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Sky to broadcast Super Bowl XLI in HD
We know, this weekend (and next) is all about seeing which professional teams squeeze their way into the playoffs, and moreover, seeing which college teams score bowl victories in their respective contests, but for the Brits over in England seeing less pigskin and more round ball, we've got some news for you. Reportedly, Sky is set to broadcast America's most-watched sporting event to its customers in crisp high definition, which would make it the first major US-centric sporting event to be shown in such clarity by the company. This past September, Sky Sports purportedly nailed down a deal to show live NFL games and "supporting programs," and we see no better way to take advantage of the newfound partnership than giving the blokes across the pond an HD taste of the sport so well loved here in the States. So for you Sky customers with absolutely nothing else to do on February 4th, be sure to take a gander at Super Bowl XLI, if for no other reason than seeing our football in a whole new dimension.[Via DigitalSpy]
Pantech rolls out two from SKY
The quickest route to finding the hottest Pantechs (in Korea, anyway) is to direct your attention to its fashion- and feature-conscious SKY brand. International Forum Design seems to agree, blessing the new IM-S150 (picture right) with an iF Design Award for 2007 -- the same award LG's mysterious KE850 received. The glossy black 80 gram piece put an emphasis on style over power, offering 1.3 megapixels of picture takin' action and a media player but not much else. The IM-U150, on the other hand, rolls deep with a touch wheel, surround sound, and a full gigabyte of internal storage. Don't expect either of these on American shores -- unless Helio wants to work something out, of course.
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.
Pantech goes wide with SKY IM-U160
When you've finally managed to saturate your home market with digital TV-packing cellphones, what is there left to do but take it widescreen? That's the question Pantech is posing with its new IM-U160, a rather distinctive member (if you call eerily similar to an LG Chocolate "distinctive") of its high end SKY line. Besides the 2.6 inches of 15:9 ratio goodness on which to view DMB programming, the rectangular slider offers a touch sensitive set of buttons on the top side (ring any bells?) that can be set to vibrate when pressed, 184MB of Flash expandable via microSD, a 2 megapixel autofocus cam, and the typical potpourri of multimedia support. A Korean launch appears to be imminent, and expect it on US networks -- oh, that's right -- never.
Pantech's SKY IM-R110
Pantech's high-end SKY division is up to its usual antics again, doing its best to humiliate the remainder of the telecommunicating world -- this time with the be-all, end-all IM-R110 pivoting candybar. The handset touts support for just about every conceivable acronym in the cellphone industry, with DMB mobile TV and SK Telecom's GXG gaming portal topping the list. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, the typical suite of media support, and microSD expansion. As usual, this one is destined to be confined to Korea for all of eternity, but hey, things are looking up -- we've got our own mobile TV to look forward to, right?
LG KU950 does DVB-H for Vodafone
Vodafone already has a partnership with the UK's Sky TV to bring live television to handsets via 3G data; it must be going pretty well, seeing how this here LG KU950 will apparently be one of the first handsets to bring Sky to Voda customers via DVB-H. Unlike UMTS, DVB-H is a downlink-only technology, suggesting that Vodafone might be a bit... shall we say, concerned at the long-term implications of customers getting their TV fix via the traditional data pipes. We don't have any solid details on the KU950, but the pivoting slider features a front-facing cam (meaning 3G is a sure thing), the screen apparently clocks in at a TV-friendly 2.4 inches, and it'll apparently run €99 when it hits next year -- not a bad first foray into the brave new world of digital mobile TV for Vodafone, if we do say so ourselves.[Thanks, Tony]
New Revenant Wings details uncovered
The Japanese magazine Dengeki recently conducted an interview with some of the development team of Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. Details on the game have been scarce at best, confirming only that the game features FFXII protagonist Vaan and his sky pirate-y adventures. That's all well and good, but many were concerned about the apparent "prequel" nature of the game. Worry not, stalwart fans! Revenant Wings will be a true sequel, taking place shortly after the events of Final Fantasy XII. In addition to Vaan, the dynamic duo of Fran and Balthier will also be returning, as well as a promised host of new characters. The game will take place on the floating landmass of Puruvama (if it's in the original game, we haven't reached it yet), and apparently, a large portion of locations from the PS2 title will be playable. The battle system has also undergone some changes: combat will feature stylus control and a simplified version of the Gambit system. Also, summoning will be completely overhauled and used in a rather unique way, say the developers. Both screens will be properly utilized, and finally, there are no current plans for Wi-Fi functionality. Though be it ever rare to see from us heaping praise upon a Playstation 2 game, Final Fantasy XII is a veritable masterpiece, and the sequel can't come soon enough.
