Posts filed under 'Home Theater / Cinema'
Panasonic has announced the availability of its new line-up of 1080 progressive scan full HD pro plasmas. The 65″ TH-65PF9UK is available now and will be followed by the 103″ TH-103PF9UK (the world’s largest plasma) and the 50″ TH-50PF9UK.With 2.07 million pixels (1,920 x 1,080) of resolution, these 1080p HD pro plasmas offer about twice the resolution as standard high-definition models, and produce the entire color range specified in the HDTV standard (ITU-R, BT709), for ultraaccurate, natural-looking images that remain truly faithful to the original HD source. The 1080p HD models feature a high contrast ratio of 5,000:1 and 16-bit processing to reproduce super-crisp motion pictures with an astounding 4,096 steps of gradation. For the full 1080p models, Panasonic has developed a Super Cinema mode, whereby the Digital Color Reality feature accurately reproduces the warmth of light and delicate shading in each scene by continuously adjusting the white balance and performing gamma correction as the image changes. Digital Color Reality is four times more precise in the digital control of color and brightness compared with standard HD plasmas.
“Panasonic continues its leadership in professional large screen displays with these new 1080p HD models that produce the highest HD image quality available,” said Robert Harris, Vice President of Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. “Our future-ready full 1080p plasmas make incredible, spectacular images, and offer the industry’s best expandability so video professionals can equip each display with the options that best meet their application.”
Harris added that Panasonic 1080p HD plasmas are already drawing rave reviews, as two pre-delivery 103″ TH-103PF9UK plasma displays are playing an integral role on NBC’s new Sunday evening Football Night in America studio show.
From production studios to command and control, presentations to digital signage and from videoconferencing to media facilities, customizable terminal boards for the Panasonic 1080p units allow these displays to become super-flexible, “all-in-one” installations. The 1080p plasmas have three, interchangeable multifunction slots (on the back) to equip the units with a wide range of terminal boards to assure their usage in virtually any AV, PC or interactive environment. Each 1080p HD model comes standard with the new TY-FB9HDD UXGA / WUXGA compatible DVI-D board and 1080p compatible TY-42TM6A Component Video terminal board. A new option is the TY-FB9HD, an HD-SDI board that supports 1080p 50/60 formats and is ideal for production studios and postproductionscreening applications.
Additional advanced technologies incorporated to allow the 1080p plasmas to deliver their phenomenal image quality include a new Motion Pattern Noise Reduction system to provide a consistently sharp image across the entire image during fast-paced scenes, a Contrast Management system that perfects the color of each individual portion of the image displayed, and a 1:1 pixel mode, which maps the 1920 x 1080 one-to-one to 1080p pixels to display 100 percent of the original content.
The 1080p HD plasmas can display a full range of HD/SD signals including 1080/60p/50p, 1080/60i/50i/24p/24sF/25p/30p, 1080/50i, 720/60p/50p 480/60i/p, and 575/50i/p. The 1080p models also feature Advanced Dual Picture Mode, which allows users to combine video/audio clips with text from a computer in picture-in-picture and picture-out-picture modes for presentations. For easy setup of multiscreen systems, the 1080p plasmas feature a built-in image-enlarging functions to enlarge images up to four times normal size vertically and horizontally while maintaining image quality, and can be configured in a variety of different combinations (from 1×4 to 2×3, up to a 4×4 construction).
Also, with the new PLUG-VC251 PC board, Panasonic’s 1080p plasmas can become a turnkey computer system. With the PC board, these large screen displays can be updated with content and controls instructions from a centrally located system. The PC board is compatible with Windows XP and XP-embedded operations systems and a wide variety of Windows-based applications software.
In addition, for long distance transmission, a new CAT-5e transmitter with a switcher function (model KE811CT) allows a user to send high-resolution video signals to a 1080p plasma up to 500 feet away from a separate command center, as well as to control up to 128 plasmas simultaneously from a single location. A new CAT-5e switcher allows the user to change the plasma display’s input from presentations to live video and more, reducing the cost of set-up time and allowing greater flexibility in placement. When equipped with the HD-SDI board, the 1080p plasmas can be easily integrated into broadcast systems that use HD-SDI in their studio or control rooms.
The 65″ TH-65PF9UK is available now at a suggested list price of $10,995. The 103″ TH-103PF9UK will be available by the end of the month at a suggested list price of $69,999.95. The 50″ TH-50PF9UK will be available in November at a suggested list price of $5,995.
