After slipping past their original spring release date, Panasonic's PZ850 series of plasmas are no longer the only ones with YouTube support, but those desiring internet features, high contrast ratios and easy-access calibration settings can expect them on shelves this summer. The 46-, 50- and 58-inch versions should all be available in mid-June, with the 65-incher rolling out in August. Other than the IP features (Picasa access is also part of the package) the THX-certified PZ850s support h.264 playback from the SD card slot, RS-232C, 24p native playback, and a variety of display modes and settings to get the picture just the way the director intended, the way you like it, or anywhere in between. Check after the break for a list of prices, and our video hands on from CES 2008.

Everyone loves to talk about how 1080p at 24 frames per second is the holy grail of the ultimate HD movie experience. But the truth is that even if you are watching a Blu-ray movie via HDMI with the latest player set to 24p, there's a good chance it's all for naught because your HDTV is just converting the signal to another frame rate. But not all TVs do this, some can actually do it right and instead of using 2:3 pulldown it can do something like a 3:3 conversion and display the signal at 72hz -- for example. The problem of course is how can you tell which TVs do it right and which do it wrong? Well, thankfully a resourceful member of the AVS Forum -- with some help of other members -- has comprised a list to save you the hassle. So if you're in the market for a new HDTV and you just have to watch your movies at the native frame rate, then head on over and pick one from the list of front projectors, rear projectors, LCDs, or plasmas.

LG's 2008 lineup continues with the 42-inch LGX Super Slim 1.7-inch LCD, combining that ultra-thin form factor that's so in vogue with high-tech features like 120Hz, 24p playback capability and ISFccc calibration. LED backlighting and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio bump up the visuals for viewers, while the red-colored back gives your living room wall a show too. The set sports four HDMI 1.3 ports and a USB jack for photos and music, and LG's SimpLink control protocol enables compatible equipment to chain together. Pricing and availability were not announced.

Considering that Panasonic was showing off its newest Blu-ray recorders at CEATEC, we're not too shocked to hear that Toshiba was touting a trio of its own for the HD DVD camp. All three units sport the ability to "transcode in real-time an off-the-air MPEG2 high-definition signal into the more efficient MPEG4 AVC compression system," and while we're not sure how capacious they'll be, it was noted that these devices would include an internal hard drive to compliment the HD DVD writer. The flagship RD-X7 features 1080p24 output, while the RD-A101 / RD-A201 "didn't appear to offer this output based on available information from Toshiba." Per usual, we're still playing the wait-and-see game when it comes to pricing and release dates.

It's one buzz word after another in the world of HD and the latest is 24p, but what's the big deal? How can less frames per second be better? Like most things that don't make sense, the reason isn't a good one. Without going into much detail, the reason is because movies have been shot at 24 fps for years and to watch a movie at any other frame rate means there's some funny business going on. The problem is that most TVs can't display video at this rate, so even if your player can, you're probably still watching it at 60hz. Then to top it off, if you don't see any judder now, then why worry about it in the first place? Either way, if you want to try to understand the entire mess, follow the read link over to HighDefDigest and read there comprehensive write-up on What's the Big Deal About 1080p24?

HD DVD joins the 24p party today as Toshiba releases the latest firmware for their second generation HD movie players. There are a few other updates included as well, but for those who have TVs that support it, they can now enjoy movies with one less conversion than before. Of course the real question is, will you notice a difference? Regardless, you'll find your movie experience more enjoyable just thinking about the fact that you're watching the film at the same frame rate as it was originally captured in. If your player is connected to your network, just check for an update tomorrow and you'll be all set, otherwise follow the read link and download the iso image.

[Via FormatWarCentral]

Not wanting to be outdone by all those other guys loosing LCDs at IFA, Sharp has stepped up and unveiled two new lineups of AQUOS sets in Berlin. The XL2E series, which includes models 42-, 46-, and 52-inches in size, will all offer up 100Hz technology, be Full HD ready, and will even support 24p. Moreover, the trio will tout a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, a built-in DVB-T tuner (and an analog one, too), VGA input, integrated speakers, and three HDMI connectors to boot. As for the X20E series, you'll find 32-, 37-, 42-, 46-, and 52-inch flavors, all of which support 1080p24, feature three HDCP-compliant HDMI ports, and "a slot for CI cards to receive pay TV." The new AQUOS members are slated to land in Europe sometime before the year's end, but pricing details look to still be up in the air.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

Looks like we won't have to wait 'til CEDIA to learn more about Toshiba's next generation HD DVD players. Amazon had the model numbers and prices right, which are in-line with the last generation of players, with the exception of the top of the line HD-A35 it has an MSRP of $499 compared to the HD-XA2's $799. The entry level HD-A3 has pretty much the same features set as the last time around, but its bigger brothers include a few extras including 24p support, (HD-A20 and HD-XA2 are expected to get an firmware update in September to enable 24p) and CE-Link. Both of these features are a must-have if your TV supports them and should help Toshiba move a few more units this time around -- though those new looks won't hurt either.

Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)

The PlayStation 3's latest firmware update is out in Japan, adding an option to force 1080p/24 Blu-ray/DVD playback to the console, among other features. Continuing the steady flow of updates for the PS3, v1.90 also adds playback for AVCHD files from Memory Stick or digital camera, upscaling for audio CD output over HDMI or optical output, the ability to change XMB wallpaper, adjust video output settings for PSOne and PS2 game while in game and an "eject disc" option on the XMB. The official PlayStation Blog says the update is "coming soon" to the U.S. so keep that 24fps-compatible HDTV ready for judder-free movie playback.

Update: Added in this update is the ability to "force" 24fps output, which should fix compatibility issues with certain displays. (Thanks Mp3)

Read - PlayStation.Blog
Read - Impress

The always expensive (but equally coveted) DVDO HD video processor lineup just got even more attractive, as the Anchor Bay iScan VP50 can now take any SD or HD signal all the way to 1080p-24 without a hint of lag or artifacting. The free software update enables v1.04 of its "Film Technology" feature, which allows users to take any input (interlaced or progressive) and have it converted to 1,920 x 1,080 at 24 frames-per-second. So, how many of you are actually lucky enough to need this?

[Via Audioholics]

Though we've already waxed rhapsodic about Toshiba's HD DVD players of late, the firm is finding a way to keep the recently discounted standalone players in the news. This time around, the firm is getting official about the rumored 24p output, as we now know that at least the HD-XA2 and HD-A20 will be eligible for a September update that will enable playback of content in 1080p/24. It wasn't insinuated that any other Toshiba players would eventually receive the same upgrade, nor did we get the feeling that HD DVD players on the whole would be refreshed, but here's to hoping (for the latter, primarily).

Expanding a bit on the Reel60 technology first unveiled in a trio of 1080p sets from Hitachi, the company has reportedly developed a system that eliminates the "mismatch between the motion of films seen in a movie theater and the way that same motion appears on television." Dubbed "judders," these jagged edges will reportedly no longer be apparent on select Hitachi sets, as the Reel60 technology perfects the 3:2 pulldown process by "creating interpolated frames based on the original film images." Interestingly, it wasn't mentioned whether Hitachi would be holding on to its newfangled discovery or licensing it out to other manufacturers, but if anyone feels like coughing up the dough to pick up a P50V701, P50X901, or P60X901, be sure to test it out and sound off below.

[Via DealerScope]

Although money talks, nothin' speaks volume to major manufacturers like, well, volume. In a presumed attempt to keep the recently increased flow of HD DVD player orders steady, Toshiba has reportedly announced a final decision to stick with the prices seen in recent promotional deals. More specifically, the company stated that the MSRP on the high-end HD-XA2 would sink to $799 (versus close to $1,000 before), while the mid-range HD-A20 would instantly become $100 more affordable after dropping to $399, and both of these units are set to receive 24p output through an update scheduled for September. The most attractive option (that would be the HD-A2), however, will soon be listed for a mere $299, and while none of these prices are apt to incite fits of uncontrollable jubilation, it's definitely a step in the right direction.

You can't be expected to buy up one of the newly-released PlayStation 3s in Europe without a Sony Bravia to back it up, can you? Soon you will have your chance, with two lines of LCDs set to be released in the near future. The S3000 series will initially come in 32- and 40-inch sizes -- with 20 to 46 coming later in the year -- and sport three HDMI and two SCART connectors, as well as a built-in DVB-T digital free-to-air tuner (or "over-the-air," if you're American). Stepping up to the D3000 series grabs you 24p movie-mode frame rate and 100Hz refresh rate for greater smoothness, as well as a 10-bit panel for better color gradations. Both series also come with Bravia Theatre Sync via HDMI, using any connected devices to pass command and control signals around and help reduce the pile of remote controls on your coffee table; what, you don't have a Pronto or Harmony universal remote yet? Pricing and release dates are forthcoming.

If camcorder sales are to recover, it'll be the ability to record in HD that sparks the resurrection. After all, just about any new digicam and some cellphones can do a passing job at recording VGA or better quality video thus making the purchase of a second dedicated device hard to justify for the average consumer. That's what makes Canon's new iVIS HV20 so interesting; it shoots 1920 x 1080 resolution natively in HDV format to miniDV tapes and includes a 24p cinema mode to boot, a first in this class of camcorders. Best of all, it does this for about $1,000 -- not bad considering the price of other pro-sumer HD cams. Japan's Impress Watch are first to get their hands on a unit for review and although we had to read it using machine translation, it's easy to see that they are, er, impressed. Issues with low light shooting that plagued the HV10 seem to have been resolved on the HV20. While the CMOS sensor remains the same size, they've added the noise reduction technology found in their EOS camera lineup to bring low-light sensitivity down from 5lux to 3lux. In fact, the HV20 "eradicates" the HV10's weaknesses "entirely." Impress will be hitting a review of Sony's comparable HDR-HC7 -- a similarly spec'd HDV camcorder that also supports the xvYCC standard found in HDMI 1.3 for wider color range and space -- to see how they stack up side-by-side. No worries, you can wait, the HV20 won't hit US stores until April. Be sure to click the "read" link below for plenty of sample pics and video.