It looks like Canon's laid claim to not one but two "world's first" titles today, with it rolling out the world's first WUXGA LCOS in the form of the REALiS WUX10 and the world's first PictBridge compatible with its new REALiS SX80 (also LCOS-based). In addition to a 1920 x 1200 resolution, the REALiS WUX10 also boasts 3,200 lumens of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and some of Canon's propriety features like its AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) Optical Engine, which promises to maximize the performance of the LCOS panels. The REALiS SX80, on the other hand, takes things down to a still decent SXGA+ resolution, along with 3,000 lumens of brightness, a 900:1 contrast ratio, and that aforementioned USB / PictBridge connectivity. Both models also boast just about all the ports you could want, including DVI, HDMI and component, as well as that all-important built-in 1W speaker. As you might have guessed, neither of them come cheap, although at $3,999, the SX80 is a relative bargain compared to the WUX10's $12,999 price tag.
It looks like those wanting to churn out some high-definition media away from their computers now have a new option to consider courtesy of Hitachi, which has just introduced its DZ-WR90 Blu-ray burner designed to be used with hard drive-based camcorders equipped with an eSATA port (which Hitachi just happens to make). That combo will apparently let you burn three hours of full-res footage onto a Blu-ray disc in one and half hours flat or, if you prefer, you can also cram an hour of 720 x 480 video onto a plain old DVD. No word on a price just yet, but you can apparently look for this one to hit Japan in mid-July.
Sharp has just let loose a pair of new sizable and feature-packed LCD TVs, although you're more likely to find one of 'em in a kiosk or a conference room than a home theater. Intended primarily for commercial use, the 46-inch TL-M4600 and52-inch TL-M5200 each boast a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, along with a "sub-6ms" response time, a full range of ports (including DVI-D and HDCP-compatible HDMI), optional speakers, and a 1,500:1 contrast ratio on TL-M4600 and 2,000:1 on the TL-M5200. Both also boast fanless internal cooling systems to keep the noise down and, perhaps most notably, LAN connectivity complete with a built-in web browser. Of course, just because Sharp's targeting businesses and the like doesn't mean it won't sell you one, although you'll have to drop a hefty $4,000 for the 46-incher or $5,000 for the 52-inch model.
Hitachi has been touting its slim, UWB-packinWooo UT series LCD TVs for some time now, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten around to dishing them out, and it's thrown in a few other new models for good measure. On the UT series front, the sets are the same 32-, 37- and 42-inch models we've seen before, with each boasting a 250GB hard drive, and a so-called iVDR port to accommodate Hitachi's iVDR hard drive cartridges for further expansion, with that aforementioned use of UWB helping to keep the thickness down about 1.4 inches. If you don't need your TVs quite that thin, you can opt for one of Hitachi's new Wooo XV LCD sets, also available in 32-, 36 -and 42-inch varieties (1366x768 and 1920x1080), which drop the UWB and internal hard drive but hang onto the iVDR port. Those that prefer plasmas can also take their pick of Hitachi's new 50- or 42-inch Wooo 02 series sets, both of which also boast an iVDR port, although only the 50-incher packs a 250GB internal hard drive (no UWB on these either). As if that wasn't enough, Hitachi also took the opportunity to announce its new Wooonet service for its UT series sets, which will not only let you transfer video from a PC to the TV, but give you access to a video on demand portal as well. No word on prices, but they're apparently all available in Japan now.
We'd already heard it was delayed, but that apparently hasn't stopped some pics of Hauppauge's much-anticipated HD-PVR from landing in the hands of a moderator of the SageTV forums, who has kindly posted them for all to see. As you can see, however, it isn't exactly much to look at, but the promised real-time H.264 compression of 1080i video from a component video source should be more enough to make up for any design quibbles. What's more, if that same SageTV moderator is to be believed, Hauppauge should be starting to take pre-orders for the device relatively soon, possibly as early as today (it's still expected to set you back about $250).
Buffalo let loose a pair of LinkTheater HD media streamers in Japan late last year, and it looks like it's now finally decided to bring a little of that HD-streaming 'round here. Unfortunately, for some reason, it's only decided to bring over the wired-onlyLT-H90LAN model, and not the WiFi-packin' LT-H90WN model that our Japanese friends get to enjoy. If that's not too much of a trade-off for you, however, you can expect the same 720p and 1080i output as before, along with support for streaming of a wide variety of content from both Macs and PCs, as well as USB hard drives and DLNA-compliant media servers. You'll also get HDMI output, with some component video and optical audio connections thrown in for good measure -- and, of course, that 10/100 LAN port. Look for this one to start hitting all the usual sources this month for $199.
It looks like Hitachi is aiming to give those normally confined to XGA projectors a bit of a boost, with its new CPX3 model not only boasting a slightly more home theater friendly WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, but some short-throw capabilities as well. Exactly how short that throw is isn't clear, however, with Hitachi only going so far as to describe the projector as boasting a wide-angle lens that'll let you use it "close to the screen with no obstructions." Apart from that, the 3.9-pound projector is fairly standard fare, with it packing 2,000 lumens of brightness, HDMI input, and a built-in 1 watt speaker, along with some security measures sure to please more business-minded types. While there doesn't appear to be any official word on a price from Hitachi, a couple of retailers seem to already be selling it for around $1,000.
