Archive for April 13th, 2005
DVD recorder announcements are coming thick and fast today as Sony uses the Sony Media Experience in Bordeaux to unveil its new machines. Featuring IQ Recording, the RDR-HX510 expands the range of DVD/HDD Recorders from Sony and is the ideal entry-level product for those wanting to improve their home entertainment experience.
The “I” refers to the range’s intelligent, easy to use controls and the “Q” stands for high quality DVD/HDD Recording.
The RDR-HX510 boasts 80GB HDD capability. For quality, the HQ+ recording realises the original video source signals as accurately as possible by recording onto the hard disk at 15Mbps; a higher bit rate than the DVD-Video standard bit rate.
In addition the RDR-HX510 has a newly developed D-Matrix Noise Reduction feature that diminishes ‘digital noise’ using three different noise reduction technologies simultaneously, depending on the characteristic of the picture.
For intelligence, the RDR-HX510 also includes original scene-detecting algorithm technology from Sony. This technology enables the DVD recorder to recognise significant scene changes and insert chapter marks using ‘Intelligent Scene Chaptering’. The user can then select their desired scene easily by using the ‘Visual Chapter Search’ function, which displays a small thumbnail image of the beginning of each chapter. To delete a scene, the user simply employs the ‘Scene Chapter Edit’ function to select and then delete the scene. This process is also helped by a smoother and faster Graphic User Interface (GUI) than on previous models.
In addition the DVD recorder includes the new feature ‘Pause Live TV’ which allows the user to pause a live programme via the remote control. This feature means users can view their programmes with a delay or simply fast forward to catch up with the real time broadcast, thus giving consumers control over how they wish to view their programmes.
With its affordable price point, RDR-HX510 is targeted at the growing number of HDD/DVD recorder users. Including DVD-RW/-R and DVD+RW/+R compatibility, the DVD player is the perfect DVD/HDD recorder for all entertainment enthusiasts.
The product will be available in continental Europe from August 2005.
April 13th, 2005
Sony has reiterated that it would be open to any discussions regarding a merging of the rival Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats for next-generation optical storage.
Last month that Sony President-elect, Ryoji Chubachi, was publicly leaving open the door to an amalgamation of formats between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Now Yukinori Kawauchi, general manager in charge of Blu-Ray development has said, “From the point of view to provide the best service to the consumer one format is better than two. We’re open to discussions.”
However, there doesn’t seem to be any progress in this direction. “There’s no visible progress to do that,” he added.
Are Sony waiting for HD-DVD to make the first move?
Source: Reuters
April 13th, 2005
The RDR-HX1010 delivers a host of outstanding features including: 400GB HDD and HDMI; in addition to ‘IQ Recording’ features, such as HQ+ recording mode, Intelligent Chaptering and One Touch Dubbing.
As a flagship model from Sony, the RDR-HX1010 has a 400GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) capacity ensuring that large volumes of programmes can be recorded, meaning that consumers never have to miss their favourite programmes again.
Included as another key feature is an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output offering full digital output with one single cable, for easier connection to a TV or an AV receiver.
Similar to its predecessor, the EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) award winning DR-HX1000, the RDR-HX1010 includes the ‘HQ+ mode recording’ function which offers better video recording quality than a traditional DVD-Video format. One-Touch Dubbing also enables hassle-free personal video content creation on DVD-Video by pressing one single button.
In addition, thanks to the original scene-finding algorithm technology from Sony, the RDR-HX1010 can recognise the beginning of significant scene changes and write a chapter mark using ‘Intelligent Scene Chaptering’. The user can then select the desired scene quickly using the ‘Visual Chapter Scene’ function, which displays a small thumbnail image of the beginning of each chapter.
To delete a scene, users simply select the easy Scene Chapter Edit function to select the scene they want to delete, then press the one button.
The RDR-HX1010 is also ideal for anyone who demands high picture quality video playback. Via the newly developed D-Matrix Noise Reduction technology, ‘digital noise’ is drastically reduced using three different noise reduction technologies at the same time, depending on the characteristic of the picture. The 12 bit 216MHz Video DAC will also realise and support high picture quality.
For those entertainment enthusiasts who demand a lot from their HDD/DVD recorder, the RDR-HX1010 has to be the product of choice. Giving wider selection of media by being compatible with DVD-RW/-R, DVD+RW/+R, and DVD+R Double Layer, this product meets the demands of the most ardent entertainment enthusiast.
The RDR-HX1010 will be available in continental Europe from September 2005.
