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JVC launches UK Freeview+ LCDs
Our lucky friends in the UK market just got a couple of new toys from JVC in the form of Freeview+ recording LCD TVs. The LT-26DE9 and LT-32DE9 pack dual tuners and a 160GB drive on the DVR side. The Freeview+ DVR section packs some nice features, most notably Accurate recording that adjusts the recording start and stop times based on data buried in the broadcast (something we'd like to see on our TiVos). Sadly, though, neither model is a 1080p panel -- not that you need all those pixels on a 32-inch display, but if spec bragging is a pastime of yours, consider yourself warned.
JVC 5kg 32-inch LCD to be the lightest, greenest at CES?
While Samsung's latest may be slightly narrower, JVC swears its CES prototype will be the lightest 32-inch LCD out, weighing a mere 5kg its perfect for ceiling mounted installations. At 7mm thick they've managed to squeeze 1080p resolution and LED backlighting out of 50% of the materials and less mercury used to produce current designs. A hands on should settle the battle of the thin, expect iPhone comparison pics and contentious weigh ins usually reserved for heavyweight bouts this week in Las Vegas. Check out the Gallery on Engadget.[Via AV Watch]
JVC brags about smashing Energy Star 3.0 requirements
With just about every new set out besting those newfangled Energy Star 3.0 requirements, we're not so sure why JVC would choose to brag about it. Unless, of course, it has really trumped practically every other set out there in terms of efficiency. As fate would have it, that's exactly what the outfit is claiming, noting that in the 32-inch class, JVC is "tied for the most efficient TV," while in the 40- to 42-inch and 46- to 47-inch classes, it "swept the first four places, in every case significantly more efficient than the Energy Star requirement." All in all, JVC's sets managed to outperformed the baselines by anywhere from 29- to 60-percent, instantly skyrocketing them onto the must-buy list of tree huggers the world over. Check the full release after the break.
JVC's new Everio camcorders feature HDD and microSDHC recording, YouTube
It looks like JVC has added a pair of dual hard drive / microSDHC cameras to its Everio lineup. Currently available in Japan, both the GZ-MG840 (60GB) and GZ-MG860 (120GB) count among their features 720 x 480 wide format image capture, 42x optical zoom, image stabilization and the seemingly ubiquitous YouTube mode. Shooting at DVD quality, the 120GB model can hold over 28 hours of MPEG-2 footage, or just shy of 2 hours on an 8GB microSDHC card. Available in blue, red, or silver, the cameras are not yet slated for Stateside release, but the GZ-MG880 has been seen going for ¥75,000 ($816), while the GZ-MG840 can be yours for about ¥70,000 ($761).[Via Electronista]Read - GZ-MG840Read - GZ-MG880
JVC turns on the first 720p billboard in Times Square
Is bigger always better? JVC's new LED display in Times Square doesn't have the size of Walgreens or Toshiba (and lets be real, no one is touching Dubai) but it is the first one in proper 720p (1280x720) resolution, no scaling or head tilting necessary here. After calling the crossroads of the world home since 1979, the new improved board lit up yesterday at 19 x 34-feet, capable of displaying 60fps with a mere 8mm pixel pitch ensuring things look good even close up. You can thank the same Clear Channel Spectacolor and D3 LED folks that were behind the Walgreens installation for this 12,500 lb screen, and we suppose you can also blame them for not letting us play some Call of Duty on it as well. Check the gallery or if you're in the area just take a walk over for a new and better look.
JVC reveals limited edition white DLA-HD750 1080p projector
Clearly, just one hue for JVC's DLA-HD750 1080p projector wasn't enough, but the outfit's making darn sure that few people ever see the alternative color. Just 200 of the all white DLA-HD750-W models will ever be released, and so far as we can tell, they'll all be up for grabs in Japan. As for specs, you can expect a delightful Full HD native resolution, 50,000:1 contrast ratio, 900 lumens, twin HDMI ports, VGA / S-Video / composite inputs and a ¥756,000 ($7,940) sticker. What? You didn't expect such a rare beast to be a bargain, did you?[Via AboutProjectors]
JVC's iPod-lovin' LT-47P789 LCD HDTV gets in-depth review
It's nearly time for JVC to drop yet another iPod dock-infused HDTV on us at CES 2009 (just a guess, is all), but for those looking for the model first introduced in January 2008, here's a bit of introspective. If you'll recall, we already heard pretty positive things about the 42-inch version of this same set, but AV Revolution took things much, much deeper with its look at the 47-inch LT-47P789. We'll save the details for those who care, but the long and short of it is this: in the case of this particular unit, "neither the TV's performance nor the TeleDock implementation is as good as it could be." That said, the street price of around $1,500 isn't half bad, and while it won't put a smile on the face of a videophile, it should function just fine as an "everyday or second-room TV" for those who can't seem to escape their iPod.
