Archive for June, 2006
Toshiba created a real stir last week when it announced the RD-A1 HD-DVD recorder. We can now bring you the full details.The new “RD-A1″ can record and store up to 130 hours of high-definition (HD) broadcasts on its 1-terabyte (TB) hard disk and record up to 230 minutes of HD content to a single HD DVD disc. In addition to superb image and sound recording and playback, the new recorder also offers an extensive range of advanced functions made possible by the versatility of HD DVD, including optimized navigation and menu displays. The RD-A1 is scheduled for roll out in the Japanese market from July 14.
The RD-A1 is the first video recorder to support recording and playback of content in the HD DVD format, the next generation of DVD format defined and approved by the DVD Forum. The recorder combines support for recording of full HD broadcasts with high capacity recording to HD DVD-R discs: up to 115 minutes of HD content to a 15-gigabyte (GB) single-layer HD DVD-R disc, and up to 230 minutes to a 30GB dual-layer HD DVD-R disc, allowing viewers to make HD DVD-R libraries of their favorite TV programs, whether dramas, movies or sport. Ease of use is also enhanced by the ability to record two TV programs, one digital HD and one analog, to the hard disk, simultaneously.
In addition to HD DVD, the RD-A1 also supports playback from and recording to conventional DVD-RAM/-RW/-R discs, giving users complete access to content recorded and saved in standard DVD. It also offers simplified transfer of DVD disc content to higher capacity HD DVD discs.
Another key feature among the many supported by the RD-A1 is support for 1080p output via HDMI, allowing viewing of “full HD” progressive scan video signals. Up-conversion of standard DVD to 1080p resolution output also enhances the enjoyment of current DVD software and recorded programs. Video and audio output is further enhanced by the design of the RD-A1’s chassis, which isolates the player from vibration and optimizes the performance of its high-grade parts and components.
RD-A1 takes full advantage of the advanced functionality offered by the versatility of the HD DVD format, which far surpasses standard DVD in its extensive support for “pop-up menus” and advanced features such as Picture in Picture (PIP) with moving picture functions.
Toshiba launched “RD-2000,” the world’s first digital video recorder integrating a hard disk and DVD recorder in the Japanese market in 2001. RD-2000 introduced the world to a new way of viewing TV programs, “First record to hard disk, select and archive to DVD,” and inspired a new market for “Hard Disk & DVD” where Toshiba still provides leadership and drives growth. Now, as HDTV broadcasting expands its services and service area, in readiness for the 2011 phase out of analog broadcasting in Japan, demand is growing for an “Hard Disk & DVD” solution that can handle high definition image quality and its larger data capacities. Toshiba delivers the clear answer with the RD-A1. The new recorder is the first HD DVD recorder, and combines it with a 1TB hard disk, and with it Toshiba leads the industry and supporting for HD DVD playbacks and recorders to be the first manufacture to bring the product in the market. Toshiba will enhance its line-up of HD DVD products by producing the products which integrates the next generation of DVD in the marketplace.
Key Features of the New Recorder
1. Record digital broadcasts to hard disk and HD DVD-R
Integrated digital tuners cover the full range of HD broadcasting sources—terrestrial, broadcast satellite (BS) and communications satellite 110° (CS) broadcasts—while another dedicated tuner handles analog broadcasts. The RD-A1 can record two broadcasts at once, one digital broadcast, one analog. The hard disk drive’s terabyte capacity allows it record and playback 130 hours of HD broadcasts, and viewers are then free to select and archive their favorites to HD DVD discs. The RD-A1 supports two HD DVD-R capacities, a single-layer 15GB disc that can record up to 115 minutes of HD broadcasts, and a dual-layer 30GB disc that doubles that performance to 230-minutes, allowing viewers to build libraries of their favorite programs. The new recorder also supports recording of digital high-definition TV programs on conventional DVD-RAM/-RW/-R discs at standard definition image quality.
2. Playback of high definition content and support for advanced content features
The RD-A1, like the HD DVD players Toshiba has already launched, can play back HD DVD content software, and also supports the enhanced functionality and diverse features that content providers can build into their package software—a major step forward from standard DVD players. While specifics depend on the title, typical features include the convenience of a “pop-up menu” that displays menu choices or movie chapters while a movie plays, allowing viewers to search for desired functions or use the chapter guide to jump to a particular scene. The new product also supports PIP with video, a feature that allows, for example, comments by the director or actors to be superimposed over a movie while it is playing. The commentators can literally point to the material they are discussing. Audio output is as rich as video playback, as RD-A1 supports next generation surround sound formats, such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, L-PCM 5.1ch, the same formats as Toshiba’s first HD DVD players. Analog 5.1ch output integrated into the RD-A1 allows consumers to enjoy surround sound simply by connecting the player to an AV amplifier with analog input.
