Yes, I’m talking about Google TV, the latest attempt of the company to get into, and potentially dominate, yet another (and arguably the largest) AD medium – your TV.

So what is Google TV and how is it different from other solutions, such as Boxee or Roku?

Google TV is primarily a software application running either on a set-top box or directly inside specifically-designed TVs.

The software will run on Android platform and will include Google’s Chrome browser that will allow you to browse the entire world wide web and get access to multitude of online video services including, but not limited to, Youtube, Netflix and Hulu (provided Hulu would not block it, like it did for Boxee and Kylo). The platform will be powered by some custom version of Intel’s Atom processor and will feature the upcoming version of Flash (v10.1) which is specifically optimized for hardware video processing.

Google TV will feature some unique capabilities, such as using your cell phone as a remote allowing you to speak your commands to Google TV.

Logitech Companion Box

The first products featuring Google TV are scheduled to be released by the holiday season this year. And among the first are Logitech’s Companion Box, featuring simple one-cable (HDMI) connection to your TV and also Logitech’s brand Harmony technology allowing it to control external devices such as cable or satellite boxes and DVRs. Logitech also showcased an iPhone app utilizing Harmony’s activity-based controls to drive the companion box and a few other devices in the media rack.

Another announced partner, Sony, promised to put Google TV in its Blu-ray players and a new line of HDTVs.

To see how Google TV compares to the competition check out PCMag’s Google TV vs. Apple TV (and Everyone Else) article.

For more information see the following sites:

• Google TV – Google.com
• Logitech companion box – Logitech.com
• Sony Internet TV – SonyStyle.com

Sharp 3D camera

Osaka, May 12, 2010 – (JCN Newswire) – Sharp Corporation has developed a 3D camera module for mobile devices capable of capturing high-definition (720p)(1) 3D video images, an industry first.(2) Sharp will start shipping samples in July. Mass production of these modules will begin within 2010.

3D images are composed of two views taken using two cameras that simultaneously capture separate images for the right and left eyes. Consequently, a 3D camera requires peripheral circuitry to apply image processing to the two images, for example, to adjust color or to correct positioning between the images from the two cameras. Manufacturers have thus been pursuing designs that reduce the size and weight of 3D cameras and seeking ways to shorten their development period.

The current 3D camera module developed by Sharp incorporates functions to process the image data output by the left and right cameras, including Color Synchronizing Processing to adjust color and brightness, Timing Synchronizing Processing to synchronize the timing of the video signals, and Optical Axis Control Processing to correct positioning. In addition, Fast Readout Technology rapidly transfers video data from the image sensor, enabling 3D images to be captured in high-resolution HD mode. Further, in developing this camera module, Sharp applied high-density mounting technology nurtured over long years of experience in camera module development to achieve a compact form. Embedding this camera module in mobile devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and smartphones will contribute to the development of a wide range of new, innovative communications tools.

In the future, Sharp will be opening up new 3D markets based on 3D display technologies, including small/medium-size and large-size 3D LCDs, as well as on 3D input device technologies such as 3D camera module.

(1) 720 effective scanning lines (progressive scanning system). Resolution: 1280 H x 720 V pixels.
(2) As of May 12, 2010, for camera modules used in mobile devices.

About Sharp
Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. For more information, please visit www.sharp.co.jp .

Contact:
Sharp Corporation
Corporate Communications
Osaka +81-6-6625-3006
Tokyo: +81-3-3260-1870

Source: http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=22735

1 Sale a Day sells a pack of 3 (yes, that’s three) gold-plated, 6ft, 1080p HDMI v1.3 cables for [drum roll]… $0.00 (that’s correct, ZERO, NADA dollars).

P.S. You will still have to pay the shipping, which is anyway cheaper then buying those cables anywhere else. So hurry, you have less then 6 hours left.

My Movies for iPhone Light is now available in the iPhone App Store, and to support it, My Movies Collection Management and My Movies for Windows Home Server 3.13 have been released in final versions.

The categories of apps reviewed range from Movie Management to Universal remotes, to TV Guides and from Audio/Video Calibration helpers to Reference materials. Most apps are available from the AppStore for free, but then there are those that could cost you as much as $150 (Ouch!).

Some of the apps were new to me, while others I use on a daily basis. In any case the article is definitely worth checking out. So head on to Audio|Video Revolution website for details.

