09/03/2010 - Elgato rolls out smaller, Windows 7-supporting EyeTV Hybrid

Elgato's original EyeTV Hybrid USB tuner wasn't exactly oversized, but the company has nonetheless managed shrink things down a bit for the device's latest revision, and it's added some Windows 7 support for good measure. Most of the size reduction comes from ditching the analog connector found on the previous model (you'll still get an adapter), and you'll also now get a sturdier aluminum enclosure that stays in line with the company's Mac-only roots. Otherwise, you'll get the same support for over-the-air HD broadcasts as before, along with Elgato's EyeTV 3 software, and an included remote control -- all for the same $150 that the original model cost.

Elgato rolls out smaller, Windows 7-supporting EyeTV Hybrid originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

13/01/2010 - Elgato's EyeTV One sticks to ATSC, leaves analog out in the cold

Looking to catch some of those OTA HDTV signals that your local affiliate is beaming through your brain of late? Well, Elgato's EyeTV One would like to show your PC or Mac how, but you'd better not get any wild ideas about plugging into some of your old analog sources like cable or your VCR. Just don't. The EyeTV One is billed as a cheaper, stripped-down alternative to the EyeTV Hybrid, and at around $100 (on certain online retailers) it's about $30 cheaper. Is erasing your sordid past with analog technologies worth saving $30 to you? Do you really want to spend five hours tonight adjusting your OTA antenna to catch CSI: The Real Housewives of Jersey Shore in HD? So many questions that need answering.

Elgato's EyeTV One sticks to ATSC, leaves analog out in the cold originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

13/01/2010 - Elgato's EyeTV One sticks to ATSC, leaves analog out in the cold

Looking to catch some of those OTA HDTV signals that your local affiliate is beaming through your brain of late? Well, Elgato's EyeTV One would like to show your PC or Mac how, but you'd better not get any wild ideas about plugging into some of your old analog sources like cable or your VCR. Just don't. The EyeTV One is billed as a cheaper, stripped-down alternative to the EyeTV Hybrid, and at around $100 (on certain online retailers) it's about $30 cheaper. Is erasing your sordid past with analog technologies worth saving $30 to you? Do you really want to spend five hours tonight adjusting your OTA antenna to catch CSI: The Real Housewives of Jersey Shore in HD? So many questions that need answering.

Elgato's EyeTV One sticks to ATSC, leaves analog out in the cold originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

05/01/2010 - Skype Teams Up with TV Makers and Goes HD

Skype announced support for Skype video calls on PCs in 720p high definition, as well as Skype software embedded into internet-connected widescreen televisions from its consumer electronics manufacturer partners.

The latest version of Skype for Windows can deliver up to 720p HD-quality video calling at 1280 x 720 resolution, at up to 30 frames per second.

At CES, Skype also announced partnerships with LG and Panasonic to offer Skype–enabled HDTVs. Skype software will be embedded into Panasonic’s line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs and LG’s 26 new LCD and plasma HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access.

15/12/2009 - LG Teams Up with SkyLife to Take the Lead in 3D TV

LG announced a partnership with Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting – SkyLife, one of the biggest 3D content providers.

The company says the partnership will focus on developing technology that helps produce 3D images that don’t cause eye strain or dizziness - an issue that has plagued previous technologies.

SkyLife aims to be the top digital satellite 3D broadcaster in Korea. The company plans to invest USD 25 million in creating 3D content in collaboration with LG.

03/12/2009 - LG Rolls Out 3D LCDs with Full HD Resolution

LG announced the world’s first commercial launch of 3D LCD panel boasting full HD resolution.

The new product is a 23-inch 3D monitor LCD panel for use with shutter glasses that delivers full HD resolution. LG syas it offers picture quality that is almost twice as crisp as HD 3D displays currently available in the market.

19/10/2009 - Large-Sized LCD Panel Business Becomes Profitable Again

After a year of losing money or generating zero return, the global large-sized LCD panel business returned to profitability in the third quarter, according to iSuppli’s latest research.

Analysts say the main reason LCD panels have not been profitable for so long is the market’s extreme state of oversupply, which resulted in LCD panel pricing that was below manufacturing costs.
LG Display was the world’s largest seller of large-sized LCD panels in the second quarter of 2009, accounting for 25.3 percent of shipments.

30/07/2009 - LG Integrates Broadcom Bluetooth Technology, Enables HDTVs to Connect with Mobiles and Headsets

LG Electronics has integrated Broadcom's advanced Bluetooth technology into a new line of digital televisions (DTVs) that are now shipping.
Having Bluetooth connectivity in its LH70 TV line of digital televisions allows the sets to connect with a wide range of Bluetooth devices, such as wireless stereo headphones and cell phones.

