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Acer Aspire 9510 and 9110 HD-DVD-sporting laptops
Along with the 15.4-inch 5670 and 20.1-inch 9800 notebooks that we'd already known about, Acer formally unveiled at Computex two other HD-DVD- and Centrino Duo-toting models from the Aspire line that we hadn't seen before: the 17-inch 9510 and 15.4-inch 9110 (pictured). All four models are being billed as all-in-one multimedia centers, and with all but the 5670 sporting 1,920 x 1,080 resolutions, S/PDIF and HDCP-capable HDMI outputs, optional analog and DVB-T tuners, and of course those high-def, backwards-compatible optical drives (still waiting on those Blu-ray models, though), it sure sounds like Acer knows what it's talking about. Both of the new-new notebooks also offer up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM and nVidia graphics cards, but the 9510 rocks the GeForce Go 7900 GS with 512MB of RAM and up to 240GB of hard drive space, while the 9110 has to settle for the GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB of RAM and a HDD that maxes out at 120GB. Unfortunately, Acer was so busy selling us on the benefits of all these new machines that they forgot a few important details, so both pricing and release dates for each and every one remain a big fat mystery for now.[Via Notebook Review]
Viewsonic's 32-inch and 27-inch "future-proof" LCDs
ViewSonic, a name already well known on our computer desk, is now making a play for our living room with a set of LCD TVs that promise to delight us now, and keep us "future-proofed" into the, um, future. Both new models -- the 32-inch N3251W (pictured) and 27-inch N2751W -- feature 1,366 x 768 widescreen displays, 1000:1 contrast ratios, and zippy 8ms response times, along with HDCP-compatible HDMI inputs, S/PDIF digital audio outputs, and as a bonus, integrated digital ATSC tuners. Even better, the prices for these displays -- available now, at your favorite ViewSonic distributor -- aren't stratospheric, with the 27-incher going for $800 and the 32-inch model setting you back a grand or less.[Via HDBeat]
Dell quietly announces 2407WFP
Say it loud and proud, Dell, you're finally bringing the 2407WFP to the Yoonited States. Looks like among the other things Dell brought to the table yesterday, the US launch of the latest version of their 24-inch monitor was included, however quietly (it still doesn't appear to be up on their site, but according to CNET they've definitely loosed the thing). As we well know, It's not a whole lot different than its predecessor, the Engadget-gold-standard 2405FPW, but this one -- for better or worse -- adds HDCP to the mix. CNET says you'll pony up $949 to get one, but before you do you'd better make sure you're emotionally prepared to erase that desktop color mode for good.[Thanks, Pramit]
No HDMI on PS3 not a problem until 2010?
When Sony announced a cheaper, $500 PS3 there was some confusion as to what features would be removed; confusion that both we and Sony tried to clear up. Ultimately, the only non-upgradable feature: HDMI. Naturally, the majority of consumer confusion has centered on this particular omission and whether or not the PlayStation 3 will support 1080p without an HDMI output. The answer came down to whether or not the content being displayed contained the Image Constraint Token, which would require an encrypted digital connection (using HDMI) to display the full "True-HD" resolution of 1080p. Without HDMI, your fancy new Blu-ray player would be forced to playback your fancy new Blu-ray discs at a measly 540p. Why hasn't Sony taken any steps to quell the rampant speculation, fear, and misinformation floating around the internets regarding their decision? Well, the answer's simple: they're not sure themselves. Last week Sony announced they would not be downsampling analog connections with their own content, but will the other content owners (read: movie studios) follow suit?According to recent internet scuttlebutt from reputable German site Spiegel (machine translation), top secret negotiations between a very grumpy Hollywood and some tech giants (including Microsoft and Sony) are looking to delay implementation of the ICT until 2010 or even 2012. This of course helps explain the baffling absence of HDMI on the cheaper PS3 (and Sony's heretofore baffling silence on the issue), and the ongoing absence of an HDMI output on the Xbox 360 (despite what Lik Sang lists).[Thanks, Fan; via Engadget]
Studios won't downgrade HD video... for now
If you've been holding off on ordering (or pre-ordering) an HD DVD or Blu-ray player because you're worried about Hollywood studios potentially using the Image Constraint Token to downgrade video quality displayed via analog outputs, you can cross that concern off of your list -- at least for the next four years. Though there's no official word, the major studios have apparently cut a backroom deal to keep their HD discs ICT-free until at least 2010. The move would allow owners of analog HD sets -- not to mention gamers who pick up Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD drive or Sony's non-HDMI junior Playstation 3 -- to watch their discs in full HD format, rather than being forced to endure downgrades to 540p. Of course, even if the unconfirmed agreement exists, after 2010 all bets are off. But, by then, you will presumably be ready to pick up a new HD set (or Xbox 720 or PS4). And, if we're lucky, the format war may be over by then as well, so you'll actually be able to buy an HD disc player that will be useful for more than a few months. (And, no, that screenshot isn't from the HD DVD version of "Blazing Saddles" -- though the fact that the movie is now out on HD DVD gives us at least one reason to consider picking up a player). Read - HD BeatRead - Ars Technica
ICT a non-issue till at least 2010?
