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Blu-ray Disc Association declares victory over HD DVD
The Blu-ray Disc Association has wasted no time, issuing a statement that it is victorious as the premiere high definition format of choice. With 25 different companies having released Blu-ray related products, over 170 movie and music titles announced so far and of course, more than one million PlayStation 3s shipped to the U.S. Andy Parsons, chair of the U.S. Promotions committee is comfortable citing Blu-ray's industry support as a reason customers have voted with their wallets and will continue to do so. In 2007 the BDA looks forward to second generation PC and and standalone Blu-ray drives, like the BD-P1200, the Sony Vaio XL3 and a strong lineup of movie releases as why its market share will continue to increase this year, all but eliminating any competition by 2010. Check out our live coverage of the BDA press conference going on right now for more propaganda/truth (depending on your viewpoint).
Westinghouse announces 2007 LCD HDTV lineup
Westinghouse is rolling out new HDTVs in all sizes and resolutions at CES, starting with its new line of 1080p LCDs, the TX series. The latest 1080p panels from the company, all with native 1080p input via all connectors and advanced calibration settings. The 42- and 47-inch will ship in May with MSRP of $1,999 and $2,499 respectively, while the 52-inch follows in May, price TBA. Next is the SK series, with 720p LCDs available in 32- and 42-inch models shipping in May for $899 and $1,599, in addition to a 26- and 32-inch pair with DVD players integrated into them. The DVD playing models will be available in April at $799 for the 26-inch and $999 for the 32. The company is also debuting three smaller HDTVs, with two 26-inch models designed to replace customer's existing CRTs that retail for $699 and a 19-inch for $449. Westinghouse is facing steep competition on price from competitors like Vizio now, we just hope they don't pull a Sony and start complaining about prices. The 56-inch quad HDTV will also be at the booth, we plan on counting each of the pixels to make sure its 8 megapixel-plus resoltion is authentic. Read - Westinghouse TX Read - Westinghouse SK Read - Westinghouse SK w/ DVD Read - Westinghouse SK 26-inch Read - Westinghouse SK 19-inch
Ultrawideband and coax distribution announced from PulseLink
PulseLink has introduced a solution for combining 1394 (aka FireWire), coaxial ethernet, and Ultra wideband connections and distributing high-definition video throughout the whole home. It combines the wired technologies from the HANA and DLNA specifications, as well as UWB wireless tech for the "last mile" to compatible devices. As the connection between devices can be up to Gigabit speeds, PulseLink claims to be able to stream four 1080p HD signals at the same time, with wireless HDMI connections at the endpoints. The company's chipset will be available to manufacturers this quarter.
Akimbo's VOD content now available to AT&T Homezone subscribers
When AT&T's Homezone service launched several months ago, we were dismayed to learn that what appeared to be a pretty capable high definition box, didn't actually have any HDTV content available for it. That shortcoming may be on its way to a resolution as Akimbo has revealed its VOD content, including HD, will be available to subscribers this month. We talked to "Mr. Akimbo" Josh Goldman himself this evening, and while we weren't able to take a look at the box in action we're definitely excited to hear there is some worthwhile (read: HD) content on the way, which should be enhanced soon by more content providers joining the platform.
Warner Home Video outlines 2007 HD DVD plans
Warner Home Video unveiled some of the highlights of its planned HD DVD lineup for 2007 tonight, highlighted by hits like The Matrix and the entire Harry Potter series. Six-time Golden Globe nominee The Departed hits on an HD DVD combo February 13, but it doesn't stop there. Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12, as well as classics like Bullitt and The Getaway (1972) are also planned. Expect to see more Ultimate Collector's Editions like The Forbidden Planet on both HD DVD and Blu-ray this year. WHV has been the most prolific studio releasing on both high definition formats, not to mention putting HD content in other avenues like Xbox Live Video Marketplace, and as a result can claim to have six of the top ten selling HD DVD titles, led at #1 by Superman Returns.
