Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

2010 Blu-ray Disc Players with Blu-ray 3D Playback and 5.1 Channel BD Home Theater Systems from Sony

Sony introduced its new 2010 HD Blu-ray Disc line featuring Blu-ray 3D playback, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, and instant streaming of online video content from Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform. Along with the new BDP-S770, BDP-S570 and BDP-S370 full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc players, Sony also announced three integrated 5.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems (BDV-HZ970W, BDV-E770W, and BDV-E570), and a 5.1 channel matching home audio system (HT-SS370).

The networked BD players enable you to connect via broadband Ethernet or Wi-Fi to stream movies, videos, music from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Pandora, NPR, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and over 25 other digital content providers through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform. iPhone or iPod touch users will be happy to know that Sony has a free app which let's you control the new Blu-ray player functions, and access a Blu-ray Disc’s jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online. The app is available for downloaded from the Apple App store.

Sling Media's Slingbox 700U, Sling Receiver 300, Sling Receiver 300, and Sling Touch Control 100

Sling Media, Inc. presented its latest video placeshifting products and gear at CES 2010, including the new Slingbox 700U, Sling Receiver 300, Sling Monitor 150, Sling Touch Control 100 devices. Sling Media's goal is to bring placeshifted on-demand video to the mainstream by working with television service providers and CE manufacturers who can offer these devices to customers this year.

D-Link Boxee Box Set-top Box with Full QWERTY keyboard Remote Control

Getting a lot of attention at CES 2010, the Boxee Box by D-Link set-top box took home the CES Best of Innovations award in the Home Entertainment category. I've enjoyed using Boxee's online service on my PC, but the new Boxee Box by D-Link device delivers movies, TV shows, music, and photos from your computer, home network, and the Internet to a HDTV without the help of a PC, and it supports social networking and updating on sites like Facebook and Twitter. You can also access music from sites like Pandora, last.fm, and shoutcast, and photos from flickr, Picasa and Facebook.

Boxee Box collects your own collection of digital media from a computer hard drive or home network, along with relevant cover art, synopses, reviews, subtitles, and lyrics and presents it all in a visually pleasing screen where you can navigate and search content with a pretty cool full QWERTY remote control. The Boxee Box has ethernet, and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi support for transfering files and watching Internet or personal entertainment.

Scheduled to ship in the first half of 2010, Boxee Box by D-Link is priced at about $200 and has no monthly fees.

Yamaha BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 Blu-ray Players Announced

Yamaha Electronics' introduced its new BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 Blu-ray disc players, which were designed to complement the company's new and existing AV receivers. The BD-S1900 Blu-ray player is equipped with custom installation features to match Yamaha's higher end AV receivers, while both models support BD-Live and BonusView features. The Yamaha BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 Blu-ray Players are priced at $699.95 and $599.95, respectively.

Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 Home Theater Systems

Onkyo has released two new 7.1-channel home theater systems featuring AV receivers with 1080p-compatible HDMI 1.3a inputs, 130 watt-per-channel amplification, and support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio formats and Dolby’s new ProLogic IIz processing. The Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 systems each include a high performance 7.1-channel speaker system with a 10-inch 230-watt bass reflex subwoofer. Onkyo has also includes its U-Port single-cable iPod dock and charging system on these models.

Pricing for the new home theater systems is suggested at $899 for the Onkyo HT-S7200 and $699 for the HT-S6200 system. 

Samsung HT-BD3252 Blu-ray Home Theater System

Samsung Electronics has introduced its new HT-BD3252 Blu-ray Home Theater System which is scheduled to hit retail in August at the cost of $799.99. Not what you would call a budget-friendly these days, the Samsung HT-BD3252 does feature performance and ease of use enhancements like rear wireless speakers and built-in wireless access to Netflix, Pandora, and Blockbuster On-Demand streaming and PC-based multimedia content, according to the company.

The 1,000W system includes an expanded center channel for clear dialogue reproduction as well as a front tallboy and wireless rear speakers powered by Samsung’s crystal amplifier. Samsung’s Auto Sound Calibration automatically adjusts the speakers to optimum levels and output, and the system supports decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. The HT-BD3252 supports BD-Live interactive content via its Ethernet port, or an included Wi-Fi USB dongle, and it also plays audio and photo files from a networked PC or connected USB device. Two HDMI-CEC inputs, and an iPod/iPhone cradle are also included.

Still Need to Make the DTV Transition? Call 1-888-CALL-FCC or 1-888-DTV-2009

The public has had its chance to get ready for the Digital TV Transition since it was delayed to give people more time to get DTV Converter Box Coupons or to buy a new Digital TV, but today the switch has officially been made in the US. If you were left in the dark, with no television signal, you can still get with the program and apply for TV converter box coupons through July 31 at www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009. The FCC is also on the case, offering help to people who still need to make the switch from analog to digital.

"In any change this big, there are going to be disruptions," said FCC Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps. "We are trying our best to provide people, especially those who are most at-risk, with the help they need to make the switch as smoothly as possible. And we're going to keep offering it after June 12, so people should call us at 1-888-CALL-FCC."

If you already have an analog-to-digital converter box and it does not seem to be working, perform a rescan and remember to scan periodically to make sure that you are receiving all of the digital channels that are available in your area. You should also do a rescan on June 13th, as the digital TV transition and any channel changes are being done all day June 12th.

Assistance for consumers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing through Communication Services for the Deaf is available at 1-877-388-4968, 1-877-889-4279 (TTY), 1-866-351-1950 (video phone), 1-888-CALL-FCC, and www.c-s-d.org.