JVC's DVR-packin' LT-26DE9BJ LCD HDTV gets reviewed
We're not exactly sure why we're just now beginning to see a rash of new bedroom-sized HDTVs again, but we'll go the safe route and pick "economy." At any rate, JVC's got a unique one on its hands with the LT-26DE9BJ, a 26-inch LCD TV with a 160GB hard drive built-in to handle the PVR duties. The set, which is available now in the UK, also boasts a Freeview tuner and an 8-day EPG. Under scrutiny, the tele held up fairly well, with critics finding the image quality to be "exceptionally sharp" with both SD and HD material. The recording features were also admired, but the "average black levels" kept it from receiving a wholehearted recommendation. Still, if you can manage to find this one for a deep discount (sticker is £500), you just might have a winner on your hands.
Vizio caves on patent dispute and joins MPEG-LA licensees, gobble gobble
Chalk another one up for MPEG-LA, as the licensing group's members have dropped lawsuits against Vizio stemming from the one-time value HDTV company's refusal to license MPEG-2 technology, claiming it's suppliers had already paid the necessary fees. Despite Amtran's pleas, just like Target's TruTech brand televisions and DVD players, that argument appears to have quickly folded, . It remains to be seen what direct effect this will have on price, but between this and Vizio's notable Black Friday absence they must be serious about changing to a more upscale image, we wonder if Sony will invite them to a special reception. (Warning: PDF read link)
JVC's 47-inch LT-47X899 1080p LCD HDTV review roundup
With the plethora of 40-some-odd-inch HDTVs with 120Hz dejudder technology, it's tough for a name like JVC to cut through the marketing campaigns of those other guys. That said, the 47-inch LT-47X899 is a solid, if not upper-level set that's easy to overlook, but a glance around the web proves that you probably shouldn't. For starters, the 120Hz tech built in here actually improves the image quality -- something that can't be said about all sets. Furthermore, it produced crisp, clear details, excellent screen uniformity and a decent array of ports... at least in most eyes. One particular review found the image quality subpar for the price (around $1,900 on the street), so we'd probably suggest having a look in-store before buying blind. There's plenty more reading material below if you're interested.Read - Home Theater reviewRead - Sound & Vision reviewRead - TelevisionInfo reviewRead - UltimateAVmag review
JVC's HTIB NX-BD3 gets reviewed, passes muster
Even after the street adjustment to £500 ($782), JVC's recently-announced NX-BD3 may not be the cheapest Blu-ray HTIB, but the crew at TrustedReviews found a lot to like with the package. The 2.1-channel starter system -- there are taps for four speakers even though you only get a L/R pair in the box -- has good aesthetics, solid video performance that holds its own next to the Pioneer BDP-LX71, and audio that keeps up with the visuals. Pity that Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA didn't make the cut, though. Ah well, hopefully this deck's claim as the first dedicated Blu-ray deck with DLNA 1.5 support will ease the sting as you pull content from across your abode through the deck's ethernet jack. All in all, it's a better use of that port than BD-Live features, we say.
JVC, Sensio team up on high-end consumer 3D projection system
Far from being the first (or second, or third) partnership aimed at getting 3D in the home, JVC and Sensio have jointly chosen EHX Fall 2008 to announce their loving new union. By joining forces, they're purporting to introduce the "very first high-end 3D solution available on the consumer market." Granted, this so-called solution won't be cheap nor simple, as it will require a pair of JVC's costly D-ILA projectors and a media server integrating Sensio's 3D decoding technology. At the show, the pair demonstrated the forthcoming system by utilizing two $9,000 (yes, each) DLA-RS2 beamers (pictured), though it's never stated whether or not any gaudy goggles are required for visualizing the third-dimension. At any rate, the kit won't be available until sometime in 2009, but it's quite possible we'll get a sneak peek at CES in January.[Via Electronic House]
JVC's Sound Garden concept thrives beneath a black hole sun
See that? That's how far JVC's eco-friendly designers will prostrate themselves in hopes of recycling your paper money into their bank accounts. On display in Tokyo at the Designer's Week exhibition, the Sound Garden "Kirikabu" speaker combines your choice of potted plants with multi-directional speakers consisting of a woofer, and left- and right-channel stereo speakers powered by an internal amplifier. Just add water and let the electrifying fun begin. The pods can also be joined into hives where guinea pigs and other varmints of doom can breed and ultimately wash away the rain of our despair. See that particular construction after the break.
