TV Snob

Sony NX720, HX820 and HX929 3D TVs up for pre-order on Amazon

2011-03-29T03:43:00Z

Sony's 2011 3D TV line up isn't available on store shelves quite yet but over on Amazon.com, pricing is available. The new HDTVs will be available in 3 different series': NX720, HX820 and HX929.

The highest end HX929 series will include the 46" XBR-46HX929
(May 2011), 55" XBR-55HX929 and 65" XBR-65HX929 (August 2011) costing $2, 999, $3, 799 and as of yet unknown, respectively. Features include a full array LED backlit display, 800 Hz MotionFlow XR frame interpolation, X-Reality Pro image processing, built-in Wi-Fi, USB/HDD storage and recording, webcam and a couple pairs of 3D glasses.

The step down HX820 series includes the 46" KDL-46HX820 and the 55" KDL-55HX820 which in turn include edge lit LED backlighting, OptiContrast panels, X-Reality Pro image processing, 480 Hz MotionFlow XR frame interpolation, and the web connected features of the HX929 series. The 46" and 55" inch models are priced at $2, 599 and $3, 399, respectively.

Finally, the "entry-level" 46" KDL-46NX720, 55" KDL-55NX720 and 60" KDL-60NX720 will be priced at $2, 099, $2, 899 and $3, 499, respectively. Features include edge lit LED backlighting with active shutter paneling, X-Reality Pro image processing, 240 Hz MotionFlow XR, integrated Wi-Fi and a webcam.

All the sets are up for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Via 3D Display Info

Sony NX720, HX820 and HX929 3D TVs up for pre-order on Amazon

2011-03-28T16:07:22Z

Sony's 2011 3D TV line up isn't available on store shelves quite yet but over on Amazon.com, pricing is available. The new HDTVs will be available in 3 different series': NX720, HX820 and HX929.

The highest end HX929 series will include the 46" XBR-46HX929">46" XBR-46HX929 (May 2011), 55" XBR-55HX929" and 65" XBR-65HX929 (August 2011) costing $2, 999, $3, 799 and as of yet unknown, respectively. Features include a full array LED backlit display, 800 Hz MotionFlow XR frame interpolation, X-Reality Pro image processing, built-in Wi-Fi, USB/HDD storage and recording, webcam and a couple pairs of 3D glasses.

The step down HX820 series includes the 46" KDL-46HX820">46" KDL-46HX820 and the 55" KDL-55HX820">55" KDL-55HX820 which in turn include edge lit LED backlighting, OptiContrast panels, X-Reality Pro image processing, 480 Hz MotionFlow XR frame interpolation, and the web connected features of the HX929 series. The 46" and 55" inch models are priced at $2, 599 and $3, 399, respectively.

Finally, the "entry-level" 46" KDL-46NX720">46" KDL-46NX720, 55" KDL-55NX720">55" KDL-55NX720 and 60" KDL-60NX720">60" KDL-60NX720 will be priced at $2, 099, $2, 899 and $3, 499, respectively. Features include edge lit LED backlighting with active shutter paneling, X-Reality Pro image processing, 240 Hz MotionFlow XR, integrated Wi-Fi and a webcam.

All the sets are up for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Via 3D Display Info

Buffalo outs quad-layer BDXL burner

2011-03-25T13:02:00Z

Buffalo has coughed out a new external BDXL burner, making quad-layer optical burning a little more mainstream. The US$275 BRXL-PC6U2-BK burner requires a single USB 2.0 connection functions though a second is required for 4x writing speeds. Hitting shelves this week in Japan, the burner requires BR-R XL discs which will set you back $50 or $60 each. Wow!

Via EngadgetHD

Sony outs Trimaster OLED monitors for big bucks

2011-02-16T15:13:00Z

I remember the excitement that surrounded Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV a few years back. Since then, OLED applications in television have been relatively quiet. Today though, Sony has announced a couple of new OLED monitors aimed not at the consumer couch potato market, but TV and movie production companies. Available in 25-inch (BVM-E250) and 17-inch (BVM-E170) display sizes, the TRIMASTER EL OLED master monitors features 1080p resolution, HDMI, Ethernet, DisplayPort, SD-SDI, 3G-SDI and HD-SDI ports, and an aluminum body. Both models will be available July 1 in Japan with converted prices of $16, 000 for the 17-inch model and $29, 000 for the 25-inch model. Ouch!