3. Support for RD engine for HD DVD
Toshiba has upgraded its successful “RD Engine HD” to provide dedicated support for HD DVD format. Upgrades include a graphic user interface with letter-box display compatibility and Toshiba proprietary multi-function recording software. RD Engine HD allows viewers to edit recorded high-definition programs on a frame basis, and transfer the edited video to an HD DVD disc. A useful function is high-speed write of DVD video sources to hard disks and high speed dubbing of that video to an HD DVD-R, allowing viewers to combine programs from multiple discs on a single disc. This compacting of video libraries is done without any loss of picture or sound quality.
4. Digital high definition picture of 1080p in HDMI output
Support for the up-conversion to 1080p output is achieved through implementation of the newest high performance scaler from Anchor Bay Technologies Inc. This converts and plays back 1080i HD content as 1080p full HD output. Furthermore, besides the HD DVD software and DVD software, it is also possible to playback past recorded DVD by up-converting them to 1080p output.
5. Body and parts designed for high definition picture quality and high quality sound
The RD-A1’s design is optimized for high quality video and audio output by a special dual-layer body featuring a 1-millimeter main case and a metal sub frame. The recorder stands on special aluminum pillars designed to damp vibration and enhance high sound quality. The same attention to detail carries through to chief components. The RD-A1 is the first recorder to adopt a high-speed, high-performance 297MHz/14bit video encoder, making it possible to deliver HD quality via analog output through the D terminal and component terminal. High grade parts typically found in high-end audio products are also used in the RD-A1.
6. Internet connectivity via “Net de Navi®”software, recommendation service, and DLNA guideline
The versatility of the RD-A1 is significantly enhanced by its Internet connectivity via “Net de Navi®” software. Once in a network the recorder can be programmed remotely, via e-mail or the on-line iEPG, an electronic TV program timetable service. LAN connectivity allows configuration of a home network with Toshiba’s series of digital high-definition LCD TVs in the “REGZA Z1000″ series and with the “Qosmio G30″ AV notebook PC, which supports DLNA guideline, and allows users to playback the recorded titles on different devices on the network.
June 26th, 2006
TiVo, the popular PVR maker, has made a shrewd move by announcing video support for the Sony PSP and iPod.The TiVo Destop 2.3 Plus upgrade adds the ability to convert TiVotoGo files to the MPEG4 format required. Alas, the upgrade isn’t free and will set you back $24.95.
The conversion also only produces video at 320X240, some way short of the PSP’s maximum resolution of 480×272.
Of course, the conversion can be acheived by a variety of completely free tools and a little bit of knowledge, but the upgrade promises to make the task painless.
June 26th, 2006
Toshiba announced today the availability of its new line of gigabeat Portable Media Players.Based on Windows Mobile Portable Media Center Version 2.0 software, the two new models available in 30GB and 60GB capacities offer consumers a vast array of content and a stunningly simple device to enjoy it with. By partnering with four of the content industry leaders, gigabeat users are not limited to the entertainment selections from one content provider and are not locked into a single service.
“The new gigabeat line of Portable Media Players offer consumers access to hundreds of content delivery services,” said Yoshi Uchiyama, Group Vice President of Toshiba’s Digital Audio Video division. “Consumers are no longer tethered to one service with limited choices. We’ve partnered with the industry leaders and pioneers to ensure that consumers have immediate access and can choose the delivery service that is best suited to their needs.”
For consumers seeking full length movies for their gigabeat, Toshiba has partnered with Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) to offer their new Vongo(SM) service. Unveiled at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, Vongo delivers movies and other video content over the Internet for playback on Windows-based PCs, laptops and select portable media devices as well as on a TV. Vongo subscribers have unlimited access to more than 1,600 movie and video selections as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel for a monthly cost of $9.99. Additionally, select popular pay-per-view titles are available for $3.99 a movie. Vongo began a universal 14-day free trial earlier this spring providing consumers with access to the service which can be downloaded by broadband subscribers in the United States at www.vongo.com.
The partnership with Toshiba fulfills Vongo’s promise of entertainment on the go by offering premium movie content on the Toshiba gigabeat, the first commercially available, next generation Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center device. This groundbreaking partnership will enable consumers to simply download movies onto Toshiba’s gigabeat and access them whenever and wherever they want.
