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Will web-based interfaces become more popular on HDTV gear?

by Darren Murph posted Jul 31st 2008 at 11:18PM


For those of us who have been around the block a time or two, we can distinctly remember just how hard WebTV fell. Granted, it is still around as MSN TV, but when is the last time you actually saw one being used? A new report put forth by ABI Research is asserting that web-based interfaces will soon become more popular than ever, potentially finding their way into set-top-boxes, standalone players, media streamers, etc. We've already seen RSS feeds and the like appearing on HDTVs, and the integration of Ethernet ports is certainly noticeable. Still, there seems to be a good deal of disconnect even now between bona fide internet content and HD programming, leaving us to wonder how accurate these suggestions really are. And furthermore, to what extent will being connected to the internet affect the way you utilize your living room TV?

[Image courtesy of Ruel]

Sony's VAIO VGX-TP1DT media PC stack: streams and records HDTV over your home network

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 16th 2007 at 8:45AM


If Sony's latest living room PC lineup is just a bit too big and boxy for your tastes then check their VAIO "Television Side PC" and digital tuner stack. Collectively known as the VGX-TP1DT, it consists of the already announced VGX-TP1 PC and a new VGX-DT1 (bottom cylinder) digital tuner. The TP1 PC loads Vista Home Premium and packs a 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo, 1GB (up to 2GB max) memory, 160GB (up to 500GB) disk, super multi-drive DVD, and terrestrial tuner at its core with HDMI, analog RGB and optical digital outputs, 4x USB and 1x Firewire, memory stick and SD slot, 802.11b/g WiFi, and wireless keyboard. The DT1 digital tuner features the ability to stream hi-def, broadcast television over Ethernet or WiFi for viewing or recording on the TP1 or any up-to-spec PC on your home network. 1080i video is recorded at either 1920×1080 pixels / 24Mbps or 1440×1080 pixels / 10Mbps for half the storage requirements. We imagine they'll add a matching Blu-ray burner to the stack just as soon as they can squeeze the drive into that same 270-mm (10.6-inch) diameter footprint. The whole kit should go up for sale in Japan in the next few days for about ¥200,000 or right around $1,661.




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