April 13th, 2005
The kitchen has always been the center of the home - the place where families gather to eat, talk about their days and work on projects. But some worry that technology may threaten that convergence, dispersing family members within the home by sending the parents to a home office to do work or emails and the kids to their rooms to do homework and instant message their friends.
New research from Internet Home Alliance, a cross-industry network of leading companies advancing the connected home market, debunks that myth.
According to the results of the Alliance’s Mealtime Pilot, an eight-month, real-world test of a connected kitchen solution led by Alliance members Whirlpool, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Icebox, Peapod by Stop & Shop and Sears, Roebuck & Co., having broadband Internet access in the kitchen has the effect of bringing family members together and actually increasing the amount and quality of time they spend with one another.
According to the study, which was conducted to determine the degree to which consumers are ready to adopt and use Internet-enabled devices in the kitchen, having Internet access and media entertainment features in the kitchen made being in the kitchen more enjoyable, drawing family members into the kitchen to spend more quality time together. It also enabled parents to better supervise their children’s Internet activities, a key concern among today’s parents, and to entice family members into lending a hand in preparing meals.
Said one Mealtime participant, “If someone would have told me that technology would have brought my family together, I would have said they were crazy, but it did!”
“This is good news for time-crunched families, and it goes against the traditional view that technology fragments a family at home and reduces the time they spend with one another,” said Jurgen Heuer, Director, Connected Home Group, Whirlpool Corporation, which led the pilot team and provided it with Web-enabled Polara refrigerated ranges and refrigerators. “The research shows that a broadband connection in the kitchen, coupled with the devices that allow a family to utilize that connection, play a key role in allowing a family to spend more, not less, quality time together.”
“The social influence of broadband connectivity in the kitchen came through loud and clear in the Mealtime Pilot,” said Steve Blum, Director, Emerging Home Solutions, Sears, Roebuck & Co., which provided home integration services to the pilot. “The implications of the research are significant for Sears on a variety of levels and will factor into the development of our products and services.”
In addition to increasing the amount and quality of time families spent together, participants reported that the Mealtime solution improved the number and nutritional value of their home-cooked meals, reduced the amount of time and effort required to prepare meals and increased the variety of dishes they served.
“(The Mealtime solution) liberated me from the tedious job of meal planning and preparation,” said one participant.
In the pilot, consumers managed kitchen and meal preparation tasks from an oven, Web-enabled refrigerator tablet, Web-based entertainment/command center and WAP (wireless application protocol) cell phone, which enabled them to:
* Program the oven to refrigerate, cook and hold a dish warm for a set mealtime.
* Adjust or cancel the oven from their cell phone, mobile tablet, Web-enabled entertainment/command center or any other device providing Internet access.
* Receive text messages on their cell phone from the oven confirming the evening’s cooking instructions.
* Call their oven from their cell phone to see if they forgot to turn off the oven and turn it off from their cell phone.
* Surf the Internet for recipes and coupons, create shopping lists and print those items or email them to an online grocer for home delivery of groceries.
Following are the other key findings of the pilot, which involved 20 families in the Boston, Massachusetts, area:
* Participants considered convenient Internet access to be the greatest benefit of Mealtime. Household Internet usage increased in most pilot homes, especially in those with only one PC and/or whose members spent less than 12 hours online in an average week prior to testing Mealtime. Participants appreciated having access to information via the Icebox Flipscreen and Whirlpool Web tablet.
* The type of centralized Internet access provided by Mealtime enhanced the online grocery shopping experience. With Mealtime, Peapod customers found it easier to check supplies on hand and add items to their online shopping lists. They also said they were less likely than before to forget desired purchases.
* Most participants said they would “probably” or “definitely” consider purchasing a system like Mealtime in the future.
* The device used most often was the Icebox Flipscreen, which was perceived by participants to offer the greatest ease-of-use.
“From an HP perspective, the Mealtime project gave us an opportunity to test consumer interest in printing outside of the home office,” said Tami Guy, Worldwide Consumer Strategist. “We learned that, if possible, consumers will print in the other rooms, but they’d like to see some changes made to the ID of the product, to make it more functional for that room. For example, if it’s for the kitchen, go with a smaller footprint, a splash-proof screen and different color options so that it blends in with the decor, and fits better in the space.”
According to the Alliance, following are the important implications of the research to companies in the connected home space:
* The Mealtime concept resonates with busy consumers. Mealtime effectively helped pilot participants save time and effort in meal planning and preparation. Moreover, it had a number of salutary benefits in terms of family interaction. The Alliance believes the most compelling benefits can be delivered with just networked versions of the Icebox Flipscreen and Whirlpool Polara refrigerated range. The connected kitchen environment may be enhanced by the addition of a kitchen-friendly printer, ideally, one with a small footprint, splash-proofing, off-counter mounting capabilities and designer color options.