“Vongo certifying the gigabeat as its first approved portable device and associated agreement with Toshiba is a major development for Starz and the digital entertainment industry,” said Bob Greene, Executive Vice President of Advanced Services for SEG. “Vongo and Toshiba deliver together true ‘on the go’ portability for movies, TV episodes and concerts with a true next generation device. Even better, we do so at no additional charge for Vongo subscribers.”
In addition to movies, TACP is providing consumers with a simple way to obtain their favorite music for their gigabeat. This year, Toshiba will continue their relationship with Napster� and is pleased to announce two additional partnerships that offer consumers access to a broad array of musical content. Both eMusic� and RealNetworks’� Rhapsody� service have entered into joint marketing agreements with Toshiba for the gigabeat device.
In addition to the new Napster.com, an interactive music destination where music fans can hear and share over two million major and independent-label tracks for free, Napster also offers two premium music subscription services, Napster and Napster To Go. Napster subscribers pay one low monthly price and enjoy unlimited access to CD-quality music and advanced discovery, community and programming features. Napster To Go subscribers enjoy those same premium benefits plus the power to transfer an unlimited amount of music to compatible MP3 players, like the Toshiba gigabeat, without having to purchase individual tracks and albums a la carte.
eMusic will offer more than 1.2 million tracks from established and emerging artists in every genre from the world’s leading independent labels. Unlike other download services, eMusic is the only one to deliver music in the universally compatible MP3 format, which allows consumers to burn CDs, transfer music to MP3 players and make as many copies of songs or albums as they like for personal use.
“We’re excited to provide new gigabeat owners with a fantastic selection of great music and to welcome them to eMusic’s community of music fans,” said David Pakman, CEO and President of eMusic.
Rhapsody, RealNetworks’ award-winning online music service, gives consumers access to over 2 million songs from every major label and thousands of independents, along with thoughtful music recommendations and unique editorial content from some of the most experienced music experts around. With Rhapsody To Go, users can fill and re-fill their gigabeat Portable Media Player with music from this tremendous library using a fast and intuitive interface, creating the perfect solution for enjoying virtually any song on the go. Consumers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial of the Rhapsody To Go service with their gigabeat at www.rhapsody.com/toshiba.
The gigabeat Portable Media Player also has the ability to download recorded television content from a consumer’s Windows Media� Edition PC, or from their TiVo� Series2 DVR using the TiVoToGo� feature. Either method lets consumers take their favorite TV shows with them wherever they go for the ultimate in flexibility.
To complement the full array of content choices available, the gigabeat Portable Media Players are available with 30GB and 60GB of storage capacity, a 2.4″ diagonally measured QVGA color screen with 320 x 240 resolution, a new more tactile PlusTouch� button and thanks to the Windows Mobile Portable Media Center software, one of the most intuitive interfaces available today. An FM Tuner is built in and gigabeat also offers the ability to transfer digital images for viewing directly from most digital cameras. Finally, a TV Audio and Video output lets users connect their gigabeat to a television for the ultimate in convenience.
The gigabeat PMC models are available now at $299.99 (30GB - MES30VW) and $399.99 (60GB - MES60VK) respectively.
June 22nd, 2006
Doghouse Electronics has unveiled the first-of-a-kind RoverTv, a super smart, super skinny portable media recorder and player that records directly from TV without a computer.”RoverTv establishes a new category of handheld TV recorders and players,” said RoverTv designer Jim Howard. “We built RoverTv hard-drive-free to streamline it and make it durable. Hard drives are chunky and fragile - they were never made to withstand the day to day handling that’s a normal part of enjoying a portable media device,” said Howard, noting that RoverTv’s Flash drive and SD technology provide unlimited external memory. Built-in software allows easy transfer of video/music content to and from a Mac or PC.
Howard says RoverTv satisfies rising consumer demand for more ways to enjoy the media they purchase. “With cable, satellite, downloading and broadcast, people have instant access to record media. RoverTv adds value, opening endless options for recording, transferring and viewing the media they’ve invested in.” RoverTv charges no recording fees and no monthly fees.
