HP MediaSmart to support Youtube

Topic: Home Entertainment

Today HP announced support for YouTube on its HP MediaSmart connected entertainment products.

The soon to be released MediaSmart Connect digital media receiver and the high-definition MediaSmart TV will be bringing Youtube videos to your living room.
HP worked with YouTube to make it possible for people to watch and share full-screen videos on their HDTVs and to create multiple playlists from anywhere they watch TV: You simply log into your YouTube account with an easy-to-use remote control and start watching videos on their HP MediaSmart products. Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 May 2008 01:40:46 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Blu-ray uphill Battle ahead this Holiday Shopping Season

Topic: Home Entertainment

According to sales statistics by Market Research Company NPD, Blu-ray is not a selling as well as one would expect after HD-DVD died.

Blu-ray player sales dropped 40% from January to February in the U.S. and only saw a 2 percent increase from February to March, according to NPD's Retail Tracking Service.
Apparently consumers would rather buy a cheap up converting DVD player, before dropping top dollar on a Blu-ray player. Read more

Posted on Mon, 5 May 2008 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Hitachi UltraThin 1.5-inch Displays Now Available

Topic: Home Entertainment

At CES back in January one of the most impressive things I saw were the UltraThin line of TVs from Hitachi. These TVs are only 1.5-inches thick and the displays are now available to consumers in America. Hitachi says the displays will be available through retail and specialty AV dealers nationwide.

The displays will be available in four sizes including 32-inch, 37-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch. These displays are also designed to look good with pleasing aesthetics all around the TV so it can be seen from any side. Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 May 2008 11:04:07 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

MvixUSA Launches Hard Drive Based HD Media Player

Topic: Home Entertainment

MvixUSA announced a new ultra portable HDD high definition media player today called the Mvix MV-2500U. The device uses a 2.5-inch PATA IDE drive up to 250 GB and when connected to a PC it works just like an external USB drive.

The device includes an IR remote and it can store and decode both HD video and SD video in more than a dozen file formats. Supported resolutions include 480p, 720p, and 1080i. Supported file formats include MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4, DVD (VOB, IFO), DivX ® (3/4/5/6), Xvid, BivX ®, VCD (DAT) for both PAL and NTSC. The MV-2500U will ship this month. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2008 11:47:13 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

iLuv i168 and i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock

Topic: Home Entertainment

iLuv announced today two new HD Radio units, the i168 and i169.

"HD Radio technology greatly expands AM and FM broadcasting capabilities with crystal-clear digital sound, text on the screen and hundreds of new digital FM channels," said Howard Kim, iLuv Marketing Manager.

The iLuv i169 HD Radio with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock (photo) features digital stereo for FM and AM HD Radio stations and multicast channels. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2008 08:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Movies on iTunes for $14.99 same Day as DVD Release

Topic: Home Entertainment

We reported about it earlier, now it is official. Apple officially announces the availability of new movies on iTunes on the same day the DVD release is taking place.

New movie releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios.
Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod with video, iPhone, Mac or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2008 08:00:18 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung Indiana Jones HDTV

Topic: Home Entertainment

Samsung announces to market new full HD TVs with the new Indiana Jones movie.

The new Samsung HDTV in the rose crystal design line will offer a 50 (LCD) and 58 (Plasma) inch sizes.
The 58 inch Samsung Plasma features a 1:1000,000 contrast ratio achieved with Samsung's Cell Light control. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2008 01:31:16 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

LG Scarlet LG60 LCD TV launched

Topic: Home Entertainment

LG tried a new venue promoting the new LCD TV series LG60 (LG6000 in Europe). The launched what looked like a hot new TV series named Scarlet three month ago.

At a red carpet event on April 28th in Hollywood, USA, the twist was first revealed that Scarlet is in fact a new series of TV's from LG.
The London reveal event will take place on today, as the full post-reveal campaign rolls out in multiple languages in more than 27 markets across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:05:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray Player

Topic: Home Entertainment

Panasonic previewed the DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player at the CES 2008 early this year. The release of the DMP-BD50 draws nearer as Panasonic organizes road shows for the new Blu-ray player in May for the press.

The DMP-BD50 will support BD-Live like the Sony PS3 does today. Read more

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:56:54 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

SIRIUS Radio now available on Logitech Squeezebox Duet

Topic: Home Entertainment

SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced today an agreement to deliver more than 80 channels of its music, talk and entertainment programming via Logitech's Squeezebox Duet, Logitech Squeezebox, and Logitech Transporter network music player. Read more

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:30:43 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater Gets BD-Live Certification

Topic: Home Entertainment

ArcSoft announced today that its TotalMedia theater software received BD-Live certification from the Blu-ray Disc Association. The certification makes the TotalMedia software the first PC application to get the certification.

"The new Blu-ray Disc movies with BD-Live present users with unique features of the next generation video players -- online interactive capability -- offering the ultimate entertainment experience beyond high definition," said George Tang, ArcSoft's Vice President and General Manager of Video and Home Entertainment Group. "BD Profile 2.0 certification guarantees compatibility with BD-Live specifications to ensure that users get the true BD-Live experience. Since ArcSoft is committed to providing the highest quality products, this certification is a further step in that direction." Read more

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:34:10 CDT | by Shane McGlaun