Digeo plans to release two stand-alone HD DVRs
Digeo, the company that makes Moxi DVR software, announced back in September that they were planning to enter the retail market by selling a High Definition DVR directly to consumers, rather than take the path of least resistance and continue to make deals with cable networks. According to Zatz Not Funny! Digeo plans to show two prototype models at CES, both with integrated CD/DVD players, along with a PC streaming feature and that whole recording video thing that DVRs tend to do. The first Moxi prototype will be a multi-room device capable of providing HD recording and playback with an integrated CableCARD to several different rooms. The second prototype is centered around audio, and features a Linux OS and is based around the AMD Live! Home Cinema reference design. Apparently this model will also pack high-end audio features, although we'll have to wait until the start of the show to get the specifics. Unfortunately for Moxi fans, Digeo's plan is to have its Moxi retail offerings available in the second half of 2007, which -- by our reasoning -- is just under six months away, so check back here sometime around July to read about it ya' hear?
Samsung unveils the first second generation Blu-ray player: BD-P1200
Samsung launched the first Blu-ray player, the BD-P1000, last year and is first into the breach again with its second generation player, the BD-P1200. Featuring HDMI 1.3 (with CEC to control other devices, just like some of LG's new HDTVs), and DTS audio support the player will launch in March with a price of only $799, compared to the $999 launch price of the previous version. Samsung also confirmed the unit will feature an HQV processor for clear images, but no word on if it is the same process used in Toshiba's HD-XA2, or if 1080p24 will be an available option at launch. Check our live coverage of the press conference for more information, or continue on for more pictures. From the press conference we know it also has an ethernet connection, but no mention of any BD-Live functionality, yet.
JVC announces new 768p LCDs to ship this spring
While others bring 1080p throughout their lineup, JVC has just announced several new 720p 768p LCDs. With a native resolution of 1366x768, the new TVs are available in sizes of 32-, 37- and 42- inches and feature a new scaler designed to improve performance over composite signals. While that might come in handy for PS3 owners having trouble with backwards compatibility, most of us will be taking advantage of the two pairs of HDMI and component inputs. The LT-32E478, LT-37E478 and LT-42E478 are all slated to ship in March with prices of $1,100, $1,500 and $1,700, respectively. The E488 series sets will follow the next month in the same sizes and prices, but with a black cabinet. Hopefully by then we'll have an idea of what contrast ratio and refresh rate are included in these sets, but it's not like you'd still be caught dead buying anything less than 1080p in the year 2007, would you?
JVC unveils 120Hz Clear Motion Drive for 1080p LCDs
Not to be outdone by Samsung or LG, JVC has announced its own implementation of 120Hz refresh rate on 1080p LCDs just prior to CES 2007. JVC's 120Hz Clear Motion Drive utilizes frame doubling and motion interpolation in a way that they claim is at least theoretically superior to a traditional 60Hz LCD with a 0ms refresh rate. The company has decided it is time to create a new way to measure the rate of image blurring, in order to show the difference between newer motion drive-equipped HDTVs and traditional panels. Called Motion Picture Response Time, these LCDs will rate 10.5ms, while previous models could not possibly rate higher than 13.3ms. However you count it, it will be interesting to see how much of a difference this new technology makes, and if people who already own conventional 1080p LCDs will consider upgrading for it when they become available in the second half of this year.
Samsung's two 120hz 1080p LCDs coming to CES, and stores, in 2007
Samsung has lifted the curtain just a bit higher, revealing two new LCDs it will be showing at CES. The 1080p, 120hz refresh rate 70-inch LCD shown previously at IMID 2006 will make the trip, as well as a 52-inch model slated to begin production on the company's 8th-generation manufacturing line later this year. Here's hoping for a demo connecting one of these displays to an HDMI-1.3 equipped, 1080p24 frame rate displaying slimline $500 second generation Blu-ray player in the next few days.