Here’s the complete list of apps mentioned in the review:

1. Pocketflicks
2. Now Playing
3. RunPee
4. IMDB
5. Redbox
6. HippoRemote Pro
7. Flpr
8. iMastercontrol Pro
9. Remote (Apple)
10. BoxeeRemote
11. Sonos
12. Sooloos
13. Yamaha Network
14. Crestron Mobile Pro
15. i.TV
16. Comcast
17. Dish Network
18. Direct TV
19. SlingPlayer Mobile
20. Audiocalc
21. RT
22. Speakerpop
23. DB
24. HTA Designer LT
25. Videocalc
26. ProjectorCalc
27. Sim2calc
28. Home Theater Glossary
29. HTCables
30. Plug Finder

The luxury of touch

Touch Screen

The idea of controlling Windows Media Center through touch interface was hunting me since I played with one of the first HP TouchSmart systems on the shelves of Costco. I already had HTPC, so I didn’t want to buy a new system. The obvious solution was to just add touch-capable display to my own HTPC. Searching high and low, I was soon discouraged, since all available touch screens were way too expensive – a 12″ displays are sold for over $500. But I managed to find one that fit my budget and works quite well with Windows 7 Media Center. Beware that in many cases drivers for Vista or Win7 could be hard to find or even unavailable, so check driver availability BEFORE you invest in a touch screen.

Movies on the go

DVD headrests

For some time now I’ve been looking to upgrade my car’s headrests with nice LCD ones to entertain little passengers during long trips. Paying over $2000 for a DVD package on a new car doesn’t make any sense to me. For that much money these days you can buy a TV, a blu-ray player and a truckload of movies. Unfortunatelly none of those portable DVD players I saw in stores met all my requirements. Partly due to the lack of support for the multitude of media formats available today, partly because many kid’s movies I have are from a different DVD region, so none of the players sold in US could play them. But now I have headrests that could do all that and then some (like playing games with 4 included joysticks or reading media from all major flash cards).

Being able to watch a good movie in the car, on your netbook or other mobile device, like iPod Touch, while you travel is nice. Watching movies on a big HDTV screen is way better. So you have two options: 1) use a cable to connect your mobile device to a TV and jump from the couch every time you want to pause, rewind or skip or 2) buy a tiny HDD Media Player that can hold hundreds of HD movies and could be controlled with an infrared remote. What’s your choice? #2. I thought so. That’s exactly what I did. And at $25 for the HDD enclosure with IR remote control this deal is hard to beat.

Saving Trickle Power

TV TrickleSaver

I’m sure you know that even when your DVD or TV is turned off it still sucks a few watts of power. According to some reports in the United States alone, this amounts to $4 to $5 billion of wasted electricity a year. Energy Star organisation each year creates more and more strict requirements for idle power consumption, but still the best way to cut on electricity usage is to unplug the devices you don’t use. Like cell phone chargers, and any devices you can turn on from a remote control. Since having to physically unplug devices is a hustle, a company called TrickleStar came up with a simple solution – a product that shuts off power to peripheral (slave) devices when the main (master) device is turned off. For example when TV turns off it could kill power to DVD or Blu-ray player, VCR, cable box or any other device connected to your TV. Or shut off printers, scanners, speakers, etc., connected to your computer when PC turns off. Yes, it also automatically turns on all slave devices as soon as the master device gets powered on.

Software

Lots of good new software was released in 2009, some apps had major updates. Among those are:

MyMovies 3.0 – one of the best movie collection organization and management apps for Windows Media Center got complete UI overhaul. Now it’s based on MCML, which is much prettier, and works much smoother with big video collections.

Show Analyzer went commercial this year. This app is very useful at processing (analyzing) your recorded TV shows in the background. So now you can forget about watching commercials ever again. The app will automatically skip them for you when you watch your Recorded TV.

AnyDVD had great incentives at the end of the year, offering lifetime upgrades for the price of a 2-year license. AnyDVD allows you to make copies of protected DVD and Blu-ray movies. So now you don’t have to buy same movie over and over again just because your kid managed to trash the disk with his/her favorite flick (again!). Or you can make a copy for your car, so you can enjoy it on the go, while original DVD is stored safely at home.