Via CrunchGear

Epson's ES1000 mobile projector screen

2011-02-15T13:53:00Z

A fairly common occurrence when it comes to the use of business projectors is the act of using a wall as a projection screen. Sure, projectors are small enough to lug around in a car or on a plane these days, but screens really aren't known to be portable.

Epson is looking to fix this with the release of its ES1000 Ultra Portable Tabletop Projection Screen. Weighing only 6.5 pounds and measuring a compact 34.5 inches when closed, the ES1000 fits easily pretty well anywhere including in overhead luggage bins.

It is designed to open in about 30 seconds, measures 50 inches diagonally and accommodates both standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratios.

The ES1000 is now available from Epson's website (currently out of stock) for $129.99 which includes free ground shipping.

Via Slashgear

Toshiba D-BW500 combines Blu-ray and VHS for $860

2011-02-02T16:23:00Z

Do you remember the term VHS? No, me neither. But apparently Toshiba does. This morning the company announced the D-BW500, a combination VHS, DVD and Blu-ray player with a 320 GB hard drive crammed into its shell.

The unit allows users to copy old VHS movies onto Blu-ray, DVD or the disc drive and includes REGZA link, an SHDC card slot for JPEG and AVCHD viewing, a USB port and a double digital TV tuner.

The Toshiba D-BW500 will ship in Japan within the next few days for the bargain price (cough, cough!) of US$860.

Via CrunchGear

Roku now supports USB plug and play

2011-02-02T13:38:00Z

Roku has released official support for USB-stored media playback on its XD|S model and its discontinued HD - XR model. This means that you'll now be able to plug in a USB drive directly into your Roku player and play back a variety of file formats including MKV, MP4, MOV, WMV/ASF, MP3, AAC, JPG and PNG files.

There aren't official release notes available right now but it is known that the USB media player support will require firmware version 2.9, build 1529 to work correctly.

Via Zatz Not Funny!

TVSnob monthly roundup for January 2011

2011-02-01T00:10:00Z

Blu-ray

Deal of the Day

Best Buy turns HDTV upgrading into a money-making activity with Buy Back program

Gaming Systems

Nintendo launching glasses-free 3D DS next month

HDTV

Home Theater A/V

Philips outs piles of 3D/HD toys at CES 2011

LCD TV

Philips outs piles of 3D/HD toys at CES 2011

Projectors

Web TV

Amazon's Lovefilm on all UK Samsung Blu-ray players

2011-01-31T13:22:00Z

The UK's Lovefilm may have recently been acquired by online retail giant Amazon, but that hasn't slowed the former's forward progress down in any way.

Samsung has announced today that it will include Lovefilm movie streaming by way of application on all of its UK Blu-ray players. The app will be activated by a Lovefilm subscription of £5.99 or above and give customers access to thousands of movies via Samsung's Internet@TV service.

Via The Register

Academy Award winner Walter Murch says 3D a no go

2011-01-24T13:21:00Z

Academy Award-winning film editor and sound designer Walter Murch writes in a letter to film critic Roger Ebert that 3D will never work. Not because it's expensive, requires uncomfortable glasses, causes headaches, or any other of the usual complaints - but because the evolution of our species has never requiredour eyeballs to focus and converge at different points.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The biggest problem with 3D, though, is the "convergence/focus" issue. A couple of the other issues -- darkness and "smallness" -- are at least theoretically solvable. But the deeper problem is that the audience must focus their eyes at the plane of the screen -- say it is 80 feet away. This is constant no matter what.
But their eyes must converge at perhaps 10 feet away, then 60 feet, then 120 feet, and so on, depending on what the illusion is. So 3D films require us to focus at one distance and converge at another. And 600 million years of evolution has never presented this problem before. All living things with eyes have always focussed and converged at the same point.

