19/11/2009 - AMIMON Introduces Wireless HD Modules for the Notebook Market

AMIMON, a fabless semiconductor company that specialize in HD solutions, announced the availability of its WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) modules which can be embedded into notebook and netbook enabling a wireless HD connection from PCs to HDTVs.

Earlier introduced, the company’s WHDI allows flat-panel televisions and multimedia projectors to wirelessly interface to all HDTV video sources at a quality equivalent to that achieved with wired interfaces such as component video, DVI and HDMI.

22/09/2009 - Video: VIA's VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC's world

Filed under: Media PCs

Remember when the PlayStation 3 was going to have dual-HDMI ports so that games could pump 1080p video to two displays simultaneously? Ahh, those were good 'ol days. That configuration obviously didn't come to pass, but VIA's looking to deliver dual-HDMI and more in its next integrated Mini-ITX solution, the VB8003, which also packs DVI and VGA ports, as well as an LVDS output, meaning it could control five displays at once (though with only four discrete signals). It uses the Trinity Platform with a 1.6GHz Nano processor, a VX800 Media System Processor, and an integrated S3 GPU, all paired with up to 4GB of memory. 1080p playback is said to be easily handled, with the system supporting resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, even though such an onslaught of pixels would surely turn your HDTV into a smoldering ruin. There's no mention of price or availability yet, so you current set can relax -- for now.

Continue reading Video: VIA's VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC's world

Video: VIA's VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC's world originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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27/08/2009 - Blu-ray Won’t Replace DVD as the Primary Drive for PCs

Despite a rapid rise in the sales of consumer Blu-ray players, a fall in their prices and an increase in the number of high-definition movie titles, Blu-ray drives in PC systems have been left singing the blues, according to iSuppli.

iSuppli’s recent report says that by 2013, Blu-ray drives will be found in only 16.3 percent of PCs shipped, up from 3.6 percent in 2009.

13/08/2009 - Lenovo debuts "fit anywhere" Q700 home entertainment PC

Filed under: Media PCs

Looking for something in between a nettop and a full-fledged, sometimes HTPC? Then you might want to consider Lenovo's recently announced Q700 system, which the company describes as the "perfect fit" for anywhere in your home. That's apparently assuming you have some less-than-demanding computing needs, however, as the Q700 is currently only available with a Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processor, along with 4GB of RAM, a max 640GB hard drive, a built-in DVD burner, and the usual integrated Intel X4500 graphics. It does pack an HDMI out, TV tuner, and plenty of other media-friendly features, however, not to mention a starting price of just $499 and a form-factor that lets it be neatly tucked away in your home theater rack. Hit up the link below to get your order in, or a closer look if you're still undecided.

[Thanks, David]

Lenovo debuts "fit anywhere" Q700 home entertainment PC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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30/06/2009 - Panasonic makes Tsuyuzaki new CTO

10/06/2009 - Panasonic Introduces HD Camcorders Weighing 0.5lbs, World's Lightest

Panasonic has announced the release of two of what it describes as the lightest HD camcorders ever made.
Each model weighs just 0.5lbs (0.2KG) but boasts high-powered 16x optical zoom capabilities and can shoot 1920 x 1080 Full-HD videos.

04/06/2009 - AMD Launches Chip For HDTV-on-the-PC

AMD has launched a chip offering HDTV viewing capabilities on desktop and notebook PCs around the world using analog, digital and free-to-air broadcast signals.
The company says the ATI Theater HD 750 PC TV chip uses advanced video processing and signal reception technologies to give an authentic HD home theater feel on the PC.

28/05/2009 - Hulu Desktop app puts a remote control friendly face on for Macs & PCs

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers

Apparently devoting developers to something other than the great boxee arms race of 2009, Hulu today took the wraps off of its Hulu Labs project, with several "experimental projects" giving a different spin to the TV show & movie-streaming site. None of them are bigger than the Hulu Desktop app, a "lean back" interface (what, they heard ten-foot was already taken?) that unleashes Hulu's Flash video from the browser and also supports Mac & Microsoft compatible six button remotes -- which makes their unwillingness/inability to continue boxee access or offer an official Media Center plugin even more confusing. Even those without HTPC's to try that out on, there is a Video Panel Designer offering customized embeddable widgets for website owners, a Recommendations section based on what you've already watched and a new Time-Based Browsing option to order programs by when they originally aired. Give them a try and let us know if this makes you forget about all the other ways that were already available (boxee, PlayOn, Secondrun.tv, Understudy, ReQuest, XBMC & others) to get Hulu on your HDTV.

