Pioneer Bows Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray Disc Player with BD-Live Review
September 6th, 2008 
image
image
Pioneer Electronics has been stepping up their Blu-ray Player game this year with the release of their BDP-51FD and Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD BonusView players earlier this Summer, each of which features vastly improved disc loading and playback times, improved feature sets and higher performance than their predecessors. Now at CEDIA Expo in Denver this week, Pioneer has unveiled its first Blu-ray player to support the BD-Live feature for access to internet and network-based content and it looks to be an exceptional marvel of engineering.
Runco lets it all hang out, intros seven new 1080p LCDs / plasmas at CEDIA
September 6th, 2008 
image
image
For the most part, Runco stays pretty quiet in the consumer realm… until CEDIA rolls around. Once again, the high-end AV company is firing on all cylinders in Denver, announcing seven new 1080p LCD / plasma displays including its largest LCD to date, the 70-inch Crystal Series CX-70DHD (pictured). Along with the new panels, the outfit is unveiling its exclusive OPAL (Optical Path Alignment) technology on select models which “delivers extreme glare reduction and enhanced contrast for high ambient light environments.” The aforesaid 70-incher (shipping mid-October for $34,995) actually comes bundled with an external DHD video controller / processor, which incorporates Runco’s Vivix II tech to “enhance all digital and NTSC content to near high-definition quality.” We’ll admit, that sounds an awful lot like something Toshiba’s got going on just a few booths over, but make of it what you will.
Hitachi unveiled its 50-Inch Ultra-Thin TV
September 5th, 2008 
image
image
During the CEDIA 2008, Hitachi showcased several new ultra-thin Plasma HDTVs that we introduced a few months ago.
There’s 4 different sizes: 32-Inch, 37-inch, 42-Inch and 47-Inch. All of these Full HD PDP are now available.
Hitachi also unveiled a 50-Inch TVs, but unfortunately we don’t have further information. What we can say is this entire lineup is thin of 38mm.
JVC ADVANCED VIDEO PROCESSOR RSVP2
September 5th, 2008 
image The RSVP2 converts standard definition, high definition and PC signals from your DVD player, HD-DVD player, Blu-ray Disc player, HD DVR, game console, or PC to any output resolution up to 1080p. The processor incorporates HDMI 1.3 compatibility and is THX Video Certified. THX Certification is the industry’s hallmark of quality, usability and compatibility.
image
The RSVP2 also incorporates ISF Day/Night Modes.
A feature unique to the RSVP2 is a “Color Gamut” menu with options for Wide, RS1, or RS2. This enables the operator to easily shift the output color space of the processor to match the SMPTE-C broadcast and telecine mastering standards most commonly used in production today. Color space is remapped inside the processor with a 3×3 “Look Up Table” (LUT) through a series of complex algorithms utilizing 14-bit processing to ensure accurate color reproduction on either the DLA-RS1X or DLA-RS2U without additional contouring in the image.
Key Features:
- HDMI 1.3 Inputs (4) that process up to 1080p-24/25/50/60
- THX Certification
- ISF Preset Color Gamut Control Day/Night Modes
- Two Programmable 12V triggers
- Upgradeable to SD/HD-SDI Input
- Analog HD Transcoding and Processing
- Flexible Input and Output Aspect Ratio Controls
- Display profiles for multiple display, framerate, and image shift configurations (10)
- 10-bit, 300 MHz Instrumentation Quality DACs (2x Oversampling for 1080p)
- Full-frame Timebase Correction
- High performance, multi-standard video decoder (10-bit: 480i/576i; 12-bit: 480p/576p/720p/1080i)
- High-quality super-adaptive comb filter with 2D Y/C separation Suggested list price* for this model: $3,695.00 at jvc.com
Panasonic introduces SA-BX500 AV receiver
September 4th, 2008 
image
image
Panasonic is using this week’s CEDIA show to debut its new AV receiver, the SA-BX500, and even though we doubt the nameplate will get much attention from the audiophile crowd, this unit does have a bit of audio-geekery with its bi-amplification/bi-wiring feature. Other stuff that will appeal to a wider audience includes 7×130-Watt amplification, HDMI connectivity (3 inputs, 1 output) that’s ready for your 1080p content, HDMI-CEC in VIERA Link form, support for Dobly TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, and the ability to simulate 7.1-channels of surround in 5.1-channel systems, so you can hear what you’re not missing. Available in October for $799, but you can grab a peek at the front and back right now.