November 4th, 2006
NETGEAR today announced that Maximum PC magazine has awarded its “Kick Ass Product” designation to the NETGEAR Powerline HD Ethernet Adapters (HDXB101). Published in the October issue, the HDXB101 received Maximum PC’s highest honor which, according to the publication, “is bestowed only upon products worthy of the editors’ personal recommendations.”“The bottom line is that the HDXB101 is fast enough to stream video – even high-definition video – from your media server to your living room,” stated Will Smith, editor-in-chief of Maximum PC, in the product review. “We successfully streamed video content – including 1080i WMV movies – across the powerline network. UPNP packets even cross the powerline segment flawlessly – our UPNP-dependent streaming boxes worked without a hitch. Even the bandwidth hungry Media Center Extender and Xbox 360 worked with nary a hiccup or dropped frame.”
In another review published by PC Magazine, Technical Analyst Oliver Kaven stated that the NETGEAR Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter (HDX101) proved impressive in his tests. “It’s the first power-line product I’ve reviewed with the ease and speed to be worthwhile,” wrote Kaven. He stated that the HDX101 delivered throughput speeds that, on average, were comparable with what the faster wireless technologies delivered at distances of around 20 feet and was faster than wireless when distances exceeded 60 feet. “Overall, I was impressed by the Netgear HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter,” he concluded.
“The receipt of these strong editorial reviews of our Powerline HD Ethernet adapters is further validation of NETGEAR’s strategy to design and deliver innovations that enable the adoption of cutting-edge networked products and technologies in homes and businesses,” stated Kartik Gada, NETGEAR Product Line Manager. “Powerline HD is the ideal solution for providing high-speed network connectivity in locations such as home entertainment centers and family rooms where wired connectivity is desirable, but where Ethernet cabling is unavailable. This will become an increasingly attractive solution with the emergence of streaming media devices, such as NETGEAR’s Digital Entertainer (EVA700), that deliver digital content to home entertainment systems.” NETGEAR’s Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) is comprised of two Powerline HD Ethernet Adapters (HDX101), an Ethernet cable and set-up CD. By simply plugging one of the elegant white Powerline HD Ethernet Adapters to a router and the other to any Ethernet-ready device — such as a PC, game console, print server, digital video recorder, or the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) — consumers can enjoy data speeds up to 200 Mbps speeds without interruption or complicated set-up. The NETGEAR Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter can also make large file transfers to networked storage devices like the NETGEAR Storage Central (SC101) up to 12 times faster than previous Powerline networking products. Its smart design also aptly blends into any home decor with ease, and does not take up any floor or desk space. Furthermore, the Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter easily co-exists with NETGEAR’s other Powerline technologies, so that consumers can use their existing powerline devices for basic applications, and Powerline HD as an exclusive network loop for high-definition video and gaming. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter is available now through leading retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. It’s backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support. The Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) containing two devices has an MSRP of $199.99. For consumers needing to connect additional devices to the network, a single adapter (HDX101) is sold separately at an MSRP of $99.99.
October 17th, 2006
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed which three movies in its stable will be the first to get the 50GB Blu-Ray treatment, promising increased bonus features and interactivity.’Click’ will hit the shelves on November 14, with ‘The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ and ‘Blackhawk Down’ following on December 12. ‘Blackhawk will be the first title to feature Sony’s new ‘Blu-Wizard’ playlist technology, which lets viewers customize the way they watch special features.
All three titles were authored by the Sony Pictures Digital Authoring Center and manufactured by Sony.
“As consumers make the leap to Blu-ray’s incredible high-definition picture and cinema quality audio, they want access to a diverse selection of content packed with added-value features and reference titles,” said David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Only two other studios have announced a 50GB disc. 20th Century Fox is releasing ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ on November 14, and Lionsgate is preparing ‘The Descent’ for a December release.
October 9th, 2006
Three new Pioneer Elite PureVision plasma televisions introduced today send a clear message to consumers that the time is right to purchase one of the most technologically advanced plasmas available on the market. The new Elite 42” PRO-940HD, 50” PRO-1140HD and 60” PRO-1540HD televisions incorporate the latest innovations in proprietary plasma technologies that deliver brighter, sharper and richer images unmatched in the industry.
Several Pioneer exclusive technologies work in tandem to give consumers an unparalleled picture and home theatre experience. Newly designed glass and the First Surface PRO Color Filter improve picture contrast and provide greater detail in darker scenes, resulting in a purer more accurate picture on screen. A Redesigned Deep Encased Cell Structure and improved red and blue phosphor technology improve overall brightness, while a Crystal Emissive Layer bonded directly to the plasma glass is responsible for improved panel efficiency and better contrast.
The new Elite models are the first Pioneer plasmas to incorporate an exclusive home networking program, Home Media Gallery™ that easily connects to an existing home network via Ethernet or USB. This feature provides users direct access to movies, music and photos stored on a networked PC or any other DLNA compliant device for immediate viewing on the plasma in stunning HD quality.