That's the rumor that has been floating around the interent since E3. This German site (translated via Google) claims to have knowledge of a "backroom agreement" between hardware manufacturers and studios that would allow for full-resolution output through analog connectors until at least 2010. The theory is supported by the Xbox 360's HDMI-lacking HD DVD add-on, and the budget PS3's similar lack of a protected output. Still, rumors and back room agreements won't do much to ease the concern of HDTV owners with only analog inputs, and people considering buying a next-gen console to double as a high definition DVD player.The longer the issue remains in limbo, the longer prospective buyers will be content to ride the fence, so lets hope they make a public decision and soon.[Thanks for the tip via AVS Forums David!]
Sony continues to play defense over PS3 pricing, HDMI
Somehow, we suspect Sony's brass are not very happy right now. Instead of spending their time at E3 fielding softball questions about the Playstation 3's graphics, they're playing defense, as they continue to face queries about the new console's pricing and the missing features on the lower-priced version. In an interview with CNN, Sony's Kaz Hirai said the pricing -- $499 for the 20GB PS3 and $599 for the 60GB version -- was justified by the inclusion of technologies like the Cell processor and Blu-ray, and added that the "totality" of the product is a "good value for consumers." Hirai also defended the lack of HDMI on the 20GB PS3, commenting that "there's not a discernible difference between what you get between HDMI and other forms of high definition." While that might be the case with current Blu-ray flicks, all movie studios (including Sony Pictures) have reserved the right to implement the Image Constraint Token in future discs, which could force anyone using analog outputs -- including owners of the 20GB PS3 -- to watch downgraded video. We assume Hirai's familiar with the issue, so we have to wonder whether his claim that the PS3 is "future-proofed" is just a little bit disingenuous. All it would take is one Blu-ray disc with ICT for owners of 20GB PS3s to realize they've been locked out of the future.
Abit IL-80MV first motherboard with HDMI output
Building that Vista (and HDCP)-ready HTPC just came one step closer. Dailytech has pics and information of Abit's IL-80MV motherboard which comes with an HDMI port built right in. Core 2 Duo support, dual SATA 3.0Gbps ports, Firewire, optical ins/outs and more are all a part of the package. Some features are apparently missing however, like a PCIe x16 slot. It is still undergoing AACS certification -- does that mean AACS is done? -- but is expected to be available in June.
Xbox 360 HD DVD player still coming this year
At Microsoft's E3 presentation today, one of the most eagerly awaited pieces of infomation concerned the company's plans to offer an external HD DVD player for the Xbox 360. And the company delivered -- sort of. Yes, they showed off a slide with a picture of an external player designed to match the 360. And the slide did state that the player will be available "this holiday." And, yes, that slide included images of HD DVD flicks that it will presumably be able to play. But the crucial details, such as a ship date, pricing, and, perhaps most important, info on whether or not the player will support HDCP or HDMI, were nowhere to be found.
Toshiba Qosmio G35 with HD DVD to launch this week for $3K
After showing it off for close to six months, Toshiba is finally ready to drop the Qosmio G35, the company's first laptop with a built-in HD DVD drive. Toshiba is expected to show off the box at E3 today, and will begin selling it on its web site later this week for about $3,000. In addition to its HD DVD player, the G35 includes a 2GHz Core Duo processor, two 100GB drives, 1GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB. The 10-pound portable features a 17-inch display, and comes with Windows XP Media Center Edition.
