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New Sony Blu-ray players do 3D, WiFi, iPhone remote, more

Sony BDP-s770
Since releasing the initial Blu-ray players on the market years ago, Sony has been lagging a little behind in regards to features. Today that's about to change as the top of the line BDP-S770 (pictured above) not only supports 3D, but also has built in WiFi, and iPhone/iPod Touch app for a remote (in addition to the standard remote) and plenty of streaming options like Netflix, Amazon and many others. The BDP-S570 also has built in WiFi, but unlike the 770, it will require a firmware update before DLNA works. The BDP-S370 brings the line home which is similar to its bigger brothers but requires an optional WiFi adapter if you need wireless.
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New Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs coming this Summer with WiFi and local dimming

Sony LX900 3D HDTV
LG isn't the only one with more new LCD HDTVs then you can shake a stick at, in fact Sony just announced 38 new models of its own. The most interesting is the LX900 line (pictured above) which is due this Summer -- still waiting on a price -- available in sizes ranging from 40-inches to 60-inches and will of course do Full 1080p 3D with help from RealD's active shutter glasses. But even if you aren't into 3D, we're sure you'll appreciate the new local dimming and built in WiFi so that you can stream all kinds of content via internet services or your home's DLNA network. Like the LX900, the HX900 does 3D, but the the active shutter glasses and 3D transmitter are sold separately. If you are interested in the rest of the lineup then don't hesitate to click through and read the entire press release.
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Sony has some new Blu-ray home theater systems and yes, one does 3D

Sony BDV-HZ970W
And you thought that just because you are the home theater in a box type that you wouldn't get to enjoy 3D -- Sony announced a trio of Blu-ray home theater systems that feature wireless speakers and the same internet streaming features BRAVIA Internet Video, DNLA and the iPhone app remote that the stand-alone Blu-ray from Sony do. And the top of the line BDV-HZ970W (pictured above) also supports 3D Blu-ray Discs. The other two new systems, the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570, have most of the same features, but both lack 3D and the BDV-E570 doesn't do DLNA. Check out the full release after the break if you are still left asking for more.
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DirecTV 3D broadcasts officially announced, coming in June

Buried in Panasonic's flood of CES 2010 announcements is the official confirmation that DirecTV will be first in the U.S. to offer 3D TV. The three dedicated channels (PPV, DirecTV On Demand and a free 3D sample demo) offered at launch will be "presented by Panasonic" for the first year they're on-air and available to all DirecTV HD customers via a software upgrade. Additional content partners include AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System -- are we the only ones hoping the Mayweather/Pacquiao bout gets pushed back and broadcast in 3D?

Zii Labs and ARM team up for SiVO home media devices

Remember CES last year, when Creative debuted the Zii and -- true to its marketing pitch -- everything you know changed? Looks like the company (in the form of its subsidiary, ZiiLabs) is teaming up with ARM this go 'round to further blow minds with its new SiVO Digital Home Platform. Harnessing the newly released Zii Labs ZMS-08 (not to mention ARM's 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor), the digital media hub boasts 1080p HDTV playback, 3D graphics, support for all your favorite media (including H.264, H.263, XVid and DivX, WMV9/VC1, MP3, WMA8 lossless, AAC-LC, and FLAC), web browser, Adobe Flash Player 10, and Adobe AIR. If you're an OEM, ODM, or just a huge fan of Stem Cell computing, you're in luck -- this bad boy is making its debut this week in LV. PR after the break.
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Panasonic blows it out with 3D Blu-ray deck, HDTVs, channels and $21k camcorder

Had enough of the CES barrage? Nah. Panasonic just cut loose a few new releases of its own, with the highlight of the bunch being the planet's first integrated Full HD 3D camcorder. Dubbed a "professional" device, the camcorder won't be available to order until April, and it's expected to make the filming of 3D content easier due to having the camcorder itself, the lenses, camera head and a twin memory card recorder smashed together in a single body. Users will also find stereoscopic adjustment controls on the twin-lens, solid state-based system, and we're told that it'll automatically recalibrate itself sans the need for any external equipment. 'Course, the $21,000 MSRP is apt to turn away most everyone not being financed by a movie house, but hey, at least we're fairly certain it'll be reduced to a few bills by 2012. In related news, Panny is also partnering with DirecTV to launch a trio of dedicated 3D channels starting in June, and the two are already in talked with AEG, CBS, Fox Sports, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and TBS to develop additional 3D programming that'll debut between 2010 to 2011.