In a nutshell, our eyeballs make it nearly impossible - without another few million years of HDTV-related evolutionary adaptations - to properly process 3D images.
What do you think about 3D? Will it ever truly catch on?

Via Gizmodo

Amazon buys Lovefilm in strategic move against Apple, Netflix

2011-01-20T13:32:00Z

Amazon's Video On Demand service is making inroads into Europe with the acquisition of Lovefilm. Lovefilm, in which Amazon already has a minority stake, is the European version of Netflix, operating a DVD rental service (originally purchased from Amazon) and streaming video to the Playstation 3, some TVs and computers.

The deal, expected to be completed by the end of March, is a strategic move again both Netflix, which hasn't expanded into Europe yet, and Apple's iTunes which does offer service to Europe.

Via Electronista

Nintendo launching glasses-free 3D DS next month

2011-01-19T13:43:00Z

Nintendo is working to update its DS handheld game console with the 3DS, coming to Japan February 26th. The 3DS is a dual-screen unit - a touchscreen bottom screen and a 3D upper screen. The glasses free console runs on two 266 MHz ARM processors, comes with a 2 GB SD card for expansion and a charging cradle as opposed to a plug-in connection. It will also have a gyroscope and accelerometer so it can sense motion.

LED lights act as indicators on the unit with a green light meaning the unit is fully charged, a red light meaning the battery is low, and an orange light indicating the presence of a friend online.

Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs and Cats, Steeldiver (a submarine game), Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time 3-D and Kid Icarus: Uprising will all be available when the unit launches next month for the equivalent of US$300.

Via Fast Company

Sanyo brings interactivity to projection with the PLC WL-2503

2011-01-19T13:22:00Z

Sanyo's PLC WL-2503 ultra-short throw multimedia projector allows presenters to create a fully interactive exhibition without a sensor-backed whiteboard. Combining a camera module mounted on the front of the projector, an IR transmitter-equipped pen, and a PC connected by USB to the projector, the interactive system allows a presenter to write on top of the projected display.

Able to produce an 80-inch, 1280 x 800 XGA resolution picture from only 34-inches away, the PLC WL-2503 pumps out 2500 lumens of brightness, features Sanyo's PJ Network Interface for wired networking, a 4000 hour lamp and filter life, blackboard/colorboard mode, and Closed Caption compatibility.

Hitting shelves at the end of January, the Sanyo PLC WL-2503 is priced at $1695.99.

Via OhGizmo

Japan REALLY loves 3D home theater hardware

2011-01-19T00:06:00Z

When it comes to setting trends, the country of Japan is often a likely culprit. Japan is at it again with rapidly increasing adoption of 3D-compatible home theater hardware. According to blog Crunchgear, 57% of Blu-ray recorders and 23% of all 40-inch plus HDTVs sold in Japan last month were 3D ready. This is up from roughly 7% and 3% for each, respectively, in early fall 2010. Cheaper prices and the holiday season probably bumped up these numbers temporarily, but big numbers nonetheless.

Via Crunchgear

Epson outs 4 new projectors for your teacher

2011-01-18T23:57:00Z

Epson has announced four new projectors geared for the education market. The PowerLite 1835, PowerLite D6150, PowerLite D6155W and the PowerLite D6250 make up the four new units, priced at $1199 (March), $1649, $1799 and $1799 (all three in April), respectively.

The PowerLite 1835 features XGA resolution, 3500 lumens of brightness, 16W speaker with closed captioning decoder, HDMI and USB inputs, an optional wireless connection and a 6000 lamp life.

The D6000 series swap major features with each other. The D6150 features 3500 lumens of brightness, XGA resolution, 5000 hour lamp life and 10000 hour electrostatic filter. The D6155W steps up the resolution widescreen XWGA and the D6250 is a bit brighter at 4000 lumens but keeps the XGA resolution.