17/07/2009 - LG's XF1 500GB multimedia hard drive touts HDMI, shimmery case

Filed under: Other hardware

Looking for an external hard drive with a flashy color-shifting case, reasonably stout multimedia credentials, and a website with an outrageously long flash intro? Look no further than LG's XF1, a 500GB machine with a USB interface and HDMI output to stream some high-def content straight to your set -- but at a maximum of 1080i. It'll do AVI, Xvid, and MPEGs 1, 2, and 4 along with your typical audio codecs, but conspicuously absent on the video side are H.264 and MKV, meaning it's not exactly the comprehensive playback device you might be looking for if you haven't gotten around to standardizing your downloads to a single encoding. (Guilty.) In fact, it sounds almost exactly like Iomega's 500GB ScreenPlay in a slimmer, sexier case, and when it comes to perfecting your home theater does anything other than sexiness matter? Well... maybe price and availability, but sadly those are pieces of intel LG isn't sharing just yet.

[Via Everything USB]

LG's XF1 500GB multimedia hard drive touts HDMI, shimmery case originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

15/05/2009 - Samsung and LG cooperating on OLED R&D

Filed under: Displays, LG, Samsung, OLED

Though they make strange bedfellows indeed, with the OLED competition heating up daily, Samsung and LG are partnering in R&D work on display processing and source technology for core materials. Exactly what this OLED deposition equipment does for making flat panel TVs we don't know, but with more than a few waiting on new tech for our next televisions this can't come a moment too soon.

[Via OLED-Display.net]

Samsung and LG cooperating on OLED R&D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 15 May 2009 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

14/05/2009 - Epix Network Offers HD Movie Streaming Service

Epix plans to offer full-length HD movies over the Internet using a dynamic-streaming feature from Akamai Technologies' content-distribution network.
The movie service, created by Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate, previously said it was launching as a broadband-video service in May, followed by the linear cable channel in October.

23/04/2009 - LG and DivX Announce First HDTVs With DivX HD 1080p Playback

LG Electronics' new range of HDTVs will be capable of playing full DivX HD 1080p videos.
The company says the upcoming models will be the first device series capable of doing this - enabling consumers to play DivX HD videos from a PC or the Internet through a USB slot.

22/01/2009 - Flat-panel TV Price Falls Factor In LG Losses

Pricing pressure for flat-panel TVs was among the factors given as LG Electronics reported a net loss for the fourth quarter, ended 31 December.
On a parent-company basis, LG reported sales of USD $4.84 billion for the quarter, an operating loss of USD $228 million and a net loss of USD $493 million.

13/01/2009 - Power-guzzling plasmas could be barred by EU

Filed under: Regulatory, Displays, Plasma

While most of the plasmas these days aren't exactly energy guzzlers, some of the earlier models were notorious for eating up power at an alarming rate. According to a writeup in The Daily Mail, legislation could be passed by the EU this Spring that would bar those panels from being sold. A spokesman of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already affirmed that more "eco-friendly" PDPs will remain on store shelves, though it's still unclear what exactly the cutoff will be in terms of energy usage. Granted, none of this should take anyone by surprise -- after all, it'll soon be difficult to find any sets in the US that don't sport that oh-so-important Energy Star 3.0 logo.

[Thanks, Isaac]

Power-guzzling plasmas could be barred by EU originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

08/01/2009 - Yahoo Widget Engine Gets HDTV Makers' Backing

Yahoo has agreed deals with a host of big-name HDTV makers, including Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio, that will result in their sets supporting Yahoo's online service.
The alliances put Yahoo firmly at the forefront of the drive towards the convergence of the Internet and TV.

07/01/2009 - LG to produce 15-inch OLED panel this summer

Filed under: Displays, LG, OLED

Has your $2,500 XEL-1 display already started to show a case of the dimming blues? If so, and if you can go without seeing Cookie Monster in his natural hue for a few more months, you may have another OLED replacement option after this summer. LG is indicating it will begin producing a 15-inch panel in June of this year. No word on whether it'll match the Sony's 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, but it will offer a higher resolution of 1,366 x 768, and LG is pledging a 30,000 hour shelf life. We'll see about that.

LG to produce 15-inch OLED panel this summer originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

05/01/2009 - LG Broadband HDTVs To Stream Netflix Movies

LG Electronics has announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the set.
The new LCD and plasma “broadband HDTVs” will be able to show Netflix’s library of movies, TV episodes and HD content directly on the set without needing an external device.

15/12/2008 - Tried PC Videoconferencing - Well How About On An HDTV?

With webcams now commonplace on PCs and laptops it seems natural that they should take the next step - to HDTVs.
Videoconferencing expert Emblaze VCON says it has developed technology that allows up to six different users to interact through home TV screens.