“Pioneer has combined the latest cutting edge plasma technologies with sleek cosmetics to bring a true theatre experience into the consumer’s home.” said Paul Meyhoefer, vice president of displays for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With nearly ten years of plasma engineering firsts, these Elite plasmas are another example of best-in-class picture, engineering excellence and performance you won’t find anywhere else.”
PLASMA, A HOME THEATRE MASTERPIECE
Plasma technology is at the forefront in providing significant benefits over less accomplished display technologies. Plasma televisions are the ideal choice for discerning consumers displaying true to life color, the widest viewing angles (without color shift or distortion) and the ability to provide virtually no motion blur during fast action scenes. Pioneer continues to create technology that makes a difference, upping the ante with each new model of plasma introduced and incorporating more industry first features and benefits than its competitors.
For ease of use, Pioneer plasmas offer TV Guide™ OnScreen® electronic program guides with eight days of programming. The televisions have dual standard definition (NTSC) and a single high definition (ATSC) tuner built in. They are Digital Cable Ready (DCR) and include a CableCARD™ slot for standard and high definition broadcasts. Dual independent HDMI connectivity rounds off a stellar host of standard input and output options, for seamless connection to practically any source or signal.
Pioneer Elite televisions offer the option of ISF calibration. This feature allows consumers to have a trained professional finely tune their plasma adjusting color, brightness and contrast all to the specific tastes of the owner and the room in which it resides. Settings include two additional viewing modes for both day and night viewing.
Audio is equally important to the ultimate high definition experience. A fully integrated one-body design on the 42” plasma and side-mounted, detachable speakers on the 50” and 60” televisions use SRS(WOW)™ technology, which includes SRS Surround, TruBass® and Focus™ for superior audio quality. SRS (WOW) offers a trio of surround sound modes and with an additional sub-woofer connection the home theatre experience is complete.
Sixty thousand hours (20 years at 8 hours per day) is an approximate time for the display panel to reach half of its original luminescence. This approximation may vary depending on source and type of content, settings, environment and use. This approximation does not provide or imply any warranty beyond the manufacturer’s standard limited warranty.
The full Pioneer line of Elite plasmas (PRO-940HD, PRO-1140HD and PRO-1540HD) are now available and shipping for suggested prices of $3,500, $5,000 and $7,500 respectively.
Pioneer’s Home Entertainment Division is a leading marketer of plasma televisions and monitors, Blu-ray Disc, DVD players and DVD recorders, A/V receivers, speakers and other audio and video accessories. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Elite brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Elite products.
October 9th, 2006
Intel is launching a $1 million PC design contest with the aim of encouraging manufacturers to think ’sexy, stylish and small’.The winner will be the smallest (easy to measure) and most stylish (a little subjective we think) home PC powered by Intel’s Viiv technology.
The $1 million bounty will be split between two major prize winners, one who receive some wedge to help with manufacturing costs and then marketing, and the other who just receives help with mass-producing the thing.
Systems submitted for the challenge will be rated early next year by a distinguished panel of judges, including IDEO Founder and Chairman David Kelley, PC Magazine Chief Content Officer Michael Miller, Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, and GQ magazine Associate Editor Kevin Sintumuang.
The winner is expected to be announced at the Intel Developer Forum scheduled for March 20-22, 2007 in San Francisco.
Source: Media Center PC World
September 27th, 2006
Please Sony, you are spoling us with your many-featured HDD/DVD recorders!
As if the brilliant RDR-HXD700 wasn’t already enough for us, now Sony aims to trump it by releasing the RDR-HXD860.
They are also releasing an upgrade to the smaller capacity RDR-HXD500 in the form of the RDR-HXD560. The 860 has a 160GB hard drive, while the 560 has a smaller 80 GB of storage.
The 860 also has an HDMI port meaning it’s HDTV ready when the mood takes you. Both recorders can record from their built in digital tuners with 8 day EPG, or from an external source.
The RDR-HXD560 should be available now, priced £350, and the higher-spec RDR-HXD860 will be available in September, priced £400.
July 29th, 2006
Ricoh has announced that it has developed a component that can read both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs.The new device uses a diffraction lens to adjust the position of the laser used to read the disc so that it is correct for each format. Ricoh hopes to increase the maximum power of the laser shortly so that it can be used to write as well as read.
“Ricoh is the first in the world to announce this hybrid technology,” said Ricoh spokesperson, Satoshi Aoki. “We believe it’s groundbreaking.”
However, some are pouring cold water on Ricoh’s invention. “The market potential for the product is not very large,” said Wolfgang Schlichting, an analyst with market researcher IDC. “The verdict is still out… both formats still have the chance of becoming dominant, and companies need to focus on products that are price-driven and sell today.”
