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Elemental Designs boasts green speakers

by Steven Kim, posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 2:29PM

Elemental Designs EFS speakers
As (typically) passive devices, loudspeakers are low on our list of components we'd look to for making our systems more eco-friendly. But the MDF (medium density fiberboard) that most affordable speakers (yeah, not these) use for cabinet construction is a material straight out of the fast-food age -- bits of wood held together by some not-so healthy chemicals. But speaker manufacturer Elemental Designs is moving away from MDF in favor of Environmentally Friendly Substrate (EFS), a wood composite material without the nasty binders. Better still, EFS is actually more dense than MDF, which is always a good thing for speaker cabinets; the EFS enclosures produce smoother response curves and higher SPLs than the MDF ones. Here's to a better sounding, greener planet!

[Via audiojunkies]

GenevaSound Home Theater speaker stand packs 700-watts, loves your iPod

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 11:31AM


We can't imagine that legions of audio enthusiasts are scouting a booming 2.1 sound system that doubles as a TV stand, but if you're one of the few, GenevaLab has your number. Introduced nearly three years to the day after we originally saw the iPod-loving Geneva Sound System is the GenevaSound Home Theater, a rather large piece of furniture that packs a 2.1 system (including a 12-inch subwoofer), inbuilt 700-watt amplifier, space for a SACD / DVD / Blu-ray / LaserDisc player, an integrated iPod / iPhone dock, a CD player / radio and a black or white motif. You'll pay dearly for the privilege of owning one, though, and if you're unclear on the definition of "dearly," try $3,999.

[Via iLounge]

Hitachi's DZ-BD10HA hybrid HD camcorder reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 8:44AM


Hitachi's DZ-BD10HA isn't for everyone, as evidenced by the built-in 3-inch BD-R / RE burner that your content gets cooked onto. If you're one of those folks who doesn't mind (or enjoys, we should say) the direct-to-disc approach, however, CNET's review is apt to give you some food for thought. The hybrid HD camcorder also packs a 30GB hard drive, but you'll pay for the multi-format approach with the larger size. Reviewers found the operation to be simple enough, though that's partially due to the rather skimpy features list. 'Course, it all comes to down to image quality, and critics simply found the video performance to be "decent" and the photo quality "above average." At the end of the day, the unit mustered just three out of five stars, and if you're looking for our advice, we'd suggest ditching the whole BD bit and having a look at Samsung's SC-HMX20C.

MAGIX intros Video Pro X editing software with Blu-ray support

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 5:11AM


Looking to edit some of that sweet, luscious 1080p footage and burn to Blu-ray, are you? If you're feverishly nodding your head up and down, and you're all about getting a bargain, listen up. MAGIX has just introduced its Video Pro X professional video editing software, and with it comes Blu-ray support and a $199.99 introductory price for current MAGIX users ($249.99 for everyone else). The program imports video material from XDCAM camcorders and can natively edit AVCHD material, and of course, users can create 1080p discs with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound if you've got a few BD-Rs laying around waiting to be used. If you're not already married to some other brand, you can download this one today and get to cutting.

Gallery: MAGIX intros Video Pro X editing software with Blu-ray support

Cable One / Hoak Media strike retrans deal, get ABC and NBC back on the air

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 2:14AM


For Cable One users up in Fargo, North Dakota, you've been dealing without two of your badly-needed locals in high-def for some time now. Thankfully, the torture has come to an end, as both the cable carrier and Hoak Media Corporation have come to terms on a retransmission deal. The exact outlay wasn't disclosed, but Scott Geston, general manager for Cable One, was quoted as saying that it was "beneficial to both parties." At any rate, you folks now have your ABC and NBC back, so you should probably take the opportunity to resume your life as usual.

Vutec introduces Vision-X DYNA-CURVE projection screen

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 10:04PM


A projection screen is a projection screen, right? Not so fast, cowboy. Vutec's hoping to help you recognize the difference with its home theater-centric Vision-X DYNA-CURVE, a high-gain fixed curved screen available with a variety of surfaces. The screen boasts an "advanced multi-aspect masking system for use with all widescreen 2.35:1 anamorphic lens projectors, masking to 16:9 and 4:3, while maintaining constant image height for movie, HDTV and standard TV formats." There's no mention of a price, but you can phone up the company with your desired size and get a presumably lofty figure thrown your way.

Gallo decides it's time, ships its TR-3 subwoofer

by Steven Kim, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 8:11PM

Gallo TR-3 subwoofer
Famous for its "sound in the round" spherical speakers, Gallo has started shipping its latest subwoofer, the TR-3. It's been a while since the TR-3 was first shown off at CEDIA last year, but fans of the brand who want a little more oomph from the bass will be happy with the specs. Building on the TR-2 predecessor, the TR-3 packs a 300-Watt amplifier and an equalizer good for 6dB of boost into the cylindrical enclosure, resulting in response down to 22Hz. To help achieve good integration with the main speakers, the crossover is continuously-variable from 50Hz right up to the fixed 80Hz high-pass filter.

