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LGC07: SCEE announces PlayTV for PS3, "watch, record and replay TV shows"
As expected, Sony just announced PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and PVR (think TiVo) for the PlayStation 3.But we already knew that, you want to know the details! PlayTV has two high definition tuners allowing you to watch one channel while recording another all in 1080p. It uses the European Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) format meaning a US release isn't possible in this configuration. You can store shows on your PS3 or transcode and transfer them to your PSP for viewing on the go and, speaking of PSP, you can use the handheld's Remote Play feature to program or watch your PlayTV while away from home. They promise the interface and guide will of course be beautiful and lightning fast, but until we can try it out for ourselves you'll just have to take their word for it. Just in case it's not the be all and end all of set-top boxes, Sony says, "PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PlayStation Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date." ... At least not for Europeans. PlayTV will hit Europe "early in 2008" with other PAL territories to follow. We've asked SCEA to comment on a North American version.
Philips unveils 32-inch LCD with Perfect Pixel HD
Philips fans eager for a taste of Perfect Pixel HD can now look forward to a 32-incher that sports the technology -- if you live in Europe, that is. For now, it seems that the recently introduced 32PFL9632D LCD will be holding it down exclusively across the pond, as that integrated DVB-T tuner won't do us American lads much good. Regardless, the panel also boasts a WXGA resolution, 100Hz Clear LCD technology, three-millisecond response time, two-channel active Ambilight, a USB port for photo slideshows, a trio of HDMI inputs, 550 cd/m2 brightness, and four built-in speakers to boot. Best of all, this one's available as we speak for £999 ($1,977).[Via Messe-Berlin]
Grundig's Davio 7 portable LCD TV appears at IFA
Grundig, fine purveyor of all sorts of electronics, is worried that you're not watching enough TV. Sure, you've got one in the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen, but what about out in the garden? At your beach house? What about one to take camping? Well that's where the company's Davio 7 portable LCD TV comes in. Your new best friend boasts an active matrix, 7-inch, 720 x 576 screen, a DVB-T digital tuner with MPEG2, standard analog tuner, passive magnet antenna, and a whopping two hours of playing time with its lithium-polymer battery. Grundig claims that it's the perfect thing for "TV fanatics and outdoor enthusiasts," which would seem to be a contradiction in terms -- unless of course you're trying to sell a portable TV. Priced at around €179 (or $241), no word yet on availability.
KindyElec brings analog, digital TV together in new PMP
KindyElec's latest PMP may not be much to look at (to say the least) but it does appear to boast some fairly decent specs, including both analog and DVB-T TV tuners. Other than that, you'll get an LED-backlit 7-inch screen, along with a 40GB hard drive, a multi-format memory card reader, a promised two hours of battery life, and support for all the usual audio/video formats (including DivX). No word on a price, but if you're looking to order direct from KindyElec you're likely going to be out of luck, as they apparently won't take any orders for less than 200 units.[Via PMP Today]
Shuttle intros XPC G5 3201M, complete with Blu-ray drive
Although Shuttle just recently unveiled an XPC machine that stepped up in the HD realm, the G5 3201M leaves no doubt about its intentions. Packing that typical SFF Shuttle chassis and a VFD display, this bad boy includes Intel's E6300 Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB SATA hard drive, NVIDIA's 256MB GeForce 8600GTS graphics unit, a DVB-T TV tuner, 7.1-channel audio output, a wireless remote, and the obligatory Blu-ray drive to top things off. Notably, users can choose between the HDCP-compliant DVI or HDMI ports for video output, and a number of upgrades are available if you've got the necessary coinage. Per usual, this XPC won't run ya cheap, as the base configuration rings up at €1,419 ($1,953) -- and that's sans a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.[Via GadgetTastic]
Asuka's PME380 3.6-inch PMP does up DVB-T with a yawn
Asuka packed some decent codec support in this one, and it's hard to fault 'em for a 3.6-inch QVGA screen and the 0.67-inch thickness, but could this PME380 PMP really be any less exciting? You can pack in your media, including most MPEG flavors, DivX and XviD, onto an SD card and play it back for 7 to 10 hours, or tune into DVB-T for about 4. There's also video out and an FM transmitter option, but that's as far as the spec sheet reaches. No word on price, but Asuka plans on starting volume production in August.
