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Hitachi to halt domestic production of Wooo LCD and plasma TVs, Mitsubishi to axe optical discs?

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:20:00 +0000

Hitachi's line of domestically produced Wooo TVs is coming to an end, now that the manufacturer has confirmed plans to close a major plant in central Japan. In an announcement issued today, Hitachi said it will shutter its factory in Gifu, where some 100,000 LCD and plasma TVs are produced each month. Citing industry-wide price competition as the deciding factor, the company went on to clarify that the facility will shut down by September of this year, and that it will instead be used to manufacture projectors and chips. Hitachi will, however, continue to offer non-Wooo TVs manufactured by non-Japanese contractors. Japan's Asahi Shimbun, meanwhile, is reporting that Mitsubishi has decided to terminate domestic production of DVDs and Blu-Rays, due to declining sales of each. From now on, optical disc manufacturing will instead be outsourced to partner companies in India and Taiwan. For more details, check out the post-break press release.

Continue reading Hitachi to halt domestic production of Wooo LCD and plasma TVs, Mitsubishi to axe optical discs?

Hitachi to halt domestic production of Wooo LCD and plasma TVs, Mitsubishi to axe optical discs? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-Ray players

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:36:00 +0000

It's that time again, folks. Panasonic has (figuratively) taken to the streets of Las Vegas in a ticker tape parade that's full of press releases. As part of the announcement, the company launched three 3D Blu-Ray players for home theater systems, four stand-alone 3D models and two traditional Blu-Ray units. The home theater group -- which includes the SC-BTT490, SC-BTT195 and SC-BTT190 -- each offer WiFi connectivity and DLNA certification, compatibility with the company's smartphone remote control app, and a new version of VIERA Connect that's replete with more online content. Notably, the SC-BTT490 features two HDMI inputs in addition to the traditional HDMI out. Each of the home theater models will be available in April.

Meanwhile, the four remaining 3D Blu-Ray players -- the DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320 and DMP-BDT220 -- each support Panasonic's VIERA Connect, while the 2D models, the DMP-BD87 and DMP-BD77, are limited to Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube. Of this group, the 500, 320 and 220 each feature a 192kHz/32bit audio DAC, although the 500 ultimately makes it to the top of the pile with high quality terminals and capacitors. If you're curious to learn more about this heapin' pile of Panasonic wares, be sure to check the PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-Ray players

Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-Ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UltraViolet ‘digital locker’ opens for business. Lets you buy once, play anywhere… eventually

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:57:00 +0000

The first UltraViolet-enabled disks wont actually appear on shelves till tomorrow, but that doesn't mean you can't get a head start on migrating to DECE's buy once, play anywhere platform. The digital locker is now open for business (sort of) and consumers can go sign up for an account right now. Sadly, there isn't much you can do just yet. Though the Flixster app for PCs and iOS was updated to add UltraViolet support, there doesn't appear to be anyway to link your various accounts (like iTunes or Netflix) with the service just yet. An account can have up to six different users associated with it, and you can control what content they will have access too -- a feature sure to be welcome by families with children. If you want to be able to purchase your flicks once and take them anywhere, right now your only hope is UltraViolet and Blu-ray discs bearing its logo -- a slow trickle of titles which begins October 11th with Horrible Bosses.

UltraViolet 'digital locker' opens for business. Lets you buy once, play anywhere... eventually originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four Atom chips sneak out of Intel, soon to appear in netbooks and nettops

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:01:00 +0000

Rarely do you hear of new chips sneaking out of Intel, Escape from Alcatraz-style. But that's (figuratively) happened today, with a quartet of processors appearing with little fanfare from Chipzilla. Two of these you might recognize as members of the delayed Cedar Trail series, the D2500 and D2700. The former clocks at 1.86GHz and 2.13GHz, with the latter upping that to 2.13GHz and 2.4Ghz; both have a thermal design power of less than 10W. The other two chips sip power even more judiciously: the N2600 has a TDP of less than 3.5W at 1.6GHz or 1.86GHz; the N2800 has a 6.5W TDP, running at 1.86GHz or 2.13GHz. All include GPUs, with the N2000 series destined for netbooks, while the D2000 series should end up in nettops. To dig deeper into the specs, see Intel's datasheet at the source link below.

