Toys & Gadgets

Is bigger always better? JVC’s new LED display in Times Square doesn’t have the size of Walgreens or Toshiba (and lets be real, no one is touching Dubai) but it is the first one in proper 720p (1280×720) resolution, no scaling or head tilting necessary here. After calling the crossroads of the world home since 1979, the new improved board lit up yesterday at 19 x 34-feet, capable of displaying 60fps with a mere 8mm pixel pitch ensuring things look good even close up. You can thank the same Clear Channel Spectacolor and D3 LED folks that were behind the Walgreens installation for this 12,500 lb screen, and we suppose you can also blame them for not letting us play some Call of Duty on it as well. Check the gallery or if you’re in the area just take a walk over for a new and better look.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

JVC turns on the first 720p billboard in Times Square originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Just a day after rolling out its smallest SVGA projector of all time, Dell has quietly slid a new home cinema beamer into its accessories lineup. The 7609WU features a native 1,920 x 1,200 (WUXGA) resolution, DLP / BrilliantColor technology, 3,850 ANSI lumens, a 2,700:1 contrast ratio, twin stereo speakers, a lamp good for around 2,500 hours and a whole slew of ports including VGA (x2), component, S-Video, USB, RJ-45 and HDMI (x2). It’ll set you back a stiff $4,999, but just think, you’ll never have to spend another cent at the local Cineplex.

[Via Electronista]

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Of late, there has been quite a bit of press circulating which suggests that Blu-ray isn’t faring too well. At that head of those sentiments was a Samsung UK director named Andy Griffiths, who casually predicted that BD only had about five good years of life remaining. Unsurprisingly, senior VP of corporate communications at Sony Rick Clancy has hit back with an epic tale of why the format is actually not nearing its end. In fact, he suggests that Blu-ray will eventually live harmoniously with digital downloads, and he forecast that BD has “perhaps a decade” of growth to come. He also snuck in a few plugs for his PS3 and BRAVIA HDTVs, but more on the point, he essentially stated that not enough of the world had broadband (yet) for downloadable content to pose a real threat. Right, because the vast majority of the globe definitely has a few C-notes to lay on a BD player. We’re only kidding (kind of).

[Via SonyInsider]

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

JVC has pushed out a release today clarifying some of the claims it made back at CEDIA 2008, and by and large, it’s things that prospective buyers will want to hear. The company introduced an HD foursome of projectors in Denver earlier this month, but apparently, some of the specifications it included weren’t, shall we say, final. Looking specifically at contrast ratio, we see the DLA-HD750 and DLA-HD20 jumping from 30,000:1 to 50,000:1, the DLA-RS10 going from 17,000:1 to 32,000:1 and the DLA-HD350 doubling up from 15,000:1 to 30,000:1. Also of note, JVC is now highlighting the 16-step fixed aperture in the DLA-HD750 and DLA-RS20 that “helps eliminate extraneous light that can reduce contrast levels and allows adjustment of brightness to suit user preferences.” As for updated prices, you can expect to pay around $6,000 for the DLA-HD350, while the DLA-HD750, DLA-RS10 and DLA-RS20 come in at $8,000, $6,000 and $8,000 in order of mention.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

You already witnessed our unboxing and hands-on with Sling Media’s Slingbox PRO-HD, and if you’re anxious to know when you can grab one of your own, how’s about right now? Sling has revealed that its $299.99 high-def box can be purchased this very instant from its website and other B&M retailers, and for Canadians feeling a touch left out, take heart — you all will be able to purchase the unit “in the coming weeks” for $329.99.

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

We actually had to dust off our spectacles to make sure this wasn’t some sort of misunderstanding, but clearly, Hitachi is pulling a Toshiba. Generally, we wouldn’t make such a claim, but given that Tosh also calls its wizard-like upconverting technology Super Resolution, we’d say the likeness requires such a comparison. Reportedly, Hitachi has been toiling day and night on its own “super resolution technology,” which will theoretically take SD images and scale them to near-1080p. Amazingly, we’re told that it can also “convert HDTV images, such as digital terrestrial broadcasts, into images with even higher (what, SHV?) definition.” The tech is executed on a frame-by-frame basis and should be exhibited at the upcoming CEATEC trade show in Japan; as for a release, Hitachi’s currently aiming to get this into LCDs and plasmas “after 2010.”

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Section: Computers, Hardware, Laptops

Sony announced their latest series in its VAIO notebook lineup - the VAIO TT series. Sony says that these notebooks would be the world’s lightest with Blu-ray disc technology. TT notebook models weigh around 1.3kg and measures only an inch thick.

But certainly, being thin and lightweight are not all there are to the VAIO TT notebook series. TT units to be released later would have various features specific to each of the notebook models. The Sony VAIO TT notebook series also feature an 11.1-inch widescreen display powered by the XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology partnered with an energy-saving LED backlight.  In addition, there is an HDMI output connector for connecting the notebook to an HDTV.  These Sonys use Intel’s Centrino 2 inside which should help with power consumption.

In addition, the VAIO TT notebooks boast a dual channel 256GB solid state drive with RAID technology which enables users to have fast boot-up times, application launches and overall general performance. Other features include PC wireless Wide Area Network technology and a choice among the Windows OSs Vista and XP.

No word yet on a release date but the Sony VAIO TT notebook should cost around $2000-$2700 and will come in a variety of colors(carbon black, silk black, champagne gold and crimson red). 

Read [Sony PR]

Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

While we new LG had a pair of DVR-packin’ plasmas lined up, nothing was officially official until now. The 42- and 50-inch PG6900 plasmas were designed to hold up to 86-hours of programming (SD, we assume) on its 160GB of internal hard drive space, and the 8-day EPG should give you a pretty decent view of what’s coming on in the near future. Additionally, you’ll find a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, Energy Star compliance, a DVB-T tuner (plus an analog tuner), three HDMI 1.3 ports, 100Hz refresh rate and integrated speakers which are said to be “invisible.” Look for these to pop up soon (at least in Europe) for $1,799 and up.

[Via Gizmag]

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

While we new LG had a pair of DVR-packin’ plasmas lined up, nothing was officially official until now. The 42- and 50-inch PG6900 plasmas were designed to hold up to 86-hours of programming (SD, we assume) on its 160GB of internal hard drive space, and the 8-day EPG should give you a pretty decent view of what’s coming on in the near future. Additionally, you’ll find a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, Energy Star compliance, a DVB-T tuner (plus an analog tuner), three HDMI 1.3 ports, 100Hz refresh rate and integrated speakers which are said to be “invisible.” Look for these to pop up soon (at least in Europe) for $1,799 and up.

[Via Gizmag]

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Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, Household, Wireless

Alright, maybe “superfluous” is a bit harsh, but we’re still a bit confused as to why LG stuck Bluetooth into its new 7000-series LCDs and plasmas. Sure, if they offered a Bluetooth remote we’d take it all back in a heartbeat, but the fact is that there are about four people on earth that own stereo Bluetooth headphones, and none of them have been watching TV on mute all this time — and the rest of us are too lazy to figure out how to beam pictures from our phone over Bluetooth, the other main function LG provides here. But would you look at that menu! It really makes it all worthwhile. Heck, LG could toss in some 802.11a, SCSI and a pinch of MIDI plugs if it meant more menus like this. Oh, and we suppose those purtiful icons will come in handy when browsing for photos off of the 7000’s USB port, so good on you, LG, good on you.

[Gadgie was the winner of our Engadget Mascot contest last year, he approves this message]

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