Standalone VCR party finally ends, JVC shuts the door as it leaves
We were fully prepared to start harshing on VHS as a dead-end technology that never went anywhere during its time in retail (as a joke, of course), and out of nowhere, a bona fide tear slowly ran down our left cheek. Today, friends, is a day worth remembering. Today truly marks the end of an era, as so far as we can tell, JVC really was the only company still producing standalone VCRs. Of course, the outfit will continue to serve customers with a need to play back VHS tapes by offering up DVD / VHS combo units, but those looking for a shiny new slice of retro in 2008 will be out of luck after remaining inventories dry up. All told, over 900 million VCRs were produced worldwide, with 50 million of those boasting a JVC label. We simply couldn't think of a more fitting way to put the iconic VCR (which just turned 30 in 2005) to bed than by hosting up a poll (over on Engadget Classic) and soliciting your input -- here's hoping the videocassette lives on in your domicile in one form or another, even if it's just the resident dust collector.[Via Impress]
JVC intros stylish DR-BX500 Blu-ray / HDD recorder in Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun has all the fun, doesn't it? Today, we Europeans, North Americans, et al. are being forced to lust after this here piece of electronic goodness, which goes by the sobriquet DR-BX500. The JVC-built Blu-ray recorder packs twin digital TV tuners (along with a single analog tuner), a 500GB internal hard drive and a built-in EPG to boot. You'll also find an SD card slot for loading up multimedia stored on flash cards, and the HDMI port (among other lovely sockets) ensures that your BD flicks get outputted in 1080p. Check it in Japan next month for a currently undisclosed price.[Via Impress]
JVC shows off 8k x 4k D-ILA projector, asks when SHV is dropping by
Think 4k x 2k is intense? Get a load of this. At CEATEC 2008, JVC is once again proving its mastery of the projector art form by showcasing a somewhat ridiculous 8k x 4k beamer. The prototype device boasts a native resolution of 8,192 x 4,320 and packs a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,100,000:1. In case you couldn't guess, its purpose is to display Super High Vision material in all of its natural glory, though only time will tell when that content (and this machine) are widely available to enjoy.[Via AboutProjectors]
NICT, JVC Victor team up on no-glasses-needed 3D HDTV
Betcha didn't see this one coming, did you Philips? No sooner than the aforementioned company unveiled a rather striking 56-inch Quad Full 3D HDTV over on the left coast of the US did Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and JVC Victor one-up that with a 72-inch prototype of their own. Revealed at CEATEC 2008, the Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) set doesn't even require viewers to sport those face-consuming glasses to experience the effect. In essence, the display utilizes multiple projectors to really emphasize that elusive third-dimension, but the viewing angle is understandably limited. Oh, and we hope you're not too geeked up about this -- NICT stated that we probably wouldn't see these in the commercial realm before 2011. Ah well, at least there's IMAX to hold us.[Via Gearlog]
JVC's iPod-friendly LT-42P789 LCD HDTV gets reviewed
JVC's iPod dock-infused LT-42P789 was announced way back when at CES 2008, but we're just now starting to see the flat-panel leak out onto the market. The cats over at E-Gear were able to house one for a review, and all in all, they were quite pleased. Image quality while watching Blu-ray Discs was exceptional, the iPod playback / UI navigation was satisfactory and the inbuilt speakers were actually not half bad. To be frank, we don't see many potential LCD HDTV buyers looking heavily at this one unless they're simply dead-set on having integrated iPod support -- but hey, if that's you, this one may be the next set you want consuming your den.
JVC Everio concept HD camcorder up close at CEATEC
While JVC Victor hasn't promised us a review unit just yet (cmon, we're still begging here), we did get a chance to get up close with its SDHC concept camcorder today at CEATEC. Designed for the more sophisticated user (as opposed to family users, they tell us), the camera will shoot both high-quality HD video and stills, something they say has yet to be done in a device. The upcoming Everio is slated for release in the first half of 2009 at an undisclosed price, but JVC promises the unit is, indeed, coming. In the meantime, we'll have to make do with these new shots in the gallery below.%Gallery-33135%
JVC unveils new Everio concept HD camcorder at CEATEC
JVC has hopped on-board the pocket HD cam bandwagon and brought some tasty wares to the table at CEATEC today, with the next gen Everio HD Memory Camera. This SDHC based concept is expected to be AVCHD ready with an HDMI port. There wasn't much more info to go around, but we expect full disclosure and a review unit real, real soon (you listening JVC?) -- or at the very least a hands-on at the show. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the above photo. [Via TechRadar]