Sky HDTV coming to New Zealand in 2008
Sky revealed to investors recently it plans to roll out an unnamed -- here's a name, Sky HD -- HDTV service in early 2008 featuring broadcasts as well as video-on-demand via satellite or internet connection. Sounds a lot like the Sky HD service already rolling out in the U.K., hopefully by the time it launches down under all the bugs will be worked out. The broadcaster already launched a new satellite earlier this month to provide a stronger signal, and expects free-to-air digital broadcasting coming to the region in 2007 will actually help improve its market penetration. Makes sense, as people upgrade to new TVs they'll want more and more HD programming, if Sky can fill that gap then it should work out great for everyone except the Kiwi's waiting until 2008 to see their own country on Discovery Channel HD every other week.
Pantech's SKY IM-S130K for Korea
Is it just us, or does this look vaguely like an LG CU320 before it got smacked with the ugly stick? As you might guess from the SKY branding, Pantech's IM-S130K won't be making it to the States -- or anywhere outside Korea, for that matter -- but our Korean friends will benefit from a 2-megapixel cam, integrated GPS, and multimedia support. Given that this hot little slider is better looking than just about anything Pantech's dropped so far in the US, we can only hope some of these design cues trickle down to their other offerings before too long.
Star Wars HD is coming to Sky
Georgie didn't forgot about all the Star War/high-def nut over in the UK. Sky HD has worked out an arrangement with LucasFilm to allow all six episodes to be shown via the provider. There isn't any announcement of when or where but you know, who cares? All that matters is all of our peeps over the UK, that is with Sky HD, will be able to check out one of the best movie sagas in high definition just like us here in the States. But we are sure you would like to know when the films are coming so you can plan your day around the 15 hours of George Lucas goodness and we will let you know as soon as we find out.
Sky HD software gets updated - Brits rejoice
Hopefully all those issues that Sky HD users where having will now by gone thanks to a much-needed firmware update. Users are claiming that the update fixes bugs, stability issues, the EPG, and video transportation. Hopefully this update is already downloaded into owner's boxes and to check, simply navigate to the Services menu, select System Setup, and then System Details. The model number should read 607120. The growing pains of Sky HD hopefully were eased a little with this much-needed update. It is unfortunate that the technology market moves at such a rapid pace these days that products and services get rushed to the market and early adopters must suffer through many updates till the product they paid good money for finally works as advertised.Anyone Sky HD user care to comment on the update?
Pantech's feature-packed IM-U140 multimedia phone
If for some reason we lived in a world without highly-configurable, QWERTY-fied smartphones, our next choice on the cellphone tip would be a feature-packed multimedia handset, and Pantech has delivered just that with its new IM-U140. The most prominent feature of this new model is its SideKick-like form factor, although the U140 eschews the swivel screen for one that slides up to a 30-degree angle at the touch of a button -- all the better to watch programs from its integrated satellite DMB receiver (complete with TV-OUT). At 2.6-inches wide and 262,000 colors, the QVGA touchscreen is no slouch, either, and even throws in a vibrating function so you know that your every command has been acknowledged and received. Other goodies here include a three megapixel camera (a nice bump over the two megapixel shooters found on the IM-R100 and IM U-MU110), PictBridge support for PC-less printing, MP3 playback enhanced by four-channel stereo speakers and an FM transmitter, plus that popular Korean add-on, the electronic dictionary. Curiously absent from the spec sheet are any mention of Bluetooth or memory card support, but with the music and imaging functions, we imagine that there's at least a microSD slot tucked away in there somewhere. Expect the U140 to land in Korea sometime this month, although the presumably hefty pricetag has yet to be announced. To get the full overview of what you'd be stuffing in your pocket everyday, keep on readin' to peep this rather chunky number from the side...
Oki to provide face recognition for Pantech handsets
Okay, okay, maybe we went a little rough on Pantech's SKY IM-R100 on the first go around, panning it for offering nothing of particular value in its bizarre pivot-slide form factor. It turns out we missed one important detail: the IM-R100 will be Pantech's first handset to integrate Oki's FaceSensingEngine, a relatively lightweight face recognition system that's supposedly well-suited to devices with limited memory and processor power. Oki claims that faces can be locked onto in 115 milliseconds and tracked in just 35 in a variety of indoor and outdoor lighting situations. For their part, Pantech is initially using the system to automatically center the camera when taking pictures, but we have to assume there are some gaming applications to be found here as well. So again, IM-R100, we're sorry for beating up on ya the first time around; lesson learned.[Via Slashphone]
Sky's HD aquarium
You know that classic fish screen-saver? Well, if you have Sky HD and their DVR, you might want to tune to Artsworld HD one night and let it recorded Aquarivision from 2am-3am. It's not a pre-rendered show, but rather actual footage of fish in the Indian Ocean. Once you have it recored, you could just flip this on the HDTV and some music from the sound system making a nice, relaxing atmosphere. Fishin' season is only open till September 30, so go get those fish while you still can.We haven't peeped this show as it is only available on Sky which is only in the UK and well, we are in the States, but what do our UK viewers think of the show? Great, alright, or just plain lame?
