Home Entertainment

InFocus ScreenPlay 8602 Projector Ships

You probably don’t recall the first time we heard about the InFocus 8602 projector. The thing was announced back in September 2009 and was supposed to have shipped in October 2009, but for some reason that never happened. InFocus has announced today that the ScreenPlay 8602 projector is now shipping.

The projector is designed for home theater duties with a native resolution of 1080p for full HD images. The projector is capable of throwing an image 300-inches wide and has adjustable optics and a maximum contrast ratio of 30,000:1. Read more

Posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Gefen 8x8 Crosspoint for HDMI 1.3 Available for Pre-order

Topic: Home Entertainment

I can't imagine a home theater set up that would need something along the lines of the new Gefen 8x8 Crosspoint Matrix, but I would love to see one. This device is aimed more at businesses and corporations that use video walls and digital signage.

The system is a rack mount device that acts as a sort of hub for HDMI input devices. You can connect up to eight HDMI inputs from game consoles to Blu-ray players and cable boxes to the Matrix switch and then connect up to eight HD displays as well. Read more

Posted on Thu, 4 Feb 2010 10:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

3D Portion of HDMI Spec 1.4 Available for Download

Topic: Home Entertainment

I haven't been excited by much in the home theater and TV market in the last few years as I am about 3D coming to the home. HDMI Licensing LLC has announced that the 3D portion go the coming HDMI 1.4 specification is now available for download by the public.

The purpose of the offering is to allow the public to get access to the 3D specification and to allow companies interested in supporting the 3D specifications with products and other items access to the spec. the full 1.4z HDMI specification will be released shortly according to the licensing body. Read more

Posted on Thu, 4 Feb 2010 05:49:43 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Target Offers Big Savings on HDTVs for the Super Bowl

Topic: Home Entertainment

If you are a football fan looking forward to the Super Bowl next weekend and you are still watching on a small junky TV, it's not too late to grab yourself a new HDTV to watch on. Target has announced some super deals for the big game that will fit most budgets.

Target is also offering interest free financing on TVs for the big game with the best deal being a 42-inch Magnavox 1080p LCD HDTV for only $499. If you want a larger screen Target has a 55-inch Vizio 1080p set for $1299. If a 55-inch is too large for you, a Vizio 37-inch 1080p set with 120Hz is $629. Read more

Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2010 09:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Panamorph FVX200 Lens Adds 2.40:1 Support to Existing Projectors

Topic: Home Entertainment

One of the things that people ask me frequently is how they can get rid of those black bars at the top and bottom of the image when they are watching HD movies on most HD sets. The answer I give is that sometimes you can't. The black bars are there because the aspect ratio used in theaters is not supported by most HDTVs and projectors that we have in homes.

If you want to remove the black bars, a company called Panamorph has announced a new lens that can be attached to the JVC line of home theater projectors. The lens turns the projected image into the movie theater 2.40:1 aspect ratio, eliminating the black bars. Read more

Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

DLP LightCommander Unveiled by Texas Instruments

Topic: Home Entertainment

Texas Instruments has announced a new development kit called the DLP LightCommander and a development kit for pico projectors called the DLP Pico Projector Development Kit v2. The LightCommander is a dev kit that has an optical light engine, industry standard interfaces, and application software. The modular architecture of the device helps make optical, electronic, and system software development faster.

TI says that the LightCommander will help the users to get their prototype up and running in minutes rather than hours. The device is designed and supported by Logic. The LightCommander will be available this spring for $2499. Read more

Posted on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Zvox Unveils New Sound Bars with Digital Inputs

Topic: Home Entertainment

Zvox has announced that it has updated some of its sound bars with new digital inputs. Three of its sound bar models have been updated with digital inputs with both optical and coaxial and analog inputs.

The new updated models include the 575 HSD for $749.99, the 550 HSD for $449.99, and the 430 HSD for $449.99. Each of the models uses Dolby digital decoding circuits. The 575 HSD and the 550 HSD are both Z-base systems designed to hold the TV on top. Read more

Posted on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Samsung Electronics First with Mass Produced 3D TV

Topic: Home Entertainment

Samsung has announced that it is the first electronics manufacturer to begin mass producing 3D TV panels. The company will produce panels for both 3D LED TVs and 3D LCD TVs. The panels will be produced in 40, 46, and 55-inch versions using active glasses technology. All of the panel sizes will use 240Hz tech and will be capable of 2D and 3D viewing.

By using, the 240Hz refresh rate the panels will allow for the delivery of a 120Hz refresh rate to each eye. Samsung also claims that it has reduced the response time of its panes by 20% to under 4 ms to eliminate interference between the eyes. Read more

Posted on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Panasonic Japan Reveals new G2 HDTVs

Topic: Home Entertainment

Panasonic has unveiled a new range of HDTVs in Japan called the G2 line. The sets use what Panasonic is calling a newly developed "black panel" that boasts a contrast ratio of 500,000,000:1. The new models are set to launch on February 5th.

Not all of the sets support 1080p resolution. The Japanese translation isn't that great, but that contrast ratio is apparently dynamic, as we would expect. The line has a sensor to automatically detect the brightness in the room and adjust accordingly. Read more

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

AT&T to Provide 2010 Winter Olympics Coverage on Mobile, TV, and PC Screens

Topic: Home Entertainment

AT&T has announced that it will be offering lots of Winter Olympic coverage on the three major screens that most consumers use. The coverage will be available on mobile phones, computers, and the TV.

AT&T will offer around the clock coverage of the games on AT&T Mobile TV and MobiTV starting on February 12th. U-verse TV customers will be able to view the coverage on NBC Universal and with on-demand content. Read more

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Target Announces Nationwide TV Delivery and Install Service

Topic: Home Entertainment

Retail giant Target has announced a new program for electronics customers. Target will now deliver and install TVs starting at $99. The new shipping and installation services will be in place in time for buyers shopping for sets for the Super Bowl.

Target stores are partnering with Zip Express Installation with 16,000 stores across the nation. The service will include delivery, setup, installation, and training on the new TV. On-wall installations will start at $199. Read more

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

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