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Fujitsu's LOOX U50XN ultra-portable PC gets colored
It's been a tick since Fujitsu's LOOX ultra-portable PC lineup has garnered our attention, but there's no better way to do that than offer up the machine in four dazzling colors and bump the hardware while you're at it. The FMV-U50XN is now available in white, blue, black and red color schemes, and includes an 800MHz Intel A110 processor, up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, between 20GB and 40GB of hard drive space, a 5.6-inch LED-backlit LCD with a 1,024 x 600 resolution, 802.11b/g, USB 2.0, VGA output, SD / CF card slots, an integrated speaker, and Windows Vista to boot. After you mull over exactly which hue to choose (take a peek after the break for closeups), you can snag your fav for around $1,600 right now.
Inkel's portable AirwayHD tuner compresses files on its own
Granted, portable OTA tuners are a dime a dozen these days, but an interesting twist has been introduced by Korea's Inkel. The AirwayHD manages to boast a diminutive size while internalizing the process of converting OTA streams into manageable files using the H.264 codec. Reportedly, the device can compress files to one-fourth of their original size without any PC software intervention, and it should make life pretty easy for those hoping to view recorded content on their portable media player. No word on a release date just yet, but it'll only run you about ???100,000 ($106) when it eventually lands. Check out a few more pics after the break.
Saber's DA-1N1-I analog / digital combo PCI TV tuner
While most of the hybrid tuners we see 'round these parts are of the USB variety, Saber's DA-1N1-I is looking out for those of us needing a new occupant in a lonely PCI slot -- but we'd be careful calling it a "hybrid." This low-profile "combo" card should be ideal for HTPCs, and offers up an analog NTSC tuner with hardware decoding as well as a QAM-capable ATSC tuner for grabbing those high-definition OTA broadcasts. Meant to operate in Windows Vista and MCE scenarios, this sucka can even be installed beside a clone of itself for freaks that would actually use a dual analog / dual digital tuner setup, and the low, low price of around $99 ought to garner quite a bit of attention.
HP not offering CableCARD on PCs due to configuration issues?
We were admittedly joyful when HP decided to unveil its media-centric m8010y and d4890y desktops soon after the stylish DEC lineup headed to an early grave, but apparently, things aren't going so well with the sophisticated machines. According to a user report, HP informed the owner of a malfunctioning m8010y that the company was "no longer selling Digital Cable Tuners due to problems with the current configuration." Sadly, we've no idea how that conversation continued nor why HP would be having so much trouble integrating CableCARD tuners into its machines, but there's certainly no shortage of vendors willing to take its place in the meantime. So, dear readers, have any of you ran into issues ordering a CableCARD-equipped HP of late?
AMD unveils TV Wonder 600 USB, 650 PCIe HD tuners
Regardless of whether you're scouting a TV tuner for your desktop or portable machine, AMD has unveiled a duo of devices that will likely fit the bill. Up first is AMD's plug 'n play ATI TV Wonder 600 USB, which should have no problem tuning OTA HD on any machine equipped with USB, and also comes bundled with an IR remote, AV input, and Catalyst Media Center software. For the desktop only crowd, the ATI TV Wonder 650 Combo PCIe (pictured after the jump) sports ClearQAM support, hybrid analog / digital tuning, a 3D comb filter, FM tuner, and like its portable sibling, works just fine with Windows Vista. No word yet on the pricing details, but both units should be shipping out next month.[Via DailyTech]
odd-i stuffs DMB, GPS into P480DN portable media player
While this iteration of the P480 looks mighty similar to the one we caught at CES, it looks like odd-i decided to just stick with the same enclosure and bump up the internals in the P480DN. The Windows CE-powered handheld sports a widescreen display, built-in e-dictionary, GPS, DMB TV tuner, an SD expansion slot, and a 30GB or 60GB hard drive to boot. Unfortunately, details surrounding price and availability for the 60GB variety are nowhere to be found, but it was noted that the 30GB edition should land sometime this month for a currently undisclosed amount.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Memup's 30GB Orizon PMP looks oh-so-sleek
Mmm, nothing like a sleek, glossy black PMP to get your juices flowin'. If you tend to agree with that sentiment, Memup's Orizon should suit your fancy quite well, as the 30GB unit comes in an ebony outfit, sports a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution display, and even includes an SD / MMC card slot to watch media clips stored on your flash memory. You'll also find a text viewer and built-in FM tuner to complement the obligatory MP3, WMA, MPEG4, JPEG, BMP, and GIF file support, but the ability to play nice with Motion JPEG and XviD are welcome extras. Unfortunately, you're going to have to love the looks some kind of fierce in order to find value in the purported $378 pricetag. [Warning: PDF read link][Via AnythingButiPod]UPDATE: Looks like this creature may actually be a straight up rip of another. Check out Coby's PMP4330 to see for yourself.