Via Electronista

Image Constraint Token to wreck Blu-ray HD over analog

2011-01-11T13:44:00Z

The days of HD over analog are coming to an end. Any new Blu-ray player announced after January 1, 2011 will only output HD over HDMI. Transmission through a component connection will automatically downgrade HD content to 540p thanks to something called Image Constraint token or ICT. Studios will set this on titles from now on but thankfully will have to mark it on the Blu-ray disc box and cannot retroactively apply it to any Blu-ray discs you may have now. You can also buy a Blu-ray player announced last year until the end of this year to temporarily override the issue. In the end though, this is a good thing. By the end of 2013, analog outputs will no longer be integrated into Blu-ray players at all and the move to higher definition digital output will be a great thing for HDTV viewers everywhere.

Via EngadgetHD

Best Buy turns HDTV upgrading into a money-making activity with Buy Back program

2011-01-11T13:16:00Z

Most home theater geeks are probably familiar with buyer's remorse, that feeling of regret you sometime have to deal with after shelling out a few dollars for a new HDTV. Why does it happen? Mainly because the HDTV just bought will be a technological midget compared to the next big thing that will be on shelves in 6 months.

Consumer electronics retailer Best Buy knows this and has today launched the Buy Back program, available this month in both bricks-and-mortar stores and online. The premise of the program? Buy, for example, an HDTV under $5000, purchase the Buy Back protection at the time of original HDTV purchase and then know that if you'd like to upgrade in less than 6 months you'll get up to 50% of the original purchase price back in the form of a Best Buy gift card.

Interestingly, the rebate is given back at the time of trade-in - no messy paperwork or waiting 6 weeks after a mail-in.

HDTVs themselves can be traded in for up to 48 months after the original purchase for a rebate of up to 10%.

The Buy Back program in expected to encourage early technology adopters to feel more comfortable making expensive technology purchases in an era of nearly constant product releases and updates from manufacturers.

Via ZDNet

Philips outs piles of 3D/HD toys at CES 2011

2011-01-05T13:39:00Z

High-definition junkies will be pleased to browse the latest news from Philips over coffee this morning. The company has announced a variety of new products at the Consumer Electronics Show this morning including its 4000, 5000 and 6000 HDTV series', five Blu-ray home theatre systems and 5 new Blu-ray players.

Kicking things off with the 4000 series, you can expect availability in 40- (40PFL4706), 46- (46PFL4706) and 55 (55PFL4706) inch screen sizes, all available with MediaConnect and NetTV sometime this May. The Philips software allows your PC to collaborate with your HDTV in order to access content from the likes of Vudu, Blockbuster and Netflix. All of this is done wirelessly as per 2011 technology. The three models will be priced at $679, $899 and $1099, respectively. 19-, 22- and 32-inch replicas minus the MediaConnect and NetTV integration will also be available for $199.99, $249.99 and $449.99, respectively.

The 5000 series is basically the same bowl of Cheerios with the addition of a Pixel Precise HD engine and a 120 Hz refresh, plus SRS TruSurround HD. Also available in 40- (40PFL5706), 46- (46PFL5706) and 55- (55PFL5706), the 5000 series will set you back $749, $999 and $1499 when they land on shelves sometime in April or May.

On to the 6000 series, available in 40- (40PFL6706), 46- (46PFL6706) and 55-inch (55PFL6706) display sizes once again, you'll get full 3D support for a little extra cash output. Coming this September, the 6000 series will cost $999, $1299 and $1699, respectively.

As for the home theatre systems, they'll ship from February to May with price tags ranging from $269.99 to $449.99. All include MediaConnect and NetTV, three sport 3D support and features like wireless rear speakers appear as the price point increases.
The Blu-ray players will also ship next month until April, beginning at $169.99 and moving on up to $219.99. 3 of the new models will include 3D support and the most expensive BDP7506 also has built-in MediaConnect/NetTV.

Via Engadget

Google TV having a rough time

2010-12-20T13:29:00Z

Google TV is facing some glitches. The search monolith had a line of hardware partners set to show off new Google TV-based products next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But now the company has asked companies such as Toshiba, LG and Sharp to hold off on releasing new products until the next version of Google TV software is released.