Available in the 3.5-inch “Big Screen” ($299.00) and the 4-inch “wide-screen” ($349.00), RoverTv also offers another industry first-it’s the first of its size portable media recorder and player that fills the surface of the device with screen rather than controls. RoverTv’s unique design places the controls on the outer edge, maximizing display size. RoverTv allows consumers to record directly from TV, DVD, CD, FM or computer and accommodates MP3, MP4, WAV files and more. RoverTv supports TiVo To Go(TM) for viewing content recorded to TiVo(TM) and can download content from iTunes(TM), BurnLounge and other electronic media providers. RoverTv is equipped to store JPEG/BMP/GIF photos, videos and presentations.
RoverTv features a Samsung TFT screen, crisp video resolution (320×240 for the Big Screen, 480 x 272 for the Wide Screen), USB port, AV input/output and FM radio receiver. RoverTv is powered by a rechargeable, built-in lithium ion battery that lasts a minimum of 12 hours for uninterrupted audio or 6 hours of video. Video stored in RoverTv can be viewed on any television up to 42″ via the AV output, or on PC. RoverTv includes USB cord, battery charger, AV cable, premium TXB ear buds, one 1Gig SD card and one 2Gig SD card, enough capacity to store eleven hours of television or 4200 songs. RoverTv is available through Doghouse Electronics, http://www.rovertv.net.
June 22nd, 2006
Toshiba has announced that it wil launch the world’s first commercially available HD-DVD recorder, the RD-A1, on July 14.As with most such innovations, the Japanese will get first bite, with no news yet about when the American and European markets can expect a similar product.
However, this is definitely a machine for the early-adopter enthusiast as the recorder will cost 398,000 yen ($3,466). Before you put your wallet down though, just look at the specification which is quite stunning.
The RD-A1 ha a one terrabyte hard drive which allows it to store over 100 hours of high definition programming. Toshiba has designed the recorder to minimize vibration and enhance audio. The body consists of a 1mm-thick main case and a metal subframe resting on aluminum damping pillars. It has multiple digital and analogue tuners and networking capability, allowing remote programming.
Suddenly $3000 doesn’t seem quite so much.
June 22nd, 2006
Samsung, which despite the doomsayers, is on course to be first to market in the USA with a Blu-Ray player, has confirmed it is considering supporting the HD-DVD format as well.However, that support will come in the form of a combined Blu-Ray / HD-DVD player and not a standalone device.
“We don’t have a plan to make an HD-DVD-only player but are considering a universal player,” Samsung’s home platform spokesman Kim Du-Hyon said. “We are preparing HD-DVD now, and if we launch a universal player, it will be the end of this year or early next year.”
In a slightly unconvincing statement Kim also said that he expected Blu-Ray to stomp all over HD-DVD once consumers saw the two formats side by side. However, Samsung doesn’t seem prepared to back that conviction up with actions and is set to build a combo player anyway.
Samsung’s BD-P1000 Blu-Ray player will go on sale in the United States on June 25 for US$1,000.
June 22nd, 2006
If the UK is any indication, the mobile industry is still flailing around at the bottom of the all-media league table when it comes to live sports coverage.
The content teams from all five UK mobile operators were dramatically out-performed last night by the old-fashioned Internet, delivering news of Peter Crouch’s late header as many as five minutes later than the free alert sent to mobile users by FIFA and Yahoo. The UK operators were put to the test by Argogroup, the specialist in mobile user experience testing, before, during and after England’s World Cup match against Trinidad & Tobago. The results were less than thrilling for mobile industry watchers. Of the five operators, 3 remained the best all-round performer when in 3G coverage, Orange performed consistently if unspectacularly while T-Mobile performed well on SMS alerts - even adding commentary to the raw score line alert - but with delays on picture and video alerts, some of which would not download at all or were delivered in the wrong order.
Argogroup Test Highlights
* Lacking Pace - News of Crouch’s goal reached users of FIFA’s free alert service in just over two minutes compared with the four-operator average of 3.95 minutes. The fifth operator failed the test entirely as users could not sign up for the alerts due to portal errors.
* Relegation Zone - The worst-performing operator took a full 7.3 minutes to deliver the Crouch goal alert - and charged 12p for the service.
* Failed to equalize - Users awaiting news of Steven Gerrard’s second goal fared no better. FIFA/Yahoo delivered the SMS alert in 73 seconds, while the operators, on average, took 4.1 minutes. The worst performer made the sluggish Ronaldo look like Thierry Henry, taking over eight minutes to deliver the alert.
* 3G long shot goes wide - One operator’s 3G portal performance disappointed fans who happened to be out of 3G coverage as its portal reverted to a sports-free zone.