Evergreen's network TV tuner streams content to your web browser
While it's not apt to replace Sling anytime soon, Evergreen is hoping to give the Japanese market a taste of network TV tuning with its JTV-100-F-PJ. The device -- which happens to resemble an external modem circa 1998 -- accepts both coaxial cable inputs and composite video sources and converts them to MPEG4, which can then be streamed to a network TV server or viewed on your web browser. Notably, it even allows you to view the content in a trio of resolutions depending on the bandwidth available, and it boasts a maximum bit rate of 1.8Mbps. So for those still yearning for a placeshifting box over in Okinawa, Evergreen's alternative is available as of today for a respectable ¥19,999 ($163). Jump on through for a shot of the rear.[Via Impress]
Mio unveils seven-inch C517 DMB navigation system
While Mio's range of navigation systems is figuratively all over the map, the firm's latest offering packs a screen size that would have a hard time fitting in some dashes, let alone a cargo pocket. The seven-inch WVGA LCD that dominates the C517 isn't found in too many competitors, but bringing it in at just 22-millimeters thick and weighing 0.86-pounds could help convince users that it's not all that burdensome. Additionally, you'll notice USB connectivity, audio out, a media player, built-in antenna, and support for voice commands. Of course, it does manage to pull double duty as a DMB-tuning television for those in the Korean market, but unless you're positive that this thing won't be headed out into the wilderness with you, you may want to spend your 400,000KRW ($429) elsewhere. More snapshots after the jump.
Sharp Papyrus PW-TC920 defines words, tunes TV
While it's not like we expect e-dictionaries to hop on the fast track of upgrades or anything, it's been way too long since Sharp's flagship Papyrus received any attention, but the day has finally come for a successor to take over. The PW-TC920 picks right up with a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, handwriting recognition pad, SD flash card slot, internal handwriting translation ability, and is offered in both red and black color schemes. The real kicker, however, is the 1Seg TV tuner that allows you to kick back and enjoy a television show in between study sessions, and the headphone out jack ensures that the crowd around you won't become annoyed with your antics. Unfortunately, there's no word yet surrounding a future price or release date, but hey, school's out for the most of us anyway, right?[Via Electronista]
Pinnacle kicks out $100 PCTV HD Stick USB tuner
The Pinnacle PCTV USB Stick that you may have grown quite fond of over the past year has finally decided to get with the times, as the newest iteration throws HD capability into the minuscule tuner while still ringing up a penny under a Benjamin. The Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick steps it down a notch from its Professional sibling, but still allows users to "view live television on their PC with pause, rewind, and fast-forward timeshifting functionality." Pinnacle's latest USB 2.0 tuner is "about the size of a key," gets all the necessary juice right from the USB port, supports NTSC and ATSC broadcasts, and comes bundled with the firm's TVCenter Pro software. Best of all, this no frills portable TV tuner can get live programming on your laptop or desktop right now for a mere $99.99.