Reviews thus far have been lukewarm and Google appears to be having similar difficulties to all the other companies that have attempted to bring the internet to TV. It's conceivable that Google TV, should it catch on, won't do so until next Christmas now. By then it could have a competitor that more effectively manages its partners and times the release of its product.

SNK outs NEO-GEO PS3 controller

2010-12-16T01:15:00Z

This is pretty neat. Remember the NEO-GEO? Japan's SNK has come up with replica NEO-GEO controller modified for use with Sony's Playstation 3. Instead of the old A, B, C and D buttons, SNK has used the shapes and symbols familiar to avid PS3 gamers. The controllers are up for grabs right now from Play-Asiafor roughly $45.

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Vizio, Toshiba releasing Google TVs?

2010-11-25T13:40:00Z

Rumor has it that both Toshiba and Vizio will be announcing Google TV-powered high-def sets at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. Sony has thus far been the only HDTV maker to incorporate Google TV software into its televisions and Blu-ray players, while Logitech has created a Google TV set-top box. With Vizio being the largest HDTV manufacturer by sales volume in the United States this 3rd quarter, Google TV is getting a serious boost.

So far its launch has been low key (typical of many Google products) and Google TV is not an idea that has been embraced by television networks. Many are refusing to unlock their online content for viewing through Google TV. By partnering with as many consumer electronics makers as possible, Google's chances of a Google TV revolution will be much better.

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Walmart slashing HDTV, Blu-ray prices tomorrow

2010-11-17T00:35:00Z

Walmart is kicking off the Black Friday festivities early tomorrow with its "Amazing Electronics Event". It has online sales available already but the in-store deals, which are said to be focusing on HDTVs and Blu-ray players, will not be available until tomorrow morning. Pricing will be different in the odd state and quantities will be limited. A note to remember: shipping on all electronics from Walmart will be free until December 20.

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Microsoft Kinect sells 1 million units so far

2010-11-16T00:35:00Z

Microsoft's Kinect motion sensors, its motion recognition software, have sold a cool 1 million units across the globe nearly 2 weeks before the biggest North American shopping day of the year Black Friday. The company now believes that Kinect, an Xbox 360 add-on will sell approximately 5 million units by the end of 2010. Amazingly Kinect won't be available in most Asian countries until the end of this week after which sales will likely accelerate.

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Samsung outs 70-inch Ultra Definition 3D TV

2010-11-09T01:15:00Z

Today Samsung Electronics outed its latest 3D prototype, deciding to throw out high definition and go for Ultra Definition. The whopping 70-inch HDTV Ultra Definition set carries the Ultra moniker as a result of its 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. You won't do any better than that on the market today. The 240 Hz set won't hit the market anytime soon but with smooth motion and 3D viewing added on to the whole package - glasses required - we sure wish it would.

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2010 Sears Black Friday 2010 HDTV Deals

2010-11-08T00:20:00Z

Sears typically has some amazing Black Friday deals and this year is no exception. Listed below are 2010's best deals from Sears. Those marked with an asterisk are Doorbusters only available on Black Friday, November 26 from 4AM to 12 PM. Everything else is available on both November 26 and November 27 and can be ordered online for in-store pickup. For comparison we've also listed Amazon's prices on the same models and they are usually tough to beat. Most of the Sears deals are currently lower but expect Amazon to lower its prices to be competitive on Black Friday.