27/11/2008 - Growth Towards 3D HDTV Gains Pace

Panasonic has submitted a proposal for a 3D Blu-ray standard to the Blu-ray Disc Association.
The submission comes as Korea's LG announces its intentions to bring 3D TVs to some markets in 2009.

11/09/2008 - Belgium's Belgacom adds VTM HD, expands to 14 high-def channels

Filed under: Fiber, New content

Despite Europe's low adoption rate of HDTV, Belgium's Belgacom is moving forward with the idea that consumer may buy in if enough content is offered. After launching HD IPTV services just this year, the provider is already up to 14 high-def stations, the latest of which is VTM HD. Others in the EPG include Discovery HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, Exqi, HD1, History HD, Melody Zen and Luxe TV HD, and interestingly enough, we're hearing that over half of all Belgacom subscribers are "able to view HD channels." Progress, we dig it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

27/08/2008 - Positive viewer reaction keeps Eén HD on the air

Filed under: New content

Belgian broadcaster TV Vlaanderen was planning to axe Eén HD immediately following the Beijing Games, but it looks like the channel is off the chopping block, after viewers responded so enthusiastically it has decided to keep the channel on the air. Also noted is that everything on the channel is HD, even upscaled SD content, although we hope no TNT-style stretching is going on. Any other viewers noting channels added in a hurry for the Olympics rush sticking around?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

31/07/2008 - First Blu-ray Disc player with streaming movies

LG Electronics and Netflix are to launch the first Blu-ray Disc player that will have the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV.
The LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player, which is to be launched in the autumn, will play high definition Blu-ray discs and up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p.

09/07/2008 - LG unveils four new HDTVs with built-in DVRs

Filed under: Displays, LG, LCD, Plasma

'Tis a shame we don't know more about LG's latest bundle of HDTVs, but here are the facts so far. Apparently the outfit has dished out a pair of LCDs and a duo of plasmas to commemorate the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and the whole gang comes packing a 160GB internal hard drive. This "Time Machine" functionality will (predictably) enable viewers to capture content right inside of their set, though details beyond that (you know, port assortment, contrast ratio, etc.) are few and far between. That being said, we do know how much each of these buggers will set you back: anywhere between ?1,650,000 ($1,607) for the 42-inch 42PG31RD plasma and ?3,000,000 ($2,916) for the 47-inch 47LG50ED LCD HDTV.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

18/06/2008 - LG expands LodgeNet alliance, introduces new HDTVs for hotels

Filed under: Misc, Displays, LG, LCD, Plasma

LG's flat-panels end up in a-many of hotels, and it looks as if the outfit is hoping to end up in a whole lot more here soon. Today, the company has "expanded its long-time alliance with LodgeNet by agreeing to integrate LodgeNet and On Command interactive terminals with new hotel TVs." Essentially, the firm will be cranking out 11 new LG HD Built-in TVs, all of which include essential LodgeNet technology that enables hoteliers to map channels and the like from headend equipment. Five 32-, two 37-, and two 42-inch LCDs were introduced alongside a pair of 42-inch plasmas. We aren't told what venues will be snapping these up, but it's pretty safe to assume that any LodgeNet-equipped hotel will be giving 'em a glance.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

02/06/2008 - Bulgaria's Evrokom Cable / CableTel apply for merger

Filed under: Industry, Cable

Looks like some serious movin' and shakin' is going on in Bulgaria, where the nation's two largest cable operators have just announced their intentions to merge. Reportedly, CableTel and Evrokom Cable have "submitted an application with the Commission for the Protection of Competition," since the merger must obviously be approved before it actually goes down. If everything slides through, the newly created company will be under the FN Cable Holding umbrella, controlled by investment fund WarburgPincus. We're also still left without details about the company's new name and its head honcho, though we're sure all those tidbits will filter out once the wedding gets a tad closer to being ratified.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

28/05/2008 - Bulgaria's CableTel looks to launch HD programming

Filed under: Cable, New content

Compared to most months, quite a bit has been going down overseas in the HD arena. Next up on the list of movers and shakers is CableTel, a leading cable operator in Bulgaria. Reportedly, the carrier is gearing up to launch four high-definition channels by the end of the month, and it looks as if Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, Eurosport HD and Premium Digital HD are the four in question. It's noted that the foursome will initially be available in 16 undisclosed cities for around 19.90 Bulgarian levs ($16) per month, with the potential for six more HD networks to go live before the year's end.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

24/05/2008 - Results shows global LCD TV sales outstripped plasma TV by 8:1 for Q1 of 2008

Over 21 million LCD TVs were sold in the first three months of 2008 compared to 2.8 million plasma sets, according to a data compiled by research firm DisplaySearch.
The total number of TVs sold during the period was 46.1 million, up only 1% compared to sales in 2007.
The slow-down in sales is largely attributed to a weaker US economy.