Oh, and you'll obviously need a new setup to view said content, and that's where Panny comes in (again). The outfit unleashed a new range of 3D-capable (thanks, RealD!) Viera plasma HDTVs and Blu-ray 3D players, and all it takes to enjoy mind-melting 3D content in the comfort of your abode is "a stylish and lightweight pair of active-shutter glasses." Oh, joy. The complete line will be fleshed out later this Spring, with screen sizes ranging from 50- to 65-inches. In one of the most brilliant moves of the show, Panny's also including just a single set of 3D glasses with its multi-thousand dollar televisions, which is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Sir Buyer who has to plop down an extra hundie or two to get specs for the whole family. At any rate, the DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray player will handle 1080p content in both the second and third dimension. The last bit is new partnerships with Netflix, Skype, Twitter and Pandora (among other outlets), all of which are being added to the Viera Cast library that's accessible on select Blu-ray players and HDTVs. Catch the full rundown after the break... if you dare.


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Netflix bends over, agrees to delay renting Warner DVDs

Oh sigh. We'd been hearing that Warner Brothers would be pushing for month-long rental delays for mail-order services in order to boost sales, and it looks like Netflix has been pushed into submission: under an agreement announced today, Warner Brother DVDs and Blu-rays won't be available to Netflix subscribers for 28 days after they're released for sale. What's worse, Netflix says it expects to reach similar deals with the other major studios as time goes on. Why would Reed Hastings agree to a clear imposition on his company's rights under the first-sale doctrine? We're guessing this is the only way the studios would open up and allow more movies to hit Watch Instantly -- and the AP says Netflix is also getting a discount on the actual discs. Yeah, it's lame, but honestly we'd rather take more streaming content over new releases in the mail straight away, so let's hope all this wheeling and dealing pays off.

Samsung's 2010 Blu-ray players bring 3D, transparency & thinness

Samsung has unveiled its latest family of Blu-ray players for 2010 topped by the BD-C6900 (above), compatible with both the 3D Blu-ray standard and the company's existing 3D displays. If your guests aren't thrilled by Full HD 3D and funky glasses they can always peek through the transparent cover and watch the disc spin. Also coming this year are the BD-C6500 with a promised 15-second boot time and disc load time, a new slim blu-ray champ with the BD-C7500 (after the break) and the low end BD-C5500. No word on prices or dates, but we're sure these should be appearing on shelves around the time the weather warms up.
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Samsung Apps opens home theater devices to software developers

Congratulations, you're now living in the world of Samsung Apps, which the company calls the "world's first HDTV-based application store" allowing for apps that work across multiple home theater devices and even a few cellphones. This extension of the Internet@TV platform will launch in the spring with a bundle of free apps, with paid ones to follow later. They're saying how much more fun it will be building apps for a 55-inch screen than one that's just 3-inches, but we'll have to wait for a floor hands on experience with a few to consider the possibilities. Check the PR after the break, confirmed participants include: Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Blockbuster, Fashion TV, Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu.
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HDTV Listings for January 6, 2010

What we're watching tonight:
  • ABC (720p) has The Middle at 8 & 8:30 p.m., Modern Family at 9 p.m., Cougar Town at 9:30 p.m. and Ugly Betty at 10 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) airs the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards at 9 p.m.
  • DirecTV (1080i) has Friday Night Lights at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Mercy at 8 p.m. and Law & Order: SVU at 9 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has the 2010 GMAC Bowl with Central Michigan/Troy at 7 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) brings Man vs. Wild at 9 & 9:30 p.m.
  • History (720p) airs Apocalypse Man at 9 p.m.
  • A&E (720p) has Dog the Bounty Hunter at 9:30 p.m. and Steven Seagal: Lawman at 10 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has the season premiere of Nip/Tuck at 10 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has the series premiere of Tailgate Takedown at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • TBS (1080i) has Meet the Browns at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has college basketball with Memphis/Syracuse at 7 p.m.