Four Atom chips sneak out of Intel, soon to appear in netbooks and nettops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:32:00 +0000

We know, we know. You're fit to be tied waiting for the complete Star Wars collection to be released on Blu-ray in September, but there's good news for impatient iPad owners here in the US. You see, some of the collection's bonus materials can be had for free a bit early -- as in tomorrow -- courtesy of the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access App. Even better, we've got video of the app in action plus a gallery of pics for you to drool over until you can download it yourself. And for folks abroad or those with an iPhone or iPod touch, the same sneak peek will be available in August.

The app itself is a ported version of what you'll see on the Blu-ray discs, but there's some added touchscreen functionality -- pinch-to-zoom on the concept art and users can spin props and models with the flick of a finger in the "Collection" section. The app also lets you selectively download the content, so all that artwork and video won't eat up an undue portion of your iPad's memory. After getting handsy with it in person, we found the app easy to use and the content compelling (where else can you examine the Death Star up close?), but we were left wishing that there was a bit... more. Of course, the lion's share of extras are reserved for the paying customers come September 16th -- though we were disappointed to discover that, currently, there are no plans to make it all available on the app even if you buy the Blu-rays. Regardless, you get what you pay for, and that makes this gratis addition to the Star Wars universe a darn good deal.

Gallery: Star Wars Blu-ray companion iPad app

Continue reading Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app

Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 3.5 million 3D Blu-ray discs ’sold’ in first year, half were bundled with hardware

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:55:00 +0000

If we're looking at sales figures of 3.5 million units in the first year for a new laptop, smartphone, or camera, then we might be impressed. But 3D Blu-ray discs? When half were included in the box with a Blu-ray player? Man, that's gotta sting. Those numbers are based on an IHS Screen Digest estimate, tallying US sales beginning in June of 2010 and ending last month, though many larger titles didn't make their debut until later in the year. Still, if those results are even in the ballpark of official (unreleased) numbers from BD distributors, then things really aren't looking up for 3D. With fewer than 100 titles even available on Blu-ray, however, we're not really surprised that discs aren't exactly flying off the shelves. Obviously, as a growing number of movies are filmed in 3D we'll see BD title availability increase as well, but with the technology's lackluster beginnings over the last year and no sign that consumers are ready to spend more to embrace that new dimension, 3D may continue its slow crawl toward the mainstream for some time to come.

Report: 3.5 million 3D Blu-ray discs 'sold' in first year, half were bundled with hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperkin’s PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets

admin — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:17:00 +0000

With the PSN finally back up, it's time for important things -- you know, messaging your buds for a Black Ops pwning spree or hitting up Netflix. Hyperkin's Remotext for PS3 wants to help you get back into action with its hybrid remote / controller / chatpad. It features a slide-out Blu-ray remote panel, QWERTY keypad -- better positioned than SONY's offering -- and two analog nubs with a near-complete set of gaming controls. There's no sign of rear triggers, and Bluetooth connectivity is absent too, but it does come with a wireless USB receiver and rechargeable battery so you're not left scrounging between the couch cushions for AAs. Although we're doubtful it'll prove functional for gaming, it could be appropriate for PS3s that spend more time sitting at the movies than getting their Move on. The DualShock 3 shouldn't have much to worry about, but we'll find out at E3, when the Remotext will be officially showcased. There's no word on pricing or availability yet, but if you're dying for more in the meantime, a press release is beyond the break.