TVonics environmentally friendly DVR-250 offers up Freeview tuning
It wasn't too long ago that the Aussies got special treatment with the Australia-centric Beyonwiz DP-S1, and now the Brits in attendance can stop pouting and perk up a bit thanks to the sleek TVonics DVR-250. The UK-friendly digital video recorder sports a stylish black enclosure, a 250GB hard drive, built-in Freeview tuner, one-touch recording, an additional tuner for watching one program whilst recording another, eight-day EPG, and a universal remote to control your AV setup from the comforts of your sofa. Additionally, this device boasts "reduced power consumption" in comparison to its competitors, and claims to be "environmentally friendly" due to the carefully selected components used in construction. Nevertheless, the DVR-250 can be snapped up now for £189.99 ($376) by those looking for OTA recording abilities across the pond.[Via TechDigest]
Canadian cable providers locking out Vista Media Centers?
Nearly a month after Warner Bros. axed advanced screenings in Canada while tagging priacy as the scapegoat, now Canucks are facing another bout with DRM right inside their homes. According to a lengthy list of complaints over at TheGreenButton, it appears that some Canadian cable providers (Rogers and Shaw, namely) are seemingly throwing the broadcast flag onto a questionable amount of content. Essentially, users who are trying to record said programming via their own Windows Vista Media Center setup are receiving all sorts of errors and messages informing them that the material (even on basic cable) they are trying to record is laced with "restrictions set by the broadcaster and / or originator of the content." Interestingly, it seems that the blame here lies more with the cable companies and not some glitch within Vista, as more than a few customers have received responses from their providers suggesting that they ditch the whole PVR idea and instead rely on the company-provided DVR (at a cost, of course). So, dear Canadians, are any of you fighting this same battle?
Toshiba Qosmio F40W does Santa Rosa and DX10
Although you're probably still focused on how ashamed Toshiba should be of itself for hyping up this so-called SED TV for ages only to delay things once again, checkin' out the Qosmio F40W isn't a half bad way to get distracted. The 15.4-inch multimedia-centric machine sports a 1,280 x 800 resolution, Intel's Core 2 Duo T7300 (2GHz) CPU, up to 4GB of RAM, 120GB of hard drive space, a dual-layer LabelFlash-enabled DVD writer, built-in terrestrial digital TV tuner, and NVIDIA's new 128MB GeForce 8400M GS to handle the DirectX 10 action. Additionally, you'll find four USB 2.0 ports, a 4-pin FireWire connector, ExpressCard slot, a multicard reader that handles SD, SDHC, MMC, xD, and MSPro, 802.11a/b/g, Ethernet, VGA / S-Video / HDMI outputs, S/PDIF audio output, and a Li-ion cell that purportedly lasts a paltry 1.3-hours. Of course, no word of an American release, but those over in Japan should be able to snag one within the next week or so for ¥259,800 ($2,136).[Via Impress]
Zamm's TM110 DMB navigation system clears FCC
No need to adjust your spectacles, a Korean-based navigation system has indeed cleared the FCC in order to make its way to US soil, but just because the DMB-packed unit got the big thumbs-up doesn't mean that we Americans can expect to pick up signals from halfway across the globe. Regardless of the design changes that could take place if in fact the Zamm TM101 (or TM110, as the FCC so affectionately dubs it) makes it our way, what we do know is that it sports a Hitachi seven-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, "dual-core" ARM9020T processor, T-DMB TV tuning, PIP, 64MB of NAND Flash ROM, 128MB of internal SDRAM, a multimedia player, CF / SD card slots, flipout GPS antenna, and Windows CE 5.0 runnin' the show. Additionally, you'll notice USB connectivity, an AV input, wireless remote, FM tuner, a few built-in games, SiRF Star III receiver, and a headphone output to round things out. Koreans can apparently snap this well-spec'd navigator up right now, but if you're holding your breath for it to shake things up in the US, you could be sans oxygen for quite some time.[Via NaviGadget]Read - FCC DocumentationRead - Zamm TM101 (110)
Panasonic's high-end F-Class in-car navigation units