Hulu Desktop app puts a remote control friendly face on for Macs & PCs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 28 May 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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28/05/2009 - NEC Upconverting Chip Promises Sharper Full HD Image

NEC Electronics has announced a new chip that reduces blurring when SD images and video are expanded and displayed in 1920 x 1080 resolution HDTVs.
The µPD9280GM is also capable of supporting one billion colors (30-bits color depths - or "Deep Color"), which enhances color vividness and accuracy of display, according to the company.

03/05/2009 - Marvel vs. Capcom 2 HD video compares upscaling methods

Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware

We've already had a peek at the various sprite filtering modes that can be optionally employed on Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom 2 port for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but as usual, one truly need to get a look at the game in motion to judge. Check out Joystiq's YouTube HD footage (embedded after the break) and see if that type of thing has any noticeable effect on the action.

Continue reading Marvel vs. Capcom 2 HD video compares upscaling methods

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 HD video compares upscaling methods originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 02 May 2009 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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29/04/2009 - Marvel vs. Capcom 2's HD upgrade explained

Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware

Making us a little more comfortable with the slow death of S-Video is the news that the Sega Dreamcast version of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. With its introduction to the HD console era, Capcom's had to make some changes to the classic, although it isn't getting a full frame by frame rework like Super Street Fighter II HD Remix, producer Rey Jimenez blogged about some of the updates, including the three options for sprite filtering seen above to keep things sharp in 1080p. Also new for 2009 is widescreen support (the stages are still the same size) with notes from two prominent player promising "the same game, only prettier." The only real question now is which game is next?

Marvel vs. Capcom 2's HD upgrade explained originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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22/04/2009 - Panasonic's Dash-mountable Devices Offer In-car Blu-ray

Blu-Ray may still be absent from most people's living rooms - but Panasonic is offering a pair of dash-mountable devices for those who need their high-def fix in the car.
The CN-HX3000D Windows-powered device, with a 7-inch, 1280 x 720 display offering GPS, Bluetooth, a 40GB hard drive, and iPod/iPhone compatibility.

01/04/2009 - Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC

Filed under: Media PCs, Others

Each year at CEDIA, we've been downright floored with Niveus' lineup. Unfortunately, it's out of reach for the vast majority of "mainstreet" dwellers. At long (long!) last, the company has decided to expand its reach and offer a product for the blue collars in America, and on paper, the Zone looks like a real champ in the flagging HTPC arena. Measuring in at 6.5- x 6.5- x 1.97-inches, this 3.2 pound box packs an awful lot of media playing oomph into a ridiculously small enclosure. Specs wise, we're looking at a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T5750 CPU, 2GB of RAM, gigabit Ethernet, a 160GB SATA drive, slot-loading Blu-ray optical drive, front-mounted IR receiver, bundled media remote, Intel's GMA X4500 HD graphics, HDMI 1.3 / eSATA ports and support for 7.1-channel surround sound. Over on the software front, you'll see Windows Vista Home Premium along with Niveus' own suite of apps (Movie Library, Studio, Media Server Companion and Weather). Unlike any other Niveus system, consumers can purchase the Zone for $1,499 directly from the outfit's website, and there's also a unique Zone Community down in the read link; check out a promotional vid after the break if you wish.

Continue reading Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC

Niveus goes consumer-level with tantalizing Zone HTPC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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12/03/2009 - Panasonic's VHS/Blu-ray Combo Upconverts SD Video to 1080p

The world's first Blu-ray-VHS dual player is to go on sale in the US from next month.
Made by Panasonic, the DMP-BD70V has a multi-format playback that allows users to play VHS, CD, DVD and 1080p high definition Blu-ray Discs.

