Recently in Video Hardware & Software Category

As if we didn't already have too many High Definition DVD formats!

Now, a third format has entered the HD DVD war to battle HD-DVD and Blu-ray for world domination -- New Medium Enterprises' High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc (HD VMD).

(That VMD spelled out is brutal ...)

This format makes use of a red laser and multiple layers to maximize storage capacity.

Photo from Dealerscope, which has more on this perplexing development.

Now, this is interesting.

For the latest state-of-the-art TV viewing, let's go back a few decades when 3-D was the rage -- or at least something to draw folks into movie theaters.

In the "what is old is new again" column, Philips 3-D TVs are using tiny lenses over every subpixel to create a 3-D effect without the need for viewers to wear those funny glasses.

Spy Kids 3D anyone?

Philips is initially marketing the product to retailers who will create 3-D ads to get the attention of passing consumers, presumably a neat retail trick.

Get the full story in Wired, including the first-person report of the sensory sensation ...

If you can't wait, check out the 3D fun at DeepVision 3D.

Orb Networks today announced that consumers have enjoyed a record 66 million minutes -- the equivalent of a whopping 125 years -- of digital media (recorded videos, TV, music, etc.) streamed from their home computer to a mobile phone, PDA or laptop using the free Orb MyCasting service. Orb stated that all this streaming has occurred in just 19 months since Orb's inception.

I've used Orb's software in the past to stream my personal TV recordings as well as stream live TV. Quite useful when I'm travelling and the hotel doesn't offer FOX News or the YES Network.

The nice thing about Orb is that the software is free and integrates quite nicely with Windows Media Center Edition. My only complaint is that Orb buffers the video, so it makes it difficult to "channel surf". Also, if there is congestion, it takes awhile for Windows Media Player (or RealPlayer) to rebuffer.

That's why I like SightSpeed 5.0's channel surfing capabilities, which doesn't require buffering. SightSpeed 5.0 is a VoIP/video-over-IP application by day and a cool streaming TV application by night. I was able to channel surf with amazing speed and amazing video quality using this software. Go check out my review of SightSpeed.

I don't know if it's just in time for back to school shopping, but prices are falling fast for flat-panel TVs -- as much as 12% in the past few months, according to Yahoo!/USA Today.

Apparently CE companies have overshot the demand for flat-panel TVs (plasma and LCD), which is hard to believe. Perhaps increasing gas prices are finally putting a crimp on consumers' discretionary spending -- at least for "big ticket" items -- and many flat-panel TV sales are replacements for "just working fine, thank you, but now totally uncool" older CRT sets.

(Best Buy at least asks "Which TV is right for you?")

 

The one thing we don't think about too much in the world of gadgets is that gadgets do come and go -- some very fast and some very slow.

Piece in the New York Times got me into this nostalgic state; article is on the soon to be disappearing cathode ray tube from TV sets in America and around the world, too.

(Cut-away photograph courtesy of a fun place to visit ---www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.)

Now some of you may not remember, but I am sure many of you do remember that big old thing sticking out from beyond the TV set in the living room; that was the most visible part of the cathode ray tube.

(CRT to those into initials.)

 

CRTs also made our computer monitors look so massive; amazing with technology can do!)

Easy to see this near death coming with the explosion and steady sales of flat-panel TVs, which obviously take up less space on a desktop (and look cooler -- you know cooler does count in gadgets.)

Any thoughts on other gadgets soon to be on their way out ...

No, that's not an iMac G5, but they sure look similar. OPPO Digital, Inc., a consumer electronics manufacturer, on August 1st will release the stylish and sexy LT-2007 20-inch LCD TV and DVD player combination wrapped in a fashionable translucent case.

The LT-2006 is great for television and movie watching in small spaces, such as the kitchen counter. The LT-2007 sports a high quality enhanced definition 20-inch flat-panel LCD TV with a slot-loading DVD player that is built directly into the base. It even plays DiVX files. The LT-2007 plays DVD-Video, DiVX, Audio CD, Kodak Picture CD and many other digital audio/video/picture formats, such as CD-R/CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD-RW, and DVD+R/DVD+RW.

It includes several input and output connections, including digital audio output, component video input and VGA. The LT-2007 can be connected to a surround sound home theater system, a PC, a cable box, or a satellite receiver.

“The LT-2007 features one of the highest pixel resolutions for its size combined with a striking DVD player, all packaged as pure eye-candy for entertainment aficionados,” stated Nathaniel Plain, Manager of Technical Service at OPPO Digital.  “With its convenient adjustable base, the LT-2007 is right at home whether watching TV,  DVDs, playing the latest video games, or displaying precious family photos through the built in flash card reader, it is ideal anywhere.”