Delivery is expected in 2007.
July 14th, 2006
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and GUBA, a leading online multimedia entertainment site, today announced the immediate availability of more than 100 feature-length movies from Sony Pictures on the GUBA Premium online video service.The launch makes GUBA the first video sharing community to distribute Sony Pictures movies online. Among the diverse slate of more than 100 titles that will be available for digital downloading at GUBA.com are Spider-Man 2, Underworld: Evolution, Memoirs of a Geisha, Hitch and the classic Bridge on the River Kwai. SPHE will steadily increase the number of films available for Internet sales over the coming months, with an expected 500 films, including day and date releases, being offered to consumers within a year.
GUBA users can purchase films as of today on a download-to-own basis. New releases are priced at $19.99 and catalog titles will retail from $9.99. All video content can be downloaded and played on compatible home computers. Some titles will also be available for rental on a Video-on-Demand (VOD) basis.
“We are open for business on the Internet. GUBA is a powerful user-generated community and this deal demonstrates our strategy to find the best ways to make our content available to consumers online,” said Benjamin S. Feingold, President of Worldwide Home Entertainment, Digital Distribution and Acquisitions, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “This is consistent with our studio’s history of bringing the finest entertainment to people through new technologies and channels.”
“Our partnership with Sony Pictures is another major validation of our platform and a significant effort by Sony to make online distribution of film attractive to the Internet audience,” said Thomas McInerney, CEO of GUBA. “Sony has shown a clarity of vision when it comes to portable media and entertainment. GUBA was one of the first companies to make user-generated videos available for the PlayStation Portable. We look forward to further collaboration with Sony Pictures and to making movies and TV shows distributed online, easily viewable in the home and on portable devices.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment continues to be a leader in digital entertainment and distribution. Sony Pictures was one of the first to move to DVDs and to offer television shows for sale online, one of the creators of Movielink, the first studio to sell movies to consumers to watch on mobile handsets and the first and only studio to offer movies embedded on PC hard drives.
GUBA has been distributing video online for eight years. It has tackled a number of key challenges this rapidly-evolving medium involves, from copyright protection, to video transcoding, to content portability. GUBA’s intuitive interface allows consumers to access content in a simple-to-use and legal manner.
“With one of the most digitized film libraries in the world, we want to give people as much choice as possible in how they access and use their favorite movies,” added Feingold. “That’s why we are working to make it possible for consumers to be able to see movies purchased online on a number of their media devices, from televisions to computers to other kinds of portable players.”
July 14th, 2006
Grundig and YesVideo today announced a strategic agreement to integrate YesVideo’s patented YesDVD features into Grundig’s line of DVD recorders, for easy one-button transfer of home movies to DVD.The proprietary YesDVD technology from YesVideo enables Grundig customers to easily turn their home movies into professionally-featured DVDs, complete with onscreen disc menus and intelligently selected chapters with picture thumbnails for easy navigation.
“With its global reach and consumer appeal, Grundig is an ideal partner to bring YesDVD to consumers in Europe,” said Greg Ayres, chief operating officer for YesVideo. “We’re pleased to partner with GRUNDIG to deliver Hollywood-featured DVD output capability to the GRUNDIG GDR 5550 HDD DVD recorder.”
“As part of our dedication to bringing value and simplicity to consumers, the addition of YesDVD to our GDR 5550 HDD model DVD recorder makes perfect sense and is in line with our Grundig philosophy ‘made for you,’ ” said Hubert Roth, CEO for Grundig. “YesVideo is known for its technology leadership in this arena, and they are a complementary partner for Grundig for our DVD recorder market.”
The YesDVD feature on the Grundig GDR 5550 HDD DVD recorder includes a smart onscreen menu which provides easy-to-understand prompts for creating a YesDVD, with the click of a button on the DVD recorder remote control. YesDVD software automatically creates up to 54 chapter scenes by detecting natural scene breaks in the video source, and also creates DVD chapter menus for easy searching and viewing. A customized case coversheet with thumbnail images representing the video content can be printed simply by inserting the finished YesDVD disc into a Windows-based PC’s DVD drive.
GRUNDIG GDR 5550 HDD DVD recorder with the YesDVD feature is now available through major retail outlets in Europe for RRP 449 EUR
July 1st, 2006
Sanyo have announced the sleek-looking Y:TV which incorporates a 160GB hard drive.It also includes a digital TV tuner, time domain surround sound speakers and interchangeable faceplates.
All of this will set you back £1400, that’s £43.75 for each of its 32 inches.
July 1st, 2006
Previous Posts