05/03/2009 - VidaBox's RoomClient: SE can get you started with HTPCs, no training wheels needed

Filed under: Media PCs, Others

Where does a HTPC enthusiast who needs some of Kaleidescape's ease-of-use, but is left cold by even the new Mini System pricing turn? We'd suggest rolling your own HTPC, but if that's out of the question, then VidaBox's new RoomClient:SE might fit the bill. For $2,250, you can pick up what amounts to a cute little Vista Media Center box packed with a single analog tuner (hey, it's good for a few more months) and a digital tuner, a 1TB hard drive, DVD burner, audio out via optical or 8x3.5-mm jacks and video output over HDMI (courtesy a DVI adapter), component, VGA or S-Video. Once you're ready to step things up, the RoomClient will pull duty as either a VidaBox Server or extender; sadly, the Blu-ray streaming of its bigger brother RoomClientHD didn't make the cut.

VidaBox's RoomClient: SE can get you started with HTPCs, no training wheels needed originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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26/02/2009 - Panasonic To Release Freesat PVR HDD Blu-Ray Recorder

Panasonic has unveiled what it claims are the world's first Blu-ray recorders with two integrated Freesat receivers and an internal hard drive.
Freesat is a UK free-to-air digital satellite television service that is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.

12/02/2009 - Charter Communications to file for bankruptcy

Filed under: Industry, Cable

Okay, so we hate to be blunt, but if there was one cable carrier out there just waiting to crash, it was Charter. The company famous for engaging in less-than-forthright contest practices and perpetually finding ways to perturb subscribers has just announced that a Chapter 11 filing isn't too far away. In fact, a recent press release makes clear that it "intends to implement its financial restructuring through a Chapter 11 filing to be initiated on or before April 1, 2009." As per the agreement, all debt holders will reportedly be paid in full, with Paul Allen keeping the largest voting interest in the company. Of course, shareholders' stake in the company will be canceled, but the decision will supposedly reduce debt by around $8 billion. As expected, the company has assured subscribers that its services will continue to operate throughout the debt restructuring process, but we wouldn't expect service to get any better in the coming months.

[Via AP]

Charter Communications to file for bankruptcy originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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17/01/2009 - VIZIO's VP505XVT plasma gets a thumbs up from PCMag

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Others, Plasma

We'll come right out and admit that we're pretty big on plasma displays, but a quick look around lets us know we're not alone -- VIZIO's 50-inch VP505XVT plasma scored high marks on the PCMag test bench, right across the board. After some tweaking of the out-of-the-box settings -- something every new set should undergo -- the design, inputs and performance of the set were all the the reviewer's liking. Factor in contrast that fell right between Panasonic and Samsung competitors, best-in-class video upscaling thanks to the onboard Reon HQV processing, and a pricetag $1000 lighter than the KURO panel, and it's easy to look past the always-on VIZIO logo on the front bezel. if you can't bear the thought of only your SD signals getting the Reon HQV treatment, take some of that savings and put it towards a video scaler.

VIZIO's VP505XVT plasma gets a thumbs up from PCMag originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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07/01/2009 - Sharp debuts Blu-ray HTIB, soundbars and iPod docks

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, Sharp

Providing some audio punch to go along with all the video, Sharp's taking the wraps off of two new 5.1 HTIBs with Blu-ray included , the BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30, plus two new 2.1 channel sound bars, the HT-SB300 and HT-SB200. Since no AV rollout is complete without an iPod dock, the DK-AP7N and DK-CL6N. Why, you ask, is only the soundbar pictured? To peek into the eye of the $799 piano black Blu-ray packing home theater units would be madness, ditto for the $99 - $129 iPod docks, ready to give you two channel audio (DK-CL6N) and 2.1 ESound processing, video out packing DK-AP7N. The theme here is convenience and quality in small packages, some hands and ears-on time should give us enough info to safely pass judgement.