PlayOn streaming server allows to watch online video on your big screen TV though a variety of game consoles. It transcodes video on the fly so it could be played on your device. By default it supports Hulu, Amazon Video OnDemand, CBS, YouTube and a few other providers. But through a number of freely available plug-ins you can watch many many more Internet video sites.

Don’t delay though, the deal is only for one day (2/24/10), so head on to Yugster and push that “I Want One” button now!

PlayOn unlocks the power of your Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3 to watch your favorite movies, shows and videos from Hulu, CBS, Netflix, YouTube, CNN, ESPN and more streamed right to your TV. It’s wireless. And, there is no need to purchase a new device, connect messy cables, or worry about your cable bill. It’s no wonder we were named one of The Top 100 New Innovations of 2009 by Popular Science Magazine.

PlayOn runs on your Windows PC and streams to your gaming console, giving you access to a wide range of Internet content on your TV — Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon VOD, and many others.

PlayOn is Simple to Set-Up and Easy to Use
To enjoy PlayOn, you need a networked PC, and a Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3. PlayOn also enables you to stream your personal videos, photos and music from your PC to your Home Entertainment Center. It takes less than 3 minutes to set up – and we’ll show you how.

Take a Look at What You Can Watch With PlayOn! PlayOn gets your favorite shows off your PC and onto your TV, on demand. Use your Wii, Xbox 360, or PLAYSTATION 3 to watch any of the following:

Hulu
With content from channels like NBC, ABC, Fox, Disney, PBS, Comedy Central and more, Hulu brings you a tremendous library of current and past movies and shows. Catch up on last night’s series episodes you missed or take a trip down memory lane with shows from years past. Find some hidden jewels or kitschy genre flicks in their enormous library of free movies

Netflix Instant Queue
Use your existing Netflix account to watch movies from your instant queue. No need to pay for additional subscriptions or online access for your device. Kick back on your couch with some popcorn and enjoy your instant home theater.

CBS.com
Did you miss your favorite band on David Letterman last night? Need to kill some time by checking out who got voted off Survivor last week? Want to take a nostalgia trip to creepy by watching some Twin Peaks? Or maybe original episodes of Star Trek is just what you’ve been looking for. You can do all of the above with PlayOn and a gaming console.

ESPN.com
Nothing on, don’t have the attention span right now to watch an entire show? It happens to us all. Sports highlights might be just the ticket to kill a few minutes. Check out the best plays from the week, the news from the day, and all manner of other fun, low attention span sports tidbits. Best of all, see a great moment, it’s on demand. You can watch it over and over.

On top of it all, you also get CNN.com, Amazon VOD, and YouTube when you set up PlayOn!

Plugins
Additionally with PlayOn Plugins you can get free access to The Food Network, The Weather Channel, NFL.com, South Park Studios, Adultswim and much much more. The library just keeps growing. Be sure to check out our free plug-ins to see if your favorite content can be added with PlayOn plugins.

But what would one do if there are no Ethernet cables running inside the walls of the house or if you are renting and not allowed to rip the walls off to make a cable drop? Here are a few alternatives available today.

Power lines

You might not know yet, but power lines in your walls could carry more than just an electric current. Solutions based on HomePlug AV technology allow to create local network with theoretical speeds up to 200Mbps*. And the good news is the installation is a snap. They require no new wires, just two tiny boxes connected to power outlets in each room where you need an Ethernet outlet. One of the boxes must be connected to the router or network switch.

Zyxel (PLA-4xx series), D-link (DHP-303 PowerLine HD Network Starter Kit), Netgear (XAVxxx series) as well as some CE manufacturers like Panasonic produce HomePlug-compatible devices.

Beware though, there’s a catch with any powerline based products. Since most homes in the US have electricity coming in from two (rarely more) separate phases if sender and receiver units are located on opposite phases they won’t be able to see and communicate with each other.

Coaxial cable

Most homes are wired with coaxial cable outlets in every room. Yes, that’s the cable you connect to TV sets to receive cable or SAT programming. If there’s a room without coax it could be installed by your Cable or Internet provider for a nominal fee (usually under $50). Solutions based on Coax just start to emerge, but in essence they are very similar to the HomePlug technology, and require a converter box at each end to separate the TV signal from the data network.