* Red card - The worst-performing operator was on average three times slower than the pack, sending the team line-ups to sports fans 44 minutes after kick-off. Its SMS goal alert was seven times slower than FIFA’s, arriving long after other operators had delivered an edited video clip of the goal. The good news - at least there was no ‘Mr Men’ promotion showing during the match this time! The test was the second to be run by Argogroup, with results that mirrored those for England’s first game against Paraguay last Saturday.
“Clearly, our industry has a long way to go if we want to be seen as a serious provider of sports coverage,” said James Pearce, Argogroup CTO, “Operators have proven (with the FIFA alerts) that they can deliver 160 characters in a timely manner. What they failed to show is that they can add value by delivering their own content faster than, say, the average newspaper.”
Argogroup will continue to monitor the performance of the mobile operators as the World Cup progresses.
“This is hugely important to everyone in the industry,” says David Frodsham, Argogroup CEO, “Our collective future rests on our ability to be credible content players. We believe that active testing can help operators get it right - but first we must all admit we’re getting it wrong.”
Argogroup plans to continue testing throughout the World Cup.
June 16th, 2006
Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of digital entertainment systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the high performance GX Series. The is based on the AMD FX and Intel Duo 2 Technologies and comes with 1 Terabyte of storage. The GX Series will feature uncompromising gaming performance and will allow the use of up to five media center extenders for high definition video and audio distribution. This series also features a seven inch touch screen display with HD transcoder for 720p resolutions.
“Many of our customers enjoy playing the latest video games on their HDTV and have requested that we provide a higher end media center pc. We feel the GX Series digital entertainment system will allow them play these games at HDTV resolutions and allow them to easily manage their media with the built-in touch screen LCD.” said Christopher Curry, VP of Sales & Operations.
The GX series will launch with the GX300 model. This model is based on the dual-core AMD FX-60 processor with 1 GB of Crucial Ballistix RAM, NVidia 7950 GX2 video card and 1 TB of storage. All GX models feature the following:
7.1 HD audio with Dolby Digital Live technology
Dual ATI 550 PVR Tuner Cards
HDTV Tuner Card
1GB of Crucial Ballistix Memory
Upgradeable to 3.0 Terabytes of media storage
Dual Layer DVD Burner
7” LCD Touchscreen with 720p Transcoder
My Movies plugin for DVD archival Storage
Okoro Media Systems will soon include GX Models based on the Intel Core Duo2 and AMD M2 platforms
For more information about the GX series Digital Entertainment System, please visit www.okoromedia.com
June 8th, 2006
What makes a U2 special edition iPod? It appears to be as simple as engraving the signatures of the band members on the back of a common or garden iPod and giving it a lick of paint.
Yes, for $329 you too can own the same iPod as everyone else, but with the scribblings of Irish rockers etched into the case. Oh, and the scroll wheel is red.
The new U2 iPod is based on the company’s fifth-generation 30GB iPod and holds up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or over 75 hours of video. The USP, apart from the slightly different styling, is 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes Music Store. It’s described as a ‘free’ download, but read on to see what ‘free’ actually means.
We reckon that Steve Jobs must be a big U2 fan, because this deal really doesn’t add up. The premium paid for the U2 iPod is $20-30 over a standard iPod and, call us boring, but that’s $20-30 too much. Mind you, the red and black stlying is growing on us. Take off the factory-applied scratching and you might win us over, Apple!
This is the second generation U2 iPod. The first, which was released in October 2004, held 20GB, had a 12-hour battery life, and did not have video functionality. How things have moved on….
June 7th, 2006
Acer seem to have slipped under the radar with their new Viiv Media Center PC, the Aspire iDea 500. A press release was in circulation last month, but it’s only in the past couple of days that the tech press has sat up and taken notice - and what a good thing we did.
For a start it blends seamlessly into the living room environment. It’s one of the slimmest media center PCs that we’ve ever seen at 70mm high.
Secondly there’s been no skimping on the technical specification. It has an Intel Core Duo processor and a Gig of RAM. Where many manufacturers fall down when building a MCPC Acer has succeeded admirably by sticking in two hybrid Analog / DVB-T Tuners so you can watch and record at the same time.
With dual hybrid TV tuners, HDMI, SCART and numerous other ports combined with internal keyboard and remote control receivers as well as a memory card reader, the Aspire iDea has all the connections that you will need.
Most importantly for a PC that is going to sit in the living room it’s very quiet. At system idle, Acer says that the iDea 500 will sit around 23dBA of noise. Under more heavy loads, the system outputs roughly 28dBA.
June 6th, 2006
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