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First screens of 'The Incredible Hulk' on Wii
True story: We were originally going to call this post "The Incredible Hulk on Wii looks like The Incredible Hulk on 360 and PS3, but worse," but we realized that if we did that, we would be hitting the nail so squarely on the head that we wouldn't have anything to say in the actual post. So ... these screenshots from The Incredible Hulk on Wii look like the ones from The Incredible Hulk on 360 and PS3, but, you know, worse.Looks aside, all we actually want from the Wii version is really good Wiimote implementation, like being able to slam both 'mote and 'chuk down at the same time and destroy everything within a city block. Don't worry, we're not holding our breath. Check out all the screens below, we've added the next gen pics after the jump for your comparing pleasure.%Gallery-20007%
Gameloft phoning in more WiiWare ports
Well, actually, they're remaking cell phone games, but the title kinda works. We actually approve of the population of the WiiWare service with new games from anybody. Mobile developer Gameloft has announced three more WiiWare games in addition to Block Breaker Deluxe. TV Show King is actually an original made-for-WiiWare quiz show game. Midnight Pool and Midnight Bowling are, well, pool and bowling games that use motion controls. Gameloft intends to release games in Japan, Europe, and the U.S.TV Show King sounds like a great idea to us -- a trivia game with a low barrier to entry (price). We could totally see ourselves downloading something like that while bored some night or in preparation for a party or something. [Via Siliconera]
Three-port Medusa HDMI 1.3 hub is oh-so-tiny
For those with an eye for finding niche peripherals, they'll notice that there actually are quite a few HDMI hubs out there to select from. Still, we've yet to come across a three-porter sexier and more compact than this. Codenamed Medusa, the three-port HDMI 1.3 hub you see above is about the width / length of a Rubik's Cube and enables a trio of HDMI devices to be connected. Unfortunately, we're not sure if this one will have any real switching capabilities, but you will find Deep Color and CEC support, of course. No word on a price just yet -- after all, it is still in the final stages of development -- but it should go on sale worldwide in under 30 days.[Via Engadget Spanish]
TVOne intros 1T-MX-3344 component Matrix Routing Switcher
Hot on the heels of its 1T-DA-631 HDMI Extender comes the rack-mountable 1T-MX-3344 component Matrix Routing Switcher from TVOne. Granted, component uses are slowly fading, but for those still relying on the ole green / red / blue, this here device provides four inputs and four outputs with stereo audio jacks accompanying them all. As you'd expect, it enables any of the four inputs to be "routed to a single output, multiple outputs or all outputs," and resolutions from 480i to 1080p are supported. Users can control the action via the front panel buttons, an IR remote or the RS-232 interface, but it'll cost you a stiff $595 for the privilege.
Marantz's 6-in / 2-out VS3002 HDMI 1.3a switcher now shipping
For most of you out there, we've all ideas Marantz sexy VS3002 HDMI switcher went in one ear and out the other when it first surfaced last December. Still, those of you waiting on pins and needles to hear more will be elated to know that the 6-in / 2-out device is finally shipping. The HDMI 1.3a switcher features an RS-232c control terminal, direct IR input jacks and a design that certainly trumps the competition. Regrettably, you'll be paying a penny under $350 to take one home, so make darn sure you're head over heels before pulling the trigger.
Interact-TV announces 1080i/p support across Telly media server line
It's been some time since we've seen Interact-TV making any noise, but the company famous for cranking out Linux-based home entertainment servers is announcing that every product it makes will now support 1080i/p. More specifically, its Telly Home Entertainment Servers and TellyVizion playback units are all being offered with DVI / HDMI outputs, which support 1080p along with 720p / 1080i via component. Additionally, 480i upscaling to 1080p is now possible, and you can wrap your paws around one of Interact-TV's devices for as little as $899 as we speak.
Avocent offers up Emerge MPX1500 wireless HDMI extender
It's been a tick since we've heard a noticeable peep from Avocent, but the firm has recently unveiled the true successor to its Emerge MPX1000. The aptly-named MPX1500 is still a high-definition multipoint extender at its core, but rather than relying on swappable output modules, this unit packs a single DVI-D output and uses adapters to output HDMI, component, S-Video, VGA and composite. Additionally, this newer iteration comes in a much smaller enclosure and offers VGA resolutions up to 1,360 x 768 (while HDMI / DVI still goes to 1080i). Reportedly, users can still expect to see signals transmitted sans wires up to 150 feet through walls, and if interested, can pick one up as we speak for $995.
