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Misc
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Wednesday, 05 September 2007 |
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 New Medium Enterprises is set to launch a third high definition optical format this fall with the global launch of their HD VMD platform.
HD VMD utilizes a red laser like conventional DVD instead of the blue laser utilized by Blu Ray and HD DVD players. HD VMD achieves increased storage capacity on it's medium by having not just one or two layers like DVD, HD DVD and Blu Ray, but by being able to have a maximum of 20 layers. Currently, HD VMD discs are limited to 15 and 20 gigabyte discs, but New Medium states that up to 30 gigabytes is in the specification. HD VMD supports up to 1080p at 50 or 60Hz, but no 24 Hz support is offered. Like Blu Ray and HD DVD, mpeg2, AVC and VC-1 video compression are supported. Standard definition DVDs receive upconversion to 1080i, and audio cd playback is supported. Audio formats supported include Dolby Digital, DTS and up to 7.1 channel PCM. Suggested retail on the players is $199, a price point that HD DVD has already arrived at.
Entering a market with a format war already raging, and not offering better or less expensive technology seems like a formula for failure. With no U.S. studio support announced at this time, New Medium has an uphill struggle ahead of them. |
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Guides
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Tuesday, 04 September 2007 |
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High definition television is relatively young. Unlike many new technologies which never rise above niche product status, or worse yet die stillborn, high definition consumer displays have been adopted by the mass market relatively quickly. Just a few years ago we all had standard definition CRT-based televisions. Maybe you still do, and are wanting to replace your old set with a new, high definition television. Deciding what to get can be confusing with all the acronyms and terms you haven't heard before. |
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Read more...
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Misc
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Wednesday, 22 August 2007 |
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 Tivo has announced the availability of their new Tivo HD.
The Tivo HD has a recording capacity of 20 hours of high definition program content, or 180 hours of standard definition material. Video support is up to 1080i over HDMI or component. The Tivo HD is capable of recording two shows at once, and also can download movies from the internet via it's ethernet connection. The Tivo HD is compatible with cable and over the air broadcast signals.
The $299 Tivo HD costs an additional $12.95 to $16.95 per month, depending on the length of contract. |
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Displays
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Monday, 20 August 2007 |
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 Continuing their exodus from DLP rear projection HDTVs to direct view LCDs, today in Japan Toshiba has announced eleven new 1080p models in their Regza television lineup.
Details are incomplete and dependent on a Google translated Japanese press release. Of particular interest to AV Enthusiasts is the Regza Z3500 series. The Z3500 series models will be available in 37, 42, 46, 52 and 57 inch screen sizes. Native refresh rate is 120Hz, providing support for both 60Hz and 24Hz sources. Also included are ethernet connection, onboard web browser, firewire, and usb. DVR recording in mpeg2 is available via the ethernet or usb interface.
Models in the Z3500 series will be available this fall, and will retail for approximately $3000 to $8000. |
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Accessories
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Saturday, 18 August 2007 |
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 Some old news on a slow news weekend. Philips has released a new, slimmed down universal remote in their Pronto product line.
The Pronto TSU9400 has a 240x320 resolution 16 bit color lcd, a 266MHz Freescale Risc cpu, 64 megabytes of ram and 64 megabytes of flash memory. The 9400 has onboard WiFi functionality for syncing with your pc, where the interface can be custom designed with the included ProntoEdit Professional software. The TSU9400 operates IR and RF devices, and comes with a charging cradle as well. Suggested retail is $900. |
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