Sharp debuts Blu-ray HTIB, soundbars and iPod docks originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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21/11/2008 - Zoran's New Processors Spell Thinner HDTVs

HDTVs may seem wafer thin already but don't expect the drive for even slimmer models to stop anytime soon.
The Zoran Corporation has just announced a pair of new HDTV processors that should help set manufacturers shave a tad more off their future sets.

06/11/2008 - HDTV Was Too Far From HP's Core Business

Hewlett-Packard is just the latest PC OEM to learn a lesson about straying from its core business, according to Michael Wolf, Digital Home research director at ABI Research.
Citing the experiences of Dell and Gateway, he asserts that it's hard for a PC company to make a business in living room consumer electronics.

23/09/2008 - Poll: What's the most you'd pay for the ultimate HTPC?

Filed under: Polls, Media PCs

The wide range of computers that can pull duty as a HTPC varies wildly from $500 all the way up to $25,000, but at what point are you getting the best money can buy, or just throwing money away? Many in these parts like to role there own, while others spend the big bucks on the latest Nievus system. So we're asking, what's the most you'd pay for the ultimate HTPC? We're not talking about the whole setup here, just the main unit, so digital cable tuners would be included, but not media streamers like Microsoft's Extenders. What we really want to know is, assuming these high dollar systems do actually offer the best possible solution, are they even worth it at their high price?

View Poll

[Thanks, Derek]

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20/08/2008 - PC disc drives to boost Blu-ray growth

Blu-ray Disc drives installed on PCs are expected to help “convert” more consumers to the format, with growth forecast at 117 per cent annually through 2013.
According to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a report from IMS Research shows that non-broadcast HD video households are expected to increase 90 per cent annually through 2013, reaching 38 million homes worldwide.

05/07/2008 - Poll: Do you own / plan to own an HTPC?

Filed under: Polls, Media PCs

Okay, so we apologize for putting the cart before the horse here, but after checking out responses from a poll posted up late last month, this question came to mind. Do any of you out there actually own an HTPC? Do you plan to? With devices like the ZvBox gearing up to transfer your PC's desktop onto your HDTV, even the notion of a bedroom-based media center PC seems entirely feasible. So, what's your take on the home theater PC issue -- you buying in?

View Poll

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30/06/2008 - LCD HDTV to be sold in Japan which allows simple transfer of high def content from the PC to the TV

Watching high def content downloaded from the Internet is going to get a whole lot easier for viewers in Japan.
A liquid crystal display high-definition television made by byd:sign Corporation is to be the first with DivX Certification sold in the Japanese market.
The video format will let viewers watch digital content from PCs on the HDTV – rather than on a PC monitor.
Katsumi Iizuka, chief executive officer of byd:sign Corporation, said DivX videos had enabled consumers to enjoy high-quality content through the internet.
“DivX Certification enhances our HDTV features and gives added value,” he said.

26/06/2008 - ZeeVee's ZvBox spotted, demonstrated on video

Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes, Others, Cable, Internet

As the release date for ZeeVee's ZvBox draws near (we're hearing July 31st), the company is out and about in an attempt to drum up demand as the run-up to its launch progresses. During CONNECTIONS 2008, ZeeVee was in attendance with a ZvBox on display, and aside from snapping a few telling photographs, the folks over at eHomeUpgrade were also able to capture a couple videos to give you an early feel of its capabilities (and limitations). We don't have to tell you where the goods are, but if you're new here, that read link down there is a good place to start.

[Via SlashGear]

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18/06/2008 - Surging demand for mobile connectivity and services such as HD streaming IPTV poses dilemma for broadband network operators in Europe

The number of notebook PCs with HSPA/LTE mobile broadband connectivity in Europe will grow from 8.4 million in 2007 to 49 million in 2013, according to researchers.
A study by analyst firm Berg Insight says the development will be driven by consumer demand for ubiquitous internet access.
It forecasts that rather than replacing fixed networks for internet access, mobile broadband will be a complementary access technology to the connection available at home.
But Tobias Ryberg, a senior analyst at Berg Insight, said the explosion in network utilisation – which equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.1 – will present the mobile network infrastructure with a “formidable challenge”.