We've already seen a couple of Blu-ray exchangeprograms offered to HD DVD owners looking to jump ship, but looks like Sony is now finally getting in on the action itself, albeit only in Switzerland. While some of the details are lost in translation, it seems that if you buy either the BDP-S500 or BDP-S300 Blu-ray player before the end of March, you'll then be able to send in your HD DVD player for Sony to recycle and receive a discount of 200 Swiss Francs (about $190), plus both the Spider-Man trilogy and Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy on Blu-ray. Not surprisingly, the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive and all computer HD DVD drives are excluded, and you'll need the proof of purchase and cash receipt for your HD DVD player (purchased before February 29th) in order to take advantage of the offer. Needless to say, we wouldn't recommend holding your breath for Sony to offer a similar deal 'round these parts.
Sony's been relatively mum on its Slingbox-like PlayTV add-on for the PlayStation 3 since it announced it last fall, but it's now finally starting to show it off for all to see and, thanks to the BBC's dot.life blog, we now have a pretty good idea of what European PS3 users can expect. As you can see in the video after the break, the PlayTV software appears to be straightforward enough, and includes the usual program guide, and options to pause and rewind live Freeview TV, as well as the ability to record one channel while watching another (thanks to the dual tuners in the device itself). Also on display is the PlayTV's ability to work with your PlayStation Portable via Remote Play, which'll let you watch live TV (or recorded programming) from anywhere with a WiFi connection. One of the few things it can't do, it seems, is record programming in the background while you're playing a game, although the developers are apparently "working hard" to add that feature. Still no word on a price or exact release date though, so you have a bit longer to be spared the inevitable bragging from your European friends.
LG wasn't offering much in the way of a release date when it announced its super-slim (as in 1.7-inch) LGX LCD TV last month, but it looks like it could be coming sooner rather than later, with the set now making its all-important debut at the FCC, which is usually a hint of things to come. As you can see, the set is still as red as ever, if a little less polished than it looked in LG's press photos. Unfortunately, the FCC doesn't have any other surprises to provide, although the curious can get a peek at the set's innards and some other less than flattering photos by hitting up the read link.
It's already taken the plunge at a number of retailers, but Microsoft has just now gotten official with the new $129.99 price point for the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on (which still includes a copy of King Kong and the offer for five free HD DVDs by mail). Of course, that price is the MSRP, which means we could very well be seeing even bigger discounts on the drive at retailers, even if they aren't all as steep as Amazon's all too brief $80 bonanza.
There's already a good number of options out there for those wanting to rip CDs without the hassle of a computer, but the number of those that give you lossless CD ripping is quite a bit more limited. Those not willing to accept any compromises now have one more lossless-happy system to consider, however, with Brennan recently introducing its new JB7 Micro Jukebox. Available in 20GB, 40GB, or 80GB versions (and with or without added bookshelf speakers), the system boasts 60W of RMS power and packs a USB port that'll accommodate an iPod or a USB hard drive. Unfortunately, there's no Internet connectivity (wireless or otherwise), but the system does at least come pre-loaded with a database 2.2 million track names, which can be updated quarterly via a CD that Brennan distributes. Look for it to set you back £259 (or roughly $500) for the standalone 20GB unit, with prices running up to £388 (or $760) for the 80GB unit complete with speakers.
After years of promises, it seems that holograms are finally starting to gain a littletraction, although the applications for the technology so far have been fairly limited. At least one company thinks that's about to change, however, with it now touting its retro-styled Holocube as an all-purpose solution for company's to advertise their products "like never before." Measuring about 20-inches square, the Holocube packs a 40GB hard drive for storing up to 18 hours of compressed video, which can magically float at 1080i resolution within the cube at the flick of a switch. Of course, the fact the company is targeting the device solely as a means of advertising should tell you something about the price (which is on a need to know basis, it seems). Still, it's a start, and we're guessing there are at least a few folks out there that'll snag one of these to fully round out their Star Wars-inspired home theater no matter what the cost. Head on past the break for some video of it in action.
Coming in squarely at the opposite end of the spectrum of the monster 1080p projector it showed off at CES, LG has now let loose its new, mostly business-minded DX540B model, although it appears to be confined to Korea for the time being. If that doesn't preclude you, you can look for this one to boasts a standard XGA resolution, along with the ability to "scale up" to SVGA+ (or 1400 x 1050), plus some seemingly decent specs all around, including 4,000 ANSI lumens and a 2,800:1 contrast ratio. If that meets your needs, you can apparently snag one now for a mere2.9 million Korean Won, or just about $3,000.
It looks like Syntax-Brillian (makers of Olevia LCD TVs) won't be scrounging around for LCD panels anytime in the near future, as the company has just announced that it's signed a deal with Sharp that'll see the company deliver a minimum of 700,000 LCD panels to 'em during 2008. That includes 32-, 37-, 52- and 65-inch size panels, with an option to buy additional panels based on market demand. Nothing too extraordinary there, but the deal does gives Syntax-Brillian and Taiwan's Kolin exclusive rights to Sharp's top-end 65-inch, 120Hz LCD panels through September 2008, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at. While the ink's still barely dry on this contract, as we heard during CES, those panels are already their way into some Olevia sets due in the second quarter of this year, making that "exclusive" period a bit on the short side, though we don't doubt Syntax-Brillian will make the most of it.