Pioneer announces 8th-gen plasmas with 20,000:1 contrast
Pioneer has announced its 8th generation of plasmas in Europe, with six 720p sets available in June in 42- and 50-inch sizes, and four 1080p sets in 50- and 60-inch flavors coming in September. All models have integrated DVB-T tuners and detachable speakers, with the 720p sets sporting a 16,000:1 contrast ratio, and the 1080p sets stepping it up to a whopping 20,000:1. Pioneer claims that it redesigned the sets from the ground up with improved color reproduction and contrast in mind, and have improved over older plasmas by up to 80%, including Intelligent Brightness Control, which promises to display the best picture regardless of lighting conditions. Prices and exact release dates have not been set, but Tech.co.uk is reporting potential model numbers of PDP508 for the 50-inch 1080p set and PDP4280XD / PDP5080XD for the 42- / 50-inch 720p units.[Thanks, Martin B]
BBC, ITV to launch free satellite HDTV in UK by 2008
Although there's a lot of grumbling in the UK about that £135 ($270) yearly television license fee (only $87 for a black and white set!), it's hard to complain that the BBC doesn't try to use all that money in cool ways. Adding to their already-ambitious plans to distribute HDTV through torrent, datacasting, and IPTV, the Beeb announced today that, after years of delays, they've been approved to pair up with ITV and launch a free 200-channel HD-capable satellite service called Freesat in the spring of 2008. The move is designed to provide digital service to the estimated 25% of the British public that can't get the successful Freeview DVB-T service, but it'll also be free to any license payer who ponys up for one of the several available interactive receivers. Hmm, that's an interesting version of "free," must be the British spelling.[Via TechDigest]
GlobalSat's GV-380: another PND with DVB-T
We wish that could we tell you that GlobalSat's new GV-380 was gonna be the last multimedia PND you ever saw, but we all know that's far from the case. Instead, the SiRFStar III-powered device is the latest in a long line of portable GPS receivers that spice it up with a little video content, in this case OTA TV courtesy of a DVB-T tuner. Also on board are a 400MHz processor, 4.3-inch touchscreen display, SD slot for loading up maps, and the claimed "high performance stereo speaker." Since the 380 just made its debut at CeBIT, pricing and availability details aren't exactly clear, and even though GlobalSat gear is pretty readily available Stateside, that tuner pretty much precludes any appearances in our neck of the woods.[Via NaviGadget]
Equinux TubeStick: Bargain DVB-T Tuner
You lucky Europeans! Equinux is selling a new DVB-T tuner for the Mac for only €39.95 (about $52.50 in US currency). It is a little hard to get many details at the website, but it looks like a DVB-T-only tuner (digital terrestrial) built into a small USB plug in that ships with an antenna and a CD. I googled up a Macworld article on the TubeStick that suggests you can use your Apple Remote to control the tuner. According to the Equinux website, the CD contains a fully licensed version of Equinux's MediaCentral software. (The Macworld article suggests different software, "the Tube", will ship with the unit.) MediaCentral normally costs €23 just on its own, making this an even better bargain. For sale only in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK.
LG's 17-inch W1PRO EXPRESS DUAL laptop packs DVB-T, Vista
If you've been eying a Vista-equipped laptop to treat yourself after all that chocolate you dutifully resisted last week, you might as well get a TV tuner built right in. LG Electronics' latest 17-inch behemoth packs a silver / black enclosure, integrated DVB-T tuner, and your choice of Intel Core 2 Duo processors to boot. Under the hood you'll find a WSXGA+ display, support for 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, dual 1.2-watt stereo speakers, ATI's Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics set, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, and of course, Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed. While the W1PRO EXPRESS DUAL isn't exactly the lightest machine out there, it weighs in at a respectable 6.8-pounds and shouldn't make a half bad media-centric portable, but considering the nearly $2,600 pricetag LG has slapped on it, bargain hunters needn't look here long.[Via Gizmag]
Compro U2700 hybrid HDTV tuner gets Vista certified
Yeah, we can already see that the onslaught of "Vista certified" devices will not be a pretty sight, but until Microsoft's newest OS becomes the norm, we guess that coveted sticker is you're only assurance that the gizmo you just purchased will actually work when you get home. Compro's latest HDTV tuner goes above and beyond the typical USB stick variety, as it bulks up a bit in size but also packs a bit more punch than similar alternatives. The U2700 hybrid DVB-T tuner connects to your PC via USB 2.0 and grabs free OTA HDTV transmissions as well as SD broadcasts, provides all the time-shifting / recording / scheduling capabilities we've come to expect, and boasts the unusual ability to "watch up to five digital 1080i streams simultaneously," although four of those must be pre-recorded. Of course, you'll need at least 3GHz of horsepower under the hood to create your own quilt of TV shows, and we doubt this feature is incredibly useful, but it's interesting nonetheless. Furthermore, you'll find an IR remote along with the ComproDTV 3 / Ulead software which allows you to time up recordings, capture still frames, handle straight-to-disc burning, and essentially turn your PC into a portable PVR. Unfortunately, there's no word just yet on pricing or availability, but we'll bet they try to beat everyone else to the punch and have this sitting as close as possible to those spiffy Vista boxes real soon.[Via EverythingUSB]