Vizio's 60-inch Maximvs VM60P plasma: $2,999, shipping February
Vizio is back at it again, this time promising a new 60-inch plasma HDTV with an MSRP of only $2,999. Of course, for a 60-inch plasma under $3k, you can't have everything, and this set features a native 720p (1366x768) resolution instead of the newer 1080p, but still compares well in terms of price to other sets in its class. The Panasonic TH-58PX60U, and Pioneer Pro-1540HD are a similar size and resolution, but carry MSRPs of $5,499 and $8,000, respectively. Vizio's Maximvs VM60P set pleases with four HDMI inputs, two component inputs, VGA jack and ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners integrated into the set itself. The included Genesis Faroudja DCDi scaler can accept any signal from 480i to 1080p to display on the 7,000:1 contrast ratio screen with its 1,200 cd/m2 brightness. Like its popular Black Friday 42-inch plasma and 1080p 47-inch LCD, the company aims to bring HDTVs with attractive features at mass market prices. Comparing the price tags, it looks great next to the competition, but we'll see how the picture quality holds up when they start shipping next month.[Via Cnet]
Monster quad-HD LCD from Westinghouse to demo at CES
Continuing to roll with the 1080p bandwagon, Westinghouse has announced plans to show off the new year's product line of 1080p-capable LCD sets at CES, with a 52-incher as the flagship model. Also to be displayed is a 56-inch LCD with 3840 x 2160 resolution -- a full four times high-definition -- that is most likely intended for medical imaging or videoconferencing use. Imagine taking four 23-inch Apple Cinema displays and somehow attaching them together and that's what you'd get in this prototype. Move over 103-inch plasmas, you're so 2006![update: fixed apple display size]
LG announces 20 new LCDs for CES 2007
We're beginning to wonder just how much floor space LG has reserved at CES. Beyond its plasmas and other high profile launches, the company has announced a lineup of 20 LCD HDTVs to go on display next week, including nine 1080p models. There are five different lines of products coming, in our opinion headlined by the LY3D series, featuring 47-, 52- and 57-inch 1080p LCDs with TruMotion Drive 120Hz panel technology for clearer moving images and improved wide color gamut, displaying up to 92 percent of the NTSC spectrum. Next is the LB5D series of panels, which at 37-, 42-, 47 and 52-inch sizes bring 1080p resolution, 3 HDMI inputs and USB Media Host capabilities to the table. The next level of panels are the LB4D line, which include TruMotion Drive for 120Hz refresh, and combine that with a third HDMI input and USB Media Host for streaming pics and music.The 47-inch model will be 1080p, but 32-, 37- and 42-inchers should all come in at 720p. LG's LC7 line of LCDs range from 26- to 47-inches and include only the base features of the HDTVs shown, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, LG Simple Link HDMI control, XD Engine scaling of low res signals and TruWide Viewing Angle tech. Last and, literally, least is the LS7D series measuring at 20- and 23-inches, small widescreen LCDs with integrated ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners. From the leastest to the mostest, LG says we can expect overall even slimmer flat panels and glossy black finishes to make sure things look good even when the TV is off.
Broadcom announces HD cablemodem-on-a-chip
Broadcom has announced a single-chip solution for DOCSIS cable modems that will combine the usual data and video with high-definition decoding for MPEG-4 AVC, VC1, and MPEG-2 formats. The chip also supports Dolby Digital , MP3, and AAC audio. It is intended for manufacturers to use in building cable modems that have a single integrated chipset with both the video and data decoding built in.This should open the door for both built-in PVR functionality, as well as allowing for possible IPTV use. The modem could download content directly from the internet using the data services and then decode any of the new compression formats used in Blu-ray and HD DVD.Manufacturers are quickly moving to embrace these newer codecs for compressing video over cable and the internet (and satellite), and it's good to see it becoming commoditized to the point where it's being built into a single chip. Will we see the cable companies get into FiOS-like content delivery soon?
HDTV Listings for January 2, 2007
What we're watching: An Orange Bowl matchup of Wake Forest and Louisville probably wasn't what we expected at the beginning of the season but it should definitely be a good game to watch. HDNet features Russian Ark, a trip through Russian history filmed all in one continuous shot. Just to round things out, Cinemax has Tremors and Tremors II on deck starting at 8:15 p.m.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
PlayStation 3 as Blu-ray player, how does it rate?