HDTV Listing for November 22, 2008

by Richard Lawler, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 6:14PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • Fox (720p) has Cops at 8 p.m.
  • Sci Fi (1080i) premieres Lost City Raiders at 9 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Trading Spaces at 10 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) brings Texas/Tech Oklahoma college football at 8 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Florida State/Maryland college football at 7:45 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) brings Pittsburgh/Cincinnati college football at 7:15 p.m.
  • HBO (1080i) has Hatton/Malignaggi boxing at 10 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Saturday Night Live at 11:30 p.m.

Cox adding 11 new HD stations in Gulf Coast region

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 5:59PM


Cox may not roll 'em out as quickly as competing carriers, but when it drops new high-def channels, it drops a bundle. The latest area to get word of an impending load is the Gulf Coast region, where eleven newcomers will come home this December. AMC HD, Comedy Central HD, Cinemax HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, CMT HD, Starz HD, Nickelodeon HD, Travel Channel HD, Spike HD, VH1 HD and Palladia HD will be arriving in the area next month, and effective December 2nd, a slew of channel changes will also be taking place. Tap the read link to get the details.

[Thanks, Tim]

Humongous LED display at Walgreens in Times Square gets detailed

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 4:44PM


For those who've found themselves strolling through Times Square the past few days, you've probably seen the absolutely impossible-to-miss LED display board that was just recently lit up. The folks over at DailyDOOH were able to go check out the official launch, and it also did us the favor of hosting up a few pictures and providing all the juicy details behind the monolithic board. It sits 15 feet off of the ground and rises some 340 feet into the air, and within the sign are 13 interconnected plasma screens showing off coordinated content. Check the read link for even more amazing specs / images.

TNTSAT expands reach in France, going HD in February 2009

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 3:07PM

TNTSAT, a digital terrestrial free-TV offer via the ASTRA satellite system, has just found its way into 750,000 domiciles across the beautiful French countryside. For those unaware, the service targets regions where TVs cannot receive signals from terrestrial transmitters, and it offers viewers the "full range of French digital terrestrial free-TV channels over the ASTRA satellites, allowing a 100% coverage of France." But that's not all that's being announced today: TNTSAT HD is being launched on February 15, 2009 alongside the launch of free DTT channels in high-def being available on ASTRA; those eager to get a jump on things can expect around ten more SD / HD TNTSAT receivers to become available before the year's end. And to think, we heard that France wasn't exactly rushing to adopt HD back in May -- guess there's nothing like a little kick in the pants to get things going.

Poll: How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM


Now that HD Netflix streaming has finally arrived on the Xbox 360, we have no doubts whatsoever that legions of you have already given it a spin. We've heard mixed impressions right out of the gate, but we're hoping some of the first day glitches have worked themselves out by now. At any rate, how has your experience been so far? Are you impressed with the quality? Are there any aspects that could be improved upon? Break off a paragraph or three in comments below.

How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

Cablevision launches Bollywood Hits On Demand

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 10:55AM


Rather than, you know, giving loyal customers a few extra high-def channels, Cablevision has decided to instead exhaust resources on pushing Bollywood Hits On Demand out to iO TV subscribers. Bollywood. Hits. On. Demand. Personally, we've no qualms with Bollywood flicks, but we can't help but scratch our heads on this one, particularly since it's an SD VOD service. Nevertheless, it still marks the company's very first international subscription video on demand service, and those interested will have to pony up $9.95 per month in order to indulge.

[Via Multichannel]

Denon rewards buyers of its pricey Blu-ray decks with free Batman BDs

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 8:42AM


It's one thing for Amazon to toss a few free Blu-ray Discs in with the purchase of a PlayStation 3, but we'd expect a little something extra from Denon. After all, when the least expensive Blu-ray deck you make rings up at $749 (MSRP), we'd say a free universal remote or weekend at the lake would be a more appropriate gift. At any rate, Denon and Warner Home Video have linked up to provide buyers of Denon Blu-ray players (the DVD-1800BD, DVD-3800BDCI and DVD-2500BTCI) with a BD copy of The Dark Knight and Batman Begins. The promotion is set to run from November 23rd to January 10, but you've still got to deal with that whole "mail in with the proof of purchase" rigmarole to get your money back. Groan.

Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: November 22, 2008

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 4:59AM


Verizon's not slacking off as the run-up to the holiday season continues -- probably because folks are apt to have all sorts of free TV watching time here in the next month or so -- so we'll get right down to the releases. Up first are the towns of Middleton, Massachusetts, and the corporately-stacked Wilmington, Delaware, which have just granted the company a video license. Next, we head to the Pacific Northwest to see that Camas, Washington and Gresham, Oregon have agreed to do the same. Finally, we're told that Philadelphia-area residents are being treated to 30 new channels (17 of which are in high-def). That's it for this week -- we'll see you back again in seven days for (hopefully) even more.

Read - Philadelphia channels
Read - Washington expansion
Read - Massachusetts expansion
Read - Oregon expansion
Read - Delaware expansion
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