$500 PS3 to lack HDMI, WiFi, card reader
When Sony gave out the specs on the PS3 earlier tonight, the company mentioned that there would be two configurations: a $500 version with a 20GB hard drive and a $600 edition with a 60GB drive. Turns out that was only half the story. Yes, that pricing and storage info is accurate. But it turns out that there are a lot of other things missing from the lower-end (we can't bring ourselves to call a $500 console "cheap") version, besides an extra 40GB of storage. According to the specs released by Sony, the 20GB version will lack WiFi, a memory card reader and, most significantly, HDMI output. While you could probably get along without WiFi in a home-based console that already has Ethernet, and you can always presumably hook up a memory card reader via one of the unit's four USB ports, the lack of HDMI output makes this pretty much a non-starter for anyone hoping to actually use the PS3's Blu-ray drive for anything more than playing games. Sure, we can understand Sony not wanting to undercut sales of its own dedicated Blu-ray players by offering the $500 PS3 as a cheaper alternative. But if the company was hoping to use the gaming platform as a way to build a base of fans for HD discs, chances are the strategy is going to backfire the first time someone tries playing a Blu-ray flick in their 20GB version and discovers that the unit's lack of HDMI limits them to analog 1080i output (or worse, depending on a disc's use of HDCP). [Via HD Beat]
The $500 Playstation 3 is missing something...like HDMI, WiFi and Memory card reader.
If the only difference between the models is a 40GB hard drive, thats one thing, but did Sony "tard pack" the cheaper version of the PS3? That's what it appears according to this spec sheet directly from Sony. According to the pdf, all of those are exclusive to the version of the PS3 that will cost $600 when they are released this fall. This is a very odd strategy from Sony, while we still have doubts about Microsoft's ability to support HDCP with their HD DVD add on, it is odd that Sony would split their market of potential Blu-ray customers. Analog outputs would still give you 1080i high definition, but no all-digital twin-1080p HDCP protected loving like we have been dreaming about since the last E3. Stripping WiFi cancels much of the PSP functionality shown, and what is backwards compatibility if you can't transfer saves on a memory stick?Say it ain't so Sony, say it ain't so. Check out Joystiq for more E3 coverage, including the first official pics.
Microsoft "explains" the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on
Microsoft has been so nice as to post some information about their upcoming add-on for the Xbox 360, and HD DVD in general. While my take isn't quite as harsh as our good friend Henning's, I think it can be pretty well summed up as heavily skewed marketing-speak that glosses over any shortcomings of their product while highlighting and detracting possible weaknesses of the competition, not at all giving a fair comparison or unbiased information.That was a mouthful, well, once you get through the BS (get your waders, the hip-deep ones), you'll notice that they don't specifically mention how the add-on will deal with HDCP, only that it will "connect to the Xbox 360 console with a USB cable, enabling it to harness the power of the Xbox 360 console for the HD video outputs and digital surround sound.". Does that mean analog only, and facing the prospect of downconversion on ICT-flagged discs? We can't say for sure and we also can't tell you what it looks like because it hasn't been shown, hopefully we'll know more after their event tomorrow afternoon.Check out Joystiq's live coverage for more E3 information.[Thanks to all who sent this in]
ATI sued over "HDCP ready" videocards
HDCP may be necessary to play your high definition DVDs at their full resolution, and even though ATI listed it as a feature on their website, the cards did not actually support it. No surprise that a lawsuit has now been filed by some disgruntled consumers.We're no legal experts, but having a feature on the box and not actually being able to use it in any circumstance is leading us to believe ATI may just have to take an L on this one. As it stands only a few PC videocards actually do support HDCP, and they are NVIDIAs packaged in Sony Vaios. Although ATI has an HDCP-compatible card in development, none have hit shelves yet.[Via Engadget]
ATI sued for misleading HDCP claims
It almost looked like ATI was going to get off scott free after it was discovered that their (along with NVIDIA's) "HDCP ready" video cards weren't so HDCP ready after all. They sure gave it the old college try, covering their tracks on the website by modifying previous marketing material, and leaking pics of a forthcoming HDMI/HDCP card to the press, but it seems they didn't try hard enough, since a class action lawsuit is being levied at them. The suit alleges that since 2003 ATI has been claiming HDCP on certain video cards, but since that HDCP isn't fully realized (as in, it doesn't do the whole HDCP thing), ATI is in a breach of warranty, violating state consumer protection statutes, and a whole bunch of other wild lawyer-speak claims that don't seem so wild in this situation. We're still waiting for ATI to speak out about this, since they've been pretty mum on the whole affair, but we're not holding our breath.
