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Engadget HD reviews what’s new in Windows Media Center after CEDIA

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Yet another CEDIA has come and gone, and while some of our greatest hopes for Media Center came true (CableCard is no longer OEM only, Switched Digital Video support for the tuning adapter is coming) several more did not (Zune HD integration and any new CableCard announcements from ATI.) Peep the recap post on Engadget HD for the full rundown on what did and didn't happen in Media Center news from Atlanta, and what Microsoft's next plans for Windows Media Center could (& should) be.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Engadget HD reviews what's new in Windows Media Center after CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just Add Power introduces Projector Connector HDMI-over-IP solution

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:53:00 +0000

It looks like the gang over at Just Add Power have cooked up a device that will let you manage multiple HDMI sources without the limits of traditional HDMI switches (and no, it isn't an HDMI Balun). The Projector Connector consists of an encoder unit that converts your HDMI source signal to IP packets and a networked receiver that decodes the signal at the display end. Add a managed switch and you can keep adding sources and display devices to your heart's content (up to 200 displays). Controlled by a PC over HTTP, this is definitely a product that will see more use in large organizations than it will in home theater setups. But still, what HD aficionado wouldn't love to get his hands on something this powerful and (relatively) inexpensive? The encoder (VBS-HDMI-308A) sells for $299, while the decoder (VBS-HDMI0108A) will run $250 -- you'll have to buy your own switch. Supports 1080p, HDCP, and up to 5.1 digital audio. Hit the read link to pick one up for yourself.

[Via CE Pro]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Just Add Power introduces Projector Connector HDMI-over-IP solution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:09:00 +0000

With VIZIO's first LED local dimming backlit HDTV just days away from debut and its first Connected TV nearing production, we were able to lay eyes and hands on the television and its funky QWERTY Bluetooth / IR combo remote. Check the pics and videos (including looks at VIZIO's smaller LED sets ready to hit shelves this fall) for a look at our walkthrough; in the demos at least, the VIZIO Internet Apps platform was speedy and easy to use, however our experience with widgets so far has given us more than enough reason to wait for a full retail rollout before making any final decisions. One tidbit for those not ready to invest a whole new TV? The next iteration of VIZIO's Blu-ray player should pack not only integrated Wi-Fi, but also the full VIA / widget experience.

Continue reading VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony network Blu-ray player spied at CEDIA

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:11:00 +0000

Why wait 'til October to get a peek at Sony's BRAVIA Internet features come to Blu-ray on the BDP-N460? Check them out right now in the following gallery, we got a good look at the future on the CEDIA show floor, though whether Sony delivering all new hardware or everyone else's strategy of upgrading existing players for Netflix, Amazon and other forms of streaming is the path to follow remains to be seen. The BDP-N460 should hit for about $250 starting next month.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony network Blu-ray player spied at CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung 65-inch LCD observed in its unnatural habitat at CEDIA

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Just when you thought it was safe above 60-inches, Samsung's showing off a new LCD at CEDIA with the best old-school CCFL tech has to offer. It may not have the sexy side profile of its edge lit-LED brethren or the cachet of certain plasmas but with the sheer size of the LN65B650, even shrouded by foliage in Samsung's booth setup, we're more than ready to catch a game on this baby.

Samsung 65-inch LCD observed in its unnatural habitat at CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:13:00 +0000

It's been less than a year since we first entered Panasonic's demo trailer, the main difference at CEDIA this year was the addition of a trailer for James Cameron's Avatar. We were lucky enough to get an early look at the footage shown, while it shared much with the trailer released a few weeks ago, you haven't seen the Terminator and Titanic director's latest effort unless you've seen it in 3D. Check after the break for the rest of our thoughts on the 3D demo, and what the future has to hold for this display tech in the home.

Continue reading Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp announces HT-SB500 soundbar at CEDIA, some iPod docks too

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Sharp mostly re-announced stuff we're already seen at CEDIA today, but it did have a new soundbar for us -- the $349 3.1-channel HT-SB500, which adds a center speaker to the usual stereo setup. Sharp says the bar can use Dolby Virtual Speaker to simulate 5.1 audio from DTS, Dolby Digital, and Pro Logic II sources, which is almost but not quite extremely interesting. There are also two new iPod docks, the $189 DK-AP8P and the $129 DK-AP7P, both of which should do a fine job of providing adequate audio on the go, with batteries that last up to six hours at a clip -- and the cheaper one apparently folds up into itself, so that's very fancy.

P.S.- That's a picture of the older HT-SB300 up there -- the SB500 has a redesigned control panel, but Sharp hasn't released images yet.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Sharp announces HT-SB500 soundbar at CEDIA, some iPod docks too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer’s new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:17:00 +0000

You probably already have your Home Theater situation well sorted, so the gang at Pioneer (lovely chaps) have brought some slightly less robust devices to CEDIA for that other room in your house. First off, the iPod docks: in case you didn't see them in Europe where they first made the scene a week or so ago, both new XW models pack 2.1 surround sound, 60W output, and Bluetooth connectivity into a single unit. The splashier of the two is the XW-NAS5, which is available in multiple colors, features a radio, and includes some sort of built-in ambient sound player for fans of relaxation, sleep, or hypnosis. If you're not feeling quite as ostentatious, the XW-NAS3 comes in white and features iPod support -- and nothing else. If PMP dockery isn't your bag, you might want to check out the HTP-SB300 soundbar. Featuring 3.1-channels, 250W of power, dual HDMI ins, and support for DTS, Dolby Digital PLUS and Dolby TrueHD audio, it's the perfect compliment to your wall-mounted 32-37-inch display. Both are available this Winter, for a price TBA. PR after the break.

[Via SlashGear]

Continue reading Pioneer's new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Pioneer's new soundbar and iPod docks coming this Winter originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:44:00 +0000

Just because Pioneer isn't in the plasma business anymore doesn't mean the company is dead, and one of the new points of focus over there is on media aggregation. So part of the new do-it-all Entertainment Tap concept Pioneer was displaying today included a demo of storing Managed Copies of Blu-ray Discs on a hard drive. The copy itself was done in about 4x real time (dependent on the drive's speed) and looked great thanks to some hardware transcoding. We also appreciated the Pioneer interface that made copying the disc easy. Of course at this point this is just a demo, with no word on availability or price, but it is a start to what will one day hopefully be a better way to enjoy HD movies.

Continue reading Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo

Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 to get a better version of Netflix than Vista

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:24:00 +0000

No the Windows 7 version of the Netflix Watch Instantly still isn't going to work on Extenders for Media Center, but it will include a more seamless experience than the Vista version does, like the movie info image above. Microsoft really wasn't ready to share any more details with us, but we suspect the search is improved. The fact that they were so tight lipped leads us to believe that Microsoft is still holding back on some Windows 7 details -- at least in regards to internet content and Windows 7. At this point it appears we might have to wait until the official release of Windows 7 to truly figure out if all that work to bring internet content to Windows 7 pays off.

Windows 7 to get a better version of Netflix than Vista originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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