D-link’s DXN-221 HD MediaBridge Coax Network Starter Kit is one of the choices.

Zyxel’s PLA-402 v3 Powerline Coaxial Ethernet Adapter uses HomePlug AV standard.

ZeeVee’s ZvBox 100 and 150 takes a different approach by modulating RF channel on the coax out of VGA signal from your PC. In plain English it means that ZvBox creates a new channel on all TVs connected to the coax cable in your home. You just need to connect ZvBox to PC’s analog monitor (aka VGA) output. No adapters are needed for ZvBox on TV’s side.

Wireless

High transfer speeds are also attainable with wireless connections, though in majority of cases this is the least reliable solution as it is very easily affected by a number of appliances in your home operating in the same wireless spectrum. For example, microwave ovens and many land-line wireless phones work in a 2.4GHz spectrum that is used by WiFi b/g/n, so the transfer speeds could drop substantially as the interference from appliances causes network packets to be dropped and re-sent over and over again. The WiFi a (and n) could also operate in 5GHz spectrum, which is less populated and usually provides better streaming experience, alas very few laptops and media receivers are outfitted with built-in 5GHz radios, so you will most likely have to buy an adapter and compatible wireless router.

Gefen just recently announced a 60GHz wireless solution that allows to extend HDMI connection up to 30ft. It is not intended for Ethernet network, only HDMI, but in some cases that might be all you need (provided you have $999 to spare).

* The theoretical speed is attainable only in controlled lab environment. The actual “real-world” speed is usually lower or much lower then THY.

Zyxel DMA-1100p

In my search of a DLNA-compliant device to distribute Music and Video from my Media Server to the TV in the kitchen I looked through many sites and reviews, but then I stumbled upon a very nice and clean list of available Media Streamers on ProductWiki website.

It provides a great outlook on all the major (and some minor) players on the market along with MSRP and reviews on most of the boxes. Unfortunately, there’re not enough reviews on the site yet to make it a primary source for choosing your next electronic toy, but the nice design with clear pictures and short descriptions give you a good starting point for research.

This time around I decided to give a try to Zyxel DMA-1100p Digital Media Theater. Newegg has a very seductive price on it right now, so I just couldn’t pass it up.

A feature I was looking for in the DMA-1100p is the embedded HomePlug AV adapter. I’d been wanting to try HomePlug AV for the longest time, but the first generation of the technology was too slow to handle HD contents and the second still has a relatively high entry price point. The powerline adapters alone run for $100+, and you still need an Ethernet-enabled streamer to make use of it, which will cost you another Franklin or two.

DMA-1100p ships as a kit with all the pieces you need to establish HomePlug AV network, which makes Newegg’s price of $65.99 even sexier.

If you are not familiar with this technology, in a few words, what HomePlug AV does is “converting” the power lines in your home into Ethernet cable. So you can stream media with speeds up to 200Mbps without having to pull Cat5 cable from your router to TV location (which in my case happens to be the entire perimeter of the house).

The reviews on this technology are mostly positive, but the tinkerer that I am, I’d like to see for myself. Especially, I’d like to know how (or even if) it will co-exist with my powerline-based INSTEON home automation system. I’ll let you know what I discover.

According to UPS my new toy should arrive tomorrow, so don’t try to call me this weekend — it’s already taken.

You can get the TwonkyMedia server and TwonkyMedia manager at 50% of their retail prices.

Coupon code TWONKYMEDIA-2XX9-A for the 50% off discount expires on 1/31/2010. 50% discount cannot be applied to previous purchases.

TwonkyMedia server

TwonkyMedia server is a very robust media server allowing to stream photos, music and video over the local network or the Internet to any UPnP/DLNA-compliant devices, such as Internet ready TVs and stereos, smartphones, digital photo frames, set-top boxes and more. TwonkyMedia server was chosen by HP to provide streaming for their HP Media Smart Servers. Yes, it’s that good!

TwonkyMedia manager

• Manage, view and control your media and devices from any PC in your home.
• The first media manager that allows you to push media by simply dragging and dropping it to devices in your home.
• Includes the award-winning TwonkyMedia server, which streams music, photos or videos to compatible devices in your home.

Go to TwonkyMedia to learn more or click here to claim your coupon.

** According to an Feb 2009 study by the research firm In-Stat