the PC version, DivX 7 for Mac is now available, putting all the h.264 enabled power into your hands, whether it's for good or evil is your choice. That reminds us, we're still looking around for those DivX Plus HD Certified devices (beyond the DivX Connected beta) featuring MKV and many other forms of compatibility, but for now, this will have to do.[Via 123MacMini]
Panasonic's newest plasmas include DivX
Not willing to let its Blu-ray decks have all the fun, Panasonic's seen fit to announce that the European editions of its upcoming Z1, V10 and G15 line of VIERA plasma displays will all be DivX compatible. We assume this functionality will be present on this side of the Atlantic as well, so these flat panels are ready to access video via DLNA or SD/SDHC card. Frankly, these days we're happy just to hear plasmas are still in production, and expect the added functionality won't hurt a bit.
LG unveils 42- and 47-inch Bluetooth LH70 HDTVs in Korea
Watch out, world -- LG's got two new Scarlet sets comin' atcha, and both of them sport integrated Bluetooth. The LH70 line will (at least initially) consist of two models, a 42- (39.7mm thin) and a 47-incher (40.9mm thin). Each set will feature a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz technology, 2 millisecond response time, a USB port for connecting external media, a touch sensitive power button, DivX compatibility and an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness in order to best fit the room and conserve energy. Per usual, there's nary a mention of price, availability or percentage chance that these make it out of South Korea, but we'll be keeping an eye out.[Via AkihabaraNews]
LG BD370 network Blu-ray player hitting Japan later this month
LG Japan will deliver the just-announced BD370 network Blu-ray player later this month in Japan, naturally sans-Netflix and CinemaNow support. The Ethernet port still finds meaning in life through BD-Live and YouTube videos, but don't look for any acTVila support here. Found are DivX, AVCHD, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA support plus a ring that lights up blue for HD discs, and red for all others, and for an expected ¥34,800 ($416) this can be all yours, unless you're here in the U.S. where our wait for a Q2 release date and price continues.
Samsung to release 12 megapixels of cameraphone foolishness this month?
It's been a few years since Samsung unleashed its 10 megapixel cameraphone onto the world. Now we're hearing that Samsung will push the limits of absurdity to a full 12 megapixels "this month," likely at Mobile World Congress. The phone is expected to hit the production lines in February with a European debut shortly thereafter. No details are provided other than the picture above used (but not attributed) by Unwired View. If this is the unannounced phone then we can obviously expect GPS geotagging, DivX video capture, and WiFi with DLNA support. One thing is clear: Samsung thinks that Europeans are pixel braggarts with little concern for image quality.Update: Nope, that image is just a Photoshop of an 8 megapixel Innov8 -- still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the same feature set and industrial design in a 12 megapixel handset.
DivX Connected v1.5 now friends with MKV / H.264
DivX Connected v1.4 brought us the highly anticipated addition of Hulu support last September, and now v1.5 is bringing a few extras that are also quite delicious. The v1.5 Beta, which is out this very moment, adds in support for Matroska (MKV) and H.264, though you'll need the newly unleashed DivX 7 installed in order to experience the magic. The entire changelog is surprisingly lengthy, so we'll point you to the read link for those details as well as a download URL. A demonstration vid is just past the break.[Thanks, Karolis]
DivX is not 100% in love with Xbox 360's tone right now, or its unofficial codec support
In case you haven't noticed, official DivX support has become a part of many consumer electronics platforms over the last few years -- but not the Xbox 360. While it will play back many files with DivX and Xvid encoding, DivX VP Jerome Vashist-Rota is still "not very happy" that Microsoft's console works off of unofficial third party support, unlike the DivX Certified PlayStation 3. Of course, considering DivX's history as a reverse engineered version of Microsoft's own MPEG-4 codec some choppiness is to be expected so it's hard to say if that will ever change but let us throw in one more (probably fruitless) request for MKV playback while we're at it.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy & 1UP]
Firmware 2.60 brings photo gallery, DivX 3.11
Sony is giving PlayStation 3 owners a surprise gift today. Firmware 2.60 will be dropping imminently and will bring with it several new features. The photo gallery is a new installable feature which gives you a large variety of ways of sorting and displaying your photos. You can see more of that in the video above. DivX 3.11 is also now supported by PS3s, as well as guest access to the PlayStation Store. This means that whether you've signed up or not you can now browse the PlayStation Store and see all the cool stuff you're missing out on. No doubt there'll be some further, secret features included in 2.60. If you find anything else be sure to let us know. We'll update as soon as the new firmware goes live. [UPDATE] Firmware 2.60 is now live. Retrieve it via the "System Update" XMB menu option.