Rockstar working 'around the clock' to quell 360's Bully issues
Having forked over their precious lunch money to recent current-gen graduate, Bully: Scholarship Edition, some Xbox 360 owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the game's technical performance. Though it's unclear whether the issues are widespread, several forum users have noted unsteady framerates, audio glitches and freezing within Rockstar's school daze sim.The company has issued a statement in response to online complaints, vowing to work "around the clock to rectify this situation." A "horrifed" Rockstar president, Sam Houser, pinned the blame on "some older 360s," explaining that none of the technical issues occurred during the game's QA phase. "We would never shove anything out the door - we never have and never will," said Houser. "We apologise to everyone affected for the inconvenience."
Tributaries T12 power strip features rotating outlets
Mind you, we've seen some pretty wacky power strips in our day, but the subtle Tributaries T12 is likely one of our favorites. This recently released unit provides eight rotating outlets in order to keep your mess of wires a bit more tidy, and furthermore, it also provides signal-line protection for phone lines, Ethernet, coax cable and antennas. Besides being thoughtfully designed, it also offers up 4,320 joules of surge suppression and noise filtering for AC power, and considering that it can handle up to 1,875-watts of load, all but the zaniest of setups should be manageable. Already feeling the urge? You can check it out right now for $120.
Key Digital offering Matrix Switching over CAT5 solutions
We already knew Key Digital had distribution of HDMI over Ethernet down pat, but now the firm is expanding its offerings with a few new Matrix Switching over CAT5 solutions. The KD-MSV8X8-CAT5 Bundle includes a KD-MSV8X8 Video Matrix Switcher (pictured), a KD-CAT5XRCA CAT5 video / audio balun and KD-CAT5PANEL rack mount for piping loads of HD content to various sources over tried and true CAT5 cabling. There's definitely a good bit more where this came from, so if you're scouting the full (and we mean full) release, head on past the break.
Gefen unloads two new component video distribution amplifiers
Shortly after dishing out a v1.3-compliant 1:10 HDMI distribution amplifier and 1:5 HDMI splitter, Gefen is hitting us up with two new signal pushers for the component lovers in the house. The 1:4 Component/Audio CAT-5 Distribution Amplifier and the 1:8 Component/Audio CAT-5 Distribution Amplifier each enable component video to be delivered to a multitude of displays (four for the first, eight for the second); additionally, each box is equipped with RCA, S/PDIF and Toslink optical audio jacks. The duo promises to carry both audio and 1080p video signals over CAT5 cables to displays some 1,000 feet away, and while they'll run you $799 and $1,499, respectively, receivers are sold separately at $200 a pop.
Brando offers up CAT5 / CAT6 HDMI extenders
The same folks bringing you a colorful line of HDMI cables are also doling out a new set of HDCP-compliant HDMI extenders. Up first is the VP3OT001200, which enables 1080p signals to be carried an additional 30 meters over CAT5, promising signaling rates up to 2.2Gbits / second. If 30 meters won't quite cut it, the VP3OT001300 enables transmissions to go an additional 20 meters by utilizing CAT6 cabling instead. Both choices come with a power supply, sender and receiver module and can be snapped up now for $59 and $71, respectively.Read - 30 meter VP3OT001200 HDMI extenderRead - 50 meter VP3OT001300 HDMI extender
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters set for March PS2 release
As was rumored in December of last year, the pint-sized version of Ratchet & Clank is set to make the leap from the PlayStation Portable to the PlayStation Not Very Portable But Considerably More Lucrative. Though ongoing publisher trends suggests the journey to the PS2 is less of a leap and more of a thoughtless sleep rollover, Size Matters' transition had yet to be confirmed outside of a retailer listing. Shacknews now reports that a recent PlayStation Underground e-mail confirmed the impending port, noting a March 2008 release. Though Sony hasn't officially announced it yet, it seems only prudent to place the game in as many hands as possible. Perhaps they'll even get Miyamoto to play this one.
Gefen's CES lineup: switchers, PVRs, scalers, cables and more
We've seen Gefen get all riled up and unleash a barrage of new kit all at once, and sure enough, the outfit is doing just that once more. For starters, we've got the TV Switcher, which enables consumers to connect and access four HDMI sources from a single HDTV. Next up is the TV Splitter, which allows users to channel a single HDMI source to four displays -- and yeah, both of the aforementioned units play nice with HDMI v1.3a. Moving right along, we've got a pair of updates to the PVR lineup; the HD PVR records in MPEG4 and can store material on the 80GB HDD or an SD card, while the SD PVR records content onto USB storage devices. Over on the sound side, the Gefen TV Audio Processor takes a single HDMI source and delivers it to a display and an external audio receiver; furthermore, it reportedly "decodes the HDMI signal to provide an audio signal along with six discrete RCA connectors." Lastly, the firm is doling out v1.3 / Simplay HD-certified HDMI cables in 6-, 10- and 15-foot lengths, but unfortunately, it didn't bother handing out price tags for any of the goods here.