Panasonic 32″ 1080p 60Hz LCD TCL32U22 - $399.99 * (Amazon - $439.44)

Panasonic 37″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV TCL37U22 - $469.99 * (Amazon - $489.99)

Panasonic 46″ 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV TCP46C2 - $499.99 * (Amazon - $511.03)

Panasonic 50″ 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV TCP50S2 - $799.99 (Amazon - $896.44)

Samsung 32″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV LN32C350 - $329.99 (Amazon - $398.00)

Samsung 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV LN40C500 - $497.99 *

Samsung 40″ 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV UN40C5000 - $747.99 * (Amazon - $899.00)

Samsung 46″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV UN46C6300 - $999.99 * (Amazon - 199.98 199.9)

Samsung 50″ 720p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV PN50C490 - $899.99 (includes 2 free pairs of glasses) (Amazon - $969.99)

Samsung 55″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV UN55C6300 - $1,499.99 * (Amazon - 765.90 765.76)

Samsung 55″ 3D 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV UN55C7000 - $2,199.99 * (includes 2 pairs of 3D glasses, 4 Shrek 3D movies and a 3D Blu-ray player) (Amazon - $2199.98)

Sony 40″ Bravia 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV KDLEX400 - $549.99 (Amazon - $599.00)

Sony 46″ Bravia 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV KDL46EX400 - $699.99 (Amazon - $762.90)

Sony 52″ Bravia 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV KDL52NX800 - $1,499.99 (Amazon - 697 69 )

LG 60″ 1080p 600Hz Plasma LG60PK750 - $1,499.99 * (Amazon - 555.00 555.555)

Toshiba 46″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV 46G300 - $649.99 * (Amazon - $735.00)

RCA 24″ 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV LED24A45 - $299.99 *

RCA 26″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV 26LA30RQD - $299.99 *

Sylvania 22″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV LC220SS1 - $189.99 * (Amazon - $233.27)

Sylvania 26″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV LC260SS1 - $259.99 (Amazon - $320.64)

Zenith 42″ 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV 42PJ240 - $399.99 *

Playstation 3 to get 3D picture viewing by end of September

2010-09-22T14:30:00Z

Sony's Playstation 3 is supposed to be ready to support 3D Blu-ray discs in October, but by the end of September it will be ready for 3D picture viewing.

A press release issued today says that the 3D image viewing will be available through the new PlayMemories app, downloadable from the Playstation Store by late September. The images have to be shot with 3D-compatible cameras of course, which include the Cyber-shot models WX5 and TX9 and DSLR models A55V and A33.

The PlayMemories app will be free when it arrives in the next few days.

Netflix to hit Canada on September 22

2010-09-20T23:30:00Z

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings will be in Toronto, Canada this Wednesday to unveil its Canadian offering. The company will only offering streaming video rentals in Canada and, as of now, has no plans to sell hard copy DVDs. This is the first foreign expansion outside fo the United States for Netflix and will probably not be the last. Both Apple TV and the Boxee box are also planned for Canadian release in the future as well.

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Amino Freedom enters the crowded set-top box market

2010-09-07T12:10:00Z

There is an endless supply of set-top boxes capable of all kinds of amazing things on the market or coming to market currently. Add Amino's Freedom box to the mix. Capable of 1080p playback, DVR recording and VOD streaming, and augmented by an Intel CE4100m processor, 1 GB of RAM, 500 GB of internal storage, 802.11n Wi-Fi, SD card support, Bluetooth and Nokia's MeeGo operating system, the Amino Freedom box now also runs apps and games.

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TVSnob monthly roundup for August 2010

2010-09-01T12:00:00Z

Blu-ray

THX, BluFocus team up to push 3D Blu-ray into more living rooms

HDTV

Media Streamers

Apple TV, AKA iTV, rumored $99, only 720p

Mobile TV

Plasma

Panasonic, Netgear connect for Viera wireless web access

Web TV

Netflix streaming comes to iPhone, iPod Touch

2010-08-26T12:30:00Z

A Netflix app has been available for the iPad for some time now. Nada for other iOS devices such as the iPhone and the iPod Touch. But today Netflix announced that the latter two devices are supported and an updated app is available from the iTunes store:

Get Netflix on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Just download this free app and you can instantly watch TV shows & movies streaming from Netflix.
- It's part of your Netflix unlimited membership. Not a Netflix member? Start your FREE trial today.
- Watch as often as you want
- Resume watching where you left off on your TV or computer
- Browse movies and manage your instant Queue right from your device

The use of the app does require a Netflix subscription which starts at $8.99/month, but judging from the text above you can start off with a free month or two.

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