MSI's GX700 gives way to Intel 965PM and NVIDIA NB8P
It's no secret that CES gave way to a smorgasbord of new kit for us all to drool over, but it seems that MSI showcased two forthcoming technologies that weren't exactly set for public unveiling. NotebookReview happened to take a gander at the innocent looking 17-inch GX700, and in the process of admiring its expansive WSXGA+ display and Core 2 Duo processor, they also noted the strange black line crossing out the Intel 965PM chipset feature, which is supposedly the yet-to-be-disclosed "Crestline" chipset that will support the Santa Rosa (er, Centrino Pro) processor platform. Additionally, the lappie sports a full-size keyboard, dual-layer DVD burner, 4-in-1 card reader, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, an optional DVB-T tuner, ExpressCard slot, audio in / out, and curiously enough, an NVIDIA NB8P graphics card, which also lacks a formal announcement of its existence. Of course, both of these mysterious components could face naming changes or technical revisions before getting official, but it's fairly safe to assume that we'll be seeing a new chipset / graphics card finding homes in laptops here before too long.[Via Laptoping]
DiBcom and CyberLink debut DVB-T and DVB-H combo tuner
If you aren't still stuck in the technologically backward US and A once CES wraps up, you might be pleased to learn that DiBcom has been prepping a DVB-T and DVB-H combo tuner for laptops that should help Europe / Asia travelers get the most TV in the most places with just one card. Dual tuners, at least in chip form, aren't a completely new idea, but we can't say we've spotted any of these before in a completed widget. With DiBcom rocking the indoor and outdoor coverage with its tuner card, CyberLink holds up the software end of the deal with its PowerCinema playback and time-shift software. No word on price or availability -- we don't even have a pic of the dang thing -- but where would the fun in that be?
South Americans countries hem and haw over HDTV standard
While it's admittedly unfortunate that the world just can't agree on a single high definition broadcast format to use around the globe, boundaries have already been laid across most of the first world nations. Many South American countries, however, still haven't chosen which format to support, and proponents for both ISDB and DVB are lobbying intently to get their support business. As we suspected early last year, Brazil has finally made its choice, and will take in ISDB as it looks to create more local jobs by manufacturing the equipment from within in new construction factories. Brazilian officials were even able to solicit $2 billion in Japanese funding to erect a "local semiconductor factory be financed by Panasonic, Toshiba, NEC, and Sony." Argentina, however, wasn't swayed one way or the other by the snazzy presentations it saw, and enters 2007 with an "undecided" bid. So as unfortunate as it may be, it looks you'll probably be picking up a separate portable tuner for almost every nation you visit, but hey, at least some things are universal, right?
Hauppauge intros WinTV HVR-3000 tri-mode TV tuner
Hauppauge has busted out a new TV tuner in PCI card form for those who prefer to keep such things out of sight, this one packing three separate tuners to meet your compulsive viewing needs -- although just how many of those you'll be able to take advantage of will depend on where you live. Running an even £100 (or a not-so-even $195), the WinTV HVR-3000 will let you snag DVB-S digital satellite, DVB-T digital terrestrial (à la Freeview), and plain old analog cable TV signals, working the usual PVR magic on each. To sweeten the deal, Hauppauge has also managed to squeeze an FM tuner onto the card and, of course, will throw in the requisite remote control so you can get your couch potato on.[Via Tech Digest]
BT Vision quietly launches V-Box, IPTV services
Although it's likely being overshadowed by the Queen's recent HDTV spending spree, the UK's BT Vision has quietly launched its own set-top box (dubbed V-Box) and IPTV service in hopes of carefully gauging response during the first few months. The company asserted that it wanted to avoid the manufacturing backlogs and "embarrassing supply delays," so it was waiting until "next Spring" to hit the ad campaign in full force. Nevertheless, the V-Box and its subsequent services are live and ready to go, and the pricing structure is quite desirable indeed. The IPTV package brings the entire suite of Freeview channels to the viewer at no cost, and the V-Box (capable of holding "about 80 hours" of content) is also delivered gratis save for £90 ($178) of connection / installation fees. The business model relies on users not being satisfied with the free programming at their disposal, and instead indulging in the plethora of on-demand movies, music videos, sports, and TV shows / replays at their fingertips. While we doubt this launch will steal too many customers away from Sky and NTL (soon to be Virgin Media), this price is most definitely right if you're content with free.