Medion's UK-bound MD 20099 32-inch LCD
While we can't vouch for the quality of a 32-inch LCD making its debut at Toys 'R Us locations around the UK for under $1,100, the specs on Medion's upcoming MD 20099 don't look half bad. The Medion offers a 1,366 x 768 pixel display, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 550cd/m² brightness, and even an HDCP-capable HDMI input, along with dual-tuner PIP, split-screen text, and built-in 20-watt sound system with five-band equalizer. Again, we're not sure what to expect from the performance of this model, but if you happen to be in a British Toys 'R Us at the end of the month when this model is debuted, make sure to leave your impressions in the comments.
DisplayPort: Because what we really needed was another connector
Ok fess up, who requested another digital interface for video and audio content? Since UDI, HDMI & DVI weren't complicated enough, VESA has come out with their own digital connector to replace VGA, DisplayPort. They originally announced it a year ago, but it is now ready to go, the only question is does anyone care?This article from Digitimes breaks down the challenges DisplayPort faces and what (few) benefits it offers. Unlike DVI/HDMI/UDI, it isn't backwards compatible with anything. If you replace your PC, DVD player TV or monitor with a DisplayPort device you'll have to replace anything connected to it. It also has it's own content protection scheme, much like HDCP, but once again not compatible.We don't really see this standard taking off with no backwards compatibility (however this release from Dell/HP/Lenovo indicates it is "possible" to have legacy compatibility with DVI 1.0) and both high definition DVD formats using a different copy protection format. With its only apparent advantage being a lack of licensing fees, is there a space for DisplayPort?
Dell 2007WFP 20-inch LCD reviewed
If you're looking for the perfect 20-inch monitor, look no further than Dell's 2007WFP 1,680 x 1,050 widescreen display, say NewsFactor, who give the LCD five out of five stars. Clearly testing a unit not afflicted with the gradient banding issues some users are reporting on forums, NF finds the 2007WFP to be a solid performer for video, gaming, and office uses alike (although the 16ms response time probably won't cut it with hardcore fraggers in a world of 1ms options), offering good picture quality, plenty of connectivity options, and an intuitive GUI in an attractive package. Especially noteworthy are the variety of ports, with four USB 2.0, DVI, VGA, composite, and S-Video inputs ensuring that only component-equipped devices will feel left out. Best of all, this $530 display -- with its HDCP-support -- will work with an HD-DVD or Blu-ray player when you decide to take the plunge, making the Dell that much more of a bargain.[Via Yahoo]
Princeton professor sez cracking HDCP is "eminently doable"
It seems that HDCP, the high def content protection scheme that's all the rage among Hollywood types, may not be as secure as the suits had hoped: Princeton University computer science professor Ed Felten takes a look at the standard's supposedly well-known security flaws and dumbs down the basic tech on his blog so all us non-math majors can understand. Basically, HDCP relies on a handshake between connected hardware wherein the two devices send each other a set of rules to be applied to the forty-or-so numbers that constitute both devices' "secret vector" -- if each device reports the same numerical result (as the pre-determined mathematical rules dictate they should), sweet high definition content can begin to flow freely. According to Felt, all it takes to figure out a given device's secret vector or create a workable "phantom" vector is to perform a number of handshakes equal to the number of elements in the secret vector, followed by a little bit of algebra to tease out the results from a matrix of equations (follow the "Read" link for a better explanation). Although HDCP-restricted HDMI and DVI connections aren't prevalent enough yet for anyone to have actually undertaken this project (either that, or fear of legal reprisals has kept any successful cracks from being published), the simple fact that it's doable could mean nightmares for Tinseltown sooner rather than later.[Via Boing Boing]
Pioneer launches PDP-5000EX for June
It's been a while since we heard about Pioneer's "world's smallest" 50-inch 1080p plasma at CEATAC 2005 (which was knocked down a couple of months later by Fujitsu & Hitachi's 42-inch 1080p plasma), but they may yet be the first company to actually get theirs on the market. Pioneer's launching their PDP-5000EX 1080p Pure Vision Black 1080p set in June with component, composite, HDMI, and HDCP DVI inputs. Of course there's no telling what it's going to set you back, but they just better hope Fujitsu & Hitachi don't swoop in for the kill and release theirs first.[Via NewLaunches]