Sharp debuts 60-inch 240Hz Aquos LED LCD TV, 68-inch set with a touch of yellow in its RGB

Like the steady hand on your wristwatch, Sharp is arriving at CES with a handful of new television sets... so let's get on with the show! This year, the Aquos LED LCD TV series is touting an impressive 1.6-inch thin frame, Energy Start Version 4 compliancy, and "four primary color technology" -- in a nutshell, it's a "RGB-meet-Y for yellow" world. The LE920 flagship series comes in 52, 60, and 68-inch models with Aquomotion 240 and edge-lit LED; those are due in May with prices listed firmly as TBD. The LE820/810 series hits the slightly tinier, 60, 52, 46, and 40-inch screen size markets and boasts 120Hz frame rate conversion and 4ms response time. They're slightly more within your reach, debuting in March with prices ranging between $1,800 and $4,000. Looking for something even faster? Meet the 60-inch E88UN with a 240Hz refresh rate alongside a X-Gen panel -- mum's the word on pricing, but it'll be the first of these out, in February. Presser after the break.
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Sharp's BD-HP70U Blu-ray player adds a little red with Netflix support

Two new Blu-ray players straight from the brightly-lit, cemented halls of Sharp HQ. The BD-HP70U outputs at 1080p at 24 frames per second and boasts Wireless LAN with Netflix support (always a selling point). The BD-HP24U doesn't boast online love, but both do feature Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support. The latter is coming first quarter for $280, the former in Q2 for $500. We don't have a picture of the player just yet, but really it's not gonna be the casing that sets your heart aflame here, right? Press release is after the break.
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Live from Sharp's CES press event

It's CES week and that means the press conferences never stop, with Sharp the next up to flaunt its wares for the coming year. Last year the company ducked the Widget onslaught and continued its own AquosNet path, we'll see what 2010 has in store.
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Audiovox goes wild at CES: digiframes, camcorders, remotes, iPod sound systems

Are you ready for this? No, we mean are you ready for this? We sure hope so, 'cause Audiovox is about to drop eight new products on you here in the desert. Kicking things off is the Acoustic Research brand with two new iPod / iPhone-friendly sound systems: the ARS1i (36-watts) and ARS2i (50-watts). Both of these guys arrive with twin 2.5-inch carbon fiber woofers, two dome tweeters, AM / FM radio functionality, a bundled remote, backlit LCD, soft touch front keys and an auxiliary input jack. The latter also touts a built-in rechargeable battery and portable handle, and while it will list for $199.99 this Spring, the lesser-specced sibling will sell for $50 less.

Moving on, there's the RC60i and RC66i iPod clock radios from RCA, with the latter running on standard alkaline batteries and designed for the on-the-go crowd. That one will sell for a penny under $100, while the AC-powered RC60i will be offered at $79.99 when they hit this Spring. Staying on the RCA beat, there's the new line of Small Wonder pocket camcorders. The EZ4000 is a rugged, waterproof version that can capture 1080p clips onto a microSD card for $169.99 (available this Spring), while the palm-sized EZ5000 ($169.99) and EZ5100 ($199.99) look entirely more like a conventional camcorder and offer up 720p / 1080p video recording, 8 megapixel still shots, a 2.4-inch flip-out LCD and a rechargeable battery. The smaller EZ1000, EZ2000 and EZ3000 models round things out on the low end, with full specifications of these in the press release after the break.

The outfit is also introducing the DPF8100 ($129.99) and DPF8300 ($129.99) digiframes, both of which are a part of the newly created Décor series; if those are just too classy for you, there's also a 7-inch DPF7407 ($129.99), which fits squarely in the cutely named Celebration series. Closing things out are the $39.99 RCA Voice Control Remote (which gladly listens to commands that you bark at it), a gaggle of new AR outdoor wireless speakers, a few new Jensen in-car head units and Zentral Home Command smartphone remotes. Feel free to dig in for more information on those just past the break.
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Blu-ray 3D logo unveiled

We haven't yet laid hands on one of the new 3D Blu-ray players expected to debut later this year, but the BDA is already showing off its new logo. Nice use of perspective to simulate it popping out at you, we'll have to wait and see what gaudy box art surrounds these when movies arrive in the format.