NEC CRV43 Ultra-widescreen Curved Display

If you can't swing the $7,999 price, you can at least dream of having this beautiful 43-inch NEC CRV43 curved display on your desktop.  NEC Display Solutions of America will make the impressive ultra-widescreen display available in July 2009, especially for those who use professional graphics, higher education, government, financial, command & control, digital imaging, and home office apps. Anyone lucky enough to use one of these will appreciate this curved display's double WGXA resolution (32:10 aspect ratio).

Blockbuster Video OnDemand Digital Movies Coming to TiVo DVRs

A new deal between Blockbuster And TiVo will bring Blockbuster OnDemand videos and movies to TiVo customers, and TiVo DVR promotions to Blockbuster's retail locations. Blockbuster OnDemand content for rent or sale will be integrated into TiVo Series2, Tivo Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs, making it easy to download digital movies via a broadband connected TiVo using a remote control. 

So now you'll be seeing TiVo DVRs sold at a Blockbuster store near you and at blockbuster.com, and in the future TiVo subscribers will be able to access movies through the OnDemand service as well as through a by-mail service, like NetFlix. This will all come during the second half of 2009, so until then check www.tivo.com/blockbuster for the latest.

New HP Pavilion Elite m9600 Series Desktop PC and HP Widescreen Monitors Announced

HP announced its new Pavilion Elite m9600 Series Desktop, a multimedia and digital entertainment PC for enjoying videos, games, and photos. New widescreen monitors have also been introduced to take full advantage of the powerful HP Pavilion Elite m9600 system, which features and Intel Core i7 940 processor, up to 1 terabyte hard drive and 12 gigabytes of memory.

Available now through www.HPDirect.com the Pavilion Elite m9600 series PC starts at $949. It hits select retail stores nationwide starting April 13. The new HP widescreen monitors will be available starting April 6 at the following prices:

• HP w1858 Monitor (18.5-inch) starts at $169.
• HP 2009m Monitor (20-inch) starts at $199.
• HP 2159m Monitor (21.5-inch) starts at $239.
• HP w2338h Monitor (23-inch) starts at $299.

Also suggested with this set-up is HP's Wireless Eco-Comfort Mouse ($39.99), featuring responsive tracking with a high-precision laser sensor. It includes two buttons to launch applications, control volume, navigate, zoom, or launch websites.

Panasonic's SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 Blu-ray Home Theater Systems

Panasonic's new SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 7.1 channel Blu-ray Home Theater systems have been priced and are ready to ship in April.  The SC-BT200 system delivers 1000 watts (1kHz, 3 ohms, 10% THD)  has a $599.95 price tag, while the SC-BT300, pumping out 1250 watts (1kHz, 3 ohms, 10% THD) will cost $699.95.  Each home theater system includes seven speakers, with wireless-ready rear speakers and an integrated universal iPod dock adding value to the package. 

On the hi-def Blu-ray front, both the SC-BT300 and the SC-BT200 are BD-Live capable, allowing you to connect to the Internet to download bonus content available with Blu-ray Discs, or to play Internet games. Panasonic's own VIERA Cast is also on board providing access to the Amazon Video-on-Demand online movie rental service, as well as online video content from You Tube, photos via Picasa Web Albums, web widgets, news and weather updates.

Sony Announces New Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems

Sony has added a few new Hi-def entertainment products to its line-up,  including a new stand-alone Blu-ray Disc player with Wi-Fi capability for easy BD-Live access, and Blu-ray Disc home theater systems with S-AIR wireless audio features.  Sony's new BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 stand-alone players and BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W BD home theater systems deliver full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output, decode the latest advanced audio codecs, and are BD-Live capable.

3DFusion's Broadcast Ready, Glasses Free 3DFMax 3D Display Platform

At the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, 3DFusion (3DF) presented its 3DFMax, stereoscopic Glasses Free and Broadcast Ready 3D display platform which will help usher in true 3DTV and 3D digital signage. Enabling this is Philips 3D Solutions WOWvx product.

3DFusion a key Philips North American 3D Solutions Provider and Certified Blue Box Content Creator, has taken the newly released Philips 3D Solutions WOWvx Media Player to the next level. “When 3DF coupled its 3DFMax™ optimizer technology with the latest Philips software upgrade,” stated CEO Ilya Sorokin, “the results were breathtaking. The Philips 3D Solutions WOWvx product is the undisputed 3D winner, having crossed the 3D finish line first. In our opinion, the 3DFusion No Glasses Stereoscopic 3D is the first and only 'ready for Prime Time' 3DTV.”

President Obama Signs Legislation to Delay DTV Transition to June 12

It's official. President Obama has signed the legislation (bill S.352) to delay the conversion from analog to digital TV signals from February 17 to June 12, giving millions of Americans an extra four months to get with the DTV program.

"During these challenging economic times, the needs of American consumers are a top priority of my administration. This law, which was crafted in a bipartisan way and passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, ensures that our citizens will have more time to prepare for the conversion. Millions of Americans, including those in our most vulnerable communities, would have been left in the dark if the conversion had gone on as planned, and this solution is an important step forward as we work to get the nation ready for digital TV. My administration will continue to work with leaders in Congress, broadcasters, consumer groups and the telecommunications industry to improve the information and assistance available to our citizens in advance of June 12."

 via | The White House Blog

Digital TV Transition Delayed? More time to get a DTV Converter Box Coupon?

Thanks to the Obama administration, more DTV Converter Box coupons could have been available between now and the new proposed June 12, 2009 DTV transition date, but unfortunately the Bill was defeated in the U.S. House of Representatives. Those who depend on old televisions with rabbit ear antennas may still have a few more months to get with the digital revolution. Originally scheduled to switch on February 17 2009, the transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting could still hopefully be pushed back to June 12, 2009, as the fight continues next week in Washington DC. You can apply for a DTV Converter Box coupon now at www.dtv2009.gov where you will be put on a very long waiting list.