* Ease-of-use is of paramount importance in winning over harried consumers. Pilot participants had a number of device options for accessing and manipulating the Mealtime system. The device used most often — the Icebox Flipscreen — was perceived by participants to offer the greatest ease-of-use. The control interface was deemed to be straightforward and intuitive. In addition, using this interface to program the Polara refrigerated range required the fewest steps. The WAP cell phone, on the other hand, was regarded as an inordinately slow and confusing option. The pilot results support the old adage that what’s easy to use gets used.
* If made commercially available, Mealtime should be offered at retail, preferably in home improvement centers or department stores. When asked where they would expect to see Mealtime presented and sold, most participants cited home improvement and department stores. They indicated that these types of retailers would provide the best educational environment and on-going support for a Mealtime-like offering.
“When it comes to digital home products and services, consumers buy, and will continue to buy, solutions,” said Tim Woods, vice president, Internet Home Alliance, which managed the study. “That’s why collaborative, real-world testing, like our Mealtime pilot, which included companies from across the value chain, sheds so much light on consumer attitudes about the digital home.”
April 13th, 2005
The makers of Nuvo think so, although we think that the Japanese must have exceptionally rubbish burglars if that’s the case.
Nuvo, which was released in the land of the rising sun yesterday tops the scales at a fighting weight of 5.5 pounds. Perfect for drop-kicking out of a Tokyo high-rise window.
The makers, TMP, are marketing Nuvo as a home security device, and have assigned it a suitably impressive £3000 price tag. We think it looks slightly less effective than Robosapien as a guard robot (made us jump the first time it started speaking to us in a Gadget Shop), but you can use a mobile phone to check on images taken by the camera in its head.
Predictably it can also respond to voice commands (as long as you want it to ‘turn right’ etc. ‘Cook my dinner’ is not in its repertoire.) and do a dance.
We expect Japan to lap this one up - after all, they love the Aibo.
April 13th, 2005
Apple has announced that Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” will go on sale Friday, April 29, beginning at 6:00 p.m. during special events at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Tiger has more than 200 new features and innovations including Spotlight, a desktop search technology that lets users instantly find anything stored on their Mac, including documents, emails, contacts and images; and Dashboard, a new way to instantly access important information like weather forecasts and stock quotes, using a dazzling new class of applications called widgets.
“Mac OS X Tiger is the most innovative and secure desktop operating system ever created,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Tiger’s groundbreaking new features like Spotlight and Dashboard will change the way people use their computers, and drive our competitors nuts trying to copy them.”
Spotlight is Apple’s new lightning fast way for users to find virtually anything stored on their Mac. Much like users can instantly find songs in iTunes by name, artist or album, Spotlight searches the contents inside documents and information about those documents, or metadata, to find just about anything — emails, contacts, appointments, images, PDFs, and almost any type of document, including Microsoft Office documents — then automatically organizes and instantly displays the results. Because Spotlight technology is built right into the core of the operating system, it automatically updates results instantly whenever files change and enables developers to incorporate Spotlight technology into their applications. Apple has incorporated Spotlight search technology into several Tiger applications including Mail, Address Book, Finder and System Preferences, and several third party developers are expected to introduce applications with Spotlight search technology in the coming months.
Dashboard is a new world of beautiful accessory applications called widgets that appear instantly to give users immediate access to information like stock quotes, weather forecasts, airline flight tracking, unit of measure, currency conversions and a phone book. With a single click a user’s favorite Dashboard widgets instantly appear with up to the second information; with another click they’re instantly gone and the user is right back to where they left off. Tiger ships with 14 widgets, and because Dashboard is based on standard web technologies such as HTML and JavaScript, it’s easy for third party developers to create new widgets that users can easily add to their Dashboards.
Chat in Tiger supports the stunning new H.264 video codec for dramatically better picture quality over the same Internet bandwidth. Users can now create audio conferences with up to 10 people and video conferences with up to four people in a 3D virtual conference room, just as if they were all seated together at a table. In addition, contacts on a Buddy List can now see which iTunes song a user is playing and view it in the iTunes Music Store with just one click.
The new Automator workflow application lets users easily automate repetitive tasks without complex programming. Users simply select from a library of more than a hundred customizable actions and drag and drop them to create an automated workflow, specifically tailored to suit their requirements. Once created, workflows can be saved and even shared with friends and colleagues.
