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Ifa 2008 posts

Toshiba's LED Pico Projector does its thing on video

by Darren Murph posted Sep 12th 2008 at 2:25PM


We've waited ages for a real-deal pico projector from Toshiba (or anyone reputable, quite frankly), and it's looking all the more likely that we'll be absolutely bombarded with them come CES 2009. At any rate, Toshiba is apparently close to putting the finishing touches on its LED Pico Projector, which weighs in at 100-grams and measures 10- x 4.5- x 1.7-centimeters in size. Outside of that, specifications are few and far between, but you can catch a video of its powers in the link below.

[Thanks, Jan]
Read - Toshiba's LED Pico Projector
Read - In-action video

Panasonic's DMP-BD35 / DMP-BD55 Blu-ray players hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Sep 4th 2008 at 11:09PM Featured Story


Sharp wasn't the only company showcasing a new duo of Blu-ray players at CEDIA, as Panasonic decided to whip up a couple as well just for kicks. The DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 were made official during IFA, but not until now has Panny shown them off to the wide-eyed public. As with the aforementioned Sharp duo, this pair is also hard to distinguish from one another at first glance. Unfortunately, neither are really worth sweating, but you can have a look below if you just refuse to believe that.

Sanyo's Xacti 1010 gets the hands-on treatment

by Darren Murph posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 12:13PM


Sanyo's latest 1080i pocket camcorder (that'd be the Xacti 1010) was just sitting there all pretty like at IFA 2008, so our compadres over at Engadget Spanish took the liberty of posting up a gallery of hands-on shots. Not too many surprises in terms of design, but the demonstrative video of the super slow-mo mode is pretty trippy to say the least. Head on over and give it a look, won't you?

Daewoo DID-FS packs LCDs into folding screen

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 8:56AM


In a parting note from IFA, Daewoo unveiled this odd folding screen, featuring four integrated LCDs. Fully integrated into each of the wood panels, apparently the displays can show video from up to four sources, although there was otherwise little information from the booth staff about the DID-FS. Of course, where some might ask why would they build such a contraption, we see the perfect tool for a The Golden Child reenactment waiting to happen.

[Via BornRich]

Philips LCDs better than Kuro plasmas...at least according to Philips

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 1st 2008 at 4:15PM


Philips marketing exec Danny Tack is pulling no punches at IFA, proclaiming the company's new LCDs are better than the vaunted Pioneer Kuro plasmas. Measuring -- by his own estimation -- on par with the 9th-gen Pioneer plasmas on black levels, and better brightness, natural motion and motion sharpness, he's ready to call LED-backlit LCDs and OLED HDTVs the long term winners, with plasma relegated to only the biggest screens. The read link points to his comments in full, but most importantly, do you have a side, or are you waiting to get eyes-on the new Essence and FlatTV models first?

LG's 42- / 50-inch PG6900 plasma packs built-in 160GB hard drive

by Darren Murph posted Sep 1st 2008 at 3:14AM

While we new LG had a pair of DVR-packin' plasmas lined up, nothing was officially official until now. The 42- and 50-inch PG6900 plasmas were designed to hold up to 86-hours of programming (SD, we assume) on its 160GB of internal hard drive space, and the 8-day EPG should give you a pretty decent view of what's coming on in the near future. Additionally, you'll find a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, Energy Star compliance, a DVB-T tuner (plus an analog tuner), three HDMI 1.3 ports, 100Hz refresh rate and integrated speakers which are said to be "invisible." Look for these to pop up soon (at least in Europe) for $1,799 and up.

[Via Gizmag]

Samsung BD-P2500 Blu-ray player packs familiar specs, price

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 29th 2008 at 10:41PM


Samsung's upcoming BD-P2500 Blu-ray player promises BD-Live support out of the box when it ships in October, with its IFA announcement revealing identical specs and price ($499) to the Best Buy-exclusive BD-P2550 already on sale. Of course, with HQV video processing and a wealth of audio support including 7.1 analog output and PCM or bitstream audio for Dolby Digital, Digital Plus, TrueHD or dts soundtracks, and DTS-HD HR (after a firmware update) and DTS-HD MA bitstream support, that's not an entirely bad thing. Samsung, Panasonic, it's taken you this many generations to get a satisfactory spec sheet, now what about the price?

Sony's Bravia ZX1 not US bound, possibly Amimon pre-WHDI based

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 29th 2008 at 9:29AM Featured Story


We're got a tipster telling that Sony's new 9.9-mm thin, wireless Bravia ZX1 is absolutely, without a doubt, based on Amimon's WHDI (pre-standard) wireless technology. Not surprising given Sony's and Amimon's collaborative effort to make WHDI a proper standard. Still, when we asked Sony, they gave us a sly grin followed by a, "no comment." Sony was willing to confirm a "guaranteed" 1080i transmission at a range of up to 20-meters. Amimon, on the other hand, can transmit 1080p / 30fps at distances up to 30-meters, you know, just as long as you're not separating devices with a wall of Kevlar and Kryptonite. Sony also told us that we can expect the thinster to land in Euroland before Xmas, but not the US where it would seem they have a different, non-integrated wireless model prepping for release. We'll see at CES in January if not earlier.

DivX finds a way into new LG, JVC & Vestel players

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 29th 2008 at 7:16AM

Another tradeshow, another chance for DivX to add juice to its symphony of new consumer hardware. Listen closely so your attention's undivided as the first DivX HD-compatible DVD player from a major manufacturer, the LG DVS450H, stands ready to play back full length HD flicks from disc or USB flash drive. Turkish manufacturer Vestel is back to straighten the facts, introducing the first DivX-capable STB for Europe in the t5000. It's still undergoing DivX certification, but promises a firmware update should be the only thing needed to ensure complete compatibility. JVC steps up to make the people unite with its first Blu-ray player, the NX-BD3, carrying DLNA and DivX certs to acquire content via wired or wireless networks, and play back DivX files from DVD or CD after it goes on sale in September.