Marantz unveils 6-in, 2-out VS3002 HDMI switcher
A shiny new 1080p DLP projector isn't the only thing Marantz is rolling out to the HD crowd this week, as the firm's newest HDMI switch is sure to garner attention from those drowning in components. The VS3002 video selector boasts that totally simple, albeit incredibly sexy motif that we've come to expect from the outfit, and it also features a 6-in, 2-out design that enables owners to pipe high-definition content in from a whole heap of sources and out to two separate displays. We're also led to believe that this thing supports v1.3 considering its understanding of Deep Color, and there's also an RS-232 port 'round back should you need it. Unfortunately, the VS3002 won't be coming sans a premium, as it will purportedly demand a stiff ¥35,000 ($306) when it lands in February.[Via SlashGear]
Gefen's TV Signal Generator for HDMI helps you troubleshoot
Unless you redo your entire home theater setup every quarter or so, we doubt the average joe / jane will really need to snap up one of Gefen's TV Signal Generator for HDMIs, but custom installers should find plenty to love here. This handy box allows for a myriad tests to be performed on HDMI connections (or DVI with the appropriate adapter), including HDCP verification, three audio testing signals, a sine-wave formation and 35 timing settings. All of the tests are accessible through the unit's top-mounted LCD, and if you're really eager to get your feet wet, you can even utilize a Windows-based application for "extra timing and programming controls, including reading / writing of EDID and favorite timing modes for the auto scroll feature." Notably, the unit also comes with supplemental RCA and TOSlink audio inputs, supports SD and HD formats and even plays nice with PAL and NTSC -- but being so in the know will set you back a stiff $699. Click on for a few more looks.
RTcom reveals v1.3-compatible 8x8 HS-88M Matrix Router
Apparently, unveiling the HDS-41Rv13 HDMI Switcher just wasn't enough for RTCom, which has also rolled out its HS-88M Matrix Router. Hailed as the "industry's first" to allow for eight source displays, this device supports an 8-in, 8-out configuration, full HDCP compliance and control via RS-232, LAN (TCP / IP), infrared or the totally old school "front panel keys." This unit will also handle 36-bit Deep Color, resolutions up to 1080p at 60Hz, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, but don't expect such a solution to run ya cheap. How steep, you say? Try $7,499 steep.[Via Digital Extender]
RTcom's HDS-41Rv13 HDMI Switcher supports v1.3
Another day, another HDMI switcher, but at least RTCom's latest supports HDMI 1.3. The HDS-41Rv13 enables users to pipe in four separate HDMI connections and utilize just one display (or HDMI input on your TV / receiver), but unlike earlier models, this one also supports 36-bit Deep Color along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams. Furthermore, the included IR remote keeps you firmly planted when sifting through the four inputs, and the signal amplification allows owners to extend cables up to 50 feet. As expected, the unit does indeed support HDCP, and it can be snapped up right now for $199.99.[Via Digital Extender]
MadCatz's Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit up for pre-order
Well, what have we here? No, seriously, what is this thing? Considering the absolute dearth of information given on GameStop's pre-order page, we're left to surmise that the Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit exists (er, will exist) simply to allow those who purchased their Xbox 360 before the days of built-in HDMI to utilize one of the dusty HDMI sockets on their TV / receiver. Granted, we're sure hoping there's more to this thing than that, or else we're left wondering who's desperate enough to drop $89.99 to free up a single component input. Update: Turns out this thing does indeed support 1080p, and it'll come with "free" HDMI and optical audio cables, too. Check out the PDF here. Thanks, PerfectVirus! [Thanks, David]
Hyatt's Plug Panel opens new world of connectivity to 42-inch HDTV
Hyatt Place has always had a soft spot for the traveling HD junkie, and it's reiterating said point by introducing a new Plug Panel in all of its rooms. Reportedly, the company is aiming to equip each guest room with a 42-inch HDTV by the year's end, and with that will come an integrated panel that allows patrons to plug in a myriad devices for big-screen interaction. The panel will readily accept a component input (with stereo audio), VGA / HDMI cables, audio via a 3.5-millimeter jack and the obligatory composite input. Additionally, each plate will be equipped with twin AC outlets, and just in case you'd overlooked it, each set will be able to receive 11 high-definition options. Looks like your travel plans just got a lot firmer, eh?