A full featured RSS reader is built into Safari to provide instant access to the most current information from leading news organizations, community web sites and even personal weblogs (blogs) directly from the browser. Multiple RSS feeds can be merged into one easy-to-read interface to create a user’s own personal news clipping service.
Other new features in Tiger include:
- QuickTime 7, the latest version of Apple’s standards-based media player, with H.264 support, live video resizing, zero-configuration streaming and extensive surround sound;
- Mail 2, a dramatically enhanced new version of the Mac OS X built-in Mail application with a new user interface, Spotlight searching, .Mac syncing and full screen slideshow;
- iCal(R) 2, with support for birthday calendars, calendar groups, improved printing and Spotlight and Automator functions;
- Font Book 2, the updated font management utility included in Mac OS X that now supports libraries for installing fonts anywhere on the system or network; and
- a completely new .Mac sync preference using Xsync, a new sync engine built into Mac OS X that enables .Mac subscribers to automatically synchronize their Safari bookmarks, iCal appointments, Address Book contacts, Keychain passwords and Mail settings across multiple computers.
New core technologies and tools in Tiger make it easy for developers to create the next generation of innovative applications, including:
- native 64-bit application support to take advantage of the increased performance unleashed when accessing massive amounts of memory, while still running side-by-side with existing 32-bit applications;
- Core Image and Core Video to provide the foundation for new image and video processing applications;
- Xgrid, Apple’s easy-to-use distributed computing software;
- improved Windows compatibility to make it even easier for Mac OS X users to access a Windows-based home directory and authenticate against Microsoft’s Active Directory;
- major advances to the open standards UNIX-based foundation including an updated state-of-the-art kernel with improved SMP scalability, 64-bit virtual memory, Access Control Lists, GCC 4.0 and modernized network services; and
- Xcode(TM) 2, the latest version of Apple’s powerful suite of developer tools, designed to make it even easier and faster to build innovative Mac OS X applications.
Pricing & Availability
Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” will be available on April 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Apple’s retail stores and through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $129 (US) for a single user license. Visitors to the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com/) can pre-order copies of Tiger beginning today. The Mac OS X Tiger Family Pack is a single-residence, five-user license that will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 (US). Volume and maintenance pricing is available from Apple. The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchase a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after April 12 for a shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US). Tiger requires a minimum of 256MB of memory and is designed to run on any Macintosh computer with a PowerPC G5, G4, or G3 processor and built-in FireWire.
April 13th, 2005
Despite attempts to push lithium-ion battery life up to 8 hours on a standard laptop (and considerably less on a media center device) the major manufacturers are all investigating alternatives.
Sanyo and IBM have announced that they are developing a direct methanol fuel system which they hope to bring to the market in 2007 or 2008.
The prototype on view yesterday also contains a slim lithium-ion battery which is charged by the fuel cell, even when the cell is providing power to the laptop. At times of peak power demand the two systems work together.
The fuel cell cartridge contains 130 cc of pure methanol, providing a 12-watt output, or up to 72 watts with the built-in battery. DC output voltage is 16V. The battery life will reach 8 hours without recharge which isn’t a huge increase on standard Li technology, but the developers insist that the potential is much greater.
However, the prototype is hardly portable. For a start it clips onto the casing of the laptop instead of sitting within it and the weight is a hefty 4kg.
Despite these problems to be ironed out, IBM is considering endorsing the fuel cell for use on its Thinkpad range.
April 13th, 2005
MTV and Microsoft today announced a global marketing alliance to unveil the next-generation Xbox video game system on MTV channels in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe, all within a 24-hour window — a first for the video game industry.
The highly anticipated console will be revealed to video game fanatics, music lovers and MTV viewers via a high-energy half-hour program titled “MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed.” The special will be hosted by entertainment icon, seasoned gamer and Xbox fanatic Elijah ‘Frodo’ Wood.
Viewers will get an exclusive look at the Xbox vision for the next generation — one that ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition. The special will feature never-before-seen, action-packed gameplay of future Xbox games, a peek into the future of the Xbox Live online gaming service, backstage celebrity interviews and exclusive insider footage on the making of the next-generation console.
The inside look at the next-generation Xbox will continue at MTV.com, where after the special, viewers will find extended event coverage including behind-the-scenes video, photos and other special extras. MTV.com will also provide ongoing in-depth coverage of the next-generation Xbox highlighting the latest news, product details and previews of hot next-generation games.