PDC's Guide Dog does GPS, gaming, and parking?
There's practical, there's incredible, and then there's sensational. PDC's Guide Dog looks to be a strong contender for the latter, as the all-in-one gizmo has a bit too much going for it to be believable. Nevertheless, this sleek, flashy portable supposedly functions primarily as a GPS device, boasting a four-inch touchscreen, "built-in antenna," and Windows CE behind the scenes. When not pulling you around, this puppy doubles as a "2D / 3D gaming machine," and also plays back MP3s, MP4 video files, and various other forms of "media." As if this weren't pushing things already, it purportedly packs a WiFi adapter for internet browsing, an "IP phone," DVB-T tuner, Bluetooth, GPRS, UART, and even acts as a "parking sensor," presumably requiring you to duct tape it on your bumper for best results. To keep your media on hand, it supports MMC, MMCplus, SD, and PDC's "own proprietary format" (or is it?), PSd. While this thing would cause some serious shakeup in the handheld navigation world if it all panned out, we're taking this yet-to-be-priced, and currently unavailable device with a few throws of salt for now.[Via NaviGadget]
Rock rolls out Merom-packed, 13.3-inch Pegasus 335 laptop
If you like your lappies like your music, then Rock's latest addition to its Pegasus series is sure to please. Hot on the heels of its mammoth-sized Xtreme SL Pro comes the much more portable 13.3-inch Pegasus 335, which is marketed as a mobile entertainment center and comes bundled with a USB DVB-T TV tuner to capture those sparkling British OTA broadcasts. Beneath the hood lies your choice of Intel's T5600/T7200/T7400 Core 2 Duo processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, up to 160GB SATA hard drive, an 8x dual-layer DVD burner, built-in 802.11a/b/g, a 4-in-1 flash card reader, and a WXGA display. Among the assortment of ports is 4-pin FireWire, gigabit Ethernet, 56k modem, S-Video out, audio in / out, PCMCIA, VGA, and a trio of USB 2.0 connectors to boot. Including a three-year warranty, prices range from £722.55 ($1,404) to about as much as your credit card can stand, and is available now for holiday delivery.[Via RegHardware]
Evesham unveils budget lineup of Alqemi LCD HDTVs
While Evesham's 47-inch LCD TV may have a long list of niceties that would surely bring a smile to any HD addict's face, the rather hefty pricetag might just scare a few folks away. Apparently making sure that its got the low and mid-range customers covered as well, Evesham is busting out a bevy of new displays at much lower price points. The Alqemi lineups boasts 32-, 37-, and 42-inch panels, with all five sporting WXGA resolutions, 8-millisecond response time, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio (save for the bottom-end's curiously high 1200:1 spec), and integrated stereo speakers. Evesham further segregates the models by offering a low-end 32-inch version (peep a pic after the jump) with the bare necessities (HDMI, component / S-Video / composite, VGA, and an analog tuner) for £499 ($970), while offering mid-range units with DVB-T / analog hybrid tuners (with Digital Tick support), and a 42-inch flagship (Alqemi SX; pictured after the break) that boasts PIP and Virtual Dolby surround sound. Evesham's budget lineup tops at £1,399 ($2,718), with the mid-range units ranging from £599 ($1,164) to £899 ($1,747), and can be picked up now on the other side of the pond.Read - Evesham 32-inch Alqemi LCD TVRead - Evesham 32-inch Alqemi SX LCD TVRead - Evesham 37-inch Alqemi S LCD TVRead - Evesham 37-inch Alqemi SX LCD TVRead - Evesham 42-inch Alqemi SX LCD TV