Read - LG
Read - Vestel
Read - JVC

Sony VPL-HW10 SXRD projector peeks from behind the curtain

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2008 at 10:34PM


Sony's family of projectors just grew by one, with the 1080p VPL-HW10 combining triple-panel SXRD technology, the new BRAVIA Engine 2 eight step image processing, 1000 ANSI lumens, 30,000:1 contrast ratio and x.v.Color support. Dual HDMI inputs, HDMI-CEC control tech, 24p True Cinema, Real Color Processing and quiet 22dB operation ensure a top of the line home theater experience -- for something (no MSRP or shipping details here) less than the reigning king of the hill VPL-VW200 and another as-yet-unrevealed higher-end model. So Sony, guess we'll be seeing you at CEDIA next week?

[Via Akihabara News]

Sony debuts Bravia BDV-IT1000 Blu-ray home theater system

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 28th 2008 at 4:07PM


Still not satisfied by any of the Blu-ray home theater in a box systems out there? Then perhaps Sony's just announced Bravia BDV-IT1000 unit will be more to your liking. This one boasts 700W of total power, and includes some wireless rear speakers for added convenience, and slim speakers all around that Sony says are made possible thanks to its brand new finger-sized full-range speaker drive units. The Blu-ray player / receiver at the heart of the unit also looks to be capable enough, with it sporting BD-Live readiness, a pair of HDMI inputs, optical digital and analog stereo audio inputs, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support, and Sony's trademark Digital Media Port to accommodate a range of add-on devices. No word on a price or release just yet, but we're guessing there's at least a decent chance that'll slip out before Sony packs up and leaves the IFA stage.

[Via Sony Insider]

Philips' new Essence, FlatTV and Aurea LCD sets

by Paul Miller posted Aug 28th 2008 at 10:20AM


While our primary drool allotment will be directed at Philips' new 8mm LCD concept, Philips also has some new for-realsies LCDs here at IFA potentially worth your time. Leading off the pack is the LED-backlit 42PFL9803 FlatTV (pictured), a 42-inch set with 128 segments of LED for a purported 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The set runs at 100Hz, has a 17-bit "Color Booster" for a wide gamut, and even does a bit of 2nd gen Ambilight for good measure. Essence (42PES0001) is another 42-inch, 1080p display, but stakes its claim on thinness, measuring 38mm (1.5-inches) deep, and has a single cable running to a connectivity hub which doles out the audio, video and power. 100Hz and wide color gamut are all here. Finally, Philips is doing up a new generation of Aurea sets with new 37-inch and 42-inch 1080p displays, which offer up "Active Frame" transparent frames to reflect the Ambilight surrounding the set. The displays also offer 100Hz, 30,000:1 contrast ratios and 2ms response times. No word on price or availability for any of these, which is starting to sound like the official theme of IFA 2008.

Sharp debuts super slim XS1 LCD, D65E display lineup and BD-HP21H Blu-ray player

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2008 at 8:15AM


Thin is in at IFA 2008, and Sharp's LCD lineup leads off with the super-skinny XS1 Aquos series LCD. A 23mm thick 1080p 52- or 65-inch panel packing 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 100Hz motion processing and detachable speaker system, halves it's previous 5cm best from May of this year. Old school fat LCD fans can look forward to the D65E line, pulling 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and claiming an "environmentally conscious design" for Sharp's premium range, in sizes from 32- to 52-inch models, with prices to match from €899 to €2299. Of course, none of this would be right without a matching Blu-ray player, and Sharp has announced the BD-HP21H, a Bonus View Profile 1.1 model with a quick-start mode, but like the XS1 lacks pricing info that would make it so much juicier. All are due in the UK in October, we should hope for more details before then.

UPDATE: Add a few more zeros onto that contrast ratio -- 1,000,000:1 -- Thanks, celle!

Gallery: Sharp XS1 eyes-on


Gallery: XS1's official press shots

Toshiba expands the Regza family with RV, XV series 1080p LCDs

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2008 at 7:27AM


IFA's apparently given Toshiba just the opportunity necessary to refresh its line of Regza LCDs, for those without the Resolution+ itch with a few new sizes and features. The existing entry-level XV line of 1080p LCDs gets 46- and 52-inch models, plus a gloss black design that helps it fit in at the Regza family reunion. The brand new RV line of 1080p LCDs bring similar features to the ZF Series, sans Resolution+ technology and one HDMI port, but with Active Vision M100 HD 100/120Hz 5:5 pulldown image processing intact. 37-, 42- and 46-inch sizes are confirmed for the October Euro launch, prices and U.S. availability for both TBD.

Panasonic IFA 2008 plasma prototypes: super thin, super green, super big

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2008 at 5:49AM


Panasonic's welcoming you to the future of plasma HDTV, starting along with the stunning 150-inch 4K plasma, that is, surprisingly enough bigger than its old 103-inch model (shocking, we know) leading to the debut of three "super thin" plasma prototypes measuring 24.7mm deep in 50-inch and, for what it claims is the first time, 58- and 65-inch sizes that also include Wireless HD. One-fourth the thickness of current Panasonic models and one-half the weight combined with no wires leads Panasonic to believe we'll be able to reorganize the living room shortly, without silly mounting issues and need to run cables. If that fails to inspire, how about a 42-inch prototype that claims twice the luminance efficiency and the same brightness as its current 42-inch 1080p model while only sipping half the power -- if that's a concern. Check out more pics after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic IFA 2008 plasma prototypes: super thin, super green, super big





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