“We recognize and celebrate our viewers’ passion for gaming and are excited to be working with Microsoft to launch such a significant entertainment product,” said John Shea, executive vice president, Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Development, MTV Networks Music Group. “We’re proud that Microsoft considers MTV the premier global network to launch its new Xbox gaming console and reveal the first look to MTV viewers around the world.”
“Just as MTV revolutionized the way the world experiences music, the next- generation video game console from Xbox will spark a revolution in how consumers experience games and other forms of digital entertainment,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. “We are ecstatic about our alliance with MTV and unveiling a video game platform in a way that has never been done.”
“MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed” will be broadcast around the world.
- North America: Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. (21:30)
- Japan/Asia: Friday, May 13, at 11:30
- Europe: France: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Germany: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Italy: Friday, May 13, at 23:30
Netherlands: Friday, May 13, at 19:30
Poland: Friday, May 13, at 21:00
Portugal: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Romania: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Scandinavia: Friday, May 13, at 22:00
Spain: Friday, May 13, at 21:30
U.K.: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Australia: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
April 13th, 2005
According to Wireless Watch Japan you can use your PSP to control your Aibo (you do have an Aibo don’t you?).
Well, assuming that you aren’t like the entire population of Japan and that you actually prefer a real dog to a plastic one, you may not be aware that Aibo is Sony’s walking, talking electronic pet.
It seems that the PSP, quite by accident, can control Aibo without any hacks. We like to think that PSP developers built this feature in on purpose so they didn’t need to carry two remotes, but the accident theory is more likely.
The full story is at WWJ.
April 13th, 2005
Onkyo has introduced the TX-SR503 A/V receiver, improving upon the company’s popular TX-SR502 with upgraded processing, improved connectivity, and a seventh amplifier channel. The model includes a wide array of features for home theater, including 7.1 channel processing, HDTV capable component video switching, and a newly designed preprogrammed remote control. This Onkyo TX-SR503 is currently available in both black and silver finishes at a suggested retail price of just $300.
The TX-SR503 boasts wide bandwidth component video switching with three inputs to switch up to three high definition and progressive-scan sources without degrading video quality. There are three A/V inputs with both composite and S-Video connections, plus a front panel A/V input for convenient connection of portable devices. The receiver has four assignable digital audio inputs with one coaxial and three optical connectors, RCA line-level connections for a CD player and audio recorder, and a subwoofer preamplifier output.
The TX-SR503 features a full suite of processing for home theater, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, and even DTS 96/24. With DTS Neo:6 and Dolby ProLogic IIx, the receiver is capable of automatically deriving full 7.1-channel audio from absolutely any stereo or multichannel source. The receiver features upgraded high quality linear PCM 192 kHz/24-bit D/A converters and a sophisticated 32-bit DSP engine for ideal reproduction of soundtracks and multichannel audio.
The Onkyo TX-SR503 includes seven internal power amplifier channels with high-current, low-impedance discrete output devices, to deliver a continuous power output of 75 Watts per channel into 
hm loads. Onkyo’s WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) gives the power stage a linear frequency response from 10 Hz to 100 kHz to ensure it’s up to the challenge of the most demanding audio sources, such as SACD and DVD-Audio. There are dual banana-plug-compatible multi-way speaker binding posts for all main channels with color-coding for simplified wiring, as well as front channel “B” terminals to enable the receiver to drive a stereo pair in a second zone.
The dot-matrix fluorescent front panel display makes setup and operation of the receiver easy and fast, including variable speaker configuration and distance settings for simple optimization of any speaker arrangement. With the new adjustable crossover on the subwoofer pre-out channel, the LFE channel signal can be cutoff at 60, 80, 100, 120 or 150 Hz, for seamless integration of any satellite and subwoofer combination.
The receiver’s high quality AM/FM tuner section has 30 random presets, and FM automatic scan tuning. The included RI (Remote Interactive) compatible preprogrammed remote control has been redesigned for improved simplicity, making control of an entire entertainment system simple and convenient.
The TX-SR503 is currently available in either black or silver finishes at a suggested retail price of $300.
Onkyo has also introduced the 5.1-channel TX-SR303 A/V receiver, a 65 Watt per channel budget receiver with Dolby Digital, DTS, and ProLogic II processing. It features the same 192kHz/24-bit DACs found in the TX-SR503, and four A/V inputs with both composite and S-video capability. The TX-SR303 is available in silver finish at a suggested retail price of just $200.
http://www.gspr.com/onkyo/txsr503.html
April 13th, 2005