It also has a built-in 181-channel NTSC tuner with automatic station searching and fine tuning.  Additionally, digital 3D comb filters deliver stunning color reproduction and enhanced picture resolution and sharpness.  Convenience features incude last channel recall, sleep timer, headphone jack and a cradle for the remote control.

Available from OPPO Digital and authorized resellers for $599.00. 

As several news sites have reported, Microsoft plans to release a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the "Zune" brand this year to challenge the Apple iPod media player. The latest Apple iPod plays both music and videos with the ability to download TV shows and now even full-fledged movies via iTunes. Microsoft hopes to take some of the 70& marketshare from Apple which has dominated the portable media player market.

The sad thing is, Microsoft could have dominated this market had they minituarized the bulky PocketPC years ago. The PocketPC enjoyed some success, but never really took off. Part of the reason was that PocketPCs were too bulky to use as an MP3 player while jogging on a treadmill or just walking down the street. Even when Dell launched the Axim series of PocketPCs, which were thinner and lighter, it was too late. Blackberries stole the show for remote email access and the iPod stole the show for portable music leaving PocketPCs out in the cold. Even though the PocketPC could do remote email, play mp3s, as well as GPS navigation and other functionality, it unfortunately suffered from doing too many things "ok" and did not do one thing really really well.

Dell discontinued the Axim PocketPC series, and Windows Mobile 5 finally put the final nail in the coffin for PocketPCs. Why have a dedicated PocketPC PDA when you can get a Windows Mobile 5 smartphone that is a PDA plus a phone, and all the other functionality - mp3 player, calendar, email, etc.

Personally, I'd rather Microsoft offer a smartphone that can store >20GB of music and video content rather than try and compete with Apple's "one trick pony" iPod, which doesn't have smartphone functionality. All of the cellphones or even smartphones I have used have a terrible built-in MP3 player or didn't have enough storage. Most smartphones use SD/miniSD cards instead of hard drives to conserve battery power. If Microsoft were to offer a Windows Mobile 5 smartphone with >20GB of multimedia storage, decent standby/talk time, and an intuitive user interface (iPod-like) then I'd buy it in a nano-second.

So Microsoft, take my advice and forget about competing with the iPod with a single purpose "Zune" media player and instead offer a compelling converged device that does everything the iPod can do and more all on an easy-to-use smartphone. As a gadget-lover, this would be my dream device and I'd auction off my current iPod on eBay faster than you can say "buh bye iPod."

So much going on with HD-DVD and Blu-ray that you need a scorecard to keep up with all of the players and their moves in this next-generation format war.

Is there any life to a dual-format player that supports both Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD like Samsung is apparently considering?

Would have to add something to the existing Blu-ray player (pictured) ...

The phone lines are open ... 

 

Everybody wants to be a market leader in their product category -- yes, saying you are #1 is important!

Now, after nearly a year of declining market share and the loss of its leadership in the plasma display panel (PDP) industry, South Korea’s LG Electronics has reclaimed the top position in the first quarter of 2006. (This is according to iSuppli Corp.)

LG’s share of worldwide PDP unit production rose to 31.1% in the first quarter of this from 27.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005; LG is now 1 point ahead of Matsushita, which we know much better as Panasonic.

(Anybody remember when we manufactured high-tech stuff like this is the U.S.?)

(In fact, anybody remember the last TV company with a U.S. manufacturing presence?)

Well, take a look at the top five companies in this category:

• LG
• Matsushita
• Samsung
• Pioneer
• Hitachi

The full report is in Electronic Business at www.reed-electronics.com.

 

Accell will accounce today their UltraAV High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2 to 1 Switch for home theater and presentations that is perfect for video enthusiasts.  Most new HD displays and projectors are equipped with only one HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connector requiring consumers to manually connect the source devices or purchase an expensive switch, which at $250 to $300, may be out of reach for many consumers.  Common HDMI sources include DVRs, set top boxes, satellite receivers, and DVD players.

The UltraAV HDMI Switch allows concurrent access to two video sources, eliminating the need to get off the sofa to plug and un-plug HDMI devices every time you want to use a different video source. The 2-1 Switch supports 1080p resolutions, is backward compatible and is compliant with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) devices. The UltraAV 2 to 1 Switch also works with DVI equipped devices when using an optional DVI adapter.



The switch requires no external power. Most Switches serving this need are bulky and carry a $250-$300 price tag, but Accell’s 2-1 Switch is small and carries an MSRP of just $99.99. Included with the Switch is a programmable wireless remote and an mountable infrared sensor. An IR Extender is included for when your Switch is not in line of sight to your remote control. The extender has a 5-foot cord, a miniature IR target and is self-adhesive for convenient placement, for when you want to install the Switch in an out-of-sight location.

It will be available next month (June).