Pantech's SKY IM-R100 rotating slider
Now here's one we'll forget ever existed before the day's out. We guess we can understand adding a rotating screen to your slider, if it does DMB -- Pantech's SKY IM-R100 doesn't, yet holds on to the impossibly complex form factor. In fact, the form factor is the most interesting thing about the handset, which packs a 2-megapixel camera, media player, microSD slot, and not much else. Sure, you might drop some vids on that memory card that benefit from a landscape display, but might we simply recommend you turn the phone sideways? As you might guess, this one doesn't stand a snowball's chance of making it outside South Korea's borders, and for once, we're just fine with that.
Sky HD and Pioneer not playing nicely together
Sky just keeps on having issue with their fledgling high-def service. It seems like every time we hear something about the service, it's negative. Remember a while ago when they were have a 30% failure thanks to some problem with with the HDMI and HDCP? Well, it hasn't gone away but this time around they seem to be having compatibility problems, specifically with Pioneer plasmas. It seems that some 4th, 5th, and 6th generation units don't like copy-written material when it's traveling over HDMI;. *cough* HDCP *cough* Sky doesn't have a fix for it but Pioneer does and are encouraging people to call 01753 789 500 (remember, Sky is in the UK) for the fix. Any of our UK readers having this issue with their Pioneer set?Pioneer's press release
Sky HD reaches 90k subscription orders
Well, that was quick. Sky launched their high-def service on May 22nd and they have already reached 90,000 orders for the service. If the provider had better luck with their equipment, then perhaps, all of the orders will be fulfilled Right now, only 36,000 of those that ordered have equipment installed at their house. Sky is planning on having all of the current orders fulfilled by September. Europe is the next big market for HDTVs and Sky is ready to provide that service to those sets. Many forecasts predict that there will be 2.73 HD ready TVs sold in the UK just this year. Does any of our readers have Sky HD? How long did it take to get installed? Is it even installed yet?
HDTV UK interviews Sky's Brian Sullivan
HDTV UK had the opportunity to sit down the Sky's Director of Customer Products, Brian Sullivan, to talk about the biz. They cover everything from the new broadband offerings, HD via the web and next-gen Sky boxes. This may not interest anyone here in the States, but if you live across the Pond, it might be worth your time to look at. Apparently, they are looking into doing wireless set-top boxes sometime in the next 18 months. They don't have the ability to do wireless HD of course so these would be the standard boxes. Check it out though if you have Sky though...might learn something.
Sky+ users can record TV via mobile phone
Ever got stuck in traffic or got called into a meeting that forced you to miss that crucial episode of your favorite show? Own a cell phone? Sky+ is on a mission to persuade you that just having a mobile could solve all your TV recording dilemmas, as if this hasn't been conceived before. Touting itself as the first company to allow TV recording commands to be sent via SMS, mobile internet, or online, Sky steps up once again. The free "Remote record" software lets you access a listings guide on your 2.5G, 3G, or GPRS-enabled phone and communicates the record commands to your Sky+ box. If you don't have a data plan, you're still covered, as SMS messages accomplish the same task. Up to 8 handsets can control a single Sky+ box, and they've integrated the service into all of their HD boxes, too. The company claims the trifecta of inputs is a "world's first," but later mentions the online portion is "coming soon." This is good news for UK users, but Sky+ should probably climb down a few rungs and realize this isn't exactly groundbreaking.
30% failure rate for BSkyB set-top HDTV boxes?
We've got some experience with glitchy HDTV/DVR set top boxes, but it looks like things are even worse over on the other side of the pond. With almost all their HD customers only recently buying sets for the world cup, many are using the digital connections and experiencing a lot of problems like picture and sound dropouts. Specifically cited is the implementation of HDCP, as many have been able to get around the problems by switching to analog connectors.Of course this doesn't do much for customers expecting a sharper picture out of their digital hookup or maybe have spent a lot of money on a digital cable they can't use, but SkyHD and even some TV manufacturers may have to update their software for this to be fixed.Glitch ridden high-def rollouts are becoming all too common, particularly for the "lucky" few who were able to get their service installed prior to the World Cup, but this may explain why some service providers are so unwilling to even enable the HDMI or DVI outputs on their boxes. If it doesn't work, there is a resulting shifting of blame between the provider and TV manufacturer while the customer's problem continues. Same problem with rolling out CableCard, neither side wants to take responsibility for making it work if there's a problem.