Sony's PlayStation 3 definitely had a tough holiday season, with a disappointing launch lineup of games, odd incompatibilities and shortage of consoles; it outsold the HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 but not much else. Luckily we're not just interested in the system for games, it also carries the status of being the cheapest and potentially most advanced Blu-ray player available. How well suited is it for a home theater environment? Home Theater Blog and Ultimate AV recently put the unit through it's paces to find out and had mostly good things to say. In terms of old school DVDs, it's lack of 3:2 pulldown or any upconversion via HDMI is obviously disappointing, while Ultimate AV found the picture "soft", HTB noted otherwise perfect scores on the HQV test disc. Both liked that the system loaded and began playing Blu-ray movies considerably faster than other players, and had nothing but good things to say about the picture quality -- with the exception of the included movie, even on a 50GB disc Talladega Nights looked "flat" and "compressed" -- despite still leaning towards HD DVD in overall sharpness. They weren't able to test out any lossless Dolby TrueHD soundtracks, but uncompressed PCM soundtracks on Sony Blu-ray movies blew away their lossy DD and DTS equivalents. If you can get around the lack of an IR receiver for standard remotes, both considered the PS3 an attractive option for anyone considering a Blu-ray player.Read - Home Theater BlogRead - Ultimate AV
HDTV Listings for January 1, 2007
What we're watching: Happy New Year, and for us the highlight of the day is in just a few minutes when Michigan takes on USC in the Rose Bowl on ABC, but later on tonight we've also got the Fiesta Bowl featuring Boise State and Oklahoma. Not into football? Never fear, with three episodes of Heroes on NBC, a Northern Exposure marathon on Universal HD and Brokeback Mountain on HBO-HD there should be a suitable option for your HDTV viewing pleasure. Let's hope the rest of 2007 is as well-stocked with HD goodness as today is.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Superman Returns now on Xbox Live Video Marketplace
We were wondering how long it would take to get a high definition blockbuster movie onto Xbox Live Video Marketplace, and it looks like Microsoft and Major Nelson just got in under the wire for 2006, adding Superman Returns yesterday. Weighing in at 7 GB for the 720p HD version (2 GB in 480p SD... for the masochists out there) for the 154 minute movie, it's finally time to clear off some of the Xbox 360 demos we downloaded and see if digital distribution works better in 2007 than it did last year. We'll be back with our impressions of the service, now that they've posted something we want to watch on our HDTVs.
HDTV Listings for December 30, 2006
What we're watching: Discovery HD is airing a special on rebuilding efforts in St. Bernard Parish since Hurricane Katrina, so that's where we'll be. Also up tonight is the Chick-Fil-A Bowl featuring Georgia vs. Virginia Tech and NBA TV's Cavaliers vs. Bulls matchup.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
First pics of RED "Spike" camcorder prototype surface
It's been quite awhile since a single camcorder, of all things, got as much hype as the elusive RED machine from Oakley founder Jim Jannard, but this mysterious beast is escaping the treacherous realm of vaporware and emerging into reality according to the man himself over at DVXuser. Aside from shooting HD footage at 60fps with those fine 11.4-megapixels, the all-aluminum cam is finally making its debut, and a few glamour shots of the first prototype, dubbed "Spike," have now been released. It's noted that actual production units will not sport a shiny finish (sorry, blingsters), and the official forums will open up tomorrow at RedUser.net. Ole Jim also mentioned that the machined prototype "should be operational" within days, and hopes to garner a good bit of attention at the next NAB expo. While the initial batch of $17,000 pre-orders are long gone, the firm just might take more orders for a small window of time in "early 2007," but it's shakily committing to a "May 31st" or earlier ship date for those lucky (and loaded) individuals already on that coveted list. Be sure to tag the links below for more very-not-fuzzy sneak peeks.[Via DVGuru]