Shortly after launching its first US in-car navigation system, Panasonic is doing it big yet again across the seas with its "highest-end" F-Class lineup. This well-spec'd trifecta sports a seven-inch VGA touchscreen, a PEAKS processor, an integrated TV tuner, boosted sensitivity compared to prior models, a built-in graphics processor, hard drive, SD card slot, and the ability to map your route online via the Odekake Strada website and transfer the guidance via SD. Additionally, you'll find an SD Link function that nicely interfaces with your iPod, CD / DVD playback abilities, and the flagship CN-HDS965TD can even handle the ill-fated MD format. Users interested in adding Bluetooth streaming abilities can snap up the CY-BT200D module for a stiff ¥21,000 ($175), which actually pales in comparison to the ¥344,400 ($2,861) to ¥354,900 ($2,949) pricetags that you'll find on these luxurious devices.[Via Nikkei]
Sony's VAIO FZ series: Blu-ray action in your lap
Nah, it shouldn't surprise you one bit that Sony's officially squeezing in yet another option in the VAIO laptop lineup, but this 15.4-incher packs a media-centric attitude into a (debatably) lightweight package, and moreover, sports a pricetag that's very un-VAIO-like. Aside from the typical black / silver motif, you'll notice a widescreen XBRITE display, a bevy of multimedia controls atop the keyboard, Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M graphics card, support for 802.11n, HDMI out, audio in / out, USB 2.0, VGA and S-Video outs, 4-pin FireWire, and the obligatory Blu-ray drive for watching HD flicks on the go. Additionally, the FZ will include an integrated webcam, LocationFree placeshifting niceties, an ExpressCard slot, and a Memory Stick reader. Fortunately for you, this fairly well appointed machine won't break the bank as you may expect, as the non-BD-equipped rendition will start at $1,400, while the "Premium" flavor comes in just $2,000.
TTool navigation system handles DMB TV, GPS
To be honest, there's not much about the TTool all-in-one navigation system that differs from the hordes of other conglomerates hailing from South Korea, but it's hard to deny the dashing good looks if nothing else. Running about par for the (overseas) course, this device sports a 400MHz Samsung S3C2440A processor, 64MB of NAND Flash ROM, 64MB of SDRAM, a seven-inch 480 x 324 resolution touchscreen, USB, a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, audio in / out, DMB TV tuner, an SD / MMC flash card slot, and a media player that handles MP3s, movies, and still photos. There's Windows CE .net 5.0 runnin' the show, and while we're not entirely sure if the webcam-type device flanking the top records video, recognizes faces, or just amplifies the antenna, it's not likely to matter to the Americans in the crowd who will never have the joy of handling this. No word just yet on price or a release date, but click on through for a few more glamor shots.[Via NaviGadget]
Samsung's 32-inch LN-T325H boasts ATSC tuner, 8000:1 contrast ratio
Samsung (among others) has certainly been on a contrasty trip of late, as just a month or so after hitting us up with a trio of Bordeaux LCDs that each sport a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, the firm's latest 32-incher musters a not-too-shabby 8,000:1 itself. The LN-T325H LCD HDTV offers up the token black bezel and rounded stand that we've come to expect from Sammy, and just in case that glossy finish isn't enough to lure you in, the set features a built-in ATSC TV tuner, 1,366 x 768 resolution, three HDMI ports, 500 nits brightness, dual component inputs, a PC input and headphone jack, eight-millisecond response time, and twin ten-watt speakers to cap things off. Unfortunately, there's no mention of price nor future availability, but we don't guess it'll be too long now before this sucka starts showing up on store shelves everywhere. [Thanks, Anthony P.]
Sharp's AQUOS DV-ACV52 HD DVR handles DVD, HDV, and VHS
Sharp's HD DVR lineup has been steadily (albeit quietly) growing for a few years now, and while the company did loose five new offerings in the AQUOS DVR arena earlier this year, the multi-faceted DV-ACV52 has the stage all to itself now. Besides packing a built-in digital TV tuner, 250GB hard drive, and HDMI outputs, this convergence device allows playback and dubbing on a variety of formats including VHS, DVD, or DV / HDV via the i.Link FireWire connector. Other niceties include composite / S-Video outs, optical audio output, and the ability to record one OTA broadcast to the HDD while another goes straight to VHS / DVD. Sadly, we don't envision this Japanese-bound unit ever gracing US shores, but it will be making smiles across the sea next month for around $925.[Via MediaMentalism]