Cambridge Audio dips on in, announces 640BD Blu-ray player for 2009
September 4th, 2008 
image
image
Sherwood isn’t the only little-known company bringing the Blu to CEDIA — now we’ve got a boutique manufacturer joining the crowd. Announced today in Denver, Cambridge Audio has revealed that it too will be producing a BD deck in early 2009. The 640BD will be designed to complement the Azur range of AV receivers, and it will boast full HDMI 1.3 output (including bitstream output of all the latest Dolby / DTS tracks), a full set of analog video outputs, Ethernet, S/PDIF, Toslink and a set of separate, dedicated 7.1 / stereo analog outputs. Unfortunately, that’s all the details the company has prepared for this year’s Expo, but we’ll certainly be hearing more as CES time draws near.
LG Electronics Announces BD300 Network Blu-ray Player
September 4th, 2008 
image LG has a new network Blu-ray player called the BD300 that will be on store shelves this fall across the country. The player claims to be the world’s first Blu-ray player that can stream movies and TV programs from Netflix instantly.
image
The BD300 will be available next month at Best Buy, Circuit City and other retailers for $399.95. The player will upscale standard DVDs to 1080p and supports BD Live and more. USB media plus is supported along with LG SimpLink.
“At LG we considered what, when and how consumers want to watch movies and television episodes. The result is the ultimate convergence of home theater entertainment and functionality,” said Allan Jason, vice president of sales and marketing for Digital Media/New Products Division at LG Electronics USA. “With intelligent features and access to an ever-growing library of movie and television titles, the BD300 is the next step in a truly personalized entertainment experience.”
Sharp announces new AQUOS Blu-Ray players
September 4th, 2008 
image 
image
image
image
Sharp today announced two new AQUOS Blu-Ray players, the BD-HP21U and BD-HP50U. Both offer full 1080p HD at 24fps with HDMI 1.3 outputs, x.v.Color, and a new “Quick Start” feature claimed to get going in under ten seconds. The devices can play anything from audio CDs to Blu-Ray discs. Other sharp devices can be linked for control by using AQOUS-LINK.
Full 7.1 channel surround sound is supported, including Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, and Dolby Digital Plus. HDMI digital audio output can be sent to compatible receivers. In addition, Profile 1.1 Blu-Ray discs are supported, allowing viewers to access the special features picture-in-picture while viewing a movie; however, it does not support Profile 2.0 like many new models, such as href=”http://macnn.com/rd/109947==http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/09/03/bd300.price.eta/” rel=’nofollow’>LG’s BD300 Blu-Ray 2.0 player with Netflix support.
The BD-HP50U offers additional features for custom installation, including an RS-232C port and an IR input if the player needs to be tucked away. A powered front door has been added to this model also, for aesthetic appeal. The BD-HP50U uses “Lip Sync” technology that compensate for any audio/video timing errors that normally result in voices not matching up with the actors’ mouths, according to Sharp.
Both models are available now: the BD-HP21U for $350 and the BD-HP50U for $450. With the decisive win of Blu-Ray in the format wars, many companies have been dedicating significant resources to producing Blu-Ray players with the latest and greatest technology or at a lower cost.
New 58" & 65" Plasma TVs from Panasonic
September 4th, 2008 
image
image
Panasonic added a new PDP to their PZ850 lineup. Available in 58’’ or 65’’, it features the VIERA CAST technology that allows access to different services like Google’s Picasa website and Youtube.
As for specs, it provides a contrast ratio of 30,000:1, a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, and features 24p native reproduction, SD card slot, game mode, RS-232C connection, and four HDMI connections.
The 58″ should cost 2750€, while the 65″ should cost around 4800€.
TiVo, DirecTV to develop new DVR
September 3rd, 2008 
image
image
NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc is developing a new digital video recorder for satellite TV provider DirecTV , rekindling a strained relationship and potentially opening the door to boosting the number of its subscribers.
TiVo shares climbed more than 2 percent on Wednesday after the companies said that they had extended their current deal and added the development, marketing and distribution of a new high-definition DirecTV DVR featuring TiVo service. The product’s launch is expected in the second half of 2009.
Terms of the deal, which also includes an extension of intellectual property arrangements, were not disclosed. But in a federal filing, TiVo said DirecTV will pay a substantially higher monthly fee for households using the new high definition DirecTV DVRs than it does for previously deployed models.
In addition, fees paid by DirecTV are subject to monthly minimums that escalate during the term of the pact starting in 2010 and those minimum payments are “substantially higher” than in the prior agreement, TiVo said.