Loewe Connect LCD TVs
February 24, 2008
When it comes to making HDTVs Loewe have always lead the way in the style stakes. But now with the release of their Connect Range they are proving that they are more than capable of substance as well. Not only do they TVs boast the obligatory features such as a 1080p Full HD resolution screen but they are also packing an integrated 160GB PVR and Wi-Fi for streaming videos, music and other content from PCs and media boxes. Of course Loewe arent the only manufacturer offering PVR technology in their TVs, but they do seem to be ahead of the game as far as WiFi streaming goes. The Loewe Connect TVs are available in 32in, 37in and 42in sizes and in three colours: high gloss black or white and matt chrome silver.
The Samsung BD-P1400/XEU Blu-ray High Definition Player
February 21, 2008
Now that HD-DVD has finally bitten the dust its being reported by UK merchants Play.com and Dixons that consumer interest in Blu-Ray players has spiked significantly. Not sure how much of this interest has converted into actual sales of the hardware, although a quick browse around Dixons website reveals that they don’t actually have many of them in stock. Although Play do have a couple available for reasonably good prices too. The Samsung BD-P1400/XEU Blu-ray High Definition Player is currently in stock for a mere £199, and while its not without its reported flaws, this is currently the best price around for those wishing to dip their toes into an emerging market. It critics complain about slow loading speeds and the fact that out of the box it ony supports Blu-ray Profile 1.0 - although there a downloadable update on Samsung’s website to remedy this. Counter that with what you get when you actually get to watch a Blu Ray movie in all its glory and some faults coud be worth living with for the time being. But if you’re patient and can wait a month or two then I’m sure it wont be long before Budget players start to flood the shelves, just as DVD players did 4 or 5 years ago.
Buy the Samsung BD-P1400/XEU Blu Ray Player from Play.com today.
HD DVD Surrenders
February 19, 2008
Well, in case you didn’t know already, today was the day that Toshiba threw in the towel on the format war, handing victory to Sony and the Blu-Ray alliance.
We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called ‘next-generation format war’ and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,” said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation. “While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality.”
That the move has come so swiftly was Toshiba is not altogether unexpected. 2008 has not been a good year for the HD DVD format, having suffered several high profile blows in the run up to todays announcement. Microsoft are now left flying the flag but surely they too will follow suit, it can ony be a matter of time before they announce a Blu-ray addon for the Xbox 360 and, once the dust has settled, we’ll be wondering what all the fuss was about.
LCD Screens under 32 inches
February 15, 2008
A lot of attention is paid to the size of modern day LCD TV, with popular consensus being ‘bigger is better’. However, as with most things there can be a pretty decent clamour for the opposite end of the scale too. Especially if you are looking a a second TV to live in your kitchen or bedroom for example. With a little digging there are just as many gems to be had in the 15 to 26 inch range as there are their larger counterparts. Here are a few of the more highly rated: Read more
HD DVD Group respond to latest blow
February 13, 2008
Refusing to wave the white flag of surrender, the HD-DVD group has issued a statement following Netflix’s decision to ditch HD-DVDs as well as Best Buy’s recommendation of Blu-Ray to its customers.
“We have long held the belief that HD DVD is the best format for consumers based on quality and value, and with more than 1 million HD DVD players on the market, it’s unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward. While the Best Buy announcement says they will recommend Blu-ray, at least they will continue to carry HD DVD and offer consumers a choice at retail.”
Hardly a convincing reposte, but not a lot else they can say really.
Sharps Aquos Ultra Thin, Ultra Green X Series
February 12, 2008
After JVCs announcement of their thinnest range of TVs to date, Sharp have timetabled this September for the UK release of their ultra thin Aquos X series of LCD TVs. The new range are a mere 34 mm at their thickest point and come in 37, 42 and 46 inch screen sizes. The prototypes were an even more impressive 20mm thick, but obviously something had to give for the production models - however they will still be the thinnest screens for sale in the UK. And using just 0.5 watts of electricity whilst in standby mode, they promise to be kinder to the environment too
Additional Features:
Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution panels
120Hz processing,
3 HDMI (v1.3) inputs.
Source: HDTV.org
Another nail in the coffin for HD-DVD
February 12, 2008
The last six weeks have meant bad news for the HD-DVD camp in the ongoing war between it and rival High definition format Blu-ray. Read more
Half of UK men would give up Sex…
February 11, 2008
….if there was a promise of a 50 inch plasma at the end of it! Apparantly so. In a recent survey of 2000 people by electronics retailer Comet, it transpires that up to 47 percent of men (and 33% of women) would be willing to go without a bit of the other for 6 whole months if there was a 50 inch high definition plasma TV up for grabs. It seems Size really does matter more to men than it does women after all.
Personally I’d rather fork out the £950 it currently cost for the LG 50PD65 and have a TV right now as well as as much sex as I could handle for the next six months - but thats just me :).
PS3 Lite on the Cards?
February 4, 2008
Todays rumour mill seems to working overtime with suggestions that Sony could well be unleashing a slimmer, leaner version of their flagship High Definition PS3 games console this Autumn. The word seems to have been leaked to T3 by an un-named source over at the recent CES in January. The new console is said to be slimmer and lighter as well as sporting a bigger hard drive too (possibly 160gb). Of course in the long run we would probably have expected Sony to do something like this, after all they have have a track record of streamlining their popular games consoles, starting with the PSOne, but to release something a soon as this Autumn would be unlikely - but hey you never know.
Source: T3
JVC V Series LCD TV
February 4, 2008
The latest announcement from JVC regarding the evolution of their range of high definition TVs is the V series LCD TV coming later this year. Unlike the majority of HDTVs on the market though, this range has its own unique selling point. Its very thin. Measuring from 34mm at its thinnest point to 74mm at its thickest, I suspect JVC are pioneering the newest trend for 2008 with thin being the new 1080p. The screens will be available in 42 inches (42DV9) and 46 inches (46DV9) and will incorporate all the expected features including 1080p resolution and 3 HDMI connectors.
Source: Crave