Toshiba's Cell TV hands-on at CES

Toshiba may have announced a few things today at CES, but its press event was all about one major product: Cell TV. From what we can gather, the company is hopping on this bandwagon in a way we haven't seen since it sank its teeth into HD DVD, and if all the claims pan out, you just might be looking at your next television. Details were short on future pricing and availability, but we get the idea that Tosh wants this on the market as soon as humanly possible. Reportedly, this thing will enable 2D-to-3D conversion of practically any content you watch; of course, we've seen content that was shot in 3D look awful when behind the glasses, so we're not counting on the quality of the metamorphosis to be anything mind-blowing. That said, having such a chip within a TV opens up a whole new world of possibilities, and the accompanying uber-box shown in the gallery below is likely to sell right alongside of it. The purpose? To connect your "entire home" with your HDTV, not to mention bringing web content, video calling and stellar image quality to your otherwise drab den. Needless to say, we're on pins and needles here waiting for more information, but we'll be sure to pass it on as soon as it becomes available.

Toshiba introduces ZX900 Series 55-inch and 65-inch Cell TVs for the US

Originally envisioned last year as a 4k x 2k monstrosity, Toshiba's ZX900 Cell TV has been humbled slightly for its market debut. Still, the processing power is what's really on display here, and Toshiba claims that it's packed 143 times the processing power over existing televisions. That processing makes way for Toshiba's Resolution+ upscaling, a 480Hz frame rate (completely ready for 3D), and some home media server capabilities as well. The centerpiece is the Net TV applications, which include Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow and Pandora, and there's 802.11n WiFi and 1TB of HDD for streaming and storage. There's also mention of video phone capability, but it's unclear if has a built-in webcam (doubtful) or if you've got to bring your own USB number. Unfortunately, the biggest draw of this TV in its Japanese incarnation is its eight tuners, and for whatever reason that special distinction has been removed from this US version. The 55-inch and 65-inch displays use KIRA2 LED-backlit displays with 512 zones of localized dimming, and just in case this was wasn't enough, the sets have built-in Wireless HD and to connect the Cell-packing set-top box to the display wire-free. Of course, once you involve a set-top box you're kind of nullifying some of the magic of building a TV "with a Cell processor," but we'll let it slide. Just this once, Toshiba. Both TVs will be out "later this year" for an undisclosed, sure-to-be-huge price. A press release is after the break.
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Toshiba BDX3000 Blu-ray player does 3D, BDX2700 and BDX2500 do... other stuff

Toshiba's going all-in on the Blu-ray front here at CES and launching three new connected Blu-ray players: the BDX2500, the BDX2700 and the 3D-ready BDX3000. All three models do online streaming through a new partnership with CinemaNow; the $199 BDX2500 has a USB port for a wireless dongle, while the $249 BDX2700 and as-yet-unpriced BDX3000 have built-in WiFi. Expect the 2D models in the spring, and the three-dee unit in Q3. Full PR after the break.

(That's a pic of the current BDX2000, by the way -- we'll update with a new pic if the new ones look different.)
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VUDU coming to Sharp, Toshiba, adds tons of new apps

VUDU Apps
The folks over at VUDU have been very busy apparently, not only have deals been struck to get VUDU onto new Sharp, Sanyo, and Toshiba HDTVs and Blu-ray players, but there are also 100 new apps for select models -- TV manufactures like LG can decide not to support the Apps even though the VUDU movie streaming is supported. The list is pretty extensive, but many of the names look iffy -- more like show names than apps -- so we'll hold back on judgement until after we've gotten a chance to try them first hand. There are some that piqued our interest though; like Twitter, Facebook and Weather. Check out the entire list for yourself after the break.
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Live from Toshiba's CES press event

We're in place to see what Toshiba's got for us this year. We're figuring Cell TV is a must (banners around the LVCC make that obvious) and 3D is a given but we're wondering if an updated Blu-ray player, or another sighting of last year's Media Center Extender TV that never appeared are in the card. Just a few more minutes until 10 p.m. pst when we find out for sure.
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“Getting too close completely blurred what we saw to the point of incomprehension, but again, this shows a whole heap of potential that's fascinating to us.”
99.1
MILLION

The number of televisions estimated that sit unused in closets.

The EPA estimates that nearly 100 million unused televisions are currently taking up precious, beautiful space. (source: EPA, July 2008)

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