Continue reading Hyperkin's PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets

Hyperkin's PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 10:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Podcast 238 – 05.06.2011

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:43:00 +0000

We'll tell you what: if you even blink these days, you're gonna miss a special guest on the Engadget Podcast. This week we've got Joystiq's Chris Grant in the house to shoot the shizzle on Sony's network hurt and the Wii 3D IMAX rumors bubbling up all around us. And we lure Richard Lawler to step out on his old lady, the Engadget HD Podcast, for a romp on the possibly slightly wilder side of the tracks. Let's do it: let's talk tech.

Host: Tim Stevens
Guests: Chris Grant, Brian Heater, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: You Shook Me All Night Long

02:15 - Apple iMac hands-on, with dual 30-inch displays! (video)
03:00 - Apple iMac refresh official: Thunderbolt and next gen quad-core processors
03:45 - AT&T officially announces HP Veer 4G, available May 15th for $100 (update)
04:55 - Star Wars Blu-ray set ships Sept. 12th/16th (world/NA), has 40 hours of special features
06:35 - Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit
07:55 - Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence
09:35 - Droid Charge review
11:16 - Verizon document suggests LG Revolution will have Netflix pre-installed
13:47 - Sony promises 'phased restoration' of PlayStation Network and Qriocity starting this week
20:22 - Sony woes continue as SOE confirms data breach (update: 24.6 million accounts affected)
31:03 - Sony responds to Congress: all 77 million PSN accounts compromised, finger pointed at Anonymous
33:52 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 hands-on (update: video)
34:30 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 (Bold Touch) official
34:45 - BlackBerry Bold Touch makes brief appearance on RIM's website
35:05 - Android apps on PlayBook eyes-on (video)
35:48 - RIM announces BlackBerry 7 OS with better browser and BlackBerry Balance, but no legacy support
38:10 - Nintendo drops Wii price to $150 from May 15th, throws in a free Wii Wheel and copy of Mario Kart
48:05 - Nielsen estimates show first drop in TV ownership in 20 years, Mayans nod approvingly
50:40 - We won some Webby Awards, and now you can win a BlackBerry PlayBook!
51:44 - Listener questions

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Engadget Podcast 238 - 05.06.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel’s Cedar Trail gets some specs, combines CPU and GPU on a single chip

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:29:00 +0000

That new processor smell has barely started to fade from Oak Trail and we're already getting some tantalizing details about the next generation of Atom chips -- Cedar Trail. As expected, Intel has moved to 32nm, which allows it to cram the GPU and the CPU onto the same sliver of silicon. The first two models, the D2500 and D2700, will be dual-core, sport 1MB of L2 cache, and have a miserly TDP of 10w -- 3w lower than current dual-core Atoms. The former will be clocked at 1.86GHz with Hyper-Threading turned off, while the D2700 flips the switch on those two extra threads and kicks it up a notch to 2.13GHz. The new integrated graphics will boast better HD decoding and support for Blu-ray playback which, when combined with the taunts of fanless designs and WiDi, make Cedar Trail a natural fit for the living room.

Intel's Cedar Trail gets some specs, combines CPU and GPU on a single chip originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plextor PL-LB950UE Blu-ray burner lands in the US with heady mix of USB 3.0 speed and double-layer storage

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:42:00 +0000

Europeans have been able to bag this speedy external writer for a few months now, but it's only just received its Green Card -- turning up in the US with a suitcase full of dreams and a price tag of $239.99. A quick check of its CV resume reveals a choice of either USB 3.0 or eSATA connectivity, 12x write speed, and the ability to burn up to 50GB of data on a dual-layer disc. The drive is being pitched as an "all-in-one Blu-ray device" because it also handles 3D playback and has a low vibration system for quieter operation. Admittedly, it only offers half as much storage as BDXL writers, but those burn slower and onto judderingly expensive media. Closer competition comes from Buffalo, which arrived early to the USB 3.0 table, but whose current MediaStation model omits the eSATA option.

Continue reading Plextor PL-LB950UE Blu-ray burner lands in the US with heady mix of USB 3.0 speed and double-layer storage

Plextor PL-LB950UE Blu-ray burner lands in the US with heady mix of USB 3.0 speed and double-layer storage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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