DivX VP "not very happy" with the Xbox 360's codec decision
In an update that predates Microsoft's NXE, the Xbox 360 gained the ability to playback DivX formatted video but according to VP Jerome Vashist-Rota of the DivX Inc., his company isn't exactly happy with the route Microsoft took. Speaking with TechRadar the DivX VP of creative, brand and community praised the Xbox 360 for its DivX support but expressed frustration that the Xbox 360 uses third-party software and not the official codec provided by his company."It's all about branding," Rota said. "And branding can work both ways, so it is not just us losing out with the Xbox 360's lack of official certification." It doesn't seem to be a sticking point with consumers, or Microsoft for that matter, so only MS knows if changes are afoot. Currently, Sony has a partnership with DivX and uses the official codec for video support.[via 1UP]
Philips revamps Blu-ray lineup with three new players
In all the announcements at CES we somehow managed to miss these new Blu-ray products from Funai Philips. The three new players consist of two that can do BD Live and the entry level BDP-3010 which is still profile 1.1. Both the BDP-5010 and the BDP-7310 have an SD slot for BD Live, but the higher model includes a 1GB SD card. The 7310 will also include support for more audio codecs as well as AVCHD and DivX. Both the 3010 and 5010 will be available in April for $229 and $249, while the 7310 is expected in May for $299.
H.264-based DivX 7 makes landfall
We were told point blank that it'd be arriving in January, and lo and behold, arrive it has. Version 7 of DivX for Windows is now available for download, and with it comes an H.264-based player that supports 1080p and even DivX video creation if you opt for DivX Pro. Additionally, the company has just launched its DivX Plus HD Certification program in order to stamp forthcoming devices with seals of high-def approval. Anyone had a chance to grab the new player? Likes / dislikes?Read - DivX 7 launchesRead - DivX Plus HD Certification program
LaCie offers up LaCinema Classic multimedia hard drive
It may not be Premiere or anything, but LaCie's LaCinema Classic can still dish media to your HDTV with the best of 'em. Available in capacities as large as 1TB, the multimedia hard drive weighs in at 33 ounces and promises to upscale your digital media to 1080p over HDMI. Of note, the unit is DivX certified and features a S/PDIF audio output, though it might have trouble handling some of the more exotic formats. It's up for grabs as we speak starting at $159 for a 500GB version.
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%
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%
iLuv keeps it flowing with i1166 9-inch portable multimedia player
iLuv has been on a serious roll here lately, and just when you thought it couldn't possibly pump out another iPod clock radio, well, it couldn't. Instead, it's offering up a 9-inch portable multimedia player which accepts content via USB, SD card or MMC card. The i1166 is DivX certified and features video output, a 3-way power source (AC, DC car adapter and the built-in Li-ion battery) and an iPod charging / remote control. The price is still being determined, but the ship date is set in stone for March. Full release, per usual, is after the break.
LG's super slim LED backlit LCD packing wireless HD, DivX HD
Finally ready to give up further details on its 24.8-mm thick LED backlit LH95 (apparently dubbed the LH9500 in the UK), revealing to Stuff.tv we can expect a 55-inch HDTV with wireless HD box included. DivX HD support on the panel itself (sorry, no word about any Netflix streaming abilities just yet) via USB or Bluetooth makes sure there will be plenty to watch on the 2,000,000:1 contrast screen with 240Hz technology. At least on paper, one of the slimmest, best looking LCDs we've heard about so far, we'll see if it impresses in person shortly.
LG's DVS450H DVD player makes us long for stylish Blu-ray decks
LG's DVS450H may be "just" a DVD player, but it's a fanciful one. Register Hardware was recently able to acquire one of the units, which handles upscaling and DivX playback without a hitch, and they were mighty impressed with both the form and function. To be honest, though, our interest in this player hovers around the design -- why can't Blu-ray players be fashioned after this? Are manufacturers waiting for market proliferation before thinking outside of the proverbial box in terms of design? Practically every Blu-ray deck that has ever been introduced looks completely typical, with no one willing to take a chance and offer up a stylish, if not unorthodox, alternative. We know, there are inherent risks in pulling such a trick, but won't someone gather up the courage and try? People love to buy shiny new toys, you know.[Via Slashgear]
